Heteroaromatic-aminomethyl quinolones: potent and selective iNOS inhibitors.

The overproduction of nitric oxide during the biological response to inflammation by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes have been implicated in the pathology of many diseases. By removal of the amide core from uHTS-derived quinolone 4, a new series highly potent heteroaromatic-aminomethyl quinolone iNOS inhibitors 8 were identified. SAR studies led to identification of piperazine 22 and pyrimidine 32, both of which reduced plasma nitrates following oral dosing in a mouse lipopolysaccharide challenge assay.

Identification and SAR of selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) dimerization inhibitors.

We have identified and synthesized a series of imidazole containing dimerization inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The necessity of key imidazole and piperonyl functionality was demonstrated and SAR studies led to the identification of compound 35, which showed a dose dependant inhibition in multiple pain models, including tactile allodynia induced by spinal nerve ligation (Chung model).

Discovery of Lu AA33810: a highly selective and potent NPY5 antagonist with in vivo efficacy in a model of mood disorder.

The structure-activity relationship of a series of tricyclic-sulfonamide compounds 11-32 culminating in the discovery of N-[trans-4-(4,5-dihydro-3,6-dithia-1-aza-benzo[e]azulen-2-ylamino)-cyclohexylmethyl]-methanesulfonamide (15, Lu AA33810) is reported. Compound 15 was identified as a selective and high affinity NPY5 antagonist with good oral bioavailability in mice (42%) and rats (92%). Dose dependent inhibition of feeding was observed after i.

Pharmacological characterization of KLYP961, a dual inhibitor of inducible and neuronal nitric-oxide synthases.

Nitric oxide (NO) derived from neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) and inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) plays a key role in various pain and inflammatory states. KLYP961 (4-((2-cyclobutyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-1-yl)methyl)-7,8-difluoroquinolin-2(1H)-one) inhibits the dimerization, and hence the enzymatic activity of human, primate, and murine iNOS and nNOS (IC(50) values 50-400 nM), with marked selectivity against endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (IC(50) >15,000 nM). It has ideal drug like-properties, including excellent rodent and primate pharmacokinetics coupled with a minimal off-target activity profile.

Discovery of dual inducible/neuronal nitric oxide synthase (iNOS/nNOS) inhibitor development candidate 4-((2-cyclobutyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-1-yl)methyl)-7,8-difluoroquinolin-2(1H)-one (KD7332) part 2: identification of a novel, potent, and selective series of benzimidazole-quinolinone iNOS/nNOS dimerization inhibitors that are orally active in pain models.

Three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), dimeric enzymes that catalyze the formation of nitric oxide (NO) from arginine, have been identified. Inappropriate or excessive NO produced by iNOS and/or nNOS is associated with inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Previously, we described the identification of a series of amide-quinolinone iNOS dimerization inhibitors that although potent, suffered from high clearance and limited exposure in vivo.

Synthesis and SAR of 2-aryl-3-aminomethylquinolines as agonists of the bile acid receptor TGR5.

Optimization of a screening hit from uHTS led to the discovery of TGR5 agonist 32, which was shown to have activity in a rodent model for diabetes.

Benzothiophene containing Rho kinase inhibitors: Efficacy in an animal model of glaucoma.

We identified a new benzothiophene containing Rho kinase inhibitor scaffold in an ultra high-throughput enzymatic activity screen. SAR studies, driven by a novel label-free cellular impedance assay, were used to derive 39, which substantially reduced intraocular pressure in a monkey model of glaucoma-associated ocular hypertension.

Water-soluble PDE4 inhibitors for the treatment of dry eye.

PDE4 inhibitors have the potential to alleviate the symptoms and underlying inflammation associated with dry eye. Disclosed herein is the development of a novel series of water-soluble PDE4 inhibitors. Our studies led to the discovery of coumarin 18, which is effective in a rabbit model of dry eye and a tear secretion test in rats.

Discovery of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor development candidate KD7332, part 1: Identification of a novel, potent, and selective series of quinolinone iNOS dimerization inhibitors that are orally active in rodent pain models.

There are three isoforms of dimeric nitric oxide synthases (NOS) that convert arginine to citrulline and nitric oxide. Inducible NOS is implicated in numerous inflammatory diseases and, more recently, in neuropathic pain states. The majority of existing NOS inhibitors are either based on the structure of arginine or are substrate competitive.

KLYP956 is a non-imidazole-based orally active inhibitor of nitric-oxide synthase dimerization.

Nitric-oxide synthases (NOS) generate nitric oxide (NO) through the oxidation of l-arginine. Inappropriate or excessive production of NO by NOS is associated with the pathophysiology of various disease states. Efforts to treat these disorders by developing arginine mimetic, substrate-competitive NOS inhibitors as drugs have met with little success.

Alpha-mercaptoketone based histone deacetylase inhibitors.

In an effort to discover novel non-hydroxamic acid histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, a novel alpha-mercaptoketone was identified in a high-throughput screen. Lead optimization of the screening hit, led to a number of potent HDAC inhibitors. In particular, alpha-mercaptoketone 19y (KD5150) exhibited nanomolar in vitro activity and inhibition of tumor growth in vivo.

Identification of KD5170: a novel mercaptoketone-based histone deacetylase inhibitor.

We report the identification of KD5170, a potent mercaptoketone-based Class I and II-histone deacetylase inhibitor that demonstrates broad spectrum cytotoxic activity against a range of human tumor-derived cell lines. KD5170 exhibits robust and sustained histone H3 hyperacetylation in HCT-116 xenograft tumors following single oral or i.v.

KD5170, a novel mercaptoketone-based histone deacetylase inhibitor that exhibits broad spectrum antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo.

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have garnered significant attention as cancer drugs. These therapeutic agents have recently been clinically validated with the market approval of vorinostat (SAHA, Zolinza) for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Like vorinostat, most of the small-molecule HDAC inhibitors in clinical development are hydroxamic acids, whose inhibitory activity stems from their ability to coordinate the catalytic Zn2+ in the active site of HDACs.

Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by a novel small molecule activator of the unfolded protein response.

The transcription of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is activated by a network of proinflammatory signaling pathways. Here we describe the identification of a small molecule that downregulates the expression of iNOS mRNA and protein in cytokine-activated cells and suppresses nitric oxide production in vivo. Mechanistic analysis suggests that this small molecule, erstressin, also activates the unfolded protein response (UPR), a signaling pathway triggered by endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Synthesis and SAR of thiophene containing kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitors.

We have identified and synthesized a series of thiophene containing inhibitors of kinesin spindle protein. SAR studies led to the synthesis of 33, which was co-crystallized with KSP and determined to bind to an allosteric pocket previously described for other known KSP inhibitors.

3-arylimino-2-indolones are potent and selective galanin GAL3 receptor antagonists.

A series of 3-imino-2-indolones are the first published, high-affinity antagonists of the galanin GAL3 receptor. One example, 1,3-dihydro-1-phenyl-3-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]imino]-2H-indol-2-one (9), was shown to have high affinity for the human GAL3 receptor (Ki=17 nM) and to be highly selective for GAL3 over a broad panel of targets, including GAL1 and GAL2. Compound 9 was also shown to be an antagonist in a human GAL3 receptor functional assay (Kb=29 nM).

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of fluoro analogues of 8-{2-[4-(4-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1yl]ethyl}-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane-7,9-dione as selective alpha(1d)-adrenergic receptor antagonists.

We have discovered high-affinity antagonists (exemplified by 11 and 12) that are the most selective for alpha(1d)-adrenergic receptors (alpha(1d)-AR) reported to date. In cloned receptor assay systems, 12 displays at least 95-fold selectivity for the alpha(1d)-AR over all other G-protein-coupled receptors tested, and the subtype selectivity of 11 was confirmed in pharmacologically defined isolated tissue preparations.