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BMS-813160 (compound 3 ) was identified as a potent and selective CCR2/5 dual antagonist. Compound 3 displayed good permeability at pH = 7.4 in PAMPA experiments and demonstrated excellent human liver microsome stability. Pharmacokinetic studies established that 3 had excellent oral bioavailability and exhibited low clearance in dog and cyno. Compound 3 was also studied in the mouse thioglycollate-induced peritonitis model, which confirmed its ability to inhibit the migration of inflammatory monocytes and macrophages. As a result of this profile, compound 3 was selected as a clinical candidate., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2021 American Chemical Society.)

To improve the metabolic stability profile of BMS-741672 ( 1a ), we undertook a structure-activity relationship study in our trisubstituted cyclohexylamine series. This ultimately led to the identification of 2d (BMS-753426) as a potent and orally bioavailable antagonist of CCR2. Compared to previous clinical candidate 1a , the tert -butyl amine 2d showed significant improvements in pharmacokinetic properties, with lower clearance and higher oral bioavailability. Furthermore, compound 2d exhibited improved affinity for CCR5 and good activity in models of both monocyte migration and multiple sclerosis in the hCCR2 knock-in mouse. The synthesis of 2d was facilitated by the development of a simplified approach to key intermediate (4 R )- 9b that deployed a stereoselective reductive amination which may prove to be of general interest., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2021 American Chemical Society.)

In order to rapidly develop C6 and C8 SAR of our reported tricyclic sulfone series of RORγt inverse agonists, a late-stage bromination was employed. Although not regioselective, the bromination protocol allowed us to explore new substitution patterns/vectors that otherwise would have to be incorporated at the very beginning of the synthesis. Based on the SAR obtained from this exercise, compound 15 bearing a C8 fluorine was developed as a very potent and selective RORγt inverse agonist. This analog's in vitro profile, pharmacokinetic (PK) data and efficacy in an IL-23 induced mouse acanthosis model will be discussed., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We describe an efficient synthetic route to differentially protected diester, 1-( tert -butyl) 4-methyl (1 R ,2 S ,4 R )-2-methylcyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylate (+)- 1 , via palladium-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation of an enol triflate derived from a Hagemann's ester derivative followed by a stereoselective Crabtree hydrogenation. Diester 1 is a novel chiral synthon useful in drug discovery and was instrumental in the generation of useful SAR during a RORγt inverse agonist program. In addition, we describe a second-generation synthesis of the clinical candidate BMS-986251, using diester 1 as a critical component.

Novel tricyclic analogues were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as RORγt inverse agonists. Several of these compounds were potent in an IL-17 human whole blood assay and exhibited excellent oral bioavailability in mouse pharmacokinetic studies. This led to the identification of compound 5 , which displayed dose-dependent inhibition of IL-17F production in a mouse IL-2/IL-23 stimulated pharmacodynamic model. In addition, compound 5 was studied in mouse acanthosis and imiquimod-induced models of skin inflammation, where it demonstrated robust efficacy comparable to a positive control. As a result of this excellent overall profile, compound 5 (BMS-986251) was selected as a clinically viable developmental candidate., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2020 American Chemical Society.)

RORγt is an important nuclear receptor that regulates the production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-17 and IL-22. As a result, RORγt has been identified as a potential target for the treatment of various immunological disorders such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Structure and computer-assisted drug design led to the identification of a novel series of tricyclic RORγt inverse agonists with significantly improved in vitro activity in the reporter (Gal4) and human whole blood assays compared to our previous chemotype. Through careful structure activity relationship, several potent and selective RORγt inverse agonists have been identified. Pharmacokinetic studies allowed the identification of the lead molecule 32 with a low peak-to-trough ratio. This molecule showed excellent activity in an IL-2/IL-23-induced mouse pharmacodynamic study and demonstrated biologic-like efficacy in an IL-23-induced preclinical model of psoriasis.

Historically accessed through two-electron, anionic chemistry, ketones, alcohols, and amines are of foundational importance to the practice of organic synthesis. After placing this work in proper historical context, this Article reports the development, full scope, and a mechanistic picture for a strikingly different way of forging such functional groups. Thus, carboxylic acids, once converted to redox-active esters (RAEs), can be utilized as formally nucleophilic coupling partners with other carboxylic derivatives (to produce ketones), imines (to produce benzylic amines), or aldehydes (to produce alcohols). The reactions are uniformly mild, operationally simple, and, in the case of ketone synthesis, broad in scope (including several applications to the simplification of synthetic problems and to parallel synthesis). Finally, an extensive mechanistic study of the ketone synthesis is performed to trace the elementary steps of the catalytic cycle and provide the end-user with a clear and understandable rationale for the selectivity, role of additives, and underlying driving forces involved.

We encountered a dilemma in the course of studying a series of antagonists of the G-protein coupled receptor CC chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2): compounds with polar C3 side chains exhibited good ion channel selectivity but poor oral bioavailability, whereas compounds with lipophilic C3 side chains exhibited good oral bioavailability in preclinical species but poor ion channel selectivity. Attempts to solve this through the direct modulation of physicochemical properties failed. However, the installation of a protonation-dependent conformational switching mechanism resolved the problem because it enabled a highly selective and relatively polar molecule to access a small population of a conformer with lower polar surface area and higher membrane permeability. Optimization of the overall properties in this series yielded the CCR2 antagonist BMS-741672 ( 7 ), which embodied properties suitable for study in human clinical trials., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest.

PI3Kδ plays an important role controlling immune cell function and has therefore been identified as a potential target for the treatment of immunological disorders. This article highlights our work toward the identification of a potent, selective, and efficacious PI3Kδ inhibitor. Through careful SAR, the successful replacement of a polar pyrazole group by a simple chloro or trifluoromethyl group led to improved Caco-2 permeability, reduced Caco-2 efflux, reduced hERG PC activity, and increased selectivity profile while maintaining potency in the CD69 hWB assay. The optimization of the aryl substitution then identified a 4'-CN group that improved the human/rodent correlation in microsomal metabolic stability. Our lead molecule is very potent in PK/PD assays and highly efficacious in a mouse collagen-induced arthritis model.

As demonstrated in preclinical animal models, the disruption of PI3Kδ expression or its activity leads to a decrease in inflammatory and immune responses. Therefore, inhibition of PI3Kδ may provide an alternative treatment for autoimmune diseases, such as RA, SLE, and respiratory ailments. Herein, we disclose the identification of 7-(3-(piperazin-1-yl)phenyl)pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazin-4-amine derivatives as highly potent, selective and orally bioavailable PI3Kδ inhibitors. The lead compound demonstrated efficacy in an in vivo mouse KLH model., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) is one of 19 members of the chemokine receptor subfamily of human class A G-protein-coupled receptors. CCR2 is expressed on monocytes, immature dendritic cells, and T-cell subpopulations, and mediates their migration towards endogenous CC chemokine ligands such as CCL2 (ref. 1). CCR2 and its ligands are implicated in numerous inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases including atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, neuropathic pain, and diabetic nephropathy, as well as cancer. These disease associations have motivated numerous preclinical studies and clinical trials (see http://www.clinicaltrials.gov) in search of therapies that target the CCR2-chemokine axis. To aid drug discovery efforts, here we solve a structure of CCR2 in a ternary complex with an orthosteric (BMS-681 (ref. 6)) and allosteric (CCR2-RA-[R]) antagonist. BMS-681 inhibits chemokine binding by occupying the orthosteric pocket of the receptor in a previously unseen binding mode. CCR2-RA-[R] binds in a novel, highly druggable pocket that is the most intracellular allosteric site observed in class A G-protein-coupled receptors so far; this site spatially overlaps the G-protein-binding site in homologous receptors. CCR2-RA-[R] inhibits CCR2 non-competitively by blocking activation-associated conformational changes and formation of the G-protein-binding interface. The conformational signature of the conserved microswitch residues observed in double-antagonist-bound CCR2 resembles the most inactive G-protein-coupled receptor structures solved so far. Like other protein-protein interactions, receptor-chemokine complexes are considered challenging therapeutic targets for small molecules, and the present structure suggests diverse pocket epitopes that can be exploited to overcome obstacles in drug design., Competing Interests: Competing interest declaration R.A. has an equity interest in Molsoft, LLC. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by the University of California, San Diego in accordance with its conflict of interest policies. R.C., P.C., and A.T. are employees of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. D.S. is an employee of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Fingolimod (1) is the first approved oral therapy for the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. While the phosphorylated metabolite of fingolimod was found to be a nonselective S1P receptor agonist, agonism specifically of S1P 1 is responsible for the peripheral blood lymphopenia believed to be key to its efficacy. Identification of modulators that maintain activity on S1P 1 while sparing activity on other S1P receptors could offer equivalent efficacy with reduced liabilities. We disclose in this paper a ligand-based drug design approach that led to the discovery of a series of potent tricyclic agonists of S1P 1 with selectivity over S1P 3 and were efficacious in a pharmacodynamic model of suppression of circulating lymphocytes. Compound 10 had the desired pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profile and demonstrated maximal efficacy when administered orally in a rat adjuvant arthritis model.

We describe the hybridization of our previously reported acyclic and cyclic CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) antagonists to lead to a new series of dual antagonists of CCR2 and CCR5. Installation of a γ-lactam as the spacer group and a quinazoline as a benzamide mimetic improved oral bioavailability markedly. These efforts led to the identification of 13d, a potent and orally bioavailable dual antagonist suitable for use in both murine and monkey models of inflammation.

We describe novel alkylsulfones as potent CCR2 antagonists with reduced hERG channel activity and improved pharmacokinetics over our previously described antagonists. Several of these new alkylsulfones have a profile that includes functional antagonism of CCR2, in vitro microsomal stability, and oral bioavailability. With this improved profile, we demonstrate that two of these antagonists, 2 and 12, are orally efficacious in an animal model of inflammatory recruitment., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We describe the design, synthesis, and evaluation of benzimidazoles as benzamide replacements within a series of trisubstituted cyclohexane CCR2 antagonists. 7-Trifluoromethylbenzimidazoles displayed potent binding and functional antagonism of CCR2 while being selective over CCR3. These benzimidazoles were also incorporated into lactam-containing antagonists, thus completely eliminating the customary bis-amide., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We describe an isostere-driven approach to improve upon a previously-described series of capped dipeptide antagonists of CC Chemokine Receptor 2 (CCR2). Modification of the substitution around the isostere was combined with additional changes in a distal aromatic substituent to provide single-digit nanomolar antagonists of CCR2. These studies led to the identification of 18, a compound that was suitable for studies in murine models of CCR2 activity., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We report the synthesis of 3-phenylsulfonylmethyl cyclohexylaminobenzamides (4) as CCR2 inhibitors for the potential treatment of inflammatory diseases. Several of the compounds display nanomolar binding affinity for CCR2. The in vitro structure-activity relationships of 4 are described, and are also reconciled with those from the related 2-phenylsulfonylmethyl series., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We describe the design, synthesis, and evaluation, of gamma-lactams as glycinamide replacements within a series of di- and trisubstituted cyclohexane CCR2 antagonists. The lactam-containing trisubstituted cyclohexanes proved to be more potent than the disubstituted analogs, as trisubstituted analog, lactam 13, displayed excellent activity (CCR2 binding IC(50)=1.0 nM and chemotaxis IC(50) = 0.5 nM) and improved metabolic stability over its parent glycinamide., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

An efficient enantioselective synthesis of benzyl (1S,2R,4R)-4-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-2-(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexylcarbamate 2, an essential intermediate for a series of potent CCR2 antagonists, is described. The key step in the sequence is an iodolactamization to yield the highly functionalized (1R,2S,4S,5S)-tert-butyl 2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-4-iodo-7-oxo-6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-6-carboxylate 11. An examination of the reaction mechanism within the 2-step iodolactamization sequence led to the discovery of a single-pot transformation of increased efficiency.

Potent sulfone-containing di- and trisubstituted cyclohexanes were synthesized and evaluated as CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) antagonists. This led to the trisubstituted derivative 54, which exhibited excellent binding (CCR2 IC(50)=1.3nM) and functional antagonism (calcium flux IC(50)=0.5nM and chemotaxis IC(50)=0.2nM). The superiority of the trisubstituted scaffold was rationalized to be the result of a conformational rigidification, which provided insight into the bioactive conformation of this chemotype.

A series of trisubstituted cyclohexanes was designed, synthesized and evaluated as CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) antagonists. This led to the identification of two distinct substitution patterns about the cyclohexane ring as potent and selective CCR2 antagonists. Compound 36 exhibited excellent binding (CCR2 IC(50)=2.4 nM) and functional antagonism (calcium flux IC(50)=2.0 nM and chemotaxis IC(50)=5.1 nM).

A series of cis-3,4-disubstituted piperidines was synthesized and evaluated as CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) antagonists. Compound 24 emerged with an attractive profile, possessing excellent binding (CCR2 IC(50)=3.4 nM) and functional antagonism (calcium flux IC(50)=2.0 nM and chemotaxis IC(50)=5.4 nM). Studies to explore the binding of these piperidine analogs utilized a key CCR2 receptor mutant (E291A) with compound 14 and revealed a significant reliance on Glu291 for binding.

We describe the design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel disubstituted cyclohexanes as potent CCR2 antagonists. Exploratory SAR studies led to the cis-disubstituted derivative 22, which displayed excellent binding affinity for CCR2 (binding IC50 = 5.1 nM) and potent functional antagonism (calcium flux IC50 = 18 nM and chemotaxis IC 50 = 1 nM). Site-directed mutagenesis studies with 22 suggest the compound is binding near the key receptor residue Glu291, however, 22 is not reliant on Glu291 for its binding affinity.

A new series of CCR2 antagonists has been discovered that incorporates intramolecular hydrogen bonding as a strategy for rigidifying the scaffold. The structure-activity relationship was established through initial systematic modification of substitution pattern and chain length, followed by independent optimization of three different substituents (benzylamine, carboxamide, and benzamide). Several of the acyclic compounds display 10-30 nM binding affinity for CCR2. Moreover, these antagonists are able to block both MCP-1-induced Ca(2+) flux and monocyte chemotaxis, and are selective for binding to CCR2 over CCR1 and CCR3.

[reaction: see text] New methods for the palladium-catalyzed cyanation of aryl and heteroaryl chlorides have been developed, featuring sterically demanding, electron-rich phosphines. Highly challenging electron-rich aryl chlorides, in addition to electron-neutral and electron-deficient substrates, as well as nitrogen- and sulfur-containing heteroaryl chlorides can all undergo efficient cyanation under relatively mild conditions using readily available materials. In terms of substrate scope and temperature, these methods compare very favorably with the state-of-the-art cyanations of aryl chlorides.

Novel sultam hydroxamates with potent MMP activity were transformed into potent TACE inhibitors, lacking MMP activity. To accomplish this we relied on structural differences between the MMP and TACE S1' pockets and the known advantageous fit of a 2-methyl-4-quinolinylmethoxyphenyl group into this region. From this approach, compound 7d was identified as a potent TACE inhibitor (IC50 = 3.7 nM) that lacked MMP-1, -2, -9, and -13 activity.

In this communication we describe the design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel sultam hydroxamates 4 as MMP-2, -9, and -13 inhibitors. Compound 26 was found to be an active inhibitor (MMP-2 IC(50) = 1 nM) with 1000-fold selectivity over MMP-1 and good oral bioavailability (F = 43%) in mouse. An X-ray crystal structure of 26 in MMP-13 confirms the key hydrogen bonds and prime side binding in the active site.

Elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) have been associated with several inflammatory diseases, and therefore, strategies for its suppression have become important targets in drug discovery. Our efforts to suppress TNF-alpha have centered on the inhibition of TNF-alpha converting enzyme (TACE) through the use of hydroxamate inhibitors. Starting from broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors, we have designed and synthesized novel benzothiadiazepines as potent and selective TACE inhibitors. The benzothiadiazepines were synthesized with variation in P1 and P1' in order to effect potency and selectivity. The inhibitors were evaluated versus porcine TACE (pTACE), and the initial selectivity was assessed with counterscreens of MMP-1, -2, and -9. Several potent and selective inhibitors were discovered with compound 41 being the most active against pTACE (K(i) = 5 nM) while still maintaining good selectivity versus the MMP's (at least 75-fold). Most compounds were assessed in the human peripheral blood mononuclear cell assay (PBMC) and the human whole blood assay (WBA) to determine their ability to suppress TNF-alpha. Compound 32 was the most potent compound in the PBMC assay (IC(50) = 0.35 microM), while compound 62 was the most active in the WBA (IC(50) = 1.4 microM).

Anti-succinate hydroxamates with cyclic P1 motifs were synthesized as aggrecanase inhibitors. The N-methanesulfonyl piperidine 23 and the N-trifluoroacetyl azetidine 26 were the most potent aggrecanase inhibitors both having an IC(50)=3nM while maintaining >100-fold selectivity over MMP-1, -2, and -9. The cyclic moieties were also capable of altering in vivo metabolism, hence delivering low clearance compounds in both rat and dog studies as shown for compound 14.

Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme (TACE) is a widespread objective in the search for disease modifying agents to combat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Until recently, most of the inhibitors in the literature have shown concomitant activity against the related matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), producing undesired side effects. Here we describe the successful search for a TACE selectivity mechanism. We built a homology model based on the crystal structure of the related snake venom protein atrolysin. Comparison of the model with crystal structures of MMPs suggested a uniquely shaped S1' pocket that might be exploited for selectivity. A novel gamma-lactam scaffold was used to explore the activity profile of P1' sidechains, resulting in highly selective compounds consistent with this hypothesis. Transferability of the hypothesis was then demonstrated with five other distinct scaffolds.

To search for TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha) converting enzyme (TACE) inhibitors, we designed a new class of macrocyclic hydroxamic acids by linking the P1 and P2' residues of acyclic anti-succinate-based hydroxamic acids. A variety of residues including amide, carbamate, alkyl, sulfonamido, Boc-amino, and amino were found to be suitable P1-P2' linkers. With an N-methylamide at P3', the 13-16-membered macrocycles prepared exhibited low micromolar activities in the inhibition of TNF-alpha release from LPS-stimulated human whole blood. Further elaboration in the P3'-P4' area using the cyclophane and cyclic carbamate templates led to the identification of a number of potent analogues with IC(50) values of

Several macrocyclic, hydroxamate derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production. These macrocycles are anti-succinate based inhibitors linked from P1 to P2'. A variety of functionality was installed at the P1-P2' linkage, which gave inhibitors that displayed excellent MMP inhibition and good TNF-alpha suppression.