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[Image: see text] Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) is thought to play a pathogenic role in chronic immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. While covalent, irreversible Btk inhibitors are approved for treatment of hematologic malignancies, they are not approved for autoimmune indications. In efforts to develop additional series of reversible Btk inhibitors for chronic immune diseases, we sought to differentiate from our clinical stage inhibitor fenebrutinib using cyclopropyl amide isosteres of the 2-aminopyridyl group to occupy the flat, lipophilic H2 pocket. While drug-like properties were retained—and in some cases improved—a safety liability in the form of hERG inhibition was observed. When a fluorocyclopropyl amide was incorporated, Btk and off-target activity was found to be stereodependent and a lead compound was identified in the form of the (R,R)- stereoisomer.

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), a key component of the cellular necroptosis pathway, has gained recognition as an important therapeutic target. Pharmacologic inhibition or genetic inactivation of RIPK1 has shown promise in animal models of disease ranging from acute ischemic conditions, chronic inflammation, and neurodegeneration. We present here a class of RIPK1 inhibitors that is distinguished by a lack of a lipophilic aromatic group present in most literature inhibitors that typically occupies a hydrophobic back pocket of the protein active site. Despite not having this ubiquitous feature of many known RIPK1 inhibitors, we were able to obtain compounds with good potency, kinase selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties in rats. The use of the lipophilic yet metabolically stable pentafluoroethyl group was critical to balancing the potency and properties of optimized analogs.

Disruption of interleukin-13 (IL-13) signaling with large molecule antibody therapies has shown promise in diseases of allergic inflammation. Given that IL-13 recruits several members of the Janus Kinase family (JAK1, JAK2, and TYK2) to its receptor complex, JAK inhibition may offer an alternate small molecule approach to disrupting IL-13 signaling. Herein we demonstrate that JAK1 is likely the isoform most important to IL-13 signaling. Structure-based design was then used to improve the JAK1 potency of a series of previously reported JAK2 inhibitors. The ability to impede IL-13 signaling was thereby significantly improved, with the best compounds exhibiting single digit nM IC50's in cell-based assays dependent upon IL-13 signaling. Appropriate substitution was further found to influence inhibition of a key off-target, LRRK2. Finally, the most potent compounds were found to be metabolically labile, which makes them ideal scaffolds for further development as topical agents for IL-13 mediated diseases of the lungs and skin (for example asthma and atopic dermatitis, respectively).

In our continued effort to discover and develop best-in-class Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) inhibitors for the treatment of B-cell lymphomas, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, we devised a series of novel tricyclic compounds that improved upon the druglike properties of our previous chemical matter. Compounds exemplified by G-744 are highly potent, selective for Btk, metabolically stable, well tolerated, and efficacious in an animal model of arthritis.

BTK inhibitor GDC-0834 (1) was found to be rapidly metabolized in human studies, resulting in a suspension of clinical trials. The primary route of metabolism was through cleavage of the acyclic amide bond connecting the terminal tetrahydrobenzothiophene with the central linker aryl ring. SAR studies were focused on reducing metabolic cleavage of this amide, and resulted in the identification of several central aryl linker substituents that conferred improved stability. The most promising substituted aryl linkers were then incorporated into an optimized pyridazinone scaffold, resulting in the identification of lead analog 23, possessing improved potency, metabolic stability and preclinical properties.

The nuclear receptor (NR) retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma (RORγ, RORc, or NR1F3) is a promising target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. RORc is a critical regulator in the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-17. We discovered a series of potent and selective imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine and -pyrimidine RORc inverse agonists. The most potent compounds displayed >300-fold selectivity for RORc over the other ROR family members, PPARγ, and NRs in our cellular selectivity panel. The favorable potency, selectivity, and physiochemical properties of GNE-0946 (9) and GNE-6468 (28), in addition to their potent suppression of IL-17 production in human primary cells, support their use as chemical biology tools to further explore the role of RORc in human biology.

Herein we report identification of an imidazopyridine class of potent and selective TYK2 inhibitors, exemplified by prototype 6, through constraint of the rotatable amide bond connecting the pyridine and aryl rings of compound 1. Further optimization led to generation of compound 30 that potently inhibits the TYK2 enzyme and the IL-23 pathway in cells, exhibits selectivity against cellular JAK2 activity, and has good pharmacokinetic properties. In mice, compound 30 demonstrated dose-dependent reduction of IL-17 production in a PK/PD model as well as in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis model. In this efficacy model, the IL-17 decrease was accompanied by a reduction of ear thickness indicating the potential of TYK2 inhibition as a therapeutic approach for psoriasis patients.

A minor structural change to tertiary sulfonamide RORc ligands led to distinct mechanisms of action. Co-crystal structures of two compounds revealed mechanistically consistent protein conformational changes. Optimized phenylsulfonamides were identified as RORc agonists while benzylsulfonamides exhibited potent inverse agonist activity. Compounds behaving as agonists in our biochemical assay also gave rise to an increased production of IL-17 in human PBMCs whereas inverse agonists led to significant suppression of IL-17 under the same assay conditions. The most potent inverse agonist compound showed >180-fold selectivity over the ROR isoforms as well as all other nuclear receptors that were profiled.

Screening a nuclear receptor compound subset in a RORc biochemical binding assay revealed a benzylic tertiary sulfonamide hit. Herein, we describe the identification of compounds with improved RORc biochemical inverse agonist activity and cellular potencies. These improved compounds also possessed appreciable selectivity for RORc over other nuclear receptors.

The structure-activity relationships of T0901317 analogs were explored as RORc inverse agonists using the principles of property- and structure-based drug design. An X-ray co-crystal structure of T0901317 and RORc was obtained and provided molecular insight into why T0901317 functioned as an inverse agonist of RORc; whereas, the same ligand functioned as an agonist of FXR, LXR, and PXR. The structural data was also used to design inhibitors with improved RORc biochemical and cellular activities. The improved inhibitors possessed enhanced selectivity profiles (rationalized using the X-ray crystallographic data) against other nuclear receptors.

The synthesis and characterization of [3H2]T0901317 and a structural isomer are described. The structural assignments of the closely related labeled compounds were primarily accomplished via 19F NMR analyses of the corresponding ethanolic compound dispersions.

A therapeutic rationale is proposed for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), by selective targeting of TYK2. Hit triage, following a high-throughput screen for TYK2 inhibitors, revealed pyridine 1 as a promising starting point for lead identification. Initial expansion of 3 separate regions of the molecule led to eventual identification of cyclopropyl amide 46, a potent lead analog with good kinase selectivity, physicochemical properties, and pharmacokinetic profile. Analysis of the binding modes of the series in TYK2 and JAK2 crystal structures revealed key interactions leading to good TYK2 potency and design options for future optimization of selectivity.

Modification of the δ-sultam ring of RORc inverse agonist 2 led to the discovery of more polar oxa-sultam 65. The less lipophilic inverse agonist (65) displayed high potency in a biochemical assay, which translated into inhibition of IL-17 production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The successful reduction of lipophilicity of this new analog gave rise to additional improvements in ROR selectivity and aqueous kinetic solubility, as well as reduction in plasma protein binding, while maintaining high cellular permeability.

Sterically encumbered chiral l -amino alcohols with secondary amines and tertiary alcohols catalyze the enantioselective alkylation of benzaldehyde with diethyl zinc. Using 2 mol % of amino alcohol catalyst predominantly gave (R)-1-phenylpropanol with enantiomeric excesses of up to 61%. Using the in situ prepared titanium complex at 2 mol % as catalyst also favored the (R)-enantiomer with enantiomeric excesses of up to 73%. In almost all cases, the addition catalyzed by the titanium complex exhibited higher enantioselectivity than that of the amino alcohol ligand alone.

A series of tantalum complexes of chiral bidentate amidoalkoxide ligands was prepared. The crystal structure of one complex, Ta(NMe2)3[-OCPh2CH(CHMe2)N(c-C6H11)-] was obtained. Unlike previously described titanium complexes with these ligands, which are dimeric with bridging oxygen atoms, this tantalum complex is monomeric with an approximate trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. The resulting complexes were examined for their in situ activity for catalytic asymmetric hydroamination/cyclization of an aminoallene. Enantioselectivities up to 80% ee were observed for the cyclization of 6-methylhepta-4,5-dienylamine to 2-(2-methylpropenyl)pyrrolidine at 135 °C with 5 mol % catalyst loading.

A series of bidentate sulfonamide alcohol ligands with varying steric and electronic properties was synthesized. The titanium and tantalum complexes of these ligands, prepared in situ from either Ti(NMe 2 ) 4 or Ta(NMe 2 ) 5 , were used as catalysts for the asymmetric hydroamination of 6-methyl-hepta-4,5-dienylamine, giving exclusively the α-vinylpyrrolidine product. The titanium derived catalysts gave products with low stereoselectivity, up to 11%ee favoring (+)-2-(2-methyl-propenyl)-pyrrolidine, while the tantalum derived catalysts gave products with higher and opposite stereoselectivity, up to 34%ee favoring (−)-2-(2-methyl-propenyl)-pyrrolidine.

A variety of sterically encumbered amino alcohol ligands were prepared in a two-step modular synthesis. The titanium complexes of these ligands were prepared in situ and used as catalysts for hydroamination. The intramolecular hydroamination of 6-methyl-hepta-4,5-dienylamine at 135 °C with 5 mol % catalyst gave exclusively 2-(2-methyl-propenyl)-pyrrolidine with enantiomeric excesses up to 16%.

A high-throughput screen of the Genentech/Roche compound collection using a retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor C (RORc, RORγ, or NR1F3) biochemical assay revealed a N-sulfonyl-tetrahydroquinoline hit. Herein, we describe the hit-to-lead optimization and structure-activity relationships of these tetrahydroquinoline RORc inverse agonists. Through iterative synthesis and analog design, we identified compounds with improved biochemical RORc inverse agonist activity and RORc cellular potencies. These improved N-sulfonyl-tetrahydroquinoline compounds also exhibited selectivity for RORc over other nuclear receptors.

Intramolecular hydroamination of aminoallenes is catalyzed by titanium complexes with a number of chiral amino alcohols. The ring-closing reaction of hepta-4,5-dienylamine at 110 °C with 5 mol % catalyst gives a mixture of 6-ethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyridine (14−33%) and both Z- and E-2-propenylpyrrolidine (67−86%). However, the ring-closing reaction of 6-methylhepta-4,5-dienylamine at 135 °C with 5 mol % catalyst gives exclusively 2-(2-methylpropenyl)pyrrolidine. The pyrrolidine products are obtained with enantiomeric excesses up to 16%.

The identification of a new series of RORc inverse agonists is described. Comprehensive structure-activity relationship studies of this reversed sulfonamide series identified potent RORc inverse agonists in biochemical and cellular assays which were also selective against a panel of nuclear receptors. Our work has contributed a compound that may serve as a useful in vitro tool to delineate the complex biological pathways involved in signalling through RORc. An X-ray co-crystal structure of an analogue with RORc has also provided useful insights into the binding interactions of the new series.

Starting from benzylpyrimidine 2, molecular modeling and X-ray crystallography were used to design highly potent inhibitors of Interleukin-2 inducible T-cell kinase (ITK). Sulfonylpyridine 4i showed sub-nanomolar affinity against ITK, was selective versus Lck and its activity in the Jurkat cell-based assay was greatly improved over 2.

Using structure-based drug design principles, we identified opportunities to reduce the lipophilicity of our tertiary sulfonamide RORc inverse agonists. The new analogs possessed improved RORc cellular potencies with >77-fold selectivity for RORc over other nuclear receptors in our cell assay suite. The reduction in lipophilicity also led to an increased plasma-protein unbound fraction and improvements in cellular permeability and aqueous solubility.

The red cyanide complex (NC)Mo(N[R]Ar)_3 (R=C(CD_3)_2CH_3, Ar=3,5-C_6H_3Me_2) was prepared in 77% yield by reaction of iodide IMo(N[R]Ar)_3 with tetra-n-butyl ammonium cyanide. By reaction of cyanide (NC)Mo(N[R]Ar)_3 with the three-coordinate molybdenum(III) complex Mo(N[R]Ar)_3 was prepared the dimolybdenum-μ-cyanide complex (μ-CN){Mo(N[R]Ar)_3}_2 as a violet solid in 80% yield. Reduction of μ-cyanide (μ-CN){Mo(N[R]Ar)_3}_2 by one electron would give a cyanide-bridged anion isoelectronic with the known μ-N_2 complex (μ-N_2){Mo(N[R]Ar)_3}_2, an intermediate in dinitrogen cleavage to two equivalents of nitride NMo(N[R]Ar)_3 by Mo(N[R]Ar)_3. Instead of undergoing an analogous cleavage of cyanide upon one-electron reduction, μ-cyanide (μ-CN){Mo(N[R]Ar)_3}_2 was found to undergo expulsion of a ligand C(CD_3)_2CH_3 substituent upon exposure to reducing conditions, the product isolated in 50% yield being imido–μ-cyanide (Ar[R]N)_2(ArN)Mo(μ-NC)Mo(N[R]Ar)_3. By reaction of [N^nBu_4][CN] with the 1-adamantyl-substituted molybdenum complex Mo(N[Ad]Ar)_3, the blue salt [N^nBu_4][(NC)Mo(N[Ad]Ar)_3] was obtained in 91% yield. Reaction of ferrocenium triflate or silver triflate with [N^nBu_4][(NC)Mo(N[Ad]Ar)_3] gave ferrocene or silver along with the neutral cyanide complex (NC)Mo(N[Ad]Ar)_3, isolated in 74% yield. While reaction of (NC)Mo(N[Ad]Ar)_3 with Mo(N[R]Ar)_3 gave in 53% yield a burgundy-colored dimolybdenum–μ-cyanide complex (Ar[Ad]N)_3Mo(μ-CN)Mo(N[R]Ar)_3. the 1-adamantyl-substituted cyanide did not exhibit any reaction with the 1-adamantyl-substituted tricoordinate complex Mo(N[Ad]Ar)_3. The latter results indicate that cyanide is too small to serve as a bridge for two equivalents of the highly sterically encumbered Mo(N[Ad]Ar)_3 fragment. A metathetical route to a heterodinuclear cyanide-bridged complex was explored involving addition of [N^nBu_4][(NC)Mo(N[Ad]Ar)_3] to the vanadium iodide complex IV(N[R]Ar_F)_2. By this reaction was obtained the orange–brown μ-cyanide complex (Ar_F[R]N)_2V(μ-NC)Mo(N[Ad]Ar)_3 in 30% recrystallized yield. The latter was characterized by X-ray crystallography. The cyanide chemistry reported here is interpreted with the aid of bonding considerations and cyclic voltammetry studies on the new complexes.

There is evidence that small molecule inhibitors of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase ITK, a component of the T-cell receptor signaling cascade, could represent a novel asthma therapeutic class. Moreover, given the expected chronic dosing regimen of any asthma treatment, highly selective as well as potent inhibitors would be strongly preferred in any potential therapeutic. Here we report hit-to-lead optimization of a series of indazoles that demonstrate sub-nanomolar inhibitory potency against ITK with strong cellular activity and good kinase selectivity. We also elucidate the binding mode of these inhibitors by solving the X-ray crystal structures of the complexes.

Inhibition of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase ITK, a component of the T-cell receptor signalling cascade, may represent a novel treatment for allergic asthma. Here we report the structure-based optimization of a series of benzothiazole amides that demonstrate sub-nanomolar inhibitory potency against ITK with good cellular activity and kinase selectivity. We also elucidate the binding mode of these inhibitors by solving the X-ray crystal structures of several inhibitor-ITK complexes.

A highly ligand efficient, novel 8-oxo-pyridopyrimidine containing inhibitor of Jak1 and Jak2 isoforms with a pyridone moiety as the hinge-binding motif was discovered. Structure-based design strategies were applied to significantly improve enzyme potency and the polarity of the molecule was adjusted to gain cellular activity. The crystal structures of two representative inhibitors bound to Jak1 were obtained to enable SAR exploration.

The complexes Ti(NRArF)2(NMe2)2 (4, R = C(CD3)2CH3, ArF = 2,5-C6H3FMe), Ti(NRArF)2(NMe2)(I) (5), Ti(NRArF)2(NMe2)(CH2SiMe3) (6), and Ti(NRArF)2(I)(CH2SiMe3) (7) have been synthesized in 77, 71, 70, and 84% yield, respectively, in a four step sequence of alternating salt elimination and dimethylamide deprotection steps. The complex Ti(NRAr)(I)2(OAr‘) (11, Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2, Ar‘ = 2,6-C6H3iPr2) was prepared in 65% yield via the complexes Ti(NRAr)(NMe2)3 (9) and Ti(NRAr)(NMe2)2(OAr‘) (10), which were generated in situ, spectroscopically characterized, and not isolated. The complexes Ti(NR‘Ar)(NMe2)3 (12, R‘ = C(CD3)2Ph, Ti(NR‘Ar)(NMe2)2(OAr‘‘) (13, Ar‘‘ = 2,6-C6H3tBu2), and Ti(NR‘Ar)(NMe2)(OAr‘‘)(I) (14) were prepared in 83, 83, and 95% isolated yield, respectively, via a salt-elimination, protonolysis, and dimethylamide deprotection sequence. Treatment of 14 with (i) neopentyllithium, (ii) thermolysis at 65 °C, and (iii) excess methyl iodide at 70 °C led to the isolation in 62% yield of the cyclometallated c...

The identification of a novel fused triazolo-pyrrolopyridine scaffold, optimized derivatives of which display nanomolar inhibition of Janus kinase 1, is described. Prototypical example 3 demonstrated lower cell potency shift, better permeability in cells and higher oral exposure in rat than the corresponding, previously reported, imidazo-pyrrolopyridine analogue 2. Examples 6, 7 and 18 were subsequently identified from an optimization campaign and demonstrated modest selectivity over JAK2, moderate to good oral bioavailability in rat with overall pharmacokinetic profiles comparable to that reported for an approved pan-JAK inhibitor (tofacitinib).

Herein we describe our successful efforts in obtaining C-2 substituted imidazo-pyrrolopyridines with improved JAK1 selectivity relative to JAK2 by targeting an amino acid residue that differs between the two isoforms (JAK1: E966; JAK2: D939). Efforts to improve cellular potency by reducing the polarity of the inhibitors are also detailed. The X-ray crystal structure of a representative inhibitor in complex with the JAK1 enzyme is also disclosed.

Potent, highly selective and orally-bioavailable MMP-13 inhibitors have been identified based upon a (pyridin-4-yl)-2H-tetrazole scaffold. Co-crystal structure analysis revealed that the inhibitors bind at the S(1)(') active site pocket and are not ligands for the catalytic zinc atom. Compound 29b demonstrated reduction of cartilage degradation biomarker (TIINE) levels associated with cartilage protection in a preclinical rat osteoarthritis model.

The synthesis of a new, more water soluble derivative of TREN-Me-3,2-HOPO (tris[(3-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-oxo-1,2- didehydropyridine-4-carboxamido)ethyl]amine) is presented. The synthesis starts with the condensation reaction of (N-methoxyethylamino)acetonitrile hydrochloride and oxalyl chloride to give 3,5-dichloro-N-(methoxyethyl)-2(1H)-pyrazinone. The 3-position is readily substituted with a benzyloxy group, and the pyrazinone is converted to ethyl 3-(benzyloxy)-N-(methoxyethyl)-2(1H)-pyridinone-4-carboxylate by a Diels-Alder cycloaddition with ethyl propiolate. Basic deprotection of the ester followed by activation, coupling to tren, and acidic deprotection of the benzyl groups gives the ligand TREN-MOE-3,2-HOPO (tris[(3-hydroxy-1-(methoxyethyl)- 2-oxo-1,2-didehydropyridine-4-carboxamido)ethyl]amine). The gadolinium complex of TREN-MOE-3,2-HOPO was prepared by metathesis, starting from gadolinium chloride. The solubility of the new metal complex is significantly enhanced. The four protonation constants (determined by potentiometry) for TREN-MOE-3,2-HOPO (log Ka1 = 8.08, log Ka2 = 6.85, log Ka3 = 5.81, log Ka4 = 4.98) are virtually identical to those reported for the parent ligand. The stability constants for the gadolinium complex of TREN-MOE-3,2-HOPO determined by potentiometry (log beta 110 = 19.69(2), log beta 111 = 22.80(2)) and by spectrophotometry (log beta 110 = 19.80(1), log beta 111 = 22.88(1), log beta 112 = 25.88(1)) differ slightly from those for the parent ligand; this follows from a change in the complexation model in which a new diprotonated species, [Gd(TREN-MOE-3,2-HOPO)(H)2]2+, was included. The presence of this extra species was demonstrated by factor analysis, comparison of spectral data, and nonlinear least-squares refinement. Significant formation of this species is observed between pH 3 and pH 1.5.