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Burns LH, Pei Z, Wang HY. Targeting α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and their protein interactions in Alzheimer's disease drug development. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:1085-1095. [PMID: 37291958 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The decades-old cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) led to clinical testing and FDA approval of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor drugs. Subsequently, the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) was proposed as a new drug target for enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission. Nearly simultaneously, soluble amyloid β1-42 (Aβ42 ) was shown to bind α7nAChR with picomolar affinity to activate kinases that hyperphosphorylate tau, the precursor to tau-containing tangles. Multiple biopharmaceutical companies explored α7nAChR as a drug target for AD, mostly to enhance neurotransmission. Directly targeting α7nAChR proved to be a drug development challenge. The ultra-high-affinity interaction between Aβ42 and α7nAChR posed a significant hurdle for direct competition in the AD brain. The receptor rapidly desensitizes, undermining efficacy of agonists. Drug discovery approaches therefore included partial agonists and allosteric modulators of α7nAChR. After substantial effort, numerous drug candidates were abandoned due to lack of efficacy or drug-related toxicities. As alternatives, proteins interacting with α7nAChR were sought. In 2016, a novel nAChR regulator was identified, but no drug candidates have emerged from this effort. In 2012, the interaction of filamin A with α7nAChR was shown to be critical to Aβ42 's toxic signaling via α7nAChR, presenting a new drug target. The novel drug candidate simufilam disrupts the filamin A-α7nAChR interaction, reduces Aβ42 's high-affinity binding to α7nAChR, and suppresses Aβ42 's toxic signaling. Early clinical trials of simufilam showed improvements in experimental CSF biomarkers and indications of cognitive improvement in mild AD patients at 1 year. Simufilam is currently in phase 3 clinical trials as a disease-modifying treatment for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhe Pei
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hoau-Yan Wang
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience, Graduate School of the City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
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2
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Khan SS, Khatik GL, Datusalia AK. Strategies for Treatment of Disease-Associated Dementia Beyond Alzheimer's Disease: An Update. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:309-339. [PMID: 35410602 PMCID: PMC10190146 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220411083922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory, cognition, dementia, and neurodegeneration are complexly interlinked processes with various mechanistic pathways, leading to a range of clinical outcomes. They are strongly associated with pathological conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and stroke and are a growing concern for their timely diagnosis and management. Several cognitionenhancing interventions for management include non-pharmacological interventions like diet, exercise, and physical activity, while pharmacological interventions include medicinal agents, herbal agents, and nutritional supplements. This review critically analyzed and discussed the currently available agents under different drug development phases designed to target the molecular targets, including cholinergic receptor, glutamatergic system, GABAergic targets, glycine site, serotonergic targets, histamine receptors, etc. Understanding memory formation and pathways involved therein aids in opening the new gateways to treating cognitive disorders. However, clinical studies suggest that there is still a dearth of knowledge about the pathological mechanism involved in neurological conditions, making the dropouts of agents from the initial phases of the clinical trial. Hence, a better understanding of the disease biology, mode of drug action, and interlinked mechanistic pathways at a molecular level is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabiya Samim Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Raebareli, Lucknow (UP) India
| | - Gopal L. Khatik
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Raebareli, Lucknow (UP) India
| | - Ashok K. Datusalia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Raebareli, Lucknow (UP) India
- Department of Regulatory Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Raebareli, Lucknow (UP) India
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Abstract
The α7-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is one of the most unique and interesting of all the members of the cys-loop superfamily of ligand-gated ion channels. Since it was first identified initially as a binding site for α-bungarotoxin in mammalian brain and later as a functional homomeric receptor with relatively high calcium permeability, it has been pursued as a potential therapeutic target for numerous indications, from Alzheimer disease to asthma. In this review, we discuss the history and state of the art for targeting α7 receptors, beginning with subtype-selective agonists and the basic pharmacophore for the selective activation of α7 receptors. A key feature of α7 receptors is their rapid desensitization by standard "orthosteric" agonist, and we discuss insights into the conformational landscape of α7 receptors that has been gained by the development of ligands binding to allosteric sites. Some of these sites are targeted by positive allosteric modulators that have a wide range of effects on the activation profile of the receptors. Other sites are targeted by direct allosteric agonist or antagonists. We include a perspective on the potential importance of α7 receptors for metabotropic as well as ionotropic signaling. We outline the challenges that exist for future development of drugs to target this important receptor and approaches that may be considered to address those challenges. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The α7-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is acknowledged as a potentially important therapeutic target with functional properties associated with both ionotropic and metabotropic signaling. The functional properties of α7 nAChR can be regulated in diverse ways with the variety of orthosteric and allosteric ligands described in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger L Papke
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (R.L.P) and Chemistry (N.A.H.), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Nicole A Horenstein
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (R.L.P) and Chemistry (N.A.H.), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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4
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Wu T, Zhou Q, Tang W. Enantioselective α-Carbonylative Arylation for Facile Construction of Chiral Spirocyclic β,β'-Diketones. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:9978-9983. [PMID: 33599064 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202101668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
We herein describe the first enantioselective α-carbonylative arylation, providing a diverse set of chiral spiro β,β'-diketones bearing various ring sizes and functionalities in high yields and good to excellent enantioselectivities. Calculations suggest the transformation proceeds through reductive elimination instead of nucleophilic addition pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bio-Organic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Ling Ling Rd, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qinghai Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, 106 Guilin Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Wenjun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Bio-Organic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Ling Ling Rd, Shanghai, 200032, China.,School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Sub-lane Xiangshan, Hangzhou, 310024, China
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5
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Wu T, Zhou Q, Tang W. Enantioselective α‐Carbonylative Arylation for Facile Construction of Chiral Spirocyclic β,β′‐Diketones. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202101668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bio-Organic and Natural Products Chemistry Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 345 Ling Ling Rd Shanghai 200032 China
| | - Qinghai Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science Shanghai Normal University 106 Guilin Road Shanghai 200233 China
| | - Wenjun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Bio-Organic and Natural Products Chemistry Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 345 Ling Ling Rd Shanghai 200032 China
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 Sub-lane Xiangshan Hangzhou 310024 China
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Juza R, Vlcek P, Mezeiova E, Musilek K, Soukup O, Korabecny J. Recent advances with 5-HT 3 modulators for neuropsychiatric and gastrointestinal disorders. Med Res Rev 2020; 40:1593-1678. [PMID: 32115745 DOI: 10.1002/med.21666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptophan [5-HT]) is a biologically active amine expressed in platelets, in gastrointestinal (GI) cells and, to a lesser extent, in the central nervous system (CNS). This biogenic compound acts through the activation of seven 5-HT receptors (5-HT1-7 Rs). The 5-HT3 R is a ligand-gated ion channel belonging to the Cys-loop receptor family. There is a wide variety of 5-HT3 R modulators, but only receptor antagonists (known as setrons) have been used clinically for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and irritable bowel syndrome treatment. However, since the discovery of the setrons in the mid-1980s, a large number of studies have been published exploring new potential applications due their potency in the CNS and mild side effects. The results of these studies have revealed new potential applications, including the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and drug abuse. In this review, we provide information related to therapeutic potential of 5-HT3 R antagonists on GI and neuropsychiatric disorders. The major attention is paid to the structure, function, and pharmacology of novel 5-HT3 R modulators developed over the past 10 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radomir Juza
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Premysl Vlcek
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Mezeiova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Musilek
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Soukup
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Korabecny
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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Antonio-Tolentino K, Hopkins CR. Selective α7 nicotinic receptor agonists and positive allosteric modulators for the treatment of schizophrenia - a review. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:603-610. [PMID: 32396418 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1764938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) partial agonists, agonists, and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have been in development for over a decade. The initial candidates were in clinical trials for a wide variety of diseases including schizophrenia, but there has yet to be a successful compound to make it to the market for any disorder. Although difficult to assess the cause of all the clinical failures, the lack of efficacy played a major role. The development of more selective compounds, may bring a successful compound to long-suffering schizophrenia patients. AREAS COVERED This article examines investigational agonists and positive allosteric modulators of the α7 nicotinic receptor in preclinical studies as well as clinical trials. Our search included the use of SciFinder, Google, and clinicaltrials.gov with search dates of 2015 to the present. EXPERT OPINION Researchers must rethink their approach should look more closely at the selectivity of new compounds and how to tackle the translational gap. Perhaps new positive allosteric modulators that can help minimize receptor desensitization and selectivity profiles can be a path forward for α7 nAChRs in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Antonio-Tolentino
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Corey R Hopkins
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, NE, USA
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Wang X, Bell IM, Uslaner JM. Activators of α7 nAChR as Potential Therapeutics for Cognitive Impairment. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2020; 45:209-245. [PMID: 32451955 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2020_140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a promising target for the treatment of cognitive deficits associated with psychiatric and neurological disorders, including schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several α7 nAChR agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have demonstrated procognitive effects in preclinical models and early clinical trials. However, despite intense research efforts in the pharmaceutical industry and academia, none of the α7 nAChR ligands has been approved for clinical use. This chapter will focus on the α7 nAChR ligands that have advanced to clinical studies and explore the reasons why these agents have not met with unequivocal clinical success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohai Wang
- Department of Neuroscience Research, Merck & Co. Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Ian M Bell
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co. Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Jason M Uslaner
- Department of Neuroscience Research, Merck & Co. Inc., West Point, PA, USA.
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Jones C. α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor: A Potential Target in Treating Cognitive Decline in Schizophrenia. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2018; 38:247-249. [PMID: 29505470 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000000859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this article is to review the recent trials of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) on the treatment of cognitive decline in schizophrenia. α7 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor abnormalities in schizophrenia and clinical implications of α7 nAChR agonists and PAMs are also discussed. PROCEDURES Studies were searched on PubMed with keywords "nicotinic," "alpha7," and "schizophrenia" over a 2-year period: January 1, 2016, to December 1, 2017. Cognition was not included in key terms in order to broaden the results. Inclusion criteria included (1) article categorization as a clinical study, review, or journal article; (2) schizophrenia diagnosis based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria; (3) article in English; (4) objective measure of cognition from effects of α7 nAChR agonists/PAMs; and (5) article currently published. FINDINGS A total of 76 studies were found over the past 2 years. Fifteen of these studies were included in this review. Human studies were limited. Cognitive-related improvements in rodent models were found across the 6 cognitive constructs: perception, executive functioning, social and affective processes, working memory, and long-term memory. IMPLICATIONS These results support the potential of nAChR agonists and PAMs to improve cognitive decline in patients with schizophrenia as an adjunct treatment to antipsychotics. However, these results were found primarily in rodent models of schizophrenia, and further primate/human studies are necessary to support this conclusion in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace Jones
- From the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
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Azmanova M, Pitto-Barry A, Barry NPE. Schizophrenia: synthetic strategies and recent advances in drug design. MEDCHEMCOMM 2018; 9:759-782. [PMID: 30108966 PMCID: PMC6072500 DOI: 10.1039/c7md00448f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex and unpredictable mental disorder which affects several domains of cognition and behaviour. It is a heterogeneous illness characterised by positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms, often accompanied by signs of depression. In this tutorial review, we discuss recent progress in understanding the target sites and mechanisms of action of second-generation antipsychotic drugs. Progress in identifying and defining target sites has been accelerated recently by advances in neuroscience, and newly developed agents that regulate signalling by the main excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain are surveyed. Examples of novel molecules for the treatment of schizophrenia in preclinical and clinical development and their industrial sponsors are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Azmanova
- School of Chemistry and Biosciences , University of Bradford , Bradford BD7 1DP , UK . ;
| | - Anaïs Pitto-Barry
- School of Chemistry and Biosciences , University of Bradford , Bradford BD7 1DP , UK . ;
| | - Nicolas P E Barry
- School of Chemistry and Biosciences , University of Bradford , Bradford BD7 1DP , UK . ;
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11
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Weed MR, Polino J, Signor L, Bookbinder M, Keavy D, Benitex Y, Morgan DG, King D, Macor JE, Zaczek R, Olson R, Bristow LJ. Nicotinic alpha 7 receptor agonists EVP-6124 and BMS-933043, attenuate scopolamine-induced deficits in visuo-spatial paired associates learning. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187609. [PMID: 29261656 PMCID: PMC5736175 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Agonists at the nicotinic acetylcholine alpha 7 receptor (nAChR α7) subtype have the potential to treat cognitive deficits in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or schizophrenia. Visuo-spatial paired associates learning (vsPAL) is a task that has been shown to reliably predict conversion from mild cognitive impairment to AD in humans and can also be performed by nonhuman primates. Reversal of scopolamine-induced impairment of vsPAL performance may represent a translational approach for the development of nAChR α7 agonists. The present study investigated the effect of treatment with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, donepezil, or three nAChR α7 agonists, BMS-933043, EVP-6124 and RG3487, on vsPAL performance in scopolamine-treated cynomolgus monkeys. Scopolamine administration impaired vsPAL performance accuracy in a dose- and difficulty- dependent manner. The impairment of eventual accuracy, a measure of visuo-spatial learning during the task, was significantly ameliorated by treatment with donepezil (0.3 mg/kg, i.m.), EVP-6124 (0.01 mg/kg, i.m.) or BMS-933043 (0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, i.m.). Both nAChR α7 agonists showed inverted-U shaped dose-effect relationships with EVP-6124 effective at a single dose only whereas BMS-933043 was effective across at least a 10 fold dose/exposure range. RG3487 was not efficacious in this paradigm at the dose range examined (0.03–1 mg/kg, i.m.). These results are the first demonstration that the nAChR α7 agonists, EVP-6124 and BMS-933043, can ameliorate scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits in nonhuman primates performing the vsPAL task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R. Weed
- Genetically Defined Diseases and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, CT, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Joseph Polino
- Genetically Defined Diseases and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, CT, United States of America
| | - Laura Signor
- Genetically Defined Diseases and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, CT, United States of America
| | - Mark Bookbinder
- Genetically Defined Diseases and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, CT, United States of America
| | - Deborah Keavy
- Genetically Defined Diseases and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, CT, United States of America
| | - Yulia Benitex
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, CT, United States of America
| | - Daniel G. Morgan
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, CT, United States of America
| | - Dalton King
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, CT, United States of America
| | - John E. Macor
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, CT, United States of America
| | - Robert Zaczek
- Genetically Defined Diseases and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, CT, United States of America
| | - Richard Olson
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, CT, United States of America
| | - Linda J. Bristow
- Genetically Defined Diseases and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, CT, United States of America
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