Discovery of the TLR7/8 Antagonist MHV370 for Treatment of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and TLR8 are endosomal sensors of the innate immune system that are activated by GU-rich single stranded RNA (ssRNA). Multiple genetic and functional lines of evidence link chronic activation of TLR7/8 to the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune diseases (sAID) such as Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This makes targeting TLR7/8-induced inflammation with small-molecule inhibitors an attractive approach for the treatment of patients suffering from systemic autoimmune diseases. Here, we describe how structure-based optimization of compound 2 resulted in the discovery of 34 (MHV370, (S)-N-(4-((5-(1,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-1-yl)methyl)bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-1-yl)morpholine-3-carboxamide). Its in vivo activity allows for further profiling toward clinical trials in patients with autoimmune disorders, and a Phase 2 proof of concept study of MHV370 has been initiated, testing its safety and efficacy in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and mixed connective tissue disease.

Structure-Based Optimization of a Fragment-like TLR8 Binding Screening Hit to an In Vivo Efficacious TLR7/8 Antagonist

Inappropriate activation of TLR7 and TLR8 is linked to several autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus. Here we report on the efficient structure-based optimization of the inhibition of TLR8, starting from a co-crystal structure of a small screening hit. Further optimization of the physicochemical properties for cellular potency and expansion of the structure-activity relationship for dual potency finally resulted in a highly potent TLR7/8 antagonist with demonstrated in vivo efficacy after oral dosing.

Correction to "2-Formylpyridyl Ureas as Highly Selective Reversible-Covalent Inhibitors of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4"

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00485.].

Discovery of Roblitinib (FGF401) as a Reversible-Covalent Inhibitor of the Kinase Activity of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4

FGF19 signaling through the FGFR4/β-klotho receptor complex has been shown to be a key driver of growth and survival in a subset of hepatocellular carcinomas, making selective FGFR4 inhibition an attractive treatment opportunity. A kinome-wide sequence alignment highlighted a poorly conserved cysteine residue within the FGFR4 ATP-binding site at position 552, two positions beyond the gate-keeper residue. Several strategies for targeting this cysteine to identify FGFR4 selective inhibitor starting points are summarized which made use of both rational and unbiased screening approaches. The optimization of a 2-formylquinoline amide hit series is described in which the aldehyde makes a hemithioacetal reversible-covalent interaction with cysteine 552. Key challenges addressed during the optimization are improving the FGFR4 potency, metabolic stability, and solubility leading ultimately to the highly selective first-in-class clinical candidate roblitinib.

Target-Based Identification and Optimization of 5-Indazol-5-yl Pyridones as Toll-like Receptor 7 and 8 Antagonists Using a Biochemical TLR8 Antagonist Competition Assay

Inappropriate activation of endosomal TLR7 and TLR8 occurs in several autoimmune diseases, in particular systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, the development of a TLR8 antagonist competition assay and its application for hit generation of dual TLR7/8 antagonists are reported. The structure-guided optimization of the pyridone hit 3 using this biochemical assay in combination with cellular and TLR8 cocrystal structural data resulted in the identification of a highly potent and selective TLR7/8 antagonist (27) with in vivo efficacy. The two key steps for optimization were (i) a core morph guided by a TLR7 sequence alignment to achieve a dual TLR7/8 antagonism profile and (ii) introduction of a fluorine in the piperidine ring to reduce its basicity, resulting in attractive oral pharmacokinetic (PK) properties and improved TLR8 binding affinity.

2-Formylpyridyl Ureas as Highly Selective Reversible-Covalent Inhibitors of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4

As part of a project to identify FGFR4 selective inhibitors, scaffold morphing of a 2-formylquinoline amide hit identified series of 2-formylpyridine ureas (2-FPUs) with improved potency and physicochemical properties. In particular, tetrahydronaphthyridine urea analogues with cellular activities below 30 nM have been identified. Consistent with the hypothesized reversible-covalent mechanism of inhibition, the 2-FPUs exhibited slow binding kinetics, and the aldehyde, as the putative electrophile, could be demonstrated to be a key structural element for activity.

Approaches to selective fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 inhibition through targeting the ATP-pocket middle-hinge region

A diverse range of selective FGFR4 inhibitor hit series were identified using unbiased screening approaches and by the modification of known kinase inhibitor scaffolds. In each case the origin of the selectivity was consistent with an interaction with a poorly conserved cysteine residue within the middle-hinge region of the kinase domain of FGFR4, at position 552. Targeting this region identified a non-covalent diaminopyrimidine series differentiating by size, an irreversible-covalent inhibitor in which Cys552 undergoes an SNAr reaction with a 2-chloropyridine, and a reversible-covalent inhibitor series in which Cys552 forms a hemithioacetal adduct with a 2-formyl naphthalene. In addition, the introduction of an acrylamide into a known FGFR scaffold identified a pan-FGFR inhibitor which reacted with both Cys552 and a second poorly conserved cysteine on the P-loop of FGFR4 at position 477 which is present in all four FGFR family members.

Increased seizure susceptibility in mice lacking metabotropic glutamate receptor 7

To study the role of mGlu7 receptors (mGluR7), we used homologous recombination to generate mice lacking this metabotropic receptor subtype (mGluR7(-/-)). After the serendipitous discovery of a sensory stimulus-evoked epileptic phenotype, we tested two convulsant drugs, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and bicuculline. In animals aged 12 weeks and older, subthreshold doses of these drugs induced seizures in mGluR7(-/-), but not in mGluR7(+/-), mice. PTZ-induced seizures were inhibited by three standard anticonvulsant drugs, but not by the group III selective mGluR agonist (R,S)-4-phosphonophenylglycine (PPG). Consistent with the lack of signs of epileptic activity in the absence of specific stimuli, mGluR7(-/-) mice showed no major changes in synaptic properties in two slice preparations. However, slightly increased excitability was evident in hippocampal slices. In addition, there was slower recovery from frequency facilitation in cortical slices, suggesting a role for mGluR7 as a frequency-dependent regulator in presynaptic terminals. Our findings suggest that mGluR7 receptors have a unique role in regulating neuronal excitability and that these receptors may be a novel target for the development of anticonvulsant drugs.

Activation of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors is neuroprotective in cortical cultures

(RS)-alpha-Methyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine (MPPG) and (S)-alpha-methyl-3-carboxyphenylalanine (M3CPA), two novel preferential antagonists of group III metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors, antagonized the neuroprotective activity of L-2-amino-4-phosphono-butanoate (L-AP4) or L-serine-O-phosphate in mice cultured cortical cells exposed to a toxic pulse of N-methyl-D-aspartate. In contrast, MPPG did not influence the neuroprotective activity of the selective group II mGlu receptor agonist, (2S,1'R,2'R,3'R)-2-(2,3-dicarboxy-cyclopropyl) glycine (DCG-IV). These results indicate that activation of group III mGu receptors exerts neuroprotective activity against excitotoxic neuronal death. At least one of the two major group III mGlu receptor subtypes, i.e. mGlu4 receptor, is expressed by cultured cortical neurons, as shown by immunocytochemical analysis with specific polyclonal antibodies.