1
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Wang YT, Price E, Feng M, Hulen J, Doktor S, Stresser DM, Maes EM, Ji QC, Jenkins GJ. High-Throughput SFC-MS/MS Method to Measure EPSA and Predict Human Permeability. J Med Chem 2024; 67:13765-13777. [PMID: 38976596 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Permeability is a key factor driving the absorption of orally administered drugs. In early discovery, the efficient evaluation of permeability, particularly for compounds violating Lipinski's Rule of 5, remains challenging. Addressing this, we established a high-throughput method to measure the experimental polar surface area (HT-EPSA) as an in vitro surrogate to measure permeability. Compared to earlier methods, HT-EPSA significantly reduces data acquisition time with enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and data quality. In the effort of translating EPSA to human in vitro and in vivo passive permeability, we demonstrated the application of EPSA for predicting Caco-2 cell and human intestinal permeability, showing improvements over topological polar surface area and the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay for rank-ordering permeability in a proteolysis targeting chimera case study. The HT-EPSA method is expected to be highly beneficial in guiding early stage compound rank-ordering, faster decision-making, and in predicting in vitro and/or in vivo human intestinal permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Ting Wang
- Quantitative, Translational, and ADME Sciences (QTAS), AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Edward Price
- Quantitative, Translational, and ADME Sciences (QTAS), AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Mei Feng
- Quantitative, Translational, and ADME Sciences (QTAS), AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Jason Hulen
- Quantitative, Translational, and ADME Sciences (QTAS), AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Stella Doktor
- Quantitative, Translational, and ADME Sciences (QTAS), AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - David M Stresser
- Quantitative, Translational, and ADME Sciences (QTAS), AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Estelle M Maes
- Quantitative, Translational, and ADME Sciences (QTAS), AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Qin C Ji
- Quantitative, Translational, and ADME Sciences (QTAS), AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Gary J Jenkins
- Quantitative, Translational, and ADME Sciences (QTAS), AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
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2
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Schade M, Scott JS, Hayhow TG, Pike A, Terstiege I, Ahlqvist M, Johansson JR, Diene CR, Fallan C, Balazs AYS, Chiarparin E, Wilson D. Structural and Physicochemical Features of Oral PROTACs. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 39078401 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Achieving oral bioavailability with Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) is a key challenge. Here, we report the in vivo pharmacokinetic properties in mouse, rat, and dog of four clinical oral PROTACs and compare with an internally derived data set. We use NMR to determine 3D molecular conformations and structural preorganization free in solution, and we introduce the new experimental descriptors, solvent-exposed H-bond donors (eHBD), and acceptors (eHBA). We derive an upper limit of eHBD ≤ 2 for oral PROTACs in apolar environments and show a greater tolerance for other properties (eHBA, polarity, lipophilicity, and molecular weight) than for Rule-of-5 compliant oral drugs. Within a set of structurally related PROTACs, we show that examples with eHBD > 2 have much lower oral bioavailability than those that have eHBD ≤ 2. We summarize our findings as an experimental "Rule-of-oral-PROTACs" in order to assist medicinal chemists to achieve oral bioavailability in this challenging space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Schade
- Chemistry and DMPK, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - James S Scott
- Chemistry and DMPK, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas G Hayhow
- Chemistry and DMPK, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Andy Pike
- Chemistry and DMPK, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Ina Terstiege
- Chemistry and DMPK, Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, Mölndal 43183, Sweden
| | - Marie Ahlqvist
- Chemistry and DMPK, Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, Mölndal 43183, Sweden
| | - Johan R Johansson
- Chemistry and DMPK, Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, Mölndal 43183, Sweden
| | - Coura R Diene
- Chemistry and DMPK, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Charlene Fallan
- Chemistry and DMPK, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Amber Y S Balazs
- Chemistry, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Elisabetta Chiarparin
- Chemistry and DMPK, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - David Wilson
- Chemistry and DMPK, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
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3
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Price E, Weinheimer M, Rivkin A, Jenkins G, Nijsen M, Cox PB, DeGoey D. Beyond Rule of Five and PROTACs in Modern Drug Discovery: Polarity Reducers, Chameleonicity, and the Evolving Physicochemical Landscape. J Med Chem 2024; 67:5683-5698. [PMID: 38498697 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Developing orally bioavailable drugs demands an understanding of absorption in early drug development. Traditional methods and physicochemical properties optimize absorption for rule of five (Ro5) compounds; beyond rule of five (bRo5) drugs necessitate advanced tools like the experimental measure of exposed polarity (EPSA) and the AbbVie multiparametric score (AB-MPS). Analyzing AB-MPS and EPSA against ∼1000 compounds with human absorption data and ∼10,000 AbbVie tool compounds (∼1000 proteolysis targeting chimeras or PROTACs, ∼7000 Ro5s, and ∼2000 bRo5s) revealed new patterns of physicochemical trends. We introduced a high-throughput "polarity reduction" descriptor: ETR, the EPSA-to-topological polar surface area (TPSA) ratio, highlights unique bRo5 and PROTAC subsets for specialized drug design strategies for effective absorption. Our methods and guidelines refine drug design by providing innovative in vitro approaches, enhancing physicochemical property optimization, and enabling accurate predictions of intestinal absorption in the complex bRo5 domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Price
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Manuel Weinheimer
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Alexey Rivkin
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Gary Jenkins
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Marjoleen Nijsen
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Philip B Cox
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - David DeGoey
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
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4
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Ma X, Beard AM, Burgess SA, Darlak M, Newman JA, Nogle LM, Pietrafitta MJ, Smith DA, Wang X, Yue L. General Synthesis of Conformationally Constrained Noncanonical Amino Acids with C( sp3)-Rich Benzene Bioisosteres. J Org Chem 2024; 89:5010-5018. [PMID: 38532573 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.4c00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Recent years have seen novel modalities emerge for the treatment of human diseases resulting in an increase in beyond rule of 5 (bRo5) chemical matter. As a result, synthetic innovations aiming to enable rapid access to complex bRo5 molecular entities have become increasingly valuable for medicinal chemists' toolkits. Herein, we report the general synthesis of a new class of noncanonical amino acids (ncAA) with a cyclopropyl backbone to achieve conformational constraint and bearing C(sp3)-rich benzene bioisosteres. We also demonstrate preliminary studies toward utilities of these ncAA as building blocks for medicinal chemistry research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshen Ma
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 33 Ave. Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Adam M Beard
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 33 Ave. Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Samantha A Burgess
- Analytical Research & Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 33 Ave. Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Miroslawa Darlak
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 33 Ave. Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Justin A Newman
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Lisa M Nogle
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 33 Ave. Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Mark J Pietrafitta
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 33 Ave. Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - David A Smith
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 33 Ave. Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Xiao Wang
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Lei Yue
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 33 Ave. Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
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5
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Shurtleff VW, Layton ME, Parish CA, Perkins JJ, Schreier JD, Wang Y, Adam GC, Alvarez N, Bahmanjah S, Bahnck-Teets CM, Boyce CW, Burlein C, Cabalu TD, Campbell BT, Carroll SS, Chang W, de Lera Ruiz M, Dolgov E, Fay JF, Fox NG, Goh SL, Hartingh TJ, Hurzy DM, Kelly MJ, Klein DJ, Klingler FM, Krishnamurthy H, Kudalkar S, Mayhood TW, McKenna PM, Murray EM, Nahas D, Nawrat CC, Park S, Qian D, Roecker AJ, Sharma V, Shipe WD, Su J, Taggart RV, Truong Q, Wu Y, Zhou X, Zhuang N, Perlin DS, Olsen DB, Howe JA, McCauley JA. Invention of MK-7845, a SARS-CoV-2 3CL Protease Inhibitor Employing a Novel Difluorinated Glutamine Mimic. J Med Chem 2024; 67:3935-3958. [PMID: 38365209 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
As SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate, antiviral treatments are needed to complement vaccines. The virus's main protease, 3CLPro, is an attractive drug target in part because it recognizes a unique cleavage site, which features a glutamine residue at the P1 position and is not utilized by human proteases. Herein, we report the invention of MK-7845, a novel reversible covalent 3CLPro inhibitor. While most covalent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CLPro reported to date contain an amide as a Gln mimic at P1, MK-7845 bears a difluorobutyl substituent at this position. SAR analysis and X-ray crystallographic studies indicate that this group interacts with His163, the same residue that forms a hydrogen bond with the amide substituents typically found at P1. In addition to promising in vivo efficacy and an acceptable projected human dose with unboosted pharmacokinetics, MK-7845 exhibits favorable properties for both solubility and absorption that may be attributable to the unusual difluorobutyl substituent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark E Layton
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Craig A Parish
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - James J Perkins
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - John D Schreier
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Yunyi Wang
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Gregory C Adam
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Nadine Alvarez
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey 07110, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Tamara D Cabalu
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Brian T Campbell
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Steven S Carroll
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Wonsuk Chang
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | | | - Enriko Dolgov
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey 07110, United States
| | - John F Fay
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Nicholas G Fox
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Shih Lin Goh
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | | | - Danielle M Hurzy
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Michael J Kelly
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Daniel J Klein
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | | | | | - Shalley Kudalkar
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Todd W Mayhood
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Philip M McKenna
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Edward M Murray
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Debbie Nahas
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | | | - Steven Park
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey 07110, United States
| | | | | | - Vijeta Sharma
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey 07110, United States
| | - William D Shipe
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Jing Su
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Robert V Taggart
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Quang Truong
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Yin Wu
- Viva Biotech Ltd., Shanghai 201318, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhou
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | | | - David S Perlin
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey 07110, United States
| | - David B Olsen
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - John A Howe
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - John A McCauley
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
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6
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Asano D, Takakusa H, Nakai D. Oral Absorption of Middle-to-Large Molecules and Its Improvement, with a Focus on New Modality Drugs. Pharmaceutics 2023; 16:47. [PMID: 38258058 PMCID: PMC10820198 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
To meet unmet medical needs, middle-to-large molecules, including peptides and oligonucleotides, have emerged as new therapeutic modalities. Owing to their middle-to-large molecular sizes, middle-to-large molecules are not suitable for oral absorption, but there are high expectations around orally bioavailable macromolecular drugs, since oral administration is the most convenient dosing route. Therefore, extensive efforts have been made to create bioavailable middle-to-large molecules or develop absorption enhancement technology, from which some successes have recently been reported. For example, Rybelsus® tablets and Mycapssa® capsules, both of which contain absorption enhancers, were approved as oral medications for type 2 diabetes and acromegaly, respectively. The oral administration of Rybelsus and Mycapssa exposes their pharmacologically active peptides with molecular weights greater than 1000, namely, semaglutide and octreotide, respectively, into systemic circulation. Although these two medications represent major achievements in the development of orally absorbable peptide formulations, the oral bioavailability of peptides after taking Rybelsus and Mycapssa is still only around 1%. In this article, we review the approaches and recent advances of orally bioavailable middle-to-large molecules and discuss challenges for improving their oral absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daigo Asano
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-2-58, Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-8710, Japan; (H.T.); (D.N.)
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7
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Plesniak MP, Taylor EK, Eisele F, Kourra CMK, Michaelides IN, Oram A, Wernevik J, Valencia ZS, Rowbottom H, Mann N, Fredlund L, Pivnytska V, Novén A, Pirmoradian M, Lundbäck T, Storer RI, Pettersson M, De Donatis GM, Rehnström M. Rapid PROTAC Discovery Platform: Nanomole-Scale Array Synthesis and Direct Screening of Reaction Mixtures. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1882-1890. [PMID: 38116431 PMCID: PMC10726452 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise length, shape, and linker attachment points are all integral components to designing efficacious proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). Due to the synthetic complexity of these heterobifunctional degraders and the difficulty of computational modeling to aid PROTAC design, the exploration of structure-activity relationships remains mostly empirical, which requires a significant investment of time and resources. To facilitate rapid hit finding, we developed capabilities for PROTAC parallel synthesis and purification by harnessing an array of preformed E3-ligand-linker intermediates. In the next iteration of this approach, we developed a rapid, nanomole-scale PROTAC synthesis methodology using amide coupling that enables direct screening of nonpurified reaction mixtures in cell-based degradation assays, as well as logD and EPSA measurements. This approach greatly expands and accelerates PROTAC SAR exploration (5 days instead of several weeks) as well as avoids laborious and solvent-demanding purification of the reaction mixtures, thus making it an economical and more sustainable methodology for PROTAC hit finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz P. Plesniak
- Medicinal
Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and
Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Emilia K. Taylor
- Medicinal
Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and
Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Frederik Eisele
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | | | - Iacovos N. Michaelides
- Fragment
Based Lead Generation, Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K.
| | - Alice Oram
- iLAB,
Compound Synthesis & Management, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Johan Wernevik
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | | | - Hannah Rowbottom
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Nadia Mann
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Linda Fredlund
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Valentyna Pivnytska
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Anna Novén
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Mohammad Pirmoradian
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Thomas Lundbäck
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - R. Ian Storer
- Hit
Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K.
| | - Mariell Pettersson
- Medicinal
Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and
Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Gian M. De Donatis
- Cellular
Assay Development, Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K.
| | - Marie Rehnström
- Cell
Culture Sciences & Banking, Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences,
R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
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8
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Mizuno-Kaneko M, Hashimoto I, Miyahara K, Kochi M, Ohashi N, Tsumura K, Suzuki K, Tamura T. Molecular Design of Cyclic Peptides with Cell Membrane Permeability and Development of MDMX-p53 Inhibitor. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1174-1178. [PMID: 37736191 PMCID: PMC10510666 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic peptides have been expected to be one of the modalities of intracellular protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors, but they are generally known to have low cell membrane permeability. In this study, we focused on the conformation of cyclic peptides in the cell membrane to determine the requirement for their cell membrane permeability through passive diffusion. Utilizing the requirement, we searched for structures with high affinity for MDMX via computational chemistry and acquired cyclic peptide 19 (Papp = 0.80 × 10-6 cm s-1, IC50 = 0.07 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Mizuno-Kaneko
- Synthetic
Organic Chemistry Laboratories, FUJIFILM
Corporation, 577, Ushijima, Kaisei-machi, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa 258-8577, Japan
| | - Ichihiko Hashimoto
- Analysis
Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210, Nakanuma, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa 250-0193, Japan
| | - Kenta Miyahara
- Analysis
Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210, Nakanuma, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa 250-0193, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kochi
- Analysis
Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210, Nakanuma, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa 250-0193, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Ohashi
- Analysis
Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210, Nakanuma, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa 250-0193, Japan
| | - Kyosuke Tsumura
- Analysis
Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210, Nakanuma, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa 250-0193, Japan
| | - Koo Suzuki
- Analysis
Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210, Nakanuma, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa 250-0193, Japan
| | - Takashi Tamura
- Synthetic
Organic Chemistry Laboratories, FUJIFILM
Corporation, 577, Ushijima, Kaisei-machi, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa 258-8577, Japan
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9
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Garcia Jimenez D, Vallaro M, Rossi Sebastiano M, Apprato G, D’Agostini G, Rossetti P, Ermondi G, Caron G. Chamelogk: A Chromatographic Chameleonicity Quantifier to Design Orally Bioavailable Beyond-Rule-of-5 Drugs. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10681-10693. [PMID: 37490408 PMCID: PMC10424176 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
New chemical modalities in drug discovery include molecules belonging to the bRo5 chemical space. Because of their complex and flexible structure, bRo5 compounds often suffer from a poor solubility/permeability profile. Chameleonicity describes the capacity of a molecule to adapt to the environment through conformational changes; the design of molecular chameleons is a medicinal chemistry strategy simultaneously optimizing solubility and permeability. A default method to quantify chameleonicity in early drug discovery is still missing. Here we introduce Chamelogk, an automated, fast, and cheap chromatographic descriptor of chameleonicity. Moreover, we report measurements for 55 Ro5 and bRo5 compounds and validate our method with literature data. Then, selected case studies (macrocycles, nonmacrocyclic compounds, and PROTACs) are used to illustrate the application of Chamelogk in combination with lipophilicity (BRlogD) and polarity (Δ log kwIAM) descriptors. Overall, we show how Chamelogk deserves being included in property-based drug discovery strategies to design oral bioavailable bRo5 compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Garcia Jimenez
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Maura Vallaro
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Matteo Rossi Sebastiano
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Apprato
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia D’Agostini
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Paolo Rossetti
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ermondi
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Caron
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
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10
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Young RJ. Today's drug discovery and the shadow of the rule of 5. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:965-972. [PMID: 37378429 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2228199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The rule of 5 developed by Lipinski et al., a landmark and prescient piece of scholarship, focused the minds of drug hunters by systematically characterizing the physical make-up of drug molecules for the first time, noting many sub-optimal compounds identified by high-throughput screening practices. Its profound influence on thinking and practices, whilst providing benefit, perhaps etched the guidelines too strongly in the minds of some drug hunters who applied the bounds too literally without understanding the implications of the underlying statistics. AREAS COVERED This opinion is based on recent key developments that take thinking, measurements, and standards beyond those first set out, particularly the influences of molecular weight and the understanding, measurement, and calculation of lipophilicity. EXPERT OPINION Techniques and technologies for physicochemical estimations set new standards. It is timely to celebrate the significance and influence of the rule of 5, whilst taking thinking to new levels with better characterizations. The shadow of the rule of 5 may be long, but it is not dark, as new measurements, predictions and principles emerge as guiding lights in the design and prioritization of higher-quality molecules redefining the meaning of beyond the rule of 5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Young
- Blue Burgundy (Drug Discovery Consultancy) Ltd, Bedford, UK
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11
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Romanov-Michailidis F, Hsiao CC, Urner LM, Jerhaoui S, Surkyn M, Miller B, Vos A, Dominguez Blanco M, Bueters R, Vinken P, Bekkers M, Walker D, Pietrak B, Eyckmans W, Dores-Sousa JL, Joo Koo S, Lento W, Bauser M, Philippar U, Rombouts FJR. Discovery of an Oral, Beyond-Rule-of-Five Mcl-1 Protein-Protein Interaction Modulator with the Potential of Treating Hematological Malignancies. J Med Chem 2023; 66:6122-6148. [PMID: 37114951 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Avoidance of apoptosis is critical for the development and sustained growth of tumors. The pro-survival protein myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) is an anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins which is overexpressed in many cancers. Upregulation of Mcl-1 in human cancers is associated with high tumor grade, poor survival, and resistance to chemotherapy. Therefore, pharmacological inhibition of Mcl-1 is regarded as an attractive approach to treating relapsed or refractory malignancies. Herein, we disclose the design, synthesis, optimization, and early preclinical evaluation of a potent and selective small-molecule inhibitor of Mcl-1. Our exploratory design tactics focused on structural modifications which improve the potency and physicochemical properties of the inhibitor while minimizing the risk of functional cardiotoxicity. Despite being in the "non-Lipinski" beyond-Rule-of-Five property space, the developed compound benefits from exquisite oral bioavailability in vivo and induces potent pharmacodynamic inhibition of Mcl-1 in a mouse xenograft model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chien-Chi Hsiao
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Lorenz M Urner
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Soufyan Jerhaoui
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Michel Surkyn
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Bradley Miller
- Janssen Research & Development LLC, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Ann Vos
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Ruud Bueters
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Petra Vinken
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Mariette Bekkers
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - David Walker
- Janssen Research & Development LLC, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Beth Pietrak
- Janssen Research & Development LLC, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Werner Eyckmans
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Seong Joo Koo
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - William Lento
- Janssen Research & Development LLC, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Marcus Bauser
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Ulrike Philippar
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
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12
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Lei Z, Chang W, Guo H, Feng J, Zhang Z. A Brief Review on the Synthesis of the N-CF3 Motif in Heterocycles. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28073012. [PMID: 37049775 PMCID: PMC10095997 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28073012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The trifluoromethyl group is widely recognized for its significant role in the fields of medicinal chemistry and material science due to its unique electronic and steric properties that can alter various physiochemical properties of the parent molecule, such as lipophilicity, acidity, and hydrogen bonding capabilities. Compared to the well-established C-trifluoromethylation, N-trifluoromethylation has received lesser attention. Considering the extensive contribution of nitrogen to drug molecules, it is predicted that constructing N-trifluoromethyl (N-CF3) motifs will be of great significance in pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. This review is mainly concerned with the synthesis of heterocycles containing this motif. In three-membered heterocycles containing the N-CF3 motif, the existing literature mostly demonstrated the synthetic strategy, as it does for four- and larger-membered heterocycles. Certain structures, such as oxaziridines, could serve as an oxidant or building blocks in organic synthesis. In five-membered heterocycles, it has been reported that N-CF3 azoles showed a higher lipophilicity and a latent increased metabolic stability and Caco-2-permeability compared with their N-CH3 counterparts, illustrating the potential of the N-CF3 motif. Various N-CF3 analogues of drugs or bioactive molecules, such as sildenafil analogue, have been obtained. In general, the N-CF3 motif is developing and has great potential in bioactive molecules or materials. Give the recent development in this motif, it is foreseeable that its synthesis methods and applications will become more and more extensive. In this paper, we present an overview of the synthesis of N-CF3 heterocycles, categorized on the basis of the number of rings (three-, four-, five-, six- and larger-membered heterocycles), and focus on the five-membered heterocycles containing the N-CF3 group.
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13
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O' Donovan DH, De Fusco C, Kuhnke L, Reichel A. Trends in Molecular Properties, Bioavailability, and Permeability across the Bayer Compound Collection. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2347-2360. [PMID: 36752336 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
For oral drugs, medicinal chemists aim to design compounds with high oral bioavailability, of which permeability is a key determinant. Taking advantage of >2000 compounds tested in rat bioavailability studies and >20,000 compounds tested in Caco2 assays at Bayer, we have examined the molecular properties governing bioavailability and permeability. In addition to classical parameters such as logD and molecular weight, we also investigated the relationship between calculated pKa and permeability. We find that neutral compounds retain permeability up to a molecular weight limit of 700, while stronger acids and bases are restricted to weights of 400-500. We also investigate trends for common properties such as hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, polar surface area, aromatic ring count, and rotatable bonds, including compounds which exceed Lipinski's rule of five (Ro5). These property-structure relationships are combined to provide design guidelines for bioavailable drugs in both traditional and "beyond rule of 5" (bRo5) chemical space.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lara Kuhnke
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Bayer AG, 13342 Berlin, Germany
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14
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Young RJ, Flitsch SL, Grigalunas M, Leeson PD, Quinn RJ, Turner NJ, Waldmann H. The Time and Place for Nature in Drug Discovery. JACS AU 2022; 2:2400-2416. [PMID: 36465532 PMCID: PMC9709949 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.2c00415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The case for a renewed focus on Nature in drug discovery is reviewed; not in terms of natural product screening, but how and why biomimetic molecules, especially those produced by natural processes, should deliver in the age of artificial intelligence and screening of vast collections both in vitro and in silico. The declining natural product-likeness of licensed drugs and the consequent physicochemical implications of this trend in the context of current practices are noted. To arrest these trends, the logic of seeking new bioactive agents with enhanced natural mimicry is considered; notably that molecules constructed by proteins (enzymes) are more likely to interact with other proteins (e.g., targets and transporters), a notion validated by natural products. Nature's finite number of building blocks and their interactions necessarily reduce potential numbers of structures, yet these enable expansion of chemical space with their inherent diversity of physical characteristics, pertinent to property-based design. The feasible variations on natural motifs are considered and expanded to encompass pseudo-natural products, leading to the further logical step of harnessing bioprocessing routes to access them. Together, these offer opportunities for enhancing natural mimicry, thereby bringing innovation to drug synthesis exploiting the characteristics of natural recognition processes. The potential for computational guidance to help identifying binding commonalities in the route map is a logical opportunity to enable the design of tailored molecules, with a focus on "organic/biological" rather than purely "synthetic" structures. The design and synthesis of prototype structures should pay dividends in the disposition and efficacy of the molecules, while inherently enabling greener and more sustainable manufacturing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabine L. Flitsch
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Manchester,
Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Grigalunas
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max-Planck-Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Paul D. Leeson
- Paul
Leeson Consulting Limited, The Malt House, Main Street, Congerstone, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV13 6LZ, U.K.
| | - Ronald J. Quinn
- Griffith
Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Nicholas J. Turner
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Manchester,
Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Herbert Waldmann
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max-Planck-Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
- Faculty of
Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical
University of Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
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15
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Kusumoto Y, Hayashi K, Sato S, Yamada T, Kozono I, Nakata Z, Asada N, Mitsuki S, Watanabe A, Wakasa-Morimoto C, Uemura K, Arita S, Miki S, Mizutare T, Mikamiyama H. Highly Potent and Oral Macrocyclic Peptides as a HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: mRNA Display-Derived Hit-to-Lead Optimization. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:1634-1641. [PMID: 36262395 PMCID: PMC9575168 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) protease is essential for viral propagation, and its inhibitors are key anti-HIV-1 drug candidates. In this study, we discovered a novel HIV-1 protease inhibitor (compound 16) with potent antiviral activity and oral bioavailability using a structure-based drug design approach via X-ray crystal structure analysis and improved metabolic stability, starting from hit macrocyclic peptides identified by mRNA display against HIV-1 protease. We found that the improvement of the proteolytic stability of macrocyclic peptides by introducing a methyl group to the α-position of amino acid is crucial to exhibit strong antiviral activity. In addition, macrocyclic peptides, which have moderate metabolic stability and solubility in solutions containing taurocholic acid, exhibited desirable plasma total clearance and oral bioavailability. These approaches may contribute to the successful discovery and development of orally bioavailable peptide drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Kusumoto
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Kyohei Hayashi
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Soichiro Sato
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Toru Yamada
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Iori Kozono
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Zenzaburo Nakata
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Naoya Asada
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Shungo Mitsuki
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Ayahisa Watanabe
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Chiaki Wakasa-Morimoto
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Kentaro Uemura
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Shuhei Arita
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Shinobu Miki
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Tohru Mizutare
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Hidenori Mikamiyama
- Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 1-1, Futaba-cho 3-chome, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
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16
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Rossi Sebastiano M, Garcia Jimenez D, Vallaro M, Caron G, Ermondi G. Refinement of Computational Access to Molecular Physicochemical Properties: From Ro5 to bRo5. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12068-12083. [PMID: 36094896 PMCID: PMC9511483 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
There is a need of computational tools to rank bRo5 drug
candidates
in the very early phases of drug discovery when chemical matter is
unavailable. In this study, we selected three compounds: (a) a Ro5
drug (Pomalidomide), (b) a bRo5 orally available drug (Saquinavir),
and (c) a polar PROTAC (CMP 98) to focus on computational access to
physicochemical properties. To provide a benchmark, the three compounds
were first experimentally characterized for their lipophilicity, polarity,
IMHBs, and chameleonicity. To reproduce the experimental information
content, we generated conformer ensembles with conformational sampling
and molecular dynamics in both water and nonpolar solvents. Then we
calculated Rgyr, 3D PSA, and IMHB number. An innovative pool of strategies
for data analysis was then provided. Overall, we report a contribution
to close the gap between experimental and computational methods for
characterizing bRo5 physicochemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Rossi Sebastiano
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Diego Garcia Jimenez
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Maura Vallaro
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Caron
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ermondi
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
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17
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Xu G, Liu Z, Wang X, Lu T, DesJarlais RL, Thieu T, Zhang J, Devine ZH, Du F, Li Q, Milligan CM, Shaffer P, Cedervall PE, Spurlino JC, Stratton CF, Pietrak B, Szewczuk LM, Wong V, Steele RA, Bruinzeel W, Chintala M, Silva J, Gaul MD, Macielag MJ, Nargund R. Discovery of Potent and Orally Bioavailable Pyridine N-Oxide-Based Factor XIa Inhibitors through Exploiting Nonclassical Interactions. J Med Chem 2022; 65:10419-10440. [PMID: 35862732 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Activated factor XI (FXIa) inhibitors are promising novel anticoagulants with low bleeding risk compared with current anticoagulants. The discovery of potent FXIa inhibitors with good oral bioavailability has been challenging. Herein, we describe our discovery effort, utilizing nonclassical interactions to improve potency, cellular permeability, and oral bioavailability by enhancing the binding while reducing polar atoms. Beginning with literature-inspired pyridine N-oxide-based FXIa inhibitor 1, the imidazole linker was first replaced with a pyrazole moiety to establish a polar C-H···water hydrogen-bonding interaction. Then, structure-based drug design was employed to modify lead molecule 2d in the P1' and P2' regions, with substituents interacting with key residues through various nonclassical interactions. As a result, a potent FXIa inhibitor 3f (Ki = 0.17 nM) was discovered. This compound demonstrated oral bioavailability in preclinical species (rat 36.4%, dog 80.5%, and monkey 43.0%) and displayed a dose-dependent antithrombotic effect in a rabbit arteriovenous shunt model of thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guozhang Xu
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Zhijie Liu
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Xinkang Wang
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Tianbao Lu
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Renee L DesJarlais
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Tho Thieu
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Jing Zhang
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Zheng Huang Devine
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Fuyong Du
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Qiu Li
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Cynthia M Milligan
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Paul Shaffer
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Peder E Cedervall
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - John C Spurlino
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Christopher F Stratton
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Beth Pietrak
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Lawrence M Szewczuk
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Victoria Wong
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Ruth A Steele
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Wouter Bruinzeel
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Madhu Chintala
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Jose Silva
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Michael D Gaul
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Mark J Macielag
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
| | - Ravi Nargund
- Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0776, United States
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18
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Erckes V, Steuer C. A story of peptides, lipophilicity and chromatography - back and forth in time. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:676-687. [PMID: 35800203 PMCID: PMC9215158 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00027j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides, as part of the beyond the rule of 5 (bRo5) chemical space, represent a unique class of pharmaceutical compounds. Because of their exceptional position in the chemical space between traditional small molecules (molecular weight (MW) < 500 Da) and large therapeutic proteins (MW > 5000 Da), peptides became promising candidates for targeting challenging binding sites, including even targets traditionally considered as undruggable - e.g. intracellular protein-protein interactions. However, basic knowledge about physicochemical properties that are important for a drug to be membrane permeable is missing but would enhance the drug discovery process of bRo5 molecules. Consequently, there is a demand for quick and simple lipophilicity determination methods for peptides. In comparison to the traditional lipophilicity determination methods via shake flask and in silico prediction, chromatography-based methods could have multiple benefits such as the requirement of low analyte amount, insensitivity to impurities and high throughput. Herein we elucidate the role of peptide lipophilicity and different lipophilicity values. Further, we summarize peptide analysis via common chromatographic techniques, in specific reversed phase liquid chromatography, hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and supercritical fluid chromatography and their role in drug discovery and development process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Erckes
- Pharmaceutical Analytics, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal Institute of Technology Zurich 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Christian Steuer
- Pharmaceutical Analytics, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal Institute of Technology Zurich 8093 Zurich Switzerland
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19
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Abstract
Peptides have traditionally been perceived as poor drug candidates due to unfavorable characteristics mainly regarding their pharmacokinetic behavior, including plasma stability, membrane permeability and circulation half-life. Nonetheless, in recent years, general strategies to tackle those shortcomings have been established, and peptides are subsequently gaining increasing interest as drugs due to their unique ability to combine the advantages of antibodies and small molecules. Macrocyclic peptides are a special focus of drug development efforts due to their ability to address so called ‘undruggable’ targets characterized by large and flat protein surfaces lacking binding pockets. Here, the main strategies developed to date for adapting peptides for clinical use are summarized, which may soon help usher in an age highly shaped by peptide-based therapeutics. Nonetheless, limited membrane permeability is still to overcome before peptide therapeutics will be broadly accepted.
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20
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Jin Q, Peng D, Zheng Z. Advances in extracting and understanding the bioactivities of marine organism peptides: A review. J FOOD PROCESS PRES 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jfpp.15602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qing‐Hao Jin
- Donghai Science and Technology College Zhejiang Ocean University Zhoushan P.R. China
| | - Ding‐Xin Peng
- Food and Pharmacy College Zhejiang Ocean University Zhoushan P.R. China
| | - Zhou‐Jun Zheng
- Donghai Science and Technology College Zhejiang Ocean University Zhoushan P.R. China
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21
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Ecker AK, Levorse DA, Victor DA, Mitcheltree MJ. Bioisostere Effects on the EPSA of Common Permeability-Limiting Groups. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:964-971. [DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K. Ecker
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5727, United States
| | - Dorothy A. Levorse
- Department of Analytical Research & Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Daniel A. Victor
- Department of Analytical Research & Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Matthew J. Mitcheltree
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5727, United States
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22
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García Jiménez D, Rossi Sebastiano M, Vallaro M, Mileo V, Pizzirani D, Moretti E, Ermondi G, Caron G. Designing Soluble PROTACs: Strategies and Preliminary Guidelines. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12639-12649. [PMID: 35469399 PMCID: PMC9574862 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Solubility optimization is a crucial step to obtaining oral PROTACs. Here we measured the thermodynamic solubilities (log S) of 21 commercial PROTACs. Next, we measured BRlogD and log kwIAM (lipophilicity), EPSA, and Δ log kwIAM (polarity) and showed that lipophilicity plays a major role in governing log S, but a contribution of polarity cannot be neglected. Two-/three-dimensional descriptors calculated on conformers arising from conformational sampling and steered molecular dynamics failed in modeling solubility. Infographic tools were used to identify a privileged region of soluble PROTACs in a chemical space defined by BRlogD, log kwIAM and topological polar surface area, while machine learning provided a log S classification model. Finally, for three pairs of PROTACs we measured the solubility, lipophilicity, and polarity of the building blocks and identified the limits of estimating PROTAC solubility from the synthetic components. Overall, this paper provides promising guidelines for optimizing PROTAC solubility in early drug discovery programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego García Jiménez
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, Via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Matteo Rossi Sebastiano
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, Via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Maura Vallaro
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, Via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Valentina Mileo
- Global Research and Preclinical Development, Research Center, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli 11/a, 43122 Parma, Italy.,Emerging Science & Technology Unit, Research Center, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli 11/a, 43122 Parma, Italy
| | - Daniela Pizzirani
- Global Research and Preclinical Development, Research Center, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli 11/a, 43122 Parma, Italy.,Emerging Science & Technology Unit, Research Center, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli 11/a, 43122 Parma, Italy
| | - Elisa Moretti
- Global Research and Preclinical Development, Research Center, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli 11/a, 43122 Parma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ermondi
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, Via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Caron
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, Via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
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23
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Optimization of cyclic peptide property using chromatographic capacity factor on permeability of passive cell membrane and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived intestinal membrane. J Pharm Sci 2022; 111:1879-1886. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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24
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Tamura T, Inoue M, Yoshimitsu Y, Hashimoto I, Ohashi N, Tsumura K, Suzuki K, Watanabe T, Hohsaka T. Chemical Synthesis and Cell-Free Expression of Thiazoline Ring-Bridged Cyclic Peptides and Their Properties on Biomembrane Permeability. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2022. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20210409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Tamura
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1211, Japan
- Synthetic Organic Chemistry Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, 577 Ushijima, Kaisei-machi, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa 258-8577, Japan
| | - Masaaki Inoue
- Synthetic Organic Chemistry Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, 577 Ushijima, Kaisei-machi, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa 258-8577, Japan
| | - Yuji Yoshimitsu
- Synthetic Organic Chemistry Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, 577 Ushijima, Kaisei-machi, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa 258-8577, Japan
| | - Ichihiko Hashimoto
- Analysis Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210 Nakanuma, Minamiashigara, Kanagawa 258-0123, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Ohashi
- Analysis Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210 Nakanuma, Minamiashigara, Kanagawa 258-0123, Japan
| | - Kyosuke Tsumura
- Analysis Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210 Nakanuma, Minamiashigara, Kanagawa 258-0123, Japan
| | - Koo Suzuki
- Analysis Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, 210 Nakanuma, Minamiashigara, Kanagawa 258-0123, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Watanabe
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1211, Japan
| | - Takahiro Hohsaka
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1211, Japan
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25
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Rombouts FJR, Hsiao CC, Bache S, De Cleyn M, Heckmann P, Leenaerts J, Martinéz-Lamenca C, Van Brandt S, Peschiulli A, Vos A, Gijsen HJM. Modulating physicochemical properties of tetrahydropyridine-2-amine BACE1 inhibitors with electron-withdrawing groups: A systematic study. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 228:114028. [PMID: 34920170 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.114028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A common challenge for medicinal chemists is to reduce the pKa of strongly basic groups' conjugate acids into a range that preserves the desired effects, usually potency and/or solubility, but avoids undesired effects like high volume of distribution (Vd), limited membrane permeation, and off-target binding to, notably, the hERG channel and monoamine receptors. We faced this challenge with a 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-2-amine scaffold harboring an amidine, a key structural component of potential inhibitors of BACE1, the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of Aβ species that make up amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease. In our endeavor to balance potency with desirable properties to achieve brain penetration, we introduced a diverse set of groups in beta position of the amidine that modulate logD, PSA and pKa. Given the synthetic challenge to prepare these highly functionalized warheads, we first developed a design flow including predicted physicochemical parameters which allowed us to select only the most promising candidates for synthesis. For this we evaluated a set of commercial packages to predict physicochemical properties, which can guide medicinal chemists in their endeavors to modulate pKa values of amidine and amine bases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chien-Chi Hsiao
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Solène Bache
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Michel De Cleyn
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Pauline Heckmann
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jos Leenaerts
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Sven Van Brandt
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Aldo Peschiulli
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Ann Vos
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Harrie J M Gijsen
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340, Beerse, Belgium
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26
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West C, Lesellier E. Selection of SFC stationary and mobile phases. SEP SCI TECHNOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-88487-7.00008-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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27
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Underwood T, Hindley S, Knaggs A, White C. Synthetic chemistry screening for robust analysis and purification from discovery through to development. SEP SCI TECHNOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-88487-7.00003-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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28
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Beres M. Expanding the boundaries of SFC: Analysis of biomolecules. SEP SCI TECHNOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-88487-7.00011-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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29
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Pistorius D, Buntin K, Weber E, Richard E, Bouquet C, Wollbrett S, Regenass H, Peón V, Böhm M, Kessler R, Gempeler T, Haberkorn A, Wimmer L, Lanshoeft C, Davis J, Hainzl D, D'Alessio JA, Manchado E, Petersen F. Promoter-Driven Overexpression in Chromobacterium vaccinii Facilitates Access to FR900359 and Yields Novel Low Abundance Analogs. Chemistry 2021; 28:e202103888. [PMID: 34878202 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202103888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Access to the cyclic depsipeptide FR900359 (FR), a selective Gq/11 protein inhibitor of high pharmacological interest and a potential lead molecule for targeted therapy of cancers with oncogenic GNAQ or GNA11 mutations (encoding Gq and G11 respectively), has been challenging ever since its initial discovery more than three decades ago. The recent discovery of Chromobacterium vaccinii as a cultivable FR producer enables the development of approaches leading to a high-yielding, scalable and sustainable biotechnological process for production of FR, thereby removing this bottleneck. Here we characterize different promoters in exchange of the native promoter of the FR assembly line, resulting in an overexpression mutant with significantly increased production of FR. Thereby, the isolation and structure elucidation of novel FR analogs of low abundance is enabled. Further, we explore the antiproliferative activities of fifteen chromodepsins against uveal melanoma cell lines harboring Gq/11 mutations and characterize the major metabolite of FR formed in plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Pistorius
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kathrin Buntin
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eric Weber
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Etienne Richard
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Bouquet
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Séverine Wollbrett
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hugo Regenass
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Victor Peón
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Böhm
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Régis Kessler
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Gempeler
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Haberkorn
- Oncology Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Laurin Wimmer
- Chemical & Analytical Development, Technical Research & Development, Global Drug Development, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Lanshoeft
- Pharmakokinetic Sciences, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - John Davis
- Pharmacokinetic Sciences, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 250 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Dominik Hainzl
- Pharmacokinetic Sciences, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 250 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Joseph Anthony D'Alessio
- Oncology Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 250 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Eusebio Manchado
- Oncology Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frank Petersen
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
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30
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Molineau J, Hamel Y, Hideux M, Hennig P, Bertin S, Mauge F, Lesellier E, West C. Analysis of short-chain bioactive peptides by unified chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Part I. Method development. J Chromatogr A 2021; 1658:462631. [PMID: 34700137 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2021.462631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
A method to analyse short-chain bioactive peptides (MW < 800 Da) and their impurities was developed with a unified chromatography (UC) analysis, including a wide mobile phase gradient ranging from supercritical fluid to near-liquid conditions, with UV and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry detection (ESI-MS). Four stationary phases and three mobile phase compositions were examined. Ten model peptides were first selected to identify the best operating conditions, including five linear tripeptides and five cyclic pentapeptides, with log P values ranging from -5.9 to 3.6, and including isomeric species. Derringer desirability functions were designed to identify optimal operating conditions based on 7 criteria, namely the number of peaks detected (including all impurities resolved), the proportion of the chromatogram occupied by target peaks, the least favourable resolution observed between the main peptide and impurities, peak shape features (asymmetry and peak width at half height), and finally the signal-to-noise ratio observed both with UV (210 nm) and ESI-MS in positive ionization mode. The optimum conditions were obtained on Ascentis Express OH5 stationary phase, with a mobile phase composed of carbon dioxide and methanol, comprising 2% water and 20 mM ammonium hydroxide. The final gradient program ranged from 5 to 80% co-solvent in CO2, with a reversed flow rate gradient ranging from 3.0 to 1.5 mL/min. Back-pressure was set at 120 bar and the column oven temperature at 60°C. Optimal conditions were applied to a large set of 76 peptides (34 linear tripeptides and 42 cyclic pentapeptides) and provided adequate scattering of the peaks in the retention space, together with some separation of isomeric species, particularly for the cyclic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Molineau
- University of Orleans, ICOA, CNRS UMR 7311, rue de Chartres, BP 6759, 45067 Orléans, France
| | - Yasmine Hamel
- University of Orleans, ICOA, CNRS UMR 7311, rue de Chartres, BP 6759, 45067 Orléans, France
| | - Maria Hideux
- Institut de Recherches Servier, 11 Rue des Moulineaux, 92210 Suresnes, France
| | - Philippe Hennig
- Institut de Recherches Servier, 11 Rue des Moulineaux, 92210 Suresnes, France
| | - Sophie Bertin
- Institut de Recherches Servier, 11 Rue des Moulineaux, 92210 Suresnes, France
| | - Fabien Mauge
- Institut de Recherches Servier, 11 Rue des Moulineaux, 92210 Suresnes, France
| | - Eric Lesellier
- University of Orleans, ICOA, CNRS UMR 7311, rue de Chartres, BP 6759, 45067 Orléans, France
| | - Caroline West
- University of Orleans, ICOA, CNRS UMR 7311, rue de Chartres, BP 6759, 45067 Orléans, France.
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31
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Sheikh AY, Mattei A, Miglani Bhardwaj R, Hong RS, Abraham NS, Schneider-Rauber G, Engstrom KM, Diwan M, Henry RF, Gao Y, Juarez V, Jordan E, DeGoey DA, Hutchins CW. Implications of the Conformationally Flexible, Macrocyclic Structure of the First-Generation, Direct-Acting Anti-Viral Paritaprevir on Its Solid Form Complexity and Chameleonic Behavior. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:17479-17491. [PMID: 34637297 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c06837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Direct-acting antiviral regimens have transformed therapeutic management of hepatitis C across all prevalent genotypes. Most of the chemical matter in these regimens comprises molecules well outside the traditional drug development chemical space and presents significant challenges. Herein, the implications of high conformational flexibility and the presence of a 15-membered macrocyclic ring in paritaprevir are studied through a combination of advanced computational and experimental methods with focus on molecular chameleonicity and crystal form complexity. The ability of the molecule to toggle between high and low 3D polar surface area (PSA) conformations is underpinned by intramolecular hydrogen bonding (IMHB) interactions and intramolecular steric effects. Computational studies consequently show a very significant difference of over 75 Å2 in 3D PSA between polar and apolar environments and provide the structural basis for the perplexingly favorable passive permeability of the molecule. Crystal packing and protein binding resulting in strong intermolecular interactions disrupt these intramolecular interactions. Crystalline Form I benefits from strong intermolecular interactions, whereas the weaker intermolecular interactions in Form II are partially compensated by the energetic advantage of an IMHB. Like Form I, no IMHB is observed within the receptor-bound conformation; instead, an intermolecular H-bond contributes to the potency of the molecule. The choice of metastable Form II is derisked through strategies accounting for crystal surface and packing features to manage higher form specific solid-state chemical reactivity and specific processing requirements. Overall, the results show an unambiguous link between structural features and derived properties from crystallization to dissolution, permeation, and docking into the protein pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Y Sheikh
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Alessandra Mattei
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Rajni Miglani Bhardwaj
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Richard S Hong
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Nathan S Abraham
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Gabriela Schneider-Rauber
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Kenneth M Engstrom
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Moiz Diwan
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Rodger F Henry
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Yi Gao
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Vivian Juarez
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Erin Jordan
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - David A DeGoey
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Charles W Hutchins
- Research & Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
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32
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JNJ-67569762, A 2-Aminotetrahydropyridine-Based Selective BACE1 Inhibitor Targeting the S3 Pocket: From Discovery to Clinical Candidate. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14175-14191. [PMID: 34553934 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of a novel 2-aminotetrahydropyridine class of BACE1 inhibitors is described. Their pKa and lipophilicity were modulated by a pending sulfonyl group, while good permeability and brain penetration were achieved via intramolecular hydrogen bonding. BACE1 selectivity over BACE2 was achieved in the S3 pocket by a novel bicyclic ring system. An optimization addressing reactive metabolite formation, cardiovascular safety, and CNS toxicity is described, leading to the clinical candidate JNJ-67569762 (12), which gave robust dose-dependent BACE1-mediated amyloid β lowering without showing BACE2-dependent hair depigmentation in preclinical models. We show that 12 has a favorable projected human dose and PK and hence presented us with an opportunity to test a highly selective BACE1 inhibitor in humans. However, 12 was found to have a QT effect upon repeat dosing in dogs and its development was halted in favor of other selective leads, which will be reported in the future.
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33
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Dhuyvetter D, Tekle F, Nazarov M, Vreeken RJ, Borghys H, Rombouts F, Lenaerts I, Bottelbergs A. Direct nose to brain delivery of small molecules: critical analysis of data from a standardized in vivo screening model in rats. Drug Deliv 2021; 27:1597-1607. [PMID: 33169635 PMCID: PMC7655051 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2020.1837291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is often a limiting factor for getting drugs in the brain. Bypassing the BBB by intranasal (IN), or also called nose to brain (NTB), route is an interesting and frequently investigated concept for brain drug delivery. However, despite the body of evidence for IN drug delivery in literature over the last decades, reproducibility and interpretation of animal data remain challenging. The objective of this project was to assess the feasibility and value of a standardized IN screening model in rats for the evaluation of direct brain delivery. A chemically diverse set of commercial and internal small molecules were tested in the in vivo model with different doses and/or formulations. Data were analyzed using different ways of ratio calculations: blood concentration at time of sacrifice, total exposure in blood (area under the curve, AUC) and the brain or olfactory bulb concentrations. The IN route was compared to another parenteral route to decide if there is potential direct brain transport. The results show that blood and tissue concentrations and ratios are highly variable and not always reproducible. Potential direct brain delivery was concluded for some compounds, however, sometimes depending on the analysis: using blood levels at sacrifice or AUC could lead to different conclusions. We conclude that a screening model for the evaluation of direct brain transport of small molecules is very difficult to achieve and a conclusion based on a limited number of animals with this variability is questionable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fetene Tekle
- Non Clinical Statistics, Janssen R&D, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Rob J Vreeken
- Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, Janssen R&D, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | | | - Ilse Lenaerts
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Area, Janssen R&D, Beerse, Belgium
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34
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Villemure E, Terrett JA, Larouche-Gauthier R, Déry M, Chen H, Reese RM, Shields SD, Chen J, Magnuson S, Volgraf M. A Retrospective Look at the Impact of Binding Site Environment on the Optimization of TRPA1 Antagonists. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:1230-1237. [PMID: 34413952 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) antagonists have generated broad interest in the pharmaceutical industry for the treatment of both pain and asthma. Over the past decade, multiple antagonist classes have been reported in the literature with a wide range of structural diversity. Our own work has focused on the development of proline sulfonamide and hypoxanthine-based antagonists, two antagonist classes with distinct physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetic (PK) trends. Late in our discovery program, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) studies revealed two different antagonist binding sites: a membrane-exposed proline sulfonamide transmembrane site and an intracellular hypoxanthine site near the membrane interface. A retrospective look at the discovery program reveals how the different binding sites, and their location relative to the cell membrane, influenced the optimization trajectories and overall drug profiles of each antagonist class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisia Villemure
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jack A. Terrett
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | | | - Martin Déry
- Paraza Pharma, Inc. 2525 Avenue Marie-Curie, Montréal, Québec H4S 2E1, Canada
| | - Huifen Chen
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Rebecca M. Reese
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Shannon D. Shields
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Steven Magnuson
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Matthew Volgraf
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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35
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Ermondi G, Garcia Jimenez D, Rossi Sebastiano M, Caron G. Rational Control of Molecular Properties Is Mandatory to Exploit the Potential of PROTACs as Oral Drugs. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:1056-1060. [PMID: 34262642 PMCID: PMC8274089 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
To obtain new oral
drugs in the beyond rule of five space, PROTACs
among others, molecular properties should be optimized in early drug
discovery. Degraders call for design strategies which focus on intramolecular
interaction and chameleonicity. In parallel, tailored revalidation
of permeability assessment and prediction methods becomes fundamental
in this innovative chemical space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ermondi
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Diego Garcia Jimenez
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Matteo Rossi Sebastiano
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Caron
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
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36
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David L, Wenlock M, Barton P, Ritzén A. Prediction of Chameleonic Efficiency. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:2669-2685. [PMID: 34240561 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Chameleonic properties, i. e., the capacity of a molecule to hide polarity in non-polar environments and expose it in water, help achieving sufficient permeability and solubility for drug molecules with high MW. We present models of experimental measures of polarity for a set of 24 FDA approved drugs (MW 405-1113) and one PROTAC (MW 1034). Conformational ensembles in aqueous and non-polar environments were generated using molecular dynamics. A linear regression model that predicts chromatographic apparent polarity (EPSA) with a mean unsigned error of 10 Å2 was derived based on separate terms for donor, acceptor, and total molecular SASA. A good correlation (R2 =0.92) with an experimental measure of hydrogen bond donor potential, Δlog Poct-tol , was found for the mean hydrogen bond donor SASA of the conformational ensemble scaled with Abraham's A hydrogen bond acidity. Two quantitative measures of chameleonic behaviour, the chameleonic efficiency indices, are introduced. We envision that the methods presented herein will be useful to triage designed molecules and prioritize those with the best chance of achieving acceptable permeability and solubility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent David
- Computational Chemistry, H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, 2300, Valby, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mark Wenlock
- Physical Chemistry, Cyprotex Discovery Limited, Alderley Park, Nether Alderley, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Patrick Barton
- Evotec (UK) Ltd., 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RZ, UK.,DMPK, UCB Celltech, Branch of UCB Pharma S.A., 208 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 3WE, UK
| | - Andreas Ritzén
- Drug Design, LEO Pharma A/S, Industriparken 55, 2550, Ballerup, Denmark.,Monte Rosa Therapeutics AG, Aeschenvorstadt 36, CH 4057, Basel, Switzerland
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37
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Price E, Kalvass JC, DeGoey D, Hosmane B, Doktor S, Desino K. Global Analysis of Models for Predicting Human Absorption: QSAR, In Vitro, and Preclinical Models. J Med Chem 2021; 64:9389-9403. [PMID: 34152772 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Models intended to predict intestinal absorption are an essential part of the drug development process. Although many models exist for capturing intestinal absorption, many questions still exist around the applicability of these models to drug types like "beyond rule of 5" (bRo5) and low absorption compounds. This presents a challenge as current models have not been rigorously tested to understand intestinal absorption. Here, we assembled a large, structurally diverse dataset of ∼1000 compounds with known in vitro, preclinical, and human permeability and/or absorption data. In silico (quantitative structure-activity relationship), in vitro (Caco-2), and in vivo (rat) models were statistically evaluated for predictive performance against this human intestinal absorption dataset. We expect this evaluation to serve as a resource for DMPK scientists and medicinal/computational chemists to increase their understanding of permeability and absorption model utility and applications for academia and industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Price
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - J Cory Kalvass
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - David DeGoey
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Balakrishna Hosmane
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Stella Doktor
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Kelly Desino
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
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38
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Leeson PD, Bento AP, Gaulton A, Hersey A, Manners EJ, Radoux CJ, Leach AR. Target-Based Evaluation of "Drug-Like" Properties and Ligand Efficiencies. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7210-7230. [PMID: 33983732 PMCID: PMC7610969 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Physicochemical descriptors commonly used to define "drug-likeness" and ligand efficiency measures are assessed for their ability to differentiate marketed drugs from compounds reported to bind to their efficacious target or targets. Using ChEMBL version 26, a data set of 643 drugs acting on 271 targets was assembled, comprising 1104 drug-target pairs having ≥100 published compounds per target. Taking into account changes in their physicochemical properties over time, drugs are analyzed according to their target class, therapy area, and route of administration. Recent drugs, approved in 2010-2020, display no overall differences in molecular weight, lipophilicity, hydrogen bonding, or polar surface area from their target comparator compounds. Drugs are differentiated from target comparators by higher potency, ligand efficiency (LE), lipophilic ligand efficiency (LLE), and lower carboaromaticity. Overall, 96% of drugs have LE or LLE values, or both, greater than the median values of their target comparator compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Leeson
- Paul Leeson Consulting Ltd, The Malt House, Main Street, Congerstone, Nuneaton, Warkwickshire CV13 6LZ, United Kingdom
| | - A Patricia Bento
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Gaulton
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Hersey
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Emma J Manners
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Chris J Radoux
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew R Leach
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
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39
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Improvement on Permeability of Cyclic Peptide/Peptidomimetic: Backbone N-Methylation as A Useful Tool. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19060311. [PMID: 34072121 PMCID: PMC8229464 DOI: 10.3390/md19060311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides have a three-dimensional configuration that can adopt particular conformations for binding to proteins, which are well suited to interact with larger contact surface areas on target proteins. However, low cell permeability is a major challenge in the development of peptide-related drugs. In recent years, backbone N-methylation has been a useful tool for manipulating the permeability of cyclic peptides/peptidomimetics. Backbone N-methylation permits the adjustment of molecule’s conformational space. Several pathways are involved in the drug absorption pathway; the relative importance of each N-methylation to total permeation is likely to differ with intrinsic properties of cyclic peptide/peptidomimetic. Recent studies on the permeability of cyclic peptides/peptidomimetics using the backbone N-methylation strategy and synthetic methodologies will be presented in this review.
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40
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Golosov AA, Flyer AN, Amin J, Babu C, Gampe C, Li J, Liu E, Nakajima K, Nettleton D, Patel TJ, Reid PC, Yang L, Monovich LG. Design of Thioether Cyclic Peptide Scaffolds with Passive Permeability and Oral Exposure. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2622-2633. [PMID: 33629858 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Advances in the design of permeable peptides and in the synthesis of large arrays of macrocyclic peptides with diverse amino acids have evolved on parallel but independent tracks. Less precedent combines their respective attributes, thereby limiting the potential to identify permeable peptide ligands for key targets. Herein, we present novel 6-, 7-, and 8-mer cyclic peptides (MW 774-1076 g·mol-1) with passive permeability and oral exposure that feature the amino acids and thioether ring-closing common to large array formats, including DNA- and RNA-templated synthesis. Each oral peptide herein, selected from virtual libraries of partially N-methylated peptides using in silico methods, reflects the subset consistent with low energy conformations, low desolvation penalties, and passive permeability. We envision that, by retaining the backbone N-methylation pattern and consequent bias toward permeability, one can generate large peptide arrays with sufficient side chain diversity to identify permeability-biased ligands to a variety of protein targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei A Golosov
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Alec N Flyer
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jakal Amin
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Charles Babu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Christian Gampe
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jingzhou Li
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Eugene Liu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Katsumasa Nakajima
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - David Nettleton
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Tajesh J Patel
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Patrick C Reid
- PeptiDream, Inc., 3-25-23 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-Ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-0821, Japan
| | - Lihua Yang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Lauren G Monovich
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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41
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Hoang HN, Hill TA, Fairlie DP. Connecting Hydrophobic Surfaces in Cyclic Peptides Increases Membrane Permeability. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202012643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Huy N. Hoang
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Timothy A. Hill
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - David P. Fairlie
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
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42
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Hoang HN, Hill TA, Fairlie DP. Connecting Hydrophobic Surfaces in Cyclic Peptides Increases Membrane Permeability. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:8385-8390. [PMID: 33185961 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202012643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
N- or C-methylation in natural and synthetic cyclic peptides can increase membrane permeability, but it remains unclear why this happens in some cases but not others. Here we compare three-dimensional structures for cyclic peptides from six families, including isomers differing only in the location of an N- or Cα-methyl substituent. We show that a single methyl group only increases membrane permeability when it connects or expands hydrophobic surface patches. Positional isomers, with the same molecular weight, hydrogen bond donors/acceptors, rotatable bonds, calculated LogP, topological polar surface area, and total hydrophobic surface area, can have different membrane permeabilities that correlate with the size of the largest continuous hydrophobic surface patch. These results illuminate a key local molecular determinant of membrane permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huy N Hoang
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Timothy A Hill
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David P Fairlie
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
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43
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Patient-centric design for peptide delivery: Trends in routes of administration and advancement in drug delivery technologies. MEDICINE IN DRUG DISCOVERY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medidd.2020.100079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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44
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Caron G, Kihlberg J, Goetz G, Ratkova E, Poongavanam V, Ermondi G. Steering New Drug Discovery Campaigns: Permeability, Solubility, and Physicochemical Properties in the bRo5 Chemical Space. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:13-23. [PMID: 33488959 PMCID: PMC7812602 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of drug discovery programs concern compounds in the beyond rule of 5 (bRo5) chemical space, such as cyclic peptides, macrocycles, and degraders. Recent results show that common paradigms of property-based drug design need revision to be applied to larger and more flexible compounds. A virtual event entitled "Solubility, permeability and physico-chemical properties in the bRo5 chemical space" was organized to provide preliminary guidance on how to make the discovery of oral drugs in the bRo5 space more effective. The four speakers emphasized the importance of the bRo5 space as a source of new oral drugs and provided examples of experimental and computational methods specifically tailored for design and optimization in this chemical space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Caron
- Molecular
Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, University of Torino, Via Quarello, 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Jan Kihlberg
- Department
of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gilles Goetz
- Hit
Discovery and Optimization, Discovery Sciences, WWRD, Pfizer Inc, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Ekaterina Ratkova
- Medicinal
Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and
Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Giuseppe Ermondi
- Molecular
Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, University of Torino, Via Quarello, 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
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45
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Zane D, Feldman PL, Sawyer T, Sobol Z, Hawes J. Development and Regulatory Challenges for Peptide Therapeutics. Int J Toxicol 2020; 40:108-124. [PMID: 33327828 DOI: 10.1177/1091581820977846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
There has been an increased interest in and activity for the use of peptide therapeutics to treat a variety of human diseases. The number of peptide drugs entering clinical development and the market has increased significantly over the past decade despite inherent challenges of peptide therapeutic discovery, development, and patient-friendly delivery. Disparities in interpretation and application of existing regulatory guidances to innovative synthetic and conjugated peptide assets have resulted in challenges for both regulators and sponsors. The Symposium on Development and Regulatory Challenges for Peptide Therapeutics at the 40th Annual Meeting of the American College of Toxicology held in November of 2019 focused on the following specific topics: (1) peptide therapeutic progress and future directions, and approaches to discover, optimize, assess, and deliver combination peptide therapeutics for treatment of diseases; (2) toxicological considerations to advance peptide drug-device combination products for efficient development and optimal patient benefit and adherence; (3) industry and regulatory perspectives on the regulation of synthetic and conjugated peptide products, including exploration of regulatory classifications, interpretations, and application of the existing guidances International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) M3(R2) and ICH S6(R1) in determining nonclinical study recommendations; and (4) presentation of the 2016 Health and Environmental Sciences Institute's Genetic Toxicology Technical Committee working group assessment of genotoxicity testing requirements. Perspectives were shared from industry and regulatory scientists working in the peptide therapeutics field followed by an open forum panel discussion to discuss questions drafted for the peptide therapeutics scientific community, which will be discussed in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Zane
- 435529Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc., Hayward, CA, USA
| | - Paul L Feldman
- 435529Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Zhanna Sobol
- Pfizer Inc., Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Jessica Hawes
- 4137Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Silver Spring, MD, USA.,Hawes is now with Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), Jefferson, AR, USA
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46
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Buckton LK, Rahimi MN, McAlpine SR. Cyclic Peptides as Drugs for Intracellular Targets: The Next Frontier in Peptide Therapeutic Development. Chemistry 2020; 27:1487-1513. [PMID: 32875673 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201905385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Developing macrocyclic peptides that can reach intracellular targets is a significant challenge. This review discusses the most recent strategies used to develop cell permeable cyclic peptides that maintain binding to their biological target inside the cell. Macrocyclic peptides are unique from small molecules because traditional calculated physical properties are unsuccessful for predicting cell membrane permeability. Peptide synthesis and experimental membrane permeability is the only strategy that effectively differentiates between cell permeable and cell impermeable molecules. Discussed are chemical strategies, including backbone N-methylation and stereochemical changes, which have produced molecular scaffolds with improved cell permeability. However, these improvements often come at the expense of biological activity as chemical modifications alter the peptide conformation, frequently impacting the compound's ability to bind to the target. Highlighted is the most promising approach, which involves side-chain alterations that improve cell permeability without impact binding events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K Buckton
- Department of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Gate 2 High Street, SEB 701, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Marwa N Rahimi
- Department of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Gate 2 High Street, SEB 701, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Shelli R McAlpine
- Department of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Gate 2 High Street, SEB 701, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
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47
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Schiesser S, Chepliaka H, Kollback J, Quennesson T, Czechtizky W, Cox RJ. N-Trifluoromethyl Amines and Azoles: An Underexplored Functional Group in the Medicinal Chemist’s Toolbox. J Med Chem 2020; 63:13076-13089. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schiesser
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, 43183 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Hanna Chepliaka
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, 43183 Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Butenandstrasse 5−13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Johanna Kollback
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, 43183 Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Göteborgs universitet, Kemigården 4, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Thibaut Quennesson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, 43183 Mölndal, Sweden
- Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, INSERM U1177 − Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Werngard Czechtizky
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, 43183 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Rhona J. Cox
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, 43183 Mölndal, Sweden
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48
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Pyridyl-Ala Modified Cyclic Hexapeptides: In-Vitro and In-Vivo Profiling for Oral Bioavailability. Int J Pept Res Ther 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-019-09935-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
We and others have been aiming at modifications to maintain or to enhance solubility while enabling permeability for cyclic hexapeptides. Especially, the 2-pyridyl-Ala modification was investigated, since in this case, the pyridyl-nitrogen is able to form an H-bond to the NH of the same residue. The hypothesis of a backbone side-chain interaction was demonstrated by NMR experiments, and further results obtained on a variety of pyridyl-Ala derivatives, studied systematically in the context of permeability, are presented in this contribution. Thus, this study sheds some more light on the pyridyl-Ala modification, which had been reported earlier. In addition to the in vitro profiling, the extent of oral bioavailability was assessed in rats. In principle, the pyridyl-Ala residue can be considered as an amino acid supporting oral uptake.
Graphic Abstract
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49
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Shou WZ. Current status and future directions of high-throughput ADME screening in drug discovery. J Pharm Anal 2020; 10:201-208. [PMID: 32612866 PMCID: PMC7322755 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last decade high-throughput in vitro absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (HT-ADME) screening has become an essential part of any drug discovery effort of synthetic molecules. The conduct of HT-ADME screening has been "industrialized" due to the extensive development of software and automation tools in cell culture, assay incubation, sample analysis and data analysis. The HT-ADME assay portfolio continues to expand in emerging areas such as drug-transporter interactions, early soft spot identification, and ADME screening of peptide drug candidates. Additionally, thanks to the very large and high-quality HT-ADME data sets available in many biopharma companies, in silico prediction of ADME properties using machine learning has also gained much momentum in recent years. In this review, we discuss the current state-of-the-art practices in HT-ADME screening including assay portfolio, assay automation, sample analysis, data processing, and prediction model building. In addition, we also offer perspectives in future development of this exciting field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Z. Shou
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, PO Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA
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50
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Tinworth CP, Young RJ. Facts, Patterns, and Principles in Drug Discovery: Appraising the Rule of 5 with Measured Physicochemical Data. J Med Chem 2020; 63:10091-10108. [PMID: 32324397 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The rule of 5 was designed to estimate the likelihood of poor absorption or permeation, noting the impact of poor solubility. This Perspective explores the impact of various physicochemical descriptors and contemporary lipophilicity measurements on permeability and solubility, showing that the distribution coefficient log D7.4 (rather than log P) is the most impactful parameter. Molecular weight, almost invariably the defining characteristic of "beyond the rule of 5" compounds, has little impact on solubility when log D7.4 measurements and aromaticity are considered. Predicting permeation is more complex, given passive and carrier transport mechanisms; however, notable patterns of behavior are apparent, giving insight even "beyond the rule of 5". Recommended best practices should involve using the facts (measurements) and the patterns they reveal to establish informative principles rather than fastidious rules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Tinworth
- Medicinal Sciences and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Robert J Young
- Medicinal Sciences and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.,Blue Burgundy Ltd., Bedford, Bedfordshire MK45 2AD, U.K
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