AU2012200503B2 - "Use of S1P receptor modulator" - Google Patents

Abstract

Use of an S1P receptor modulator in the treatment or prevention of a disease or condition dependent on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression.

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 - Regulation 3.2A ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title "Use of SIP receptor modulator" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- C:NURPonbNDCC\RXSA 11308_ DOC-27/01/2012 Use of S1 P receptor modulator This is a divisional of Australian Patent Application No2008248648, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to the use of an S1P receptor modulator in the treatment or prevention of a disease or condition dependent on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. One of the neurotrophic factors, a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (hereinafter, often referred to as BDNF), is a protein, which is provided from target cells or neurons and glial cells and Schwann cells in the living body, and shows activities to maintain the survival and differentiation of neurons. It has now been surprisingly shown that S1P receptor modulators can induce BDNF production. BDNF has been known as a therapeutic agent for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., ALS) or diabetic peripheral neuropathy. BDNF has also been described to be useful as a therapeutic agent for treatment of diabetic mellitus. Therefore, by inducing BDNF production (or stimulating BDNF expression) SiP receptor modulators can be employed to treat such conditions affected by BDNF, i.e. conditions which can be treated, delayed or prevented by the increased expression of BDNF. S1P receptor modulators are typically sphingosine analogues, such as 2-substituted 2 amino- propane- 1,3-diol or 2-amino-propanol derivatives, e. g. a compound comprising a group of formula Y. Sphingosine-1 phosphate (hereinafter "SiP") is a natural serum lipid. Presently there are eight known SiP receptors, namely SIP1 to S1P8. S1 P receptor modulators are typically sphingosine analogues, such as 2-substituted 2-amino- propane-1,3-diol or 2-amino propanol derivatives, e. g. a compound comprising a group of formula Y z

R

3 z RN CH 2 R (1zYM -2 wherein Z is H, C 1

.

6 alkyl, C 2

-

6 alkenyl, C 2

-

6 alkynyl, phenyl, phenyl substituted by OH, C1.

6 alkyl substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C3. 6 CyCloalkyl, phenyl and phenyl substituted by OH, or CH 2

-R

4 z wherein R 4 z is OH, acyloxy or a residue of formula (a) OR2 ~ K~~OR(a) wherein Z 1 is a direct bond or 0, preferably 0; each of R 5 z and R 6 z, independently, is H, or C 1 4 alkyl optionally substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 halogen atoms;

R

1 z is OH, acyloxy or a residue of formula (a); and each of R 2 z and R 3 z independently, is H,

C

1 4 alkyl or acyl. Group of formula Y is a functional group attached as a terminal group to a moiety which may be hydrophilic or lipophilic and comprise one or more aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic and/or heterocyclic residues, to the extent that the resulting molecule wherein at: least one of Z and

R

1 z is or comprises a residue of formula (a), signals as an agonist at one of more sphingosine 1 -phosphate receptor. SIP receptor modulators are compounds which signal as agonists at one or more sphingosine-1 phosphate receptors, e.g. SIPI to S1P8. Agonist binding to a SIP receptor may e.g. result in dissociation of intracellular heterotrimeric G-proteins into Ga-GTP and Gpy GTP, and/or increased phosphorylation of the agonist-occupied receptor and activation of downstream signaling pathways/kinases. The binding affinity of SiP receptor modulators to individual human SiP receptors may be determined in following assay: SIP receptor modulator activities of compounds are tested on the human SiP receptors SiP 1 , S1P 2 , SiP 3 , S1P 4 and S1P 5 . Functional receptor activation is assessed by quantifying compound induced GTP [y- 35 S] binding to membrane protein prepared from transfected CHO or RH7777 cells stably expressing the appropriate human SiP receptor. The assay technology used is SPA (scintillation proximity based assay). Briefly, DMSO dissolved compounds are serially diluted and added to SPA- bead (Armersham-Pharmacia) -3 immobilised SIP receptor expressing membrane protein (10-20pg/well) in the presence of 50 mM Hepes, 100 mM NaCl, 10 mM MgCl 2 , 10 pM GDP, 0.1% fat free BSA and 0.2 nM GTP [y- 35 S] (1200 Ci/mmol). After incubation in 96 well microtiterplates at RT for 120 min, unbound GTP [y -35S] is separated by a centrifugation step. Luminescence of SPA beads triggered by membrane bound GTP [y- 35 S] is quantified with a TOPcount plate reader (Packard). EC 50 s are calculated using standard curve fitting software. In this assay, the S1 P receptor modulators preferably have a binding affinity to S1P receptor <50 nM. Preferred S1P receptor modulators are e.g. compounds which in addition to their S1P binding properties also have accelerating lymphocyte homing properties, e.g. compounds which elicit a lymphopenia resulting from a re-distribution, preferably reversible, of lymphocytes from circulation to secondary lymphatic tissue, without evoking a generalized immunosuppression. Naive cells are sequestered; CD4 and CD8 T-cells and B-cells from the blood are stimulated to migrate into lymph nodes (LN) and Peyer's patches (PP). The lymphocyte homing property may be measured in following Blood Lymphocyte Depletion assay: A S1P receptor modulator or the vehicle is administered orally by gavage to rats. Tail blood for hematological monitoring is obtained on day -1 to give the baseline individual values, and at 2, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours after application. In this assay, the SiP receptor agonist or modulator depletes peripheral blood lymphocytes, e.g. by 50%, when administered at a dose of e.g. < 20 mg/kg. Examples of appropriate S1 P receptor modulators are, for example: Amino alcohol compounds of formula I x R 3 NH, R, X

CH

2

OR

4 R (CH 2 ),, CH 2 OR5 wherein X is 0, S, SO or SO 2

R

1 is halogen, trihalomethyl, OH, C 1 7 alkyl, C 1

.

4 alkoxy, trifluoromethoxy, phenoxy, cyclohexylmethyloxy, pyridylmethoxy, cinnamyloxy, naphthylmethoxy, phenoxymethyl, CH 2 OH, CH 2

-CH

2 -OH, C 1 4alkylthio, C 1 .4alkylsulfinyl, C 1 4alkylsulfonyl, benzylthio, acetyl, nitro or -4 cyano, or phenyl, phenylC 1 4alkyl or phenyl-C1Aalkoxy each phenyl group thereof being optionally substituted by halogen, CF 3 , C 1 .4alkyl or C 1

.

4 alkoxy;

R

2 is H, halogen, trihalomethyl, C 1 4alkoxy, C 1

.

7 alkyl, phenethyl or benzyloxy;

R

3 H, halogen, CF 3 , OH, C 1

.

7 alkyl, C 1 4alkoxy, benzyloxy, phenyl or C 1

.

4 alkoxymethyl; each of R 4 and R 5 , independently is H or a residue of formula (a) - P<R 8 11OR9 O (a) wherein each of Re and R 9 , independently, is H or C 1 .4alkyl optionally substituted by halogen; and n is an integer from 1 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or a compound of formula Il R X, R 3s I I

NHR

4 a R 6 R

(CH

2 ) Re ORia wherein R1a is halogen, trihalomethyl, C 1 4 alkyl, C 1 4alkoxy, C 1 4alkylthio, C 1 .4alkylsulifinyl, C 1 .4alkyl sulfonyl, aralkyl, optionally substituted phenoxy or aralkyloxy;

R

2 a is H, halogen, trihalomethyl, C 1 4alkyl, C 1 4alkoxy, aralkyl or aralkyloxy;

R

3 , is H, halogen, CF 3 , C 1 .4alkyl, C 1

.

4 alkoxy, C1 4 alkylthio or benzyloxy;

R

4 , is H, C 1 4alkyl, phenyl, optionally substituted benzyl or benzoyl, or lower aliphatic C 1. 5 acyI;

R

5 a is H, monohalomethyl, C 1 .4alkyl, C 1 .4alkoxy-methyl, C 1 .4alkyl-thiomethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, phenyl, aralkyl, C 2 4alkenyl or -alkynyl; Rea is H or C 1 .4alkyl; R7a is H, C 1 4alkyl or a residue of formula (a) as defined above, X, is 0, S, SO or SO 2 ; and na is an integer of 1 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. With regard to the compounds of formulae (1) and (11), the term "halogen" encompasses fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. The term "trihalomethyl group" encompasses -5 trifluoromethyl and trichloromethyl. "C 1

.

7 alkyl" encompasses straight-chained or branched alkyl, e.g..methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, hexyl or heptyl. The phrase "substituted or unsubstituted phenoxy group" encompasses those that have, at any position of its benzene ring, a halogen atom, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, trifluoromethyl, Cl4alkyl or C 1 4 alkoxy. The term "aralkyl group" as in "aralkyl group" or "aralkyloxy group" encompasses benzyl, diphenylmethyl, phenethyl and phenylpropyl. Any alkyl moiety as present in "C 14 alkoxy", "Clalkylthio", "Cl.alkylsulfinyl " or "Cl4alkylsulfonyl encompasses straight-chained or branched C 1 alkyl, e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl or butyl. The phrase "substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group" encompasses those that have, at any position of its benzene ring, a halogen atom, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl having 1-4 carbon atoms, or lower alkoxy having 1-4 carbon atoms. Other compounds of formula I are compounds of formula la Re NH (11a)

R(CFH

2 )OR

OR

5 wherein

R

2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 and n are as defined above; and Re is hydrogen, halogen, C 1

.

7 alkyl, C 1 _alkoxy or trifluoromethyl. Further preferred compounds of formula (la) are those wherein R 3 is chlorine, e.g., 2-amino 2-[4-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chlorophenyl]-2-ethyl-propane-1,3-diol, 2-amino-2-[4-(3 benzyloxyphenoxy)-2-chlorophenylpropyl- 1,3-propane-diol or 2-amino- 2- [4-(3 benzyloxyphenythio)- 2 - chlorophenyl]propyl-1,3-propane-diol or a pharmacological salts or hydrates thereof and theirs corresponding phosphate derivatives. Also exemplified is phosphoric acid mono-2-amino-2-[4-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chlorophenyllethyl-propyl] ester. The phosphoric acid mono-2-amino-2-[4-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chlorophenyl]ethyl propyl] ester can be prepared enantiomerically pure by the procedures described in WO 2005/021503.

-6 Other compounds of formula I are compounds of formula (Ila) O Y Ra NH 7a Ia

(CH

2 ) R 5 O wherein Y is 0 or S; and R2a, R3., R 5 ., R7a and na are as defined above. Preferred compounds of formula (Ila) are those wherein R 3 is chlorine, e.g., 2-amino-4-[4-(3 benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chlorophenyl]-2-methylbutane-l-ol; the corresponding phosphoric acid mono-2-amino-4-[4-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chlorophenyl]-2-methylbutyl] ester; 2 amino-4-[4-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chlorophenyl]-2-ethylbutane- 1-ol; and the corresponding phosphoric acid mono-2-amino-4-[4-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chlorophenyl] 2-ethylbutyl] ester. Compounds of formulae I and 11 are known and are disclosed e.g. in WO03/029205, WO 03/029184 and W004/026817, respectively, the phosphorylated derivatives being disclosed e.g. in WO04/074297, the contents of which being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Compounds of formulae I and il may be prepared as disclosed in above cited references. Phosphorylated derivatives of compounds of formula (1), e.g., phosphoric acid mono-2 amino-2-[4-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chlorophenyl]ethyl-propyl] ester, can be prepared utilizing the procedures for synthesizing phosphorylated compounds described e.g., in WO 2005/021503 (see, e.g., pages 11 and 12). Optically active compounds of structural formula (1) and phosphorylated derivatives thereof, in particular of formula (1a) can be prepared in high purity utilizing the procedure described, e.g., in Hinterding et al., Synthesis, Vol. 11, pp.1667-167 0 (2003). As an example, an optically active compound of structural formula (la), phosphoric acid mono-2-amino-2-[4-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)-2 chlorophenyl]ethyl-propyl] ester, can be prepared as described in the scheme below utilizing the procedures of Hinterding et al. (2003) supra.

-7 Also included are compounds as disclosed in EP627406A1, e.g. a compound of formula Ill COR3 III

R

4 RN

CH

2

OR

2 Ri wherein R 1 is a straight- or branched (C 12

-

2 2 )chain - which may have in the chain a bond or a hetero atom selected from a double bond, a triple bond, 0, S, NR 6 , wherein Re is H, C 1 4alkyl, aryl-C 1 .4alkyl, acyl or (C 1 alkoxy)carbonyl, and carbonyl, and/or - which may have as a substituent C 1 4alkoxy, C 2

.

4 alkenyloxy, C 2 4alkynyloxy, arylC 1 4 alkyl-oxy, acyl, C 1 4alkylamino, C 1 -alkylthio, acylamino, (C 1 . 4 alkoxy)carbonyl, (C 1 ualkoxy)-carbonylamino, acyloxy, (Cl-alkyl)carbamoyl, nitro, halogen, amino, hydroxyimino, hydroxy or carboxy; or

R

1 is - a phenylalkyl wherein alkyl is a straight- or branched (CB.

2 )carbon chain; or - a phenylalkyl wherein alkyl is a straight- or branched (C 1

.

30 )carbon chain wherein said phenylalkyl is substituted by - a straight- or branched (C 6

.

2 )carbon chain optionally substituted by halogen, - a straight- or branched (C 6

.

20 )alkoxy chain optionally substitued by halogen, - a straight- or branched (C 6

.

20 )alkenyloxy, - phenyl-C.

1 4 alkoxy, halophenyl-C-alkoxy, phenyl-C 1

.

4 alkoxy-C 1

.

1 4 alkyl, phenoxy-Claalkoxy or phenoxy-C 1 4 alkyl, - cycloalkylalkyl substituted by C 8

.

20 alkyl, - heteroarylalkyl substituted by C5.

20 alkyl, - heterocyclic Cr.

20 alkyl or - heterocyclic alkyl substituted by C 2

.

20 alkyl, and wherein the alkyl moiety may have - in the carbon chain, a bond or a heteroatom selected from a double bond, a triple bond, 0, S, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, or NRO, wherein R 6 is as defined above, and - as a substituent C 1 4alkoxy, C 2

.

4 alkenyloxy, C 2

.

4 alkynyloxy, arylC4 1 alkyloxy, acyl, C 1

.

4 alkyl amino, C 14 alkylthio, acylamino, (C 14 alkoxy)carbonyl, (C 1 alkoxy)carbonylamino, acyloxy, (Cloalkyl)carbamoyl, nitro, halogen, amino, hydroxy or carboxy, and each of R 2 , R 3 , R 4 and R 5 , independently, is H, C 14 alkyl or acyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof; - Compounds as disclosed in EP 1002792A1, e.g. a compound of formula IV

H

2 0 R' 3 O

R'

4 R'SN -C-(C H 2 ) -- (CH 2 ) IV C1H 2 0 R' 2 wherein m is 1 to 9 and each of R' 2 , R' 3 , R' 4 and R' 5 , independently, is H, C 1

.

6 alkyl or acyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof; - Compounds as disclosed in EP0778263 Al, e.g. a compound of formula V NR",R"2 I - Y

W-C-Z

2 V (C H 2 ),OR"3 wherein W is H; C 1 .,alkyl, C 2 -ealkenyl or C 2

.

6 alkynyl; unsubstituted or by OH substituted phenyl; R" 4 0(CH 2 )n; or C 1

.

6 alkyl substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C 3 .cycloalkyl, phenyl and phenyl substituted by OH; X is H or unsubstituted or substituted straight chain alkyl having a number p of carbon atoms or unsubstituted or substituted straight chain alkoxy having a number (p-1) of carbon atoms, e.g. substituted by 1 to 3 substitutents selected from the group consisting of C 1

.

6 alkyl, OH,

C

1 .ealkoxy, acyloxy, amino, C 1 .ealkylamino, acylamino, oxo, haloC 1 .ealkyl, halogen, unsubstituted phenyl and phenyl substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of C 1

.

6 alkyl, OH, C 1 .ealkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, amino, C 1 .6alkylamino, acylamino, haloC 1 .ealkyl and halogen; Y is H, C 1 .6alkyl, OH, C 1 .6alkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, amino, C 1 . Balkylamino, acylamino, haloC,.alkyl or halogen, Z 2 is a single bond or a straight chain alkylene having a number or carbon atoms of q, each of p and q, independently, is an integer of 1 to 20, with the proviso of 6<p+q<23, m' is 1, 2 or 3, n is 2 or 3, each of R", R" 2 , R" 3 and R" 4 , independently, is H, C 1 4alkyl or acyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof, - Compounds as disclosed in W002/18395, e.g. a compound of formula VIa or Vlb -9

CH

2 R, .

H2R (R 1 2 a

(R

2 a) 2 N CCH 2 X-11 (R ) 2

N-C-CH

2 -X;- P =0 (

CH

2 Rb H2 R,

CH

2 or H 2

(CH

2

),CH

3 Vla YaR 4 a Vlb wherein X, is 0, S, NR,, or a group -(CH 2 )na-, which group is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 4 halogen; n, is 1 or 2, R 1 , is H or (C 1 .4)alkyl, which alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen; R 18 is H, OH, (C 1 4)alkyl or O(C 1 4)alkyl wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 3 halogen; Rib is H, OH or (C 1 .4)alkyl, wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen; each R 2 1 is independently selected from H or (C 1 .4)alkyl, which alkyl is unsubstituted or substitued by halogen; R 3 a is H, OH, halogen or O(C 1

.

4 )alkyl wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen; and RX is H, OH, halogen, (C 1 .4)alkyl wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, or O(C 1 4)alkyl wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen; Ya is -CH 2 -, -C(0)-, -CH(OH)-, -C(=NOH)-, 0 or S, and R 4 a is

(C

4

.

1 4)alkyl or (C 4

.

1 4)alkenyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof; - Compounds as disclosed in W002/06268AI, e.g. a compound of formula VII NR id R2d Rbd R 7 d

R

4 d (CH 2 )n Xg-Yj-Rd Vil RaUO wherein each of Rid and R2d, independently, is H or an amino-protecting group; Rad is hydrogen, a hydroxy-protecting group or a residue of formula - p<OR~d ORd 0 R4d is C 1 4alkyl; -10 nd is an integer of 1 to 6; Xd is ethylene, vinylene, ethynylene, a group having a formula - D-CH 2 - (wherein D is carbonyl, - CH(OH)-, 0, S or N), aryl or aryl substituted by up to three substitutents selected from group a as defined hereinafter; Yd is single bond, C 1 .1oalkylene, C 1

.

1 oalkylene which is substituted by up to three substitutents selected from groups a and b, C,.oalkylene having 0 or S in the middle or end of the carbon chain, or C 1

.

1 oalkylene having 0 or S in the middle or end of the carbon chain which is substituted by up to three substituents selected from groups a and b; Rse is hydrogen, C 3 -6cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclic group, C 3 .6cycloalkyl substituted by up to three substituents selected from groups a and b, aryl substituted by up to three substituents selected from groups a and b, or heterocyclic group substituted by up to three substituents selected from groups a and b; each of Red and RMd, independently, is H or a substituent selected from group a; each of Red and Rod, independently, is H or C 1 4alkyl optionally substituted by halogen; <group a > is halogen, lower alkyl, halogeno lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, carboxyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxy, lower aliphatic acyl, amino, mono-lower alkylamino, di-C 1 4alkylamino, acylamino, cyano or nitro; and <group b > is C3.

6 cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclic group, each being optionally substituted by up to three substituents selected from group a; with the proviso that when R5d is hydrogen, Yd is a either a single bond or linear C 1

.

10 alkylene, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or hydrate thereof; -Compounds as disclosed in JP-14316985 (JP2002316985), e.g. a compound of formula VII N R eRe R~eX;-Y-- R, RNR leR R XF se Vil

R

4 e (CH 2 ).el Vill

R

3 e R 7 e wherein Rle,R2e,R3e,R4e,R5e,Rse,Rye, ne, Xe and Ye are as disclosed in JP-14316985; or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or hydrate thereof; -Compounds as disclosed in W003/062252A1, e.g. a compound of formula IX -11 R 9 (R 9),.-4 N ( Ar /RM

R

A / ( H,)(C H 2)m2 wherein Ar is phenyl or naphthyl; each of mg and n. independently is 0 or 1; A is selected from COOH, P0 3

H

2 , PO 2 H, SO 3 H, PO(C 1

.

3 alkyl)OH and 1H-tetrazol-5-yl; each of R 1 , and R2g independently is H, halogen, OH, COOH or C 1 4alkyl optionally substituted by halogen; Rag is H or C 1 4alkyl optionally substituted by halogen or OH; each R4, independently is halogen, or optionally halogen substituted C 1 4alkyl or C 1

.

3 alkoxy; and each of Rg and M has one of the significances as indicated for B and C, respectively, in W003/062252A1; or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof; -Compounds as disclosed in WO 03/062248A2, e.g. a compound of formula X Rh Rlh R (R 4 h) 0 4 A N Ar_ R

R

2 h wherein Ar is phenyl or naphthyl; n is 2,3 or 4; A is COOH, 1H-tetrazol-5-yl, P0 3

H

2 , P0 2

H

2 , SO 3 H or PO(R 5 h)OH wherein R5h is selected from C 1 alkyl, hydroxyClualkyl, phenyl, -CO-Cl. 3 alkoxy and -CH(OH)-phenyl wherein said phenyl or phenyl moiety is optionally substituted; each of Rih and R2h independently is H, halogen, OH, COOH, or optionally halogeno substituted C 1

.

6 alkyl or phenyl; R3h is H or C 1 4alkyl optionally substituted by halogen and/ OH; each R4h independently is halogen, OH, COOH, C 1

.

4 alkyl, S(O) 0

,

1 0

QC

1

.

3 alkyl, C 1

.

3 alkoxy,

C

3

-

6 cycloalkoxy, aryl or aralkoxy, wherein the alkyl portions may optionally be substituted by 1-3 halogens; and each of Rh and M has one of the significances as indicated for B and C, respectively, in W003/062248A2 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof. - Compounds as disclosed in WO 04/103306A, WO 05/000833, WO 05/103309 or WO 05/113330, e.g. compounds of formula Xla or Xlb - 12 R Rh3 Rik A;-- 2, Yk _- i A,--- Z, y _k W;, 4 Rik N H XIS Xlb wherein Ak is COORak, OPO(ORsk) 2 , PO(OR 5 k) 2 . SO 2 0Rek, POR 5 kOR 5 k or 1H-tetrazol-5-yl, R5k being H or C 1

.

4 alkyl; Wk is a bond, C 1

.

3 alkylene or C 2

.

3 alkenylene; Yk is C 6

.

10 aryl or C 3

.

9 heteroaryl, optionally substituted by 1 to 3 radicals selected from halogene, OH, NO 2 , C 1

.

6 alkyl, C 1

.

6 alkoxy; halo-substituted C 1 .6alkyl and halo-substituted

C

1 .6alkoxy; Zk is a heterocyclic group as indicated in WO 04/103306A, e.g. azetidine; Rik is C 6

.

1 0 aryl or C 3

.

9 heteroaryl, optionally substituted by C 1 .6alkyl, C 6

.

1 oaryl, Cs.

1 oarylC 1 4 alkyl,

C

3

.

9 heteroaryl, C 3 .gheteroarylC1.4alkyl, C3.

8 cycloalkyl, C3-6cycloalkylC 1

.

4 alkyl,

C

3

.

8 heterocycloalkyl or C 3

-

8 heterocycloalkylC 1 .4alkyl; wherein any aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl of Rik may be substituted by 1 to 5 groups selected from halogen, C,. ealkyl, C 1 .6alkoxy and halo substituted-C 1 .ealkyl or -C 1 .-alkoxy; R2 is H, C 1

.

6 alkyl, halo substituted C 1 .6alkyl, C 2 .alkenyl or C 2 .ralkynyl: and each of R3k or R4, independently, is H, halogen, OH, C 1

.

6 alkyl, C 1

.

6 alkoxy or halo substituted

C

1

.

6 alkyl or C 1 .ralkoxy; and the N-oxide derivatives thereof or prodrugs thereof, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof. The compounds of formulae Ill to XIb may exist in free or salt form. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the formulae Ill to Vill include salts with inorganic acids, such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide and sulfate, salts with organic acids, such as acetate, fumarate, maleate, benzoate, citrate, malate, methanesulfonate and benzenesulfonate salts, or, when appropriate, salts with metals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and aluminium, salts with amines, such as triethylamine and salts with dibasic amino acids, such as lysine. The compounds and salts of the combination of the present invention encompass hydrate and solvate forms.

- 13 Acyl as indicated above may be a residue Ry-CO- wherein Ry is C 1 .6alkyl, C.cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenyl-C, 4 alkyl. Unless otherwise stated, alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl or alkynyl may be straight or branched. Aryl may be phenyl or naphthyl, preferably phenyl. When in the compounds of formula I the carbon chain as R, is substituted, it is preferably substituted by halogen, nitro, amino, hydroxy or carboxy. When the carbon chain is interrupted by an optionally substituted phenylene, the carbon chain is preferably unsubstituted. When the phenylene moiety is substituted, it is preferably substituted by halogen, nitro, amino, methoxy, hydroxy or carboxy. Preferred compounds of formula Ill are those wherein R 1 is C 1 -2 0 alkyl, optionally substituted by nitro, halogen, amino, hydroxy or carboxy, and, more preferably those wherein R 1 is phenylalkyl substituted by C 6

.

14 -alkyl chain optionally substituted by halogen and the alkyl moiety is a C 1 .alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy. More preferably, R 1 is phenyl-C 1 -alkyl substituted on the phenyl by a straight or branched, preferably straight, C 6

.

1 4 alkyl chain. The Ce.

14 alkyl chain may be in ortho, meta or para, preferably in para. Preferably each of R 2 to R 5 is H. In the above formula of VII "heterocyclic group" represents a 5- to 7 membered heterocyclic group having 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from S, 0 and N. Examples of such heterocyclic groups include the heteroaryl groups indicated above, and heterocyclic compounds corresponding to partially or completely hydrogenated heteroaryl groups, e.g. furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, azepinyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, 1,2,3 oxadiazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyranyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl or pyrazolidinyl. Preferred heterocyclic groups are 5-or 6-membered heteroaryl groups and the most preferred heteocyclic group is a morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl or piperidinyl group. A preferred compound of formula Ill is 2-amino-2-tetradecyl-1,3-propanediol. A particularly preferred S1P receptor agonist of formula I is FTY720, ie. 2-amino-2-[2-(4-octylphenyl) - 14 ethyl]propane-1,3-diol in free form or in a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form (referred to hereinafter as Compound A), e.g. the hydrochloride, as shown: HO H HN -HCl A preferred compound of formula IV is the one wherein each of R' 2 to R' 5 is H and m is 4, i.e. 2-amino-2-{2-[ 4 -(l-oxo-5-phenylpentyl)phenyl]ethyl}propane-1,3-diol, in free form or in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form (referred to hereinafter as Compound B), e.g the hydrochloride. A preferred compound of formula V is the one wherein W is CH 3 , each of R", to R" 3 is H, Z 2 is ethylene, X is heptyloxy and Y is H, i.e. 2-amino-4-(4-heptyloxyphenyl)-2-methyl-butanol, in free form or in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form (referred to hereinafter as Compound C), e.g. the hydrochloride. The R-enantiomer is particularly preferred. A preferred compound of formula Via is the FTY720-phosphate

(R

2 a is H, R 3 a is OH, X, is 0, R,. and R 1 ,, are OH). A preferred compound of formula IVb is the Compound C-phosphate

(R

2 a is H, R3b is OH, X, is 0, R1a and Rib are OH, Ya is 0 and R 4 . is heptyl). A preferred compound of formula V is Compound B-phosphate. A preferred compound of formula Vill is (2R)-2-amino-4-[3-(4-cyclohexyloxybutyl) benzo[b]thien-6-yl]-2-methylbutan-1 -ol. A preferred compound of formula Xla is e.g. 1-(4-[1-(4-cyclohexyl-3-trifluoromethyl benzyloxyimino)-ethyl]-2-ethyl-benzyl}-azetidine-3-carboxylic acid, or a prodrug thereof. It will be appreciated that the compounds as described herein may be the direct active substances, or may be prodrugs. For example, the compounds may be phosphorylated forms. It has now been found that S1P receptor modulators have an inhibitory, preventative or delaying effect on conditions associated with or dependent on or affected by levels of BDNF.

-15 In one particular aspect of the present invention, the compounds as described herein, representing the genus of SIP receptor modulators, increase the levels of BDNF, for example, the compounds as described herein stimulate BONF production. A compound which induces brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression can be used as a therapeutic agent for treatment of nervous system disorders and diseases, or treatment of diabetes mellitus. More particularly, it is useful for nervous system injured by wound, surgery, ischemia, infection, metabolic diseases, malnutrition, malignant tumor, or toxic drug, etc. Especially, it can be used in the treatment of conditions wherein sensory neurons or retinal ganglion cells are injured. More especially, the compounds can be used in the treatment of congenital conditions or neurodegenerative diseases, for example, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease (the symptoms of Parkinson's disease may be caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neuron), Parkinson-Plus syndromes (e.g., progressive spranuclear palsy (Steele Richardson-Olszewski syndromes), olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA), Shy-Drager syndromes (Multiple Systems Atrophy), and Parkinson dementia complex of Guam), Huntington's disease (Huntington's chorea), and Rett Syndrome, but are not limited thereto. Further, the compounds can be used in the treatment of sensory nerve dysfunction and congenital diseases or neurodegenerative diseases being associated with degenerative of retina. In addition, the the compounds can be used in the treatment of inherited convulsive paraplegia associated with retina degeneration (Kjellin and Barnard-Scholz syndromes), retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, Usher syndromes (retinitis pigmentosa accompanied by congenital hearing loss) and Refsum syndrome (retinitis pigmentosa, congenital hearing loss, and polyneuropathy). Further, the compounds can be used to treat obesity.

-16 The compounds may also be used to treat cognitive impairment and/or attention deficit disorder, for example deficits and abnormalities in attention and vigilance, executive functions and memory (for instance working memory and episodic memory). Other disorders relating to cognitive dysfunction include sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD), behavioral impairments, information processing deficits and age-related disorders, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), childhood ADHD, adult ADHD, excess daytime somnolence, sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative disorders with associated memory and cognitive problems (such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, senile dementia, vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease), chronic fatigue syndrome, fatigue associated with sleep deprivation or prolonged wakefulness, age-related decline in memory and cognitive function (such as mild cognitive impairment), cognitive impairment associated with mood disorders (such as depression) and anxiety, schizophrenia, day time sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. In addition, the compounds can be used to treat sleep disorders, e.g. narcolepsy, primary insomnia, sleep-awake rhythm disorders (e.g., work-shift syndrome, time-zone syndrome (jet-lag)). In additions, the compounds can be used to treat depressive disorder, e.g. manic-depressive psychosis. In a further use, the compounds can be useful in making patients feel better. In a series of further specific or alternative embodiments, the present invention provides: 1.1 A method for preventing, inhibiting or treating a condition effected by BDNF production, in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an S1P receptor modulator, e.g. a compound of formulae I to Xlb. 1.2 A method for alleviating or delaying progression of the symptoms of obesity, a sleep disorder or depressive disorder, in a subject in need thereof, in which method the BDNF-dependent factor associated with said disease is prevented or inhibited, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an S1P receptor modulator, e.g. a compound of formulae I to XIb.

- 17 1.3 A method for inducing the production of BDNF, in a subject, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an SiP receptor modulator, e.g. a compound of formulae I to Xlb. 1.4 A method for slowing progression of obesity, a sleep disorder or depressive disorder, in a subject, in which method the BDNF-dependent factor associated with said disease is prevented or inhibited, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an SiP receptor modulator, e.g. a compound of formulae I to XIb. 1.5 A method as indicated above, wherein the S1P receptor modulator is administered intermittently. For example, the SiP receptor modulator may be administered to the subject every 2" or 3 rd day or once a week. 2. A pharmaceutical composition for use in any one of the methods 1.1 to 1.5, comprising an SiP receptor modulator, e.g. a compound of formulae I to Xlb as defined hereinabove, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable diluents or carriers therefor. 3. An SiP receptor modulator, e.g. a compound of formula I to Xlb as defined herein above, for use in any one of the methods 1.1 to 1.5. 4 An SIP receptor modulator, e.g. a compound of formulae I to Xlb as defined herein above, for use in the preparation of a medicament for use in any one of the methods 1.1 to 1.5. Utility of the SIP receptor modulators, e.g. the SiP receptor modulators comprising a group of formula Y, in preventing or treating a disease associated with BDNF as hereinabove specified, may be demonstrated in animal test methods as well as in clinic, for example in accordance with the methods hereinafter described. Example 1: In vivo: S1P receptor modulator induced BDNF production Female DA rats were treated for 9 days (5 days, 2 day pause, 4 days) with FTY720 p.o. Expt 1: 0.3 mg/kg/d vs. vehicle. N=3 rats/group One day after the last treatment, the rats were perfused with ice-cold PBS and different CNS regions were isolated. The results are shown in Figure 1.

- 18 Example 2: In vivo: S1 P receptor modulator induced BDNF production Female DA rats were treated for 9 days (5 days, 2 day pause, 4 days) with FTY720 p.o. 0.1; 0.3 or 1 mg/kg/d vs vehicle N=3 rats/group One day after the last treatment, the rats were perfused with ice-cold PBS and different CNS regions were isolated. The results are shown in Figure 2. Example 3: In vitro: S1P receptor modulator induced BDNF production Effect of FTY720 on BDNF expression in cultured CTX, STR, and HIP neurons was investigated. Neurons were treated with phosphorylated FTY720 (FTY-p) (1 and 10 nM) for the last 6 days. Cell lysates were collected at 21 days in vitro. Y axis indicates levels of BDNF normalized to control. * P<0.05 vs DMSO The results are shown in Figures 3A, B and C. Example 4: In vitro: S1P receptor modulator induced BDNF production Effect of FTY720 on BDNF expression in cultured CTX and HIP neurons was investigated. Neurons were treated with FTY720 (FTY-p) (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 nM) for the last 6 days. Cell lysates were collected at 21 days in vitro. Y axis indicates levels of BDNF normalized to control. The results are shown in Figure 4, Example 5: Clinical Trial: SIP receptor modulator made people feel better In a 6-month, placebo controlled, Phase Il trial involving 281 patients with relapsing MS, FTY720 reduced gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions by up to 80%, and the annualized relapse rate by more than 50%, compared with placebo, at doses of 1.25 and 5 mg once daily.3 The resulting low disease activity on both MRI and relapses was sustained in patients treated with FTY720 for up to 24 months during a dose-blinded -19 extension phase. Patients who received placebo also had marked improvements after switching to FTY720 in the extension. In this study, depressive symptoms were assessed by means of the Beck Depression Inventory second edition (BDI-ll). These results are presented here. Method Patients with relapsing MS (relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive) were randomized to receive placebo or FTY720 1.25 or 5 mg/day, for 6 months (the core study). At the end of this period, placebo-treated patients were re-randomized to one of the two FTY720 doses, while those originally randomized to FTY720 continued treatment at the same doses. After approximately 18-24 months, patients receiving FTY720 5 mg, were switched to 1.25 mg in view of evidence that the higher dose conferred no efficacy benefit over the lower dose. The BDI-Il was administered at baseline, and at 3 and 6 months during the core study and at 12 and 24 months during the extension phase (i.e. 6 and 18 months after the start of the extension phase). This is a 21-item self-report scale measuring various symptoms and attitudes associated with depression. Respondents rate depressive symptoms experienced during the past two-weeks on a 4-point scale, coded 0 to 3 by increasing order of severity.. A total score across all 21 items can be generated, with lower total scores indicating lower overall severity of depressive symptoms. BDI-II total scores of 14 or above are indicative of clinical depression. Ny reduction in the BDI-Il score indicated an improvement in depression. Results Patients Of the 281 patients originally randomized to treatment, 255 completed the core study. BDI-1l scores at baseline and 6 months were available in 239 patients. Changes in BDI-!I scores during the core study Mean BDI-1l scores during the core study are shown in Figure 5, and changes in these scores from baseline during the core study are shown in Figure 6. BDI-II scores decreased from baseline in patients receiving FTY720 1.25 mg/day, remained consistent in patients receiving FTY720 5.0 mg/day, and increased in patients on placebo. At 6 months, the change in BDI-Il scores from baseline in FTY720 1.25 mg/day treated patients was C:NRPonbftDCC\XS\4131130_I.DOC-27101/2012 -20 significantly greater than in placebo-treated patients. The difference in changes in BDI-1l scores between the two doses of FTY720 was not significant at the 5% level. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (11)

1. A method for preventing, inhibiting or treating a condition effected by BDNF production, where the condition affected by BDNF production is selected from one or more of diabetes, congenital conditions, obesity, cognitive impairment, attention deficit disorders, or sleep disorders in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an S1 P receptor modulator selected from the group consisting of 2-amino-2-[4-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chlorophenyl]-2-ethyl propane-1, 3-diol, and 1 -{4-[1-(4-cyclohexyl-3-trifluoromethyl-benzyloxyimino)-ethyl]-2 ethyl-benzyl}-azetidine-3-carboxylic acid or in each case a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and/or a phosphorylated form thereof.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the SiP receptor modulator is 2-amino-2 [4-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chlorophenyl]-2-ethyl-propane-1,3-diol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the SiP receptor modulator is 1-{4-[1-(4 cyclohexyl-3-trifluoromethyl-benzyloxyimino)-ethyl]-2-ethyl-benzyl)-azetidine-3-carboxylic acid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the SiP receptor modulator is administered intermittently.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising co-administration, e.g. concomitantly or in sequence, of a therapeutically effective non-toxic amount of a SiP receptor modulator as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3 and a second therapeutic substance.

6. Use of a therapeutically effective amount of an SIP receptor modulator selected from the group consisting of 2-amino-2-[4-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chlorophenyl]-2 ethyl-propane-1,3-diol, and 1-{4-[1-(4-cyclohexyl-3-trifluoromethyl-benzyloxyimino)-ethyl] 2-ethyl-benzyl}-azetidine-3-carboxylic acid or in each case a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and/or a phosphorylated form thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for -22 preventing, inhibiting or treating a condition effected by BDNF production, where the condition is selected from one or more of diabetes, congenital conditions, obesity, cognitive impairment, attention deficit disorders, or sleep disorders.

7. Use according to claim 6, wherein the S1P receptor modulator is 2-amino-2-[4-(3 benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chlorophenyl]-2-ethyl-propane-1,3-diol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

8. Use according to claim 6, wherein the SIP receptor modulator is 1-{4-[1-(4 cyclohexyl-3-trifluoromethyl-benzyloxyimino)-ethyl]-2-ethyl-benzyl}-azetidine-3-carboxylic acid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

9. Use according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the medicament is to be administered intermittently.

10. Use according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the medicament is to be co administered, e.g. concomitantly or in a sequence, with a second therapeutic substance.

11. A method or use according to any one of claims 1 to 10 substantially as hereinbefore described.