Discovery of a factor Xa inhibitor (3R,4R)-1-(2,2-difluoro-ethyl)-pyrrolidine-3,4-dicarboxylic acid 3-[(5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-amide] 4-[[2-fluoro-4-(2-oxo-2H-pyridin-1-yl)-phenyl]-amide] as a clinical candidate.

A series of (3R,4R)-pyrrolidine-3,4-dicarboxylic acid amides was investigated with respect to their factor Xa inhibitory activity, selectivity, pharmacokinetic properties, and ex vivo antithrombotic activity. The clinical candidate from this series, R1663, exhibits excellent selectivity against a panel of serine proteases and good pharmacokinetic properties in rats and monkeys. A Phase I clinical study with R1663 has been finalized.

Discovery of tetrahydro-cyclopenta[b]indole as selective LXRs modulator.

A series of tetrahydro-cyclopenta[b]indoles modulating the activity of the liver-X-receptor (LXR) were derived from a high throughput screening hit. The potency and selectivity for LXRbeta versus LXRalpha was improved. One compound, administered to wild-type mice modestly increased plasma HDL-cholesterol with no change in plasma triglycerides (TG) and reduced effects on liver TG content compared to T0901317.

Design of novel aminopyrrolidine factor Xa inhibitors from a screening hit.

Starting from a hit identified by focused screening, 3-aminopyrrolidine factor Xa inhibitors were designed. The binding mode as determined by X-ray structural analysis as well as the pharmacokinetic behaviour of selected compounds is discussed.

Structural, kinetic, and thermodynamic analysis of glucoimidazole-derived glycosidase inhibitors.

Inhibition of glycosidases has great potential in the quest for highly potent and specific drugs to treat diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and viral infections. One of the most effective ways of designing such compounds is by mimicking the transition state. Here we describe the structural, kinetic, and thermodynamic dissection of binding of two glucoimidazole-derived compounds, which are among the most potent glycosidase inhibitors reported to date, with two family 1 beta-glycosidases.

Synthesis and evaluation of anilinohexafluoroisopropanols as activators/modulators of LXRalpha and beta.

A series of branched and unbranched anilinohexafluoroisopropanols related to the known sulfonamide T0901317 were prepared and evaluated as activators/modulators of both LXRalpha and LXRbeta. A structure-activity relationship was established and compounds with high potency on both the receptors were identified. Many compounds showed a tendency toward selectivity for LXRbeta versus LXRalpha.