Discovery of <i>N</i>‑[Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-4-hydroxy-2-(pyridazin-3-yl)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide (MK-8617), an Orally Active Pan-Inhibitor of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Prolyl Hydroxylase 1–3 (HIF PHD1–3) for the Treatment of Anemia

The discovery of novel 4-hydroxy-2-(heterocyclic)­pyrimidine-5-carboxamide inhibitors of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylases (PHD) is described. These are potent, selective, orally bioavailable across several species, and active in stimulating erythropoiesis. Mouse and rat studies showed hematological changes with elevations of plasma EPO and circulating reticulocytes following single oral dose administration, while 4-week q.d. po administration in rat elevated hemoglobin levels. A major focus of the optimization process was to decrease the long half-life observed in higher species with early compounds. These efforts led to the identification of <b>28</b> (MK-8617), which has advanced to human clinical trials for anemia

Discovery of MK-7725, A Potent, Selective Bombesin Receptor Subtype-3 Agonist for the Treatment of Obesity

Extensive structure–activity relationship studies of a series derived from atropisomer <b>1</b>, a previously described chiral benzodiazepine sulfonamide series, led to a potent, brain penetrant and selective compound with excellent preclinical pharmacokinetic across species. We also describe the utilization of a high throughput mouse pharmacodynamic assay which allowed for expedient assessment of pharmacokinetic and brain distribution

Design of Potent and Orally Active GPR119 Agonists for the Treatment of Type II Diabetes

We report herein the design and synthesis of a series of potent and selective GPR119 agonists. Our objective was to develop a GPR119 agonist with properties that were suitable for fixed-dose combination with a DPP4 inhibitor. Starting from a phenoxy analogue (<b>1</b>), medicinal chemistry efforts directed toward reducing half-life and increasing solubility led to the synthesis of a series of benzyloxy analogues. Compound <b>28</b> was chosen for further profiling because of its favorable physicochemical properties and excellent GPR119 potency across species. This compound exhibited a clean off-target profile in counterscreens and good <i>in vivo</i> efficacy in mouse oGTT