5334
H. Josien et al. / Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 17 (2007) 5330–5335
Key steps involved allyl Grignard condensation on an
aldehyde derived from 41 followed by a ring closure
metathesis using Grubs second generation catalyst
(yields were substantially lower using the first genera-
tion).17 The unsaturated diastereoisomeric alcohols were
separated at this stage and, after reduction of the alkene
bond under reduced pressure, processed to the carba-
mates according to previous methods. The Grignard
addition proceeded in a 4:1 ratio in favor of the
preferred series (II). Key intermediates were unambigu-
ously assigned by NMR.
Accordingly, further substitution of the methylene
attached to the bridge might conceivably improve
potency.
Table 4 summarizes in vivo results obtained after dosing
selected analogs to young transgenic pre-plaque Tg
CRND8 mice model of AD. Reduction in plasma Ab40
levels was measured after 3 h following oral or sub-cuta-
neous administration. In this model, compound 29 led
to near-complete abolition of plasma Ab40 levels when
administered at 30 mpk either orally or sub-cutaneously.
Close analog 31 also significantly lowered plasma Ab40
levels when administered sub-cutaneously. Efficacy in
lowering brain Ab40 levels was not measured since we
had found a better related series but it is expected to be sig-
nificant based on high brain penetration (one example).
Assessment of the new series in the c-secretase mem-
brane assay confirmed the X-ray analysis (Table 3): we
were pleased to observe that series (II) bearing the stan-
dard 4-piperidinopiperidine produced a potent analog
(44), whereas series (III) where arylsulfonamide and
carbamate were locked away from the X-ray conforma-
tion was essentially inactive (45). In a related study,
trimmed 5-membered analogs of (II) and (III) were also
synthesized and did not show any potency.18 Series (II)
was further explored and provided several analogs in the
low to mid-single-digit nanomolar activity such as 46.
However, the CYP 3A4 profile did not differ signifi-
cantly from the one observed in the des-cyclic series.
Although this series appears to be somewhat less potent
than its non-bridged predecessor (I, R3 = Et), on closer
look it is actually more related to series (I, R3 = Me).
In summary by lowering the molecular weight of an
early lead and modifying its right-hand side basic amine,
we were able to substantially lessen CYP3A4 liability
while retaining significant Ab40 lowering capability.
Further improvement in that direction including the
recourse to reengineering of the core will be reported
in the near future.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Drs. A. Buevich, T.-M. Chan, and A.
Evans for their help in confirming structures by NMR as
well as for many helpful discussions. Scale-up of inter-
mediates by Dr. J. Wong and M. Liang is also greatly
appreciated.
Table 3. Membrane c-secretase inhibition and CYP3A4 profile across
bridged piperidine series using standard carbamates (Ar = 4-Cl–Ph)a
Compound Core NR1R2
Memb Ab40 CYP
IC50b (nM)
3A4c (lM)
44
45
46
47
II
15
1.1
—
N
N
N
References and notes
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III
II
2425
57
N
N
N
0.5
0.6
OH
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OH
II
104
N
a All compounds are racemic.
b Values are means of two experiments.
c Values determined after 30 min pre-incubation with compound.
Table 4. In vivo profile following acute dosing for selected compounds
in vivo efficacy
Compound
Memb Ab40
IC50 (nM)
Tg CRND8 mice reduction
in plasma Ab40 (30 mpk, 3 h) (%)
a
29
6.9
ꢁ96b
ꢁ91c
ꢁ85c,d
ꢁ59c
30
31
3.5
10
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D. W.; Reilly, M. A.; O’Donnell, R.; Lewis, H. D.; Ellis, S.;
Wilkie, N.; Rosahl, T. W.; Laroque, P. A.; Boussiquet-
Leroux, C.; Churcher, I.; Atack, J. R.; Harrison, T.;
Shearman, M. S. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 2007, 320, 552;
aValues are means of two experiments.
b Oral dosing.
c Sub-cutaneous dosing.
d Brain concentration/plasma concentration = 3:1.