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[Image: see text] Bone Morphogenetic Protein 1 (BMP1) inhibition is a potential method for treating fibrosis because BMP1, a member of the zinc metalloprotease family, is required to convert pro-collagen to collagen. A novel class of reverse hydroxamate BMP1 inhibitors was discovered, and cocrystal structures with BMP1 were obtained. The observed binding mode is unique in that the small molecule occupies the nonprime side of the metalloprotease pocket providing an opportunity to build in metalloprotease selectivity. Structure-guided modification of the initial hit led to the identification of an oral in vivo tool compound with selectivity over other metalloproteases. Due to irreversible inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 for this chemical class, the risk of potential drug–drug interactions was managed by optimizing the series for subcutaneous injection.

Lead optimization of piperidine amide HTS hits, based on an anilino-thiazole core, led to the identification of analogs which displayed low nanomolar blocking activity at the canonical transient receptor channels 3 and 6 (TRPC3 & 6) based on FLIPR (carbachol stimulated) and electrophysiology (OAG stimulated) assays. In addition, the anilino-thiazole amides displayed good selectivity over other TRP channels (TRPA1, TRPV1, and TRPV4), as well as against cardiac ion channels (CaV1.2, hERG, and NaV1.5). The high oxidation potential of the aliphatic piperidine and aniline groups, as well as the lability of the thiazole amide group contributed to the high clearance observed for this class of compounds. Conversion of an isoquinoline amide to a naphthyridine amide markedly reduced clearance for the bicyclic piperidines, and improved oral bioavailability for this compound series, however TRPC3 and TRPC6 blocking activity was reduced substantially. Although the most potent anilino-thiazole amides ultimately lacked oral exposure in rodents and were not suitable for chronic dosing, analogs such as 14-19, 22, and 23 are potentially valuable in vitro tool compounds for investigating the role of TRPC3 and TRPC6 in cardiovascular disease.

We have designed and synthesized a novel series of pyrrolidinones as progesterone receptor partial agonists. Compounds from this series had improved AR selectivity, rat pharmacokinetic properties, and in vivo potency compared to the lead compound. In addition, these compounds had improved selectivity against hERG channel inhibition.

The synthesis of the AB spiroketal fragment of spongistatin 1 (altohyrtin A) has been accomplished utilizing the addition of a metalated pyrone to an aldehyde followed by acid catalyzed spirocyclization. A stereoselective copper ( I ) promoted conjugate addition of vinylmagnesium bromide was used to establish the C11 stereogenic center.

Addition of lithiated γ-pyrones to β-alkoxy aldehydes followed by acid catalyzed spiroketalization provides a rapid efficient entry to functionalized hydroxylated spiroketals. The efficiency of the spiroketalization step is dependent on the substituents, particularly unprotected hydroxyls, on the chain which becomes the second ring of the spiroketal.

The previously reported pyrrolidine class of progesterone receptor partial agonists demonstrated excellent potency but suffered from serious liabilities including hERG blockade and high volume of distribution in the rat. The basic pyrrolidine amine was intentionally converted to a sulfonamide, carbamate, or amide to address these liabilities. The evaluation of the degree of partial agonism for these non-basic pyrrolidine derivatives and demonstration of their efficacy in an in vivo model of endometriosis is disclosed herein.

The lead serum and glucocorticoid-related kinase 1 (SGK1) inhibitors 4-(5-phenyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid (1) and {4-[5-(2-naphthalenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]phenyl}acetic acid (2) suffer from low DNAUC values in rat, due in part to formation and excretion of glucuronic acid conjugates. These PK/glucuronidation issues were addressed either by incorporating a substituent on the 3-phenyl ring ortho to the key carboxylate functionality of 1 or by substituting on the group in between the carboxylate and phenyl ring of 2. Three of these analogs have been identified as having good SGK1 inhibition potency and have DNAUC values suitable for in vivo testing.

Using the X-ray crystal structure of an amide-based progesterone receptor (PR) partial agonist bound to the PR ligand binding domain, a novel PR partial agonist class containing a pyrrolidine ring was designed. Members of this class of N-alkylpyrrolidines demonstrate potent and highly selective partial agonism of the progesterone receptor, and one of these analogs was shown to be efficacious upon oral dosing in the OVX rat model of estrogen opposition.

Two classes of amino acid-derived heterocyclic progesterone receptor ligands were developed to address the metabolic issues posed by the dimethyl amide functionality of the lead compound (1). The tetrazole-derived ligands behaved as potent partial agonists, while the 1,2,4-triazole ligands behaved as potent full agonists.

A novel series of 1H-indol-1-yl tertiary amine LXR agonists has been designed. Compounds from this series were potent agonists with good rat pharmacokinetic parameters. In addition, the crystal structure of an LXR agonist bound to LXRα will be disclosed.

[reaction: see text] A synthesis of the 6-aza[3.2.1]bicyclooctene (-)-2 has been completed by a short sequence of reactions that required only six operations from (S)-malic acid and featured a novel ring-closing metathesis to form the bridged bicyclic ring. Because 2 was previously converted into (-)-peduncularine (1), its preparation constitutes a formal enantioselective synthesis of 1.

The total synthesis of spongistatin 1 (1) and spongistatin 2 (2) has been achieved through an advanced-stage intermediate. The synthesis is highlighted by a highly convergent assembly of the four key fragments (the C1-C15 AB fragment 2, the C16-C28 CD fragment 3, the C29-C43 EF fragment 4, and the C44-C51 side chain 5) at a very advanced stage of the synthesis with minimal functional group interconversion. The CD fragment 3 functions as the central building block to which the other fragments are attached. The synthesis of the AB and CD spiroketal fragments is accomplished through the addition of a metalated gamma-pyrone to a beta-alkoxy aldehyde followed by spiroketalization. The EF subunit was assembled with high diastereoselectivity relying on asymmetric aldol reactions of chlorotitanium enolates of N-propionyl oxazolidinethiones and a double diastereoselective boron aldol to join the E and F fragments. Wittig coupling of the CD and EF fragments followed by a diastereoselective aldol reaction between the CDEF ketone and an AB aldehyde set the stage for attachment of the C44-C51 side chains and final macrolactonization and deprotection.