CA2224434A1

CA2224434A1 - Compounds with growth hormone releasing properties

Info

Publication number: CA2224434A1
Application number: CA002224434A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Nils Langeland Johansen; Jesper Lau; Kjeld Madsen; Henning Thoegersen; Behrend Friedrich Lundt; Bernd Peschke; Thomas Kruse Hansen; Birgit Sehested Hansen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Novo Nordisk AS
Priority date: 1995-06-22
Filing date: 1996-06-19
Publication date: 1997-01-09
Also published as: KR19990028303A; PL186520B1; IL122371A0; JPH11507928A; JP4173541B2; PL324200A1; BR9608909A; AU6188296A; NO975992L; AU711104B2; TW458958B; MX9710377A; HUP9802821A3; NO975992D0; HUP9802821A2; CZ287948B6; CZ408197A3; EP0833845A1; WO1997000894A1

Abstract

Compounds of the formula A-B-C-D(E)p are used to stimulate the release of growth hormone from the pituitary.

Description

COMPOUNDS WITH GROWTH HORMONE RELEASING PROPERTIES

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel peptide derivatives, compositions containing them, and their use for treating medical disorders resulting from a deficiency in growth hormone.

Growth horrrlone is a hol",olle which stimulates growth of all tissues capable of growing. In addition, growth hormone is known to have a number of effects on ",etabolic processes, e.g., stimulation of protein synthesis and free fatty acid15 mobilization and to cause a switch in energy metabolism from ca,boll~drate to fatty acid metabolism. Deficiency in growth ho""one can result in a number of severe medical disorders, e.g., dwarflsm.

Growth hormone is released from the pituitary. The release is under tight control of 20 a number of hormones and neurolrans",illers either directly or indirectly. Growth hormone release can be stimulated by growth l,o""one releasing hormone (GHRH) and inhibited by somatostatin. In both cases the llo""o"es are released from the hypothalamus but their action is mediated primarily via specific receptors located in the pituitary. Other compounds which stimulate the release of growth 25 ho~ one from the pituitary have also been desuibed. For example arginine, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-Dopa), glucagon, vasopressin, PACAP (pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating peptide), muscarinic receptor agonists and a synthethic hexapeptide, GHRP (growth hormone releasing peptide) release endogenous growth hormone either by a direct effect on the pituitary or by affecting the release 30 of GHRH and/or somatostatin from the hypothalamus.

In disorders or conditions where inueased levels of growth hormone is desired, the protein nature of growth hormone necessitates parenteral administration.
Furthermore, other directly acting natural secretagogues, e.g., GHRH and PACAP, 35 are polypeptides of high molecular weight for which reason parenteral administration is prerer,ed.

The use of shorter peptides for increasing the levels of growth ho""one in ,I,d",mals has previously been proposed, e.g. in EP 18 072, EP 83 864, WO
89/07110, WO 89/01711, WO 89110933, WO 88/9780, WO 83102272, WO
91/18016, WO 92/01711 and WO 93/04081.

The structure of growth hormone releasing peptides or peptide derivatives is important for their growth hormone releasing potency as well as their bioavailability. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide novel 10 peptides with growth hormone releasing properties which have improved properties relative to known peptides of this type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

15 A compound of general formula I

A-B-C-D(-E)p wherein p is O or 1;
20 A is hydrogen or R1-(cH2)q-(x)f(cH2)s-co-~ wherein q is O or an integer selected from the group: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5;
risOor1;
s is O or an integer selected from the group: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5;
R1 is hydrogen, imidazolyl, guanidino, piper~i,1o, rrlorpholino, piperidino or N(R2)-25 R3, wherein each of R2 and R3 is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl optionally substituted by one or more hydroxyl, pyridinyl or furanyl groups; and X, when r is 1, is -NH-, -CH2-, -CH=CH-, -C(R16)(R17)-, ~ ~ ~ or ~

wherein each of R16 and R17 is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl;
B is (G)t-(H)U wherein each of t and u independently is O or 1;

WO 97/00894 PCTtDK96/00266 G and H are amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of natural L-amino acids or their corresponding D-isomers, or non-natural amino acids such as1,4-diaminobutyric acid, amino-isobutyric acid, 1,~diamir,opr~Fionic acid, 4-aminophenylalanine, 3-pyridylalanine, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahyJl uisoquinoline-3-carboxylic 5 acid, 1,2,3,4-tetrahyd,uno,harman-~carboxylic acid, N-methylar,~l"anilic acid,antl " anilic acid, N-benzylglycine, 3-a" ,ino, nelh~rlbenzoic acid, ~amino-3-methyl butanoic acid, sa~cosine, nipecolic acid or iso-nipecotic acid;
and wherein, when both t and u are 1, the amide bond between G and H is optionally replaced by Y-NR18-, wherein Y is -CO- or -CH2-, and R18 is 10 hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower aralkyl;

C is a D-amino acid of formula -NH-CH((CH2)W-R4)-Co- wherein w is 0, 1 or 2; and R4 is selected from the group consisting of ~ ~3 ~3 ~ or ~3 each of which is optionally substituted with halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy, 20 lower alkylamino, amino or hydroxy;

D, when p is 1, is a D-amino acid of formula -NR20-CH((CH2)k-R5~Co-25 or, when p is 0, D is -NR20-CH((CH2)l-R5)-CH2-R6 or-NR20-CH((CH2)m-R5)-CO-R6, wherein kisO, 1 or2;
I is 0, 1 or 2;
misO, 1 or2;
30 R20 is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl or lower aralkyl;
R5 is sele~ted from the group consisting of ' ~ or 5 each of which is optionally substituted with halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy amino or hydroxy; and R6 is piper~ino"~o~holino, piperidino, -OH or-N(R7)-R3, wherein each of R7 and R8 is independ~ ly hydl ogen or lower alkyl;

10 E, when p is 1, is -NH-CH(R10)-(CH2)v-R9, wherein v is O or an integer selected from the group: 1, 2, 3, 4, ~, 6, 7, 8;
R9 is hydrogen, illlid~olyl, guanidino, piperazino, morpholino, piperidinol -N(R11)-R12, (CH~)n or 20 wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, and R1 9 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, ~R11 ~R1 1 ~ ~CH2)o N\ or \j~ (CH2)o 25 wherein o is an integer selected from the group: 1, 2, 3, each of R11 and R12 j5 independently hy, ~ogel) or lower alkyl, or ~ or ~3 each of which is optionally substituted with halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy, amino, alkylamino, hydroxy, or the Amadori rea"d"ge,rle,lt product from an aminogroup and a hexapyranose or a hexapyranosyl-hexapy~dnose and s R1 0, when p is 1, is selected from the group consi~li"~ of -H, -COOH, -CH2-R1 3, -Co-R13 or-CH2-OH, wherein 5 R13 is piper~ino, morpholino, piperidino, -OH or-N(R14)-R15, wherein each of R14 and R15 is i"dependently hydrogen or lower alkyl;

all amide bonds within formula I with the exception of the bond between C and D
10 may independently be replaced by -Y-NR1~-, wherein Y is -CO- or -CH2-, and R
18 is hydlogen, lower alkyl or lower aralkyl; or a ,cl,a"n~ce~Jti~lly acceptable salt thereof;

and with the e~cepliGn of the compounds (3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 H-Aib-His-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 H-Aib-His-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 3~H-Aib-His-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1 -morpholi"opropane 20 2~H-Aib-His-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-2-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethane ((3R)-Piperidinecarbonyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 3-((3-AI I ,ino,n~ll ,ylbenzoyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1 -morpholinopro~.d"e 2-(H-Aib-His-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1-(1 -methyl-2-p~, 1 oli~li"yl)ethane 2~((3R)-Piperidinecarbonyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1 -(1 -methyl-2-25 pyrrolidinyl)ethane 2~(3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1 ~1 -methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethane 3-(H-Aib-His-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1 -morpholinopr~p~l le 3-(((3R)-Piperidinecarbonyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1-" ,o, pholinoprupane 30 3-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1 -morpholil ,opropane 2-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1 -(1 -methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethane 2-(((3R)PiperidinecarL,onyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1 -(1 -methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethane.

The peptiJe derivatives of formula I exhibit an improved resistance to proteolytic degradation by enzymes due to the presence of adjacent D-amino acids in the 5 peptide sequence, optionally combined with the substitution of an amide bond (-CO-NH-) by -Y-NR18- as indi~ted above, e.g. a",ino"~eU~ylene (-CH2-NH-) and/or Illodificalion at the N- or C-terminal end of the peptide. The inueased bioavailability of the peptide derivatives of the invention cor"pared to that of the peptides suggested in the prior art literature is, i. a., thought to be c~used by their 10 resislance to proteolytic degradation combined with small size.

In the above structural formulas and throughout the present specification, the following terms have the indicated meanings:

The lower alkyl moities specified above are intended to include those alkyl moities, preferably with 1~ carbon atoms, of the designated length in either a linear or branched or cyclic configuration. Examples of linear alkyl are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, and hexyl. Examples of branched alkyl are isopropyl, sec-butyl, tert-20 butyl, isopentyl, and isohexyl. Examples of cyclic alkyl are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,c~clopenlyl and cyclohexyl.

The lower alkoxy moities specified above are intended to include those alkoxy moities preferably with 1~ carbon atoms, of the designated length in either a linear 25 or t~rand~ed or cyclic configuration. Examples of linear alkyloxy are methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentoxy, and hexoxy. Examples of branched alkoxy are isopropoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, isopentoxy, and isohexoxy. Examples of cyclic alkoxy are cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy and cyclohexyloxy.

30 The lower alkylamino moities specified above are intended to include those alkylamino moities preferably with 1~ carbon atoms, of the designated length in either a linear or branched or cyclic configuration. Examples of linear alkylamino are methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, butylamino, pentylamino, and hexylamino. Examples of branched alkylamino are isopropylamino, sec-butylamino, W O 97/00894 PCT~DK96/00266 In the presenl context, the temm "aryl" is inlended to include alo",alic rings, such as carbocyciic and heterocyclic a,u,n~lic rings selected from the group collsislin~ of phenyl"~aphU,yl, pyridyl, 1-H-te~ol-~yl, thi~olyl, illlid~olyl, indolyl, pyrimidinyl, S lh~ olyl, pyr~olyl, ox~olyl, iso.~ olyl, thiopheneyl, quinolinyl, pyr~inyl, orisoll~ olyl, optionally s~lhstit~ed by one or more C1~alkyl, C,~alkoxy, I;a'ogen, amino or aryl. Aryl is preferably phenyl, thienyl, il"ida~olyl, pyridyl, indolyl, quinoline or naphthyl oplionally sl Ihstituted with halogen, amino, hydroxy, C1~alkyl or C1~alkoxy.
The lower aralkyl moities specified above are composed of a lower alkyl moity and a aryl moiety, wnerein the lower alkyl moiety and aryl moiety are as defined above.

The term "halogen" is intended to include Cl, F, Br and 1.
The co")",on three-letter code is used for natural amino adds, e.g. Ala for alanine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a pr~re"ed e",bodi",ent of the co",pound of formula 1, A is hydl~ge", 3-NMe-AMB, -3-AMB or Aib. When t is 1, G in the compund of formula I is prefe~ably Ala, S Gly, saroosine, 3-an,ino",ethylberlzoyl, R-nipecotinyl, nirecotic acid or isonipecotic acid, more pref~rably 3-amir,o" ,eU ,ylben~oyl, R-nipecoti~yl, nipecotic acid orisonipecotic acid. When u is 1, H is preferably His, Phe, Tic, Phe(4-NH2), 3-Pyal, Gly, Ala, Sar, Pro, Tyr, Arg, Orn, ~al"inGr"eU,ylber,~oic acid or D-Phe, more p,ererably H is His, Phe or Ala, most preferably H is His or Ala. C in the compound 10 of formula I is pre~rcbly D-2-naphll,ylalan;ne (D-2Nal), D-1~lapllthylalanine (D-1 Nal), D-Phe or D-Trp, more prererably D-2Nal or D-Phe and most prererably N-Me-D-2Nal, D-2Nal, D-Phe, or N-Me-D-Phe. D in the compound of formula I is preferably -NR20-CH((CH2)k-R5)-Co-, wherein k is prererably 1 and R20 is lower alkyl, more preferably D is D-Phe or D-2Nal. Most prerer~bly D is N-Me-D-Phe-ol,15 N-Me-D-Phe, N-Me-D-2Nal-ol, N-Me-D-Phe-NH2, N-Me-D-Phe-NH-Me, or N-Me-D-.
(4-l)Phe-NH-Me.

When p is 1 in the compound of formula 1, E is preferably Lys-NH2, Ser-NH2, NH-(2-(1-piper~ino)ethyl), NH-(3-(1-morpholino)propyl), NH-(2-al"inoelllyl), NH~4-20 a",inon~ethylbenzyl), NH-(benzyl), Lys-OH, NH-(1-hydroxy~amino-2S-hexyl), NH-(2-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl), or 3-N,N-dimethyl-a",inopropyl, most ~rererably E
is NH-(2-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl), 3-N,N-dimethyl-~mi,)opropyl, Lys-NH2, or Ser-NH2 or R4 in the compound of formula I is preferably 2-napl,ll,yl. R5 is prererably 25 phenyl. v is preferably 2~, and R9 is NH2 ,2-",o"uholinoethyl, 3-morpholinop~pyl or (1-methylpyrrolidinyl)ethyl. R10 is preferably -COOH, -CH2-OH, -H, -CONH2 or -CON(CH3)2 Examples of specific compounds of the present invention are (2R)-2-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl))-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me)-3-(2-naphthyl)propanol:

H2N~N ~~OH
O
~ ~, 10 (3-Aminomethyl.~el~oyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2:
~, H2N\J~ ~ '''1~ H2 O ~ CH3 O
~L

3-((3-AminomeUIylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-NMe-D-Phe-NH)-N N-dimethyl~,~ ,inoprupane:

H2N ~N ~ ' ~ 1 3 ~

'13 H-Ai~His-NMe-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2:

H C~ ~ h ~ H2 H,C o I , o 3~
(3-~ ~ ,ino" ~ hylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2:

H,N~, 5 ~ ~ o ~ NH, H-Aib-Ala-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 10 H-Aib-His-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2 2-((~AI "ino" ,~U ,ylber,~oyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1 -morpholinoethane:

~ CH O
H2N~N~NH--N~o ~

(~ n;no" ,eU ,ylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH-Me:

H2N ~ ¦ CU, O

3~(3Methylaminornell,ylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-N N-dimethyla"~inopropane:

CH~
~ 'I ~

(~Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-N-Me2:

H2N~
o I o H-Aib-His-N-Me-D-2Nal-NMe-D-Phe-NHMe:

N;i¦
H,C ~ I , lc ~

H3C O ~3 ~

~methyla" ,;"o" ,ethyl-Nme-D-2Nal-Nme-D-Phe-NH-CH3 H3C~NH~ - H,O ~C~3 Piperidine4-ca, 60xylic acid-N-((1 R)-1 -(N-((1 R)-2-(4-iodophenyl)1-(methylc~rba" ,oyl)ethyl)-N-methylcarbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)-N-methylamide o - CH3 o ~ N ~n' N ~I~ N~CH3 Structures of non-natural amino acid residues:

D 2N~l 3py~ b rIC

NH~ I O

Abbreviation used for peptide bond substitution:

-N-Me-~N--Compounds of formula I may be prepared by conventional methods of solution or solid phase peptide synthesis. For irl~tal~cel solid phase synthesis may be carried out substantially as described by Stewart and Young, Solid Phase Peptide SYnthesis, 2nd. Ed., Rockford, Illinois, USA, 1976. Solution peplide synthesis may for instance be carried out substantially as described by Bodansky et al., F'e~tide Svnthesis, 2nd. Ed., NewYork, NewYork, USA, 1976.

A",ino"leU,ylene as a substitution of an amide bond may be introduced according 20 to the method described by Y. Sasaki and D.H. Coy, Peptides 8(1), 1987, pp. 119-121. Peptide derivatives containi"g a mono- or di-hexap~,cnose derivatised aminogroup may be prepared by an Amadori rearrangement subslanlially by the method described by R. Albert et al., Life Sciences 53, 1993, pp. 517-525. Examples of suitable mono- or di-hexapyranoses are glucose, g~l~u(ose, maltose, lactose or 25 cellobiose. Derivatives used as starting materials in the synthesis may either be obtained co"l,nercially and, when required, provided with suitable prote~:ling groups, or starting materials used to prepare the "A" moiety in general formula I
may be prepared by well-known methods and optionally ,clc,tec~ed in a ,nanner known per se.

Abbreviatio~s used for protecting groups:

T~- Dad- Bcm F~

Cl Z

~C~oJ~ ~o~

Pha""~ceutic~y acceplable acid addition salts of compounds of formula I include those prepared by reacting the peptide with an inoryanic or organic acid such aslS h~dlocl,lo~ic, hydrobromic, sulfuric, acetic, phosphoric, lactic, maleic, phthalic, citric, glutaric, gluconic, methanesulfonic, salicylic, succinic, tartaric, oxalic, toluenesulfonic, trifluoracetic, sulfamic and fumaric acid.

In anoll,er aspect, the presenl invention relates to a ,ci,at",~ceutic~l c~mposition 20 cor"prising, as an active ingredient, a compound of the general formula I or a pl,a""~celJtic~lly acceptable salt thereof together with a pha,l"aceutically acceplable carrier or diluent.

rh a""aceutical compositions containing a compound of the present invention may 25 be prepared by conventional techniques, e.g. as des~ ibed in Reminqton's rhdl",aceutical Sciences, 1985. The ~",positions may appear in convenli~"al forms, for example capsules, tablets, aerosols, solutions, suspensions, patches or topical applications.

30 The pharmaceutical carrier or diluent employed may be a convenlional solid orliquid carrier. Examples of solid carriers are lactose, terra alba, suaose, cyclodextrin, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, stearic acid or lower alkyl ethers of cellulose. Examples of liquid carriers are syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, phospholipids, fatty acids, fatty acid amines, polyoxyethylene and water.

Similarly, the carrier or diluent may include any sustained release material known in the art, such as glyceryl monoslearale or glyceryl distearate, alone or mixed with a wax.
5 If a solid carrier is used for oral adrninistralion, the preparation may be tabletted, placed in a hard gelatin capsule in powder or pellet form or it can be in the foml of a troche or lo~enge. The amount of solid carrier will vary widely but will usually be from about 25 mg to about 1 9.

lO A typical tablet which may be prepared by conventional tabletting techniques may contain;
Core:
Active compound (as free compound or salt thereof) 100 mg Colloidal silicon dioxide (Aerosil) 1.5 mg Cellulose""i~ucryst. (Avicel) 70 mg Modified celll ~lose gum (Ac-Di-Sol) 7.5 mg Magnesium stearate Coating:
HPMC approx. 9 mg ~Mywacett 940 T approx. 0.9 mg ~Acylated monoglyceride used as plasticizer for film coaling.

If a liquid carrier is used, the pre,c aralion may be in the form of a syrup, emulsion, 25 soft gelatin capsule or sterile injectable liquid such as an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid suspension or solution.

For nasal or pulmonary administration, the prepara~ion may contain a compound offormula I dissolved or suspended in a liquid carrier, in particular an aqueous 30 carrier, for aerosol application. The carrier may contain additives such as solubilizing agents, e.g. propylene glycol, SUI raota,1ls such as bile acid salts polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols or polyoxyethylene higher alcohol ethers, absorption enhancers such as lecithin (phosphatidylcholine) or cyclodextrin, or preservatives such as parabenes.

For lr~nsde""al administration the preparalio" may be in a form suitable for patches or ior,lophoresis.

Generally the compounds of the present invention are dispensed in unit dos~ge 5 form co,n,ulising 0.0001-100 mg of active ingredient togetl,er with a pl ,a, 1 "~ceuti~lly ~ccept~hle carrier per unit dos~ge.

The dosage of the compounds according to this invention is suitably 1-500 mgldaye.g. about 100 mg per dose when administered to patients e.g. humans as a 10 drug.

It has been cJe"~onsl,~led that compounds of the general formula I possess the ability to release endogenous growth hormone in vivo. The compounds may therefore be used in the treatment of conditions which require in~eased plasma 15 growth hormone levels such as in growth hor",one dericienl humans or in elderly patients or livestock.

Thus in a particular aspect the present invention relates to a pha"~ceutic~l co"~position for stimulating the release of growth hormone from the pituitary the 20 co"~position comprising as an active ingredient a compound of the general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

In a further aspect the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the25 release of growth hormone from the pituitary the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of the general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceplable salt thereof.

In a still further aspect the present invention relates to the use of a co",pound of 30 the general formula I or a pha"naceutically acceplable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for stimulating the release of growth hormone from the pituitary.

The compounds of formula I have interesting pharmacological properties.
35 Examples of such properties are the stimulation of release of growth hormone from the pituitary which has similar effects or uses as growth hormone itself. The uses of growth ho"~o,)e may be sul~ ari~ed as follows: stimulation of grov~th ho""one release in the elderly; prevention of catabolic side effects of glllcoco,licoidslreal"~ent of osleoporosis stimulation of the immune system acceleration of wound healing accelerating bone fracture repair lrecL,,,enl of growth retaldation 5 l,ea~ing renal failure or insufficiency resulting from growth retar~Jalion l,eal~enl of physiological short stature including growth ho",)o,)e deficient children and short stature ~ssosi~ted with ~lron.~ illness l,eal",el)l of obesity and growth r~tar~ lion ~ssoei~led with obesity treating growth ~e~atclalion ~-ssoo;~(ed with the Prader-Willi syndrome and Tumer's syndrome; accelerating the recovery and reducing 10 hospitali~alion of bum patients; treatment of intrauterine growth retarddlionskeletal dy~pl~si3 hy~uercorlisolism and Cushing's syndrome; induction of pulsatile growth l,ol,l)one release; replace,nen~ of growth ho""one in stressed patients treatment of osleo~ ,ondl odyspl~c.i~s Noonan's syndrome sohi~opllrenia depressions Alzheimer's dise~se delayed wound healing and psychosoci~l 15 deprivation treatment of pulmonary dysfunction and ventilalor dependen~;y attenuation of protein catabolic responses after major surgery reducing cachexiaand protein loss due to chronic illness such as cancer or AIDS; treatment of hyperinsulinemia including nesidiot,l~c.tosis adjuvant l~.~llent for ovulation induction; to stimulate thymic development and prevent the age-related decline of 20 thymic function treatment of immunosuppressed patients improvement in muscle sl,engtl" mobility maintenance of skin thickness metabolic homeost~sis renal homeost~sis in the frail elderly stimulation of osteoblasts bone re",odelling and cartilage growth stimulation of the immune system in companion animals and treatment of diso,der of aging in companion animals growth pr~""o~er in livestock 25 and stimulation of wool growth in sheep.

For the above indications the dosage may vary depending on the compound of fommula I employed on the mode of administration and on the therapy desired.
However generally dosage levels between 0.0001 and 100 mg/kg body weight per 30 day may be ad,l~ ic.lered to patients and animals to obtain effective release of ~ endogenous growth hormone. Usually dosage forms suitable for oral or nasal adminisl,.~lion comprise from about 0.0001 mg to about 100 mg prererably from about 0.001 mg to about 50 mg of the compounds of fommula I admixed with a phal " ,aceutically accept~hle carrier or diluent.

The compounds of fommula I may be administered in pha""aceutically acce ~table acid acldilion salt form or where appropriate as a alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or lower alkyla,l""on.um salt. Such salt forms are believed to exhibit app, o~i,nalely the same order of activity as the free base forms.
Oplio"ally the pha""~ceuti~l corrlposition of the invention may comprise a compound of formula I combined with one or more compounds exhibiting a different activity e.g. an antibiotic or other phall,~acologically active material. This might be another secrelagogue such as GHRP (1 or 6) or GHRH or an analoyue 10 thereof growth ho""one or an analogue thereof or a so",aton~edin such as IGF-1 or IGF-2.

The route of administration may be any route which effectively l,ans~olls the active co",pound to the appropriale or desired site of action such as oral nasal 15 pulmona~ transdermal or pa~enleral the oral route being preferred.

Apart from the pha""aceutical use of the compounds of formula 1 they may be useful in vitro tools for investigating the regulation of growth hor" ,o"e release.

20 The compounds of formula I may also be useful in vivo tools for evaluating the growth hormone releasing capability of the pituitary. For example serum samples taken before and after administration of these compounds to humans can be assayed for growth hormone. Col"parison of the growth hormone in each serum sample would directly dete",)ine the ability of the patients pituitary to release 25 growth hol " ,one.

Compounds of formula I may be administered to commercially i"~pOI lanl animals to increase their rate and extent of growth and to increase milk production.

30 Pha",~acological Methods Compounds of formula I may be evaluated in vitro for their efficacy and potency to release growth hormone in primary rat somalol, ophs.

35 Rat primary somatotrophs may be prepared essentially as described previously (Chen et al. Endocrinology 1991 129 3337-3342 and Chen et al. Endocrinology 1989 124 2791-2798). Briefly rats are killed by dec~pitalion. The pituitary is quickly removed. The pituitaries are digested with 0.2 % collage,lase n 0.2 %
hyalu~inidase in Hanks balanced salt solution. The cells are resuspended in Dulbeccos Modified Eagles medium conLaining 0.37 % NaHCO3 10 % horse 5 serum 2.5 % fetal calf serum 1 % nonessential amino acids 1 % glutamine and 1 % penicillin/streptomycin and adjusted to 1.5 x 105 cellslml. One ml of this suspension is placed in each well of 24-well trays and left for 2-3 days before release e~e~i~"ents are pe,ro",)ed.

10 On day one of the experi",ents cells are washed twice with the above medium containing 25 mM HEPES pH 7.4. Growth hormone release initiated by addilio" of medium containing 25 mM HEPES and test compound. Incubation is carried out for 15 minutes at 37~C. After incubation growth hormone released to the medium is measured by a slandarcJ RIA.
Compounds of formula I may be ev~llJ~ted for their in vivo effects on growth hormone release in penloba, bilal anaesthetized femaie rats as described previously (Bercu et al. Endouinology 1991 129 2592-2598). Briefly adult male Sprague-Dawley rats are anesthetized with penloba, L,ital 50 mglkg ip. After the rats 20 had been fully anaesthesized the rats are implanted with a tracheal cannula and catheters in the carotid artery and the jugular vein. After a 15 minute recovery a blood sample is taken at time 0. The pituitary secretagogues are administered ivand artery blood samples are put cn ice for 1 ~ minutes and then centrifuged for 2 minutes at 12000 xg. The serum is decanted and amount of growth ho""one 25 determined using a standard RIA.

The invention is further illustrated in the following example which is not in any way intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed.

30 The compound prepared in the following example was isolated as the trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) salt.

WO 97t00894 PCT/DK9G/00266 Preparation of 2(R)-2-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me)-3-phen~lpropanol.

N~N~
c, ~

10 165.7 mg of Boc-N-Me-D-2Nal-OH and 165.2 mg of (R)-methylamino-3-phenyl-propan-1-ol (prepa~d from H-N-Me-D-Phe-OH accorJirlg to McKennon, M. J.;
Meyers, A. I. J. Or~. Chem. 1993, 58, 3568-71) and 68.1 mg of HOAt was dissolved in a mixture of 2 ml of DMF and 4 ml of DCM at 0 ~C.115 mg EDAC was added and the mixture was stirred 1 h at 0 ~C and then 18h at r.t.
l5 The DCM was then removed from the mixture by a stream of nitrogen before 50 m!
of EtOAc was added and the resulting mixture was exl, c~;ted sequentially with 100 ml of 5% ~ueol ~s NaHCO3,100 ml H2O, 100 ml 5% aqueous KHS04 and 100 ml H20. The resulting organic phase was dried with Na2S04 and conc~ ,aled in vacuum on a rotary evaporator to an oil.
20 502.6 mg 3-BoGaminomethylbenzoic acid was dissolved in 10 ml DCM by addition of 2 drops of DMF and then converted to the symmetrical anhydride by stirring with 191.6 mg EDAC for 10 min.
A solution of the above Iyophilized 2(R)-(H-N-Me-D2Nal-N-Me)-3-phenylprupanol and 342 1ll DIEA in 5 ml DCM was added to this mixture and then reacted for 20 h25 at r.t. The reaction mixture was then concentrated to an oil and redissolved in 50 ml EtOAc. This solution was extracted sequentially with 100 ml 5% aqueous NaHCO3, 100 ml H2O, 100 ml 5% aqueous KHS04 and 100 ml H20. The resulting orga"ic phase was dried with Na2SO4 and concentrated in vacuum on a rotary evaporator to an oil. The oil was then dissolved in 4 ml DCM I TFA 1:1 and stirred. After 10 30 min the mixture was concent, aled by a stream of nitrogen and the resulting oil was redissolved in 20 ml 70% CH3CN / 0.03 M HCI and 480ml H2O was added.
The crude product was then purified by semipreparative HPLC in seven runs on a 25 mm x 250 mm column packed with 7~, C-18 silica which was preequilibrated -with 28% CH3CN in 0.05M (NH4)2SO4, which was adjusted to pH 2.5 with 4M
35 H2SO4.

The column was eluted with a gradient of 28% - 38% CH3CN in 0.05M (NH4)2SO4 pH 2.5 at 10 ml/min during 47 min at 40 ~C and the pepli~e conlai"ing r,a~ lionswere coliected diluted with 3 volumes of H20 and applied to a Sep-Pak~ C18 c~,l,idge (Waters part. #:51910 ) which was equilibrated with 0.1% TFA . The 5 pepticJe was eluted from the Sep-Pak~ cartridge with 70% CH3CN 0.1% TFA and isol~ted from the eluate by Iyophilisation after dilution with water.
The final product obtained was ~,aracte,ised by analytical RP-HPLC (r~:lention time) and by Plasma desoi,.,lion mass spe~t,u",et,~ (molecl~'~ mass). Mass spe.~r~",et,y agreed with the e;,~e~led structure within the e~peri",ental error of 10 the ",elhod (mass spectrometry i 0.9 amu).
The RP-HPLC analysis was pe, rO" "ed using UV detec~io" at 214 nm and a Vydac 218TP54 4.6mm x 250mm 5~ C-18 silica column (The Separations Group Hesperia) which was eluted at 1 ml/min at 42 ~C. Two different elution condiLions were used:
15 A1: The column was equilibrated with 5% CH3CN in a buffer consisting of 0.1M
(NH4)2SO4 which was adjusted to pH 2.5 with 4M H2SO4 and eluted by a gracl;e,lt of 5% to 60% CH3CN in the same buffer during 50 min.
B1: The column was equilibrated with 5% CH3CN / 0.1% TFA / H20 and eluted by a gradient of 5% CH3CN / 0.1% TFA / H20 to 60% CH3CN I 0.1% TFA / H20 during 50 min.
The relenlion time using elution conditions A1 and B1 was found to be 29.90 min and 31.52 min respectively.

25 Syll-esis of 3-Boc-aminome~hyll,e.~_Dic acid 25 9 3-cyanobenzoic acid was dissolved in 70 ml 25% NHJH20 and 200 ml H20 and 59 10% Pd/C was added under nitrogen . The mixture was hydroyenated at atmospheric pressure at r.t. while pH was continously adjusted to 10.5 by addition of 12% NHJH20. After abso,~lion of approxil"alely 41 H2 during 18 h the reaction- was stopped and the catalyst removed by filtration. The filtrate was conoenl, aled in vac. to 20 ml and ~nrea~ed sta, ling material was removed by extraction with ethyl ~cet~e after acidifi~lion with 200 ml 1.5 M hydrochloric acid. The ag~leo~ ls phase was concentrated to dryness and redissolved in 400 ml THF and 343 ml 1 M
NaOH. A solution of 30g Boc-anhydride in 100 ml THF was added and the mixture was stirred ovemight. Then the reaction mixture was acidified to pH 3 with 1 N HCI

and ext,a~led with 3 x 300 ml of EtOAc. The organic phase was evaporaled to a foam. The yield was 22 9.

5 Abbreviations:

r.t. room temperature EDAC:N-ethyl-N-(3-dimethyla",inopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride EtOAc:ethyl ~cet~te Boc:t-butylox~ca~ 60nyl N-Me-D-2Nal:N-methyl-D-2-naphtylalanine DCM:d;~ ,lor~" leU ,a"e DIEA:diisopropylethyl amine DMF:N N-dimethylro,l"ar,lide HOAt:1 -hydroxy-7-azaber,~vt, i~uole N-Me-D-Phe-ol:N-methyl-D-phenylalaninol TFA:trifluon~ace~ic acid THF:tetrahydrofuran 3-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl))-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH).N N-dimethyla"~i"opr opane ~
H2N ~ ~ N ~ ~cHH

O ~ CH3 O 3 ~L
30~1 BoGN-Me-D-Phe-OH (279 mg) was dissolved in DMF (4 ml) and stirred 10 min with HOBt (168 mg) and EDAC (230 mg ). 3-Dimethylamino-1-propylamine (188 ~
3~ was added and the mixture was stirred 18h at r.t. Then 5% aqueous sodium hydrogen ca,60n2le (50 ml) was added and the resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (50 ml) and the o~yal1ic phase was dried over Na2SO4 and conc~ Ib dted in vacuum to an oil.
This oil was stirred 10 min at r.t. with TFA/DCM 1:1 (6 ml). After this the TFA / DCM
was evaporated by a stream of nitrogen and the resulting oil was dissolved in a 5 mixture of 70% CH3CN (10 ml), 1 N HCI (3 ml) and water (37 ml) and the resulting mixture was immediately frozen and Iyophilized.
The product from the Iyophilisation was dissolved in DMF (6 ml) and DCM (12 ml).To this mixture was added during stirring Boc-N-Me-D-2Nal-OH (494 mg), HOAt (204 mg), DIEA (171 1ll) and after cooling to 0 ~C EDAC (288 mg). After stirring for 10 18h at r.t. the DCM was evaporaled by a stream of nil,ogen and EtOAc (100 ml) was added. This mKture was extracted two times with 5% ~ueolls sodium h~,dr~,ge" carbonate (100 ml) and with water (100 ml) and dried over Na2SO4 and conce~ led in vacuum to an oil (480 mg).
This oil was stirred 10 min at r.t. with TFA I DCM 1:1 (6 ml). After this the TFA /
15 DCM was evaporated by a stream of nitrogen and the resulting oil was dissolved in 70% CH3CN (10 ml). 1 N HCI (1 ml) and water (47 ml) was added and the resulting mixture was immediately frozen and Iyophilized to an oil (2 HCI, H-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NHtCH2)3-N(CH3)2).
Half of the above oil (2 HCI, H-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH-(CH2)3-N(CH3)2) 20 was dissolved in DCM (9 ml) and 2 drops of DMF and DIEA (342 ~11) were added.This solution was added to a solution of Boc-3AM8-OH (503 mg) and EDAC (192 mg) in DCM (5 ml) which had been stirred for 15 min at r.t.
After stirring for 20 h the reaclion mixture was concer,lraled to an oil with a stream of nitrogen and stirred for 15 min with 5% aqueous sodium hyd,ogen carbonate 25 (100 ml).
Then EtOAc (50 ml) was added, the organic phase separaled and exlr~cled with 5% aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (100 ml) and with water (100 ml) and then dried over Na2SO4 and concenLI aled in vacuum to an oil (340 mg).
This oil was stirred 10 min at r.t. with TFA / DCM 1:1 (6 ml). After this the TFA /
30 DCM was e~,aporaled by a stream of nilrogen and the resulting oil was dissolved in 70% CH3CN (10 ml) and diluted with water to a final volume of 50 ml.
This crude product was then purified by semipreparative HPLC in eight runs and Iyophilized using similar procedures as described in example 1.
The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC (retention 35 time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass). The molecular mass found (MH~:608.2 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.

MH~ 608.8 amu) within the ex~.eri,l,e"lal error of the ",eU lod.
The RP-HPLC retention time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in example 1. was found to be 25.23 min and 26.58 min, respectively.

3-(((3R)-3-Piperidinecarbonyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1 -10 N,N-dimethylamir,opropane N N N ~ CH, 20 Half of the 2 HCI, H-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH-(CH2)3-N(CH3)2 which was obtained as an oil in example 2, was dissolved in DCM (9 ml) and 2 drops of DMF
and DIEA (342 ~11) were added.
This solution was added to a solution of Boc-(R)-nipecotic acid (459 mg) and EDAC (192 mg) in DCM (5 ml) whicn had been stirred for 15 min at r.t.
25 After stirring for 20 h the reaction mixture was conce"L, aled to an oil with a stream of nitrogen and stirred for 15 min with 5% aqueous sodium hydr~gen carbonate (100 ml) Then EtOAc (50 ml) was added, the organic phase separaled and extracted with 5% aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (100 ml) and with water (100 ml) and 30 then dried over Na2SO4 and concer,l, a~ed in vacuum to an oil.
This oil was stirred 10 min at r.t. with TFA / DCM 1:1 (6 ml). After this the TFA /
DCM was eva,uofated by a stream of nitrogen and the resulting oil was dissolved in 70% CH3CN (10 ml) and diluted with water to a final volume of 50 ml.
This crude product was then purified by semipreparative HPLC in five runs and - 35 - Iyophilized using similar procedures as described in example 1.
The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC (retention time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass). The molecular mass found (MH~: 586.3 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.
MH~ 585.8 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
The RP-HPLC retention time using elution c~ndilions A1 and B1 as defined in 5 example 1 was found to be 25.33 min and 26.35 min, respectively.

0 2-(((3R)-3-Piperidinecarbonyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethane CH, O ~[3 CH, N~ N ~ N ~ NH~

BoGN-Me-D-Phe-OH (279 mg) was dissolved in DMF (10 ml) and stirred 10 min with HOBt (168 mg) and EDAC (384 mg ). 2-(Aminoethyl)-1-methyl-pyrrolidine (290 ,ul) and DIEA (171 ~I) were added and the mixture was stirred for 20 h at r.t.
Then the mixture was conce"l,aLed to an oil which was dissolved in 50 ml water 25 and Iyophilized. The product was redissolved in 25 ml water and then applied to a Sep-Pak(~) C18 cartridge (Waters part. #:43345 ) which was equilibrated with 0.03 N hydrochloric acid . The product was eluted from the Sep-Pak~ cartridge with 70% CH3CN in 0.03 N hydrochloric acid and isolated from the eluate by Iyophilisation after dilution with water. The resulting material is stirred 10 min at r.t.
30 with TFA / DCM 1:1 (6 ml). After this the TFA / DCM was evaporated by a stream of nitrogen and the resulting oil was dissolved in 70% CH3CN (10 ml) and 1 N
hydrochloric acid (2 ml) was added. The product was isolated by Iyophilisation after dilution with water (50 ml).
The resulting material was dissolved in DMF (3 ml) and stirred 18h at r.t. after35 addition of Boc-N-Me-D-2Nal-OH (329 mg), HOAt (136 mg), EDAC (230 rng) and DIEA (171111). Then EtOAc ( 50 ml) was added and this mixture was extracted with 5% aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (50 ml) with 5% ~ eous poLassium hydrogen sulphate (50 ml~ and with water (50 ml). The organic phase was dried with sodium sulphate and concenlrated in vac. to an oil.
This oil was stirred 10 min at r.t. with TFA / DCM 1:1 (6 ml). After this the TFA /
S DCM was evaporated by a stream of nitrogen and the resulting oil was dissolved in 70% CH3CN (10 ml) and 1 N hydrochloric acid (3 ml) was added. The product was isolated by Iyophilisation after dilution with water (50 ml).
286 mg of this Iyophilized product was dissolved in DCM (15 ml) and DIEA (171~
This solution was added to a solution of BoG(R)-nipecotic acid (459 mg) and EDAC (192 mg) in DCM (10 ml) which had been stirred for 25 min at r.t.
After stirring for 20 h the reaction mixture was concenl~ ~led to an oil by a stream of nitrogen and then redissolved in EtOAc (100 ml) and extracted with 5% agueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (50 ml) with 5% aqueous potassium hydrogen sulphate (50 ml) and with water t50 ml). The organic phase was dried with sodium15 sulphate and co"cer,l,aled in vac. to an oil.
This oil was stirred 10 min at r.t. with TFA / DCM 1:1 (6 ml). After this the TFA /
DCM was evaporated by a stream of nitrogen and the resulting oil was dissolved in 70% CH3CN (10 ml) and diluted with water to a final volume of 50 ml.
This crude product was then purified by semipreparali~e HPLC in three runs and 20 Iyophilized using similar procedures as described in example 1.
The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC (retention time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (mole~ 3r mass). The molecular mass found (MH': 612.2 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.
MH~ 612.39 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
25 The RP-HPLC retenlion time using elution condition A1 as defined in example 1.
was found to be 25.80 min.

(2R)-2~(3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me)-3-(2~apl ~thyl)propanol H~N~Z~N~N~
O
~

(R)-2-(N-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl) propionic acid methylester.

~x-N ~ CH, CH3 ~

(R)-2-tert-Butoxycarbonylamino-3-(2-napl,tl,yl) propionic acid (5,0 9 ;16,4 mmol) was dissolved in dry DMF (50 ml). Iodomethane (6,2 ml; 98,4 mmol) and 25 silver(l)oxide (13,3 9 ;57,4 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred ovemight. The It:action mixture was filtered and the filtrate was extracted wit methylene chloride (200 ml). The organic phase was washed with pot~ssi~
cyanide (2 x 50 ml; 5%) and water (3 x 75 ml). The organic phase was dried (MgSO4) and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was chro~atos~raphed 30 (Silica, 5 x 40cm) using ethyl acetate and heptane (1:2) as eluent to afford 4,98 9 of (R) 2-(N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl) propionic acid methyl ester.

'H-NMR (CDCI3): 1.30, 1.35 (two s, 9H); 2.71, 2.75 (two s, 3H); 3.19, 3.47 (two m, 3~ 2H); 3.74, 3.77 (two s, 3H); 4.65, 5.05 (two dd, 1H); 7.29-7.82 (m, 7H) (mixture of rotamers) (R)-2~N-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl) propionic acid.

-Boc N~
CH3 ~

(R)-2-(N-tert-Butoxyca,L,onyl-N-methylamino)-3-(2-llaplltl,yl) propionic acid methyl ester (21,73 9 ;65,57 mmol) was dissolved in 1,4-dioxan (200 ml) and water (20 ml) 10 was added. The reaction mixture was cooled on an icebath and lithium hydroxide (1,73 9; 72,13 mmol) was added. After 15 min water (140 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was then stirred for additional 3 hours at room temperature. Ethyl ~cet~te (400 ml) and water (300 ml) were added and pH was adjusted to 2,5 with sodium hydrogen sulfate 1 M (110 ml). The phases was separated and the 15 aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl ~cet~te (200 ml). The combined organ cphases were washed with water (300 ml), dried (MgSO4) and the solvent was removed in vacuo to afford 20,1 9 af (R) 2-(N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-methylamino)-3-(2~aphlhyl) propionic acid.

20 'H-NMR (DMSO) 1.18, 1.21 (two s, 9H); 2.627 2.66 (two s, 3H); 3.11-3.58 (m, 2H);
4.75, 4.90 (two dd,1 H); 7.48-7.88 (m, 7H); 1.85 (s (br),1 H)(mixture of rotamers) (R) 2-Formylamino-3-(2-naphthyl) propionic acid.

o ~
J~ OH
H O

(R)-2-amino-3-(2-naphthyl) propionic acid (18,11 9; 84,14 mmol) was dissolved informic acid (204 ml) and acetic acid anhydride (70 ml) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was heated to 55~C and stirred 31/2 hours at room temperature.
Icecold water (70 ml) was added dropwise and stirred at 0~C for 20 min. The 35 reaction mixture was filtrated and washed with icecold water (20 ml) to afford 20,26 g af (R) 2-formylamino-3-(2-naphthyl) propionic acid.

W O 97/00894 PCT~DK96/00266 'H~NMR (DMSO): 3.05 (dd, 1H); 3.27 (dd, 1H); 4.64 (m, 1H); 7.48-7.87 (m, 7H);
7.95 (s, 1H); 8.45 (d, 1H); 12.9 (s (br), 1H).

(R)-Methylamino-3-(2-naphlllyl) propan-1-ol.

~OH

a~

(R)-2-Formylamino-3-(2-naphthyl)propionic acid (4,37 9; 18 mmol) was dissolved in dry tetrahydrofuran (100 ml), and sodium borohydride (1,6 g; 43,2 mmol) was added. Jodine (4,57 9; 18 mmol) was dissolved in dry tetrahydrofuran (40ml) and lS added dropwise to the reaction mixture at below 40~C. After addition the reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 12 hours. Potassium hydroxide (50 ml; 20%) was added. The aqueous phase was extracted with methyl tertbutyl ether (4 x 50 ml).
The co",bined organic layers were washed with saturated sodium chloride (150 ml), dried (MgSO4) and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was 20 chromatographed (Silica; 5 x 40cm) using DCIVU methanol/ammonia (100:10:1) to afford 1,81 9 of (R) methylamino-3-(2-napl,Ulyl)propan-1-ol.

'H-NMR (CDCb): 2.43 (s, 3H); 2.88-3.05 (m, 3H); 3.10 (s (br), 2H); 3.42 (dd, 1H);
3.69 (dd, 1 H); 7.30-7.82 (m, 7H).

N~(1 R)-1 -[N-((1 R)-2-Hydroxy-1 -((2-nap hU Iyl)methyl)ethyl)-N-methylcal L,al, loyl]-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl~N-methylcarbamic acid tert-butyl ester.

30 ~

Bo~N ~ ~--OH
CH3 ~~3 35 (R)-(N-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-N-methylamino)-3-(2-napl,U,yl) propionic acid (0,55 9;
1,67 mmol) and (R) methylamino-3-(2-naphthyl) propan-1-ol (0,38 9; 2,00 mmol) WO 97/00894 PCT/DK96tO0266 were dissolved in methylene chloride (1~ ml) and dimethylro""a",ide (7.5 ml). The reaction mixture was cooled on an icebath. 1-Hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (0 24 9;2 09 mmol) and N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (0 38 9; 2 0 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred 12 hours at roomS te,nperalure. The reaction mixture was conce,ll,aled in vacuo. Ethyl acela~e (200 ml) was added and the organic solution was washed with water (100 ml) sodium hydl oge, l cal bo"aLe/sodium carbonate (pH 9) (75 ml) sodium hyd~ oge" sulfate (75 ml; 10%) water (100 ml) and dried (MgSO4). The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was chromatographed (Silica 2 x 45cm) using ethyl ~Get~te to 10 afford 0 259 of N~(1 R)-1 -(N-~(1 R)-2-hydroxy-1-((2-naphlhyl)methyl)ethyl)-N-methylca~ ba" ,oyl]-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl~N-methylcal L,a"lic acid tert-butyl ester.

'H-NMR (DMSO): 0.80-1.99 (several s 9H); 2.45-4.20 (m 12 H); 4.70-5.12 (m 2H) (selected peaks mixture of rota",ers) (2R)-N-((1 R)-2-hydroxy-1 -((2-l ,ac l ~li "/I)methyl)ethyl)-N-methyl-2-methylamino-3-(2-naphlhyl) propionamide.

HN~
C~30 ~3 N~(1 R)-1-(N-[(1 R)-2-hydroxy-1-((2-naphthyl)methyl)ethyl)-N-methylcarbamoyl]-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl~N-methylcarbamic acid tert-butyl ester (0 25 9; 0 475 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (3 ml). Triflouroacetic acid (1 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 20 min. The solvent was removed in vacuo. DCM (5 ml) wasadded and removed in vacuo and repeated. The residue was dissolved in methanol (5 ml). Sodium hydrogen carbonate / sodium carbonate (5 ml; pH 9) was added and the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 10ml). The organic phase was dried (MgSO4) and the solvent was removed to afford 0 22 9 of (2R)-N-((1 R)-2-hydroxy-1-((2-naphthyl)methyl)ethyl)-N-methyl-2-methylamino-3-(2-naphLhyl)propionamide.

'H-NMR (CDCI3): 1.70, 2.37, 2.45, 2.93 (four s, 6H); 2.5~3.05 (m, 2H), 3.52-3.85(m, 7H); 4.25, 4.97 (two m, 1H); 6.86-7.78 (m, 14 H) (selected peaks, mixture ofrotamers) (2R)-2~(3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me)-3-(2-naphtyl)propanol ~ CH O
H2N~ N~N,'_OH
o ~

3-Boc-aminomethylbenzoic acid (502.6 mg) was dissolved in DCM (6 ml) and then converted to the symmetrical anhydride by stirring with EDAC (191.6 mg) for 15 1~ min.
A solution of (2R)-N-((1 R)-2-hydroxy-1-((2-naphthyl)methyl)ethyl)-N-methyl-2-methylamino-3~2-napl,lhyl)propiona",iJe (200 mg) in DCM (5 ml) was added to this mixture and then reacted for 20 h at r.t.
The rea~ion mixture was then concer,lrated to an oil and redissolved in EtOAc 20 (100 ml). This solution was extracted sequentially with 5% aqueous NaHCO3 (2 x 50 ml), 5% aqueous KHSO4 (2 x 50 ml) and H20 (2 x 50 ml). The resulting organic phase was dried with Na2SO4 and concenl,ated in vacuum on a rotary evaporator to an oil. The oil was then dissolved in DCM / TFA 1:1 (6 ml) and stirred. After 10 min the mixture was concenl,aled by a stream of nitrogen and the resulting oil was 25 redissolved in 70% CH3CN / 0.1 % TFA (5 ml) and diluted with water to a volume of 100ml.
This crude product was then purified by semipreparative HPLC in two runs and Iyophilized using similar procedures as described in example 1.
The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC (retention 30 time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass). The molecular mass found (MH': 559.5 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.
MH~ 560.72 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
The RP-HPLC retention time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in example 1 was found to be 33.07 min and 34.63 min, respectively.

H-Ai~His-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2 ~1 c,NH~, o ~ Nh~ ~ 2 10 The peptide was synthesized according to the Fmoc strategy on an Applied Biosystems 431A peptide synthesizer in 0.22 mmol scale using the manufacturer supplied FastMoc UV protocols which employ HBTU medi~ted couplings in NMP
and UV "lonilo~i"g of the deprotection of the Fmoc protection group. The starting resin used for the synthesis was cat. #: D-1675 from Bachem Feinchemikalien AG
Bubendorf Switzerland (427) mg which is a Fmoc-2 4-dimethoxy4'-(carboxymethyloxy)-benzhydryl-amine linked to amino methyl polystyrene resin through an amide bond. The substitution c~pacily was 0.55 mmol / 9 . The protected amino acid derivatives used were Fmoc-N-Me-D-Phe-OH Fmoc-D-2Nal-OH FmoGHis(Trt) and Fmoc-Aib-OH. The coupling of Fmoc-N-Me-D-Phe-OH was 20 carried out as a double coupling. After the synthesis the peptide was cleaved from 750 mg of the peptide resin by stirring for 180 min at room temperature with a mixture of 8 ml TFA 600 mg phenol 200 1ll ethanedithiol 400 ~l ll ,ioa"isole and400 ~I H2O. The cleavage mixture was filtered and the filtrate was conce"l,~ed to app~oxi",a~ely 2 ml by a stream of nitrogen. The crude peptide was precipitated 25 from this oil with 50 ml diethyl ether and washed 2 times with 50 ml diethyl ether.
The crude peptide was dried and purified by sel"i~reparative HPLC in one run andIyophilized using similar procedures as described in example 1.
The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC (retention time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass). The 30 molecular mass found (MH':598.5 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.
MH' 598.73 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
The RP-HPLC retention time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in example 1 was found to be 24.68 min and 25.58 min respectively.

H-Aib-His-D-2Nal-NMe-D-Phe-Ser-NH2 5 N~q~ o ~

~ ~

10 This compound was synthesized using similar procedures as described in example 6. The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC (retentiontime) and by Plasma deso".tion mass spectrometry (molecular mass). The molecular mass found (MH':685.6 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.
MH~ 68~.81 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
15 The RP-HPLC retention time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in example 1. was found to be 24.42 min and 25.92 min, respectively.

(3-Aminomethylber,~oyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2 0 ~3 ~ o This compound was synthesized using similar procedures as described in example 30 6. The only exception was that the coupling of Fmoc-D-2Nal-OH was performed - using HATU as the activating reagent. H-N-Me-D-Phe-resin (0.23 mmol) was coupled for 150 min with 1 mmol FmoGD-2Nal-OH using 1 mmol HATU in the ~ presence of DIEA (2 mmol).
The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC (retention 35 time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass). The molecular mass found (MH~:511.2 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.

MH' 509.6 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
The RP-HPLC retention time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in example 1. was found to be 30.73 min and 32.47 min, respectively.

(4-Piperidinecarbonyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2 ,~, -HN--I O
, N H

' ~

This compound was synthesized using similar procedures as described in example 8. The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC (retentiontime) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass). The 20 molecular mass found (MH':486.8 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.
MH ' 487.6 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
The RP-HPLC retention time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in example 1 was found to be 27.03 min and 28.48 min, respectively.

(~3R)-3-Piperidinecarbonyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2 0 .~3 NH~ NH, O ~ CH, O

3~i ~

This compound was synthesized using similar procedures as described in example 8. The final product obtained was charaderised by analytical RP-HPLC (reter)~iontime) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass). The molecular mass found (MH~:486.9 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.
MH~ 487.6 amu) within the experimental error of the " ,eU ,od.
The RP-HPLC retenlion time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in example 1 was found to be 28.03 min and 29.50 min respectively.

10 E~(AMPLE 11 (3-Aminomelhylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2 ,",~ n, o ~

20 This compound was synthesized using similar procedures as described in example 8. with the exceptions that the last residue is introduced by using a symmetrical anhydride coupling. Boc-3-Aminomethylbenzoic acid (251 mg) is stirred for 15 minwith EDAC (96 mg) in DCM. Then the resin (429 mg) is added and stirring is continued for 18 h. The other exception is that the time used to cleave the ~eptide 25 from the resin was reduced to 60 min. The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC (retention time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectro",el,y (molecular mass). The molecular mass found (MH':522.9 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor. MH' 523.6 amu) within the experimentalerror of the method.
30 The RP-HPLC retention time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in - example 1 was found to be 28.83 min and 30.13 min respectively.

WO 97/00894 PCT/DK~G/~0~66 H-Aib-His-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2 rN

~C

This compound was synthesized using similar procedures as described in example 8; where both FmoGN-Me-D-2Nal-OH and Fmoc-His(Trt) were collrled using HATU and the time used to cleave the peptide from the resin was re~l ~ced to 60 min. The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC
15 (retention time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass).
The molecular mass found (MH~:612.3 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor. MH~ 612.8 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
The RP-HPLC relentio,l time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in example 1 was found to be 24.33 min and 26.20 min, respectively.

(3-Aminometh~lbel l~oyl)-D-Phe-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 ~, O ~ O

~

This compound was synthesized using similar procedures as described in example 8. The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC (retention35 time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass). The molecular mass found (MH':587.2 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.

MH' 586.74 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
The RP-HPLC retention time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as ~erined in example 1. was found to be 21.13 min and 22.60 min respectively.

(~-Aminomell ,ylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-Phe-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 H~N ~ ~ CH~ ~3~
O ~;0 ~
~

This compound was synthesized using similar procedures as described in example 11. The final product obtained was ~lar~Lerised by analyticai RP-HPLC (retention20 time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass). The molecular mass found (MH~:601.6 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.
MH' 601.77 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
The RP-HPLC retention time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in example 1. was found to be 20.40 min and 21.70 min respectively.

((3R)-3-Piperidinecarbonyl)-N-Me-D-Phe-N-Me-D-Phe-LyS-NH2 _3 N~,CH~_N_~ _ NH, o I ~ 'I~

N) This compound was synthesized using similar procedures as described in example 11. The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC (rele~ Ition time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass). The mole~ mass found (MH':579.4 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.
5 MH~ 579.8 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
The RP-HPLC retention time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in example 1. was found to be 19.88 min and 21.20 min, respectively.

H-Ai~His-N-Me-D-Phe-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 ,"~c,,~

NY, This compound was synthesized using similar procedures as described in example 12. The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC (retention time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass). The molecular mass found (MH~:690.6 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.
25 MH~ 690.9 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
The RP-HPLC retention time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in example 1. was found to be 15.71 min and 17.82 min, respectively.

((3R)-3-Piperidineca~ ~onyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2 ~ 5 ~cH ~3 o lR CH, o ~

This compound was synthesized using similar procedures as described in example 11. using Fmoc-N-Me-D-Phe-OH, FmoGN-Me-D-2Nal-OH and BoG(R)-Nipecotic acid, where both Fmoc-N-Me-D-2Nal-OH and Boc-(R)-Nipecotic acid were coupled 15 using HATU. The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC
(retention time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass):
The molecular mass found (MH':500.7 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor. MH~ 501.7 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
The RP-HPLC retention time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in 20 example 1. was found to be 28.18 min and 29.55 min, respectively.

25 H-Aib-Ala-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 .Ç~
O H,C O O
H2N~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~NHs 3 0 H,C O ~, ~ ~

\~ ~'IH2 3~ This compound was synthesized using similar procedures as described in example 6. The final product obtained was characterised by analytical RP-HPLC (retention time) and by Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (molecular mass). The molecular mass found (MH~:660.7 amu) agreed with the expected structure (teor.
MH~ 660.8 amu) within the experimental error of the method.
The RP-HPLC retention time using elution conditions A1 and B1 as defined in 5 example 1. was found to be 25.63 min and 26.75 min, respectively.

H-3-Aminomethylbenzoyl-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH-CH3 ,~1 H2N~ -- CH~CH, Boc-3AMB-OH (115 mg, 0.458 mmol),1 -hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (62 mg, 0.458 l~ mmol) and 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (97 mg, 0.504 mmol) were dissolved in DCM (8 ml) and DMF (1 ml) and stirred for 15 min.
N-methyl-2-methylamino-N-((1 R)-1 -(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionamide (185 mg, 0.458 mmol) dissolved in DCM (5 ml) was added followed by addition of diisopropylethylamine (80 ml, 0.458 mmol) and the mixture 20 was stirred for 20 hours.
The organic phase was washed with sodium hydrogen carbonate (50 ml, 5%) H20 (50 ml) and saturated NaCI/H2O (50 ml) and dried with sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in DCM (2 ml) and treated with TFA (2 ml) for 10 min. With a stream of N2 the volatiles was removed. The residue 25 was dissolved in 50 ml of 20% MeCN and diluted to 500 ml with H20.

Se"~ reparaliYe HPLC
10 ml/min., 5 runs, 3~40% MeCN/0,1 M (NH4)2SO4, pH 2,5 Detection 276 nm, Sep-Pals, 70% MeCN/0,1 % TFA, Lyophilization PD-MSTheory 536,7 Found 535,7+ 1 HPLC A1 r~ 31,20 min B1 rt 36,35 min H-Aib-His-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NHMe N /~\
~NI il ~

3~NH N'~'N~NHCH3 H3C O ~3 0 FmoGL-His(Trityl)-OH (1,54 9, 2.48 mmol) (BACHEM B-1570) and 1-hydroxyaza-benzotriazol (338 mg, 2.48 mmol) were dissolved in 9 ml of DMF, cooled to ~4~C and 20 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (475 mg, 2.48 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 15 min. at 0-4~ C.
N-Methyl-2-methylamino-N-((1 R)-1-(Methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)-~(2-naphthyl)propionamid (~00 mg, 1.24 mmol) dissolved in methylen chloride (18 ml) was cooled to 04~ C and added and stirred for 1 hour at 04~ C followed by addition of 25 diisopropylethylamine (0.425 ml, 2.48 mmol). The temperature of the mixture was slowly raised to room temperature and the mixture was stirred for 72 hours. DCM was evaporated in a stream of N2 and to the mixture was added 100 ml ethyl acetate and washed with sodium hydrogen carbonate (2 x 100 ml, 5%) and potassium hydrogen sulfate (100 ml, 5%). The phases were separated and the organic phase was dried with sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in DMF (8 ml) and treated with piperidine for 15 min., diluted with H20 (100 ml) and quenched with acetic acid (1,5 ml). Acetonitrile was added and the mixture was diluted with H20 to 250 5 ml. The clear solution was applied to a 10 9 "Seppaks" #Water, washed with H20/0,03 m HCI and eluted with 50 ml 35% MeCN10,03 M HCI. Deluted with H20 to 200 ml and Iyophilized.
Boccc a",inoisobl tyric acid (756 mg, 3.72 mmol), 1-hydroxyazabe"~oL,i~ole hydrate (506 mg, 3.72 mmol) and 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethyla",inop(opyl)ca,bodiimide hydrochloride 10 (713 mg, 3.72 mmol) were dissolved in DMF (6 ml) and after 15 min. was added H-L-His(trityl)-NMeD2Nal-NMeDPhe-NHCH3, 2 HCL dissolved in DCM (12 ml) followed by addition of diisopropylethylamine (0.637 ml) and stirred for 72 hours. DCM was evaporated in a stream of N2 and the mixture was added 100 ml ethyl acetate and washed with sodium hydrogen carbonate (2 x 50 ml, 5%) and potassium hydrogen lS sulfate (50 ml, 5%). The phase were separated and the organic phase was dried with sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in DCM (6 ml),cooled to 0-4~ C and treated with TFA (6 ml) for 10 min. at 0-4~ C. With a stream of N2 the Yolatiles was removed. The oily residue was dissolved in 35 ml of 70% acelol ,iL~ile diluted with H20 to 50 ml and added 10 ml of concenL,aled hydrochloric acid (12 molar) 20 and stirred for 72 hours. The mixture was diluted to 200 ml with H20 and neutralized with solid sodium car bonale, finally diluted to 400 ml with H20.

Semipreparali~e HPLC

PD-MS, theory: 550,7, found 550,1 HPLC A1 rt. 31,75 min.
B1r,.36,15min.

3-methylamir ,omethylbenzoyl-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH-CH3 ~q H3C'NH--~ CH, O

BoGNMe3AMB-OH (658 mg, 2.48 mmol), 1 -hydroxya~abe~ l~oll i~ole hydrate (338 10 mg, 2.48 mmol) and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)ca,6Odii",i~e hydlo~,'cride (475 mg, 2.48 mmol) were dissolved in 6 ml of DMF and stirred for 15 min.
N-Methyl-2-methylamino-N-((1R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)-3 (2-napl,lilyl)propionamid (500 mg,1.24 mmol) dissolved in methylene chloride (12 ml) was added, followed by addition of diisopropylethylamine (0,425 ml, 2.48 mmol).
15 The mixture was stirred for 20 hours.
DCM was evaporated in a stream of N2 and to the mixture was added 75 ml of ethylacetate and washed with sodium hydrogencarbonate (2 x 50 ml, 5%) and potassium hyclrugen sulfate (50 ml, 5%). The phases were separ~led and the or~ya"ic phase was dried with sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The 20 residue was dissolved in 10 ml methylene chloride, cooled to 04~ C and treated with TFA (10 ml) for 10 min. at 04~ C. With a stream of N2 the volatiles were removed. The oily residue was dissolved in 25 ml of 70% MeCNI0,1 % TFA and diluted to 600 ml with H20.

Semipreparali~/e HPLC
Large column, 40 ml/min., 8 runs 2840& P 11 (NH4)2SO4, 276 nM.
Seppak, Lyophili~alion PD-MS Theory: 550,7, found 550,1 5 HPLC A1 rt 31,75 min B1 rt36,15min 10 Piperidine-4-carboxylic acid N-((1 R)-1-(N-((1 R)-2-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)ethyl)-N-methylcarbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)-N-methylamide o - CH3 o ~N~N~N~CH3 HN H3C O ~
I

(2R)-2-(N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-methylamino)-3-(4-iodophenyl)propionic acid H3C~oJ~N~OH

Prepared according to Can J. Chem. (1977), 55, 906.

'H-NMR: (CDCI3) d 1.34 (s, 4.5H), 1.38 (s, 4.5H), 2.70 (s,1.5H), 2.75 (s, 1.5H);25 2.85-3.10 (m, 1H), 3.2-3.4 tm, 1H); 4.4-4.6 (m, 0.5H), 6.9-7.0 (m, 2H), 7.62 (d, J=10 Hz, 2Hz), 9.5-10 (bs, 1 H) N-((1 R)-2-(4-lodophenyl)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)ethyl)-N-methylcarbamic acid tert-butylester ~1 CH3 0 ~J
3 CH; O

(2R)-2-(N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-methylamino)-3-(4-iodophenyl)propionic acid 10 (2.00 9, 4.9 mmol) was dissolved in methylene chloride (20 ml).
Hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (0.67 9, 4.9 mmol) and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimid hydrochloride (0.99 9, 4.9 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes. Methylamine (0.38 9 of a 40%
solution in methanol, 4.9 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred 15 overnight. Methylene chloride (40 ml) was added and the mixture was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate (50 ml) and a solution of sodium hydrogen sulphate (10%, 50 ml). The organic phase was dried (MgSO4) and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on silica (2.5 x 20 cm) using ethyl acetate/heptane (2:1) as 20 eluent to afford 1.77 9 of N-((1 R)-2-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)ethyl)-N-methylcarbamic acid tert-butylester.

'H-NMR: (CDCI3) (selected peaks for major rotamer) d 1.39 (s, 9H); 2.75 (s, 3H); 2.80 (d, 3H); 3.29 (dd,1 H); 4.88 (t, 1 H).

(2R)-3-(4-lodophenyl)-N-methyl-2-(methylamino)propionamide H C ~NH

N-((1 R)-2-(4-lodophenyl)-1 -(methylcarbamoyl)ethyl)-N-methylcarbamic acid tert-butylester (1.7 9; 4.0 mmol) was dissolved in methylene chloride (10 ml) and trifluoroacetic acid (5 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred for 1 h.
5 Methylene chloride (30 ml) and water (30 ml) was added. Solid sodium hydrogen carbonate was added to pH 8. The organic phase was separated, dried (MgSO4) and evaporated in vacuo to afford 1.22 9 of (2R)-3-(4-iodophenyl)-N-methyl-2-(methylamino)propionamide.

l0 H-NMR: (CDCb) d 2.28 (s, 3H); 2.68 (dd, 1H); 2.81 (d, 3H); 3.08-3.19 (m, 2H); 6.95 (d, 2H); 7.63 (d, 2H) N-Methyl-N-((1 R)-1 -(N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-(4-iodophenyl)ethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)carbamic acid tert-butylester ~ ' H C~ J~ CH
CH3 0 ~
W'l (2R)-2-(N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionic acid (1.10 9; 3.30 mmol) was dissolved in methylene chloride (10 ml) and HOAt 20 (0.45 9, 3.1 mmol) and EDAC (0.66 g, 3.5 mmol) were added. After stirring for15 min, (2R)-3-(4-iodophenyl)-N-methyl-2-(methylamino)propionamide (1.0 9, 3.1 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.45 9, 3.4 mmole) were added and the mixture was stirred overnight. Methylene chloride (30 ml) was added and the mixture was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen 25 carbonate (30 ml) and a solution of sodium hydrogen sulphate (10%, 30 ml).
The organic phase was dried (MgS04) and the solvent was removed in vacuo.
The residue was chromatographed on silica (2.5 x 20 cm) using ethyl acetate/heptane (2:1) as eluent to afford 1.74 9 of N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-(4-WO 97100894 PCT~DK96/00266 iodophenyl)ethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)carbamic acid tert-butylester.

'H-NMR: (CDCI3) (selected peaks for major rotamer) d 1.38 (s, 9H); 2.18 (d, 3H); 2.45 (s, 3H); 2.75 (s, 3H)5.05 (m, 1H); 5.42 (m,1H).
(2R)-N-((1 R)-2-(4-lodophenyl)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)ethyl)-N-methyl-2-methylamino-3-(2-naphthyl)propionamide 3 'NH ~ 1 NHCH3 ~ ~

N-Methyl-N-((1 R)-1-(N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-(4-iodophenyl)ethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)carbamic acid tert-butylester was dissolved in a mixture of methylene chloride and trifluoroacetic acid and stirred for 15 min.
15 Methylene chloride (20 ml) and water (30 ml) were added. Solid sodium hydrogen carbonate was added to pH 8. The organic phase was separated, dried (MgS04) and evaporated in vacuo to afford 1.40 9 of (2R)-N-((1 R)-2-(4-iodophenyl)-1 -(methylcarbamoyl)ethyl)-N-methyl-2-methylamino-3-(2-naphthyl)propionamide.
'H-NMR: (CDCI3) (selected peaks for major rotamer) d 1.79 (s, 3H); 2.02 (d, 3H); 2.55 (s, 3H); 3.78 (dd, 1 H); 5.44 (dd,1 H).

4-(N-((1 R)-1 -(N-((1 R)-2-(4-lodophenyl)-1 -(methylcarbomoyl)ethyl)-N-25 methylcarbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)-N-methylcarbamoyl)piperidine-1-carbox ylic acid tert-butylester ~ - NH 3 Oq~N CH3 0 1-tert-butoxycarbonylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid (143 mg, 0.66 mmol) was dissolved in methylene chloride (10 ml) and HOAt (90 mg, 0.66 mmol) and EDAC (140 mg, 0.73 mmol) were added. After 15 min of stirring (2R)-N-((1 R)-2-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)ethyl)-N-methyl-2-methylamino-3-(2-naphthyl)propionamide (350 mg, 0.66 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (85 mg, 0.66 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred overnight. Methylene chloride (20 ml) was added and the mixture was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate (20 ml) and a solution of sodium hydrogen sulphate (10%, 20 ml). The organic phase was dried (MgSO4) and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on silica (2.5 x 20 cm) using ethyl acetate as eluent to afford 412 mg of 4-(N-((1 R)-1-(N-((1 R)-2-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(methylcarbomoyl)ethyl)-N-methylcarbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)-N-methylcarbamoyl)piperidine-1 -carboxylic acid tert-butylester.

4-(N-((1 R)-1-(N-((1 R)-2-(4-lodophenyl)-1 -(methylcarbomoyl)ethyl)-N-methylcarbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)-N-methylcarbamoyl)piperidine-1 -carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (412 mg 0.56 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of methylene chloride (5 ml) and trifluoroacetic acid (5 ml) and stirred for 5 min.
Methylene chloride (20 ml) and a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate (20 ml) was added. Solid sodium hydrogen carbonate was added to pH 8. The phases were separated and the organic phase was dried (MgSO4) and evaporated to afford 255 mg of the title compound.

'H-NMR: (CDCI3) (selected peaks for major rotamer) d 2.32 (d, 3H); 2.58 (s, 3H); 2.68 (s,3H); 5.33 (m, 1 H); 5.84 (t, 1 H) HPLC: r, = 33.35 min (A1 ) PDMS:m/z640.8 (M+H)~.

Abbreviations HBTU O-(Benzotriazol-1 -yl)-1, 1 ,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate l~ NMP N-methyl pyrrolidone HATU 0-(7-A~abe, I,.~ll ia~ol-1 -yl)-1,1 ,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate Trt- Trityl HOBT 7-hydroxybenzotriozole hydrate 3-AmB 3-Aminomethylbenzoyl N-Me-3-AMB 3-methylaminomethylbenzoyl

Claims

1. A compound of general formula I

A-B-C-D(-E)p wherein p is O or 1;

A is hydrogen or R1-(CH2)q-(X)r-(CH2)s-CO-, wherein q is O or an integer selected from the group: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5;
r is O or1;
s is O or an integer selected from the group: 1, 2,3, 4, 5;
R1 is hydrogen, imidazolyl, guanidino, piperazino, morpholino, piperidino or N(R2)-R3, wherein each of R2 and R3 is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl optionally substituted by one or more hydroxyl, pyridinyl or furanyl groups; and X, when r is 1, is -NH-, -CH2-, -CH=CH-, -C(R16)(R17)-, or .wherein each of R16 and R17 is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl;
B is (G)t-(H)u wherein each of t and u independently is O or 1;
G and H are amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of natural L-amino acids or their corresponding D-isomers, or non-natural amino acids such as 1,4-diaminobutyric acid, amino-isobutyric acid, 1,3-diaminopropio,-ic acid, 4-aminophenylalanine, 3-pyridylalanine, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronorharman-3-carboxylic acid, N-methylanthranilic acid, anthranilic acid, N-benzylglycine, 3-aminomethylbenzoic acid, 3-amino-3-methyl butanoic acid, sarcosine, nipecotic acid or iso-nipecotic acid;
and wherein, when both t and u are 1, the amide bond between G and H being optionally replaced by Y-NR18-, wherein Y is -CO- or -CH2-, and R18 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower aralkyl;

C is a D-amino acid of formula -NH-CH((CH2)W-R4)-Co- wherein w is 0, 1 or 2; and R4 is selected from the group consisling of , , , , or each of which is optionally substituted with halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy, lower alkylamino, amino or hydroxy;

D, when p is 1, is a D-amino acid of formula -NR20-CH((CH2)k-R5)-Co- or, when p is O, D is -NR20-CH((CH2)1-R5)-CH2-R6 or -NR20-CH((CH2)m-R5)-CR
6, wherein k is 0, 1 or 2;
l is 0, 1 or 2;
m is 0, 1 or 2;
R20 is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl or lower aralkyl;
R5 is selected from the group consisting of , , , , or each of which is optionally substituted with halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy amino or hydroxy; and R6 is piperazino, morpholino, piperidino, -OH or -N(R7)-R3, wherein each of R7 and R8 is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl;

E, when p is 1, is -NH-CH(R10)-(CH2)v-R9, wherein v is 0 or an integer selected from the group: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8;
R9 is hydrogen, imidazolyl, guanidino, piperazino, morpholino, piperidino, -N(R11)-R12, or wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, and R1 9 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, wherein o is an integer selected from the group: 1, 2, 3, each of R11 and R12 is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl, or or each of which is optionally substituted with halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy, amino, alkylamino, hydroxy, or the Amadori rearrangement product from an amino group and a hexapy, cnose or a hexapyranosyl-hexap~l anose and R10, when p is 1, is selected from the group consisting of H, -COOH, -CH2-R13, -Co-R13 or -CH2-OH, wherein R13 is piperazino, morpholino, piperidino, -OH or-N(R14)-R15, wherein each of R
14 and R15 is independently hydlogen or lower alkyl;

all amide bonds within formula I with the exception of the bond between C and D
may independently be replaced by -Y-NR1 8, wherein Y is -CO- or -CH2-, and R18 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower aralkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and with the exception of the compounds (3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, H-Aib-His-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, H-Aib-His-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 3-(H-Aib-His-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1 -morpholinopropane, 2-(H-Aib-His-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-(1 -methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethane, ((3R)-Piperidinecarbonyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, 3-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)1- morpholinopropane, 2-(H-Aib-His-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-(1 -methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethane, 2-(((3R)-Piperidinecarbonyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH) -(1 -methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethane, 2-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH) -(1 -methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethane, 3-(H-Aib-His-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1 -morpholinopropane, 3-(((3R)-Piperidinecarbonyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH) -1 -morpholino-propane, 3-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-D-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1 (-1 meythol-2-2-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH) -(1 -methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethane, 2-(((3R)Piperidinecarbonyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-(1 -methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethane.

2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein A is hydrogenl 3-AMB, NMe-3-AMB
or Aib

3. A compound according to claim 1, wherein t is 1 and u is O and G is selected from the group consisting of 3-aminomethylbenzoyl, nipecotic acid and isonipecotic acid.

4. A compound according to claim 1, wherein t is 1, u is 1, G is Aib, and H is selected from the group consisting of His, Phe and Ala.

5. A compound according to claim 1, wherein C is selected from the group consisting of D-2-Nal and D-Phe.

6. A compound according to claim 1, wherein, when p is 1, D is D-Phe or D-2Nal.

7. A compound according to claim 1, wherein, when p is 0, D is D-Phe-NH2 or D-2Nal-NH2.

8. A compound according to claim 1, wherein E, when p is 1, is -NH-CH(R10)-(CH2)v-R9, wherein v is 0 or an integer selected from the group: 1,2,3,4;
R9 is hydrogen, morpholino, piperidino, N(R11)-R12 or wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, and R19 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, each of R11 and R12 is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl, and R10, when p is 1, is selected from the group consisting of -H, -COOH, -CH2-R13, -CO-R13 or -CH2-OH, wherein R13 is piperazino, morpholino, piperidino, -OH or -N(R14)-R15, wherein each of R14 and R15 is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl.

9. A compound according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the amide bonds between A and B, between B and C, between D and (E)p and between G and H is replaced by -CO-N(CH3)-.

10. A compound selected from the group consisting of (R)-2-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me)-3-phenylpropanol, or the TFA
salt thereof;
3-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl))N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1-1N,N-dimethylaminopropane, or the TFA salt thereof;
3-(((3R)-3-Piperidinecarbonyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1-N,N-dimethylaminopropane, or the TFA salt thereof;
2-(((3R)-3-Piperidinecarbonyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethane, or the TFA salt thereof;
H-Aib-His-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Ser-NH2, or the TFA salt thereof;
(3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, or the TFA salt thereof;
(4-Piperidinecarbonyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2, or the TFA salt thereof;
((3R)-3-Piperidinecarbonyl)-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2, or the TFA salt thereof;
(3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-D-Phe-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2, or the TFA salt thereof;
(3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-Phe-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, or the TFA salt thereof;

((3R)-3-Piperidinecarbonyl)-N-Me-D-Phe-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, or the TFA salt thereof;
H-Aib-His-N-Me-D-Phe-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, or the TFA salt thereof;
((3R)-3-Piperidinecarbonyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2, or the TFA salt thereof;
(2R)-2-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me)-3-(2-naphthyl)propanol, or the TFA salt thereof;
(3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2, or the TFA salt thereof;
3-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1-N,N-dimethylaminopropane, H-Aib-His-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2, or the TFA salt thereof;
(3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, H-Aib-Ala-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, or the TFA salt thereof;
H-Aib-His-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2, or the TFA salt thereof;
2-((3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1-morpholinoethane, (3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH-Me, 3-((3-Methylaminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH)-1-N,N-dimethylaminopropane, (3-Aminomethylbenzoyl)-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-N-Me2, H-Aib-His-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH2, 3-Aminomethylbenzoyl-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH-CH3, or the TFA salt thereof;
3-methylaminomethylbenzoyl-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NH-CH3, or the TFA salt thereof;
H-Aib-His-N-Me-D-2Nal-N-Me-D-Phe-NHMe, or the HCI salt thereof;
and Piperidine-4-carboxylic acid-N-((1R)-1-(N-((1R)-2-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)ethyl)-N-methylcarbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)-N-methylamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a compoundaccording to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

12. A composition according to claim 11 in unit dosage form, comprising from about 10 to about 200 mg of the compound according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

13. A pharmaceutical composition for stimulating the release of growth hormone from the pituitary, the composition comprising as an active ingredient, a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

14. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 11, 12, or 13 for oral, transdermal, nasal, pulmonary, or parenteral administration.

15. A method of stimulating the release of growth hormone from the pituitary, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amountof a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or of a composition according to any one of the claims 11, 12 or 14.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the effective amount of the compoundaccording to any one of claims 1 to 10 or phamaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof is in the range of from about 0.0001 to about 100 mg/kg body weight per day preferably from about 0.001 to about 50 mg/kg body weight per day.

17. A method to increase the rate and extent of growth of animals, to increase the milk or wool produktion of animals or for the treatment of ailments, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, or of a composition according to any one of the claims 11, 12 or 14.

18. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use as a medicament.

19. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament forstimulating the release of growth hormone from the pituitary.

20. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for administration to animals to increase their rate and extent of growth, to increase their milk or wool production, or for the treatment of ailments.