Benzimidazole derivatives bearing substituted biphenyls as hepatitis C virus NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors: structure-activity relationship studies and identification of a potent and highly selective inhibitor JTK-109

J Med Chem. 2006 Jul 27;49(15):4721-36. doi: 10.1021/jm060269e.

Abstract

Following the discovery of a new series of benzimidazole derivatives bearing a diarylmethyl group as inhibitors of hepatitis C virus NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (HCV NS5B RdRp),1,2 we extended the structure-activity relationship (SAR) study to analogues bearing a substituted biphenyl group and succeeded in a significant advancement of activity. Starting from compound 1, optimization of the A, B, and C rings afforded potent inhibitors with low nanomolar potency against genotype 1b NS5B. The compounds, which have a substituent with a carbonyl function at the 4-position of the B-ring, efficiently blocked subgenomic viral RNA replication in the replicon cell assay at low submicromolar concentrations. Among the new compounds, compound 10n (JTK-109) exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic profiles, high selectivity for NS5B, and good safety profiles, suggesting the potential for a clinical candidate in the treatment of hepatitis C.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Benzimidazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Benzimidazoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / pharmacokinetics
  • Biphenyl Compounds / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Humans
  • Liver / metabolism
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Rats
  • Replicon
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / chemistry

Substances

  • 2-(4-(4'-chloro-4-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)biphenyl-2-ylmethoxy)-2-fluorophenyl)-1-cyclohexyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Benzimidazoles
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • NS-5 protein, hepatitis C virus
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase