Vandna Raina

Discovery of XEN907, a spirooxindole blocker of NaV1.7 for the treatment of pain.

Starting from the oxindole 2a identified through a high-throughput screening campaign, a series of Na(V)1.7 blockers were developed. Following the elimination of undesirable structural features, preliminary optimization of the oxindole C-3 and N-1 substituents afforded the simplified analogue 9b, which demonstrated a 10-fold increase in target potency versus the original HTS hit. A scaffold rigidification strategy then led to the discovery of XEN907, a novel spirooxindole Na(V)1.7 blocker. This lead compound, which in turn showed a further 10-fold increase in potency, represents a promising structure for further optimization efforts.

Discovery of thiazolylpyridinone SCD1 inhibitors with preferential liver distribution and reduced mechanism-based adverse effects.

We discovered a series of novel and potent thiazolylpyridinone-based SCD1 inhibitors based on a 2-aminothiazole HTS hit by replacing the amide bond with a pyridinone moiety. Compound 19 demonstrated good potency against SCD1 in vitro and in vivo. The mouse liver microsomal SCD1 in vitro potency for 19 was improved by more than 240-fold compared to the original HTS hit. Furthermore, 19 demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction of plasma desaturation index with an ED50 of 6.3 mg/kg. Compound 19 demonstrated high liver to plasma and liver to eyelid exposures, indicating preferential liver distribution. The preliminary toxicology study with compound 19 did not demonstrate adverse effects related to SCD1 inhibition, suggesting a wide safety margin with respect to other known SCD1 inhibitors with wider distribution profiles.