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Beckers M, Sirockin F, Fechner N, Stiefl N. Balancing Molecular Size, Activity, Permeability, and Other Properties: Drug Candidates in the Context of Their Chemical Structure Optimization. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:6636-6647. [PMID: 39137447 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00898] [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: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Chemical structure optimization is a vital part of early drug discovery projects. Starting with compounds that show activity on the target of interest, the chemical structures are subsequently optimized toward a development candidate (DC) molecule with the best chances of clinical success. However, the DCs in the context of such optimization programs, as well as detailed characterization of major limiting factors, have not been investigated in detail so far. Here, we report an analysis of the historical DC molecules at Novartis since 2005 in the context of their optimization projects. Mapping the DCs into their respective chemical optimization series, we find that these tend to be synthesized rather early in a substantial number of cases. Further analysis of structural properties, ADMET, and potency-related readouts revealed that DC compounds tend to be generally significantly smaller, more permeable, and have higher ligand efficiency than other compounds sent to in vivo PK studies, which we also show for compounds from the same chemical series. Although this might seem obvious to most practitioners in medicinal chemistry, for all of these properties, we could show that they tend to evolve in an undesired direction during structure optimization. This highlights the difficulty of successfully translating our knowledge to medicinal chemistry optimizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Beckers
- Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Postfach, Basel 4002, Switzerland
| | - Finton Sirockin
- Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Postfach, Basel 4002, Switzerland
| | - Nikolas Fechner
- Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Postfach, Basel 4002, Switzerland
| | - Nikolaus Stiefl
- Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Postfach, Basel 4002, Switzerland
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2
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Pires CL, Moreno MJ. Improving the Accuracy of Permeability Data to Gain Predictive Power: Assessing Sources of Variability in Assays Using Cell Monolayers. MEMBRANES 2024; 14:157. [PMID: 39057665 PMCID: PMC11278619 DOI: 10.3390/membranes14070157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The ability to predict the rate of permeation of new compounds across biological membranes is of high importance for their success as drugs, as it determines their efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety profile. In vitro permeability assays using Caco-2 monolayers are commonly employed to assess permeability across the intestinal epithelium, with an extensive number of apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) values available in the literature and a significant fraction collected in databases. The compilation of these Papp values for large datasets allows for the application of artificial intelligence tools for establishing quantitative structure-permeability relationships (QSPRs) to predict the permeability of new compounds from their structural properties. One of the main challenges that hinders the development of accurate predictions is the existence of multiple Papp values for the same compound, mostly caused by differences in the experimental protocols employed. This review addresses the magnitude of the variability within and between laboratories to interpret its impact on QSPR modelling, systematically and quantitatively assessing the most common sources of variability. This review emphasizes the importance of compiling consistent Papp data and suggests strategies that may be used to obtain such data, contributing to the establishment of robust QSPRs with enhanced predictive power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana L. Pires
- Coimbra Chemistry Center—Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria João Moreno
- Coimbra Chemistry Center—Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
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3
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Improving combination drug trials using 'definitive screening designs'. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:1720-1721. [PMID: 36401087 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01521-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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4
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Kell DB. The Transporter-Mediated Cellular Uptake and Efflux of Pharmaceutical Drugs and Biotechnology Products: How and Why Phospholipid Bilayer Transport Is Negligible in Real Biomembranes. Molecules 2021; 26:5629. [PMID: 34577099 PMCID: PMC8470029 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the years, my colleagues and I have come to realise that the likelihood of pharmaceutical drugs being able to diffuse through whatever unhindered phospholipid bilayer may exist in intact biological membranes in vivo is vanishingly low. This is because (i) most real biomembranes are mostly protein, not lipid, (ii) unlike purely lipid bilayers that can form transient aqueous channels, the high concentrations of proteins serve to stop such activity, (iii) natural evolution long ago selected against transport methods that just let any undesirable products enter a cell, (iv) transporters have now been identified for all kinds of molecules (even water) that were once thought not to require them, (v) many experiments show a massive variation in the uptake of drugs between different cells, tissues, and organisms, that cannot be explained if lipid bilayer transport is significant or if efflux were the only differentiator, and (vi) many experiments that manipulate the expression level of individual transporters as an independent variable demonstrate their role in drug and nutrient uptake (including in cytotoxicity or adverse drug reactions). This makes such transporters valuable both as a means of targeting drugs (not least anti-infectives) to selected cells or tissues and also as drug targets. The same considerations apply to the exploitation of substrate uptake and product efflux transporters in biotechnology. We are also beginning to recognise that transporters are more promiscuous, and antiporter activity is much more widespread, than had been realised, and that such processes are adaptive (i.e., were selected by natural evolution). The purpose of the present review is to summarise the above, and to rehearse and update readers on recent developments. These developments lead us to retain and indeed to strengthen our contention that for transmembrane pharmaceutical drug transport "phospholipid bilayer transport is negligible".
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas B. Kell
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown St, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK;
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Building 220, Kemitorvet, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
- Mellizyme Biotechnology Ltd., IC1, Liverpool Science Park, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool L3 5TF, UK
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5
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Yukawa T, Naven R. Utility of Physicochemical Properties for the Prediction of Toxicological Outcomes: Takeda Perspective. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:203-209. [PMID: 32071689 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The role that physicochemical properties play toward increasing the likelihood of toxicity findings in in vivo studies has been well reported, albeit sometimes with different conclusions. We decided to understand the role that physicochemical properties play toward the prediction of in vivo toxicological outcomes for Takeda chemistry using 284 internal compounds. In support of the previously reported "3/75 rule", reducing lipophilicity of molecules decreases toxicity odds noticeably; however, we also found that the trend of toxicity odds is different between compounds classified by their ionization state. For basic molecules, the odds of in vivo toxicity outcomes were significantly impacted by both lipophilicity and polar surface area, whereas neutral molecules were impacted less so. Through an analysis of several project-related compounds, we herein demonstrate that the utilization of the 3/75 rule coupled with consideration of ionization state is a rational strategy for medicinal chemistry design of safer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Yukawa
- Drug Safety Research and Evaluation, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 35 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Drug Safety Research and Evaluation, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Company Limited, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Russell Naven
- Drug Safety Research and Evaluation, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 35 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Drug Safety Research and Evaluation, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Company Limited, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
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6
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A drug-likeness toolbox facilitates ADMET study in drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2019; 25:248-258. [PMID: 31705979 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Undesirable pharmacokinetic (PK) properties or unacceptable toxicity are the main causes of the failure of drug candidates at the clinical trial stage. Since the concept of drug-likeness was first proposed, it has become an important consideration in the selection of compounds with desirable bioavailability during the early phases of drug discovery. Over the past decade, online resources have effectively facilitated drug-likeness studies in an economical and time-efficient manner. Here, we provide a comprehensive summary and comparison of current accessible online resources, in terms of their key features, application fields, and performance for in silico drug-likeness studies. We hope that the assembled toolbox will provide useful guidance to facilitate future in silico drug-likeness research.
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7
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Monteiro M, Lechuga G, Lara L, Souto B, Viganó M, Bourguignon S, Calvet C, Oliveira F, Alves C, Souza-Silva F, Santos M, Pereira M. Synthesis, structure-activity relationship and trypanocidal activity of pyrazole-imidazoline and new pyrazole-tetrahydropyrimidine hybrids as promising chemotherapeutic agents for Chagas disease. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 182:111610. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Can we accelerate medicinal chemistry by augmenting the chemist with Big Data and artificial intelligence? Drug Discov Today 2018; 23:1373-1384. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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9
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Leeson PD. Impact of Physicochemical Properties on Dose and Hepatotoxicity of Oral Drugs. Chem Res Toxicol 2018; 31:494-505. [PMID: 29722540 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.8b00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A database containing maximum daily doses of 1841 marketed oral drugs was used to examine the influence of physicochemical properties on dose and hepatotoxicity (drug induced liver injury, DILI). Drugs in the highest ∼20% dose range had significantly reduced mean lipophilicity and molecular weight, increased fractional surface area, increased % of acids, and decreased % of bases versus drugs in the lower ∼60% dose range. Drugs in the ∼20-40% dose range had intermediate mean properties, similar to the mean values for the full drug set. Drugs that are both large and highly lipophilic almost invariably do not have doses in the upper ∼20% range. The results show that oral druglike physicochemical properties are different according to these dose ranges, and this is consistent with maintenance of acceptable safety profiles as efficacious exposure increases. Verified DILI annotations from a compilation of >1000 approved drugs (Chen, M.; et al. Drug Discov. Today, 2016, 21, 648 ) were used. The drugs classified as "No DILI" ( n = 163) had significantly lower dose and lipophilicity, and higher Fsp3 (fraction of carbon atoms that are sp3 hybridized) versus the "Most DILI" ( n = 163) drugs. The percentages of acids were reduced and bases increased in the "No DILI" versus the "Most DILI" groups. Drugs classified as "Less DILI" or "Ambiguous DILI" had intermediate mean values of dose, lipophilicity, Fsp3, and % acids and bases. The impact of lipophilicity and Fsp3 on DILI increases in the upper 20% versus the lower 80% dose range, and a simple decision tree model predicted "No DILI" versus "Most DILI" outcomes with 82% accuracy. The model correctly classified 19 of 22 drugs (86%) that failed in development due to human hepatotoxicity. Because many oral drugs lacking DILI annotations are predicted to be "Most DILI", the model is best used preclinically in conjunction with experimental DILI mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Leeson
- Paul Leeson Consulting Ltd , The Malt House, Main Street, Congerstone , Nuneaton, Warks CV13 6LZ , U.K
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10
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Abstract
The use of computational toxicology methods within drug discovery began in the early 2000s with applications such as predicting bacterial mutagenicity and hERG inhibition. The field has been continuously expanding ever since and the tasks at hand have become more complex. These approaches are now strategically integrated into the risk assessment process, as a complement to in vitro and in vivo methods. Today, computational toxicology can be used in every phase of drug discovery and development, from profiling large libraries early on, to predicting off-target effects in the mid-discovery phase, to assessing potential mutagenic impurities in development and degradants as part of life-cycle management. This chapter provides an overview of the field and describes the application of computational toxicology throughout the entire discovery and development process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catrin Hasselgren
- PureInfo Discovery Inc., Albuquerque, NM, USA.
- Leadscope Inc., Columbus, OH, USA.
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11
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Selwood DL. Macrocycles, the edge of drug-likeness chemical space or Goldilocks zone? Chem Biol Drug Des 2017; 89:164-168. [PMID: 28205398 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David L Selwood
- The Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London, UK
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12
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Lavezzi SM, Borella E, Carrara L, De Nicolao G, Magni P, Poggesi I. Mathematical modeling of efficacy and safety for anticancer drugs clinical development. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2017; 13:5-21. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2018.1388369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Maria Lavezzi
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e dell’Informazione, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elisa Borella
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e dell’Informazione, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Letizia Carrara
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e dell’Informazione, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Nicolao
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e dell’Informazione, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paolo Magni
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e dell’Informazione, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Italo Poggesi
- Global Clinical Pharmacology, Janssen Research and Development, Cologno Monzese, Italy
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13
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Lagorce D, Douguet D, Miteva MA, Villoutreix BO. Computational analysis of calculated physicochemical and ADMET properties of protein-protein interaction inhibitors. Sci Rep 2017; 7:46277. [PMID: 28397808 PMCID: PMC5387685 DOI: 10.1038/srep46277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The modulation of PPIs by low molecular weight chemical compounds, particularly by orally bioavailable molecules, would be very valuable in numerous disease indications. However, it is known that PPI inhibitors (iPPIs) tend to have properties that are linked to poor Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity (ADMET) and in some cases to poor clinical outcomes. Previously reported in silico analyses of iPPIs have essentially focused on physicochemical properties but several other ADMET parameters would be important to assess. In order to gain new insights into the ADMET properties of iPPIs, computations were carried out on eight datasets collected from several databases. These datasets involve compounds targeting enzymes, GPCRs, ion channels, nuclear receptors, allosteric modulators, oral marketed drugs, oral natural product-derived marketed drugs and iPPIs. Several trends are reported that should assist the design and optimization of future PPI inhibitors, either for drug discovery endeavors or for chemical biology projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lagorce
- INSERM, U973, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Douguet
- CNRS UMR7275, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université Côte d’Azur, Valbonne, France
| | - Maria A. Miteva
- INSERM, U973, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
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14
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Lee ECY, Steeno G, Wassermann AM, Zhang L, Shah F, Price DA. Amine promiscuity and toxicology analysis. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 27:653-657. [PMID: 28011216 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.11.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 11/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Drug discovery programs often face challenges to obtain sufficient duration of action of the drug (i.e. seek longer half-lives). If the pharmacodynamic response is driven by free plasma concentration of the drug then extending the plasma drug concentration is a valid approach. Half-life is dependent on the volume of distribution, which in turn can be dependent upon the ionization state of the molecule. Basic compounds tend to have a higher volume of distribution leading to longer half-lives. However, it has been shown that bases may also have higher promiscuity. In this work, we describe an analysis of in vitro pharmacological profiling and toxicology data investigating the role of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines in imparting promiscuity and thus off-target toxicity. Primary amines are found to be less promiscuous in in vitro assays and have improved profiles in in vivo toxicology studies compared to secondary and tertiary amines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther C Y Lee
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States.
| | - Gregory Steeno
- Research Statistics, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Groton, CT 06340, United States
| | | | - Liying Zhang
- Computational Sciences, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Falgun Shah
- Computational Sciences, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - David A Price
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
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15
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Quality guidelines for oral drug candidates: dose, solubility and lipophilicity. Drug Discov Today 2016; 21:1719-1727. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2016.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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16
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Villoutreix B. Combining bioinformatics, chemoinformatics and experimental approaches to design chemical probes: Applications in the field of blood coagulation. ANNALES PHARMACEUTIQUES FRANÇAISES 2016; 74:253-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2016.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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17
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Leeson PD. Molecular inflation, attrition and the rule of five. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2016; 101:22-33. [PMID: 26836397 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2016.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Physicochemical properties underlie all aspects of drug action and are critical for solubility, permeability and successful formulation. Specific physicochemical properties shown to be relevant to oral drugs are size, lipophilicity, ionisation, hydrogen bonding, polarity, aromaticity and shape. The rule of 5 (Ro5) and subsequent studies have raised awareness of the importance of compound quality amongst bioactive molecules. Lipophilicity, probably the most important physical property of oral drugs, has on average changed little over time in oral drugs, until increases in drugs published after 1990. In contrast other molecular properties such as average size have increased significantly. Factors influencing property inflation include the targets pursued, where antivirals frequently violate the Ro5, risk/benefit considerations, and variable drug discovery practices. The compounds published in patents from the pharmaceutical industry are on average larger, more lipophilic and less complex than marketed oral drugs. The variation between individual companies' patented compounds is due to different practices and not to the targets pursued. Overall, there is demonstrable physical property attrition in moving from patents to candidate drugs to marketed drugs. The pharmaceutical industry's recent poor productivity has been due, in part, to progression of molecules that are unable to unambiguously test clinical efficacy, and attrition can therefore be improved by ensuring candidate drug quality is 'fit for purpose.' The combined ligand efficiency (LE) and lipophilic ligand efficiency (LLE) values of many marketed drugs are optimised relative to other molecules acting at the same target. Application of LLE in optimisation can help identify improved leads, even with challenging targets that seem to require lipophilic ligands. Because of their targets, some projects may need to pursue 'beyond Ro5' physicochemical space; such projects will require non-standard lead generation and optimisation and should not dominate in a well-balanced portfolio. Compound quality is controllable by lead selection and optimisation and should not be a cause of clinical failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Leeson
- Paul Leeson Consulting Ltd, The Malt House, Main Street, Congerstone, Nuneaton, Warks CV13 6LZ, UK.
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18
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Riley RJ, Foley SA, Barton P, Soars MG, Williamson B. Hepatic drug transporters: the journey so far. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2016; 12:201-16. [PMID: 26670591 DOI: 10.1517/17425255.2016.1132308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The key role of transporter biology in both the manifestation and treatment of disease is now firmly established. Experiences of sub-optimal drug exposure due to drug-transporter interplay have supported incorporation of studies aimed at understanding the interactions between compounds and drug transporters much earlier in drug discovery. While drug transporters can impact the most pivotal pharmacokinetic parameter with respect to human dose and exposure projections, clearance, at a renal or hepatobiliary level, the latter will form the focus of this perspective. AREAS COVERED A synopsis of guidelines on which transporters to study together with an overview of the currently available toolkit is presented. A perspective on when to conduct studies with various hepatic transporters is also provided together with structural "alerts" which should prompt early investigation. EXPERT OPINION Great progress has been made in individual laboratories and via consortia to understand the role of drug transporters in disease, drug disposition, drug-drug interactions and toxicity. A systematic analysis of the value posed by the available approaches and an inter-lab comparison now seems warranted. The emerging ability to use physico-chemical properties to guide future screening cascades promises to revolutionise the efficiency of early drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - P Barton
- b School of Life Sciences , University of Nottingham , Nottingham , UK
| | - M G Soars
- c Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics , Bristol-Myers Squibb , Wallingford , CT , USA
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19
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Abstract
Attrition due to nonclinical safety represents a major issue for the productivity of pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) organizations, especially during the compound optimization stages of drug discovery and the early stages of clinical development. Focusing on decreasing nonclinical safety-related attrition is not a new concept, and various approaches have been experimented with over the last two decades. Front-loading testing funnels in Discovery with in vitro toxicity assays designed to rapidly identify unfavorable molecules was the approach adopted by most pharmaceutical R&D organizations a few years ago. However, this approach has also a non-negligible opportunity cost. Hence, significant refinements to the "fail early, fail often" paradigm have been proposed recently to reflect the complexity of accurately categorizing compounds with early data points without taking into account other important contextual aspects, in particular efficacious systemic and tissue exposures. This review provides an overview of toxicology approaches and models that can be used in pharmaceutical Discovery at the series/lead identification and lead optimization stages to guide and inform chemistry efforts, as well as a personal view on how to best use them to meet nonclinical safety-related attrition objectives consistent with a sustainable pharmaceutical R&D model. The scope of this review is limited to small molecules, as large molecules are associated with challenges that are quite different. Finally, a perspective on how several emerging technologies may impact toxicity evaluation is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A G Blomme
- Global Preclinical Safety, AbbVie Inc. , 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Yvonne Will
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer , Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
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20
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Abstract
Predictive toxicology plays a critical role in reducing the failure rate of new drugs in pharmaceutical research and development. Despite recent gains in our understanding of drug-induced toxicity, however, it is urgent that the utility and limitations of our current predictive tools be determined in order to identify gaps in our understanding of mechanistic and chemical toxicology. Using recently published computational regression analyses of in vitro and in vivo toxicology data, it will be demonstrated that significant gaps remain in early safety screening paradigms. More strategic analyses of these data sets will allow for a better understanding of their domain of applicability and help identify those compounds that cause significant in vivo toxicity but which are currently mis-predicted by in silico and in vitro models. These ‘outliers’ and falsely predicted compounds are metaphorical lighthouses that shine light on existing toxicological knowledge gaps, and it is essential that these compounds are investigated if attrition is to be reduced significantly in the future. As such, the modern computational toxicologist is more productively engaged in understanding these gaps and driving investigative toxicology towards addressing them.
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Affiliation(s)
- RT Naven
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Andover, MA, USA
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21
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Barton P, Riley RJ. A new paradigm for navigating compound property related drug attrition. Drug Discov Today 2015; 21:72-81. [PMID: 26404453 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2015.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Revised: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Improving the efficiency of drug discovery remains a major focus for the pharmaceutical industry. Toxicity accounts for 90% of withdrawals and major early-stage terminations relate to suboptimal efficacy and safety. Traditional oral drug space is well defined with respect to physicochemical properties and ADMET risks but increased focus on ligand-lipophilicity efficiency, maximizing enthalpy contributions and new target classes challenge this paradigm. A hybrid space has been identified that combines physical properties and key interactions attributable to drug transporters. A novel algorithm is proposed that incorporates drug-transporter interactions and its utility evaluated against popular ligand efficiency indices. Simply reducing the bulk properties of compounds can exchange one problem for another and creates high-risk areas that challenge the successful delivery from a balanced portfolio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Barton
- School of life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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22
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Waring MJ, Arrowsmith J, Leach AR, Leeson PD, Mandrell S, Owen RM, Pairaudeau G, Pennie WD, Pickett SD, Wang J, Wallace O, Weir A. An analysis of the attrition of drug candidates from four major pharmaceutical companies. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2015; 14:475-86. [PMID: 26091267 DOI: 10.1038/nrd4609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 808] [Impact Index Per Article: 89.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The pharmaceutical industry remains under huge pressure to address the high attrition rates in drug development. Attempts to reduce the number of efficacy- and safety-related failures by analysing possible links to the physicochemical properties of small-molecule drug candidates have been inconclusive because of the limited size of data sets from individual companies. Here, we describe the compilation and analysis of combined data on the attrition of drug candidates from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer. The analysis reaffirms that control of physicochemical properties during compound optimization is beneficial in identifying compounds of candidate drug quality and indicates for the first time a link between the physicochemical properties of compounds and clinical failure due to safety issues. The results also suggest that further control of physicochemical properties is unlikely to have a significant effect on attrition rates and that additional work is required to address safety-related failures. Further cross-company collaborations will be crucial to future progress in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Paul D Leeson
- 1] GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, UK. [2] Paul Leeson Consulting, The Malt House, Main Street, Congerstone, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV13 6LZ, UK
| | - Sam Mandrell
- Thomson Reuters, 77 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JS, UK
| | | | | | - William D Pennie
- 1] Pfizer, Groton, Connecticut 06340, USA. [2] Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | | | - Jibo Wang
- Eli Lilly, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, USA
| | - Owen Wallace
- 1] Eli Lilly, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, USA. [2] Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Alex Weir
- Thomson Reuters, 77 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JS, UK
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23
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Pires DEV, Blundell TL, Ascher DB. pkCSM: Predicting Small-Molecule Pharmacokinetic and Toxicity Properties Using Graph-Based Signatures. J Med Chem 2015; 58:4066-72. [PMID: 25860834 PMCID: PMC4434528 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2026] [Impact Index Per Article: 225.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
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Drug development has a high attrition
rate, with poor pharmacokinetic
and safety properties a significant hurdle. Computational approaches
may help minimize these risks. We have developed a novel approach
(pkCSM) which uses graph-based signatures to develop predictive models
of central ADMET properties for drug development. pkCSM performs as
well or better than current methods. A freely accessible web server
(http://structure.bioc.cam.ac.uk/pkcsm), which retains
no information submitted to it, provides an integrated platform to
rapidly evaluate pharmacokinetic and toxicity properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas E V Pires
- †Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Sanger Building, Cambridge, Cambridgshire CB2 1GA, U.K.,‡Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Tom L Blundell
- †Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Sanger Building, Cambridge, Cambridgshire CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - David B Ascher
- †Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Sanger Building, Cambridge, Cambridgshire CB2 1GA, U.K
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24
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Kuenemann MA, Sperandio O, Labbé CM, Lagorce D, Miteva MA, Villoutreix BO. In silico design of low molecular weight protein-protein interaction inhibitors: Overall concept and recent advances. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 119:20-32. [PMID: 25748546 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2015.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2014] [Revised: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are carrying out diverse functions in living systems and are playing a major role in the health and disease states. Low molecular weight (LMW) "drug-like" inhibitors of PPIs would be very valuable not only to enhance our understanding over physiological processes but also for drug discovery endeavors. However, PPIs were deemed intractable by LMW chemicals during many years. But today, with the new experimental and in silico technologies that have been developed, about 50 PPIs have already been inhibited by LMW molecules. Here, we first focus on general concepts about protein-protein interactions, present a consensual view about ligandable pockets at the protein interfaces and the possibilities of using fast and cost effective structure-based virtual screening methods to identify PPI hits. We then discuss the design of compound collections dedicated to PPIs. Recent financial analyses of the field suggest that LMW PPI modulators could be gaining momentum over biologics in the coming years supporting further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélaine A Kuenemann
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMRS 973 Inserm, Paris 75013, France; Inserm, U973, Paris 75013, France
| | - Olivier Sperandio
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMRS 973 Inserm, Paris 75013, France; Inserm, U973, Paris 75013, France; CDithem, Faculté de Pharmacie, 1 rue du Prof Laguesse, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Céline M Labbé
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMRS 973 Inserm, Paris 75013, France; Inserm, U973, Paris 75013, France; CDithem, Faculté de Pharmacie, 1 rue du Prof Laguesse, 59000 Lille, France
| | - David Lagorce
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMRS 973 Inserm, Paris 75013, France; Inserm, U973, Paris 75013, France
| | - Maria A Miteva
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMRS 973 Inserm, Paris 75013, France; Inserm, U973, Paris 75013, France
| | - Bruno O Villoutreix
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMRS 973 Inserm, Paris 75013, France; Inserm, U973, Paris 75013, France; CDithem, Faculté de Pharmacie, 1 rue du Prof Laguesse, 59000 Lille, France.
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25
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Ligand efficiency metrics considered harmful. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2014; 28:699-710. [DOI: 10.1007/s10822-014-9757-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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26
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Cumming JG, Davis AM, Muresan S, Haeberlein M, Chen H. Chemical predictive modelling to improve compound quality. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2014; 12:948-62. [PMID: 24287782 DOI: 10.1038/nrd4128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The 'quality' of small-molecule drug candidates, encompassing aspects including their potency, selectivity and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity) characteristics, is a key factor influencing the chances of success in clinical trials. Importantly, such characteristics are under the control of chemists during the identification and optimization of lead compounds. Here, we discuss the application of computational methods, particularly quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs), in guiding the selection of higher-quality drug candidates, as well as cultural factors that may have affected their use and impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Cumming
- Chemistry Innovation Centre, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
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27
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Medina-Franco JL, Martinez-Mayorga K, Meurice N. Balancing novelty with confined chemical space in modern drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2013; 9:151-65. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2014.872624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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28
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Leach AG. Predicting the activity and toxicity of new psychoactive substances: a pharmaceutical industry perspective. Drug Test Anal 2013; 6:739-45. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Revised: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G. Leach
- Liverpool John Moores University; James Parsons Building, Byrom Street Liverpool L3 3AF UK
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29
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens-Uwe Peters
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research and Early Development, Discovery
Chemistry,
CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
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