Carbohydrate-derived iminium salt organocatalysts for the asymmetric epoxidation of alkenes

A new family of carbohydrate-based dihydroisoquinolinium salts has been prepared and tested for potential as asymmetric catalysts for the epoxidation of unfunctionalized alkene substrates, providing up to 57% ee in the product epoxides

Development of a Series of Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase Inhibitors Leading to a Clinical Candidate for the Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis

Recently, we reported a novel role for KMO in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). A number of inhibitors of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) have previously been described as potential treatments for neurodegenerative conditions and particularly for Huntington’s disease. However, the inhibitors reported to date have insufficient aqueous solubility relative to their cellular potency to be compatible with the intravenous (iv) dosing route required in AP. We have identified and optimized a novel series of high affinity KMO inhibitors with favorable physicochemical properties. The leading example is exquisitely selective, has low clearance in two species, prevents lung and kidney damage in a rat model of acute pancreatitis, and is progressing into preclinical development

Pyridyl-2,5-Diketopiperazines as Potent, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable Oxytocin Antagonists: Synthesis, Pharmacokinetics, and In Vivo Potency

A six-stage stereoselective synthesis of indanyl-7-(3′-pyridyl)-(3<i>R</i>,6<i>R</i>,7<i>R</i>)-2,5-diketopiperazines oxytocin antagonists from indene is described. SAR studies involving mono- and disubstitution in the 3′-pyridyl ring and variation of the 3-isobutyl group gave potent compounds (p<i>K</i>_i > 9.0) with good aqueous solubility. Evaluation of the pharmacokinetic profile in the rat, dog, and cynomolgus monkey of those derivatives with low cynomolgus monkey and human intrinsic clearance gave 2′,6′-dimethyl-3′-pyridyl <i>R</i>-<i>sec</i>-butyl morpholine amide Epelsiban (<b>69</b>), a highly potent oxytocin antagonist (p<i>K</i>_i = 9.9) with >31000-fold selectivity over all three human vasopressin receptors hV1aR, hV2R, and hV1bR, with no significant P450 inhibition. Epelsiban has low levels of intrinsic clearance against the microsomes of four species, good bioavailability (55%) and comparable potency to atosiban in the rat, but is 100-fold more potent than the latter in vitro and was negative in the genotoxicity screens with a satisfactory oral safety profile in female rats

Cell Penetrant Inhibitors of the KDM4 and KDM5 Families of Histone Lysine Demethylases. 1. 3‑Amino-4-pyridine Carboxylate Derivatives

Optimization of KDM6B (JMJD3) HTS hit <b>12</b> led to the identification of 3-((furan-2-ylmethyl)­amino)­pyridine-4-carboxylic acid <b>34</b> and 3-(((3-methylthiophen-2-yl)­methyl)­amino)­pyridine-4-carboxylic acid <b>39</b> that are inhibitors of the KDM4 (JMJD2) family of histone lysine demethylases. Compounds <b>34</b> and <b>39</b> possess activity, IC₅₀ ≤ 100 nM, in KDM4 family biochemical (RFMS) assays with ≥50-fold selectivity against KDM6B and activity in a mechanistic KDM4C cell imaging assay (IC₅₀ = 6–8 μM). Compounds <b>34</b> and <b>39</b> are also potent inhibitors of KDM5C (JARID1C) (RFMS IC₅₀ = 100–125 nM)