Discovery of Benzoazepinequinoline (BAQ) Derivatives as Novel, Potent, Orally Bioavailable Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion Inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2018 Nov 21;61(22):10228-10241. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01394. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Abstract

A novel benzoazepinequnoline (BAQ) series was discovered as RSV fusion inhibitors. BAQ series originated from compound 2, a hit from similarity-based virtual screening. In SAR exploration, benzoazepine allowed modifications in the head moiety. Benzylic sulfonyl on benzoazepine and 6-Me on quinoline were crucial for good anti-RSV activity. Although the basic amine in the head portion was crucial for anti-RSV activity, the attenuated basicity was required to reduce Vss. Introducing oxetane to the head portion led to discovery of compound 1, which demonstrated single-digit nM anti-RSV activity against different RSV strains, reasonable oral exposure in plasma, and 78-fold higher exposure in lung. Compound 1 also displayed 1 log viral reduction in a female BALB/c mice RSV model by b.i.d. oral dosing at 12.5 mg/kg. A single resistant mutant at L138F in fusion protein proved compound 1 to be a RSV fusion inhibitor.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biological Availability
  • Female
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Quinolines / administration & dosage
  • Quinolines / chemistry*
  • Quinolines / pharmacokinetics
  • Quinolines / pharmacology*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / drug effects*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Quinolines
  • quinoline