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Definitions

• TGF ⁇ Transforming Growth Factor ⁇
• BMPs bone morphogenetic proteins
• GDFs growth and differentiation factors
• MIS mullerian inhibiting substance
• TGF ⁇ exists in three isoforms (TGF ⁇ l, TGF ⁇ 2, and TGF ⁇ 3) and is present in most cells, along with its receptors. Each isoform is expressed in both a tissue-specific and developmentally regulated fashion.
• Each TGF ⁇ isoform is synthesized as a precursor protein that is cleaved intracellularly into a C-terminal region (latency associated peptide (LAP)) and an N-terminal region known as mature or active TGF ⁇ .
• LAP latency associated peptide
• LAP is typically non-covalently associated with mature TGF ⁇ prior to secretion from the cell.
• the LAP- TGF ⁇ complex cannot bind to the TGF ⁇ receptors and is not biologically active.
• TGF ⁇ is generally released (and activated) from the complex by a variety of mechanisms including interaction with thrombospondin-1 or plasmin.
• TGF ⁇ binds at high affinity to the type II receptor (TGF ⁇ RII), a constitutively active serine/threonine kinase.
• TGF ⁇ RII type II receptor
• the ligand-bound type II receptor phosphorylates the TGF ⁇ type I receptor (Alk 5) in a glycine/serine rich domain, which allows the type I receptor to recruit and phosphorylate downstream signaling molecules, Smad2 or Smad3.
• Smad2 or Smad3 can then complex with Smad4, and the entire hetero-Smad complex translocates to the nucleus and regulates transcription of various TGF ⁇ -responsive genes.
• Activins are also members of the TGF ⁇ superfamily that are distinct from TGF ⁇ in that they are homo- or heterodimers of activin ⁇ a or ⁇ b. Activins signal in a similar manner to TGF ⁇ .that is, by binding to a constitutive serine-threonine receptor kinase, activin type II receptor (ActRIIB), and activating a type I serine-threonine receptor, Alk 4, to phosphorylate Smad2 or Smad3. The consequent formation of a hetero-Smad complex with Smad4 also results in the activin-induced regulation of gene transcription.
• ActRIIB activin type II receptor
• TGF ⁇ and related factors such as activin regulate a large array of cellular processes, e.g., cell cycle arrest in epithelial and hematopoietic cells, control of mesenchymal cell proliferation and differentiation, inflammatory cell recruitment, immunosuppression, wound healing, and extracellular matrix production.
• cellular processes e.g., cell cycle arrest in epithelial and hematopoietic cells, control of mesenchymal cell proliferation and differentiation, inflammatory cell recruitment, immunosuppression, wound healing, and extracellular matrix production.
• cellular processes e.g., Massague, J. Ann. Rev .Cell. Biol 6: 594-641 (1990); Roberts, A. B. and Sporn M. B. Peptide Growth Factors and Their Receptors, 95: 419-472 Berlin: Springer- Verlag (1990); Roberts, A. B. and Sporn M. B. Growth Factors 8:1-9 (1993); and Alexandrow, M.
• TGF ⁇ signaling pathway underlies many human disorders (e.g., excess deposition of extracellular matrix, an abnormally high level of inflammatory responses, fibrotic disorders, and progressive cancers).
• activin signaling and overexpression of activin is linked to pathological disorders that involve extracellular matrix accumulation and fibrosis (see, e.g., Matsuse, T. et al., Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 13: 17-24 (1995); Inoue, S. et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 205: 441-448 (1994); Matsuse, T. et al, Am. J. Pathol.
• TGF ⁇ and activin can act synergistically to induce extracellular matrix (see, e.g., Sugiyama, M. et al., Gastroenterology 114: 550-558, (1998)). It is therefore desirable to develop modulators (e.g., antagonists) to signaling pathway components of the TGF ⁇ family to prevent/treat disorders related to the malfunctioning of this signaling pathway.
• modulators e.g., antagonists
• Compounds of formula (I) are unexpectedly potent antagonists of the TGF ⁇ family type I receptors, Alk5 and/or Alk 4.
• compounds of formula (I) can be employed in the prevention and/or treatment of diseases such as fibrosis (e.g., renal fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and hepatic fibrosis), progressive cancers, or other diseases for which reduction of TGF ⁇ family signaling activity is desirable.
• diseases such as fibrosis (e.g., renal fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and hepatic fibrosis), progressive cancers, or other diseases for which reduction of TGF ⁇ family signaling activity is desirable.
• the invention features a compound of formula I:
• Each of Xi, X 2 , X 3 , and X is independently CR X or N; provided that only two of Xi, X 2 , X 3 , and X4 can be N simultaneously.
• Each of Yi and Y 2 is independently CR y or N; provided that at least one of Yi and Y 2 must be N.
• Each R 1 is independently alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, acyl, halo, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, guanadino, amidino, carboxy, sulfo, mercapto, alkylsulfanyl, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, alkylsulfonylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, urea, thiourea, sulfamoyl, sulfamide, carbamoyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylsulfanyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyloxy, heterocycloalkylsulfanyl, aryl, aryloxy, arylsulfanyl, aroyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl
• Each R 2 is independently alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyl, halo, hydroxy, -NH , -NH(alkyl), -N(alkyl) 2 , -NH(cycloalkyl), - N(alkyl)(cyclocalkyl),
• heteroaryl arylcarbonylaminoalkylamino, heteroaralkylcarbonylaminoalkylamino, (heteroaryl)arylsulfonylaminoalkylcarbonylaminoalkylamino, arylsulfonylaminoalkylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, urea, thiourea, sulfamoyl, sulfamide, or carbamoyl.
• n 0, 1, 2, or 4; provided that when m > 2, two adjacent R 1 groups can join together to form a 4- to 8-membered optionally substituted cyclic moiety, n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; provided that when n > 2, two adjacent R 2 groups can join together to form a 4- to 8-membered optionally substituted cyclic moiety.
• R x and R y is independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, acyl, halo, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, guanadino, amidino, carboxy, sulfo, mercapto, alkylsulfanyl, alkylsulfmyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, (cycloalkyl)alkylcarbonyl, aroyl, aralkylcarbonyl, heterocycloalkylcarbonyl, (heterocycloalkyl)acyl, heteroaroyl, (heteroaryl)acyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, (amino)aminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonylaminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylsulf
• heterocycloalkyl alkoxy, (heterocycloalkyl)alkylsulfanyl, aryl, aryloxy, arylsulfanyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, aralkylsulfanyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, heteroarylsulfanyl, heteroaralkyl, (heteroaryl)alkoxy, or (heteroaryl)alkylsulfanyl.
• m when m > 2, two adjacent R 1 groups can join together to form a 4- to 8-membered optionally substituted cyclic moiety.
• the 2-pyridyl ring can fuse with a 4- to 8-membered cyclic moiety to form a moiety such as 7H- [ljpyrindinyl, 6,7-dihydro-5H-[l]pyrindinyl, 5,6,7, 8-tetrahydro-quinolinyl, 5,7- dihydro-furo[3,4-b]pyridinyl, or 3,4-dihydro-lH-thiopyrano[4,3-c]pyridinyl.
• the fused ring moiety can be optionally substituted with one or more substituents such as alkyl (including carboxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and haloalkyl such as trifluoromethyl; see definiton of "alkyl” below), alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroarylalkoxy, aroyl, heteroaroyl, amino, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkyl-alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, aralkylcarbonylamino, heterocycloalkyl-carbonylamino, heterocycloalkyl-carbonylamino, heterocycloalkyl-
• the 4- to 8-membered cyclic moiety formed by two adjacent R 2 groups can be optionally substituted with substituents such as alkyl (including carboxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and haloalkyl such as trifluoromethyl; see definiton of "alkyl” below), alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroarylalkoxy, aroyl, heteroaroyl, amino, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkyl-alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, aralkylcarbonylamino, heterocycloalkyl-carbonylamino, heterocycloalkyl-carbonyla
• each of Xi, X 2 , and X 3 is CR X .
• each of X 2 , X 3 , and 4 is independently -CH-, -C(CH 3 )-, -C(OH)-, -C(NH 2 )-, -C(CO-NH 2 )-, -C(CO-NHOH)-,-C(NH(unsubstituted alkyl))-, -C(NH(aryl))-, -C(NH(aralkyl))-, - C(NH(heteroaryl))-,
• each of Xi and X 2 is -CH-; X is N; and X 3 is -C(NH 2 )-, - C(NH(unsubstituted alkyl))-, -C(NH(aryl))-, -C(NH(aralkyl))-,-C(NH(heteroaryl))-, - C(NH(heteroarylalkyl))-, -C(NH-CO-(unsubstituted alkyl))-, -C(NH-CO-(aryl))-, - C(NH-CO-(heteroaryl))-, -C(NH-CO-(aralkyl))-, -C(NH-CO-(heteroarylalkyl))-, - C(NH-SO 2 -(unsubstituted alkyl))-, -C(NH-SO 2 -(aryl))-, -C(NH(NH-
• both Yi are Y 2 are N.
• m is 0, 1, or 2 (e.g., m is 1).
• R 1 is substituted at the 5-position or the 6-position (i.e., R 1 can be mono-substituted at either the 5-position or the 6-position or R 1 can be di-substituted at both the 5- and the 6-position).
• R 1 is C ⁇ - 4 alkyl, C ⁇ . 4 alkoxy, C ⁇ - 4 alkylthio, halo, amino, aminocarbonyl, or alkoxycarbonyl.
• n is 1 or 2 (e.g., n is 1).
• each R 1 is independently unsubstituted alkyl (e.g., 6- methyl, 6-ethyl, 6-n-propyl, or 6-isopropyl), hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl (e.g., 6- trifluoromethyl), aminoalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaralkyloxyalkyl, unsubstituted alkenyl (e.g., 6-vinyl), alkoxy, acyl, halo, hydroxy, carboxy, cyano, guanadino, amidino, amino (e.g., -NH , monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, monoheterocycloalkylamino, monoheteroarylamino, mono(heterocyclylalkyl)amino, mono(aralkyl)amino, or mono(heteroaralkyl)amino), carboxy, mercapto, alkylsulfanyl,
• each R 2 is independently unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, aminoalkyl (e.g., aminomethyl), aryloxyalkyl, heteroaralkyloxyalkyl, alkoxy, acyl, halo, hydroxy, carboxy, cyano, guanadino, amidino, -NH 2 , monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, monocycloalkylamino, monoheterocycloalkylamino (e.g., -NH-piperidinyl or -NH-morpholino), monoheteroarylamino (e.g., -NH-tetrazolyl, -NH-pyrazolyl, or -NH-imidazolyl), mono((heterocycloalkyl)alkyl)amino (e.g., -NH-(CH 2 ) ⁇ - 3 - ⁇ iperidinyl or -NH-(
• heteroaryl e.g., imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, tetrazolyl, or pyridyl.
• R 2 is substituted at the 3- position and is guanadino, amidino, -NH 2 , monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, monocycloalkylamino, monoheterocycloalkylamino, monoheteroarylamino, mono((heterocycloalkyl)alkyl)amino, mono(heteroaralkyl)amino, -NH-CO-NH(alkyl), -N(alkyl)-CO-NH(alkyl), -NH-SO 2 -NH(alkyl), -N(alkyl)-SO 2 - NH(alkyl), heterocycloalkyl, or heteroaryl.
• each R x is independently hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl (e.g., hydroxy-C ⁇ - alkyl such as hydroxyethyl),, haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), aminoalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaralkyloxyalkyl, alkoxy (e.g., C ⁇ 4 alkoxy such as methoxy or C ⁇ - haloalkoxy such as -OCF 3 ), halo (e.g., chloro or bromo), hydroxy, carboxy, cyano, guanadino, amidino, amino (e.g., -NH 2 , - NH(alkyl), -N(alkyl) 2 ,
• hydroxyalkyl e.g., hydroxy-C ⁇ - alkyl such as hydroxyethyl
• haloalkyl e.g., trifluoromethyl
• aminoalkyl
• aminocarbonyl e.g., -CO-NH 2 , -CO- NH-(CH 2 )o- 3 -CO
• heteroaralkyl e.g., imidazolyl-
• -NH(alkyl) are -NH(haloalkyl) (e.g., -NHCF 3 ), -NH(carboxyalkyl) (e.g., -NH(CH 2 ) ⁇ - 3 COOH), and
• -NH(hydroxyalkyl) e.g., -NH(CH 2 ) ⁇ - 3 OH.
• -NH(heterocycloalkylalkyl) are -NH(piperazinylalkyl) (e.g., -NH(CH 2 )i- 3 -piperizine) and -NH(morpholino-alkyl) (e.g., -NH(CH 2 ) ⁇ - 3 -morpholine).
• -NH(heteroaralkyl) are -NH(tetrazolylalkyl) (e.g., -NH(CH 2 ) ⁇ - 3 -tetrazole), -
• NH(pyrazolyl-alkyl) e.g., -NH(CH 2 )o. 3 -pyrazole
• -NH(imidazolyl-alkyl) e.g., -
• R y is hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), aminoalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaralkyloxyalkyl, alkoxy, halo, hydroxy, carboxy, cyano, guanadino, amidino, amino (e.g., -NH 2 , -
• heteroaryl alkylsulfanyl, heterocycloalkyl, (heterocycloalkyl)alkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl.
• Xi is N.
• Xi is N and each of X2, X 3 , and j is independently CR X .
• X 2 is N.
• X 2 is N and each of Xi, X 3 , and X 4 is independently CR X .
• X 3 is N.
• X 3 is N and each of Xi, X 2 , and is independently CR X .
• 4 is N.
• X 4 is N and each of Xi, X 2 , and X 3 is independently CR X .
• anN-oxide derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of each of the compounds of formula (I) is also within the scope of this invention
• a nitrogen ring atom of the imidazole core ring or a nitrogen-containing heterocyclyl substituent can form an oxide in the presence of a suitable oxidizing agent such as m- chloroperbenzoic acid or H 2 O 2
• a compound of formula (I) that is acidic in nature can form a pharmaceutically acceptable salt such as a sodium, potassium, calcium, or gold salt
• a pharmaceutically acceptable salt such as a sodium, potassium, calcium, or gold salt
• salts formed with pharmaceutically acceptable amines such as ammonia, alkyl amines, hydroxyalkylamines, and ⁇ -methylglycamine
• a compound of formula (I) can be treated with an acid to form acid addition salts Examples of such an acid include hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfuric acid, methanesulfonic acid, phosphoric acid, -bromophenyl-sulfonic acid, carbonic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, salicylic acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, ascorbic acid, maleic acid, acetic acid, and other mineral and organic acids well known to a skilled person in the art.
• the acid addition salts can be prepared by treating a compound of formula (I) in its free base form with a sufficient amount of an acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid) to produce an acid addition salt (e.g., a hydrochloride salt).
• the acid addition salt can be converted back to its free base form by treating the salt with a suitable dilute aqueous basic solution (e.g., sodium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, or ammonia).
• a suitable dilute aqueous basic solution e.g., sodium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, or ammonia.
• Compounds of formula (I) can also be, e.g., in a form of achiral compounds, racemic mixtures, optically active compounds, pure diastereomers, or a mixture of diastereomers.
• Compounds of formula (I) exhibit surprisingly high affinity to the TGF ⁇ family type I receptors, Alk 5 and/or Alk 4, e.g., with an IC 50 value of less than 10 ⁇ M under conditions as described in Examples 7 and 8 below. Some compounds of formula (I) exhibit an IC 50 value of below 0.1 ⁇ M.
• Compounds of formula (I) can also be modified by appending appropriate functionalities to enhance selective biological properties.
• modifications are known in the art and include those that increase biological penetration into a given biological system (e.g., blood, lymphatic system, central nervous system), increase oral availability, increase solubility to allow administration by injection, alter metabolism, and/or alter rate of excretion. Examples of these modifications include, but are not limited to, esterification with polyethylene glycols, derivatization with pivolates or fatty acid substituents, conversion to carbamates, hydroxylation of aromatic rings, and heteroatom-substitution in aromatic rings.
• the present invention also features a pharmaceutical composition
• a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) (or a combination of two or more compounds of formula (I)) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
• - lso included in the present invention is a medicament composition including any of the compounds of formula (I), alone or in a combination, together with a suitable excipient.
• the invention also features a method of inhibiting the TGF ⁇ family type I receptors, Alk 5 and/or Alk 4 (e.g., with an IC50 value of less than 10 ⁇ M; preferably, less than 1 ⁇ M; more preferably, less than 0.1 ⁇ M) in a cell, including the step of contacting the cell with an effective amount of one or more compounds of formula (I).
• Also with the scope of the invention is a method of inhibiting the TGF ⁇ and/or activin signaling pathway in a cell or in a subject (e.g., a mammal such as human), including the step of contacting the cell with or administering to the subject an effective amount of one or more of a compound of formula (I).
• a subject e.g., a mammal such as human
• Also within the scope of the present invention is a method of treating a subject or preventing a subject from suffering a condition characterized by or resulted from an elevated level of TGF ⁇ and/or activin activity (e.g., from an overexpression of TGF ⁇ ).
• the method includes the step of administering to the subject an effective amount of one or more of a compound of formula (I).
• the conditions include an accumulation of excess extracellular matrix; a fibrotic condition (e.g., scleroderma, lupus nephritis, connective tissue disease, wound healing, surgical scarring, spinal cord injury, CNS scarring, acute lung injury, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, adult respiratory distress syndrome, acute lung injury, drug-induced lung injury, glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, hypertension- induced nephropathy, hepatic or biliary fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis, restenosis, cardiac fibrosis, opthalmic scarring, fibrosclerosis, fibrotic cancers, fibroids, fibroma, fibroadenomas, fibrosarcomas, transplant arteriopathy, and keloid); demyelination of neurons multiple sclerosis
• an "alkyl” group refers to a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing 1-8 (e.g., 1-6 or 1-4) carbon atoms.
• An alkyl group can be straight or branched. Examples of an alkyl group include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, n-heptyl, and 2-ethylhexyl.
• An alkyl group can be optionally substituted with one or more substituents such as alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocycloalkyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroarylalkoxy, amino, nitro, carboxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, sulfo, mercapto, alkylsulfanyl, alkylsulfmyl, alkylsulfonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkyl-alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, aralkylcarbonylamino, heterocycloalkyl-carbonylamino, heterocycloalkyl-alkylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, heteroaralkylcarbonylamino, urea, thiourea, sulfamoyl, s
• an "alkenyl” group refers to an aliphatic carbon group that contains 2-8 (e.g., 2-6 or 2-4) carbon atoms and at least one double bond. Like an alkyl group, an alkenyl group can be straight or branched. Examples of an alkenyl group include, but are not limited to, allyl, isoprenyl, 2-butenyl, and 2-hexenyl.
• An alkenyl group can be optionally substituted with one or more substituents such as alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocycloalkyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroarylalkoxy, amino, nitro, carboxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, sulfo, mercapto, alkylsulfanyl, alkylsulfmyl, alkylsulfonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkyl-alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, aralkylcarbonylamino, heterocycloalkyl-carbonylamino, heterocycloalkyl- alkylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, heteroaralkylcarbonylamino, urea, thiourea, sulfamoyl,
• an "alkynyl” group refers to an aliphatic carbon group that contains 2-8 (e.g., 2-6 or 2-4) carbon atoms and has at least one triple bond.
• An alkynyl group can be straight or branched. Examples of an alkynyl group include, but are not limited to, propargyl and butynyl.
• An alkynyl group can be optionally substituted with one or more substituents such as alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocycloalkyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroarylalkoxy, amino, nitro, carboxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, sulfo, mercapto, alkylsulfanyl, alkylsulfmyl, alkylsulfonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkyl-alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, aralkylcarbonylamino, heterocycloalkyl-carbonylamino, heterocycloalkyl-alkylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, heteroaralkylcarbonylamino, urea, thiourea, sulfamoyl,
• an “amino” group refers to -NR X R Y wherein each of R x and R ⁇ is independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, (cycloalkyl)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (heterocycloalkyl)alkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl.
• R x has the same meaning as defined above.
• an "aryl” group refers to phenyl, naphthyl, or a benzofused group having 2 to 3 rings.
• a benzofused group includes phenyl fused with one or two C 4 . 8 carbocyclic moieties, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, or fluorenyl.
• aryl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents such as alkyl (including carboxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and haloalkyl such as trifluoromethyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, (cycloalkyl)alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (heterocycloalkyl)alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocycloalkyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroaralkyloxy, aroyl, heteroaroyl, amino, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, (cycloalkyl)alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, aralkylcarbonylamino, (heterocycl
• an "aralkyl” group refers to an alkyl group (e.g., a C ⁇ 4 alkyl group) that is substituted with an aryl group. Both “alkyl” and “aryl” have been defined above. An example of an aralkyl group is benzyl.
• a "cycloalkyl” group refers to an aliphatic carbocyclic ring of
• cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, adamantyl, norbornyl, cubyl, octahydro- indenyl, decahydro-naphthyl, bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl. bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, bicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl, and bicyclo[3.2.3]nonyl,.
• cycloalkenyl refers to a non-aromatic carbocyclic ring of 3-10 (e.g., 4-8) carbon atoms having one or more double bond.
• cycloalkenyl groups include cyclopentenyl, 1,4-cyclohexa-di-enyl, cycloheptenyl, cyclooctenyl, hexahydro- indenyl, octahydro-naphthyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octenyl, and bicyclo[3.3.1]nonenyl,.
• a cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group can be optionally substituted with one or more substituents such as alkyl (including carboxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and haloalkyl such as trifluoromethyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, (cycloalkyl)alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (heterocycloalkyl)alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocycloalkyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroaralkyloxy, aroyl, heteroaroyl, amino, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, (cycloalkyl)alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, aralkyl
• heterocycloalkyl alkylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, heteroaralkylcarbonylamino, cyano, halo, hydroxy, acyl, mercapto, alkylsulfanyl, sulfoxy, urea, thiourea, sulfamoyl, sulfamide, oxo, or carbamoyl.
• heterocycloalkyl refers to a 3- to 10-membered (e.g., 4- to 8-membered) saturated ring structure, in which one or more of the ring atoms is a heteroatom, e.g., N, O, or S.
• heterocycloalkyl group examples include piperidinyl, piperazinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuryl, dioxolanyl, oxazolidinyl, isooxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, octahydro-benzofuryl, octahydro-chromenyl, octahydro-thiochromenyl, octahydro-indolyl, octahydro-pyrindinyl, decahydro- quinolinyl, octahydro-benzo[t)]thiophenyl.
• heterocycloalkenyl refers to a 3- to 10-membered (e.g., 4- to 8-membered) non-aromatic ring structure having one or more double bonds, and wherein one or more of the ring atoms is a heteroatom, e.g., N, O, or S.
• a heterocycloalkyl or heterocycloalkenyl group can be optionally substituted with one or more substituents such as alkyl (including carboxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and haloalkyl such as trifluoromethyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, (cycloalkyl)alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (heterocycloalkyl)alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocycloalkyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroaralkyloxy, aroyl, heteroaroyl, amino, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, (cycloalkyl)alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, aralkyl
• heteroaryl group refers to a monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic ring structure having 5 to 15 ring atoms wherein one or more of the ring atoms is a heteroatom, e.g., N, O, S, or B and wherein one ore more rings of the bicyclic or tricyclic ring structure is aromatic.
• heteroaryl examples include pyridyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, tetrazolyl, benzofuryl, benzthiazolyl, xanthene, thioxanthene, phenothiazine, dihydroindole, and benzo[l,3]dioxole.
• a heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents such as alkyl (including carboxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and haloalkyl such as trifluoromethyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, (cycloalkyl)alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (heterocycloalkyl)alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocycloalkyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroaralkyloxy, aroyl, heteroaroyl, amino, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, (cycloalkyl)alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, aralkylcarbonylamino, heterocycloalkyl-
• heteroaryl group refers to an alkyl group (e.g., a C ⁇ - 4 alkyl group) that is substituted with a heteroaryl group. Both “alkyl” and “heteroaryl” have been defined above.
• cyclic moiety includes cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkenyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, each of which has been defined previously.
• a “carbamoyl” group refers to a group having the structure -O- CO-NR x R Y or -NR x -CO-O-R z wherein R x and R ⁇ have been defined above and R z is alkyl, cycloalkyl, (cycloalkyl)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (heterocycloalkyl)alkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl.
• a "carboxy” and a “sulfo” group refer to -COOH and -SO 3 H, respectively.
• alkoxy group refers to an alkyl-O- group where “alkyl” has been defined previously.
• a "sulfoxy" group refers to -O-SO-R x or -SO-O-R x , where R x has been defined above.
• halogen or halo group refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.
• a "sulfamoyl” group refers to the structure -S(O) 2 -NR x R Y or - NR X -S(O) 2 -R z wherein R x , R ⁇ , and R z have been defined above.
• a "sulfamide” group refers to the structure -NR X -S(O) 2 -
• a "urea” group refers to the structure -NR x -CO-NR Y R z and a “thiourea” group refers to the structure -NR X -CS-NR Y R Z .
• R x , R ⁇ , and R z have been defined above.
• an effective amount is defined as the amount which is required to confer a therapeutic effect on the treated patient, and is typically determined based on age, surface area, weight, and condition of the patient. The interrelationship of dosages for animals and humans (based on milligrams per meter squared of body surface) is described by Freireich et al., Cancer Chemother. Rep., 50: 219 (1966).
• Body surface area may be approximately determined from height and weight of the patient. See, e.g., Scientific Tables, Geigy Pharmaceuticals, Ardsley, New York, 537 (1970).
• patient refers to a mammal, including a human.
• An antagonist is a molecule that binds to the receptor without activating the receptor. It competes with the endogenous ligand(s) or substrate(s) for binding site(s) on the receptor and, thus inhibits the ability of the receptor to transduce an intracellular signal in response to endogenous ligand binding.
• compounds of formula (I) are antagonists of TGF ⁇ receptor type I (Alk5) and/or activin receptor type I (Alk4), these compounds are useful in inhibiting the consequences of TGF ⁇ and/or activin signal fransduction such as the production of extracellular matrix (e.g., collagen and fibronectin), the differentiation of stromal cells to myofibroblasts, and the stimulation of and migration of inflammatory cells.
• compounds of formula (I) inhibit pathological inflammatory and fibrotic responses and possess the therapuetical utility of treating and/or preventing disorders or diseases for which reduction of TGF ⁇ and/or activin activity is desirable (e.g., various types of fibrosis or progressive cancers).
• disorders or diseases for which reduction of TGF ⁇ and/or activin activity is desirable e.g., various types of fibrosis or progressive cancers.
• the invention features compounds of formula (I), which exhibit surprisingly high affinity for the TGF ⁇ family type I receptors, Alk 5 and/or Alk 4.
• a starting compound of formula (II) (where R 2 has been selected beforehand) can be methylated in the presence of methyl iodide under a basic condition (e.g., aq. NaOH) to yield form a compound of formula (III), which can be deprotonated under appropriate conditions (e.g., using sodium hexamethyldisilazane (NaHMDS) in THF).
• a basic condition e.g., aq. NaOH
• NaHMDS sodium hexamethyldisilazane
• each of R ⁇ and R B represents hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, (cycloalkyl)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (heterocycloalkyl)alkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl.
• compounds of formula (I) can be prepared according to Scheme 3 below. Specifically, a compound of formula (VII) can cyclize with an amino- substituted heterocycle of formula (VI) to yield a compound of formula (VIII), which can be brominated to form a compound of formula (IX). Compounds of formula (IX) and formula (X) can undergo a Suzuki coupling reaction to yield a compound of formula (I), which can be further modified to form other compounds of formula (I). See the amination reaction as illustrated in the last step of Scheme 3 above (each of R A and R B having the same meaning as provided above). For preparation of a compound of formula (X), see WO 02/16359.
• an amino-substituted compound of formula (I) can be modified to other compounds of formula (I) according to Scheme 5 below, where R c represents alkyl, cycloalkyl, (cycloalkyl)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (heterocycloalkyl)alkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl.
• R c represents alkyl, cycloalkyl, (cycloalkyl)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (heterocycloalkyl)alkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl.
• the molecular weight of the inventive compound is no more than 1200. In another embodiment of the invention the molecular weight is no more than 1000.
• some intermediates may need to be protected before undergoing synthetic steps as described above.
• suitable protecting groups see, e.g., T. W. Greene, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York (1981).
• TGF ⁇ family signaling pathways can result in excess deposition of extracellular matrix and increased inflammatory responses, which can then lead to fibrosis in tissues and organs (e.g., lung, kidney, and liver) and ultimately result in organ failure.
• tissues and organs e.g., lung, kidney, and liver
• fibrosis in tissues and organs (e.g., lung, kidney, and liver) and ultimately result in organ failure.
• TGF ⁇ and/or activin mRNA and the level of TGF ⁇ and/or activin are increased in patients suffering from various fibrotic disorders, e.g., fibrotic kidney diseases, alcohol-induced and autoimmune hepatic fibrosis, myelofibrosis, bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
• fibrotic disorders e.g., fibrotic kidney diseases, alcohol-induced and autoimmune hepatic fibrosis, myelofibrosis, bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
• Compounds of formula (I), which are antagonists of the TGF ⁇ family type I receptors, - lk 5 and/or Alk 4, and inhibit TGF ⁇ and/or activin signaling pathway, are therefore useful for treating and/or preventing fibrotic disorders or diseases mediated by an increased level of TGF ⁇ and/or activin activity.
• a compound inhibits the TGF ⁇ family signaling pathway when it binds (e.g., with an IC50 value of less than 10 ⁇ M; preferably, less than 1 ⁇ M; more preferably, less than 0.1 ⁇ M) to a receptor of the pathway (e.g., Alk 5 and/or Alk 4), thereby competing with the endogenous ligand(s) or substrate(s) for binding site(s) on the receptor and reducing the ability of the receptor to transduce an intracellular signal in response to the endogenous ligand or substrate binding.
• a receptor of the pathway e.g., Alk 5 and/or Alk 4
• the aforementioned disorders or diseases include any conditions (a) marked by the presence of an abnormally high level of TGF ⁇ and/or activin; and/or (b) an excess accumulation of extracellular matrix; and/or (c) an increased number and synthetic activity of myofibroblasts.
• disorders or diseases include, but are not limited to, fibrotic conditions such as scleroderma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, lupus nephritis, hypertension-induced nephropathy, ocular or corneal scarring, hepatic or biliary fibrosis, acute lung injury, pulmonary fibrosis, post-infarction cardiac fibrosis, fibrosclerosis, fibrotic cancers, fibroids, fibroma, fibroadenomas, and fibrosarcomas.
• fibrotic conditions such as scleroderma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, lupus nephritis, hypertension-induced nephropathy, ocular or corneal scarring, hepatic or biliary fibrosis, acute lung injury, pulmonary fibrosis
• fibrotic conditions for which preventive treatment with compounds of formula (I) can have therapeutic utility include radiation therapy- induced fibrosis, chemotherapy-induced fibrosis, surgically induced scarring including surgical adhesions, laminectomy, and coronary restenosis.
• TGF ⁇ activity is also found to manifest in patients with progressive cancers.
• compounds of formula (I), which are antagonists of the TGF ⁇ type I receptor and inhibit TGF ⁇ signaling pathway, are also useful for treating and/or preventing various late stage cancers which overexpress TGF ⁇ .
• late stage cancers include carcinomas of the lung, breast, liver, biliary tract, gastrointestinal tract, head and neck, pancreas, prostate, cervix as well as multiple myeloma, melanoma, glioma, and glioblastomas.
• TGF ⁇ and/or activin e.g., fibrosis or cancers
• small molecule treatments are favored for long-term treatment.
• TGF ⁇ and/or activin activity are compounds of formula (I) useful in treating disorders or diseases mediated by high levels of TGF ⁇ and/or activin activity, these compounds can also be used to prevent the same disorders or diseases. It is known that polymorphisms leading to increased TGF ⁇ and/or activin production have been associated with fibrosis and hypertension. Indeed, high serum TGF ⁇ levels are correlated with the development of fibrosis in patients with breast cancer who have received radiation therapy, chronic graft-versus-host-disease, idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis, veno- occlusive disease in transplant recipients, and peritoneal fibrosis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
• the levels of TGF ⁇ and/or activin in serum and of TGF ⁇ and/or activin mRNA in tissue can be measured and used as diagnostic or prognostic markers for disorders or diseases mediated by overexpression of TGF ⁇ and/or activin, and polymorphisms in the gene for TGF ⁇ that determine the production of TGF ⁇ and/or activin can also be used in predicting susceptibility to disorders or diseases. See, e.g., Blobe, G.C. et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 342(18): 1350-1358 (2000); Matsuse, T. et al., Am. J. Respir. CellMol. Biol. 13: 17- 24 (1995); Inoue, S.
• an effective amount is the amount which is required to confer a therapeutic effect on the treated patient.
• an effective amount can range from about 1 mg/kg to about 150 mg/kg (e.g., from about 1 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg).
• Effective doses will also vary, as recognized by those skilled in the art, dependant on route of administration, excipient usage, and the possibility of co-usage with other therapeutic treatments including use of other therapeutic agents and/or radiation therapy.
• Compounds of formula (I) can be administered in any manner suitable for the administration of pharmaceutical compounds, including, but not limited to, pills, tablets, capsules, aerosols, suppositories, liquid formulations for ingestion or injection or for use as eye or ear drops, dietary supplements, and topical preparations.
• the pharmaceutically acceptable compositions include aqueous solutions of the active agent, in a isotonic saline, 5% glucose or other well-known pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
• Solubilizing agents such as cyclodextrins, or other solubilizing agents well-known to those familiar with the art, can be utilized as pharmaceutical excipients for delivery of the therapeutic compounds.
• the compositions can be administered orally, intranasally, transdermally, intradermally, vaginally, intraaurally, intraocularly, buccally, rectally, transmucosally, or via inhalation, implantation (e.g., surgically), or intravenous administration.
• the compositions can be administered to an animal (e.g., a mammal such as a human, non-human primate, horse, dog, cow, pig, sheep, goat, cat, mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, hamster, gerbil, ferret, lizard, reptile, or bird).
• compounds of formula (I) can be administered in conjunction with one or more other agents that inhibit the TGF ⁇ signaling pathway or treat the corresponding pathological disorders (e.g., fibrosis or progressive cancers) by way of a different mechanism of action.
• agents include angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, nonsteroid, steroid anti-inflammatory agents, and chemotherapeutics or radiation, as well as agents that antagonize ligand binding or activation of the TGF ⁇ receptors, e.g., anti-TGF ⁇ , anti-TGF ⁇ receptor antibodies, or antagonists of the TGF ⁇ type II receptors.
• the ethanolic solution was added dropwise to a solution of 2-aminopyridine (0.965 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (2.67 mmol) in ethanol (1 mL) at 67°C. After stirring 3.5 hours, the reaction was concentrated in vacuo and partioned between ether (20 mL) and 1 M HCI (10 mL). The aqueous phase was washed with ether (2 x 10 mL), cooled in an ice bath and solid sodium bicarbonate was added until the solution was neutral.
• Example 1 for its preparation) in methanol (2 mL) at 55°C. All solids dissolved at the beginning of the reaction, then a precipitate formed. After 3 hours of stirring, the reaction was diluted with water (2 mL) and warmed to 55°C for a further 0.5 hour. The reaction was then cooled to room temperature, quenched with saturated sodium thiosulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The solid was partioned between ethyl acetate (20 mL) and water (10 mL).
• Example 4 4-[2-(6-Methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-pyrimidin-2-ylamine
• reaction was then concentrated in vacuo and purified via reverse phase HPLC (water/acetonirile gradient with 0.1 % TFA) to give 0.0258 g of an orange solid identified as the TFA salt of the title compound, 2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-3-(2-morpholin-4-yl-pyrimidin- 4-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridine.
• reaction was concentrated in vacuo and purified via preparatory HPLC (5 -» 50% CH 3 CN H 2 O with 0.1% TFA) to yield 20 mg of ⁇ 4-[2- (6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-pyrimidin-2-yl ⁇ -(3-morpholin-4- yl-propyl)-amine as the TFA salt.
• reaction was concentrated in vacuo and purified via preparatory HPLC (5 -» 50% CH 3 CN/H 2 O with 0.1% TFA) to yield 65 mg of (5- ⁇ 4-[2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]- pyrimidin-2-ylamino ⁇ -pentyl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester as the TFA salt.
• the precipitate was slurried in CH 3 CN (10 mL), added to a slurry of Hunig's base (4.58 mmol) and 3- methyl-2-aminopyridine (1.85 mmol) at RT and then warmed overnight at 55°C. A precipitate formed upon cooling to RT.
• the slurry was diluted with water (10 mL), filtered, washed with cold CH 3 CN to give 211 mg of a tan solid identified as 8- methyl-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-3-(2-methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-imidazo[l,2- a]pyridine.
• reaction was then cooled to RT, quenched with saturated sodium thiosulfate, the pH adjusted to 6 with IM NaOH and filtered to give 0.200 g of a tan solid identified as 3- (2-methanesulfonyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-8-methyl-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2- a]pyridine.
• the precipitate was slurried in CH 3 CN, added to a mixture of Hunig's base and 4-methyl-2-aminopyridine (1.86 mmol) at RT and then warmed overnight at 55°C. A precipitate formed upon cooling to RT.
• the slurry was diluted with water (10 mL), filtered, washed with cold CH 3 CN to give 211 mg of a solid identified as 7-methyl-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-3- (2-methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridine.
• reaction was cooled to RT, diluted with EtOAc (25 ml), washed with H 2 O, brine, dried (Na 2 S0 4 ), concentrated in vacuo and purified via preparatory HPLC (CH 3 CN/H 2 O gradient with 0.1% TFA) to yield 22 mg of a solid identified as the TFA salt of 4-[7-methyl-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l ,2- a]pyridin-3-yl]-pyrimidin-2-ylamine.
• reaction was then cooled to RT and neutralized to Vstarch paper with saturated sodium thiosulfate.
• the reaction was then diluted with methylene chloride (20 mL) and the organic phase was washed with 10% sodium bicarbonate (5 mL) and brine (5 mL), dried (MgSO 4 ) and concentrated in vacuo to give 0.1026 g of a yellow identified as 3-(2- methanesulfonyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridine-6- carboxylic acid methyl ester.
• This solid was purified via reverse phase HPLC (acetonitrile/water gradient with 0.1% TFA) to give 0.0295 g of a yellow solid identified as the TFA salt of 3-(2-amino-pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)- imidazo[l,2-a]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid methyl ester.
• Methoxyamine hydrochloride (0.173 mmol) was then added, the reaction was stirred for 2 h, concentrated in vacuo and purified via preparative HPLC (5--> 50% CH 3 CN:H 2 0 with 0.1% TFA) to give 28.9 mg of a solid identified as the TFA salt of 3-(2-amino-pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridine- 6-carboxylic acid methoxy-amide.
• HATU (0.201 mmol) was then added making sure all material had dissolved. This was followed by the addition of DIEA (0.720 mmol). This mixture was allowed to stir for 10 min. 2.0M Ethyl amine/THF (0.432 mmol) was then added, the reaction was stirred for 2 h, concentrated in vacuo and purified via preparative HPLC (5- 40% CH 3 CN:H 2 0 with 0.1% TFA) to give 41.0 mg of a solid identified as the TFA salt of 3-(2-amino-pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridine- 6-carboxylic acid ethylamide.
• N,N-Dimethyl ethyl diamine (0.173 mmol) was then added, the reaction was stirred for 2 h, concentrated in vacuo and purified via preparative HPLC (5 ⁇ 40%> CH 3 CN:H 2 0 with 0.1% TFA) to give 29.9 mg of a solid identified as the TFA salt of 3-(2-amino-pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2- a]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid (2-dimethylamino-ethyl)-amide.
• Methyoxyethylamine (0.288 mmol) was then added, the reaction was stirred for 2 h, concentrated in vacuo and purified via preparative HPLC (5- 40%o CH 3 CN:H 2 0 with 0.1% TFA) to give 36.1 mg of a solid identified as the TFA salt of 3-(2-amino-pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridine-6- carboxylic acid (2-methoxy-ethyl)-amide.
• 3-(2-amino-pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2- a]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid (0.144 mmol; see Example 55 for its preparation) was added with DMF (1 mL). The reaction was stirred until all material had dissolved. HATU (0.201 mmol) was then added making sure all material had dissolved.
• the reaction was heated (160 °C) in a microwave for 30 min.
• the mixture was diluted with CH 2 CI 2 (2 mL) and MeOH (100 ul) and passed through a plug of SiO 2 .
• the residue was purified by HPLC (C18, H 2 O:MeCN gradient (10 mM ILHCOa buffer)) to afford the titled compound as yellow solid (3 mg, 5%>).
• the reaction was heated (160 °C) in a microwave for 30 min.
• the mixture was diluted with CH 2 C1 2 (2 mL) and MeOH (100 ul) and passed through a plug of SiO 2 .
• the residue was purified by HPLC (C18, H 2 O:MeCN gradient (10 mM NH ⁇ HCO 3 buffer)) to afford the titled compound as yellow solid (2 mg, 4%).
• the reaction was heated (160 °C) in a microwave for 30 min.
• the mixture was diluted with CH 2 C1 2 (2 mL) and MeOH (100 ul) and passed through a plug of SiO 2 .
• the residue was purified by HPLC (C18, H 2 O:MeCN gradient (10 mM H ⁇ HCO 3 buffer)) to afford the titled compound as yellow solid (4.5 mg, 8%).
• the reaction was heated (160 °C) for 1 h.
• the reaction was filtered through celite.
• the residue was purified by HPLC (C18, H O:MeCN gradient (10 mMNH-IiCOs buffer)) to afford the titled compound as red solid (6.5 mg, 11%).
• reaction solution was then concentrated in vacuo, diluted with water (-100 mL) to give a precipitate that was filtered, washed with water and air dried to give 2.035 g of a solid identified as 3-(2-amino-pyrimidin- 4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid ethyl ester.
• Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (0.967 mmol) was added to a solution of 3-
• HATU (0.202 mmol)
• diisopropylethylamine (0.720 mmol)
• 2- thiopheneethylamine 0.173 mmol
• 3-(2-amino-pyrimidin-4- yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid (0.144 mmol; see Example 81 for its preparation) in N,N-dimethylformamide (1.4 mL) at RT.
• HATU (0.202 mmol)
• diisopropylethylamine (0.720 mmol)
• ethylamine 0.173 mmol
• 3-(2-amino-pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl- pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid (0.144 mmol; see Example 81 for its preparation) in N,N-dimethylformamide (1.4 mL) at RT.
• HATU (0.202 mmol)
• diisopropylethylamine (0.720 mmol)
• unsym- dimethylhydrazine 0.173 mmol
• 3-(2-amino-pyrimidin-4- yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid (0.144 mmol; see Example 81 for its preparation) in N,N-dimethylformamide (1.4 mL) at RT.
• HATU (0.202 mmol
• diisopropylethylamine (0.720 mmol)
• C- [l,4]dioxan-2-ylmethylamine 0.173 mmol
• 3-(2-amino- pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid (0.144 mmol; see Example 81 for its preparation) in N,N-dimethylformamide (1.4 mL) at RT.
• HATU (0.202 mmol
• diisopropylethylamine (0.720 mmol)
• N,N- dimethylethylenediamine 0.173 mmol
• 3-(2-amino- pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[ 1 ,2-a]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid (0.144 mmol; see Example 81 for its preparation) in N,N-dimethylformamide (1.4 mL) at RT.
• HATU (0.202 mmol)
• diisopropylethylamine 1.008 mmol
• 2-amino-l- pyridin-3 -yl-ethanone hydrochloride 0.173 mmol
• 3-(2- amino-pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridine-7- carboxylic acid (0.144 mmol; see Example 81 for its preparation) in N,N- dimethylformamide (1.4 mL) at RT.
• HATU (0.202 mmol)
• diisopropylethylamine 1.008 mmol
• hydroxylamine hydrochloride 0.173 mmol
• the resulting solid was purified via reverse phase HPLC (acetonitrile/water gradient with 0.1% TFA) to give 42 mg of a yellow solid identified as the tri-TFA salt of N-[3-(2-amino-pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-imidazo[l,2- a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-3-pyridin-3-yl-propionamide.
• reaction was then cooled to RT, quenched with saturated sodium thiosulfate, neutralized with saturated sodium bicarbonate and then cooled to 0 °C overnight.
• the reaction warmed to RT, concentrated in vacuo and redissolved in ethyl acetate (25 mL) and water (10 mL).
• N-[3-(2-methanesulfonyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin- 2-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-acetamide (0.34 mmol; see Example 101 for its preparation) and ammonium hydroxide (10.20 mmol) in dioxane (6 mL) was warmed to 100 ° C for 18 h.
• the resulting solid was purified via reverse phase HPLC (acetonitrile/water gradient with 0.1% TFA) to give 8 mg of a yellow solid identified as the bis-TFA salt of N-[3-(2-amino-pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)- imidazo[l,2-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-acetamide.
• Example 104 N-[3-(2-MethanesuIfonyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yI)-imidazo[l,2- a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-propionamide 4.0N Sulfuric acid (0.1 mmol), catalytic sodium tungstate dihydrate, and 30 wt % hydrogen peroxide (1.69 mmol) were added to a slurry of N-[2-(6-methyl- pyridin-2-yl)-3 -(2-methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-imidazo [ 1 ,2-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]- propionamide (0.51 mmol; see Example 103 for its preparation) in methanol (13 mL) and heated to 55 ° C.
• Nicotinoyl chloride hydrochloride (0.58 mmol) was added to a slurry of 2-(6- methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-3-(2-methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-imidazo[l,2-a]pyrimidin-7- ylamine (0.29 mmol; see Example 96 for its preparation) in pyridine (3 mL) at RT.
• TGF ⁇ or activin inhibitory activity of compounds of formula (I) can be assessed by methods described in the following examples.
• TGF ⁇ type I receptor The serine-threonine kinase activity of TGF ⁇ type I receptor was measured as the autophosphorylation activity of the cytoplasmic domain of the receptor containing an N-terminal poly histidine, TEV cleavage site-tag, e.g., His-TGF ⁇ RI.
• the His- tagged receptor cytoplasmic kinase domains were purified from infected insect cell cultures using the Gibco-BRL FastBac HTb baculovirus expression system.
• test compounds of formula (I) prepared in 5% DMSO solution were added to the FlashPlate.
• the assay was then initated with the addition of 20 ul of assay buffer containing 12.5 pmol of His-TGF ⁇ RI to each well. Plates were incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature and the reactions were then terminated by a single rinse with TBS.
• Inhibition of the Activin type I receptor (Alk 4) kinase autophosphorylation activity by test compounds of formula (I) can be determined in a similar manner as described above in Example 7 except that a similarly His-tagged form of Alk 4 (His- Alk 4) was used in place of the His-TGF ⁇ RI.
• Biological activity of compounds of formula (I) were determined by measuring their ability to inhibit TGF ⁇ -induced PAI-Luciferase reporter activity in HepG2 cells.
• HepG2 cells were stably transfected with the PAI-luciferase reporter grown in DMEM medium containing 10%) FBS, penicillin (100 U/ml), streptomycin (100 ⁇ g/ml), L-glutamine (2 mM), sodium pyruvate (1 mM), and non essential amino acids (lx).
• the transfected cells were then plated at a concentration of 2.5 x 10 4 cells/well in 96 well plates and starved for 3-6 hours in media with 0.5%> FBS at 37°C in a 5%
• test compounds of formula (I) were determined in a similar manner as described above in Example 115 except that lOOng/ml of activin is added to serum starved cells in place of the 2.5ng/ml TGF ⁇ .
• Green Fluorescent Protein under the control of the collagen 1 Al promoter (see Krempen, K. et al., Gene Exp. 8: 151-163 (1999)).
• Cells were immortalised with a temperature sensitive large T antigen that is active at 33°C. Cells are expanded at 33°C then transferred to 37°C so that the large T becomes inactive (see Xu, S. et al., Exp. Cell Res. 220: 407-414 (1995)). Over the course of about 4 days and one split, the cells cease proliferating. Cells are then frozen in aliquots sufficient for a single 96 well plate. Assay of TGF ⁇ -induced Collagen-GFP Expression
• DMSO DMSO was also added to all of the wells at a final concentration of 0.1%>.
• GFP fluorescence emission at 530 nm following excitation at 485 nm was measured at 48 hours after the addition of solution containing test compounds on a CytoFluor microplate reader (PerSeptive Biosystems). The data are then expressed as the ratio of TGF ⁇ -induced to non-induced for each test sample.

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