Discovery of BMS-986339, a Pharmacologically Differentiated Farnesoid X Receptor Agonist for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.

While several farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists under clinical investigation for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have shown beneficial effects, adverse effects such as pruritus and elevation of plasma lipids have limited their clinical efficacy and approvability. Herein, we report the discovery and preclinical evaluation of compound 32 (BMS-986339), a nonbile acid FXR agonist with a pharmacologically distinct profile relative to our previously reported agonist BMS-986318. Compound 32 exhibited potent in vitro and in vivo activation of FXR, albeit with a context-dependent profile that resulted in tissue-selective effects in vivo. To our knowledge, this is the first report that demonstrates differential induction of Fgf15 in the liver and ileum by FXR agonists in vivo. Compound 32 demonstrated robust antifibrotic efficacy despite reduced activation of certain genes in the liver, suggesting that the additional pharmacology of BMS-986318 does not further benefit efficacy, possibly presenting an opportunity for reduced adverse effects. Further evaluation in humans is warranted to validate this hypothesis.

Discovery of BMS-986144, a Third-Generation, Pan-Genotype NS3/4A Protease Inhibitor for the Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

The discovery of a pan-genotypic hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease inhibitor based on a P1-P3 macrocyclic tripeptide motif is described. The all-carbon tether linking the P1-P3 subsites of 21 is functionalized with alkyl substituents, which are shown to effectively modulate both potency and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties. The CF3Boc-group that caps the P3 amino moiety was discovered to be an essential contributor to metabolic stability, while positioning a methyl group at the C1 position of the P1' cyclopropyl ring enhanced plasma trough values following oral administration to rats. The C7-fluoro, C6-CD3O substitution pattern of the P2* isoquinoline heterocycle of 21 was essential to securing the targeted potency, pharmacokinetic (PK), and toxicological profiles. The C6-CD3O redirected metabolism away from a problematic pathway, thereby circumventing the time-dependent cytochrome P (CYP) 450 inhibition observed with the C6-CH3O prototype.