Mi-Yeon Jang

Discovery of 7-N-Piperazinylthiazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidine Analogues as a Novel Class of Immunosuppressive Agents with in Vivo Biological Activity

Herein we describe the synthesis and in vitro and in vivo activity of thiazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidines as a novel class of immunosuppressive agents, useful for preventing graft rejection after organ transplantation. This research resulted in the discovery of a series of compounds with potent activity in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay, which is well-known as the in vitro model for in vivo rejection after organ transplantation. The most potent congeners displayed IC(50) values of less than 50 nM in this MLR assay and hence are equipotent to cyclosporin A, a clinically used immunosuppressive drug. One representative of this series was further evaluated in a preclinical animal model of organ transplantation and showed excellent in vivo efficacy. It validates these compounds as new promising immunosuppressive drugs.

Discovery of a Potent, Orally Bioavailable PI4KIIIβ Inhibitor (UCB9608) Able To Significantly Prolong Allogeneic Organ Engraftment in Vivo

The primary target of a novel series of immunosuppressive 7-piperazin-1-ylthiazolo[5,4- d]pyrimidin-5-amines was identified as the lipid kinase, PI4KIIIβ. Evaluation of the series highlighted their poor solubility and unwanted off-target activities. A medicinal chemistry strategy was put in place to optimize physicochemical properties within the series, while maintaining potency and improving selectivity over other lipid kinases. Compound 22 was initially identified and profiled in vivo, before further modifications led to the discovery of 44 (UCB9608), a vastly more soluble, selective compound with improved metabolic stability and excellent pharmacokinetic profile. A co-crystal structure of 44 with PI4KIIIβ was solved, confirming the binding mode of this class of inhibitor. The much-improved in vivo profile of 44 positions it as an ideal tool compound to further establish the link between PI4KIIIβ inhibition and prolonged allogeneic organ engraftment, and suppression of immune responses in vivo.