Peter Hudson

New Benzylureas as a Novel Series of Potent, Nonpeptidic Vasopressin V2 Receptor Agonists

Vasopressin (AVP) is a hormone that stimulates an increase in water permeability through activation of V2 receptors in the kidney. The analogue of AVP, desmopressin, has proven an effective drug for diseases where a reduction of urine output is desired. However, its peptidic nature limits its bioavailability. We report herein the discovery of potent, nonpeptidic, benzylurea derived agonists of the vasopressin V2 receptor. We describe substitutions on the benzyl group to give improvements in potency and subsequent modifications to the urea end group to provide improvements in solubility and increased oral efficacy in a rat model of diuresis. The lead compound 20e (VA106483) is reported for the first time and has been selected for clinical development.

PYRIDONE-BASED PEPTIDOMIMETIC INHIBITORS OF INTERLEUKIN-1β-CONVERTING ENZYME (ICE)

Abstract New potent, reversible inhibitors of recombinant human Interleukin-1β-converting enzyme (ICE, caspase-1) with significantly reduced peptide character are described. The compounds were designed by incorporation of pyridone and pyrimidone heterocyclic replacements for the P2-P3 amino acids of the native substrate and were optimised by manipulation of peripheral alkyl and aryl substituents.