Marvin Jay Meyers

Benzothiophene inhibitors of MK2. Part 1: structure-activity relationships, assessments of selectivity and cellular potency

Identification of potent benzothiophene inhibitors of mitogen activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2), structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies, selectivity assessments against CDK2, cellular potency and mechanism of action are presented. Crystallographic data provide a rationale for the observed MK2 potency as well as selectivity over CDK2 for this class of inhibitors.

Benzothiophene inhibitors of MK2. Part 2: improvements in kinase selectivity and cell potency.

Optimization of kinase selectivity for a set of benzothiophene MK2 inhibitors provided analogs with potencies of less than 500 nM in a cell based assay. The selectivity of the inhibitors can be rationalized by examination of X-ray crystal structures of inhibitors bound to MK2.

Discovery of novel spirocyclic inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Part 2. Discovery of 7-azaspiro[3.5]nonane urea PF-04862853, an orally efficacious inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) for pain.

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is an integral membrane serine hydrolase responsible for the degradation of fatty acid amide signaling molecules such as endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA), which has been shown to possess cannabinoid-like analgesic properties. Herein we report the optimization of spirocyclic 7-azaspiro[3.5]nonane and 1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane urea covalent inhibitors of FAAH. Using an iterative design and optimization strategy, lead compounds were identified with a remarkable reduction in molecular weight and favorable CNS drug like properties. 3,4-Dimethylisoxazole and 1-methyltetrazole were identified as superior urea moieties for this inhibitor class. A dual purpose in vivo efficacy and pharmacokinetic screen was designed to be the key decision enabling experiment affording the ability to move quickly from compound synthesis to selection of preclinical candidates. On the basis of the remarkable potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetic properties and in vivo efficacy, PF-04862853 (15p) was advanced as a clinical candidate.

Structure-based drug design enables conversion of a DFG-in binding CSF-1R kinase inhibitor to a DFG-out binding mode.

The work described herein demonstrates the utility of structure-based drug design (SBDD) in shifting the binding mode of an HTS hit from a DFG-in to a DFG-out binding mode resulting in a class of novel potent CSF-1R kinase inhibitors suitable for lead development.

Discovery of novel spirocyclic inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Part 1: Identification of 7-azaspiro[3.5]nonane and 1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane as lead scaffolds

Herein we report the identification of two new fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor lead series with FAAH k(inact)/K(i) potency values greater than 1500M(-1)s(-1). The two novel spirocyclic cores, 7-azaspiro[3.5]nonane and 1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane, clearly distinguished themselves from the other spirocyclic cores on the basis of their superior potency for FAAH. Lead compounds from these two series have suitable FAAH potency and selectivity for additional medicinal chemistry optimization.

Non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists

The mineralocorticoid hormone aldosterone is essential in regulating the body’s salt and water balance. However, abnormal activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) by elevated levels of aldosterone and salt imbalance cause hypertension and other effects detrimental to the cardiovascular system. Thus, MR antagonists are expected to be beneficial to patients with high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure. Until recently, only steroidal MR antagonists have been developed for therapeutic use. However, due to complexity in chemical synthesis, limited scope for selectivity versus other steroid hormone receptors, and undesirable physical and chemical properties, appropriate steroidal compounds have been difficult to identify and develop. Despite > 40 years of research, only two major steroidal MR antagonists, spironolactone and eplerenone, have been brought to the market for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. Novel classes of non-steroidal MR antagonists have just begun to emerge over the past few years. This review summarizes the existing information available on non-steroidal MR antagonists from patent applications and the scientific literature published since 2003.

Synthesis of tert-Butyl 6-Oxo-2-azaspiro[3.3]heptane-2-carboxylate

Two efficient and scaleable synthetic routes to previously unknown bifunctional tert-butyl 6-oxo-2-azaspiro[3.3]heptane-2-carboxylate are described. This compound and related intermediates described herein are useful for further selective derivation on the azetidine and cyclobutane rings providing a convenient entry point to novel compounds accessing chemical space complementary to piperidine ring systems.