Initial Structure-Activity Relationships for a Caprolactam-based Series of Neutral Factor Xa Inhibitors: Lead Identification

Cyanoguanidine-based lactam derivatives as a novel class of orally bioavailable factor Xa inhibitors

The N,N'-disubstituted cyanoguanidine is an excellent bioisostere of the thiourea and ketene aminal functional groups. We report the design and synthesis of a novel class of cyanoguanidine-based lactam derivatives as potent and orally active FXa inhibitors. The SAR studies led to the discovery of compound 4 (BMS-269223, K(i)=6.5nM, EC(2xPT)=32muM) as a selective, orally bioavailable FXa inhibitor with an excellent in vitro liability profile, favorable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in animal models. The X-ray crystal structure of 4 bound in FXa is presented and key ligand-protein interactions are discussed.

Design, structure-activity relationships, X-ray crystal structure, and energetic contributions of a critical P1 pharmacophore: 3-chloroindole-7-yl-based factor Xa inhibitors

An indole-based P1 moiety was incorporated into a previously established factor Xa inhibitor series. The indole group was designed to hydrogen-bond with the carbonyl of Gly218, while its 3-methyl or 3-chloro substituent was intended to interact with Tyr228. These interactions were subsequently observed in the X-ray crystal structure of compound 18. SAR studies led to the identification of compound 20 as the most potent FXa inhibitor in this series (IC(50) = 2.4 nM, EC(2xPT) = 1.2 microM). An in-depth energetic analysis suggests that the increased binding energy of 3-chloroindole-versus 3-methylindole-containing compounds in this series is due primarily to (a) the more hydrophobic nature of chloro- versus methyl-containing compounds and (b) an increased interaction of 3-chloroindole versus 3-methylindole with Gly218 backbone. The stronger hydrophobicity of chloro- versus methyl-substituted aromatics may partly explain the general preference for chloro- versus methyl-substituted P1 groups in FXa, which extends beyond the current series.