Discovery of fevipiprant (NVP-QAW039), a potent and selective DP2 receptor antagonist for treatment of asthma

Further optimization of an initial DP2 receptor antagonist clinical candidate NVPQAV680 led to the discovery of a follow-up molecule 2-(2-methyl-1-(4-(methylsulfonyl)-2- (trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)acetic acid (compound 11, NVP-QAW039, fevipiprant), which exhibits improved potency on human eosinophils and Th2 cells, together with a longer receptor residence time, and is currently in clinical trials for severe asthma

A new orally bioavailable dual adenosine A2B/A3 receptor antagonist with therapeutic potential.

The synthesis and SAR of 5-heterocycle-substituted aminothiazole adenosine receptor antagonists is described. Several compounds show high affinity and selectivity for the A2B and A3 receptors. One compound (5f) shows good ADME properties in the rat and as such may be an important new compound in testing the current hypotheses proposing a therapeutic role for a dual A2B/A3 antagonist in allergic diseases

The Discovery And Optimisation of 4-(8-(3-Fluorophenyl)-1,7-naphthyridin-6-yl)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, An Improved PDE4 Inhibitor For The Treatment of COPD.

Herein we describe the optimisation of a series of PDE4 inhibitors, with special focus on solubility and pharamcokinetics, to clinical compound 2, 4-(8-(3-fluorophenyl)-1,7-naphthyridin-6-yl)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid. Compound 2 was found to have exemplary pharmacokinetics in humans, which enabled a novel dosing regime and the achievement of high plasma drug levels without associated nausea or emesis

Solubility-Driven Optimisation of Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors Leading to a Clinical Candidate

The solubility-driven optimisation of a series of 1,7-napthyridine phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors is described. Directed structural changes resulted in increased aqueous solubility, enabling superior pharmacokinetic properties, with retention of PDE4 inhibition. A range of potent and orally bioavailable compounds with good in vivo efficacy in animal models of inflammation and reduced emetic potential compared to previously described drugs were synthesised. Compound 2d was taken forward as a clinical candidate for the treatment of COPD

Development of isoform selective PI3-kinase inhibitors as pharmacological tools for elucidating the PI3K pathway

Using a parallel synthesis approach to target a non-conserved region of the PI3K catalytic domain a pan-PI3K inhibitor 1 was elaborated to provide alpha, delta and gamma isoform selective Class I PI3K inhibitors 21, 24, 26 and 27. The compounds had good cellular activity and were selective against protein kinases and other members of the PI3K superfamily including mTOR and DNA-PK

Discovery of Icenticaftor (QBW251), a Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Potentiator with Clinical Efficacy in Cystic Fibrosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) ion channel are established as the primary causative factor in the devastating lung disease cystic fibrosis (CF). More recently, cigarette smoke exposure has been shown to be associated with dysfunctional airway epithelial ion transport, suggesting a role for CFTR in the pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Here, the identification and characterization of a high throughput screening hit 6 as a potentiator of mutant human F508del and wild type CFTR channels is reported. The design, synthesis and biological evaluation of compounds 7 to 33 to establish structure activity relationships (SAR) of the scaffold are described, leading to the identification of clinical development compound icenticaftor (QBW251) 33, which has subsequently progressed to deliver two positive clinical proofs of concept in patients with CF and COPD and is now being further developed as a novel therapeutic approach for COPD patients

Discovery of Icenticaftor (QBW251), a Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Potentiator with Clinical Efficacy in Cystic Fibrosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) ion channel are established as the primary causative factor in the devastating lung disease cystic fibrosis (CF). More recently, cigarette smoke exposure has been shown to be associated with dysfunctional airway epithelial ion transport, suggesting a role for CFTR in the pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Here, the identification and characterization of a high throughput screening hit 6 as a potentiator of mutant human F508del and wild type CFTR channels is reported. The design, synthesis and biological evaluation of compounds 7 to 33 to establish structure activity relationships (SAR) of the scaffold are described, leading to the identification of clinical development compound icenticaftor (QBW251) 33, which has subsequently progressed to deliver two positive clinical proofs of concept in patients with CF and COPD and is now being further developed as a novel therapeutic approach for COPD patients

The identification of 7-[(R)-2-((1S,2S)-2-benzyloxycyclopentylamino)-1- hydroxyethyl]-4-hydroxybenzothiazolone as an inhaled long-acting β2-adrenoceptor agonist

The optimisation of two series of 4-hydroxybenzothiazolone derived β2-adrenoceptor agonists, bearing α-substituted cyclopentyl and β-phenethyl amino-substituents, as inhaled long-acting bronchodilators is described. Analogues were selected for synthesis using a lipophilicity based hypothesis to achieve the targeted rapid onset of action in combination with a long duration of action. The profiling of the two series led to identification of the α-substituted cyclopentyl analogue 2 as the optimal compound with a comparable profile to the inhaled once-daily long-acting β2-adrenoceptor agonist indacaterol. On the basis of these data 2 was promoted as the backup development candidate to indacaterol from the Novartis LABA project. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The Identification of Indacaterol as an Ultra-Long-Acting Inhaled Beta-2-Adrenoceptor Agonist

Following a lipophilicity-based hypothesis, a series of 2-aminoindan and 8-hydroxyquinolinone derived 2-adrenoceptor agonists have been prepared and evaluated for their potential as inhaled ultra-long-acting bronchodilators. Determination of their activities at the human 2-adrenoceptor receptor showed symmetrical substitution of the 2-aminoindan moiety at the 5- and 6-positions delivered the targeted intermediate potency and intrinsic-efficacy profiles relative to a series of clinical reference 2-adrenoceptor agonists. Further assessment with an in vitro super-fused electrically-stimulated guinea-pig tracheal-strip assay established the onset and duration of action time courses which could be rationalised by considering the lipophilicity, potency and intrinsic efficacy of the compounds. From these studies the 5,6-diethylindan analogue indacaterol 1c was shown to possess a unique profile of combining a rapid onset of action with a long duration of action. Further in vivo profiling of 1c supported the long duration of action and a wide therapeutic index following administration to the lung which led to the compound being selected as a development candidate

The identification of 7-[(R)-2-((1S,2S)-2-benzyloxycyclopentylamino)-1- hydroxyethyl]-4-hydroxybenzothiazolone as an inhaled long-acting ß2-adrenoceptor agonist

The optimisation of two series of 4-hydroxybenzothiazolone derived ß2-adrenoceptor agonists, bearing a-substituted cyclopentyl and ß-phenethyl amino-substituents, as inhaled long-acting bronchodilators is described. Analogues were selected for synthesis using a lipophilicity based hypothesis to achieve the targeted rapid onset of action in combination with a long duration of action. The profiling of the two series led to identification of the a-substituted cyclopentyl analogue 2 as the optimal compound with a comparable profile to the inhaled once-daily long-acting ß2-adrenoceptor agonist indacaterol. On the basis of these data 2 was promoted as the backup development candidate to indacaterol from the Novartis LABA project. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved