Discovery of N-substituted-endo-3-(8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl)-phenol and -phenyl carboxamide series of µ-opioid receptor antagonists.

Gastrointestinal dysfunction as a consequence of the use of opioid analgesics is of significant clinical concern. First generation drugs to treat these opioid-induced side-effects were limited by their negative impact on opioid receptor agonist-induced analgesia. Second generation therapies target a localized, peripherally-restricted, non-CNS penetrant drug distribution of opioid receptor antagonists. Herein we describe the discovery of the N-substituted-endo-3-(8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl)-phenol and -phenyl carboxamide series of µ-opioid receptor antagonists. This report highlights the discovery of the key µ-opioid receptor antagonist pharmacophore and the optimization of in vitro metabolic stability through the application of a phenol bioisostere. The compounds 27a and 31a with the most attractive in vitro profile, formed the basis for the application of Theravance Biopharma's multivalent approach to drug discovery to afford the clinical compound axelopran (TD-1211), targeted for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation.

Mitigation of Acetylcholine Esterase Activity in the 1,7-Diazacarbazole Series of Inhibitors of Checkpoint Kinase 1.

Checkpoint kinase 1 (ChK1) plays a key role in the DNA damage response, facilitating cell-cycle arrest to provide sufficient time for lesion repair. This leads to the hypothesis that inhibition of ChK1 might enhance the effectiveness of DNA-damaging therapies in the treatment of cancer. Lead compound 1 (GNE-783), the prototype of the 1,7-diazacarbazole class of ChK1 inhibitors, was found to be a highly potent inhibitor of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and unsuitable for development. A campaign of analogue synthesis established SAR delineating ChK1 and AChE activities and allowing identification of new leads with improved profiles. In silico docking using a model of AChE permitted rationalization of the observed SAR. Compounds 19 (GNE-900) and 30 (GNE-145) were identified as selective, orally bioavailable ChK1 inhibitors offering excellent in vitro potency with significantly reduced AChE activity. In combination with gemcitabine, these compounds demonstrate an in vivo pharmacodynamic effect and are efficacious in a mouse p53 mutant xenograft model.

A multivalent approach towards linked dual-pharmacology prostaglandin F receptor agonist/carbonic anhydrase-II inhibitors for the treatment of glaucoma.

Lowering of intra-ocular pressure is the primary pharmacologic approach for the treatment of glaucoma and a number of distinct mechanisms of action have been clinically validated. Targeting of multiple mechanisms in combination therapies has proven effective both clinically and commercially although potential improvements with regards to efficacy, tolerability and dosing frequency remain. Application of Theravance's multivalent approach to drug discovery towards linked dual-pharmacology prostaglandin F receptor (FP) agonist/carbonic anhydrase (CA)-II inhibitor compounds is described. Compound 29 exhibits weak potency (pEC(50)=5.7, IA>1.0) as an FP agonist with high binding affinity (pK(i)=8.1) to the CA-II enzyme, and has comparable corneal permeability to the CA-II inhibitor dorzolamide.