Richard Storer

Iminosugars past, present and future: medicines for tomorrow.

Iminosugars comprise the most attractive class of carbohydrate mimetics reported to date and are ideally positioned to take advantage of our increasing understanding of glycobiology in the search for new medicines. First-generation iminosugar drugs suffered from lack of adequate selectivity, resulting in considerable side-effects in the clinic. Current efforts directed towards second-generation compounds, encompassing a much greater range of structures and addressing a wider selection of biochemical targets, are enabling the identification and development of suitable candidates that benefit from improved activity and selectivity. Furthermore, second-generation compounds can address a variety of established targets that have previously proved refractory to other compound classes. This review focuses on the breadth of opportunities provided by second-generation leads from iminosugars (Seglins™).

Daily Treatment with SMTC1100, a Novel Small Molecule Utrophin Upregulator, Dramatically Reduces the Dystrophic Symptoms in the mdx Mouse

Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal, progressive muscle wasting disease caused by a loss of sarcolemmal bound dystrophin, which results in the death of the muscle fibers leading to the gradual depletion of skeletal muscle. There is significant evidence demonstrating that increasing levels of the dystrophin-related protein, utrophin, in mouse models results in sarcolemmal bound utrophin and prevents the muscular dystrophy pathology. The aim of this work was to develop a small molecule which increases the levels of utrophin in muscle and thus has therapeutic potential. Methodology and Principal Findings We describe the in vivo activity of SMT C1100; the first orally bioavailable small molecule utrophin upregulator. Once-a-day daily-dosing with SMT C1100 reduces a number of the pathological effects of dystrophin deficiency. Treatment results in reduced pathology, better muscle physiology leading to an increase in overall strength, and an ability to resist fatigue after forced exercise; a surrogate for the six minute walk test currently recommended as the pivotal outcome measure in human trials for DMD. Conclusions and Significance This study demonstrates proof-of-principle for the use of in vitro screening methods in allowing identification of pharmacological agents for utrophin transcriptional upregulation. The best compound identified, SMT C1100, demonstrated significant disease modifying effects in DMD models. Our data warrant the full evaluation of this compound in clinical trials in DMD patients.

A convenient procedure for the solution phase preparation of 2-aminothiazole combinatorial libraries

Abstract A convenient procedure for the solution phase preparation of 2-aminothiazole combinatorial libraries is described. The library preparation is simple, practical, and effective, generating compounds based around a known pharmacophore in high yield and purity. Furthermore, the procedure tolerates a diverse range of functionality in its substrates and is notable in allowing the preparation of compounds containing both free acids and bases without recourse to protection.

The synthesis and antiviral activity of 4-fluoro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide.

A novel fluoropyrazole ribonucleoside has been shown to have significant anti-influenza activity in vitro. The compound is compared and contrasted with the structurally-related compound ribavirin in attempts to identify factors having significant bearing on the mode of action of both compounds.

Discovery of 2-arylbenzoxazoles as upregulators of utrophin production for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

A series of novel 2-arylbenzoxazoles that upregulate the production of utrophin in murine H2K cells, as assessed using a luciferase reporter linked assay, have been identified. This compound class appears to hold considerable promise as a potential treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Following the delineation of structure-activity relationships in the series, a number of potent upregulators were identified, and preliminary ADME evaluation is described. These studies have resulted in the identification of 1, a compound that has been progressed to clinical trials.

Synthesis of (±)-2′-oxa-carbocyclic-2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides as potential anti-HIV agents

Abstract Novel 2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides, having the pentofuranosyl oxygen at the 2′-position, were obtained by a short synthetic route from diethyl malonate and bromoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal. The results of biological testing against HIV-1 in vitro are presented.

Synthesis of the potent influenza neuraminidase inhibitor 4-guanidino Neu5Ac2en. X-Ray molecular structure of 5-acetamido-4-amino-2,6-anhydro-3,4,5-trideoxy-D-erythro-L-gluco-nononic acid

An efficient and high-yielding synthesis of 4-guanidino Neu5Ac2en, the potent anti-influenza A and B compound, is described. The route exploits a stereospecific introduction of the key nitrogen functionality at C-4 via an oxazoline intermediate. Three different methods for the final-step conversion of the 4-amino into 4-guanidino derivatives are described. To explore the structure–activity relationship in this region of the molecule, a series of substituted guanidino derivatives were synthesized and their activity is described.

Tetrahydrothiophene nucleosides as potential anti-HIV agents

Abstract A series of novel tetrahydrothiophene nucleosides have been prepared in homochiral form from D-glucose and assessed as anti-HIV agents in whole cell assay.

Synthesis of 6-, 7- and 8-carbon sugar analogues of potent anti-influenza 2,3-didehydro-2,3-dideoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid derivatives

Analogues of the potent anti-influenza A and B compound, 4-guanidino-Neu5Ac2en, are described in which the stereochemically demanding C-6-glycerol side-chain is truncated. Syntheses of the one- and two-carbon side-chain analogues, of both 4-guanidino- and 4-amino-Neu5Ac2en, are presented, as well as the syntheses of analogues lacking any side-chain. Whilst complete removal of the C-6 side-chain abolishes activity, a stepwise increase in inhibition of influenza neuraminidase and influenza A and B in cell culture with increasing C-6 chain length is observed. The one-carbon, hydroxymethyl derivative retains significant activity to represent a suitable lead in the search for neuraminidase inhibitors of reduced stereochemical demand and synthetic complexity.

Discovery and SAR of 2-arylbenzotriazoles and 2-arylindazoles as potential treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Families of 2-arylbenzotriazoles and 2-arylindazoles that show positive effects in screens predictive of endogenous utrophin upregulation have been identified. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships are described leading to compounds with attractive in vitro profiles.