Potent and selective cathepsin K inhibitors

A novel series of cathepsin K inhibitors derived from Novartis compound I is described. Optimization of the P1, P3, and P1′ units led to the identification of 4-aminophenoxyacetic acid 24b with an IC50 value of 4.8 nM, which possessed an excellent selectivity over other human cathepsins and good pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Oral administration of compound 24b to ovariectomized (OVX) rats showed a trend toward an improvement of bone mineral density (BMD) in the femur bone.

The synthesis, SARs, selectivity over other human cathepsins, pharmacokinetics, and in vivo evaluation of 24b are reported.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide