Starting from screening hit, (4S,7R)-1,7,8,8-tetramethyl-2-phenyl-1,2,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-4,7-methano-indazol-3-one (7), we optimized the potency and pharmacokinetic properties. This led to the identification of compounds with good in vivo activity in a mouse pharmacodynamic model of inhibition of 11βHSD1.

The beneficial effects of thyroid hormone (TH) on lipid levels are primarily due to its action at the thyroid hormone receptor β (THR-β) in the liver, while adverse effects, including cardiac effects, are mediated by thyroid hormone receptor α (THR-α). A pyridazinone series has been identified that is significantly more THR-β selective than earlier analogues. Optimization of this series by the addition of a cyanoazauracil substituent improved both the potency and selectivity and led to MGL-3196 (53), which is 28-fold selective for THR-β over THR-α in a functional assay. Compound 53 showed outstanding safety in a rat heart model and was efficacious in a preclinical model at doses that showed no impact on the central thyroid axis. In reported studies in healthy volunteers, 53 exhibited an excellent safety profile and decreased LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) at once daily oral doses of 50 mg or higher given for 2 weeks.

To resolve the metabolite redox cycling associated with our earlier clinical compound 2, we carried out lead optimization of lead molecule 1. Compound 4 showed improved lipophilic ligand efficiency and demonstrated robust glucose lowering in diet-induced obese mice without a liability in predictive preclinical drug safety studies. Thus, it was selected as a clinical candidate and further studied in type 2 diabetic patients. Clinical data suggests no evidence of metabolite cycling, which is consistent with the preclinical profiling of metabolism.

3-[4-((1S,2S,3R,5S,7S)-5-Hydroxyadamantan-2-ylcarbamoyl)benzyl]-4-oxo-1-phenyl-1,4-dihydro-[1,8]naphthyridine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (4) was identified as a novel, druglike and selective quinolone pan JNK inhibitor. In this communication, some of the structure-activity relationship of the azaquinolone analogues leading to 4 is discussed. The focus is on how changes at the amide functionality affected the biochemical potency, cellular potency, metabolic properties, and solubility of this class of JNK inhibitors. Optimization of these properties led to the identification of the adamantyl analogue, 4. 4 achieved proof of mechanism in both rat and mouse TNF-α challenge models.