Zhongli Gao

Discovery of aryl ureas and aryl amides as potent and selective histamine H3 receptor antagonists for the treatment of obesity (part II).

A series of structurally novel aryl ureas was derived from optimization of the HTS lead as selective histamine H3 receptor (H3R) antagonists. The SAR was explored and the data obtained set up the starting point and foundation for further optimization. The most potent tool compounds, as exemplified by compounds 2l, 5b, 5d, and 5e, displayed antagonism potencies in the subnanomolar range in in vitro human-H3R FLIPR assays and rhesus monkey H3R binding assays.

Identification and profiling of 3,5-dimethyl-isoxazole-4-carboxylic acid [2-methyl-4-((2S,3′S)-2-methyl-[1,3′]bipyrrolidinyl-1′-yl)phenyl] amide as histamine H3 receptor antagonist for the treatment of depression

Lead optimization guided by histamine H3 receptor (H3R) affinity and calculated physico-chemical properties enabled simultaneous improvement in potency and PK properties leading to the identification of a potent, selective, devoid of hERG issues, orally bioavailable, and CNS penetrable H3R antagonist/inverse agonist 3h. The compound was active in forced-swimming tests suggesting its potential therapeutic utility as an anti-depressive agent. This Letter further includes its cardiovascular and neuropsychological/behavioral safety assessments.

Discovery of a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable histamine H3 receptor antagonist SAR110068 for the treatment of sleep-wake disorders.

Previous studies have shown that compound 1 displayed high affinity towards histamine H3 receptor (H3R), (human (h-H3R), K(i)=8.6 nM, rhesus monkey (rh-H3R), K(i)=1.2 nM, and rat (r-H3R), K(i)=16.5 nM), but exhibited high affinity for hERG channel. Herein, we report the discovery of a novel, potent, and highly selective H3R antagonist/inverse agonist 5a(SS) (SAR110068) with acceptable hERG channel selectivity and desirable pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties through lead optimization sequence. The significant awakening effects of 5a(SS) on sleep-wake cycles studied by using EEG recording in rats during their light phase support its potential therapeutic utility in human sleep-wake disorders.

Design and synthesis of D1 agonist/D2 antagonist for treatment of schizophrenia

A series of tetrahydroisoquinolines were designed, synthesized and evaluated as the first non-natural product type of compounds with dual D(1) receptor (D(1)R) agonism and D(2) receptor (D(2)R) antagonism properties for treatment of schizophrenia. The initial SAR of the series was explored. The lead in the series, 3g, exhibited high affinity and good potency. Compound 3g displayed 95% of D(1)R occupancy (10 mg/kg, sc) and 75% of D(2)R occupancy (10 mg/kg, sc) in the striatum of male CD-1 mice. The series exhibited unique pharmacology and merit as tool compounds for target validation and future optimizations.