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Discovery and Early Clinical Evaluation of BMS-605339, a Potent and Orally Efficacious Tripeptidic Acylsulfonamide NS3 Protease Inhibitor for the Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection
The discovery of BMS-605339 (<b>35</b>), a tripeptidic inhibitor of the NS3/4A enzyme, is described.
This compound incorporates a cyclopropylÂacylsulfonamide moiety
that was designed to improve the potency of carboxylic acid prototypes
through the introduction of favorable nonbonding interactions within
the S1′ site of the protease. The identification of <b>35</b> was enabled through the optimization and balance of critical properties
including potency and pharmacokinetics (PK). This was achieved through
modulation of the P2* subsite of the inhibitor which identified the
isoquinoline ring system as a key template for improving PK properties
with further optimization achieved through functionalization. A methoxy
moiety at the C6 position of this isoquinoline ring system proved
to be optimal with respect to potency and PK, thus providing the clinical
compound <b>35</b> which demonstrated antiviral activity in
HCV-infected patients