A novel class of biphenyl analogues containing a benzoic acid moiety based on lead compound 8i have been identified as potent and selective human beta 3 adrenergic receptor (beta 3-AR) agonists with good oral bioavailability and long plasma half-life. After further substituent effects were investigated at the terminal phenyl ring of lead compound 8i, we have discovered that more lipophilic substitution at the R position improved potency and selectivity. As a result of these studies, 10a and 10e were identified as the leading candidates with the best balance of potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic profiles. In addition, compounds 10a and 10e were evaluated to be efficacious for a carbachol-induced increase of intravesical pressure, such as an overactive bladder model in anesthetized dogs. This represents the first demonstrated result dealing with beta 3-AR agonists.

The left-hand side (LHS) and central part of our first generation biphenyl (FGB) series was modified to improve in vitro and in vivo beta3-AR potency without loss of oral bioavailability. First, in this study, we focused our efforts on replacement of the 3-chlorophenyl moiety in the LHS of FGB analogues with 3-pyridyl ring analogues to adjust the lipophilicity. Second, we investigated the replacement of the central part of this series and discovered that introduction of a methyl group into the alpha-position of the phenethylamine moiety greatly enhanced potency keeping good oral availability. Finally, the replacement of the two carbon linker of the central part with an ethoxy-based linker provided improved potency and PK profiles. As a result of these studies, several analogues (i.e., 9h, 9k, 9l, 10g, 10m, 10p, 10r, 11b, and 11l) were identified that displayed an excellent balance of very higher human beta3-AR potency compared to the FGB compounds, high selectivity, and good pharmacokinetic profiles. Furthermore, these several compounds showed high in vivo efficacy in an overactive bladder (OAB) model. These findings suggest that our selected second generation biphenyl (SGB) series compounds may be attractive new successful therapeutic candidates for the treatment of OAB.

Objectives Peficitinib, a novel Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, demonstrated promising results in treating RA in phase 3 clinical trials. This in vitro study was undertaken to characterize the pharmacological properties of peficitinib and investigate the involvement of JAK and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways in the pathological processes of SSc, which is also an autoimmune disease. Methods Phosphorylation levels of STAT molecules were assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from patients with RA or SSc and healthy subjects, and in skin specimens obtained from 19 patients with SSc. In vitro inhibition of STAT phosphorylation and cytokine/chemokine production by peficitinib, tofacitinib and baricitinib were also characterized. Results Higher spontaneous STAT1 or STAT3 phosphorylation was observed in peripheral T-cells and monocytes from patients with RA and SSc compared with healthy subjects. In skin sections from patients with SSc, phosphorylated STAT3–positive cells were found in almost all cases, irrespective of disease subtype or patient characteristics. Conversely, phosphorylated STAT1-positive cells were observed only in samples from untreated patients with diffuse disease of short duration. Peficitinib inhibited STAT phosphorylation induced by various cytokines, with comparable efficacy to tofacitinib and baricitinib. Peficitinib also suppressed cytokine and chemokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and skin fibroblasts. Conclusion Our results suggest that JAK/STAT pathways are constitutively activated in SSc and RA, and that the JAK inhibitor may represent a novel therapeutic option for SSc.

Urea derivatives Q 0640Discovery of a Novel, Potent and Selective Human β 3 -Adrenergic Receptor Agonist. -A variety of analogues of compound (I) are prepared and tested for their β3-adrenergic receptor activity and selectivity. Compound (I) is the most potent and selective β3-adrenergic receptor agonist in this series. -(NAKAJIMA*, Y.; HAMASHIMA, H.; WASHIZUKA, K.-I.; TOMISHIMA, Y.; OHTAKE, H.; IMAMURA, E.; MIURA, T.; KAYAKIRI, H.; KATO, M.; Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 15 (2005) 2, 251-254; Med. Chem. Res. Lab., Fujisawa Pharm. Co., Ltd., Yodogawa, Osaka 532, Japan; Eng.) -R. Staver 19-099

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