Philip N Moquist, Nicole M-L Eng-Duncan, Tim D Bovee, Katie Snead, Lauren Bou, Xinqun Zhang, Brittney Blackburn, Jennifer Wright, Jessica K Simmons, Haley D Neff-LaFord, Peter D Senter, Svetlana O Doronina
{"title":"Auristatin S: An Auristatin Payload with Improved Tolerability and Modified Bystander Activity.","authors":"Philip N Moquist, Nicole M-L Eng-Duncan, Tim D Bovee, Katie Snead, Lauren Bou, Xinqun Zhang, Brittney Blackburn, Jennifer Wright, Jessica K Simmons, Haley D Neff-LaFord, Peter D Senter, Svetlana O Doronina","doi":"10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00238","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00238","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Auristatins are a class of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) payloads employed in anticancer therapies. Auristatin payloads are clinically validated and effective, but opportunities remain to improve their clinical benefit. Here, we describe the development and characterization of a new auristatin payload, Auristatin S, that demonstrates robust efficacy and improved off-target toxicity. This effort focused on the optimization of bystander activity, which is a key property that modulates the efficacy and tolerability of the ADC payloads. In vitro screening of tubulin binding, free drug cytotoxicity, and ADC activity were utilized to characterize the bystander activity profile. The corresponding peptide-linked conjugates showed excellent on-target cytotoxicity against cancer cells and induction of immunogenic cell death. Tolerability of Auristatin S was improved relative to historical controls, and in vivo activity and bystander activity were confirmed in a Karpas/KarpasBVR model.</p>","PeriodicalId":20,"journal":{"name":"ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters","volume":"16 7","pages":"1354-1358"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12257378/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144641188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bin Liu, Jiangchao Yao, Thomas Haimowitz, Christopher A Benetatos, Steven A Boyd, Stephen M Condon, Christopher J Burns, Andre White, Damodharan Lakshminarasimhan, Robert K Suto, Ozgur Cakici, Anthony S Drager, Susan G Emeigh Hart, Daniel C Pevear, Glen A Coburn
{"title":"Discovery of VNRX-9945, a Potent, Broadly Active Capsid Assembly Modulator as a Clinical Candidate for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection.","authors":"Bin Liu, Jiangchao Yao, Thomas Haimowitz, Christopher A Benetatos, Steven A Boyd, Stephen M Condon, Christopher J Burns, Andre White, Damodharan Lakshminarasimhan, Robert K Suto, Ozgur Cakici, Anthony S Drager, Susan G Emeigh Hart, Daniel C Pevear, Glen A Coburn","doi":"10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00315","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00315","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Targeting the capsid protein of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) has emerged as a promising strategy for developing new antiviral therapies. In this study, we report the discovery of a novel series of pyrrole oxo-carboxamide compounds as HBV capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) that block viral replication. Through a process of focused structure-activity relationship (SAR) optimization, we identified compound <b>12</b> (VNRX-9945), which exhibited excellent and broad antiviral activity against multiple HBV genotypes in vitro, along with favorable pharmacokinetic profiles across multiple species. Additionally, <b>12</b> demonstrated robust efficacy in the adeno-associated virus mouse model of HBV (AAV-HBV) infection. This compound has advanced into Phase 1 clinical trials to evaluate its safety and pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers, to enable treatment of chronic HBV infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":20,"journal":{"name":"ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters","volume":"16 7","pages":"1209-1216"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12257411/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144641200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel Indole Derivatives as Serotonergic Psychedelic Agents for Treating Psychosis, Mental Illness, and CNS Disorders.","authors":"Ram W Sabnis","doi":"10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00362","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00362","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Provided herein are novel indole derivatives as serotonergic psychedelic agents, pharmaceutical compositions, use of such compounds in treating psychosis, mental illness and central nervous system (CNS) disorders, and processes for preparing such compounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":20,"journal":{"name":"ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters","volume":"16 7","pages":"1266-1267"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12257388/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144641214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Selenium-Substituted BOIMPY for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy.","authors":"Sorachat Tharamak, Bongkot Ouengwanarat, Tunyawat Khrootkaew, Prapassara Muangsopa, Kantapat Chansaenpak, Kenika Khotchasanthong, Kittipong Chainok, Kevin Burgess, Anyanee Kamkaew","doi":"10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00174","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00174","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Seleno-substituted bis-(boron difluoride)-8-imidazo-dipyrro-methene (BOIMPY) derivatives displayed improved photophysical features over twisted-BOIMPY, such as greater Stokes shifts, while compromising radiative relaxation and intersystem crossing, making them suitable for imaging-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT). One exhibited improved Type I and Type II PDT against cancer cells when activated by near-infrared light. Its potential as a targeted PDT agent for cancer treatment is demonstrated by its remarkable phototoxicity in the nanomolar range and minimal dark toxicity.</p>","PeriodicalId":20,"journal":{"name":"ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters","volume":"16 7","pages":"1202-1208"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12257385/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144641223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ryan A Bragg, Jonas Bergare, Markus Artelsmair, William J Kerr, Troels Skrydstrup, Charles S Elmore
{"title":"Advancing Isotope Labeling Technologies at AstraZeneca through Academic-Industrial Collaboration.","authors":"Ryan A Bragg, Jonas Bergare, Markus Artelsmair, William J Kerr, Troels Skrydstrup, Charles S Elmore","doi":"10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00338","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00338","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Academic-Industrial collaborations have played an important role in developing new synthetic methodologies for the isotope chemistry team at AstraZeneca. In this viewpoint, we present the outcome of two collaborations and illustrate how the innovative methodologies developed through these partnerships have been effectively applied within an AstraZeneca project.</p>","PeriodicalId":20,"journal":{"name":"ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters","volume":"16 7","pages":"1221-1225"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12257393/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144641187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel Phenoxy and Benzyloxy Substituted Psychedelic Psychoplastogens as 5‑HT2C Agonists for Treating Neurological Diseases.","authors":"Ram W Sabnis","doi":"10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00363","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00363","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Provided herein are novel phenoxy and benzyloxy substituted psychedelic psychoplastogens as 5-HT2C agonists, pharmaceutical compositions, use of such compounds in treating neurological diseases, and processes for preparing such compounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":20,"journal":{"name":"ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters","volume":"16 7","pages":"1264-1265"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12257387/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144641218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel Heterocyclic 5<i>H</i>‑Dibenzo[b,f]azepine Derivatives as Selective HDAC6 Inhibitors for Treatment of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease.","authors":"Steven H Liang","doi":"10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00344","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00344","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This highlight describes novel substituted 5<i>H</i>-dibenzo-[b,f]-azepine compounds and their diverse biological applications. These compounds serve as selective inhibitors of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6), and provide methods for the treatment of a broad scope of indications, including Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT).</p>","PeriodicalId":20,"journal":{"name":"ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters","volume":"16 7","pages":"1245-1246"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12257366/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144641211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel (1<i>H</i>‑Pyrazol-4-ylamino)pyrimidine Derivatives as Wee1 Inhibitors for Treatment of Cancer.","authors":"Steven H Liang","doi":"10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00343","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00343","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This patent describes a series of novel (1<i>H</i>-pyrazol-4-ylamino)-pyrimidine derivatives, their salts or tautomer, and compositions and methods of preparation. These compounds are designed as selective Wee1 inhibitors for the treatment of cancer, including medulloblastoma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DlPG).</p>","PeriodicalId":20,"journal":{"name":"ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters","volume":"16 7","pages":"1247-1248"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12257364/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144641207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Synthesis of Novel Substituted <i>N</i>‑Heterocycles and Their Use of Selective Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase 1 (PARP1) Inhibitors.","authors":"Xin Zhou, Steven H Liang","doi":"10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00340","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00340","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is the most abundant and well-characterized member of the PARP family and plays a crucial role in gene expression, transcription, DNA damage response, and repair. This patent introduces the synthesis of substituted <i>N</i>-heterocycles and their applications in the treatment of PARP1-related diseases, such as cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":20,"journal":{"name":"ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters","volume":"16 7","pages":"1254-1255"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12257367/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144641225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel Isoindolin-1-one Derivatives as Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulators.","authors":"Yinlong Li, Steven H Liang","doi":"10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00342","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5c00342","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This highlight outlines the development of novel substituted isoindolin-1-one derivatives as potential positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) for group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR<sub>2</sub>/mGluR<sub>3</sub>). The disclosure includes details on synthetic methods, biological evaluation, and pharmaceutical compositions.</p>","PeriodicalId":20,"journal":{"name":"ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters","volume":"16 7","pages":"1249-1250"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12257391/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144641216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}