Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Thioureidobenzamide (TBA) Derivatives as HBV Capsid Assembly Modulators

J Med Chem. 2023 Oct 26;66(20):13968-13990. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01022. Epub 2023 Oct 15.

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) represent a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of HBV infection. In this study, we designed and synthesized five series of benzamide derivatives based on a multisite-binding strategy at the tolerant region and diversity modification in the solvent-exposed region. Among them, thioureidobenzamide compound 17i exhibited significantly increased anti-HBV activity in HepAD38 (EC50 = 0.012 μM) and HBV-infected HLCZ01 cells (EC50 = 0.033 μM). Moreover, 17i displayed a better inhibitory effect on the assembly of HBV capsid protein compared with NVR 3-778 and a inhibitory effect similar to the clinical drug GLS4. In addition, 17i showed moderate metabolic stability in human microsomes, had excellent oral bioavailability in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and inhibited HBV replication in the HBV carrier mice model, which could be considered as a promising candidate drug for further development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Capsid
  • Capsid Proteins / metabolism
  • Hepatitis B virus*
  • Hepatitis B* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • Antiviral Agents