Junjun Wu

A Selective Matrix Metalloprotease 12 Inhibitor for Potential Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Discovery of (S)-2-(8-(Methoxycarbonylamino)dibenzo[b,d]furan-3-sulfonamido)-3-methylbutanoic acid (MMP408)

Matrix metalloprotease 12 plays a significant role in airway inflammation and remodeling. Increased expression and production of MMP-12 have been found in the lung of human COPD patients. MMP408 (14), a potent and selective MMP-12 inhibitor, was derived from a potent matrix metalloprotease 2 and 13 inhibitor via lead optimization and has good physical properties and bioavailability. The compound blocks rhMMP-12-induced lung inflammation in a mouse model and was advanced for further development for the treatment of COPD.

Selective inhibitors of tumor progression loci-2 (Tpl2) kinase with potent inhibition of TNF-α production in human whole blood

Tpl2 (cot/MAP3K8) is an upstream kinase of MEK in the ERK pathway. It plays an important role in Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production and signaling. We have discovered that 8-halo-4-(3-chloro-4-fluoro-phenylamino)-6-[(1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-ylmethyl)-amino]-quinoline-3-carbonitriles (4) are potent inhibitors of this enzyme. In order to improve the inhibition of TNF-alpha production in LPS-stimulated human blood, a series of analogs with a variety of substitutions around the triazole moiety were studied. We found that a cyclic amine group appended to the triazole ring could considerably enhance potency, aqueous solubility, and cell membrane permeability. Optimization of these cyclic amine groups led to the identification of 8-chloro-4-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenylamino)-6-((1-(1-ethylpiperidin-4-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)quinoline-3-carbonitrile (34). In a LPS-stimulated rat inflammation model, compound 34 showed good efficacy in inhibiting TNF-alpha production.

Identification of an orally efficacious matrix metalloprotease 12 inhibitor for potential treatment of asthma.

MMP-12 plays a significant role in airway inflammation and remodeling. Increased expression and production of MMP-12 have been observed in the lungs of asthmatic patients. Compound 27 was identified as a potent and selective MMP-12 inhibitor possessing good physicochemical properties. In pharmacological studies, the compound was orally efficacious in an MMP-12 induced ear-swelling inflammation model in the mouse with a good dose response. This compound also exhibited oral efficacy in a naturally Ascaris-sensitized sheep asthma model showing significant inhibition of the late phase response to allergen challenge. This compound has been considered for further development as a treatment therapy for asthma.

Discovery of potent and selective matrix metalloprotease 12 inhibitors for the potential treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease associated with irreversible progressive airflow limitation. Matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) has been characterized to be one of the major proteolytic enzymes to induce airway remodeling, destruction of elastin and the aberrant remodeling of damaged alveoli in COPD and asthma. The goal of this project is to develop and identify an orally potent and selective small molecule inhibitor of MMP-12 for treatment of COPD and asthma. Syntheses and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of a series of dibenzofuran (DBF) sulfonamides as MMP-12 inhibitors are described. Potent inhibitors of MMP-12 with excellent selectivity against other MMPs were identified. Compound 26 (MMP118), which exhibits excellent oral efficacy in the MMP-12 induced ear-swelling inflammation and lung inflammation mouse models, had been successfully advanced into Development Track status.

Structure-based optimization of protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 B inhibitors: capturing interactions with arginine 24

Structure-Based Optimization of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase-1B Inhibitors: Capturing Interactions with Arginine24 Zhao-Kui Wan, Jinbo Lee, Rajeev Hotchandani, Alessandro Moretto, Eva Binnun, Douglas P. Wilson, Steve J. Kirincich, Bruce C. Follows, Manus Ipek, Weixin Xu, Diane Joseph-McCarthy, Yan-Ling Zhang, May Tam, David V. Erbe, James F. Tobin, Wei Li, Steve Y. Tam, Tarek S. Mansour, and Junjun Wu*