U.S. patent application number 14/658863 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-03 for compounds having crth2 antagonist activity.
The applicant listed for this patent is Atopix Therapeutics Limited. Invention is credited to Richard Edward ARMER, Eric Roy PETTIPHER, Frank SCHROER, Julia VILE, Mark WHITTAKER, Graham Michael WYNNE.
Application Number | 20150246030 14/658863 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41799813 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150246030 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ARMER; Richard Edward ; et
al. |
September 3, 2015 |
Compounds Having CRTH2 Antagonist Activity
Abstract
Compounds of general formula (II) ##STR00001## wherein W is
chloro or fluoro; R.sup.1 is phenyl optionally substituted with one
or more substituents, selected from halo, --CN, --C.sub.1-C.sub.6
alkyl, --SOR.sup.3, --SO.sub.2R.sup.3, --SO.sub.2N(R.sup.2).sub.2,
--N(R.sup.2).sub.2, --NR.sup.2C(O)R.sup.3, --CO.sub.2R.sup.2,
--CONR.sup.2R.sup.3, --NO.sub.2, --OR.sup.2, --SR.sup.2,
--O(CH.sub.2).sub.pOR.sup.2, or
--O(CH.sub.2).sub.pO(CH.sub.2).sub.qOR.sup.2 wherein each R.sup.2
is independently hydrogen, --C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, --C--C.sub.8
cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; each R.sup.3 is independently,
--C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, --C.sub.3-C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, aryl or
heteroaryl; p and q are each independently an integer from 1 to 3;
and R.sup.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.6
alkyl substituted with aryl, aryl,
(CH.sub.2).sub.mOC(.dbd.O)C.sub.1-C.sub.6alkyl,
((CH.sub.2).sub.mO).sub.nCH.sub.2CH.sub.2X,
(CH.sub.2).sub.mN(R.sup.5).sub.2 or
CH((CH.sub.2).sub.mO(C.dbd.O)R.sup.6).sub.2; m is 1 or 2; n is 1-4;
X is OR.sup.5 or N(R.sup.5).sub.2; R.sup.5 is hydrogen or methyl;
and R.sup.6 is C.sub.1-C.sub.18 alkyl; and their pharmaceutically
acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates, complexes or prodrugs are
useful in orally administrable compositions for the treatment of
allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic
dermatitis.
Inventors: |
ARMER; Richard Edward;
(Oxon, GB) ; PETTIPHER; Eric Roy; (Oxon, GB)
; WHITTAKER; Mark; (Oxon, GB) ; WYNNE; Graham
Michael; (Oxon, GB) ; VILE; Julia; (Oxon,
GB) ; SCHROER; Frank; (Oxon, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Atopix Therapeutics Limited |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
41799813 |
Appl. No.: |
14/658863 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14047469 |
Oct 7, 2013 |
8980927 |
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14658863 |
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13017860 |
Jan 31, 2011 |
8563536 |
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14047469 |
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12828800 |
Jul 1, 2010 |
7919512 |
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13017860 |
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12625497 |
Nov 24, 2009 |
7750027 |
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12828800 |
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12356822 |
Jan 21, 2009 |
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12625497 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
514/311 ;
514/339 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 31/00 20180101;
A61K 45/06 20130101; A61P 17/00 20180101; A61P 31/16 20180101; A61K
31/4439 20130101; A61P 19/00 20180101; A61P 37/08 20180101; C07D
401/06 20130101; A61P 9/00 20180101; A61P 29/00 20180101; A61P
25/00 20180101; A61P 11/00 20180101; A61P 1/00 20180101; A61P 11/06
20180101; A61K 31/47 20130101; A61P 37/02 20180101; A61P 31/12
20180101; A61P 37/00 20180101; A61P 35/00 20180101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 31/4439 20060101
A61K031/4439; A61K 31/47 20060101 A61K031/47 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 18, 2008 |
GB |
GB 0800874.0 |
Nov 10, 2008 |
GB |
GB 0820526.2 |
Claims
1. A method for the treatment of a disease or condition mediated by
PGD.sub.2 or other agonists at the CRTH2 receptor, comprising
administering to a patient in need of such treatment a suitable
amount of a compound of general formula (II): ##STR00021## wherein
W is chloro or fluoro; R.sup.1 is phenyl optionally substituted
with one or more substituents, selected from halo, --CN,
--C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, --SOR.sup.3, --SO.sub.2R.sup.3,
--SO.sub.2N(R.sup.2).sub.2, --N(R.sup.2).sub.2,
--NR.sup.2C(O)R.sup.3, --CO.sub.2R.sup.2, --CONR.sup.2R.sup.3,
--NO.sub.2, --OR.sup.2, --SR.sup.2, --O(CH.sub.2).sub.pOR.sup.2, or
--O(CH.sub.2).sub.pO(CH.sub.2).sub.qOR.sup.2 wherein each R.sup.2
is independently hydrogen, --C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
--C.sub.3-C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; each R.sup.3 is
independently, --C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, --C.sub.3-C.sub.8
cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; p and q are each independently an
integer from 1 to 3; and R.sup.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.6
alkyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl substituted with aryl, aryl,
(CH.sub.2).sub.mOC(.dbd.O)C.sub.1-C.sub.6alkyl,
((CH.sub.2).sub.mO).sub.nCH.sub.2CH.sub.2X,
(CH.sub.2).sub.mN(R.sup.5).sub.2 or
CH((CH.sub.2).sub.mO(C.dbd.O)R.sup.6).sub.2; m is 1 or 2; n is 1-4;
X is OR.sup.5 or N(R.sup.5).sub.2; R.sup.5 is hydrogen or methyl;
and R.sup.6 is C.sub.1-C.sub.18 alkyl; or a pharmaceutically
acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, complex or prodrug thereof.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein W is fluoro.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the phenyl group R.sup.1 is
unsubstituted or is substituted with a single halo substituent.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the halo substituent is fluoro or
chloro.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the fluoro or chloro substituent
is at the 4-position of the phenyl group R'.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound of general formula
(II) is selected from the group consisting of:
(3-{[2-(Benzenesulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl]-methyl}-5-fluoro-2-methylindol-1-yl-
)-acetic acid;
[5-Fluoro-3-({2-[(4-fluorobenzene)sulfonyl]pyridin-3-yl}methyl)-2-methyli-
ndol-1-yl]-acetic acid; and
[3-({2-[(4-Chlorobenzene)sulfonyl]pyridin-3-yl}methyl)-5-fluoro-2-methyli-
ndol-1-yl]-acetic acid.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the disease or condition is
asthma, including allergic asthma, bronchial asthma, intrinsic,
extrinsic, exercise-induced, drug-induced and dust-induced asthma,
treatment of cough, including chronic cough associated with
inflammatory and secretory conditions of the airways and iatrogenic
cough, acute and chronic rhinitis, including rhinitis
medicamentosa, vasomotor rhinitis, perennial allergic rhinitis,
seasonal allergic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, acute viral infection
including common cold, infection due to respiratory syncytial
virus, influenza, coronavirus and adenovirus, atopic dermatitis,
contact hypersensitivity (including contact dermatitis), eczematous
dermatitis, phyto dermatitis, photo dermatitis, sebhorroeic
dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, lichen planus, lichen
sclerosis et atrophica, pyoderma gangrenosum, skin sarcoid, discoid
lupus erythematosus, pemphigus, pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosa
urticaria, angioedema, vasculitides, toxic erythemas, cutaneous
eosinophilias, alopecia areata, male-pattern baldness, Sweet's
syndrome, Weber-Christian syndrome, erythema multiforme,
cellulitis, panniculitis, cutaneous lymphomas, non-melanoma skin
cancer and other dysplastic lesions; blepharitis conjunctivitis,
especially allergic conjunctivitis, anterior and posterior uveitis,
choroiditis, autoimmune, degenerative or inflammatory disorders
affecting the retina, ophthalmitis, bronchitis, including
infectious and eosinophilic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis,
farmer's lung, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, idiopathic
interstitial pneumonias, complications of lung transplantation,
vasculitic and thrombotic disorders of the lung vasculature,
pulmonary hypertension, food allergies, gingivitis, glossitis,
periodontitis, oesophagitis including reflux, eosinophilic
gastroenteritis, proctitis, pruris ani, celiac disease,
food-related allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative
colitis and Crohn's disease, mastocytosis and also other
CRTH2-mediated diseases, for example autoimmune diseases such as
hyper IgE syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease,
Addison's disease, idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura,
eosinophilic paschiitis, antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic
lupus erythematosus, AIDS, leprosy, Sezary syndrome, paraneoplastic
syndrome, mixed and undifferentiated connective tissue diseases,
inflammatory myopathies including dermatomyositis and polymyositis,
polymalgia rheumatica, juvenile arthritis, rheumatic fever,
vasculitides including giant cell arteritis, Takayasu's arteritis,
Churg-Strauss syndrome, polyarteritis nodosa, microscopic
polyarteritis, temporal arteritis, myasthenia gravis, acute and
chronic pain, neuropathic pain syndromes, central and peripheral
nervous system complications of malignant, infectious or autoimmune
processes, low back pain, familial Mediterranean Fever,
Muckle-Wells syndrome, Familial Hibernian fever, Kikuchi disease,
psoriasis, acne, multiple sclerosis, allograft rejection,
reperfusion injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well
as rheumatoid arthritis, Still's disease, ankylosing spondylitis,
reactive arthritis, undifferentiated spondarthropathy, psoriatic
arthritis, septic arthritis and other infection-related
arthopathies and bone disorders and osteoarthritis, acute and
chronic crystal-induced synovitis including urate gout, calcium
pyrophosphate deposition disease, calcium paptite related tendon
syndrome and synovial inflammation, Behcet's disease, primary and
secondary Sjogren's syndrome systemic sclerosis and limited
scleroderma, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, cholecystitis,
pancreatitis, nephritis, nephritic syndrome, cystitis and Hunner's
ulcer, acute and chronic urethritis, prostatitis, epididymitis,
oophoritis, salpingitis, vulvo-vaginitis, Peyronie's disease,
erectile dysfunction, Alzheimer's disease and other dementing
disorders, pericarditis, myocarditis, inflammatory and auto-immune
cardiomyopathies including myocardial sarcoid, ischaemic
reperfusion injuries, endocarditis, valvulitis, aortitis,
phlebitis, thrombosis, treatment of common cancers and fibrotic
conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis including
cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, keloids, excessive fibrotic
scarring/adhesions post surgery, liver fibrosis including that
associated with hepatitis B and C, uterine fibroids, sarcoidosis,
including neurosarcoidosis, scleroderma, fibrosis associated with
RA, atherosclerosis, including cerebral atherosclerosis,
vasculitis, myocardial fibrosis resulting from myocardial
infarction, cystic fibrosis, restenosis, systemic sclerosis,
Dupuytren's disease, fibrosis complicating anti-neoplastic therapy
and chronic infection including tuberculosis and aspergillosis and
other fungal infections, CNS fibrosis following stroke or the
promotion of healing without fibrotic scarring.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the condition to be treated or
prevented is allergic asthma, perennial allergic rhinitis, seasonal
allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, contact hypersensitivity,
conjunctivitis, eosinophilic bronchitis, food allergies,
eosinophilic gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease,
ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, mastocytosis, autoimmune
disease, psoriasis, acne, multiple sclerosis, allograft rejection,
reperfusion injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibrotic
diseases caused/exacerbated by Th2 immune responses, idiopathic
pulmonary fibrosis or hypertrophic scars.
9. The method of claim 7, further comprising administering one or
more additional active agents selected from the group consisting
of: other CRTH2 antagonists, Suplatast tosylate, .beta.2
adrenoreceptor agonists, methylxanthines, mast cell stabilisers,
muscarinic receptor antagonists, antihistamines, .alpha..sub.1 and
.alpha..sub.2 adrenoreceptor agonists, modulators of chemokine
receptor function, leukotriene antagonists, leukotriene
biosynthesis inhibitors, 5-lipoxygenase activating protein
inhibitors, N-(5-substituted)-thiophene-2-alkylsolfonamides,
2,6-di-tert-butylphenol hydrazones, methoxytetrahydropyrans,
pyridinyl-substituted-2-cyanonaphthalene compounds,
2-cyanoquinoline compounds, indole and quinoline compounds,
phosphodiesterase inhibitors, anti-IgE antibody therapies,
anti-infectives, anti-fungals, immunosuppressants, immunotherapy
agents, corticosteroids, drugs which promote Th1 cytokine response,
other antagonists of PGD.sub.2 acting at other receptors such as DP
antagonists, drugs that modulate cytokine production, TNF receptor
immunoglobulin molecules, inhibitors of other TNF isoforms,
non-selective COX-1/COX-2 inhibitors, COX-2 inhibitors, low dose
methotrexate, lefunomide, ciclesonide, hydroxychloroquine,
d-penicillamine, auranofin, parenteral or oral gold, drugs that
modulate the activity of Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5, PPAR-.gamma.
agonists, anti-RSV antibodies and agents that may be used to treat
rhinovirus infection.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is
(3-{[2-(Benzenesulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl]methyl}-5-fluoro-2-methylindol-1-yl)-
-acetic acid.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the disease is allergic
asthma.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the disease is perennial
allergic rhinitis.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the disease is seasonal allergic
rhinitis.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the disease is atopic
dermatitis.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein said one or more additional
active agents is the leukotriene antagonist montelukast.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to compounds which are useful
as pharmaceuticals, to methods for preparing these compounds,
compositions containing them and their use in the treatment and
prevention of allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis
and atopic dermatitis and other inflammatory diseases mediated by
prostaglandin D.sub.2 (PGD.sub.2) or other agonists acting at the
CRTH2 receptor on cells including eosinophils, basophils and Th2
lymphocytes.
[0002] PGD.sub.2 is an eicosanoid, a class of chemical mediator
synthesised by cells in response to local tissue damage, normal
stimuli or hormonal stimuli or via cellular activation pathways.
Eicosanoids bind to specific cell surface receptors on a wide
variety of tissues throughout the body and mediate various effects
in these tissues. PGD.sub.2 is known to be produced by mast cells,
macrophages and Th2 lymphocytes and has been detected in high
concentrations in the airways of asthmatic patients challenged with
antigen (Murray et al., (1986), N. Engl. J. Med. 315: 800-804).
Instillation of PGD.sub.2 into airways can provoke many features of
the asthmatic response including bronchoconstriction (Hardy et al.,
(1984) N. Engl. 1 Med. 311: 209-213; Sampson et al., (1997) Thorax
52: 513-518) and eosinophil accumulation (Emery et al., (1989) J.
Appl. Physiol. 67: 959-962).
[0003] The potential of exogenously applied PGD.sub.2 to induce
inflammatory responses has been confirmed by the use of transgenic
mice overexpressing human PGD.sub.2 synthase which exhibit
exaggerated eosinophilic lung inflammation and Th2 cytokine
production in response to antigen (Fujitani et al., (2002) J.
Immunol. 168: 443-449).
[0004] The first receptor specific for PGD.sub.2 to be discovered
was the DP receptor which is linked to elevation of the
intracellular levels of cAMP. However, PGD.sub.2 is thought to
mediate much of its proinflammatory activity through interaction
with a G protein-coupled receptor termed CRTH2 (chemoattractant
receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells) which is
expressed by Th2 lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils (Hirai et
al., (2001) J. Exp. Med. 193: 255-261, and EP0851030 and
EP-A-1211513 and Bauer et al., EP-A-1170594). It seems clear that
the effect of PGD.sub.2 on the activation of Th2 lymphocytes and
eosinophils is mediated through CRTH2 since the selective CRTH2
agonists 13,14 dihydro-15-keto-PGD.sub.2 (DK-PGD.sub.2) and
15R-methyl-PGD.sub.2 can elicit this response and the effects of
PGD.sub.2 are blocked by an anti-CRTH2 antibody (Hirai et al.,
2001; Monneret et al., (2003) J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 304:
349-355). In contrast, the selective DP agonist BW245C does not
promote migration of Th2 lymphocytes or eosinophils (Hirai et al.,
2001; Gervais et al., (2001) J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 108:
982-988). Based on this evidence, antagonising PGD.sub.2 at the
CRTH2 receptor is an attractive approach to treat the inflammatory
component of Th2-dependent allergic diseases such as asthma,
allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.
[0005] EP-A-1170594 suggests that the method to which it relates
can be used to identify compounds which are of use in the treatment
of allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis,
autoimmune, reperfusion injury and a number of inflammatory
conditions, all of which are mediated by the action of PGD.sub.2 or
other agonists at the CRTH2 receptor.
[0006] Compounds which bind to CRTH2 are taught in WO-A-03066046
and WO-A-03066047. These compounds are not new but were first
disclosed, along with similar compounds, in GB 1356834, GB 1407658
and GB 1460348, where they were said to have anti-inflammatory,
analgesic and antipyretic activity. WO-A-03066046 and WO-A-03066047
teach that the compounds to which they relate are modulators of
CRTH2 receptor activity and are therefore of use in the treatment
or prevention of obstructive airway diseases such as asthma,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a number of other
diseases including various conditions of bones and joints, skin and
eyes, GI tract, central and peripheral nervous system and other
tissues as well as allograft rejection. These compounds are all
indole derivatives with an acetic acid substituent at the
3-position of the indole ring.
[0007] PL 65781 and JP 43-24418 also relate to indole-3 acetic acid
derivatives which are similar in structure to indomethacin and,
like indomethacin, are said to have anti-inflammatory and
antipyretic activity. Thus, although this may not have been
appreciated at the time when these documents were published, the
compounds they describe are COX inhibitors, an activity which is
quite different from that of the compounds of the present
invention. Indeed, COX inhibitors are contraindicated in the
treatment of many of the diseases and conditions, for example
asthma and inflammatory bowel disease for which the compounds of
the present invention are useful, although they may sometimes be
used to treat arthritic conditions.
[0008] There is further prior art which relates to indole-1-acetic
acid compounds, although these are not described as CRTH2
antagonists. For example WO-A-9950268, WO-A-0032180, WO-A-0151849
and WO-A-0164205 all relate to compounds which are indole-1-acetic
acid derivatives but these compounds are said to be aldose
reductase inhibitors useful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus
(WO-A-9950268, WO-A-0032180 and WO-A-0164205) or hypouricemic
agents (WO-A-0151849). There is no suggestion in any of these
documents that the compounds would be useful for the treatment of
diseases and conditions mediated by PGD.sub.2 or other CRTH2
receptor agonists.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,912 relates to indole-1-alkyl carboxylic
acid derivatives (including indole-1-acetic acid analogues) which
are said to be inhibitors of thromboxane synthetase and to be
useful in the treatment of conditions such as thrombosis, ischaemic
heart disease and stroke. The compounds have an unsubstituted
3-pyridyl or 4-pyridyl substituent in an equivalent position to the
pyridyl group of general formula (I). Evaluation of the closest
analogue
(5-fluoro-2-methyl-3-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-indol-1-yl)-acetic acid)
that falls within the claims of U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,912 to the
compounds of the present invention indicates that it is
significantly less active as a CRTH2 antagonist than the compounds
of the present invention. In contrast to the compounds of the
present invention (which are all indole-1-acetic acid derivatives)
the preferred compounds within U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,912 are
3-(indol-1-yl)-propionic acid derivatives.
[0010] WO-A-9603376 relates to compounds which are said to be
sPLA.sub.2 inhibitors which are useful in the treatment of
bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. These compounds all have
amide or hydrazide substituents in place of the carboxylic acid
derivative of the compounds of the present invention.
[0011] JP 2001247570 relates to a method of producing a
3-benzothiazolylmethyl indole acetic acid, which is said to be an
aldose reductase inhibitor.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,692 relates to compounds which are said
to be leukotriene antagonists useful in the treatment of conditions
such as asthma, hay fever and allergic rhinitis as well as certain
inflammatory conditions such as bronchitis, atopic and ectopic
eczema. Some of the compounds of this document are indole-1-acetic
acids but the same authors, in J. Med. Chem., 33, 1781-1790 (1990),
teach that compounds with an acetic acid group on the indole
nitrogen do not have significant peptidoleukotriene activity.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,782 is directed to indole-1-acetic acid
derivatives which are said to be useful in the treatment of
conditions such as thrombosis, ischaemic heart disease, stroke,
transient ischaemic attack, migraine and the vascular complications
of diabetes. There is no mention in the document of conditions
mediated by the action of PGD.sub.2 or other agonists at the CRTH2
receptor.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,142 relates to 3-substituted-1-indole
carboxylic acids and esters which are said to be useful in the
treatment of inflammatory conditions.
[0015] WO-A-03/097598 relates to compounds which are CRTH2 receptor
antagonists. They do not have an aryl substituent at the indole-3
position.
[0016] Cross et al., J. Med. Chem. 29, 342-346 (1986) relates to a
process for preparing indole-1-acetic acid derivatives from the
corresponding esters. The compounds to which it relates are said to
be inhibitors of thromboxane synthetase.
[0017] EP-A-0539117 relates to indole-1-acetic acid derivatives
which are leukotriene antagonists.
[0018] US 2003/0153751 relates to indole-1-acetic acid derivatives
which are sPLA.sub.2 inhibitors. However, all of the exemplified
compounds have bulky substituents at the 2- and 5-positions of the
indole system and are therefore very different from the compounds
of the present invention.
[0019] US 2004/011648 discloses indole-1-acetic acid derivatives
which are inhibitors of PAI-1. There is no suggestion that the
compounds might have CRTH2 antagonist activity.
[0020] WO 2004/058164 relates to compounds which are said to be
asthma and allergic inflammation modulators. The only compounds for
which activity is demonstrated are entirely different in structure
from the indole-1-acetic acid derivatives of the present
invention.
[0021] Compounds which bind to the CRTH2 receptor are disclosed in
WO-A-03/097042 and WO-A-03/097598. These compounds are indole
acetic acids but in WO-A-03/097042 the indole system is fused at
the 2-3 positions to a 5-7 membered carbocyclic ring. In
WO-A-03/097598 there is a pyrrolidine group at the indole
3-position.
[0022] WO-A-03/101981, WO-A-03/101961 and WO-A-2004/007451 all
relate to indole-1-acetic acid derivatives which are said to be
CRTH2 antagonists but which differ in structure from the compounds
of general formula (I) because there is no spacer or an --S-- or
--SO.sub.2-- group attached to the indole 3-position in place of
the CH.sub.2 group of the compounds of the present invention as
described below.
[0023] WO-A-2005/019171 also describes indole-1-acetic acid
derivatives which are said to be CRTH2 antagonists and which are
said to be useful for the treatment of various respiratory
diseases. These compounds all have a substituent which is linked to
the indole-3 position by an oxygen spacer.
[0024] WO-A-2005/094816 again describes indole-1-acetic acid
compounds, this time with an aliphatic substituent at the
3-position of the indole ring. The compounds are said to be CRTH2
antagonists.
[0025] WO-A-2006/034419 relates to CRTH2 antagonist indole
compounds which have a heterocyclic or heteroaryl substituent
directly linked to the 3-position of the indole ring system.
[0026] In our earlier application, WO-A-2005/044260, we describe
compounds which are antagonists of PGD.sub.2 at the CRTH2 receptor.
These compounds are indole-1-acetic acid derivatives substituted at
the 3-position with a group CR.sup.8R.sup.9, wherein R.sup.9 is
hydrogen or alkyl and R.sup.8 is an aryl group which may be
substituted with one or more substituents. The compounds described
in this document are potent antagonists in vitro of PGD.sub.2 at
the CRTH2 receptor. However, we have found that when tested in
vivo, the pharmacokinetic profile of some compounds is not optimal
and their potency in the whole blood eosinophil shape change test,
which gives an indication of the likely in vivo activity of the
compounds, is often somewhat less than might have been expected
from the in vitro binding results.
[0027] In another of our earlier applications, WO2006/095183, the
indole-1-acetic acid derivatives are substituted at the 3-position
with a 1-benzenesulfonyl-1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethyl group, where the
phenyl group of the benzenesulfonyl moiety may be substituted.
These compounds are extremely active CRTH2 antagonists but are
rapidly metabolised as determined by incubation with human
microsome preparations.
[0028] Our application WO02008/012511 also relates to CRTH2
antagonist compounds, this time to indole-1-acetic acid derivatives
substituted at the 3-position with a 2-phenylsulfonylbenzyl group.
It was found that the position of the phenylsulfonyl substituent
had a significant effect on both the activity of the compounds and
their pharmacokinetic profile.
[0029] The present invention relate to pyridyl analogues of the
compounds of WO2008/012511. These compounds do not suffer from the
metabolic stability disadvantages of the compounds of WO2006/095183
and, surprisingly, it has been found that specific pyridyl
regioisomers and substitution thereof gives rise to an optimal
balance of potency and pharmacokinetic properties. Specifically it
has been found that the introduction of a phenyl sulfonyl
substituent onto the 2-position of the pyridin-3-yl regioisomer
provides compounds with good potency in a functional in vitro assay
together with good pharmacokinetics in vivo. That this combination
should result in a highly beneficial combination of properties is
not obvious and is not taught by the literature and patent
applications relating to CRTH2 antagonists. It is particularly
surprising that the 2-benzenesulfonyl-pyridin-3-yl compounds are
potent and specific antagonists of the CRTH2 receptor both in a
receptor binding assay and in a functional in vitro assay as we
have found that the 3-benzenesulfonyl-pyridin-2-yl analogue is
significantly less potent and that the
3-benzenesulfonyl-pyridin-4-yl analogue exhibits lower activity in
the functional in vitro assay than might be expected from its
receptor binding activity. It therefore appears that the position
of the pyridyl nitrogen is particularly significant in the
compounds of the invention.
[0030] The present invention therefore relates to novel compounds
which bind to the CRTH2 receptor and which are therefore useful in
the treatment of diseases and conditions mediated by the activity
of PGD.sub.2 at the CRTH2 receptor.
[0031] In the present invention there is provided a compound of
general formula (I)
##STR00002##
[0032] wherein
[0033] W is chloro or fluoro;
[0034] R.sup.1 is phenyl optionally substituted with one or more
substituents selected from halo, --CN, --C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
--SOR.sup.3, --SO.sub.2R.sup.3, --SO.sub.2N(R.sup.2).sub.2,
--N(R.sup.2).sub.2, --NR.sup.2C(O)R.sup.3, --CO.sub.2R.sup.2,
--CONR.sup.2R.sup.3, --NO.sub.2, --OR.sup.2, --SR.sup.2,
--O(CH.sub.2).sub.pOR.sup.2, and
--O(CH.sub.2).sub.pO(CH.sub.2).sub.qOR.sup.2 wherein [0035] each
R.sup.2 is independently hydrogen, --C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
--C.sub.3-C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; [0036] each
R.sup.3 is independently, --C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
--C.sub.3-C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; [0037] p and q
are each independently an integer from 1 to 3; or a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, complex or
prodrug thereof.
[0038] The compounds of general formula (I) are antagonists at the
CRTH2 receptor and are useful in the treatment of conditions which
are mediated by PGD.sub.2 or other agonists binding to CRTH2. These
include allergic diseases, asthmatic conditions and inflammatory
diseases, examples of which are asthma, including allergic asthma,
bronchial asthma, exacerbations of asthma and related allergic
diseases caused by viral infection, particularly those
exacerbations caused by rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus
intrinsic, extrinsic, exercise-induced, drug-induced and
dust-induced asthma, treatment of cough, including chronic cough
associated with inflammatory and secretory conditions of the
airways and iatrogenic cough, acute and chronic rhinitis, including
rhinitis medicamentosa, vasomotor rhinitis, perennial allergic
rhinitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, acute viral
infection including common cold, infection due to respiratory
syncytial virus, influenza, coronavirus and adenovirus, atopic
dermatitis, contact hypersensitivity (including contact
dermatitis), eczematous dermatitis, phyto dermatitis, photo
dermatitis, sebhorroeic dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis,
lichen planus, lichen sclerosis et atrophica, pyoderma gangrenosum,
skin sarcoid, discoid lupus erythematosus, pemphigus, pemphigoid,
epidermolysis bullosa urticaria, angioedema, vasculitides, toxic
erythemas, cutaneous eosinophilias, alopecia areata, male-pattern
baldness, Sweet's syndrome, Weber-Christian syndrome, erythema
multiforme, cellulitis, panniculitis, cutaneous lymphomas,
non-melanoma skin cancer and other dysplastic lesions; blepharitis
conjunctivitis, especially allergic conjunctivitis, anterior and
posterior uveitis, choroiditis, autoimmune, degenerative or
inflammatory disorders affecting the retina, ophthalmitis;
bronchitis, including infectious and eosinophilic bronchitis,
emphysema, bronchiectasis, farmer's lung, hypersensitivity
pneumonitis, idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, complications of
lung transplantation, vasculitic and thrombotic disorders of the
lung vasculature, pulmonary hypertension, food allergies,
gingivitis, glossitis, periodontitis, oesophagitis including
reflux, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, proctitis, pruris ani, celiac
disease, food-related allergies, inflammatory bowel disease,
ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, mastocytosis and also other
CRTH2-mediated diseases, for example autoimmune diseases such as
hyper IgE syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease,
Addison's disease, diabetes mellitus, idiopathic thrombocytopaenic
purpura, eosinophilic paschiitis, antiphospholipid syndrome and
systemic lupus erythematosus, AIDS, leprosy, Sezary syndrome,
paraneoplastic syndrome, mixed and undifferentiated connective
tissue diseases, inflammatory myopathies including dermatomyositis
and polymyositis, polymalgia rheumatica, juvenile arthritis,
rheumatic fever, vasculitides including giant cell arteritis,
Takayasu's arteritis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, polyarteritis nodosa,
microscopic polyarteritis, temporal arteritis, myasthenia gravis,
acute and chronic pain, neuropathic pain syndromes, central and
peripheral nervous system complications of malignant, infectious or
autoimmune processes, low back pain, familial Mediterranean Fever,
Muckle-Wells syndrome, Familial Hibernian fever, Kikuchi disease,
psoriasis, acne, multiple sclerosis, allograft rejection,
reperfusion injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well
as rheumatoid arthritis, Still's disease, ankylosing spondylitis,
reactive arthritis, undifferentiated spondarthropathy, psoriatic
arthritis, septic arthritis and other infection-related
arthopathies and bone disorders and osteoarthritis; acute and
chronic crystal-induced synovitis including urate gout, calcium
pyrophosphate deposition disease, calcium paptite related tendon
syndrome and synovial inflammation, Behcet's disease, primary and
secondary Sjogren's syndrome systemic sclerosis and limited
scleroderma; hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, cholecystitis,
pancreatitis, nephritis, nephritic syndrome, cystitis and Hunner's
ulcer, acute and chronic urethritis, prostatitis, epididymitis,
oophoritis, salpingitis, vulvo-vaginitis, Peyronie's disease,
erectile dysfunction, Alzheimer's disease and other dementing
disorders; pericarditis, myocarditis, inflammatory and auto-immune
cardiomyopathies including myocardial sarcoid, ischaemic
reperfusion injuries, endocarditis, valvulitis, aortitis,
phlebitis, thrombosis, treatment of common cancers and fibrotic
conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis including
cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, keloids, excessive fibrotic
scarring/adhesions post surgery, liver fibrosis including that
associated with hepatitis B and C, uterine fibroids, sarcoidosis,
including neurosarcoidosis, scleroderma, kidney fibrosis resulting
from diabetes, fibrosis associated with RA, atherosclerosis,
including cerebral atherosclerosis, vasculitis, myocardial fibrosis
resulting from myocardial infarction, cystic fibrosis, restenosis,
systemic sclerosis, Dupuytren's disease, fibrosis complicating
anti-neoplastic therapy and chronic infection including
tuberculosis and aspergillosis and other fungal infections, CNS
fibrosis following stroke or the promotion of healing without
fibrotic scarring.
[0039] The improved potency in the whole blood eosinophil shape
change test and pharmacokinetic profile of the compounds of general
formula (I) is particularly surprising since some of the compounds
of WO-A-2005/044260, which are closest in structure to the
compounds of general formula (I) do not have these advantageous
properties. In particular, the compound of Example 17 of
WO-A-2005/044260 is similar to the compounds of the present
invention and might have been expected to have similar properties.
However, in in vivo experiments carried out in the dog, the
replacement of the 4-methylsulfonylbenzyl group in Example 17 of
WO-A-2005/044260 with the 2-(benzenesulfonyl)pyridine-3-ylmethyl
group in the compounds of formula (I) has a significant effect on
the pharmacokinetics of the compounds because when Compound 17 of
WO-A-2005/044260 is administered orally, its pharmacokinetic
profile in vivo is less favourable than that of the compounds of
general formula (I).
[0040] In addition for many of the compounds of WO-A-2005/044260,
we have found that their in vitro whole blood eosinophil shape
change activity is often less than might have been expected from
their in vitro activity as measured by radioligand binding
experiments to the CRTH2 receptor.
[0041] Furthermore, the improvement in activity is very specific to
the group of compounds of general formula (I). Compounds which are
even more closely related to the compounds specifically disclosed
in WO-A-2005/044260 do not have such favourable properties. For
example, the analogues of general formula (I) in which the
SO.sub.2R group is not at a position on the pyridine ring adjacent
the linking methylene moiety which is joined to the 3-position of
the indolyl scaffold are less active in in vitro whole blood
eosinophil shape change tests.
[0042] In the present specification "C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl" refers
to a straight or branched saturated hydrocarbon chain having one to
six carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more halo
substituents and/or with one or more C.sub.3-C.sub.8 cycloalkyl
groups. Examples include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,
t-butyl, n-hexyl, trifluoromethyl, 2-chloroethyl,
methylenecyclopropyl, methylenecyclobutyl, methylenecyclobutyl and
methylenecyclopentyl.
[0043] The term "C.sub.1-C.sub.18 alkyl" has a similar meaning to
the above except that it refers to a straight or branched saturated
hydrocarbon chain having one to eighteen carbon atoms.
[0044] In the present specification "C.sub.3-C.sub.8 cycloalkyl"
refers to a saturated carbocyclic group having three to eight ring
atoms and optionally substituted with one or more halo
substituents. Examples include cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl
and 4-fluorocyclohexyl.
[0045] In the present specification, "halo" refers to fluoro,
chloro, bromo or iodo.
[0046] The term "aryl" in the context of the present specification
refer to a ring system with aromatic character having from 5 to 14
ring carbon atoms and containing up to three rings. Where an aryl
group contains more than one ring, not all rings must be fully
aromatic in character. Examples of aromatic moieties are benzene,
naphthalene, indane and indene.
[0047] The term "heteroaryl" in the context of the specification
refer to a ring system with aromatic character having from 5 to 14
ring atoms, at least one of which is a heteroatom selected from N,
O and S, and containing up to three rings. Where a heteroaryl group
contains more than one ring, not all rings must be fully aromatic
in character. Examples of heteroaryl groups include pyridine,
pyrimidine, indole, benzofuran, benzimidazole and indolene.
[0048] General formula (I) as shown above is intended to include
all isotopic variants, for example the hydrogen atoms of the
molecule can be .sup.1H, .sup.2H or .sup.3H and the carbon atoms
can be .sup.12C or .sup.14C.
[0049] Appropriate pharmaceutically and veterinarily acceptable
salts of the compounds of general formulae (I) include basic
addition salts such as sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminium, zinc,
magnesium and other metal salts as well as choline, diethanolamine,
ethanolamine, ethyl diamine, megulmine and other well known basic
addition salts as summarised in Paulekuhn et al., (2007) J. Med.
Chem. 50: 6665-6672 and/or known to those skilled in the art.
[0050] Salts which are not pharmaceutically or veterinarily
acceptable may still be valuable as intermediates.
[0051] Prodrugs are any covalently bonded compounds which release
the active parent drug according to general formula (I) in vivo.
Examples of prodrugs include alkyl esters of the compounds of
general formula (I), for example the esters of general formula (II)
below.
[0052] In particularly suitable compounds of general formula (I), W
is a fluoro substituent and the phenyl group R.sup.1 is
unsubstituted or is substituted with a single halo substituent,
usually fluoro or chloro, which is generally at the 4-position of
the phenyl group R.sup.1.
[0053] Particularly active compounds of the present invention are:
[0054]
(3-{[2-(Benzenesulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl]methyl}-5-fluoro-2-methylindol-1-yl)-
-acetic acid; [0055]
[5-Fluoro-3-({2-[(4-fluorobenzene)sulfonyl]pyridin-3-yl}methyl)-2-methyli-
-ndol-1-yl]-acetic acid; [0056]
[3-({2-[(4-Chlorobenzene)sulfonyl]pyridin-3-yl}methyl)-5-fluoro-2-methyli-
ndol-1-yl]-acetic acid;
[0057] or the C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, aryl,
(CH.sub.2).sub.mOC(.dbd.O)C.sub.1-C.sub.6alkyl,
((CH.sub.2).sub.mO).sub.nCH.sub.2CH.sub.2X,
(CH.sub.2).sub.mN(R.sup.5).sub.2 or
CH((CH.sub.2).sub.mO(C.dbd.O)R.sup.6).sub.2 ester thereof;
[0058] m is 1 or 2;
[0059] n is 1-4;
[0060] X is OR.sup.5 or N(R.sup.5).sub.2;
[0061] R.sup.5 is hydrogen or methyl;
[0062] R.sup.6 is C.sub.1-C.sub.18 alkyl.
[0063] In a further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a compound of general formula (II):
##STR00003##
[0064] wherein W and R.sup.1 are as defined for general formula
(I); and
[0065] R.sup.4 is C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl
substituted with aryl, aryl,
(CH.sub.2).sub.mOC(.dbd.O)C.sub.1-C.sub.6alkyl,
((CH.sub.2).sub.mO).sub.nCH.sub.2C.sub.2X,
(CH.sub.2).sub.mN(R.sup.5).sub.2 or
CH((CH.sub.2).sub.mO(C.dbd.O)R.sup.6).sub.2;
[0066] m is 1 or 2;
[0067] n is 1-4;
[0068] X is OR.sup.5 or N(R.sup.5).sub.2;
[0069] R.sup.5 is hydrogen or methyl;
[0070] R.sup.6 is C.sub.1-C.sub.18 alkyl;
[0071] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate,
complex or prodrug thereof.
[0072] Compounds of general formula (II) are novel and may be used
as prodrugs for compounds of general formula (I). When the compound
of general formula (II) acts as a prodrug, it is later transformed
to the drug by the action of an esterase in the blood or in a
tissue of the patient.
[0073] Examples of particularly suitable R.sup.4 groups when the
compound of general formula (II) is used as a prodrug include
methyl, ethyl, propyl, phenyl,
--O(CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.2OR.sup.5,
--O(CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.2OR.sup.5,
--O(CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.2NR5.sub.2,
--O(CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.2NR.sup.5.sub.2,
--CH.sub.2OC(.dbd.O)tBu, --CH.sub.2CH.sub.2N(Me).sub.2,
--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2NH.sub.2 or --CH(CH.sub.2O(C.dbd.O)R.sup.6).sub.2
wherein R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are as defined above.
[0074] In addition to their use as prodrugs, compounds of formula
(II) wherein R.sup.4 is C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl or benzyl may be used
in a process for the preparation of a compound of general formula
(I), the process comprising reacting the compound of general
formula (II) with a base such as sodium hydroxide or lithium
hydroxide. The reaction may take place in an aqueous solvent or an
organic solvent or a mixture of the two. A typical solvent used for
the reaction is a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and water.
[0075] Compounds of general formula (II) may be prepared from
compounds of general formula (III):
##STR00004##
[0076] wherein W is as defined in general formula (I) and R.sup.4
is as defined in general formula (II); by reaction with an aldehyde
of general formula (IV):
##STR00005##
[0077] wherein R.sup.1 is as defined for general formula (I). The
reaction may be carried out in the presence of
trimethylsilyltriflate (TMSOTf) in a non polar organic solvent and
at reduced temperature, for example -5 to 10.degree. C., typically
0.degree. C. The intermediate product is then reduced, for example
with a trialkylsilane such as triethylsilane.
[0078] Procedures for the preparation of compounds of general
formula (III) are known to those skilled in the art and in general
involve alkylation of the 5-halo-indole derivative at the
1-position with an alpha-bromoacetate derivative or related
alkylating agent. 5-Halo-indole derivatives are readily available
or may be prepared by known methods.
[0079] Compounds of general formula (IV) may be prepared by the
reaction of a compound of general formula (V):
##STR00006##
[0080] wherein X is a leaving group such as halo, especially fluoro
or chloro;
[0081] with a compound of general formula (VI):
R.sup.1--SO.sub.2Na (VI)
[0082] wherein R.sup.1 is as defined for general formula (I).
[0083] The reaction may be carried out in a polar organic solvent
such as DMSO at elevated temperature, typically reflux temperature
for a prolonged period, for example 48 to 120 hours.
[0084] Compounds of general formula (V) and (VI) are commercially
available.
[0085] Compounds of general formula (I) are CRTH2 receptor
antagonists and compounds of general formula (II) are prodrugs for
compounds of general formula (I). Compounds of general formulae (I)
and (II) are therefore useful in a method for the treatment of
diseases and conditions mediated by PGD.sub.2 or other agonists at
the CRTH2 receptor, the method comprising administering to a
patient in need of such treatment a suitable amount of a compound
of general formula (I) or (II).
[0086] In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a
compound of general formula (I) or (II) for use in medicine,
particularly for use in the treatment or prevention of diseases and
conditions mediated by PGD.sub.2 or other CRTH2 receptor
agonists.
[0087] Furthermore, there is also provided the use of a compound of
general formula (I) or (II) in the preparation of an agent for the
treatment or prevention of diseases and conditions mediated by
CRTH2 receptor agonists, particularly PGD.sub.2.
[0088] As mentioned above, such diseases and conditions include
allergic diseases, asthmatic conditions and inflammatory diseases,
examples of which are asthma, including allergic asthma, bronchial
asthma, intrinsic, extrinsic, exercise-induced, drug-induced and
dust-induced asthma, treatment of cough, including chronic cough
associated with inflammatory and secretory conditions of the
airways and iatrogenic cough, acute and chronic rhinitis, including
rhinitis medicamentosa, vasomotor rhinitis, perennial allergic
rhinitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, acute viral
infection including common cold, infection due to respiratory
syncytial virus, influenza, coronavirus and adenovirus, atopic
dermatitis, contact hypersensitivity (including contact
dermatitis), eczematous dermatitis, phyto dermatitis, photo
dermatitis, sebhorroeic dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis,
lichen planus, lichen sclerosis et atrophica, pyoderma gangrenosum,
skin sarcoid, discoid lupus erythematosus, pemphigus, pemphigoid,
epidermolysis bullosa urticaria, angioedema, vasculitides, toxic
erythemas, cutaneous eosinophilias, alopecia areata, male-pattern
baldness, Sweet's syndrome, Weber-Christian syndrome, erythema
multiforme, cellulitis, panniculitis, cutaneous lymphomas,
non-melanoma skin cancer and other dysplastic lesions; blepharitis
conjunctivitis, especially allergic conjunctivitis, anterior and
posterior uveitis, choroiditis, autoimmune, degenerative or
inflammatory disorders affecting the retina, ophthalmitis;
bronchitis, including infectious and eosinophilic bronchitis,
emphysema, bronchiectasis, farmer's lung, hypersensitivity
pneumonitis, idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, complications of
lung transplantation, vasculitic and thrombotic disorders of the
lung vasculature, pulmonary hypertension, food allergies,
gingivitis, glossitis, periodontitis, oesophagitis including
reflux, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, proctitis, pruris ani, celiac
disease, food-related allergies, inflammatory bowel disease,
ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, mastocytosis and also other
CRTH2-mediated diseases, for example autoimmune diseases such as
hyper IgE syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease,
Addison's disease, diabetes mellitus, idiopathic thrombocytopaenic
purpura, eosinophilic paschiitis, antiphospholipid syndrome and
systemic lupus erythematosus, AIDS, leprosy, Sezary syndrome,
paraneoplastic syndrome, mixed and undifferentiated connective
tissue diseases, inflammatory myopathies including dermatomyositis
and polymyositis, polymalgia rheumatica, juvenile arthritis,
rheumatic fever, vasculitides including giant cell arteritis,
Takayasu's arteritis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, polyarteritis nodosa,
microscopic polyarteritis, temporal arteritis, myasthenia gravis,
acute and chronic pain, neuropathic pain syndromes, central and
peripheral nervous system complications of malignant, infectious or
autoimmune processes, low back pain, familial Mediterranean Fever,
Muckle-Wells syndrome, Familial Hibernian fever, Kikuchi disease,
psoriasis, acne, multiple sclerosis, allograft rejection,
reperfusion injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well
as rheumatoid arthritis, Still's disease, ankylosing spondylitis,
reactive arthritis, undifferentiated spondarthropathy, psoriatic
arthritis, septic arthritis and other infection-related
arthopathies and bone disorders and osteoarthritis; acute and
chronic crystal-induced synovitis including urate gout, calcium
pyrophosphate deposition disease, calcium paptite related tendon
syndrome and synovial inflammation, Behcet's disease, primary and
secondary Sjogren's syndrome systemic sclerosis and limited
scleroderma; hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, cholecystitis,
pancreatitis, nephritis, nephritic syndrome, cystitis and Hunner's
ulcer, acute and chronic urethritis, prostatitis, epididymitis,
oophoritis, salpingitis, vulvo-vaginitis, Peyronie's disease,
erectile dysfunction, Alzheimer's disease and other dementing
disorders; pericarditis, myocarditis, inflammatory and auto-immune
cardiomyopathies including myocardial sarcoid, ischaemic
reperfusion injuries, endocarditis, valvulitis, aortitis,
phlebitis, thrombosis, treatment of common cancers and fibrotic
conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis including
cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, keloids, excessive fibrotic
scarring/adhesions post surgery, liver fibrosis including that
associated with hepatitis B and C, uterine fibroids, sarcoidosis,
including neurosarcoidosis, scleroderma, kidney fibrosis resulting
from diabetes, fibrosis associated with RA, atherosclerosis,
including cerebral atherosclerosis, vasculitis, myocardial fibrosis
resulting from myocardial infarction, cystic fibrosis, restenosis,
systemic sclerosis, Dupuytren's disease, fibrosis complicating
anti-neoplastic therapy and chronic infection including
tuberculosis and aspergillosis and other fungal infections, and CNS
fibrosis following stroke. The compounds are also of use in the
promotion of healing without fibrotic scarring.
[0089] The compounds are particularly effective when used for the
treatment or prevention of allergic asthma, perennial allergic
rhinitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, contact
hypersensitivity (including contact dermatitis), conjunctivitis,
especially allergic conjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis and
atopic keratoconjunctivitis, eosinophilic bronchitis, food
allergies, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel
disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, mastocytosis and
also other PGD2-mediated diseases, for example autoimmune diseases
such as hyper IgE syndrome and systemic lupus erythematus,
psoriasis, acne, multiple sclerosis, allograft rejection,
reperfusion injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well
as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis and
fibrotic diseases caused/exacerbated by Th2 immune responses, for
example idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and hypertrophic scars,
[0090] The compounds of general formula (I) or (II) must be
formulated in an appropriate manner depending upon the diseases or
conditions they are required to treat.
[0091] Therefore, in a further aspect of the invention there is
provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of
general formula (I) or (II) together with a pharmaceutical
excipient or carrier. Other active materials may also be present,
as may be considered appropriate or advisable for the disease or
condition being treated or prevented.
[0092] The carrier, or, if more than one be present, each of the
carriers, must be acceptable in the sense of being compatible with
the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the
recipient.
[0093] The formulations include those suitable for oral, rectal,
nasal, bronchial (inhaled), topical (including eye drops, buccal
and sublingual), vaginal or parenteral (including subcutaneous,
intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal) administration and may
be prepared by any methods well known in the art of pharmacy.
[0094] The route of administration will depend upon the condition
to be treated but preferred compositions are formulated for oral,
nasal, bronchial or topical administration.
[0095] The composition may be prepared by bringing into association
the above defined active agent with the carrier. In general, the
formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into
association the active agent with liquid carriers or finely divided
solid carriers or both, and then if necessary shaping the product.
The invention extends to methods for preparing a pharmaceutical
composition comprising bringing a compound of general formula (I)
or (II) in conjunction or association with a pharmaceutically or
veterinarily acceptable carrier or vehicle.
[0096] Formulations for oral administration in the present
invention may be presented as: discrete units such as capsules,
sachets or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of the
active agent; as a powder or granules; as a solution or a
suspension of the active agent in an aqueous liquid or a
non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a
water in oil liquid emulsion; or as a bolus etc.
[0097] For compositions for oral administration (e.g. tablets and
capsules), the term "acceptable carrier" includes vehicles such as
common excipients e.g. binding agents, for example syrup, acacia,
gelatin, sorbitol, tragacanth, polyvinylpyrrolidone (Povidone),
methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,
hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sucrose and starch; fillers and
carriers, for example corn starch, gelatin, lactose, sucrose,
microcrystalline cellulose, kaolin, mannitol, dicalcium phosphate,
sodium chloride and alginic acid; and lubricants such as magnesium
stearate, sodium stearate and other metallic stearates, glycerol
stearate, stearic acid, silicone fluid, talc waxes, oils and
colloidal silica. Flavouring agents such as peppermint, oil of
wintergreen, cherry flavouring and the like can also be used. It
may be desirable to add a colouring agent to make the dosage form
readily identifiable. Tablets may also be coated by methods well
known in the art.
[0098] A tablet may be made by compression or moulding, optionally
with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be
prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active agent in a
free flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed
with a binder, lubricant, inert diluent, preservative,
surface-active or dispersing agent. Moulded tablets may be made by
moulding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compound
moistened with an inert liquid diluent. The tablets may optionally
be coated or scored and may be formulated so as to provide slow or
controlled release of the active agent.
[0099] Other formulations suitable for oral administration include
lozenges comprising the active agent in a flavoured base, usually
sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising the active
agent in an inert base such as gelatin and glycerin, or sucrose and
acacia; and mouthwashes comprising the active agent in a suitable
liquid carrier.
[0100] For topical application to the skin, compounds of general
formula (I) or (II) may be made up into a cream, ointment, jelly,
solution or suspension etc. Cream or ointment formulations that may
be used for the drug are conventional formulations well known in
the art, for example, as described in standard text books of
pharmaceutics such as the British Pharmacopoeia.
[0101] Compounds of general formula (I) or (II) may be used for the
treatment of the respiratory tract by nasal, bronchial or buccal
administration of, for example, aerosols or sprays which can
disperse the pharmacological active ingredient in the form of a
powder or in the form of drops of a solution or suspension.
Pharmaceutical compositions with powder-dispersing properties
usually contain, in addition to the active ingredient, a liquid
propellant with a boiling point below room temperature and, if
desired, adjuncts, such as liquid or solid non-ionic or anionic
surfactants and/or diluents. Pharmaceutical compositions in which
the pharmacological active ingredient is in solution contain, in
addition to this, a suitable propellant, and furthermore, if
necessary, an additional solvent and/or a stabiliser. Instead of
the propellant, compressed air can also be used, it being possible
for this to be produced as required by means of a suitable
compression and expansion device.
Parenteral formulations will generally be sterile.
[0102] Typically, the dose of the compound will be about 0.01 to
100 mg/kg; so as to maintain the concentration of drug in the
plasma at a concentration effective to inhibit PGD.sub.2 at the
CRTH2 receptor. The precise amount of a compound of general formula
(I) or (II) which is therapeutically effective, and the route by
which such compound is best administered, is readily determined by
one of ordinary skill in the art by comparing the blood level of
the agent to the concentration required to have a therapeutic
effect.
[0103] Compounds of general formula (I) or (II) may be used in
combination with one or more active agents which are useful in the
treatment of the diseases and conditions listed above, although
these active agents are not necessarily inhibitors of PGD.sub.2 at
the CRTH2 receptor.
[0104] Therefore, the pharmaceutical composition described above
may additionally contain one or more of these active agents.
[0105] There is also provided the use of a compound of general
formula (I) or (II) in the preparation of an agent for the
treatment of diseases and conditions mediated by CRTH2 receptor
agonists, especially PGD.sub.2, wherein the agent also comprises an
additional active agent useful for the treatment of the same
diseases and conditions.
[0106] These additional active agents may be other CRTH2 receptor
antagonists or may have a completely different mode of action. They
include existing therapies for allergic and other inflammatory
diseases including:
[0107] Suplatast tosylate and similar compounds;
[0108] .beta.2 adrenoreceptor agonists such as metaproterenol,
isoproterenol, isoprenaline, albuterol, salbutamol, formoterol,
salmeterol, indacaterol, terbutaline, orciprenaline, bitolterol
mesylate and pirbuterol or methylxanthines such as theophylline and
aminophylline, mast cell stabilisers such as sodium cromoglycate or
muscarinic receptor antagonists such as tiotropium;
[0109] antihistamines, for example histamine H.sub.1 receptor
antagonists such as loratadine, cetirizine, desloratadine,
levocetirizine, fexofenadine, astemizole, azelastine and
chlorpheniramine or H.sub.4 receptor antagonists;
[0110] .alpha..sub.1 and .alpha..sub.2 adrenoreceptor agonists such
as propylhexedrine phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine,
pseudoephedrine, naphazoline hydrochloride, oxymetazoline
hydrochloride, tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride, xylometazoline
hydrochloride and ethylnorepinephrine hydrochloride;
[0111] modulators of chemokine receptor function, for example CCR1,
CCR2, CCR2A, CCR2B, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6, CCR7, CCR8, CCR9, CCR10
and CCR11 (for the C--C family) or CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4 and
CXCR5 (for the C--X--C family) and CX.sub.3CR1 for the
C--X.sub.3--C family;
[0112] Leukotriene antagonists such as montelukast and
zafirlukast
[0113] leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors such as 5-lipoxygenase
inhibitors or 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) inhibitors
such as zileuton, ABT-761, fenleuton, tepoxalin, Abbott-79175,
N-(5-substituted)-thiophene-2-alkylsolfonamides,
2,6-di-tert-butylphenol hydrazones, methoxytetrahydropyrans such as
ZD2138, SB-210661, pyridinyl-substituted-2-cyanonaphthalene
compounds such as L-739010, 2-cyanoquinoline compounds such as
L-746,530, indole and quinoline compounds such as MK-591, MK-886
and BAY.times.1005;
[0114] Phosphdiesterase inhibitors, including PDE4 inhibitors such
as roflumilast;
[0115] anti-IgE antibody therapies such as omalizumab;
[0116] anti-infectives such as fusidic acid (particularly for the
treatment of atopic dermatitis);
[0117] anti-fungals such as clotrimazole (particularly for the
treatment of atopic dermatitis); immunosuppressants such as
tacrolimus and particularly pimecrolimus in the case of
inflammatory skin disease or alternatively FK-506, rapamycin,
cyclosporine, azathioprine or methotrexate;
[0118] Immunotherapy agents including allergen immunotherapy such
as Grazax;
[0119] corticosteroids such as prednisone, prednisolone,
flunisolide, triamcinolone acetonide, beclomethasone dipropionate,
budesonide, fluticasone propionate mometasone furoate and
fluticasone furoate drugs which promote Th1 cytokine response such
as interferons, TNF or GM-CSF.
[0120] CRTH2 antagonists may also be combined with therapies that
are in development for inflammatory indications including:
[0121] other antagonists of PGD.sub.2 acting at other receptors
such as DP antagonists;
[0122] drugs that modulate cytokine production such as inhibitors
of TNF.alpha. converting enzyme (TACE) anti-TNF monoclonal
antibodies, TNF receptor immunoglobulin molecules, inhibitors of
other TNF isoforms, non-selective COX-1/COX-2 inhibitors such as
piroxicam, diclofenac, propionic acids such as naproxen,
flubiprofen, fenoprofen, ketoprofen and ibuprofen, fenamates such
as mefanamic acid, indomethacin, sulindac and apazone, pyrazolones
such as phenylbutazone, salicilates such as aspirin; COX-2
inhibitors such as meloxicam, celecoxib, fofecoxib, valdecoxib and
etoricoxib, low dose methotrexate, lefunomide, ciclesonide,
hydroxychloroquine, d-penicillamine, auranofin or parenteral or
oral gold;
[0123] drugs that modulate the activity of Th2 cytokines IL-4 and
IL-5 such as blocking monoclonal antibodies and soluble
receptors;
[0124] PPAR-.gamma. agonists such as rosiglitazone; or with
[0125] anti-RSV antibodies such as Synagis (palivizumab) and agents
that may be used to treat rhinovirus infection in the future e.g.
intereferon-alpha, interferon-beta or other interferons.
[0126] In yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided
a product comprising a compound of general formula (I) or (II) and
one or more of the agents listed above as a combined preparation
for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment of a
disease or condition mediated by the action of PGD.sub.2 at the
CRTH2 receptor.
[0127] In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
kit for the treatment of a disease or condition mediated by the
action of PGD.sub.2 at the CRTH2 receptor comprising a first
container comprising a compound of general formula (I) or (II) and
a second container comprising one or more of the active agents
listed above.
[0128] The invention will now be described in greater detail with
reference to the following non limiting examples.
[0129] In Example 1, the .sup.1H NMR spectra were obtained using a
Bruker Advance II spectrometer operating at 300 MHz. All signals
were referenced relative to residual protic solvent.
[0130] In Examples 2 and 3, NMR spectra were collected on a Jeol
JNM-GSX spectrometer operating at 400 MHz for .sup.1H NMR data
acquisition and 100 MHz for .sup.13C NMR data acquisition.
[0131] In Example 1, HPLC-CAD-MS was performed on a Gilson 321 HPLC
with detection performed by a ESA Corona CAD and a Finnigan AQA
mass spectrometer operating in positive-ion electrospray ionisation
mode. The HPLC column was a Phenomenex Gemini C18 50.times.4.6 mm
3.mu., with a mobile phase gradient between 100% 0.1% formic acid
in water and 100% 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile run over 2.5
minutes, with a total run time of 6.5 minutes. In some cases MS
only was obtained using the instrument described above.
[0132] In Examples 2 and 3, HPLC was performed on an Agilent 1050
HPLC with detection performed by UV at 220 nm. The HPLC column was
a YMC-Pack, ODS-A 150.times.4.6 mm 5 with a mobile phase gradient
between 100%-0.01% trifluoracetic acid in water and 100%-0.01%
trifluoracetic acid in acetonitrile run over 16 minutes, with a
total run time of 21 minutes.
EXAMPLE 1
Preparation of
(3-{[2-(benzenesulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl]methyl}-5-fluoro-2-methylindol-1-yl)-
-acetic acid (Compound 1)
2-(Benzenesulfonyl)isonicotinaldehyde
##STR00007##
[0134] To a stirred suspension of benzenesulfinic acid sodium salt
(9.36 g, 0.057 mol) in DMSO (45 ml), was added
2-fluoro-3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde (5.20 ml, 0.052 mol). The
resulting mixture was stirred at 100.degree. C. for 94 hours. After
cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was partitioned
between ethyl acetate and water. The organic layer was separated
and the aqueous further extracted with ethyl acetate (3.times.150
ml). The combined organic extracts were washed with water (100 ml)
and brine (100 ml), dried over anhydrous MgSO.sub.4, filtered and
evaporated. The resulting solid was purified by column
chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate:hexanes 0:100 to 60:40
v/v to afford 6.56 g (51%) of the title compound (LCMS RT=5.63 min,
MH.sup.+248).
[0135] .sup.1H NMR (DMSO): 10.89 (1H, d, J 0.68 Hz), 8.82 (1H, dd,
J 1.7, 4.7 Hz), 8.32 (1H, dd, J 1.7, 7.9 Hz), 8.08-8.02 (2H, m),
7.85 (1H, dd, J 7.9, 0.7 Hz), 7.81 (1H, dt, J 1.3, 7.5 Hz),
7.73-7.65 (2H, m).
[3-(2-Benzenesulfonyl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-5-fluoro-2-methyl-indol-1-yl]ace-
-tic acid ethyl ester
##STR00008##
[0137] A solution of (5-fluoro-2-methyl-indol-1-yl)-acetic acid
ethyl ester (0.95 g, 4.04 mmol), prepared as described in Example 1
of WO/2006/092579, and 2-(benzenesulfonyl)isonicotinaldehyde (1.0
g, 4.04 mmol) in dry dichloromethane (45 ml) was added slowly over
5 minutes to a stirred solution of TMSOTf (1.46 ml, 8.08 mmol) in
dry dichloromethane (12.5 ml) cooled to 0.degree. C. under N.sub.2.
This mixture was stirred for 15 minutes and triethylsilane (1.94
ml, 12.12 mmol) was added in one portion. The reaction mixture was
stirred for 2 h 30 minutes, warmed to room temperature, and
quenched by the slow addition of saturated aqueous NaHCO.sub.3 (10
ml). The resulting biphasic mixture was extracted with
dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were washed with
brine, dried over anhydrous MgSO.sub.4, filtered and evaporated.
The resulting solid was purified by column chromatography eluting
with ethyl acetate:hexanes 0:100 to 60:40 v/v to afford 1.21 g
(64%) of the title compound (LCMS RT=6.63 min, MH.sup.+466.8).
[0138] .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3): 8.38 (1H, dd, J 1.6, 4.5 Hz),
8.14-8.07 (2H, m), 7.67 (3H, ddt, J 1.3, 27.7, 7.4 Hz), 7.40-7.34
(1H, m), 7.22 (1H, dd, J 4.6, 7.9 Hz), 7.12 (1H, dd, J 4.2, 8.9
Hz), 6.90 (1H, dt, J 2.5, 9.0 Hz), 6.72 (1H, dd, J 2.4, 9.5 Hz),
4.82 (2H, s), 4.62 (2H, s), 4.24 (2H, q, J 7.2 Hz), 2.30 (3H, s),
1.29 (3H, t, J 7.2 Hz).
(3-{[2-(Benzenesulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl]methyl}-5-fluoro-2-methylindol-1-yl)--
acetic acid (Compound 1)
##STR00009##
[0140] To a stirred solution of
[3-(2-benzenesulfonyl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-5-fluoro-2-methyl-indol-1-yl]-a-
cetic acid ethyl ester (1.20 g, 2.56 mmol) in THF (26 ml) was added
a solution of potassium hydroxide (0.43 g, 7.68 mmol) in water (9
ml). The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 3.5
h. THF was removed in vacuo and the remaining aqueous layer was
acidified with aqueous HCl (0.1 M, 2.5 ml). The product was
collected by filtration, washed with water and dried in vacuo to
afford 1.12 g (100%) of the title compound (LCMS RT=4.58 min,
M.sup.+-H 437.2).
[0141] .sup.1H NMR (DMSO): 8.41-8.27 (1H, m), 8.06-7.91 (2H, m),
7.84-7.62 (3H, m), 7.50-7.31 (3H, m), 6.93-6.78 (2H, m), 4.99 (2H,
s), 4.55 (2H, s), 2.27 (3H, s).
EXAMPLE 2
Preparation of
[5-fluoro-3-({2-[(4-fluorobenzene)sulfonyl]pyridin-3-yl}methyl)-2-methyli-
ndol-1-yl]-acetic acid (Compound 2)
2-(4-Fluorobenzenesulfonyl)-pyridine-3-carboxaldehyde
##STR00010##
[0143] 2-Chloro-3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde (4.04 g, 2.86 mmol) and
4-fluorobenzenesulfinic acid sodium salt (5.73 g, 3.14 mmol) were
dissolved in DMSO (100 ml) and the mixture was heated at
100.degree. C. for 72 h under nitrogen. Upon cooling to ambient the
mixture was diluted with water (500 ml) and extracted with EtOAc
(3.times..). The combined organics were washed with water, brine,
dried (MgSO.sub.4) and evaporated to dryness to afford 7.89 g of
crude product. The crude compound was pre-absorbed onto silica and
purified by dry pad suction column chromatography, eluting with
heptane using an EtOAc gradient, to afford 4.14 g (41%) of the
desired product as a yellow solid (plates) (MP=131-131.3.degree.
C.; IR=1691 cm.sup.-1; HPLC=7.21 min>99%).
[0144] .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz; CDCl.sub.3): 7.23-7.29 (2H, m) 7.60
(1H, dd) 8.05-8.10 (2H, m) 8.37 (2H, dd) 8.67 (1H, dd) 11.1 (1H,
s).
[0145] .sup.13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 116.6 (d) 116.8 (d)
127.3 (d) 130.7 (s) 132.6 (d) 134.0 (s) 137.9 (d) 152.5 (s) 159.7
(s) 165.1 (s) 167.7 (s) 188.5 (d).
[5-Fluoro-3-({2-[(4-fluorobenzene)sulfonyl]pyridin-3-yl}methyl)-2-methylin-
dol-1-yl]-acetic acid ethyl ester
##STR00011##
[0147] A solution of (5-fluoro-2-methyl-indol-1-yl)-acetic acid
ethyl ester (1.0 g, 4.4 mmol) and
2-(4-fluorobenzenesulfonyl)-pyridine-3-carboxaldehyde (1.13 g, 4.3
mmol) in dry DCM (50 ml) was added over 5-10 min to a stirred
solution of TMSOTf in dry DCM (15 ml) at 0.degree. C. The mixture
was aged for 15 min before the addition of neat triethylsilane
(2.05 ml, 12.8 mmol) in one portion. The mixture was stirred for a
further 15 h and allowed to warm up to ambient. The reaction was
quenched by the drop wise addition of saturated NaHCO.sub.3
solution (10 ml) and the biphasic mixture extracted with DCM
(2.times.50 ml). The combined organics were washed with brine (50
ml) then dried (MgSO.sub.4) and evaporated to dryness. The reaction
was repeated on an identical scale and the two crude materials were
purified separately. The crude reaction materials were purified by
column chromatography using heptane and an ethyl acetate gradient
to afford 0.90 g (43%) and 1.50 g (72%) of the desired compound as
a pale purple solid and a brown solid respectively of differing
purities (96.0% and 94.5% by HPLC) (MP=150.5-151.5.degree. C.,
IR=1751 cm.sup.-1; HPLC=12.24 min).
[0148] .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz; CDCl.sub.3): 1.26 (3H, t) 2.29 (3H, s)
4.22 (2H, q) 4.62 (2H, s) 4.80 (2H, s) 6.79 (1H, dd) 6.86 (1H, ddd)
7.10 (1H, dd) 7.19 (1H, dd) 7.23-7.28 (2H, m) 7.36 (1H, dd)
8.05-8.11 (2H, m) 8.29 (1H, dd).
[0149] .sup.13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 10.4 (q) 14.2 (q) 25.3
(t) 45.2 (t) 61.9 (t) 103.4 (d) 103.6 (d) 108.0 (s) 108.1 (s) 109.1
(d) 109.2 (d) 109.5 (d) 109.8 (d) 116.2 (d) 116.4 (d) 127.0 (d)
128.5 (s) 128.6 (s) 132.2 (d) 132.3 (d) 133.3 (s) 135.1 (s) 136.4
(s) 136.6 (s) 139.4 (d) 146.2 (d) 156.2 (s) 157.0 (s) 159.4 (s)
164.7 (s) 167.3 (s) 168.6 (s).
[5-Fluoro-3-({2-[(4-fluorobenzene)sulfonyl]pyridin-3-yl}methyl)-2-methylin-
dol-1-yl]-acetic acid (Compound 2)
##STR00012##
[0151] KOH (0.34 g, 5.94 mmol) was dissolved in water (7 ml) and
added to a vigorously stirred solution of
[5-fluoro-3-({2-[(4-fluorobenzene)sulfonyl]pyridin-3-yl}methyl)-2-methyli-
ndol-1-yl]-acetic acid ethyl ester (0.96 g, 1.98 mmol) in THF (21
ml) under nitrogen at ambient. The reaction was monitored by TLC
and LCMS. After 2 h the solvent was removed in vacuo before
adjusting the pH to 1.5 using 0.1M HCl solution. The precipitate
was stirred vigorously for 15 min before being isolated by suction
filtration. The collected solid was washed with water and then
MTBE, pulled dry in air and then dried in vacuo at 50.degree. C. to
afford 870 mg (97%) of the product as a pink solid
(MP=125-126.degree. C.; IR=1729 cm.sup.-1; HPLC=10.80 min
99.3%).
[0152] .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz; DMSO): 2.29 (3H, s) 4.56 (2H, s) 4.97
(2H, s) 6.85-6.91 (2H, m) 7.37-7.7.45 (2H, m) 7.47 (1H, dd)
7.51-7.57 (2H, m) 8.06-8.15 (2H, m) 8.36 (1H, dd).
[0153] .sup.13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO): 10.5 (q) 25.0 (t) 45.5 (t)
102.7 (d) 102.9 (d) 107.7 (s) 107.8 (s) 108.8 (d) 109.1 (d) 110.9
(d) 111.0 (d) 117.1 (d) 117.3 (d) 128.1 (d) 128.2 (d) 128.3 (d)
132.7 (d) 132.8 (d) 133.8 (d) 135.5 (s) 136.8 (s) 138.1 (s) 140.4
(d) 147.0 (d) 155.9 (s) 156.6 (s) 158.9 (s) 164.6 (s) 167.1 (s)
171.1 (s).
EXAMPLE 3
Preparation of
[3-({2-[(4-chlorobenzene)sulfonyl]pyridin-3-yl}methyl)-5-fluoro-2-methyli-
ndol-1-yl]-acetic acid (Compound 3)
2-(4-Chlorobenzenesulfonyl)-pyridine-3-carboxaldehyde
##STR00013##
[0155] 2-Chloro-3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde (5.0 g, 35.0 mmol) and
4-chlorobenzenesulfinic acid sodium salt (7.75 g, 38.8 mmol) were
dissolved in DMSO (120 ml) and the mixture was heated at
100.degree. C. for 72 b under nitrogen. Upon cooling to ambient the
mixture was diluted with water (500 ml) and extracted with EtOAc
(3.times.). The combined organics were washed with water, brine,
dried (MgSO.sub.4) and evaporated to dryness to afford 85.1 g of
crude material. The crude compound was pre-absorbed onto silica and
purified by dry pad suction column chromatography, eluting with
heptane using an EtOAc gradient, to afford 4.62 g (61%) of the
desired product as a white powdery solid (MP=100.5-101.degree. C.;
IR=1698 cm.sup.-1; HPLC=8:00 min>99%).
[0156] .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz; CDCl.sub.3): 7.56 (1H, dd) 7.60 (1H,
dd) 7.99 (1H, dd) 8.38 (1H, dd) 8.67 (1H, dd) 11.1 (1H, s).
[0157] .sup.13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 127.3 (d) 129.6 (d)
130.8 (s) 131.1 (d) 136.5 (s) 138.0 (d) 141.4 (s) 152.5 (d) 159.5
(s) 188.4 (d).
[3-({2-[(4-Chlorobenzene)sulfonyl]pyridin-3-yl}methyl-5-fluoro-2-methyl-in-
dol-1-yl]-acetic acid ethyl ester
##STR00014##
[0159] A solution of (5-fluoro-2-methyl-indol-1-yl)-acetic acid
ethyl ester (1.0 g, 4.25 mmol) and
2-(4-chlorobenzenesulfonyl)-pyridine-3-carboxaldehyde (1.19 g, 4.22
mmol) in dry DCM (50 ml) was added over 5-10 min to a stirred
solution of TMSOTf in dry DCM (15 ml) at 0.degree. C. The mixture
was aged for 15 min before the addition of neat triethylsilane
(2.05 ml, 12.7 mmol) in one portion. The mixture was stirred for a
further 15 h and allowed to warm up to ambient. The reaction was
quenched by the drop wise addition of saturated NaHCO.sub.3
solution (10 ml) and the biphasic mixture extracted with DCM
(2.times.50 ml). The combined organics were washed with brine (50
ml) then dried (MgSO.sub.4) and evaporated to dryness. The reaction
was repeated on an identical scale and the two crude products were
combined. The crude reaction material was purified by column
chromatography using heptane and an ethyl acetate gradient to
afford 1.80 g (42%) of the desired compound as a pale orange solid
(MP=124.6-124.9.degree. C.; IR=1741 cm.sup.-1; HPLC=12.75 min
97.3%).
[0160] .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz; CDCl.sub.3): 1.26 (3H, t) 2.29 (3H, s)
4.20 (2H, q) 4.62 (2H, s) 4.80 (2H, s) 6.80 (1H, dd) 6.87 (1H, ddd)
7.10 (1H, dd) 7.19 (1H, dd) 7.37 (1H, dd) 7.54 (2H, dd) 8.00 (2H,
dd) 8.28 (1H, dd).
[0161] .sup.13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 10.4 (q) 14.3 (q) 25.3
(t) 45.2 (t) 61.9 (t) 103.4 (d) 103.6 (d) 108.0 (s) 108.1 (s) 109.2
(d) 109.2 (d) 109.5 (d) 109.8 (d) 127.0 (d) 128.5 (s) 128.6 (s)
129.3 (d) 130.8 (d) 133.3 (s) 136.4 (s) 136.6 (s) 137.6 (s) 139.4
(d) 140.5 (s) 146.2 (d) 156.1 (s) 157.0 (s) 159.4 (s) 168.6
(s).
[3-({2-[(4-Chlorobenzene)sulfonyl]pyridin-3-yl}methyl)-5-fluoro-2-methylin-
dol-1-yl]-acetic acid (Compound 3)
##STR00015##
[0163] KOH (0.60 g, 10.7 mmol) dissolved in water (14 ml) was added
to a vigorously stirred solution of
[3-({2-[(4-chlorobenzene)sulfonyl]pyridin-3-yl}methyl)-5-fluoro-2-methyli-
ndol-1-yl]-acetic acid ethyl ester (1.17 g, 3.49 mmol) in THF (40
ml) under nitrogen at ambient. The reaction was monitored by TLC
and LCMS. After 2 h the solvent was removed in vacuo before
adjusting the pH to 1.5 using 0.1M HCl solution. The precipitate
was stirred vigorously for 15 min before being isolated by suction
filtration. The collected solid was washed with water and then
MTBE, pulled dry in air and then dried in vacuo at 50.degree. C. to
afford 1.31 g (78%) of the title compound as a pink solid
(MP=125.2-126.degree. C.; IR=1729 cm.sup.-1; HPLC=11.37
min>99%).
[0164] .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz; DMSO): 2.29 (3H, s) 4.56 (2H, s) 4.96
(2H, s) 6.85-6.91 (2H, m) 7.39 (1H, dd) 7.44 (1H, dd) 7.49 (1H, dd)
7.76-7.79 (2H, m) 8.00-8.8.03 (2H, m) 8.36 (1H, dd).
[0165] .sup.13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO): 10.5 (q) 25.0 (t) 45.6 (t)
102.7 (d) 102.9 (d) 107.6 (s) 107.7 (s) 108.8 (d) 109.0 (d) 110.9
(d) 111.0 (d) 128.1 (d) 130.0 (d) 131.4 (d) 133.9 (d) 136.9 (s)
138.1 (d) 139.8 (s) 140.5 (s) 147.1 (d) 155.7 (s) 156.5 (s) 158.9
(s) 171.1 (s).
[0166] In the following examples, Compounds 1 to 3 were tested
against the following comparator compounds:
TABLE-US-00001 Cpd. Name Structure A
[3-(4-Methylsulfonyl-benzyl)-5-fluoro-2- methyl-indol-1-yl]-acetic
acid ##STR00016## B [3-(3-Benzenesulfonyl-pyridin-4-
ylmethyl)-5-fluoro-2-methyl-indol-1-yl]- acetic acid ##STR00017## C
[3-(3-Benzenesulfonyl-pyridin-2-
ylmethyl)-5-fluoro-2-methyl-indol-1-yl]- acetic acid ##STR00018## D
[3-(1-Benzenesulfonyl-1H-pyrrol-2-
ylmethyl)-5-fluoro-2-methyl-indol-1-yl]- acetic acid ##STR00019## E
5-Fluoro-2-methyl-3-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)- indol-1-yl)-acetic acid
##STR00020##
[0167] Compounds B, C and E were prepared using an analogous method
to that used for Compound 1. Compound A is Compound 17 of WO
2005/044260 and a method for the preparation of this compound is
set out in Example 1 of that document. Compound D is Compound 1 of
WO 2006/095183 and a method for its preparation is set out in
Example 1 of that document.
EXAMPLE 4
Measurement of CRTH2 Antagonist Activity
Materials and Methods
Materials
[0168] Mono-polyresolving medium was obtained from Dainippon
Pharmaceuticals (Osaka, Japan). Macs anti-CD16 microbeads were from
Miltenyi biotec (Bisley, Surrey). ChemoTx plates were purchased
from Neuroprobe (Gaithersburg, Md.). Poly-D-lysine coated 96-well
plates were obtained from Greiner (Gloucestershire, UK).
[.sup.3H]PGD.sub.2 was from Amersham Biosciences (Buckinghamshire,
UK). [.sup.3H]SQ29548 was purchased from Perkin Elmer Life Sciences
(Buckinghamshire, UK). All other reagents were obtained from
Sigma-Aldrich (Dorset, UK), unless otherwise stated.
Methods
Cell Culture
[0169] Chinese Hamster Ovary cells were transfected with CRTH2 or
DP receptors (CHO/CRTH2 and CHO/DP) and were maintained in culture
in a humidified atmosphere at 37.degree. C. (5% CO.sub.2) in
Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) supplemented with 10% foetal bovine
serum, 2 mM glutamine, and 1 mg ml.sup.-1 active G418. The cells
were passaged every 2-3 days. For radioligand binding assay, cells
were prepared in triple-layer flasks or in 175 cm.sup.2 square
flasks (for membrane preparation).
Preparation of Cell Membranes
[0170] Membranes were prepared either from CHO/CRTH2 and CHO/DP
cells, or from platelets (as a source of TP receptors). CHO cells
grown to confluency were washed with PBS and detached using a
Versene solution (15 ml per flask). When the cells were grown in
175 cm.sup.2 square flask, they were collected by scrapping in PBS.
The cell suspensions were centrifuged (1,700 rpm, 10 min, 4.degree.
C.) and resuspended in 15 ml of buffer (1xHBSS, supplemented with
10 mM HEPES, pH 7.3). Cell suspensions were then homogenised using
an Ultra Turrax at setting 4-6 for 20 s. The homogenate was
centrifuged at 1,700 rpm for 10 min and the supernatant was
collected and centrifuged at 20,000 rpm for 1 h at 4.degree. C. The
resulting pellet was resuspended in buffer and stored at
-80.degree. C. in aliquots of 200-500 .mu.l. The protein
concentration was determined by the method of Bradford (1976),
using bovine serum albumin as standard. The platelets were washed
by centrifugation at 600.times.g for 10 min and resuspended in
ice-cold assay buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 5 mM Glucose, 120 mM
NaCl, 10 .mu.M indomethacin) and directly centrifuged at 20,000 rpm
for 30 min at 4.degree. C. The resulting pellet was treated as
described above.
Radioligand Binding Assays
[0171] [.sup.3H]PGD.sub.2 (160 Ci/mmol) binding experiments were
performed on membranes prepared as described above. Assays were
performed in a final volume of 100 .mu.l of buffer (1XHBSS/HEPES 10
mM, pH 7.3). Cell membranes (15 .mu.g) were preincubated at room
temperature with varying concentration of competing ligand for 15
min. [.sup.3H]PGD.sub.2 was then added and the incubation continued
for a further one hour at room temperature. The reaction was
terminated by the addition of 200 .mu.l ice-cold assay buffer to
each well, followed by rapid filtration through Whatman GF/B glass
fibre filters using a Unifilter Cell harvester (PerkinElmer Life
Sciences) and six washes of 300 .mu.l of ice-cold buffer. The
Unifilter plates were dried at room temperature for at least 1 h
and the radioactivity retained on the filters was determined on a
Beta Trilux counter (PerkinElmer Life Sciences), following addition
of 40 .mu.l of Optiphase Hi-Safe 3 (Wallac) liquid scintillation.
Non specific binding was defined in the presence of 10 .mu.M
unlabelled PGD.sub.2. Assays were performed in duplicate.
[0172] The results of the radioligand binding experiments to the
CRTH2 are shown in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Radioligand binding data (K.sub.i on CRTH2
Receptor). Compounds K.sub.i (nM) Compound 1 2 Compound 2 2
Compound 3 7 Compound A 7 Compound B 1 Compound C 979 Compound D 1
Compound E 258
[0173] Compounds C and E bind only very weakly to the CRTH2
receptor and were therefore not tested further.
EXAMPLE 5
Human Whole Blood Eosinophil Shape Change Assay
[0174] Compounds 1-3 were assayed for their effect on PGD2 induced
eosinophil shape change and were compared with Comparator Compounds
A, B and D.
Methods
Shape Change Assay in Whole Blood
[0175] Compounds (1 .mu.l, 200.times. final concentration) were
added directly to 200 .mu.l whole blood, mixed well and incubated
for 15 min, 37.degree. C., 5% CO.sub.2. After this time, cell shape
was fixed by addition of 300 .mu.l Cytofix.TM. buffer (BD
Biosciences), 15 min on ice. 10 ml RBC lysis buffer was added to
the fixed cells, incubated 5 min, at room temperature and
centrifuged, 300.times.g for 5 min. Supernatant (containing lysed
red cells) was removed and the lysis step was repeated. Leukocytes
were resuspended in 250 .mu.l RPMI/10% FCS and shape change
analysed by FACS. Eosinophils were gated out based on their
autofluorescence and 2000 eosinophil events were counted per
sample. Data were analysed in triplicate.
[0176] The results for the eosinophil shape change assay are shown
in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 IC.sub.50 Values for the Effect of Test
Compounds on 10 nM PGD.sub.2- induced Eosinophil Shape Change in
human whole blood Compound Value (nM) 1 9 2 2.5 3 10 A 8 B 34 D
8
[0177] Compounds which are most suitable for use as pharmaceutical
agents have an IC.sub.50 value in the eosinophil shape change test
of between about 1 and 10 nM. Therefore, although Compound B binds
specifically to the CRTH2 receptor (Table 1), it is not a
particularly potent CRTH2 antagonist under physiological
conditions.
[0178] It is particularly worthy of note that the comparator
compounds closest in structure to that of Compound 1 are Compounds
B and C. Of these, Compound C does not bind specifically to the
CRTH2 receptor and Compound B is much less potent than Compound
1.
EXAMPLE 6
Microsomal Stability
[0179] The microsomal stability of the test compounds was
determined by the following method.
[0180] 1 micromolar test compound was incubated with human liver
microsomes (total protein concentration 0.3 mg/ml) for 60 min. The
percentage of the test compound remaining in the sample after 1
hour was measured in order to determine the rate of metabolism of
test compound. The results are shown in Table 3, which gives the
results for two experiments and the mean value obtained.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Microsomal Stability Test Results Mean
Parent Compound Test Concentration (M) remaining (%) 1 1 .times.
10.sup.-6 96 2 1 .times. 10.sup.-6 98 B 1 .times. 10.sup.-6 69 C 1
.times. 10.sup.-6 90 D 1 .times. 10.sup.-6 24
[0181] The results presented in Table 3 demonstrate that after 120
minutes, 96% of Compound 1 and 98% of compound 2 is unmetabolised
in human liver microsomes. This compares with values of 69% and 90%
respectively for Compounds B and C, which are regioisomers of
Compound 1 and a value of only 24% for Compound D.
[0182] In summary therefore, the experiments described in these
examples demonstrate that Compounds C and E do not bind strongly to
the CRTH2 receptor, Compound B is much less active than Compound 1
in the whole blood eosinophil shape change assay and Compound D has
low stability in human microsomes, which limits its utility as a
pharmaceutical agent. Compounds 1 and 2 surprisingly combine the
advantageous attributes of high activity as CRTH2 antagonists and
high stability in comparison with compounds to which they are
structurally most closely related.
[0183] Furthermore, certain of the compounds of the present
invention have been found to demonstrate significantly improved in
vivo pharmacokinetic profiles in the dog compared to compound A.
The plasma half-lives for Compounds 1 and 2 were 3 and 5 hours
respectively whereas Compound A had a half life of only 1 hour.
* * * * *