Martin E. Swarbrick

Enantioselective Baeyer-Villiger oxidation catalyzed by palladium(II) complexes with chiral P,N-ligands.

Asymmetric Baeyer-Villiger reaction of symmetrical cyclobutanones 1a-j with urea-hydrogen peroxide (UHP) can be catalyzed by a complex of Pd(II) and the new terpene-derived P, N-ligand 7. The resulting lactones 2a-j were obtained in high yields and with good enantioselectivity (< or =81% ee).

Synthesis and evaluation of 3-amino-6-aryl-pyridazines as selective CB2 agonists for the treatment of inflammatory pain

A series of 3-amino-6-aryl-pyridazines have been identified as CB(2) agonists with high efficacy and selectivity against the CB(1) receptor. Details of the investigation of structure-activity relationships (SAR) are disclosed, which led to the identification of pyridazine analogue 35, a compound with high potency in an in vivo model of inflammatory pain.

Identification of [4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyrimidinyl] amines and ethers as potent and selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors.

A novel series of [4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyrimidine-based cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, which have a different arrangement of substituents compared to the more common 1,2-diarylheterocycle based molecules, have been discovered. For example, 2-(butyloxy)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine (47), a member of the 2-pyrimidinyl ether series, has been shown to be a potent and selective inhibitor with a favourable pharmacokinetic profile, high brain penetration and good efficacy in rat models of hypersensitivity.

Efficient nitrogen transfer from aldehyde-derived N-acyloxaziridines

Abstract The effect of solvent polarity on the reaction of 3-aryl-N-carboxamido- and 3-aryl-N-alkoxycarbonyl oxaziridines has been studied and an efficient procedure for high yielding sulfimidation developed by use of polar solvents. The first examples of asymmetric sulfimidation using novel chiral oxaziridines have been carried out with low diastereoselectivity (up to 30% de).

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.

Collaborative practices for medicinal chemistry research across the big pharma and not-for-profit interface

In response to the dual challenges of increasingly risky target portfolios and realignment of traditional pharmaceutical company resources away from early-phase research and development (R&D), research groups have sought to engage across the industrial and not-for-profit divide, resulting in the emergence of many different collaborative models. Here, we describe two successful collaborations based upon shared commitment and risk. The risks and complexities of external collaboration can be mitigated by appropriate agreements and tools, but we found that it remains essential that the collaborating scientists adopt a collaborative mindset and embrace the diverse ways of working of partner organizations.

Discovery of potent, selective small molecule inhibitors of α-subtype of type III phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase (PI4KIIIα).

The discovery and optimisation of novel, potent and selective small molecule inhibitors of the α-isoform of type III phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase (PI4Kα) are described. Lead compounds show cellular activity consistent with their PI4Kα potency inhibiting the accumulation of IP1 after PDGF stimulation and reducing cellular PIP, PIP2 and PIP3 levels. Hence, these compounds are useful in vitro tools to delineate the complex biological pathways involved in signalling through PI4Kα.

Abstract 2228: Phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase - Potent and selective inhibitors of PI4Kα and PI4Kβ.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Phosphatidylinositol (PI) is a phospholipid that resides primarily on the cytosolic surface of cell membranes. PI can be phosphorylated to generate seven different phosphatidylinositol phosphates (PIPs), all of which have distinct biological activities.1 A major first step in the production of these PIPs is the conversion of PI into phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) by PI4 kinase.2 Here we describe the identification of inhibitors of PI4 kinase via targeted screening of a kinase subset. This exercise has delivered inhibitors that are potent inhibitors of PI4 kinase (pIC50 >8), which are selective the α- or the β-subtypes and do not inhibit related enzymes on the PI pathway (PI3 kinase pIC50 <5 or PIP5 kinase pIC50 <4) and also exhibit good broader kinase selectivity. The effect of these useful probe compounds on cellular phosphatidylinositol-4,5-diphosphate and subsequent downstream markers will be described along with the comparison of these effects with the corresponding siRNA. 1. G. Di Paolo, P. De Camilli, Phosphoinositides in cell regulation and membrane dynamics. Nature 2006, 443, 651-657.2. T. Sasaki, S. Takasuga, J. Sasaki, S. Kofuji, S. Eguchi, M. Yamazaki, A. Suzuki, Mammalian phosphoinositide kinases and phosphatases. Progress in lipid research, 2009, 48, 307-343. Citation Format: Michael J. Waring, Darren Cross, David Andrews, Vikki Flemington, Carol Lenaghan, Jennifer McKelvie, Sarita Maman, Piotr Raubo, Graeme Robb, James Smith, Martin Swarbrick. Phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase - Potent and selective inhibitors of PI4Kα and PI4Kβ. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2228. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2228

Discovery of {4-[4,9-bis(ethyloxy)-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzo[f]isoindol-2-yl]-2-fluorophenyl}acetic acid (GSK726701A), a novel EP 4 receptor partial agonist for the treatment of pain

A novel series of EP4 agonists and antagonists have been identified, and then used to validate their potential in the treatment of inflammatory pain. This paper describes these novel ligands and their activity within a number of pre-clinical models of pain, ultimately leading to the identification of the EP4 partial agonist GSK726701A.