Brian Edgar Looker

Synthesis and Structure−Activity Relationships of Long-acting β2 Adrenergic Receptor Agonists Incorporating Metabolic Inactivation: An Antedrug Approach

A series of saligenin beta(2) adrenoceptor agonist antedrugs having high clearance were prepared by reacting a protected saligenin oxazolidinone with protected hydroxyethoxyalkoxyalkyl bromides, followed by removal of the hydroxy-protecting group, alkylation, and final deprotection. The compounds were screened for beta(2), beta(1), and beta(3) agonist activity in CHO cells. The onset and duration of action in vitro of selected compounds were assessed on isolated superfused guinea pig trachea. Compound 13f had high potency, selectivity, fast onset, and long duration of action in vitro and was found to have long duration in vivo, low oral bioavailability in the rat, and to be rapidly metabolized. Crystalline salts of 13f (vilanterol) were identified that had suitable properties for inhaled administration. A proposed binding mode for 13f to the beta(2)-receptor is presented.

Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationships of Long-acting β2 Adrenergic Receptor Agonists Incorporating Arylsulfonamide Groups

A series of saligenin alkoxyalkylphenylsulfonamide beta(2) adrenoceptor agonists were prepared by reacting a protected saligenin oxazolidinone with alkynyloxyalkyl bromides, followed by Sonogashira reaction, hydrogenation, and deprotection. The meta-substituted primary sulfonamide was more potent than the para- and the ortho-analogues. Primary sulfonamides were more potent than the secondary and tertiary analogues. The onset and duration of action in vitro of selected compounds was assessed on isolated superfused guinea pig trachea. Sulfonamide 29b had the best profile of potency, selectivity, onset, and duration of action on both guinea pig trachea and human bronchus. Furthermore, 29b was found to have low oral bioavailability in rat and dog and also to have long duration of action in an in vivo model of bronchodilation. Crystalline salts of 29b were identified that had suitable properties for inhaled administration. A proposed binding mode for 29b to the beta(2)-receptor is presented.

The Discovery of Phthalazinone-Based Human H1 and H3 Single-Ligand Antagonists Suitable for Intranasal Administration for the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

A series of potent phthalazinone-based human H(1) and H(3) bivalent histamine receptor antagonists, suitable for intranasal administration for the potential treatment of allergic rhinitis, were identified. Blockade of H(3) receptors is thought to improve efficacy on nasal congestion, a symptom of allergic rhinitis that is currently not treated by current antihistamines. Two analogues (56a and 56b) had slightly lower H(1) potency (pA(2) 9.1 and 8.9, respectively, vs 9.7 for the clinical gold-standard azelastine, and H(3) potency (pK(i) 9.6 and 9.5, respectively, vs 6.8 for azelastine). Compound 56a had longer duration of action than azelastine, low brain penetration, and low oral bioavailability, which coupled with the predicted low clinical dose, should limit the potential of engaging CNS-related side-effects associated with H(1) or H(3) antagonism.

Discovery of a Rapidly Metabolized, Long-Acting β2 Adrenergic Receptor Agonist with a Short Onset Time Incorporating a Sulfone Group Suitable for Once-Daily Dosing

A series of novel, potent, and selective human β2 adrenoceptor agonists incorporating a sulfone moiety on the terminal right-hand-side phenyl ring of (R)-salmeterol is presented. Sulfone 10b had salmeterol-like potency and selectivity profile, long duration of action on guinea pig trachea, and longer than salmeterol duration of action in vivo, suitable for once-daily dosing. It had lower than salmeterol oral absorption in rat, lower bioavailability in rat and dog, and a high turnover in human hepatocytes. It was metabolized in human hepatocytes by hydroxylation, oxidation, cleavage, and conjugation; most of the metabolites would be expected to have reduced or no β2 activity. The 4-biphenylsulfonic acid was identified as a crystalline, non-hygroscopic salt of 10b, suitable for inhaled delivery. Furthermore, it was free of any genetic toxicity issues and was considered as a backup to vilanterol.

The discovery of long-acting saligenin β2 adrenergic receptor agonists incorporating hydantoin or uracil rings

A series of novel, potent and selective human β(2) adrenoceptor agonists incorporating a hydantoin or a uracil ring on the right-hand side phenyl ring of (R)-salmeterol is presented. Hydantoin 12a had long duration of action in vitro on guinea pig trachea, and 12h in guinea pigs in vivo at its EC(90) 25 μM. It had lower oral absorption than salmeterol in rats, and lower bioavailability than salmeterol in vivo in both rats and dogs (2% and 5%, respectively). An improved method for measuring the absorbed fraction of analogues dosed to rats, which considers the glucuronidated fraction is presented. Compound 12a was metabolised in human liver microsomes and hepatocytes to the active hydantoic acid 12m.

The discovery of long-acting saligenin β2 adrenergic receptor agonists incorporating a urea group

A series of novel, potent and selective human β(2) adrenoceptor agonists incorporating a urea moiety on the terminal right-hand side phenyl ring of (R)-salmeterol is presented. Urea 9j had long duration of action in vitro on guinea pig trachea, and also in vivo similar to that of salmeterol. It had lower oral absorption and bioavailability than salmeterol in both rat and dog. It had a turnover ratio similar to salmeterol, with no evidence for formation of any aniline metabolites in human liver microsomes and hepatocytes. However no crystalline salts suitable for inhaled delivery were identified.

The discovery of quinoline based single-ligand human H1 and H3 receptor antagonists

A novel series of potent quinoline-based human H1 and H3 bivalent histamine receptor antagonists, suitable for intranasal administration for the potential treatment of allergic rhinitis associated nasal congestion, were identified. Compound 18b had slightly lower H1 potency (pA2 8.8 vs 9.7 for the clinical goldstandard azelastine), and H3 potency (pKi 9.1vs 6.8 for azelastine), better selectivity over α1A, α1B and hERG, similar duration of action, making 18b a good back-up compound to our previous candidate, but with a more desirable profile.

Design of Phthalazinone Amide Histamine H1 Receptor Antagonists for Use in Rhinitis

The synthesis of potent amide-containing phthalazinone H1 histamine receptor antagonists is described. Three analogues 3e, 3g, and 9g were equipotent with azelastine and were longer-acting in vitro. Amide 3g had low oral bioavailability, low brain-penetration, high metabolic clearance, and long duration of action in vivo, and it was suitable for once-daily dosing intranasally, with a predicted dose for humans of approximately 0.5 mg per day.

Identification of selective 8-(piperidin-4-yloxy)quinoline sulfone and sulfonamide histamine H1 receptor antagonists for use in allergic rhinitis.

A series of potent, selective and long-acting quinoline-based sulfonamide human H1 histamine receptor antagonists, designed for once-daily intranasal administration for the treatment of rhinitis were developed. Sulfonamide 33b had a slightly lower affinity for the H1 receptor than azelastine, had low oral bioavailability in the rat and dog, and was turned over to five major metabolites. Furthermore, 33b had longer duration of action than azelastine in guinea pigs, lower rat brain-penetration, and did not cause time dependent inhibition of CYP2D6 or CYP3A4. The clinical dose in humans is expected to be low (approximately 0.5mg per day) based on the clinical dose used for azelastine and a comparison of efficacy data from animal models for 33b and azelastine.