Klaus Ruprecht Dress

Using the Golden Triangle to optimize clearance and oral absorption

The Golden Triangle is a visualization tool developed from in vitro permeability, in vitro clearance and computational data designed to aid medicinal chemists in achieving metabolically stable, permeable and potent drug candidates. Classifying compounds as permeable and stable and plotting molecular weight (MW) versus octanol:buffer (pH 7.4) distribution coefficients (logD) or estimated octanol:buffer (pH 7.4) distribution coefficients (elogD) reveals useful trends. Analysis of at least two orthogonal trends, such as permeability and clearance, can be extremely effective in balancing and optimizing multiple properties. In addition, molecular weight and logD impact potency-efficiency calculations, allowing potency, clearance and permeability to be optimized simultaneously.

Azaindole Hydroxamic Acids are Potent HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitors

HIV-1 integrase (IN) is one of three enzymes encoded by the HIV genome and is essential for viral replication. Recently, HIV-1 IN inhibitors have emerged as a new promising class of therapeutics. Herein, we report the discovery of azaindole carboxylic acids and azaindole hydroxamic acids as potent inhibitors of the HIV-1 IN enzyme and their structure-activity relationships. Several 4-fluorobenzyl substituted azaindole hydroxamic acids showed potent antiviral activities in cell-based assays and offered a structurally simple scaffold for the development of novel HIV-1 IN inhibitors.

Design and Synthesis of Novel N-Hydroxy-Dihydronaphthyridinones as Potent and Orally Bioavailable HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitors

HIV-1 integrase (IN) is one of three enzymes encoded by the HIV genome and is essential for viral replication, and HIV-1 IN inhibitors have emerged as a new promising class of therapeutics. Recently, we reported the synthesis of orally bioavailable azaindole hydroxamic acids that were potent inhibitors of the HIV-1 IN enzyme. Here we disclose the design and synthesis of novel tricyclic N-hydroxy-dihydronaphthyridinones as potent, orally bioavailable HIV-1 integrase inhibitors displaying excellent ligand and lipophilic efficiencies.

The development and SAR of pyrrolidine carboxamide 11β-HSD1 inhibitors

The design and development of a series of highly selective pyrrolidine carboxamide 11beta-HSD1 inhibitors are described. These compounds including PF-877423 demonstrated potent in vitro activity against both human and mouse 11beta-HSD1 enzymes. In an in vivo assay, PF-877423 inhibited the conversion of cortisone to cortisol. Structure guided optimization effort yielded potent and stable 11beta-HSD1 selective inhibitor 42.

Azaindole N-methyl hydroxamic acids as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors-II. The impact of physicochemical properties on ADME and PK.

HIV-1 integrase is one of three enzymes encoded by the HIV genome and is essential for viral replication, and HIV-1 IN inhibitors have emerged as a new promising class of therapeutics. Recently, we reported the discovery of azaindole hydroxamic acids that were potent inhibitors of the HIV-1 IN enzyme. N-Methyl hydroxamic acids were stable against oxidative metabolism, however were cleared rapidly through phase 2 glucuronidation pathways. We were able to introduce polar groups at the β-position of the azaindole core thereby altering physical properties by lowering calculated log D values (c Log D) which resulted in attenuated clearance rates in human hepatocytes. Pharmacokinetic data in dog for representative compounds demonstrated moderate oral bioavailability and reasonable half-lives. These ends were accomplished without a large negative impact on enzymatic and antiviral activity, thus suggesting opportunities to alter clearance parameters in future series.

N-(Pyridin-2-yl) arylsulfonamide inhibitors of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1: Strategies to eliminate reactive metabolites

N-(Pyridin-2-yl) arylsulfonamides 1 and 2 (PF-915275) were identified as potent inhibitors of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. A screen for bioactivation revealed that these compounds formed glutathione conjugates. This communication presents the results of a risk benefit analysis carried out to progress 2 (PF-915275) to a clinical study and the strategies used to eliminate reactive metabolites in this series of inhibitors. Based on the proposed mechanism of bioactivation and structure-activity relationships, design efforts led to N-(pyridin-2-yl) arylsulfonamides such as 18 and 20 that maintained potent 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity, showed exquisite pharmacokinetic profiles, and were negative in the reactive metabolite assay.

Structure-based and property-compliant library design of 11β-HSD1 adamantyl amide inhibitors.

Multiproperty lead optimization that satisfies multiple biological endpoints remains a challenge in the pursuit of viable drug candidates. Optimization of a given lead compound to one having a desired set of molecular attributes often involves a lengthy iterative process that utilizes existing information, tests hypotheses, and incorporates new data. Within the context of a data-rich corporate setting, computational tools and predictive models have provided the chemists a means for facilitating and streamlining this iterative design process. This chapter discloses an actual library design scenario for following up a lead compound that inhibits 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) enzyme. The application of computational tools and predictive models in the targeted library design of adamantyl amide 11β-HSD1 inhibitors is described. Specifically, the multiproperty profiling using our proprietary PGVL (Pfizer Global Virtual Library) Hub is discussed in conjunction with the structure-based component of the library design using our in-house docking tool AGDOCK. The docking simulations were based on a piecewise linear potential energy function in combination with an efficient evolutionary programming search engine. The library production protocols and results are also presented.

Abstract 5779: The discovery of the potent and selective PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor PF-04691502 through structure-based drug design

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway plays crucial roles in cell growth, proliferation and survival. Genomic aberrations in the PI3K pathway, such as mutational activation of PI3Kα or loss of function of tumor suppressor PTEN, have been closely linked to the development and progression of a wide range of cancers. Hence, inhibition of the key targets in the pathway, e.g. PI3K, AKT, mTOR, offers great potential for the treatment of cancer. In an effort to discover compounds that inhibit PI3Kα, a high throughput screen was carried out, and 4-methyl-pyrido-pyrimidine (MPP) derivatives were identified as potent and selective inhibitors of PI3Kα. For example, PF-00271897, 8-cyclopentyl-6-[3-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-4-methyl-2-(methylamino)pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-one demonstrated PI3Kα Ki of 2.2 nM. Multiple crystal structures of inhibitors bound to PI3K gamma were determined to inform design and optimization of the ADMET properties of this lead series. Crystallographic studies with PI3K gamma protein indicated that the aminopyrimidine moiety forms two hydrogen bonds to the kinase backbone, and the aromatic moiety at the 6 position binds in a hydrophobic pocket. The X-ray structure suggested that the 4-methyl group on the MPP core structure conferred the excellent overall kinase selectivity to the series. The structure and SAR suggested optimization could come from keeping N-R group at 2 position very small and maintaining aromatic moiety at 6 position for hydrophobic interaction. Introduction of polar groups to the 8N side chains that are located in the ribose binding pocket increased both metabolic stability and solubility. Based on the overall properties, PF-04691502, 2-amino-8-[trans-4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)cyclohexyl]-6-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-4-methylpyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-one, was selected as a clinical candidate. PF-04691502 demonstrated Kis of 1.2-2.2 nM against PI3K α, β, γ and δ isoforms, and Ki of 9.1 nM against recombinant mTOR. PF-04691502 inhibited AKT phosphorylation at S473 in BT20 breast cancer line with IC50 of 12 nM. PF-04691502 is highly selective for inhibition of PI3K family kinases as shown by lack of activity against a panel of >75 protein kinases, including the class III PI3K hVps34. In the in vivo rat PK studies, PF-04691502 demonstrated the following properties: Clearance = 5.2 ml/min/kg, Vdss = 1.4 L/kg, T1/2 = 3.1 h, F% = 63%. The design, synthesis, in vitro potency SAR, selectivity, ADMET of the MPP derivatives will be discussed. The crystal structure of PF-04691502 in PI3K gamma will also be presented. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5779.