Alessandra Gaiba

6-Heteroaryl-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines: potent and selective inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3)

A series of 6-heteroaryl-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines has been optimised to afford potent inhibitors of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3). These analogues display excellent selectivity over the closely related Cyclin Dependent Kinase-2 (CDK-2).

The identification of potent, selective and CNS penetrant furan-based inhibitors of B-Raf kinase

Modification of the potent imidazole-based B-Raf inhibitor SB-590885 resulted in the identification of a series of furan-based derivatives with enhanced CNS penetration. One such compound, SB-699393 (17), was examined in vivo to challenge the hypothesis that selective B-Raf inhibitors may be of value in the treatment of stroke.

Potent achiral agonists of the growth hormone secretagogue (ghrelin) receptor. Part 2: Lead optimisation.

A series of small molecule orally bioavailable ghrelin receptor agonists have been identified through systematic optimisation of a high throughput screening hit.

Aryl sulphonyl amides as potent agonists of the growth hormone secretagogue (ghrelin) receptor.

As part of an on-going lead optimisation effort, a cross screening exercise identified an aryl sulphonyl amide hit that was optimised to afford a highly potent series of ghrelin receptor agonists.