1. Discovery of Umibecestat (CNP520): A Potent, Selective, and Efficacious β-Secretase (BACE1) Inhibitor for the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease.
- Author
-
Machauer R, Lueoend R, Hurth K, Veenstra SJ, Rueeger H, Voegtle M, Tintelnot-Blomley M, Rondeau JM, Jacobson LH, Laue G, Beltz K, and Neumann U
- Subjects
- Alzheimer Disease metabolism, Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases metabolism, Animals, Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases metabolism, Cell Line, Dogs, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Enzyme Inhibitors chemical synthesis, Enzyme Inhibitors chemistry, Humans, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Molecular Structure, Oxazines chemical synthesis, Oxazines chemistry, Rats, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Structure-Activity Relationship, Alzheimer Disease prevention & control, Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases antagonists & inhibitors, Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases antagonists & inhibitors, Drug Discovery, Enzyme Inhibitors pharmacology, Oxazines pharmacology
- Abstract
After identification of lead compound 6 , 5-amino-1,4-oxazine BACE1 inhibitors were optimized in order to improve potency, brain penetration, and metabolic stability. Insertion of a methyl and a trifluoromethyl group at the 6-position of the 5-amino-1,4-oxazine led to 8 ( NB-360 ), an inhibitor with a p K
a of 7.1, a very low P-glycoprotein efflux ratio, and excellent pharmacological profile, enabling high central nervous system penetration and exposure. Fur color changes observed with NB-360 in efficacy studies in preclinical animal models triggered further optimization of the series. Herein, we describe the steps leading to the discovery of 3-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid [6-((3 R ,6 R )-5-amino-3,6-dimethyl-6-trifluoromethyl-3,6-dihydro-2 H -[1,4]oxazin-3-yl)-5-fluoro-pyridin-2-yl]amide 15 ( CNP520 , umibecestat ), an inhibitor with superior BACE1/BACE2 selectivity and pharmacokinetics. CNP520 reduced significantly Aβ levels in mice and rats in acute and chronic treatment regimens without any side effects and thus qualified for Alzheimer's disease prevention studies in the clinic.- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF