Development of a Scalable Synthetic Route to BMS-986251, Part 2: Synthesis of the Tricyclic Core and the API

RORγt inhibitors in clinical development for the treatment of autoimmune diseases: challenges and opportunities

INTRODUCTION

Nuclear receptor retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma-t (RORγt) is a major transcription factor for Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17 production. RORγt has been considered as a promising drug target for the treatment of IL-17-mediated inflammatory diseases. Numerous small molecule inhibitors have been discovered, and more than 20 of RORγt inhibitors have been advanced to clinical trials. However, none of these compounds has yet achieved market approval.

AREAS COVERED

This manuscript summarizes the development of 22 clinical-stage RORγt inhibitors, including their structures, patent applications, and clinical trial status, based on publications and patents available up to November 2024.

EXPERT OPINION

The discovery of RORγt inhibitors was considered as an exciting field for the development of small molecular treatments, which has gone through a boom period in the past 10 years. However, some of the leading RORγt inhibitors recently failed in clinical trials due to lack of efficacy or having some safety concerns, although a few small molecule candidates targeting RORγt are still in trials and more in preclinical studies. Realizing the challenge, researchers started to develop different approaches such as dual targeting or exploring new indications, utilizing the potential value of RORγt inhibitors.

Unlocking HFIP for Fluoroalkylation with Molecular Photoelectrocatalysis

Despite the increasing interest in radical-based fluoroalkylation techniques, the organofluorine compounds bearing the partially fluorinated hexafluoroisopropyl group remain extremely scarce due to the lack of appropriate reagents. Herein we report an unprecedented photoelectrocatalytic method for the C-H hexafluoroisopropylation of indoles and tryptophan peptides, utilizing the readily available hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) as the fluoroalkylation reagent. In this process, HFIP is converted into hexafluoroisopropyl radicals, enabling fluoroalkylation reactions. This study broadens the potential applications of molecular photoelectrocatalysis, highlighting its capacity to enable transformations that are difficult to accomplish through traditional electrochemical or photochemical approaches.

Radical Perfluoroalkylation of Arenes via Carbanion Intermediates

The use of sodium dithionite with perfluoroalkyl iodides under basic conditions facilitates the direct perfluoroalkylation of arenes with pendant benzylic electron-withdrawing groups. This occurs via attack of the arene on the electrophilic perfluoroalkyl radical, through the donation of electron density from a benzylic anion. The substrate scope was expanded beyond benzylic nitriles with cyclic substrates bearing electron-withdrawing groups at the benzylic position-enforcing donation of electron density to the aromatic ring and enabling attack on the perfluoroalkyl radical.