David B. Damon

Biarylcarboxamide inhibitors of phosphodiesterase IV and tumor necrosis factor-α

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) has been implicated as a key mediator in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase IV (PDE IV) have been shown to inhibit the production of TNF-α by elevating intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Our efforts in a series of biarylcarboxamides have led to the identification of 8j (CP-353,164) as a potent inhibitor of PDE IV and TNF-α production.

Discovery of CP-199,330 and CP-199,331: Two potent and orally efficacious cysteinyl LT1 receptor antagonists devoid of liver toxicity

CP-199,330 (3) and CP-199,331 (4) are cysLT1 receptor antagonists that are equipotent to marketed cysLT1 receptor antagonists zafirlukast and pranlukast, show good pharmacokinetics in rats and monkeys, and are devoid of liver toxicity in monkeys as seen in CP-85,958 (1).

Synthesis and pharmacological profile of two novel heterocyclic chromanols, CP-80,798 and CP-85,958, as potent LTD4 receptor antagonists

Abstract The development of two novel LTD 4 receptor antagonists as clinical candidates for the treatment of asthma is described. The first generation compound, CP-80,798, was found to be a balanced 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor (5-LOI)/LTD 4 antagonist (LTD 4 -A), while the second generation compound, CP-85,958, is a selective LTD 4 antagonist.

The Synthesis of Methyl-Substituted Spirocyclic Piperidine-Azetidine (2,7-Diazaspiro[3.5]nonane) and Spirocyclic Piperidine-Pyrrolidine (2,8-Diazaspiro[4.5]decane) Ring Systems

The synthesis of a series of pharmaceutically important N-protected methyl-substituted spirocyclic piperidine-azetidine (2,7-diazaspiro[3.5]nonane) and spirocyclic piperidine-pyrrolidine (2,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decane) ring systems was developed. These motifs contain two differentiated sites (protected secondary amines) to allow for further functionalization via reductive amination, amidation, or other chemistry. The methyl-substituted spiroazetidine ring systems were accessed using nitrile lithiation/alkylation chemistry while the methyl-substituted spiropyrrolidines were synthesized by 1,4-addition reactions with nitroalkanes, followed by reduction and cyclization. These conditions were then scaled for the synthesis of 1-methyl spirocyclic piperidine-pyrrolidine with a classical resolution of the product using a tartaric acid derivative to isolate a single enantiomer.

The discovery of CP-96,021 and CP-96,486, balanced, combined, potent and orally active leukotriene D4 (LTD4)/platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonists.

The combination of key structural pharmacophores found in known leukotriene D4 (LTD4) receptor antagonists with those of potent platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist UK-74,505 has led to the synthesis of hybrid compounds CP-96,021 and CP-96,486. These compounds represent the first known balanced, combined and orally active LTD4/PAF receptor antagonists.

N-carbamoyl analogs of zafirlukast: Potent receptor antagonists of leukotriene D4

Exploration of the indole nitrogen region of Zafirlukast (1) has uncovered a potent series of cysteinyl leukotriene D4 (LTD4) antagonists. These studies showed that a variety of functionality could be incorporated in this region of the molecule without sacrificing potency. Efforts to exploit this site in order to improve oral efficacy are discussed.

X-ray analysis of a difluorostatone renin inhibitor bound as the tetrahedral hydrate to the aspartic protease endothiapepsin.

In this study we report the X-ray analysis of a complex between the aspartic protease endothiapepsin (EC 3.4.23.6) and an inhibitor bound as a carbonyl hydrate (gem-diol) to the catalytic aspartates of this enzyme, in a manner closely resembling the putative tetrahedral intermediate in proteolytic cleavage of the peptide bond.1 This study was undertaken in order to obtain a closer model of the interactions stabilizing this intermediate than those used in previous analyses, which were based on X-ray crystallographic data obtained from inhibitors lacking one or both of the hydroxyl residues of this species.2,3