Minimization of drug–drug interaction risk and candidate selection in a natural product-based class of gamma-secretase modulators

Early lead compounds in this gamma secretase modulator series were found to potently inhibit CYP3A4 and other human CYP isoforms increasing their risk of causing drug–drug-interactions (DDIs). Using structure–activity relationships and CYP3A4 structural information, analogs were developed that minimized this DDI potential. Three of these new analogs were further characterized by rat PK, rat PK/PD and rat exploratory toxicity studies resulting in selection of SPI-1865 (14) as a preclinical development candidate.

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