Daniel Shore

Discovery of highly potent, selective, and brain-penetrable leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) small molecule inhibitors.

There is a high demand for potent, selective, and brain-penetrant small molecule inhibitors of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) to test whether inhibition of LRRK2 kinase activity is a potentially viable treatment option for Parkinsons disease patients. Herein we disclose the use of property and structure-based drug design for the optimization of highly ligand efficient aminopyrimidine lead compounds. High throughput in vivo rodent cassette pharmacokinetic studies enabled rapid validation of in vitro-in vivo correlations. Guided by this data, optimal design parameters were established. Effective incorporation of these guidelines into our molecular design process resulted in the discovery of small molecule inhibitors such as GNE-7915 (18) and 19, which possess an ideal balance of LRRK2 cellular potency, broad kinase selectivity, metabolic stability, and brain penetration across multiple species. Advancement of GNE-7915 into rodent and higher species toxicity studies enabled risk assessment for early development.

Discovery of Selective LRRK2 Inhibitors Guided by Computational Analysis and Molecular Modeling

Mutations in the genetic sequence of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) have been linked to increased LRRK2 activity and risk for the development of Parkinsons disease (PD). Potent and selective small molecules capable of inhibiting the kinase activity of LRRK2 will be important tools for establishing a link between the kinase activity of LRRK2 and PD. In the absence of LRRK2 kinase domain crystal structures, a LRRK2 homology model was developed that provided robust guidance in the hit-to-lead optimization of small molecule LRRK2 inhibitors. Through a combination of molecular modeling, sequence analysis, and matched molecular pair (MMP) activity cliff analysis, a potent and selective lead inhibitor was discovered. The selectivity of this compound could be understood using the LRRK2 homology model, and application of this learning to a series of 2,4-diaminopyrimidine inhibitors in a scaffold hopping exercise led to the identification of highly potent and selective LRRK2 inhibitors that were also brain penetrable.

Discovery of Highly Potent, Selective, and Brain-Penetrant Aminopyrazole Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) Small Molecule Inhibitors

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) has drawn significant interest in the neuroscience research community because it is one of the most compelling targets for a potential disease-modifying Parkinsons disease therapy. Herein, we disclose structurally diverse small molecule inhibitors suitable for assessing the implications of sustained in vivo LRRK2 inhibition. Using previously reported aminopyrazole 2 as a lead molecule, we were able to engineer structural modifications in the solvent-exposed region of the ATP-binding site that significantly improve human hepatocyte stability, rat free brain exposure, and CYP inhibition and induction liabilities. Disciplined application of established optimal CNS design parameters culminated in the rapid identification of GNE-0877 (11) and GNE-9605 (20) as highly potent and selective LRRK2 inhibitors. The demonstrated metabolic stability, brain penetration across multiple species, and selectivity of these inhibitors support their use in preclinical efficacy and safety studies.

Pyrimidoaminotropanes as Potent, Selective, and Efficacious Small Molecule Kinase Inhibitors of the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR)

We have recently reported a series of tetrahydroquinazoline (THQ) mTOR inhibitors that produced a clinical candidate 1 (GDC-0349). Through insightful design, we hoped to discover and synthesize a new series of small molecule inhibitors that could attenuate CYP3A4 time-dependent inhibition commonly observed with the THQ scaffold, maintain or improve aqueous solubility and oral absorption, reduce free drug clearance, and selectively increase mTOR potency. Through key in vitro and in vivo studies, we demonstrate that a pyrimidoaminotropane based core was able to address each of these goals. This effort culminated in the discovery of 20 (GNE-555), a highly potent, selective, metabolically stable, and efficacious mTOR inhibitor.

Discovery of a Highly Selective, Brain-Penetrant Aminopyrazole LRRK2 Inhibitor

The modulation of LRRK2 kinase activity by a selective small molecule inhibitor has been proposed as a potentially viable treatment for Parkinsons disease. By using aminopyrazoles as aniline bioisosteres, we discovered a novel series of LRRK2 inhibitors. Herein, we describe our optimization effort that resulted in the identification of a highly potent, brain-penetrant aminopyrazole LRRK2 inhibitor (18) that addressed the liabilities (e.g., poor solubility and metabolic soft spots) of our previously disclosed anilino-aminopyrimidine inhibitors. In in vivo rodent PKPD studies, 18 demonstrated good brain exposure and engendered significant reduction in brain pLRRK2 levels post-ip administration. The strategies of bioisosteric substitution of aminopyrazoles for anilines and attenuation of CYP1A2 inhibition described herein have potential applications to other drug discovery programs.

α-Aryl pyrrolidine sulfonamides as TRPA1 antagonists

A series of α-aryl pyrrolidine sulfonamide TRPA1 antagonists were advanced from an HTS hit to compounds that were stable in liver microsomes with retention of TRPA1 potency. Metabolite identification studies and physicochemical properties were utilized as a strategy for compound design. These compounds serve as starting points for further compound optimization.

Discovery of a Potent (4R,5S)-4-Fluoro-5-methylproline Sulfonamide Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 Antagonist and Its Methylene Phosphate Prodrug Guided by Molecular Modeling

Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is a non-selective cation channel expressed in sensory neurons where it functions as an irritant sensor for a plethora of electrophilic compounds and is implicated in pain, itch, and respiratory disease. To study its function in various disease contexts, we sought to identify novel, potent, and selective small-molecule TRPA1 antagonists. Herein we describe the evolution of an N-isopropylglycine sulfonamide lead (1) to a novel and potent (4 R,5 S)-4-fluoro-5-methylproline sulfonamide series of inhibitors. Molecular modeling was utilized to derive low-energy three-dimensional conformations to guide ligand design. This effort led to compound 20, which possessed a balanced combination of potency and metabolic stability but poor solubility that ultimately limited in vivo exposure. To improve solubility and in vivo exposure, we developed methylene phosphate prodrug 22, which demonstrated superior oral exposure and robust in vivo target engagement in a rat model of AITC-induced pain.

Discovery of potent azaindazole leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) inhibitors possessing a key intramolecular hydrogen bond — Part 2

The discovery of disease-modifying therapies for Parkinsons Disease (PD) represents a critical need in neurodegenerative medicine. Genetic mutations in LRRK2 are risk factors for the development of PD, and some of these mutations have been linked to increased LRRK2 kinase activity and neuronal toxicity in cellular and animal models. As such, research towards brain-permeable kinase inhibitors of LRRK2 has received much attention. In the course of a program to identify structurally diverse inhibitors of LRRK2 kinase activity, a 5-azaindazole series was optimized for potency, metabolic stability and brain penetration. A key design element involved the incorporation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond to increase permeability and potency against LRRK2. This communication will outline the structure-activity relationships of this matched pair series including the challenge of obtaining a desirable balance between metabolic stability and brain penetration.