Investigation of Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors for Lung Delivery and the Importance of Aldehyde Oxidase Metabolism.

The Janus family of tyrosine kinases (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2) play an essential role in the receptor signaling of cytokines that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of severe asthma, and there is emerging interest in the development of small-molecule-inhaled JAK inhibitors as treatments. Here, we describe the optimization of a quinazoline series of JAK inhibitors and the results of mouse lung pharmacokinetic (PK) studies where only low concentrations of parent compound were observed. Subsequent investigations revealed that the low exposure was due to metabolism by aldehyde oxidase (AO), so we sought to identify quinazolines that were not metabolized by AO. We found that specific substituents at the quinazoline 2-position prevented AO metabolism and this was rationalized through computational docking studies in the AO binding site, but they compromised kinome selectivity. Results presented here highlight that AO metabolism is a potential issue in the lung.

Design and Development of a Macrocyclic Series Targeting Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase δ.

A macrocyclization approach has been explored on a series of benzoxazine phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ inhibitors, resulting in compounds with improved potency, permeability, and in vivo clearance while maintaining good solubility. The thermodynamics of binding was explored via surface plasmon resonance, and the binding of lead macrocycle 19 was found to be almost exclusively entropically driven compared with progenitor 18, which demonstrated both enthalpic and entropic contributions. The pharmacokinetics of macrocycle 19 was also explored in vivo, where it showed reduced clearance when compared with the progenitor 18. This work adds to the growing body of evidence that macrocyclization could provide an alternative and complementary approach to the design of small-molecule inhibitors, with the potential to deliver differentiated properties.

From PIM1 to PI3Kδ via GSK3ß: Target Hopping through the Kinome.

Selective inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta are of interest for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Initial optimization of a 3-substituted indazole hit compound targeting the kinase PIM1 focused on improving selectivity over GSK3ß through consideration of differences in the ATP binding pockets. Continued kinase cross-screening showed PI3Kδ activity in a series of 4,6-disubstituted indazole compounds, and subsequent structure-activity relationship exploration led to the discovery of an indole-containing lead compound as a potent PI3Kδ inhibitor with selectivity over the other PI3K isoforms.

Optimization of Novel Indazoles as Highly Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase δ for the Treatment of Respiratory Disease.

Optimization of lead compound 1, through extensive use of structure-based design and a focus on PI3Kδ potency, isoform selectivity, and inhaled PK properties, led to the discovery of clinical candidates 2 (GSK2269557) and 3 (GSK2292767) for the treatment of respiratory indications via inhalation. Compounds 2 and 3 are both highly selective for PI3Kδ over the closely related isoforms and are active in a disease relevant brown Norway rat acute OVA model of Th2-driven lung inflammation.

A practical drug discovery project at the undergraduate level.

In this article, we describe a practical drug discovery project for third-year undergraduates. No previous knowledge of medicinal chemistry is assumed. Initial lecture workshops cover the basic principles; then students, in teams, seek to improve the profile of a weakly potent, insoluble phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3Kδ) inhibitor (1) through compound array design, molecular modelling, screening data analysis and the synthesis of target compounds in the laboratory. The project benefits from significant industrial support, including lectures, student mentoring and consumables. The aim is to make the learning experience as close as possible to real-life industrial situations. In total, 48 target compounds were prepared, the best of which (5b, 5j, 6b and 6ap) improved the potency and aqueous solubility of the lead compound (1) by 100-1000 fold and ≥tenfold, respectively.

3,5-Disubstituted-indole-7-carboxamides: the discovery of a novel series of potent, selective inhibitors of IKK-ß.

The discovery and hit-to-lead exploration of a novel series of selective IKK-ß kinase inhibitors is described. The initial lead fragment 3 was identified by pharmacophore-directed virtual screening. Homology model-driven SAR exploration of the template led to potent inhibitors, such as 12, which demonstrate efficacy in cellular assays and possess encouraging developability profiles.

The synthesis of (-)-isodomoic acid C.

The neuroactive algal metabolite (-)-isodomoic acid C, a kainoid amino acid, has been synthesized for the first time. Asymmetric dearomatizing cyclization of an aromatic amide using a chiral lithium amide base generates a bicyclic enone containing a pyrrolidinone ring with the relative and absolute stereochemistry of the target. A further 15 synthetic steps, including conjugate cuprate addition to the enone of a side chain precursor, a Ru-promoted oxidation of the phenyl ring to the C2-carboxylic acid substituent, a regioselective Baeyer-Villiger reaction, and an E-selective Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction, elaborate the cyclization product into the target molecule.

Total synthesis of (+/-)-acetoxyodontoschismenol using zirconium chemistry.

The dolabellane diterpene (+/-)-acetoxyodontoschismenol has been synthesised for the first time by a short route in which a three component coupling on zirconium is used to assemble all the carbons needed for the skeleton in onepot.