Design and Synthesis of a Pan-Janus Kinase Inhibitor Clinical Candidate (PF-06263276) Suitable for Inhaled and Topical Delivery for the Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases of the Lungs and Skin

By use of a structure-based computational method for identification of structurally novel Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors predicted to bind beyond the ATP binding site, a potent series of indazoles was identified as selective pan-JAK inhibitors with a type 1.5 binding mode. Optimization of the series for potency and increased duration of action commensurate with inhaled or topical delivery resulted in potent pan-JAK inhibitor 2 (PF-06263276), which was advanced into clinical studies

Access to Highly Substituted 7‑Azaindoles from 2‑Fluoropyridines via 7‑Azaindoline Intermediates

A versatile synthesis of 7-azaindoles from substituted 2-fluoropyridines is described. C3-metalation and 1,4-addition to nitroolefins provide substituted 2-fluoro-3-(2-nitroethyl)­pyridines. A facile oxidative Nef reaction/reductive amination/intramolecular S_NAr sequence furnishes 7-azaindolines. Finally, optional regioselective electrophilic C5-substitution (e.g., bromination or nitration) and subsequent in situ oxidation delivers highly functionalized 7-azaindoles in high overall efficiency

Kiloscale Buchwald–Hartwig Amination: Optimized Coupling of Base-Sensitive 6‑Bromoisoquinoline-1-carbonitrile with (<i>S</i>)‑3-Amino-2-methylpropan-1-ol

This work describes the optimization and scale-up of a Buchwald–Hartwig amination reaction for the preparation of a pharmaceutical intermediate. This C–N bond formation is challenged by the use of a chiral primary amine, which both adds cost and favors formation of biaryl byproducts. In order to develop a scalable process, a number of factors had to be investigated including catalyst selection and stoichiometry of the chiral amine. These all needed to be optimized while maintaining low palladium levels in the isolated product. The reaction was found to be most effective using Pd­(dba)₂ with BINAP and Cs₂CO₃ in THF. When executed on 2.5 kg scale, these conditions provided 2.06 kg of the desired product in 80% yield with only 73 ppm residual palladium. To date, this process has been successfully executed to produce more than 12 kg of compound <b>(</b><i><b>S</b></i><b>)-3</b>

Partial Agonists of the α3β4* Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Reduce Ethanol Consumption and Seeking in Rats

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) impact millions of individuals and there remain few effective treatment strategies. Despite evidence that neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have a role in AUDs, it has not been established which subtypes of the nAChR are involved. Recent human genetic association studies have implicated the gene cluster CHRNA3–CHRNA5–CHRNB4 encoding the α3, α5, and β4 subunits of the nAChR in susceptibility to develop nicotine and alcohol dependence; however, their role in ethanol-mediated behaviors is unknown due to the lack of suitable and selective research tools. To determine the role of the α3, and β4 subunits of the nAChR in ethanol self-administration, we developed and characterized high-affinity partial agonists at α3β4 nAChRs, CP-601932, and PF-4575180. Both CP-601932 and PF-4575180 selectively decrease ethanol but not sucrose consumption and operant self-administration following long-term exposure. We show that the functional potencies of CP-601932 and PF-4575180 at α3β4 nAChRs correlate with their unbound rat brain concentrations, suggesting that the effects on ethanol self-administration are mediated via interaction with α3β4 nAChRs. Also varenicline, an approved smoking cessation aid previously shown to decrease ethanol consumption and seeking in rats and mice, reduces ethanol intake at unbound brain concentrations that allow functional interactions with α3β4 nAChRs. Furthermore, the selective α4β2* nAChR antagonist, DHβE, did not reduce ethanol intake. Together, these data provide further support for the human genetic association studies, implicating CHRNA3 and CHRNB4 genes in ethanol-mediated behaviors. CP-601932 has been shown to be safe in humans and may represent a potential novel treatment for AUDs