Discovery of a Novel Potent and Selective Calcium Release-Activated Calcium Channel Inhibitor: 2,6-Difluoro- N-(2'-methyl-3'-(4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)benzamide. Structure-Activity Relationship and Preclinical Characterization

J Med Chem. 2021 Dec 9;64(23):17004-17030. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01403. Epub 2021 Nov 29.

Abstract

The role of calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels is well characterized and is of particular importance in T-cell function. CRAC channels are involved in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases, making it an attractive therapeutic target for treating inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A systematic structure-activity relationship study with the goal of optimizing lipophilicity successfully yielded two lead compounds, 36 and 37. Both compounds showed decent potency and selectivity and a remarkable pharmacokinetic profile. Further characterization in in vivo RA models and subsequent histopathological evaluation of tissues led to the identification of 36 as a clinical candidate. Compound 36 displayed an excellent safety profile and had a sufficient safety margin to qualify it for use in human testing. Oral administration of 36 in Phase 1 clinical study in healthy volunteers established favorable safety, tolerability, and good target engagement as measured by levels of IL-2 and TNF-α.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Area Under Curve
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacokinetics
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
  • Calcium Release Activated Calcium Channels / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Lew
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Calcium Release Activated Calcium Channels
  • Calcium