Discovery of 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,3-a]pyrimidines as orally available G protein-coupled receptor 119 agonists.

GPR119 is a 7-transmembrane receptor that is expressed in the enteroendocrine cells in the intestine and in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Indolines and 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,3-a]pyrimidines were discovered as G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) agonists, and lead optimization efforts led to the identification of 1-methylethyl 4-({7-[2-fluoro-4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl}oxy)-1-piperidinecarboxylate (GSK1104252A) (3), a potent and selective GPR119 agonist. Compound 3 showed excellent pharmacokinetic properties and sufficient selectivity with in vivo studies supporting a role for GPR119 in glucose homeostasis in the rodent.

2,5-Disubstituted pyridines as potent GPR119 agonists.

A series of 2-piperazinyl-5-alkoxypyridines were synthesized and screened against human GPR119 receptor. Through SAR analysis, compounds containing 2-alkylsulfonylpiperazinyl-5-alkoxypyridines were discovered and found to be potent agonists of the human GPR119 receptor.

Facile reductive amination of aldehydes with electron-deficient anilines by acyloxyborohydrides in TFA: application to a diazaindoline scale-up.

A scale-up of diazaindoline 1 was achieved in four stages and 32% overall yield. The key step involved rapid reductive amination of aldehyde 8 with aniline 5 by sodium triacetoxyborohydride (STAB-H) and TFA followed by ring closure of intermediate amine 9 to compound 1 in the same pot. These reaction conditions were also applied to facile reductive aminations with anilines known to have little reactivity under STAB-H/AcOH conditions.

Novel benzimidazole-based MCH R1 antagonists.

The identification of an MCH R1 antagonist screening hit led to the optimization of a class of benzimidazole-based MCH R1 antagonists. Structure-activity relationships and efforts to optimize pharmacokinetic properties are detailed along with the demonstration of the effectiveness of an MCH R1 antagonist in an animal model of obesity.

Discovery of potent, nonsystemic apical sodium-codependent bile acid transporter inhibitors (Part 2).

In the preceding paper several compounds were reported as potent apical sodium-codependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) inhibitors. Since the primary site for active bile acid reabsorption is via ASBT, which is localized on the luminal surface of the distal ileum, we reasoned that a nonsystemic inhibitor would be desirable to minimize or eliminate potential systemic side effects of an absorbed drug. To ensure bioequivalency and product stability, it was also essential that we identify a nonhygroscopic inhibitor in its most stable crystalline form.

Discovery of potent, nonsystemic apical sodium-codependent bile acid transporter inhibitors (Part 1).

Elevated plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are a major risk factor for atherosclerosis leading to coronary artery disease (CAD), which remains the main cause of mortality in Western society. We believe that by preventing the reabsorption of bile acids, a minimally absorbed apical sodium-codependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) inhibitor would lower the serum cholesterol without the potential systemic side effects of an absorbed drug. A series of novel benzothiepines (3R,3R'-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-5-aryl-1-benzothiepin-4-ol 1,1-dioxides) were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit the apical sodium dependent bile acid transport (ASBT)-mediated uptake of [(14)C]taurocholate (TC) in H14 cells.