Discovery of Triazole CYP11B2 Inhibitors with in Vivo Activity in Rhesus Monkeys

Hit-to-lead efforts resulted in the discovery of compound 19, a potent CYP11B2 inhibitor that displays high selectivity vs related CYPs, good pharmacokinetic properties in rat and rhesus, and lead-like physical properties. In a rhesus pharmacodynamic model, compound 19 displays robust, dose-dependent aldosterone lowering efficacy, with no apparent effect on cortisol levels.

Discovery of Benzimidazole CYP11B2 Inhibitors with in Vivo Activity in Rhesus Monkeys

We report the discovery of a benzimidazole series of CYP11B2 inhibitors. Hit-to-lead and lead optimization studies identified compounds such as 32, which displays potent CYP11B2 inhibition, high selectivity versus related CYP targets, and good pharmacokinetic properties in rat and rhesus. In a rhesus pharmacodynamic model, 32 produces dose-dependent aldosterone lowering efficacy, with no apparent effect on cortisol levels.

Risk of neural tube defects in relation to maternal fertility and fertility drug use

In a case-control study to investigate whether women who use drugs to induce ovulation are at increased risk of conception of a child with a neural tube defect, 571 women who had a fetus or child with a neural tube defect, 546 women who had a fetus or child with other abnormalities, and 573 women who had an apparently normal fetus or child were questioned about infertility, fertility drug use, and related obstetric problems. The rate of maternal fertility drug use around the time of conception was not significantly higher for neural tube defects than for other abnormalities (odds ratio 1.28; 95% confidence interval 0.39, 4.51) or no abnormalities (odds ratio 0.80; 95% Cl 0.27, 2.27). Fertility drug use at any time was not significantly more frequent for neural tube defects than for other abnormalities (odds ratio 1.37; 95% Cl 0.70, 2.74) or no abnormalities (odds ratio 1.05; 95% Cl 0.56, 1.98).