Sharon N. Bisaha

(3R,5S,E)-7-(4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-(methyl(1-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)amino)pyrimidin-5-yl)-3,5-dihydroxyhept-6-enoic Acid (BMS-644950): A Rationally Designed Orally Efficacious 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme-A Reductase Inhibitor with Reduced Myotoxicity Potential

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase (HMGR) inhibitors, more commonly known as statins, represent the gold standard in treating hypercholesterolemia. Although statins are regarded as generally safe, they are known to cause myopathy and, in rare cases, rhabdomyolysis. Statin-dependent effects on plasma lipids are mediated through the inhibition of HMGR in the hepatocyte, whereas evidence suggests that myotoxicity is due to inhibition of HMGR within the myocyte. Thus, an inhibitor with increased selectivity for hepatocytes could potentially result in an improved therapeutic window. Implementation of a strategy that focused on in vitro potency, compound polarity, cell selectivity, and oral absorption, followed by extensive efficacy and safety modeling in guinea pig and rat, resulted in the identification of compound 1b (BMS-644950). Using this discovery pathway, we compared 1b to other marketed statins to demonstrate its outstanding efficacy and safety profile. With the potential to generate an excellent therapeutic window, 1b was advanced into clinical development.

Discovery of nonbenzamidine factor VIIa inhibitors using a biaryl acid scaffold

In this Letter, we describe the synthesis of several nonamidine analogs of biaryl acid factor VIIa inhibitor 1 containing weakly basic or nonbasic P1 groups. 2-Aminoisoquinoline was found to be an excellent surrogate for the benzamidine group (compound 2) wherein potent inhibition of factor VIIa is maintained relative to most other related serine proteases. In an unanticipated result, the m-benzamide P1 (compounds 21a and 21b) proved to be a viable benzamidine replacement, albeit with a 20-40 fold loss in potency against factor VIIa.

Arylsulfonamidopiperidone derivatives as a novel class of factor Xa inhibitors.

The design, synthesis and SAR of a novel class of valerolactam-based arylsulfonamides as potent and selective FXa inhibitors is reported. The arylsulfonamide-valerolactam scaffold was derived based on the proposed bioisosterism to the arylcyanoguanidine-caprolactam core in known FXa inhibitors. The SAR study led to compound 46 as the most potent FXa inhibitor in this series, with an IC(50) of 7 nM and EC(2×PT) of 1.7 μM. The X-ray structure of compound 40 bound to FXa shows that the sulfonamide-valerolactam scaffold anchors the aryl group in the S1 and the novel acylcytisine pharmacophore in the S4 pockets.

Synthesis and SAR of potent and selective tetrahydropyrazinoisoquinolinone 5-HT 2C receptor agonists

The 5-HT2C receptor has been implicated as a critical regulator of appetite. Small molecule activation of the 5-HT2C receptor has been shown to affect food intake and regulate body weight gain in rodent models and more recently in human clinical trials. Therefore, 5-HT2C is a well validated target for anti-obesity therapy. The synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a series of novel tetrahydropyrazinoisoquinolinone 5-HT2C receptor agonists are presented. Several members of this series were identified as potent 5-HT2C receptor agonists with high functional selectivity against the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors and reduced food intake in an acute rat feeding model upon oral dosing.