Discovery of 4-chloro-2-(2,4-dichloro-6-methylphenoxy)-1-methyl-7-(pentan-3-yl)-1H-benzimidazole, a novel CRF1 receptor antagonist.

Compound 1 exhibits potent binding inhibition activity against a corticotropin-releasing factor 1 (CRF1) receptor (IC50=9.5nM) and in vitro antagonistic activity (IC50=88nM) but is rapidly metabolized by human hepatic microsomes (182µL/min/mg). Here we identified metabolically stable compounds with potent CRF binding inhibitory activity. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies considering in vitro metabolic stability revealed that 4-chloro-2-(2,4-dichloro-6-methylphenoxy)-1-methyl-7-(pentan-3-yl)-1H-benzimidazole 24d was more stable in human microsomes (87µL/min/mg) than compound 1. Compound 24d demonstrated potent CRF binding inhibitory activity (IC50=4.1nM), in vitro antagonistic activity (IC50=44nM), and slow dissociation from the CRF1 receptor. Orally administered compound 24d (6-24µmol/kg) showed ex vivo CRF1 receptor binding in the rat pituitary, olfactory bulb, and frontal cortex and suppressed stress-induced adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion. In this report, we discuss SAR studies on the metabolic stability as well as CRF binding inhibitory activity of the benzimidazole series as CRF1 receptor antagonists and the pharmacological profiles of compound 24d.

Novel and potent calcium-sensing receptor antagonists: discovery of (5R)-N-[1-ethyl-1-(4-ethylphenyl)propyl]-2,7,7-trimethyl-5-phenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxamide monotosylate (TAK-075) as an orally active bone anabolic agent.

The calcium-sensing receptor antagonist (CaSR) has been recognized as a promising target of anabolic agents for treating osteoporosis. In the course of developing a new drug candidate for osteoporosis, we found tetrahydropyrazolopyrimidine derivative 1 to be an orally active CaSR antagonist that stimulated transient PTH secretion in rats. However, compound 1 showed poor physical and chemical stability. In order to work out this compound's chemical stability and further understand its in vivo efficacy, we focused on modifying the 2-position of the tetrahydropyrazolopyrimidine. As a result of chemical modification, we discovered (5R)-N-[1-ethyl-1-(4-ethylphenyl)propyl]-2,7,7-trimethyl-5-phenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxamide monotosylate 10m (TAK-075), which showed improved solubility, chemical stability, and in vivo efficacy. Furthermore, we describe that evaluating the active metabolite is important during repeated treatment with short-acting CaSR antagonists.

Discovery of novel and potent orally active calcium-sensing receptor antagonists that stimulate pulselike parathyroid hormone secretion: synthesis and structure-activity relationships of tetrahydropyrazolopyrimidine derivatives.

As part of our research for novel calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) antagonists that can function as oral bone anabolic agents, we recently reported the discovery of a tetrahydropyrazolopyrimidine derivative featuring adamantyl group 1b with potent CaSR antagonistic activity. To explore the potential of this calcilytic congener, we introduced the gem-dialkyl benzyl group at the 3-position of the tetrahydropyrazolopyrimidine ring, forming a bioisostere of the adamantyl group by mimicking the adamantyl group's lipophilicity and bulkiness. Optimization directed toward the improvement of solubility and metabolic stability led to the discovery of compound 9e, which stimulated transient PTH secretion when orally administered to normal rats. Further, compound 9e proved to be fully effective in an osteopenic ovariectomized rat model.

Novel inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase as an anti-TNF-alpha drug: discovery of N-[4-[2-ethyl-4-(3-methylphenyl)-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]-2-pyridyl]benzamide (TAK-715) as a potent and orally active anti-rheumatoid arthritis agent.

The p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase has been implicated in the proinflammatory cytokine signal pathway, and its inhibitors are potentially useful for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory bowel disease. To develop a new drug for RA, we synthesized a novel series of 4-phenyl-5-pyridyl-1,3-thiazoles and evaluated their inhibition of p38 MAP kinase, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) from human monocytic THP-1 cells in vitro, and LPS-induced TNF-alpha production in vivo in mice. During the course of the study, we found that these compounds risk the inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms by coordination of the 4-pyridyl nitrogen with heme iron. We therefore investigated the effects of substitution at the 2-position of the pyridyl ring on the inhibitory activity of p38 MAP kinase and CYPs in more detail. As a result, N-[4-[2-ethyl-4-(3-methylphenyl)-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]-2-pyridyl]benzamide (8h, TAK-715) exhibited potent inhibitory activity in these assays (inhibition of p38alpha, IC50 = 7.1 nM; LPS-stimulated release of TNF-alpha from THP-1, IC50 = 48 nM; LPS-induced TNF-alpha production in mice, 87.6% inhibition at 10 mg/kg, po) and no inhibitory activity for major CYPs, including CYP3A4. This compound also showed good bioavailability in mice and rats and significant efficacy in a rat adjuvant-induced arthritis model. Compound 8h was selected as a clinical candidate and is now under clinical investigation for the treatment of RA.