Evolution of Novartis' Small Molecule Screening Deck Design.

This article summarizes the evolution of the screening deck at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR). Historically, the screening deck was an assembly of all available compounds. In 2015, we designed a first deck to facilitate access to diverse subsets with optimized properties.

Evaluation of the GastroPlus™ Advanced Compartmental and Transit (ACAT) Model in Early Discovery.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral exposure predictions obtained early in drug discovery with a generic GastroPlus Advanced Compartmental And Transit (ACAT) model based on the in vivo intravenous blood concentration-time profile, in silico properties (lipophilicity, pKa) and in vitro high-throughput absorption-distribution-metabolism-excretion (ADME) data (as determined by PAMPA, solubility, liver microsomal stability assays).

Methods: The model was applied to a total of 623 discovery molecules and their oral exposure was predicted in rats and/or dogs. The predictions of Cmax, AUClast and Tmax were compared against the observations.

NVP-QBE170: an inhaled blocker of the epithelial sodium channel with a reduced potential to induce hyperkalaemia.

Background And Purpose: Inhaled amiloride, a blocker of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), enhances mucociliary clearance (MCC) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. However, the dose of amiloride is limited by the mechanism-based side effect of hyperkalaemia resulting from renal ENaC blockade. Inhaled ENaC blockers with a reduced potential to induce hyperkalaemia provide a therapeutic strategy to improve mucosal hydration and MCC in the lungs of CF patients.

Demonstration of proof of mechanism and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic relationship with 4'-cyano-biphenyl-4-sulfonic acid (6-amino-pyridin-2-yl)-amide (PF-915275), an inhibitor of 11 -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, in cynomolgus monkeys.

Glucocorticoids, through activation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), regulate hepatic gluconeogenesis. Elevated hepatic expression and activity of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11betaHSD1) play a key role in ligand-induced activation of the GR through the production of cortisol. Evidence from genetically modified mice suggests that inhibition of 11betaHSD1 might be a therapeutic approach to treat the metabolic syndrome.

Proteasome inhibitor drugs on the rise.

In May 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Velcade) fast-track status for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Practical synthesis and elaboration of methyl 7-chloroindole-4-carboxylate.

A synthesis of a previously unknown indole derivative is presented. The route reported herein allows for the preparation of multihundred gram quantities of material without any chromatographic purification. Conditions are presented for the Pd-catalyzed elaboration of one of the "diversity generating elements" of this important pharmacophore.