Structure-Based Drug Design of Novel Potent and Selective Tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5‑<i>a</i>]pyrazines as ATR Inhibitors

A saturation strategy focused on improving the selectivity and physicochemical properties of ATR inhibitor HTS hit <b>1</b> led to a novel series of highly potent and selective tetrahydropyrazolo­[1,5-<i>a</i>]­pyrazines. Use of PI3Kα mutants as ATR crystal structure surrogates was instrumental in providing cocrystal structures to guide the medicinal chemistry designs. Detailed DMPK studies involving cyanide and GSH as trapping agents during microsomal incubations, in addition to deuterium-labeled compounds as mechanistic probes uncovered the molecular basis for the observed CYP3A4 TDI in the series

Structure-Based Drug Design of Novel, Potent, and Selective Azabenzimidazoles (ABI) as ATR Inhibitors

Compound <b>13</b> was discovered through morphing of the ATR biochemical HTS hit <b>1</b>. The ABI series was potent and selective for ATR. Incorporation of a 6-azaindole afforded a marked increase in cellular potency but was associated with poor PK and hERG ion channel inhibition. DMPK experiments established that CYP P450 and AO metabolism in conjunction with Pgp and BCRP efflux were major causative mechanisms for the observed PK. The series also harbored the CYP3A4 TDI liability driven by the presence of both a morpholine and an indole moiety. Incorporation of an adjacent fluorine or nitrogen into the 6-azaindole addressed many of the various medicinal chemistry issues encountered