An integrated in silico 3D model-driven discovery of a novel, potent, and selective amidosulfonamide 5-HT1A agonist (PRX-00023) for the treatment of anxiety and depression.

We report the discovery of a novel, potent, and selective amidosulfonamide nonazapirone 5-HT1A agonist for the treatment of anxiety and depression, which is now in Phase III clinical trials for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The discovery of 20m (PRX-00023), N-{3-[4-(4-cyclohexylmethanesulfonylaminobutyl)piperazin-1-yl]phenyl}acetamide, and its backup compounds, followed a new paradigm, driving the entire discovery process with in silico methods and seamlessly integrating computational chemistry with medicinal chemistry, which led to a very rapid discovery timeline. The program reached clinical trials within less than 2 years from initiation, spending less than 6 months in lead optimization with only 31 compounds synthesized.

Asymmetric synthesis of the protoberberine alkaloid (S)-(-)-xylopinine using enantiopure sulfinimines.

A concise enantioselective synthesis of (S)-(-)-xylopinine (1) is described involving the addition of the laterally lithiated derivative of o-tolunitrile of 16 to enantiopure sulfinimine (+)-14. Treatment of the resulting cyano sulfinamide adduct (-)-17b with DIBAL-H accomplishes five operations in a single pot and furnishes the cyclic imine (+)-18 in good yield. Reduction and cyclization affords (S)-(-)-1.