A New Approach of Mitigating CYP3A4 Induction Led to the Discovery of Potent Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Capsid Inhibitor with Optimal ADMET Profiles

J Med Chem. 2019 Nov 27;62(22):10352-10361. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01421. Epub 2019 Nov 18.

Abstract

Described herein is a new approach to mitigate CYP3A4 induction. In this unconventional approach, a fine-tuning of the dihedral angle between the C4 phenyl and the dihydropyrimidine core of the heteroaryldihydropyrimidine (HAP) class of capsid inhibitors successfully altered the structure-activity-relationships (SARs) of the unwanted CYP3A4 induction and the desired HBV capsid inhibition to more favorable values. This eventually led to the discovery of a new capsid inhibitor with significantly reduced CYP3A4 induction, excellent anti-HBV activity, favorable preclinical PK/PD profiles, and no early safety flags.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Capsid / drug effects*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inducers / chemistry
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inducers / pharmacology
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2B6 Inducers / chemistry
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2B6 Inducers / pharmacology
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A / chemistry
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inducers / chemistry
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inducers / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Induction / drug effects
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B virus / drug effects*
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects
  • Hepatocytes / enzymology
  • Humans
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Pregnane X Receptor / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inducers
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2B6 Inducers
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inducers
  • NR1I2 protein, human
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A