Timothy Colin Hancox

Discovery of Novel PI3-Kinase δ Specific Inhibitors for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Taming CYP3A4 Time-Dependent Inhibition

PI3Kδ is a lipid kinase and a member of a larger family of enzymes, PI3K class IA(α, β, δ) and IB (γ), which catalyze the phosphorylation of PIP2 to PIP3. PI3Kδ is mainly expressed in leukocytes, where it plays a critical, nonredundant role in B cell receptor mediated signaling and provides an attractive opportunity to treat diseases where B cell activity is essential, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis. We report the discovery of novel, potent, and selective PI3Kδ inhibitors and describe a structural hypothesis for isoform (α, β, γ) selectivity gained from interactions in the affinity pocket. The critical component of our initial pharmacophore for isoform selectivity was strongly associated with CYP3A4 time-dependent inhibition (TDI). We describe a variety of strategies and methods for monitoring and attenuating TDI. Ultimately, a structure-based design approach was employed to identify a suitable structural replacement for further optimization.

Potent and selective inhibitors of PI3Kδ: obtaining isoform selectivity from the affinity pocket and tryptophan shelf.

A potent inhibitor of PI3Kδ that is ≥ 200 fold selective for the remaining three Class I PI3K isoforms and additional kinases is described. The hypothesis for selectivity is illustrated through structure activity relationships and crystal structures of compounds bound to a K802T mutant of PI3Kγ. Pharmacokinetic data in rats and mice support the use of 3 as a useful tool compound to use for in vivo studies.

The synthesis of [2.2.2]bicyclooctane and [3.1.1]bicycloheptane based amino acids as constrained glutamate analogues

Abstract A novel [2.2.2]bicyclooctane analogue of glutamic acid was synthesised using a modification of the Corey-Link amino acid synthesis. A related [3.1.1]bicycloheptane was prepared by cyclising a symmetrical 4,4-disubstituted cyclohexanone.