Discovery of 2-(6-{[(1R,2R)-2-hydroxycyclohexyl]amino}-4,5-dimethylpyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenol (ASP0965): A potent, orally active and brain-penetrable NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor with a novel scaffold for the treatment of α-synucleinopathy.

NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor is a highly attractive drug target for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. Here, we report the discovery of pyridazine derivatives as a new class of scaffold for NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors. We optimized HTS hit 2a to improve both in vitro IL-1β inhibitory activity and the mean photo effect (MPE) value in the in vitro 3T3 neutral red uptake (NRU) phototoxicity test.

Discovery and structure-activity relationships study of positive allosteric modulators of the M muscarinic acetylcholine receptor.

The M muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) is a member of the family of mAChRs, which are associated with a variety of physiological functions including the contraction of various smooth muscle tissues, stimulation of glandular secretion, and regulation of a range of cholinergic processes in the central nerve system. We report here the discovery and a comprehensive structure--activity relationships (SARs) study of novel positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the M mAChR through a high throughput screening (HTS) campaign. Compound 9 exhibited potent in vitro PAM activity towards the M mAChR and significant enhancement of muscle contraction in a concentration-dependent manner when applied to isolated smooth muscle strips of rat bladder.

Discovery and Biological Evaluation of Potent and Orally Active Human 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

We synthesized and evaluated novel 5-[2-(thiophen-2-yl)propan-2-yl]-4H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives as 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) inhibitors. Optimization of the thiophene ring and the substituents on the 1,2,4-triazole ring produced 3,4-dicyclopropyl-5-{2-[3-fluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)thiophen-2-yl]propan-2-yl}-4H-1,2,4-triazole monohydrochloride (9a), which showed potent and selective inhibitory activity against human 11β-HSD1. Compound 9a was also metabolically stable against human and mouse liver microsomes.

Design, synthesis and biological activity of selective and orally available TF/FVIIa complex inhibitors containing non-amidine P1 ligands.

We found the novel selective and orally available non-amidine TF/FVIIa complex inhibitor 21e, 4-({[(1S)-(aminocarbonyl)-3-methylbutyl]amino}carbonyl)-2'-({[4- (aminomethyl)phenyl]amino}carbonyl)-4'-(methylamino)biphenyl-2- carboxylic acid. The derivatives were synthesized by conversions of the isobutyl moiety and the introduction of alkylamino groups to 4'-position of the central phenyl ring of compounds 2a and 2b reported previously. Some compounds show increased in vitro anti-TF/FVIIa and PT prolongation activities.

Potent and selective TF/FVIIa inhibitors containing a neutral P1 ligand.

Inhibition of tissue factor/factor VIIa complex (TF/FVIIa) is an attractive strategy for antithrombotic therapies. We began with an investigation of a non-amidine TF/FVIIa inhibitor based on a modification of amidine compound 1. Optimization of the substituents on the P1 phenyl portion of the compound 1 led to a neutral or less basic alternative for the 4-amidinophenyl moiety.