1
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O'Brien Laramy MN, Bezawada P, Horst R, Jaini R, Lillis J, Liu Y, Luthra S, Nguyen B, Patel N, Soni S, Sullivan BP, Thiel A, Ticehurst MD. Self-Assembly Properties of an Amphiphilic Phosphate Ester Prodrug Designed for the Treatment of COVID-19. J Pharm Sci 2024; 113:1515-1522. [PMID: 37543257 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
PF-07304814 is a water-soluble phosphate ester prodrug of a small molecule inhibitor for the SARS CoV-2 3CL protease designed for the treatment of COVID-19. The amphiphilicity and self-assembly behavior of the prodrug was investigated computationally and experimentally via multiple orthogonal techniques to better design formulations for intravenous infusion. The self-assembly of PF-07304814 into micellar structures enabled an increase in the solubility of lipophilic impurities by up to 1900x in clinically relevant formulations. The observed solubilization could help extend the drug product shelf-life and in use stability through inhibition of precipitation, without the need for solubilizing excipients. The work presented in this manuscript provides a roadmap for the characterization of prodrug self-assembly and highlights the potential for prodrug modifications to enhance solubility of both active ingredients and impurities and to extend drug product shelf-life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Padmavani Bezawada
- Pfizer Inc., Worldwide Research, Development, & Medical, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA
| | - Reto Horst
- Pfizer Inc., Worldwide Research, Development, & Medical, Groton 06340, CT
| | - Rohit Jaini
- Pfizer Inc., Worldwide Research, Development, & Medical, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA
| | - Jonathan Lillis
- Pfizer Inc., Worldwide Research, Development, & Medical, Sandwich, UK
| | - Yizhou Liu
- Pfizer Inc., Worldwide Research, Development, & Medical, Groton 06340, CT
| | - Suman Luthra
- Pfizer Inc., Worldwide Research, Development, & Medical, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Bao Nguyen
- Pfizer Inc., Worldwide Research, Development, & Medical, Groton 06340, CT
| | - Nandini Patel
- Pfizer Inc., Worldwide Research, Development, & Medical, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Smita Soni
- Pfizer Inc., Worldwide Research, Development, & Medical, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA
| | - Bradley P Sullivan
- Pfizer Inc., Worldwide Research, Development, & Medical, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA
| | - Andrew Thiel
- Pfizer Inc., Worldwide Research, Development, & Medical, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA
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2
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Janin YL. On the origins of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:81-118. [PMID: 38283212 PMCID: PMC10809347 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00493g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
In order to address the world-wide health challenge caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 3CL protease/SARS-CoV-2 main protease (SARS-CoV-2-Mpro) coded by its nsp5 gene became one of the biochemical targets for the design of antiviral drugs. In less than 3 years of research, 4 inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2-Mpro have actually been authorized for COVID-19 treatment (nirmatrelvir, ensitrelvir, leritrelvir and simnotrelvir) and more such as EDP-235, FB-2001 and STI-1558/Olgotrelvir or five undisclosed compounds (CDI-988, ASC11, ALG-097558, QLS1128 and H-10517) are undergoing clinical trials. This review is an attempt to picture this quite unprecedented medicinal chemistry feat and provide insights on how these cysteine protease inhibitors were discovered. Since many series of covalent SARS-CoV-2-Mpro inhibitors owe some of their origins to previous work on other proteases, we first provided a description of various inhibitors of cysteine-bearing human caspase-1 or cathepsin K, as well as inhibitors of serine proteases such as human dipeptidyl peptidase-4 or the hepatitis C protein complex NS3/4A. This is then followed by a description of the results of the approaches adopted (repurposing, structure-based and high throughput screening) to discover coronavirus main protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves L Janin
- Structure et Instabilité des Génomes (StrInG), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, INSERM, CNRS, Alliance Sorbonne Université 75005 Paris France
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3
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Panda S, Rout M, Mishra S, Turuk J, Pati S, Dehury B. Molecular docking and MD simulations reveal protease inhibitors block the catalytic residues in Prp8 intein of Aspergillus fumigatus: a potential target for antimycotics. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-16. [PMID: 38149850 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2298735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to azoles and amphotericin B especially in Aspergillus fumigatus is a growing concern towards the treatment of invasive fungal infection. At this critical juncture, intein splicing would be a productive, and innovative target to establish therapies against resistant strains. Intein splicing is the central event for the activation of host protein, essential for the growth and survival of various microorganisms including A. fumigatus. The splicing process is a four-step protease-like nucleophilic cascade. Thus, we hypothesise that protease inhibitors would successfully halt intein splicing and potentially restrict the growth of the aforementioned pathogen. Using Rosetta Fold and molecular dynamics simulations, we modelled Prp8 intein structure; resembling classic intein fold with horse shoe shaped splicing domain. To fully comprehend the active site of Afu Prp8 intein, C1, T62, H65, H818, N819 from intein sequences and S820, the first C-extein residue are selected. Molecular docking shows that two FDA-approved drugs, i.e. Lufotrelvir and Remdesivir triphosphate efficiently interact with Prp8 intein from the assortment of 212 protease inhibitors. MD simulation portrayed that Prp8 undergoes conformational change upon ligand binding, and inferred the molecular recognition and stability of the docked complexes. Per-residue decomposition analysis confirms the importance of F: block R802, V803, and Q807 binding pocket in intein splicing domain towards recognition of inhibitors, along with active site residues through strong hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts. However, in vitro and in vivo assays are required to confirm the inhibitory action on Prp8 intein splicing; which may pave the way for the development of new antifungals for A. fumigatus.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunita Panda
- Mycology Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Madhusmita Rout
- Bioinformatics Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Sarbani Mishra
- Bioinformatics Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Jyotirmayee Turuk
- Mycology Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Sanghamitra Pati
- Mycology Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Budheswar Dehury
- Bioinformatics Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
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4
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Cheruvu N, van Duijn E, Spigt PA, Barbu IM, Toussi SS, Schildknegt K, Jones RM, Obach RS. The Metabolism of Lufotrelvir, a Prodrug Investigated for the Treatment of SARS-COV2 in Humans Following Intravenous Administration. Drug Metab Dispos 2023; 51:1419-1427. [PMID: 37429728 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.123.001416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The metabolism of lufotrelvir, a novel phosphate prodrug of PF-00835231 for the treatment of COVID-19, was evaluated in healthy human volunteers and clinical trial participants with COVID-19 following intravenous infusion. The prodrug was completely converted to PF-00835231 that was subsequently cleared by hydrolysis, hydroxylation, ketoreduction, epimerization, renal clearance, and secretion into the feces. The main circulating metabolite was a hydrolysis product (M7) that was present at concentrations greater than PF-00835231, and this was consistent between healthy volunteers and participants with COVID-19. On administration of [14C]lufotrelvir, only 63% of the dose was obtained in excreta over 10 days and total drug-related material demonstrated a prolonged terminal phase half-life in plasma. A considerable portion of the labeled material was unextractable from fecal homogenate and plasma. The position of the carbon-14 atom in the labeled material was at a leucine carbonyl, and pronase digestion of the pellet derived from extraction of the fecal homogenate showed that [14C]leucine was released. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Lufotrelvir is an experimental phosphate prodrug intravenous therapy investigated for the potential treatment of COVID-19 in a hospital setting. The overall metabolism of lufotrelvir was determined in human healthy volunteers and clinical trial participants with COVID-19. Conversion of the phosphate prodrug to the active drug PF-00835231 was complete and the subsequent metabolic clearance of the active drug was largely via amide bond hydrolysis. Substantial drug-related material was not recovered due to loss of the carbon-14 label to endogenous metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayan Cheruvu
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Groton, Connecticut (R.S.O., K.S.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, La Jolla, California (R.M.J.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Collegeville, Pennsylvania (N.C.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pearl River, New York (S.S.T.); and The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (T.N.O.), Zeist, Netherlands (E.v.D., P.A.S., I.M.B.)
| | - Esther van Duijn
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Groton, Connecticut (R.S.O., K.S.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, La Jolla, California (R.M.J.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Collegeville, Pennsylvania (N.C.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pearl River, New York (S.S.T.); and The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (T.N.O.), Zeist, Netherlands (E.v.D., P.A.S., I.M.B.)
| | - Pieter A Spigt
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Groton, Connecticut (R.S.O., K.S.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, La Jolla, California (R.M.J.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Collegeville, Pennsylvania (N.C.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pearl River, New York (S.S.T.); and The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (T.N.O.), Zeist, Netherlands (E.v.D., P.A.S., I.M.B.)
| | - Ioana M Barbu
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Groton, Connecticut (R.S.O., K.S.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, La Jolla, California (R.M.J.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Collegeville, Pennsylvania (N.C.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pearl River, New York (S.S.T.); and The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (T.N.O.), Zeist, Netherlands (E.v.D., P.A.S., I.M.B.)
| | - Sima S Toussi
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Groton, Connecticut (R.S.O., K.S.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, La Jolla, California (R.M.J.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Collegeville, Pennsylvania (N.C.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pearl River, New York (S.S.T.); and The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (T.N.O.), Zeist, Netherlands (E.v.D., P.A.S., I.M.B.)
| | - Klaas Schildknegt
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Groton, Connecticut (R.S.O., K.S.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, La Jolla, California (R.M.J.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Collegeville, Pennsylvania (N.C.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pearl River, New York (S.S.T.); and The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (T.N.O.), Zeist, Netherlands (E.v.D., P.A.S., I.M.B.)
| | - Rhys M Jones
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Groton, Connecticut (R.S.O., K.S.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, La Jolla, California (R.M.J.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Collegeville, Pennsylvania (N.C.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pearl River, New York (S.S.T.); and The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (T.N.O.), Zeist, Netherlands (E.v.D., P.A.S., I.M.B.)
| | - R Scott Obach
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Groton, Connecticut (R.S.O., K.S.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, La Jolla, California (R.M.J.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Collegeville, Pennsylvania (N.C.); Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pearl River, New York (S.S.T.); and The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (T.N.O.), Zeist, Netherlands (E.v.D., P.A.S., I.M.B.)
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5
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McInturff EL, France SP, Leverett CA, Flick AC, Lindsey EA, Berritt S, Carney DW, DeForest JC, Ding HX, Fink SJ, Gibson TS, Gray K, Hubbell AK, Johnson AM, Liu Y, Mahapatra S, McAlpine IJ, Watson RB, O'Donnell CJ. Synthetic Approaches to the New Drugs Approved During 2021. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10150-10201. [PMID: 37528515 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Each year, new drugs are introduced to the market, representing structures that have affinity for biological targets implicated in human diseases and conditions. These new chemical entities (NCEs), particularly small molecules and antibody-drug conjugates, provide insight into molecular recognition and serve as potential leads for the design of future medicines. This annual review is part of a continuing series highlighting the most likely process-scale synthetic approaches to 35 NCEs that were first approved anywhere in the world during 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L McInturff
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Scott P France
- Process Research & Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Carolyn A Leverett
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Andrew C Flick
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Erick A Lindsey
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Simon Berritt
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Daniel W Carney
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jacob C DeForest
- La Jolla Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 10777 Science Center Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Hong X Ding
- Pharmacodia (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Sarah J Fink
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 125 Binney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Tony S Gibson
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Kaitlyn Gray
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Aran K Hubbell
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Amber M Johnson
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Yiyang Liu
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Subham Mahapatra
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Indrawan J McAlpine
- Genesis Therapeutics, 11568 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 8, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Rebecca B Watson
- La Jolla Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 10777 Science Center Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Christopher J O'Donnell
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
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6
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Allais C, Connor C, Do NM, Kulkarni S, Lee J, Lee T, McInturff E, Piper J, Place DW, Ragan JA, Weekly RM. Development of the Commercial Manufacturing Process for Nirmatrelvir in 17 Months. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:849-857. [PMID: 37252346 PMCID: PMC10069651 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The advancement of nirmatrelvir, the active ingredient in Paxlovid, from discovery to emergency use authorization was achieved in just 17 months, requiring an unprecedented rate of chemical process development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Allais
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development,
Chemical Research & Development, Groton, Connecticut 06355, United States
| | - Christina
G. Connor
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development,
Chemical Research & Development, Groton, Connecticut 06355, United States
| | - Nga M. Do
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development,
Chemical Research & Development, Groton, Connecticut 06355, United States
| | - Samir Kulkarni
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development,
Chemical Research & Development, Groton, Connecticut 06355, United States
| | - Johnny
W. Lee
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development,
Chemical Research & Development, Groton, Connecticut 06355, United States
| | - Taegyo Lee
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development,
Chemical Research & Development, Groton, Connecticut 06355, United States
| | - Emma McInturff
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development,
Chemical Research & Development, Groton, Connecticut 06355, United States
| | - Jared Piper
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development,
Chemical Research & Development, Groton, Connecticut 06355, United States
| | - Dave W. Place
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development,
Chemical Research & Development, Groton, Connecticut 06355, United States
| | - John A. Ragan
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development,
Chemical Research & Development, Groton, Connecticut 06355, United States
| | - R. Matt Weekly
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development,
Chemical Research & Development, Groton, Connecticut 06355, United States
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