Synthetic inhibitors of coagulation factor Xa

Discovery of imidazo[1,5-c]imidazol-3-ones: weakly basic, orally active factor Xa inhibitors

The coagulation enzyme factor Xa (FXa) has been recognized as a promising target for the development of new antithrombotic agents. We previously found compound 1 to be an orally bioavailable FXa inhibitor in fasted monkeys; however, 1 showed poor bioavailability in rats and fed monkeys. To work out the pharmacokinetic problems, we focused our synthetic efforts on the chemical conversion of the 4-(imidazo[1,2- a]pyridin-5-yl)piperazine moiety of 1 to imidazolylpiperidine derivatives (fused and nonfused), which resulted in the discovery of the weakly basic imidazo[1,5- c]imidazol-3-one 3q as a potent and selective FXa inhibitor. Compound 3q showed favorable oral bioavailability in rats and monkeys under both fasted and fed conditions and antithrombotic efficacy in a rat model of venous thrombosis after oral administration, without a significant increase in bleeding time (unlike warfarin). On the basis of these promising properties, compound 3q was selected for further evaluation.

In Vitro and In Vivo Antithrombotic Activity of PD-198961, a Novel Synthetic Factor Xa Inhibitor

PD-198961, 3-(4-5-[(2R,6S)-2,6-dimethyltetrahydro-1(2H)-pyridinyl]pentyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-quinoxalinyl)-4-hydroxybenzenecarboximidamide, is a novel, synthetic factor Xa inhibitor with a Ki of 2.7 nM against human factor Xa. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile and antithrombotic efficacy of PD-198961 in rabbits. When tested in vitro, PD-198961 doubled prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) at concentrations of 0.13 and 0.32 microM in human plasma, 0.2 and 0.09 microM in rabbit plasma, 0.3 and 0.4 microM in dog plasma, respectively. Intravenous administration of PD-198961 at 1 mg/kg over 30 minutes resulted in a maximal prolongation in PT and aPTT of 4.9 +/- 0.4 and 4.1 +/- 0.9-fold of baseline, respectively. The peak plasma concentration of PD-198961 was 977 +/- 96 ng/ml. The anticoagulant effect of PD-198961 was readily reversible; coagulation parameters and plasma concentration returned to near baseline 15 minutes after cessation of infusion. There was a good correlation between PT prolongation and plasma concentration of PD-198961 (r = 0.93). In an FeCl3-induced model of arterial thrombosis in rabbits, the antithrombotic effects of PD-198961 were compared with that of LB-30057, a direct thrombin inhibitor, and enoxaparin, a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). PD-198961 dose dependently increased the time to occlusion (TTO), reduced thrombus weight (TW), and decreased the incidence of occlusion. When administered at 3.0 microg/kg/min IV, PD-198961 prolonged TTO from 28 +/- 5 minutes (control) to 120 +/- 0 minutes (P < 0.001) and reduced TW from 9.9 +/- 1.5 mg (control) to 2.8 +/- 0.9 mg (P < 0.01). PD-198961 also dose dependently inhibited ex vivo plasma FXa activity. At the highest dose tested, PD-198961 increased aPTT to 1.4 +/- 0.1-fold of baseline (compared with 1.5 +/- 0.1 and 2.8 +/- 0.3-fold of baseline for LB-30057 [CI-1028] and enoxaparin, respectively), and had modest effects on bleeding time (< or = 2-fold). These results indicate that PD-198961 is a potent FXa inhibitor and an effective antithrombotic agent at doses that produce only modest changes in normal hemostasis.

The design of phenylglycine containing benzamidine carboxamides as potent and selective inhibitors of factor Xa

Factor Xa, a critical serine protease in the blood coagulation cascade, has become a target for inhibition as a strategy for the invention of novel anti-thrombotic agents. Here we describe the development of phenylglycine containing benzamidine carboxamides as novel, potent and selective inhibitors of factor Xa.

Recent advances in clinical trials of the direct and indirect selective Factor Xa inhibitors

Over the years, pharmacological intervention to prevent undesired intravascular coagulation and the associated detrimental effects has been a clinical challenge. The first generation of anticoagulant agents, warfarin and unfractionated heparin (UFH), involve indirect mechanisms of inhibiting the coagulation cascade. Fractionated, or low-molecular weight, heparins (LMWHs) are more selective for coagulation Factor Xa (FXa) over thrombin (FIIa). LMWHs also utilise an indirect mechanism of inhibition and have improved pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and therapeutic profiles over UFH. The success of LMWHs, along with the pivotal location of FXa in the coagulation cascade, has prompted interest in the discovery and development of selective FXa inhibitors. There are two general classes of FXa inhibitors in development, of which SR90107A/ORG31540, an antithrombin-III-dependent pentasaccharide and DX-9065a, a small molecule direct FXa inhibitor, have published clinical data. SR90107A/ORG31540 and DX-9065a offer safe, predictable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles when administered subcutaneously and intravenously, respectively, to healthy volunteers and appear to be progressing through clinical development. The purpose of this review is to compile and summarise the published Phase I and II clinical data for SR90107A/ORG31540 and DX-9065a.