Design, synthesis and optimization of 7-substituted-pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridine ALK5 (activin receptor-like kinase 5) inhibitors.

A series of potent ALK5 inhibitors were designed using a SBDD approach and subsequently optimized to improve drug likeness. Starting with a 4-substituted quinoline screening hit, SAR was conducted using a ALK5 binding model to understand the binding site and optimize activity. The resulting inhibitors displayed excellent potency but were limited by high in vitro clearance in rat and human microsomes.

MET Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition Enhances the Antitumor Efficacy of an HGF Antibody.

Receptor tyrosine kinase therapies have proven to be efficacious in specific cancer patient populations; however, a significant limitation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment is the emergence of resistance mechanisms leading to a transient, partial, or complete lack of response. Combination therapies using agents with synergistic activity have potential to improve response and reduce acquired resistance. Chemoreagent or TKI treatment can lead to increased expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and/or MET, and this effect correlates with increased metastasis and poor prognosis.

Design, synthesis and optimization of novel Alk5 (activin-like kinase 5) inhibitors.

Using SBDD, a series of 4-amino-7-azaindoles were discovered as a novel class of Alk5 inhibitors that are potent in both Alk5 enzymatic and cellular assays. Subsequently a ring cyclization strategy was utilized to improve ADME properties leading to the discovery of a series of 1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2(3H)-one drug like Alk5 inhibitors.

Trelagliptin (SYR-472, Zafatek), Novel Once-Weekly Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes, Inhibits Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) via a Non-Covalent Mechanism.

Trelagliptin (SYR-472), a novel dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, shows sustained efficacy by once-weekly dosing in type 2 diabetes patients. In this study, we characterized in vitro properties of trelagliptin, which exhibited approximately 4- and 12-fold more potent inhibition against human dipeptidyl peptidase-4 than alogliptin and sitagliptin, respectively, and >10,000-fold selectivity over related proteases including dipeptidyl peptidase-8 and dipeptidyl peptidase-9. Kinetic analysis revealed reversible, competitive and slow-binding inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 by trelagliptin (t1/2 for dissociation ≈ 30 minutes).

A fragment-based approach to identifying S-adenosyl-l-methionine -competitive inhibitors of catechol O-methyl transferase (COMT).

Catechol O-methyl transferase belongs to the diverse family of S-adenosyl-l-methionine transferases. It is a target involved in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Here we present a fragment-based screening approach to discover noncatechol derived COMT inhibitors which bind at the SAM binding pocket.

Discovery of novel benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-3(4H)-ones as poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase inhibitors.

Structure based drug design of a series of novel 1,4-benzoxazin-3-one derived PARP-1 inhibitors are described. The synthesis, enzymatic & cellular activities and pharmacodynamic effects are described. Optimized analogs demonstrated inhibition of poly-ADP-ribosylation in SW620 tumor bearing nude mice through 24h following a single dose.

Discovery of tricyclic 5,6-dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-ones as novel, potent, and orally bioavailable inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase.

A novel series of non-nucleoside small molecules containing a tricyclic dihydropyridinone structural motif was identified as potent HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitors. Driven by structure-based design and building on our previous efforts in related series of molecules, we undertook extensive SAR studies, in which we identified a number of metabolically stable and very potent compounds in genotype 1a and 1b replicon assays. This work culminated in the discovery of several inhibitors, which combined potent in vitro antiviral activity against both 1a and 1b genotypes, metabolic stability, good oral bioavailability, and high C(12) (PO)/EC(50) ratios.

5,5'- and 6,6'-dialkyl-5,6-dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-ones as potent inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase.

The discovery of 5,5'- and 6,6'-dialkyl-5,6-dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-ones as potent inhibitors of the HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5B) is described. Several of these agents also display potent antiviral activity in cell culture experiments (EC50 <0.10 microM).

5,6-Dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-ones as potent inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase.

5,6-Dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-one analogs were discovered as a novel class of inhibitors of genotype 1 HCV NS5B polymerase. Among these, compound 4ad displayed potent inhibitory activities in biochemical and replicon assays (IC(50) (1b)<10nM; IC(50) (1a)<25nM, EC(50) (1b)=16nM), good in vitro DMPK properties, as well as moderate oral bioavailability in monkeys (F=24%).

Novel HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitors derived from 4-(1',1'-dioxo-1',4'-dihydro-1'lambda(6)-benzo[1',2',4']thiadiazin-3'-yl)-5-hydroxy-2H-pyridazin-3-ones. Part 5: Exploration of pyridazinones containing 6-amino-substituents.

The synthesis of 4-(1',1'-dioxo-1',4'-dihydro-1'lambda(6)-benzo[1',2',4']thiadiazin-3'-yl)-5-hydroxy-2H-pyridazin-3-ones bearing 6-amino substituents as potent inhibitors of the HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5B) is described. Several of these agents also display potent antiviral activity in cell culture experiments (EC(50)<0.10 microM).

Hexahydro-pyrrolo- and hexahydro-1H-pyrido[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-ones as potent inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase.

Hexahydro-pyrrolo- and hexahydro-1H-pyrido[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-one analogs were discovered as a novel class of inhibitors of genotype 1 HCV NS5B polymerase. Among these, compound 4c displayed potent inhibitory activities in biochemical and replicon assays (IC(50) (1b) <10 nM; EC(50) (1b)=34 nM) as well as good stability towards human liver microsomes (HLM t(1/2) =59 min).

4-(1,1-Dioxo-1,4-dihydro-1lambda6-benzo[1,4]thiazin-3-yl)-5-hydroxy-2H-pyridazin-3-ones as potent inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase.

4-(1,1-Dioxo-1,4-dihydro-1lambda(6)-benzo[1,4]thiazin-3-yl)-5-hydroxy-2H-pyridazin-3-one analogs were discovered as a novel class of inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase. Structure-based design led to the identification of compound 3a that displayed potent inhibitory activities in biochemical and replicon assays (1b IC(50)<10 nM; 1b EC(50)=1.1 nM) as well as good stability toward human liver microsomes (HLM t(1/2)>60 min).

Pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-ones as potent inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase.

Pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-one analogs were discovered as a novel class of inhibitors of genotype 1 HCV NS5B polymerase. Structure-based design led to the discovery of compound 3 k, which displayed potent inhibitory activities in biochemical and replicon assays (IC(50) (1b)<10nM; EC(50) (1b)=12 nM) as well as good stability towards human liver microsomes (HLM t(1/2)>60 min).

Novel HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitors derived from 4-(1',1'-dioxo-1',4'-dihydro-1'lambda(6)-benzo[1',2',4']thiadiazin-3'-yl)-5-hydroxy-2H-pyridazin-3-ones. Part 3: Further optimization of the 2-, 6-, and 7'-substituents and initial pharmacokinetic assessments.

5-Hydroxy-3(2H)-pyridazinone derivatives were investigated as inhibitors of genotype 1 HCV NS5B polymerase. Lead optimization led to the discovery of compound 3a, which displayed potent inhibitory activities in biochemical and replicon assays [IC(50) (1b)<10nM; IC(50) (1a)=22 nM; EC(50) (1b)=5nM], good stability toward human liver microsomes (HLM t(1/2)>60 min), and high ratios of liver to plasma concentrations 12h after a single oral administration to rats.

Novel HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitors derived from 4-(1',1'-dioxo-1',4'-dihydro-1'lambda6-benzo[1',2',4']thiadiazin-3'-yl)-5-hydroxy-2H-pyridazin-3-ones: Part 4. Optimization of DMPK properties.

5-Hydroxy-3(2H)-pyridazinone derivatives were investigated as potent inhibitors of genotype 1 HCV NS5B polymerase focusing on the optimization of their drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) profiles. This investigation led to the discovery of potent inhibitors with improved DMPK properties.