David G. Livermore

Identification of potent and selective oxytocin antagonists. Part 2: further investigation of benzofuran derivatives.

The paper covers continuing efforts to discover novel, potent and selective oxytocin antagonists. Further benzofuran derivatives with potent oxytocin antagonist activity and good pharmacokinetic parameters are reported. Efforts to improve the in vivo activity of the series are described.

Discovery and structure-activity relationships of a series of pyroglutamic acid amide antagonists of the P2X7 receptor.

A computational lead-hopping exercise identified compound 4 as a structurally distinct P2X(7) receptor antagonist. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) of a series of pyroglutamic acid amide analogues of 4 were investigated and compound 31 was identified as a potent P2X(7) antagonist with excellent in vivo activity in animal models of pain, and a profile suitable for progression to clinical studies.

Identification of potent and selective oxytocin antagonists. Part 1:indole and benzofuran derivatives

Studies to discover novel, potent and selective oxytocin antagonists are reported. Combinatorial libraries designed to find novel replacements of fragments of oxytocin antagonist L-371,257, identified pyrimidine, thiazole, indole and benzofuran as potential alternatives to the benzoic acid moiety of L-371,257. Additional investigations identified indole and benzofuran derivatives with potent oxytocin antagonist activity.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a series of (1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide antagonists of the P2X7 receptor

High-throughput screening identified compound 1 as a potent P2X(7) receptor antagonist suitable for lead optimisation. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) of a series of (1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamides were investigated and compound 32 was identified as a potent P2X(7) antagonist with enhanced potency and favourable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties.

Pyrazolopyridazine alpha-2-delta-1 ligands for the treatment of neuropathic pain

Optimization of the novel alpha-2-delta-1 ligand 4 provided compounds 37 and 38 which have improved DMPK profiles, good in vivo analgesic activity and in vitro selectivity over alpha-2-delta-2. An in-house P-gp prediction programme and the MetaSite software package were used to help solve the specific problems of high P-gp efflux and high in vivo clearance.

Oxytocin antagonists as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of preterm labour.

Publisher Summary The chapter illustrates the major advances that have been made in the oxytocin field. Modification of the natural hormone has led to peptide antagonists suitable for short-term intravenous administration in the acute treatment of preterm labor. One of these molecules, atosiban has been approved in Europe for this indication. Recently, non-peptidic antagonists with generally improved selectivity for the oxytocin receptor over the related vasopressin receptors and improved pharmacokinetic properties, including oral bioavailability, have been discovered. These molecules offer the prospect of much-improved therapeutic options for the distressing condition of preterm labor, which too frequently leads to the birth of very immature babies with very limited life expectancy or with major disabilities. Treatment of the mother in preterm labor with an oxytocin antagonist to achieve acute tocolysis, and then as maintenance for the critical last trimester of pregnancy may make a major difference to these parents and their offspring.

2-Amino-5-aryl-pyridines as selective CB2 agonists: synthesis and investigation of structure-activity relationships.

2-Amino-5-aryl-pyridines, exemplified by compound 1, had been identified as a synthetically tractable series of CB(2) agonists from a high-throughput screen of the GlaxoSmithKline compound collection. Described herein are the results of an investigation of the structure-activity relationships (SAR) which led to the identification a number of potent and selective agonists.

Synthesis of novel monocyclic squalestatin analogues as potential inhibitors of squalene synthase

Abstract The syntheses of two monocyclic 1,3-dioxane tricarboxylic acid analogues of the natural product squalestatin 1 are described herein. Their activity against both mammalian (rat liver) and fungal (Candida albicans) squalene synthase is also reported.

1,2,4-Triazolo-[1,5-a]pyridine HIF Prolylhydroxylase Domain-1 (PHD-1) Inhibitors With a Novel Monodentate Binding Interaction

Herein we describe the identification of 4-{[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-5-yl}benzonitrile-based inhibitors of the hypoxia-inducible factor prolylhydroxylase domain-1 (PHD-1) enzyme. These inhibitors were shown to possess a novel binding mode by X-ray crystallography, in which the triazolo N1 atom coordinates in a hitherto unreported monodentate interaction with the active site Fe2+ ion, while the benzonitrile group accepts a hydrogen-bonding interaction from the side chain residue of Asn315. Further optimization led to potent PHD-1 inhibitors with good physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties.