A novel series of IDO1 inhibitors have been identified with good IDO1 Hela cell and human whole b... more A novel series of IDO1 inhibitors have been identified with good IDO1 Hela cell and human whole blood activity. These inhibitors contain an indoline or a 3-azaindoline scaffold. Their structure-activity-relationship studies have been explored. Compounds 37 and 41 stood out as leads due to their good potency in IDO1 Hela assay, good IDO1 unbound hWB IC50s, reasonable unbound clearance, and good MRT in rat and dog PK studies.
A compound of formula (I): ** Formula ** or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: ... more A compound of formula (I): ** Formula ** or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: X is O; Ar1 is (i) naphthyl; or (ii) naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is independently substituted with one to three Y; Y is F; Cl; CN; (C1-C8) alkyl, optionally substituted with (C3-C8) cycloalkyl or one to three F; cycloalkyl (C3-C8), optionally substituted with one to three F; NR7R8; (C1-C8) alkyloxy, optionally independently substituted with one to three R9; cycloalkyloxy (C3-C8); phenyl, optionally substituted independently with one to three R10; Het1 or Het2; wherein cycloalkyloxy (C3-C8) may optionally be fused to a phenyl ring or may be independently substituted with one to three R10; R1 is (C1-C6) alkyl or (C3-C8) cycloalkyl, each of which is optionally substituted with one to three F; R2, R3, R4 are independently H, F, Cl or -OCH3; R5 is H, CN, F, Cl or R6; R6 is a group selected from (C1-C6) alkyl and (C1-C6) alkyloxy, in which each group is optionally substituted, if valence...
Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) has emerged as an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy... more Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) has emerged as an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. An automated ligand identification system screen afforded the tetrahydroquinoline class of novel IDO1 inhibitors. Potency and pharmacokinetic (PK) were key issues with this class of compounds. Structure-based drug design and strategic incorporation of polarity enabled the rapid improvement on potency, solubility, and oxidative metabolic stability. Metabolite identification studies revealed that amide hydrolysis in the D-pocket was the key clearance mechanism for this class. Strategic survey of amide isosteres revealed that carbamates and N-pyrimidines, which maintained exquisite potencies, mitigated the amide hydrolysis issue and led to an improved rat PK profile. The lead compound 28 is a potent IDO1 inhibitor, with clean off-target profiles and the potential for quaque die dosing in humans.
Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibition and its combination with immune checkpoint inhibi... more Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibition and its combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab have drawn considerable attention from both academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Here, we describe the discovery of a novel class of highly potent IDO1 heme-displacing inhibitors featuring a unique bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane motif. Compound 1, evolving from an ALIS (automated ligand identification system) hit, exhibited excellent potency but lacked the desired pharmacokinetic profile due to extensive amide hydrolysis of the benzamide moiety. Replacing the central phenyl ring in 1 with a bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane bioisostere effectively circumvented the amide hydrolysis issue, resulting in the discovery of compound 2 with a favorable overall profile such as excellent potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and a low predicted human dose.
The construction of complex aza-cycles is of interest to drug discovery due to the prevalence of ... more The construction of complex aza-cycles is of interest to drug discovery due to the prevalence of nitrogen-containing heterocycles in pharmaceutical agents. Herein we report an intramolecular C-H amination approach to afford value-added and complexity-enriched bridged bicyclic amines. Guided by density functional theory and nuclear magnetic resonance investigations, we determined the unique roles of light and heat activation in the bicyclization mechanism. We applied both light and heat activation in a synergistic fashion, achieving gram-scale bridged aza-cycle synthesis.
The clinical success of anti-IL-17 monoclonal antibodies (i.e., Cosentyx and Taltz) has validated... more The clinical success of anti-IL-17 monoclonal antibodies (i.e., Cosentyx and Taltz) has validated Th17 pathway modulation for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The nuclear hormone receptor RORγt is a master regulator of Th17 cells and affects the production of a host of cytokines, including IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-26, and GM-CSF. Substantial interest has been spurred across both academia and industry to seek small molecules suitable for RORγt inhibition. A variety of RORγt inhibitors have been reported in the past few years, the majority of which are orthosteric binders. Here we disclose the discovery and optimization of a class of inhibitors, which bind differently to an allosteric binding pocket. Starting from a weakly active hit 1, a tool compound 14 was quickly identified that demonstrated superior potency, selectivity, and off-target profile. Further optimization focused on improving metabolic stability. Replacing the benzoic acid moiety with piperidinyl carboxylate, modifying the 4-aza-indazole core in 14 to 4-F-indazole, and incorporating a key hydroxyl group led to the discovery of 25, which possesses exquisite potency and selectivity, as well as an improved pharmacokinetic profile suitable for oral dosing.
Continuous flow has been used widely in process chemistry and academic settings for various appli... more Continuous flow has been used widely in process chemistry and academic settings for various applications. However, initial reaction discovery has generally remained "batch-exclusive" despite the existence of efficient, reproducible flow systems. We hereby disclose a workflow to bridge the gap between early medicinal chemistry efforts and process-scale development, showcased by the discovery and optimization of a metallaphotoredox-catalyzed cross-coupling between benzylic chlorides and aryl bromides, followed by two library syntheses of complex drug-like compounds.
As more macrocycle structures are utilized to drug intracellular targets, new platforms are neede... more As more macrocycle structures are utilized to drug intracellular targets, new platforms are needed to facilitate the discovery of cell permeable compounds in this unique chemical space. Herein, a method is disclosed that allows for the efficient synthesis and permeability evaluation of novel organo-peptide macrocycle libraries. Thoughtful library design allows for the collection of crude permeability data using supercritical fluid chromatography mass spectrometry (SFC-MS) (EPSA) by mass-encoding the stereochemistry, ring size, and organic linker of the desired macrocycles. Library synthesis was aided via the development of a new on-resin N-arylation reaction. Further insights on the permeation of these organo-peptide macrocycles will be discussed, such as the permeability enhancement when utilizing a 2-substituted phenethyl linker versus a 3-substituted phenethyl linker. Lastly, selected macrocycles were scaled up and tested in the MDCK-II permeability assay, and the results of this assay reiterated the permeability trends from the crude SFC-MS data.
Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by inflamm... more Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by inflammation and intestinal epithelial injury. Loss of function mutations in the intracellular bacterial sensor NOD2 are major risk factors for the development of CD. In the absence of robust bacterial recognition by NOD2 an inflammatory cascade is initiated through alternative PRRs leading to CD. In the present study, MCC950, a specific small molecule inhibitor of NLR pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), abrogated dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced intestinal inflammation in Nod2−/− mice. NLRP3 inflammasome formation was observed at a higher rate in NOD2-deficient small intestinal lamina propria cells after insult by DSS. NLRP3 complex formation led to an increase in IL-1β secretion in both the small intestine and colon of Nod2ko mice. This increase in IL-1β secretion in the intestine was attenuated by MCC950 leading to decreased disease severity in Nod2ko mice. Our work suggests that ...
A new method to access cyclic peptidomimetics via a Pd-catalyzed macroamination reaction is prese... more A new method to access cyclic peptidomimetics via a Pd-catalyzed macroamination reaction is presented. Natural amino acid amines are revealed as proficient coupling partners in these transformations. With a commercially available CPhos G3 catalyst system and substrates bearing diverse amino acid and aryl halide backbones, the unique head to side-chain (or side-chain mimic) macrocycles are afforded with ring sizes from 11 to 23 members in yields up to 84%.
A novel series of IDO1 inhibitors have been identified with good IDO1 Hela cell and human whole b... more A novel series of IDO1 inhibitors have been identified with good IDO1 Hela cell and human whole blood activity. These inhibitors contain an indoline or a 3-azaindoline scaffold. Their structure-activity-relationship studies have been explored. Compounds 37 and 41 stood out as leads due to their good potency in IDO1 Hela assay, good IDO1 unbound hWB IC50s, reasonable unbound clearance, and good MRT in rat and dog PK studies.
A compound of formula (I): ** Formula ** or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: ... more A compound of formula (I): ** Formula ** or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: X is O; Ar1 is (i) naphthyl; or (ii) naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is independently substituted with one to three Y; Y is F; Cl; CN; (C1-C8) alkyl, optionally substituted with (C3-C8) cycloalkyl or one to three F; cycloalkyl (C3-C8), optionally substituted with one to three F; NR7R8; (C1-C8) alkyloxy, optionally independently substituted with one to three R9; cycloalkyloxy (C3-C8); phenyl, optionally substituted independently with one to three R10; Het1 or Het2; wherein cycloalkyloxy (C3-C8) may optionally be fused to a phenyl ring or may be independently substituted with one to three R10; R1 is (C1-C6) alkyl or (C3-C8) cycloalkyl, each of which is optionally substituted with one to three F; R2, R3, R4 are independently H, F, Cl or -OCH3; R5 is H, CN, F, Cl or R6; R6 is a group selected from (C1-C6) alkyl and (C1-C6) alkyloxy, in which each group is optionally substituted, if valence...
Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) has emerged as an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy... more Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) has emerged as an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. An automated ligand identification system screen afforded the tetrahydroquinoline class of novel IDO1 inhibitors. Potency and pharmacokinetic (PK) were key issues with this class of compounds. Structure-based drug design and strategic incorporation of polarity enabled the rapid improvement on potency, solubility, and oxidative metabolic stability. Metabolite identification studies revealed that amide hydrolysis in the D-pocket was the key clearance mechanism for this class. Strategic survey of amide isosteres revealed that carbamates and N-pyrimidines, which maintained exquisite potencies, mitigated the amide hydrolysis issue and led to an improved rat PK profile. The lead compound 28 is a potent IDO1 inhibitor, with clean off-target profiles and the potential for quaque die dosing in humans.
Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibition and its combination with immune checkpoint inhibi... more Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibition and its combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab have drawn considerable attention from both academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Here, we describe the discovery of a novel class of highly potent IDO1 heme-displacing inhibitors featuring a unique bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane motif. Compound 1, evolving from an ALIS (automated ligand identification system) hit, exhibited excellent potency but lacked the desired pharmacokinetic profile due to extensive amide hydrolysis of the benzamide moiety. Replacing the central phenyl ring in 1 with a bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane bioisostere effectively circumvented the amide hydrolysis issue, resulting in the discovery of compound 2 with a favorable overall profile such as excellent potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and a low predicted human dose.
The construction of complex aza-cycles is of interest to drug discovery due to the prevalence of ... more The construction of complex aza-cycles is of interest to drug discovery due to the prevalence of nitrogen-containing heterocycles in pharmaceutical agents. Herein we report an intramolecular C-H amination approach to afford value-added and complexity-enriched bridged bicyclic amines. Guided by density functional theory and nuclear magnetic resonance investigations, we determined the unique roles of light and heat activation in the bicyclization mechanism. We applied both light and heat activation in a synergistic fashion, achieving gram-scale bridged aza-cycle synthesis.
The clinical success of anti-IL-17 monoclonal antibodies (i.e., Cosentyx and Taltz) has validated... more The clinical success of anti-IL-17 monoclonal antibodies (i.e., Cosentyx and Taltz) has validated Th17 pathway modulation for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The nuclear hormone receptor RORγt is a master regulator of Th17 cells and affects the production of a host of cytokines, including IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-26, and GM-CSF. Substantial interest has been spurred across both academia and industry to seek small molecules suitable for RORγt inhibition. A variety of RORγt inhibitors have been reported in the past few years, the majority of which are orthosteric binders. Here we disclose the discovery and optimization of a class of inhibitors, which bind differently to an allosteric binding pocket. Starting from a weakly active hit 1, a tool compound 14 was quickly identified that demonstrated superior potency, selectivity, and off-target profile. Further optimization focused on improving metabolic stability. Replacing the benzoic acid moiety with piperidinyl carboxylate, modifying the 4-aza-indazole core in 14 to 4-F-indazole, and incorporating a key hydroxyl group led to the discovery of 25, which possesses exquisite potency and selectivity, as well as an improved pharmacokinetic profile suitable for oral dosing.
Continuous flow has been used widely in process chemistry and academic settings for various appli... more Continuous flow has been used widely in process chemistry and academic settings for various applications. However, initial reaction discovery has generally remained "batch-exclusive" despite the existence of efficient, reproducible flow systems. We hereby disclose a workflow to bridge the gap between early medicinal chemistry efforts and process-scale development, showcased by the discovery and optimization of a metallaphotoredox-catalyzed cross-coupling between benzylic chlorides and aryl bromides, followed by two library syntheses of complex drug-like compounds.
As more macrocycle structures are utilized to drug intracellular targets, new platforms are neede... more As more macrocycle structures are utilized to drug intracellular targets, new platforms are needed to facilitate the discovery of cell permeable compounds in this unique chemical space. Herein, a method is disclosed that allows for the efficient synthesis and permeability evaluation of novel organo-peptide macrocycle libraries. Thoughtful library design allows for the collection of crude permeability data using supercritical fluid chromatography mass spectrometry (SFC-MS) (EPSA) by mass-encoding the stereochemistry, ring size, and organic linker of the desired macrocycles. Library synthesis was aided via the development of a new on-resin N-arylation reaction. Further insights on the permeation of these organo-peptide macrocycles will be discussed, such as the permeability enhancement when utilizing a 2-substituted phenethyl linker versus a 3-substituted phenethyl linker. Lastly, selected macrocycles were scaled up and tested in the MDCK-II permeability assay, and the results of this assay reiterated the permeability trends from the crude SFC-MS data.
Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by inflamm... more Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by inflammation and intestinal epithelial injury. Loss of function mutations in the intracellular bacterial sensor NOD2 are major risk factors for the development of CD. In the absence of robust bacterial recognition by NOD2 an inflammatory cascade is initiated through alternative PRRs leading to CD. In the present study, MCC950, a specific small molecule inhibitor of NLR pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), abrogated dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced intestinal inflammation in Nod2−/− mice. NLRP3 inflammasome formation was observed at a higher rate in NOD2-deficient small intestinal lamina propria cells after insult by DSS. NLRP3 complex formation led to an increase in IL-1β secretion in both the small intestine and colon of Nod2ko mice. This increase in IL-1β secretion in the intestine was attenuated by MCC950 leading to decreased disease severity in Nod2ko mice. Our work suggests that ...
A new method to access cyclic peptidomimetics via a Pd-catalyzed macroamination reaction is prese... more A new method to access cyclic peptidomimetics via a Pd-catalyzed macroamination reaction is presented. Natural amino acid amines are revealed as proficient coupling partners in these transformations. With a commercially available CPhos G3 catalyst system and substrates bearing diverse amino acid and aryl halide backbones, the unique head to side-chain (or side-chain mimic) macrocycles are afforded with ring sizes from 11 to 23 members in yields up to 84%.
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