Jinwang Xu

Discovery of Thienoimidazole-Based HCV NS5A Genotype 1a and 1b Inhibitors.

The discovery of potent thienoimidazole-based HCV NS5A inhibitors is herein reported. A novel method to access the thienoimidazole [5,5]-bicyclic system is disclosed. This method gave access to a common key intermediate (6) that was engaged in Suzuki or Sonogashira reactions with coupling partners bearing different linkers. A detailed study of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the linkers revealed that aromatic linkers with linear topologies are required to achieve high potency for both 1a and 1b HCV genotypes. Compound 20, with a para-phenyl linker, was identified as a potential lead displaying potencies of 17 and 8 pM against genotype 1a and 1b replicons, respectively.

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of a Novel Dual Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/Stem Cell Factor Receptor (FLT3/c-KIT) Inhibitor for the Treatment of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

A high-throughput screen of our compound archive revealed a novel class of dual FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)/c-KIT inhibitors. With the help of molecular modeling, this class was rapidly optimized for both potency against FLT3 and FLT3/c-KIT and excellent potency in cell-based assays, leading to dose-dependent cell death in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patient blast samples. Ultimately, the AML patient blast data defined the preferred target profile as we designed and evaluated a set of FLT3 selective and FLT3/c-KIT dual molecules. Further optimization for pharmacokinetic properties resulted in the selection of the dual FLT3/c-KIT inhibitor, N(3)-(4-(trans-4-morpholinocyclohexyl)phenyl)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diamine, VX-322 (compound 37), to move forward to preclinical evaluation.

VX-322: A Novel Dual Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor for the Treatment of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

In acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), the FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) is highly expressed with 30% of patients expressing a mutated, constitutively active form of this protein. To inhibit this receptor, VX-322 was developed and found to be very potent against both the FLT3 and c-KIT RTKs with enzyme K(i) values of <1 nM and a cellular IC(50) between 1 and 5 nM. It was efficacious in a FLT3-ITD dependent myeloproliferative mouse model, doubling survival compared to other FLT3 inhibitors, with 25% of the mice cured. Upon treatment of primary AML patient blast cells, the dual inhibition of FLT3 and c-KIT was superior to inhibitors targeting a single RTK. Thus, this compound may represent an improved pharmacologic and selectivity profile that could be effective in the treatment of AML.

Discovery of Highly Isoform Selective Thiazolopiperidine Inhibitors of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase γ

A series of high affinity second-generation thiazolopiperidine inhibitors of PI3Kγ were designed based on some general observations around lipid kinase structure. Optimization of the alkylimidazole group led to inhibitors with higher levels of PI3Kγ selectivity. Additional insights into PI3K isoform selectivity related to sequence differences in a known distal hydrophobic pocket are also described.

Synthesis and evaluation of NS5A inhibitors containing diverse heteroaromatic cores.

Inhibitors of the HCV NS5A nonstructural protein are showing promising clinical potential in the treatment of hepatitis C when used in combination with other direct-acting antiviral agents. Current NS5A clinical candidates such as daclatasvir, ledipasvir, and ombitasvir share a common pharmacophore that features a pair of (S)-methoxycarbonylvaline capped pyrrolidines linked to various cores by amides, imidazoles and/or benzimidazoles. In this Letter, we describe the evaluation of NS5A inhibitors which contain alternative heteroaromatic replacements for these amide mimetics. The SAR knowledge gleaned in the optimization of scaffolds containing benzoxazoles was parlayed toward the identification of potent NS5A inhibitors containing other heteroaromatic replacements such as indoles and imidazopyridines.

Discovery of thienoimidazole-based HCV NS5A inhibitors. Part 2: Non-symmetric inhibitors with potent activity against genotype 1a and 1b

The discovery of non-symmetric thienoimidazole-containing HCV NS5A inhibitors is described. The inhibitors herein reported display high potencies against both genotype 1a and 1b. In this follow-up manuscript, we discuss the importance of the linker aromaticity to achieve high potency, particularly against genotype 1a.

Discovery of thienoimidazole-based HCV NS5A inhibitors. Part 1: C2-Symmetric inhibitors with diyne and biphenyl linkers

The discovery of C2-symmetric bis-thienoimidazoles HCV NS5A inhibitors is herein reported. Two straightforward approaches to access the requisite diyne and biphenyl linker moieties are described. This study revealed the paramount importance of the aromatic character of the linker to achieve high genotype 1a potency.

Design and Synthesis of a Novel Series of Orally Bioavailable, CNS-Penetrant, Isoform Selective Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase γ (PI3Kγ) Inhibitors with Potential for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

The lipid kinase phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) has attracted attention as a potential target to treat a variety of autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis, due to its role in immune modulation and microglial activation. By minimizing the number of hydrogen bond donors while targeting a previously uncovered selectivity pocket adjacent to the ATP binding site of PI3Kγ, we discovered a series of azaisoindolinones as selective, brain penetrant inhibitors of PI3Kγ. This ultimately led to the discovery of 16, an orally bioavailable compound that showed efficacy in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a preclinical model of multiple sclerosis.