Optimizing Ligand Efficiency of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs).

A series of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) containing the 1-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl alcohol core have been optimized for androgen receptor (AR) potency and drug-like properties. We have taken advantage of the lipophilic ligand efficiency (LLE) parameter as a guide to interpret the effect of structural changes on AR activity. Over the course of optimization efforts the LLE increased over 3 log units leading to a SARM 43 with nanomolar potency, good aqueous kinetic solubility (>700 μM), and high oral bioavailability in rats (83%).

Discovery of GSK1997132B a novel centrally penetrant benzimidazole PPARγ partial agonist.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a ligand-activated nuclear receptor, thought to play a role in energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis and microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. A novel benzimidazole series of centrally penetrant PPARγ partial agonists has been identified. The optimization of PPARγ activity and in vivo pharmacokinetics leading to the identification of GSK1997132B a potent, metabolically stable and centrally penetrant PPARγ partial agonist, is described.

Phenoxyacetic acids as PPARδ partial agonists: synthesis, optimization, and in vivo efficacy.

A series of phenoxyacetic acids as subtype selective and potent hPPARδ partial agonists is described. Many analogues were readily accessible via a single solution-phase synthetic route which resulted in the rapid identification of key structure-activity relationships (SAR), and the discovery of two potent exemplars which were further evaluated in vivo. Details of the SAR, optimization, and in vivo efficacy of this series are presented herein.

Identification and characterization of 4-chloro-N-(2-{[5-trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridyl]sulfonyl}ethyl)benzamide (GSK3787), a selective and irreversible peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARdelta) antagonist.

4-Chloro-N-(2-{[5-trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridyl]sulfonyl}ethyl)benzamide 3 (GSK3787) was identified as a potent and selective ligand for PPARdelta with good pharmacokinetic properties. A detailed binding study using mass spectral analysis confirmed covalent binding to Cys249 within the PPARdelta binding pocket. Gene expression studies showed that pyridylsulfone 3 antagonized the transcriptional activity of PPARdelta and inhibited basal CPT1a gene transcription.

Discovery of a novel class of PPARdelta partial agonists.

Anthranilic acid GW9371 was identified as a novel class of PPARdelta partial agonist through high-throughput screening. The design and synthesis of SAR analogues is described. GSK1115 and GSK7227 show potent partial agonism of the PPARdelta target genes CPT1a and PDK4 in skeletal muscle cells.