Discovery of Pyrazolocarboxamides as Potent and Selective Receptor Interacting Protein 2 (RIP2) Kinase Inhibitors.

Herein we report the discovery of pyrazolocarboxamides as novel, potent, and kinase selective inhibitors of receptor interacting protein 2 kinase (RIP2). Fragment based screening and design principles led to the identification of the inhibitor series, and X-ray crystallography was used to inform key structural changes. Through key substitutions about the N1 and C5 N positions on the pyrazole ring significant kinase selectivity and potency were achieved.

2,4-Diamino-8-quinazoline carboxamides as novel, potent inhibitors of the NAD hydrolyzing enzyme CD38: Exploration of the 2-position structure-activity relationships.

Starting from 4-amino-8-quinoline carboxamide lead 1a and scaffold hopping to the chemically more tractable quinazoline, a systematic exploration of the 2-substituents of the quinazoline ring, utilizing structure activity relationships and conformational constraint, resulted in the identification of 39 novel CD38 inhibitors. Eight of these analogs were 10-100-fold more potent human CD38 inhibitors, including the single digit nanomolar inhibitor 1am. Several of these molecules also exhibited improved therapeutic indices relative to hERG activity.

Discovery of 4-Amino-8-quinoline Carboxamides as Novel, Submicromolar Inhibitors of NAD-Hydrolyzing Enzyme CD38.

Starting from the micromolar 8-quinoline carboxamide high-throughput screening hit 1a, a systematic exploration of the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of the 4-, 6-, and 8-substituents of the quinoline ring resulted in the identification of approximately 10-100-fold more potent human CD38 inhibitors. Several of these molecules also exhibited pharmacokinetic parameters suitable for in vivo animal studies, including low clearances and decent oral bioavailability. Two of these CD38 inhibitors, 1ah and 1ai, were shown to elevate NAD tissue levels in liver and muscle in a diet-induced obese (DIO) C57BL/6 mouse model.

Discovery, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Thiazoloquin(az)olin(on)es as Potent CD38 Inhibitors.

A series of thiazoloquin(az)olinones were synthesized and found to have potent inhibitory activity against CD38. Several of these compounds were also shown to have good pharmacokinetic properties and demonstrated the ability to elevate NAD levels in plasma, liver, and muscle tissue. In particular, compound 78c was given to diet induced obese (DIO) C57Bl6 mice, elevating NAD > 5-fold in liver and >1.

Substituted N-{3-[(1,1-dioxido-1,2-benzothiazol-3-yl)(phenyl)amino]propyl}benzamide analogs as potent Kv1.3 ion channel blockers. Part 2.

We report the synthesis and in vitro activity of a series of novel substituted N-{3-[(1,1-dioxido-1,2-benzothiazol-3-yl)(phenyl)amino]propyl}benzamide analogs. These analogs showed potent inhibitory activity against Kv1.3.

N-{3-[(1,1-dioxido-1,2-benzothiazol-3-yl)(phenyl)amino]propyl}benzamide analogs as potent Kv1.3 inhibitors. Part 1.

We report the synthesis and in vitro activity of a series of novel N-{3-[(1,1-dioxido-1,2-benzothiazol-3-yl)(phenyl)amino]propyl}benzamide analogs. These analogs showed potent inhibitory activity against Kv1.3.

Pyrrolidinyl pyridone and pyrazinone analogues as potent inhibitors of prolyl oligopeptidase (POP).

We report the synthesis and in vitro activity of a series of novel pyrrolidinyl pyridones and pyrazinones as potent inhibitors of prolyl oligopeptidase (POP). Within this series, compound 39 was co-crystallized within the catalytic site of a human chimeric POP protein which provided a more detailed understanding of how these inhibitors interacted with the key residues within the catalytic pocket.

2-Cyano-4-fluoro-1-thiovalylpyrrolidine analogues as potent inhibitors of DPP-IV.

We report the synthesis and biological activity of a series of 2-cyano-4-fluoro-1-thiovalylpyrrolidine inhibitors of DPP-IV. Within this series, compound 19 provided a potent, selective, and orally active DPP-IV inhibitor which demonstrated a very long duration of action in both rat and dog.

Structure-based design of potent retinoid X receptor alpha agonists.

A series of tetrahydrobenzofuranyl and tetrahydrobenzothienyl propenoic acids that showed potent agonist activity against RXRalpha were synthesized via a structure-based design approach. Among the compounds studied, 46a,b showed not only very good potency against RXRalpha (K(i) = 6 nM) but was also found to be greater than 167-fold selective vs RARalpha (K(i) > 1000 nM). This compound profiled out as a full agonist in a cell-based transient transfection assay (EC(50) = 3 nM).

Novel selective small molecule agonists for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARdelta)--synthesis and biological activity.

We report the synthesis and biological activity of a new series of small molecule agonists of the human Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor delta (PPARdelta). Several hits were identified from our original libraries containing lipophilic carboxylic acids. Optimization of these hits by structure-guided design led to 7k (GW501516) and 7l (GW0742), which shows an EC(50) of 1.