Jason Goodrich

Hepatitis C virus NS5A replication complex inhibitors: the discovery of daclatasvir.

The biphenyl derivatives 2 and 3 are prototypes of a novel class of NS5A replication complex inhibitors that demonstrate high inhibitory potency toward a panel of clinically relevant HCV strains encompassing genotypes 1-6. However, these compounds exhibit poor systemic exposure in rat pharmacokinetic studies after oral dosing. The structure-activity relationship investigations that improved the exposure properties of the parent bis-phenylimidazole chemotype, culminating in the identification of the highly potent NS5A replication complex inhibitor daclatasvir (33) are described. An element critical to success was the realization that the arylglycine cap of 2 could be replaced with an alkylglycine derivative and still maintain the high inhibitory potency of the series if accompanied with a stereoinversion, a finding that enabled a rapid optimization of exposure properties. Compound 33 had EC50 values of 50 and 9 pM toward genotype-1a and -1b replicons, respectively, and oral bioavailabilities of 38-108% in preclinical species. Compound 33 provided clinical proof-of-concept for the NS5A replication complex inhibitor class, and regulatory approval to market it with the NS3/4A protease inhibitor asunaprevir for the treatment of HCV genotype-1b infection has recently been sought in Japan.

HCV NS5A Replication Complex Inhibitors. Part 4.1 Optimization for Genotype 1a Replicon Inhibitory Activity

A series of symmetrical E-stilbene prolinamides that originated from the library-synthesized lead 3 was studied with respect to HCV genotype 1a (G-1a) and genotype 1b (G-1b) replicon inhibition and selectivity against BVDV and cytotoxicity. SAR emerging from an examination of the prolinamide cap region revealed 11 to be a selective HCV NS5A inhibitor exhibiting submicromolar potency against both G-1a and G-1b replicons. Additional structural refinements resulted in the identification of 30 as a potent, dual G-1a/1b HCV NS5A inhibitor.

HCV NS5A replication complex inhibitors. Part 2: investigation of stilbene prolinamides.

In a previous disclosure,(1) we reported the dimerization of an iminothiazolidinone to form 1, a contributor to the observed inhibition of HCV genotype 1b replicon activity. The dimer was isolated via bioassay-guided fractionation experiments and shown to be a potent inhibitor of genotype 1b HCV replication for which resistance mapped to the NS5A protein. The elements responsible for governing HCV inhibitory activity were successfully captured in the structurally simplified stilbene prolinamide 2. We describe herein the early SAR and profiling associated with stilbene prolinamides that culminated in the identification of analogs with PK properties sufficient to warrant continued commitment to this chemotype. These studies represent the key initial steps toward the discovery of daclatasvir (BMS-790052), a compound that has demonstrated clinical proof-of-concept for inhibiting the NS5A replication complex in the treatment of HCV infection.

HCV NS5A replication complex inhibitors. Part 3: discovery of potent analogs with distinct core topologies

In a recent disclosure, we described the discovery of dimeric, prolinamide-based NS5A replication complex inhibitors exhibiting excellent potency towards an HCV genotype 1b replicon. That disclosure dealt with the SAR exploration of the peripheral region of our lead chemotype, and herein is described the SAR uncovered from a complementary effort that focused on the central core region. From this effort, the contribution of the core region to the overall topology of the pharmacophore, primarily vector orientation and planarity, was determined, with a set of analogs exhibiting <10 nM EC(50) in a genotype 1b replicon assay.

Hepatitis C Virus NS5A Replication Complex Inhibitors. Part 6: Discovery of a Novel and Highly Potent Biarylimidazole Chemotype with Inhibitory Activity Toward Genotypes 1a and 1b Replicons

A medicinal chemistry campaign that was conducted to address a potential genotoxic liability associated with an aniline-derived scaffold in a series of HCV NS5A inhibitors with dual GT-1a/-1b inhibitory activity is described. Anilides 3b and 3c were used as vehicles to explore structural modifications that retained antiviral potency while removing the potential for metabolism-based unmasking of the embedded aniline. This effort resulted in the discovery of a highly potent biarylimidazole chemotype that established a potency benchmark in replicon assays, particularly toward HCV GT-1a, a strain with significant clinical importance. Securing potent GT-1a activity in a chemotype class lacking overt structural liabilities was a critical milestone in the effort to realize the full clinical potential of targeting the HCV NS5A protein.

Anti-MRSA Cephems. Part 2: C-7 Cinnamic Acid Derivatives

Forty-five novel cephalosporin derivatives with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are described. The compounds contain novel cinnamic acid moieties at C-7 that were synthesized using a key Heck reaction followed by nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions. The most active compound (41) displayed an MIC(90) against MRSA of 1.0 microg/mL, and a PD(50) of 0.8 mg/kg. Compound 14 was found to be very safe in a mouse model of acute toxicity.

Anti-MRSA cephems. Part 3: Additional C-7 acid derivatives

Twenty-seven novel cephalosporin derivatives with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are described. The compounds contain novel acid moieties at C-7 that were synthesized using nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions and Stille couplings. The most interesting compound (6) displayed an MIC(90) against MRSA of 3.7 microg/mL, and an average PD(50) of 3.9 mg/kg.

A novel ring expansion of the pleuromutilin skeleton

An unprecedented cyclooctane to cyclononene ring expansion in the pleuromutilin skeleton, affording two main products, has been discovered. The process entails an intramolecular cyclization of an olefin onto an oxonium ion, followed by 1,2 migration of a carbon of the cyclooctane ring.

Biotransformation of Daclatasvir In Vitro and in Nonclinical Species: Formation of the Main Metabolite by Pyrrolidine δ-Oxidation and Rearrangement

Daclatasvir is a first-in-class, potent, and selective inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 5A replication complex. In support of nonclinical studies during discovery and exploratory development, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance were used in connection with synthetic and radiosynthetic approaches to investigate the biotransformation of daclatasvir in vitro and in cynomolgus monkeys, dogs, mice, and rats. The results of these studies indicated that disposition of daclatasvir was accomplished mainly by the release of unchanged daclatasvir into bile and feces and, secondarily, by oxidative metabolism. Cytochrome P450s were the main enzymes involved in the metabolism of daclatasvir. Oxidative pathways included δ-oxidation of the pyrrolidine moiety, resulting in ring opening to an aminoaldehyde intermediate followed by an intramolecular reaction between the aldehyde and the proximal imidazole nitrogen atom. Despite robust formation of the resulting metabolite in multiple systems, rates of covalent binding to protein associated with metabolism of daclatasvir were modest (55.2–67.8 pmol/mg/h) in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced form)–supplemented liver microsomes (human, monkey, rat), suggesting that intramolecular rearrangement was favored over intermolecular binding in the formation of this metabolite. This biotransformation profile supported the continued development of daclatasvir, which is now marketed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.