Discovery and Preclinical Pharmacology of a Selective ATP-Competitive Akt Inhibitor (GDC-0068) for the Treatment of Human Tumors

The discovery and optimization of a series of 6,7-dihydro-5<i>H</i>-cyclopenta­[<i>d</i>]­pyrimidine compounds that are ATP-competitive, selective inhibitors of protein kinase B/Akt is reported. The initial design and optimization was guided by the use of X-ray structures of inhibitors in complex with Akt1 and the closely related protein kinase A. The resulting compounds demonstrate potent inhibition of all three Akt isoforms in biochemical assays and poor inhibition of other members of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase/protein kinase G/protein kinase C extended family and block the phosphorylation of multiple downstream targets of Akt in human cancer cell lines. Biological studies with one such compound, <b>28</b> (GDC-0068), demonstrate good oral exposure resulting in dose-dependent pharmacodynamic effects on downstream biomarkers and a robust antitumor response in xenograft models in which the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–Akt–mammalian target of rapamycin pathway is activated. <b>28</b> is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials for the treatment of cancer

Design of Conformationally Constrained Acyl Sulfonamide Isosteres: Identification of <i>N</i>‑([1,2,4]Triazolo[4,3‑<i>a</i>]pyridin-3-yl)methane-sulfonamides as Potent and Selective <i>h</i>Na_V1.7 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Pain

The sodium channel Na_V1.7 has emerged as a promising target for the treatment of pain based on strong genetic validation of its role in nociception. In recent years, a number of aryl and acyl sulfonamides have been reported as potent inhibitors of Na_V1.7, with high selectivity over the cardiac isoform Na_V1.5. Herein, we report on the discovery of a novel series of <i>N</i>-([1,2,4]­triazolo­[4,3-<i>a</i>]­pyridin-3-yl)­methanesulfonamides as selective Na_V1.7 inhibitors. Starting with the crystal structure of an acyl sulfonamide, we rationalized that cyclization to form a fused heterocycle would improve physicochemical properties, in particular lipophilicity. Our design strategy focused on optimization of potency for block of Na_V1.7 and human metabolic stability. Lead compounds <b>10</b>, <b>13</b> (GNE-131), and <b>25</b> showed excellent potency, good <i>in vitro</i> metabolic stability, and low <i>in vivo</i> clearance in mouse, rat, and dog. Compound <b>13</b> also displayed excellent efficacy in a transgenic mouse model of induced pain