pubs.acs.org/acsmedchemlett
Scheme 1. Synthesis of 18a
Present Addresses: ∧Chembiotek, ATCG Life Sciences Company,
Block BN, Plot 7, Saltlake Electronics Complex, Sector V, Kolkata
700091, India.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT We thank Sheila Dewitt, Epix, and Sharon
Pick and Victor Cee, Amgen, for assistance in coordinating
completion of this manuscript. We also thank Pini Orbach, Sharon
Shacham, and Oren Becker for their contributions to the S1P
program at Epix.
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a (a) KOH, DMSO, 20 h, 84%. (b) PPA, benzene, 89%. (c) n-BuLi, THF,
-78 ꢀC. (d) B(iPrO)3. (e) 2 N HCl or NH4Cl (66% yield after steps c-e).
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(g) AcOH, NaCNBH3, DCM/MeOH, 56%.
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The synthesis of compound 18 is described in Scheme 1.
The 5-benzyl benzofuran 25 was prepared via a two-step
reaction, starting from the alkylation of phenol 22 with
2-bromo-1,1- diethoxyethane 23, followed by cyclization
with polyphosphoric acid (PPA) in benzene at reflux tem-
perature. The boronic acid functionality was selectively
incorporated at the 2-position of the benzofuran ring of 26
under our modified conditions using n-BuLi and B(iPrO)3 at
low temperature. Suzuki C-C coupling of boronic acid 26
and aryl halide 27 was carried out in a microwave apparatus
using 5 mol % palladium(II) catalyst, triethyl amine, and
ethanol as the solvent at 100 ꢀC, cleanly yielding 4-(5-
benzylbenzofuran-2-yl)-3-fluorobenzaldehyde 28. Reduc-
tive amination of the aldehyde with azetidine-3-carboxylic
acid 29 provided the desired compound 18 as its zwitterion.
In summary, knowledge-based scaffold hopping com-
bined with computation chemistry tools led to identification
of the benzofuranyl core as a novel new S1P1 lead series.
Rapid optimization efforts designed to enhance potency,
while balancing lipophilicity led to 3-fluorophenyl benzofur-
an 18, which was found to have potent S1P1 activity and
excellent S1P3 selectivity. Oral dosing of 18 in rats (1 mg/kg)
resulted in a statistically significant reduction in circulating
lymphocytes 24 h postdose, as well as efficacy in the mice
EAE model of MS. The overall profile of compound 18 led to
nomination for preclinical development including follow-on
GLP toxicology studies. Such studies revealed pro-convulsive
activity at doses of 40 mg/kg and higher. Optimization efforts
toward scaffolds that avoid such toxic properties will be the
subject of upcoming manuscripts.
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SUPPORTING INFORMATION AVAILABLE Experimental
procedures and characterization data for 1-21 and details of in
vitro and in vivo assays. This material is available free of charge via
(12) Cohen, J. A.; et al. Oral fingolimod or intramuscular inter-
feron for relapsing multiple sclerosis. N. Engl. J. Med. 2010,
362 (5), 402–415.
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Corresponding Author: *Tel: þ91 33 4000 7004 (India); (978)
(13) Kovarik, J. M.; Lu, M.; Riviere, G.; Barbet, I.; Maton, S.;
Goldwater, D. R.; Schmouder, R. L. The Effect on Heart Rate
212-5462 (USA). E-mail: ashis.saha@tcgls.com.
r
2010 American Chemical Society
100
DOI: 10.1021/ml100227q ACS Med. Chem. Lett. 2011, 2, 97–101
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