Scott Savage

Pyrazolopyridine Inhibitors of B-Raf(V600E). Part 1: The Development of Selective, Orally Bioavailable, and Efficacious Inhibitors.

The V600E mutation of B-Raf kinase results in constitutive activation of the MAPK signaling pathway and is present in approximately 7% of all cancers. Using structure-based design, a novel series of pyrazolopyridine inhibitors of B-Raf(V600E) was developed. Optimization led to the identification of 3-methoxy pyrazolopyridines 17 and 19, potent, selective, and orally bioavailable agents that inhibited tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model driven by B-Raf(V600E) with no effect on body weight. On the basis of their in vivo efficacy and preliminary safety profiles, 17 and 19 were selected for further preclinical evaluation.

Discovery and Optimization of C-2 Methyl Imidazopyrrolopyridines as Potent and Orally Bioavailable JAK1 Inhibitors with Selectivity over JAK2.

Herein we report the discovery of the C-2 methyl substituted imidazopyrrolopyridine series and its optimization to provide potent and orally bioavailable JAK1 inhibitors with selectivity over JAK2. The C-2 methyl substituted inhibitor 4 exhibited not only improved JAK1 potency relative to unsubstituted compound 3 but also notable JAK1 vs JAK2 selectivity (20-fold and >33-fold in biochemical and cell-based assays, respectively). Features of the X-ray structures of 4 in complex with both JAK1 and JAK2 are delineated. Efforts to improve the in vitro and in vivo ADME properties of 4 while maintaining JAK1 selectivity are described, culminating in the discovery of a highly optimized and balanced inhibitor (20). Details of the biological characterization of 20 are disclosed including JAK1 vs JAK2 selectivity levels, preclinical in vivo PK profiles, performance in an in vivo JAK1-mediated PK/PD model, and attributes of an X-ray structure in complex with JAK1.

Heteroarylation of Azine N-Oxides

Azine N-oxides undergo highly regioselective metalation with TMPZnCl·LiCl under mild conditions. A palladium-catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling reaction of the resulting organozinc species with heteroaromatic bromides provides heterobiaryls specifically oxidized at one nitrogen position in up to 95% yield.

Identification of C-2 Hydroxyethyl Imidazopyrrolopyridines as Potent JAK1 Inhibitors with Favorable Physicochemical Properties and High Selectivity over JAK2.

Herein we report on the structure-based discovery of a C-2 hydroxyethyl moiety which provided consistently high levels of selectivity for JAK1 over JAK2 to the imidazopyrrolopyridine series of JAK1 inhibitors. X-ray structures of a C-2 hydroxyethyl analogue in complex with both JAK1 and JAK2 revealed differential ligand/protein interactions between the two isoforms and offered an explanation for the observed selectivity. Analysis of historical data from related molecules was used to develop a set of physicochemical compound design parameters to impart desirable properties such as acceptable membrane permeability, potent whole blood activity, and a high degree of metabolic stability. This work culminated in the identification of a highly JAK1 selective compound (31) exhibiting favorable oral bioavailability across a range of preclinical species and robust efficacy in a rat CIA model.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Akt Kinase Inhibitor Ipatasertib

A highly efficient asymmetric synthesis of the Akt kinase inhibitor ipatasertib (1) is reported. The bicyclic pyrimidine 2 starting material was prepared via a nitrilase biocatalytic resolution, halogen-metal exchange/anionic cyclization, and a highly diastereoselective biocatalytic ketone reduction as key steps. The route also features a halide activated, Ru-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of a vinylogous carbamic acid to produce α-aryl-β-amino acid 3 in high yield and enantioselectivity. The API was assembled in a convergent manner through a late-stage amidation/deprotection/monohydrochloride salt formation sequence.

Synthesis of a Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader via a Stereospecific Elimination Approach

An efficient synthesis of a selective estrogen receptor degrader, GDC-0810, bearing a challenging stereodefined (E)-tetrasubstituted all-carbon olefin core, is reported. The described synthetic route involves a highly diastereoselective addition of an arylmagnesium reagent 3a to ketone 4, yielding the key tertiary alcohol 2a in >99:1 dr. The corresponding tert-butyl carbonate derivative was identified among other leaving groups to provide the desired olefin geometry in a 98:2 E/Z ratio via a concerted elimination. A four-step telescoped process was then developed starting from the tertiary alcohol 2a to produce GDC-0810 API as a pyrrolidine salt in 70% yield.

Practical strategies when using a stable isotope labeled microtracer for absolute bioavailability assessment: A case study of a high oral dose clinical candidate GDC-0810

HIGHLIGHTSInvestigated the impact of unlabeled to labeled drug ratio over 1000 fold on bioanalytical assay development.Mutual suppression in high concentration and unlabeled to labeled drug ratio(>1000) may affect dynamic range.Both prospective planning and retrospective evaluation are necessary to ensure the ratio of unlabeled to labeled drug used in method validation covers sample analysis. ABSTRACT The pH labile metabolite, hydrophobicity, high oral dose and systematic exposure of GDC‐0810 posed tremendous challenges to develop a LC–MS method for a stable isotope labeled aBA study. In this study, we explored practical solutions to balance stability and sensitivity and to cope with the impact of high Cp.o. to Ci.v. ratio on the labeling selection and assay dynamic range. A [13C9] GDC‐0810 was synthesized to minimize the isotopic interference between PO dose, internal standard and I.V. microtracer. A highly sensitive LC–MS assay was validated for quantitation of [13C9] GDC‐0810 from 5 to 1250pg/mL. The optimized method was applied to a proof of concept cynomolgus monkey aBA study and the bioavailability calculated using microtracer dosing and regular dosing were similar to each other.