Patent ID: 12195462

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The words “treatment” and “treating” are to be understood accordingly as embracing prophylaxis and treatment or amelioration of symptoms of disease and/or treatment of the cause of the disease. In particular embodiments, the words “treatment” and “treating” refer to prophylaxis or amelioration of symptoms of the disease.

The term “patient” may include a human or non-human patient.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (“DSM-5”), defines “major depressive disorder” (MDD) as having five or more of a set of symptoms during the same two-week period of time, which symptoms represent a change from the patient's previous functioning. The five symptoms are selected from depressed mood, markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities, significant weight changes, insomnia or hyposomnia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, diminished ability to think or indecisiveness, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation, wherein each of such symptoms is present nearly every day. At a minimum, MDD diagnosis requires at least depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure as one of the five symptoms. MDD may consist of one or more “major depressive episodes” which can be spaced many weeks or months apart (more than 2 weeks apart to qualify as separate episodes). The DSM-5 notes that there is a risk of suicidal behavior at all time during a major depressive episode.

By its nature, MDD is an acute disorder in so far as the DSM-5 distinguishes it from “persistent depressive disorder”, in which a patient has many of the same symptoms as for MDD, but which persists for at least a 2-year period. In addition to MDD, the DSM-5 also defines a “short-duration depressive episode” as having a depressed affect and at least four of the other symptoms which define MDD for at least 4 days, but less than 14 days. The DSM further defines “recurrent brief depression” as the concurrent presence of depressed mood and at least four other symptoms of depression for 2 to 13 days at least once per month, and persisting for at least 12 consecutive months. Thus, recurrent brief depression similarly consists of brief episodes of depression which recur regularly.

The DSM-5 also includes major depressive episodes as one of the diagnostic criteria for a patient suffering from bipolar disorder. Thus, a patient presenting a major depressive episode may be suffering from either major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder.

It is apparent that there are is a particular need for effective treatment of depression during the earliest stages of a major depressive episode, since each day of such episode can have profound consequences for a patient, yet typical S SRI anti-depressive agents take up to 2-4 weeks for beneficial effects to appear. The same is true for treatment of short duration depressive episodes as well as individual episodes of recurrent brief depression.

Thus, as used herein, the term “acute depression” refers to the initial period of what may be a brief or a chronic episode of depression (e.g., lasting 2 days to 2 weeks, or 2 weeks to 2 months, or 2 months to 2 years, or more). “Acute depression” may thus refer to the initial period of a major depressive episode, a short-duration depressive episode, or a recurrent brief depressive episode. There is a particular need in the art for the treatment of such acute stages of depressive episodes. A treatment initiated during this acute phase of depression may be continued indefinitely in those patients which respond thereto.

The DSM-5 defines a variety of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. Like the depressive disorders discussed above, anxiety disorders can be marked by recurrent episodes of short duration, such as panic attacks, which may persist over the course of a chronic disorder. For example, generalized anxiety disorder is defined by the DSM-5 to require excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days that not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities. A panic attack is defined as an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, but it can repeatedly recur in response to either expected stimuli or unexpected stimuli. Thus, as for the depressive disorders described above, there is a need for rapidly-acting anxiolytic agents that can treat the symptoms of anxiety or panic, yet some of the most common treatments for anxiety disorders are the SSRIs and other antidepressant agents which take 2-4 weeks to provide relief.

As used herein, “acute anxiety” refers to any short-duration episode of anxiety, e.g., lasting from one day or less to one week, which may be part of a chronic course of anxiety (e.g., lasting 2 days to 2 weeks, or 2 weeks to 2 months, or 2 months to 2 years, or more). “Acute anxiety” may thus include a panic attack or any specific instance of an anxious response to triggering stimuli or events (e.g., to the stimuli which trigger a specific phobia, the events which trigger social anxiety or generalized anxiety). There is a particular need in the art for the treatment of such acute stages of anxious episodes. A treatment initiated during this acute phase of anxiety may be continued indefinitely in those patients which respond thereto.

Social avoidance can be a critical and debilitating symptom in patients suffering from anxiety disorders, especially social anxiety disorder, as well as in patients suffering from traumatic anxiety disorders. Social avoidance is often one of the key determinants of whether a person with a severe anxiety disorder is capable of maintaining familial relationships or employment relationships. It has been unexpectedly found that certain substituted fused gamma carbolines having 5-HT2Aand dopamine receptor activity, such as lumateperone, are effective in treating the emotional experience symptoms of psychiatric disorders (e.g., the emotional experience negative symptoms of schizophrenics). Negative symptoms of schizophrenia can be divided into two categories: emotional experience (e.g., emotional withdrawal, passive social withdrawal, active social avoidance) and emotional expression (e.g., blunted effect, poor rapport, lack of spontaneity, and motor retardation). In two clinical studies of patients with acute exacerbated schizophrenia, administration of lumateperone once daily (60 mg P.O.), for up to 28 days, resulted in a significant and unexpected improvement in symptoms of emotional experience compared to placebo. These are the symptoms that are most highly correlated with interpersonal functioning. As such, such compounds, including the compounds of Formula I, may be highly effective in treating the emotional experience symptoms of other psychiatric disorders, such as social anxiety disorders, or any other psychiatric disorders in which social withdrawal and social avoidance are symptoms.

If not otherwise specified or clear from context, the following terms as used herein have the following meetings:

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier” is intended to mean diluents and carriers that are useful in pharmaceutical preparations, and that are free of substances that are allergenic, pyrogenic or pathogenic, and that are known to potentially cause or promote illness. Pharmaceutically acceptable diluents or carriers thus exclude bodily fluids such as example blood, urine, spinal fluid, saliva, and the like, as well as their constituent components such as blood cells and circulating proteins. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable diluents and carriers can be found in any of several well-known treatises on pharmaceutical formulations, for example Anderson, Philip O.; Knoben, James E.; Troutman, William G, eds., Handbook of Clinical Drug Data, Tenth Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2002; Pratt and Taylor, eds., Principles of Drug Action, Third Edition, Churchill Livingston, New York, 1990; Katzung, ed., Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Ninth Edition, McGraw Hill, 20037ybg; Goodman and Gilman, eds., The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Tenth Edition, McGraw Hill, 2001; Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 20th Ed., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins., 2000; and Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, Thirty-Second Edition (The Pharmaceutical Press, London, 1999); all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

The terms “purified,” “in purified form” or “in isolated and purified form” for a compound refers to the physical state of said compound after being isolated from a synthetic process (e.g., from a reaction mixture), or natural source or combination thereof. Thus, the term “purified,” “in purified form” or “in isolated and purified form” for a compound refers to the physical state of said compound after being obtained from a purification process or processes described herein or well known to the skilled artisan (e.g., chromatography, recrystallization, LC-MS and LC-MS/MS techniques and the like), in sufficient purity to be characterizable by standard analytical techniques described herein or well known to the skilled artisan.

The term “concurrently” when referring to a therapeutic use means administration of two or more active ingredients to a patient as part of a regimen for the treatment of a disease or disorder, whether the two or more active agents are given at the same or different times or whether given by the same or different routes of administrations. Concurrent administration of the two or more active ingredients may be at different times on the same day, or on different dates or at different frequencies.

The term “simultaneously” when referring to a therapeutic use means administration of two or more active ingredients at or about the same time by the same route of administration.

The term “separately” when referring to a therapeutic use means administration of two or more active ingredients at or about the same time by different route of administration.

The Compounds of the present disclosure are intended for use as pharmaceuticals, therefore pharmaceutically acceptable salts are preferred. Salts which are unsuitable for pharmaceutical uses may be useful, for example, for the isolation or purification of free Compounds of the Invention and are therefore also included within the scope of the compounds of the present disclosure.

The Compounds of the present disclosure may comprise one or more chiral carbon atoms. The compounds thus exist in individual isomeric, e.g., enantiomeric or diastereomeric form or as mixtures of individual forms, e.g., racemic/diastereomeric mixtures. Any isomer may be present in which the asymmetric center is in the (R)-, (S)-, or (R,S)-configuration. The invention is to be understood as embracing both individual optically active isomers as well as mixtures (e.g., racemic/diastereomeric mixtures) thereof. Accordingly, the Compounds of the Invention may be a racemic mixture or it may be predominantly, e.g., in pure, or substantially pure, isomeric form, e.g., greater than 70% enantiomeric/diastereomeric excess (“ee”), preferably greater than 80% ee, more preferably greater than 90% ee, most preferably greater than 95% ee. The purification of said isomers and the separation of said isomeric mixtures may be accomplished by standard techniques known in the art (e.g., column chromatography, preparative TLC, preparative HPLC, simulated moving bed and the like).

Geometric isomers by nature of substituents about a double bond or a ring may be present in cis (Z) or trans (E) form, and both isomeric forms are encompassed within the scope of this invention.

It is also intended that the compounds of the present disclosure encompass their stable and unstable isotopes. Stable isotopes are nonradioactive isotopes which contain one additional neutron compared to the abundant nuclides of the same species (i.e., element). It is expected that the activity of compounds comprising such isotopes would be retained, and such compound would also have utility for measuring pharmacokinetics of the non-isotopic analogs. For example, the hydrogen atom at a certain position on the compounds of the disclosure may be replaced with deuterium (a stable isotope which is non-radioactive). Examples of known stable isotopes include, but not limited to, deuterium,13C,15N,18O. Alternatively, unstable isotopes, which are radioactive isotopes which contain additional neutrons compared to the abundant nuclides of the same species (i.e., element), e.g.,123I,131I,125I,11C,18F, may replace the corresponding abundant species of I, C and F. Another example of useful isotope of the compound of the invention is the11C isotope. These radio isotopes are useful for radio-imaging and/or pharmacokinetic studies of the compounds of the invention. In addition, the substitution of atoms of having the natural isotopic distributing with heavier isotopes can result in desirable change in pharmacokinetic rates when these substitutions are made at metabolically liable sites. For example, the incorporation of deuterium (2H) in place of hydrogen can slow metabolic degradation when the position of the hydrogen is a site of enzymatic or metabolic activity.

The Compounds of the present disclosure may be included as a depot formulation, e.g., by dispersing, dissolving or encapsulating the Compounds of the Invention in a polymeric matrix as described herein, such that the Compound is continually released as the polymer degrades over time. The release of the Compounds of the Invention from the polymeric matrix provides for the controlled- and/or delayed- and/or sustained-release of the Compounds, e.g., from the pharmaceutical depot composition, into a subject, for example a warm-blooded animal such as man, to which the pharmaceutical depot is administered. Thus, the pharmaceutical depot delivers the Compounds of the Invention to the subject at concentrations effective for treatment of the particular disease or medical condition over a sustained period of time, e.g., 14-180 days, preferably about 30, about 60 or about 90 days.

Polymers useful for the polymeric matrix in the Composition of the Invention (e.g., Depot composition of the Invention) may include a polyester of a hydroxyfatty acid and derivatives thereof or other agents such as polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polycitric acid, polymalic acid, poly-beta.-hydroxybutyric acid, epsilon.-capro-lactone ring opening polymer, lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer, 2-hydroxybutyric acid-glycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid-polyethyleneglycol copolymer or polyglycolic acid-polyethyleneglycol copolymer), a polymer of an alkyl alpha-cyanoacrylate (for example poly(butyl 2-cyanoacrylate)), a polyalkylene oxalate (for example polytrimethylene oxalate or polytetramethylene oxalate), a polyortho ester, a polycarbonate (for example polyethylene carbonate or polyethylenepropylene carbonate), a polyortho-carbonate, a polyamino acid (for example poly-gamma.-L-alanine, poly-.gamma.-benzyl-L-glutamic acid or poly-y-methyl-L-glutamic acid), a hyaluronic acid ester, and the like, and one or more of these polymers can be used.

If the polymers are copolymers, they may be any of random, block and/or graft copolymers. When the above alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acids, hydroxydicarboxylic acids and hydroxytricarboxylic acids have optical activity in their molecules, any one of D-isomers, L-isomers and/or DL-isomers may be used. Among others, alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid polymer (preferably lactic acid-glycolic acid polymer), its ester, poly-alpha-cyanoacrylic acid esters, etc. may be used, and lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer (also referred to as poly(lactide-alpha-glycolide) or poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), and hereinafter referred to as PLGA) are preferred. Thus, in one aspect the polymer useful for the polymeric matrix is PLGA. As used herein, the term PLGA includes polymers of lactic acid (also referred to as polylactide, poly(lactic acid), or PLA). Most preferably, the polymer is the biodegradable poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) polymer.

In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric matrix of the invention is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymeric material. The term “biocompatible” is defined as a polymeric material that is not toxic, is not carcinogenic, and does not significantly induce inflammation in body tissues. The matrix material should be biodegradable wherein the polymeric material should degrade by bodily processes to products readily disposable by the body and should not accumulate in the body. The products of the biodegradation should also be biocompatible with the body in that the polymeric matrix is biocompatible with the body. Particular useful examples of polymeric matrix materials include poly(glycolic acid), poly-D,L-lactic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, copolymers of the foregoing, poly(aliphatic carboxylic acids), copolyoxalates, polycaprolactone, polydioxanone, poly(ortho carbonates), poly(acetals), poly(lactic acid-caprolactone), polyorthoesters, poly(glycolic acid-caprolactone), polyanhydrides, and natural polymers including albumin, casein, and waxes, such as, glycerol mono- and distearate, and the like. The preferred polymer for use in the practice of this invention is dl(polylactide-co-glycolide). It is preferred that the molar ratio of lactide to glycolide in such a copolymer be in the range of from about 75:25 to 50:50.

Useful PLGA polymers may have a weight-average molecular weight of from about 5,000 to 500,000 Daltons, preferably about 150,000 Daltons. Dependent on the rate of degradation to be achieved, different molecular weight of polymers may be used. For a diffusional mechanism of drug release, the polymer should remain intact until all of the drug is released from the polymeric matrix and then degrade. The drug can also be released from the polymeric matrix as the polymeric excipient bioerodes.

The PLGA may be prepared by any conventional method, or may be commercially available. For example, PLGA can be produced by ring-opening polymerization with a suitable catalyst from cyclic lactide, glycolide, etc. (see EP-0058481B2; Effects of polymerization variables on PLGA properties: molecular weight, composition and chain structure).

It is believed that PLGA is biodegradable by means of the degradation of the entire solid polymer composition, due to the break-down of hydrolysable and enzymatically cleavable ester linkages under biological conditions (for example in the presence of water and biological enzymes found in tissues of warm-blooded animals such as humans) to form lactic acid and glycolic acid. Both lactic acid and glycolic acid are water-soluble, non-toxic products of normal metabolism, which may further biodegrade to form carbon dioxide and water. In other words, PLGA is believed to degrade by means of hydrolysis of its ester groups in the presence of water, for example in the body of a warm-blooded animal such as man, to produce lactic acid and glycolic acid and create the acidic microclimate. Lactic and glycolic acid are by-products of various metabolic pathways in the body of a warm-blooded animal such as man under normal physiological conditions and therefore are well tolerated and produce minimal systemic toxicity.

In another embodiment, the polymeric matrix useful for the invention may comprise a star polymer wherein the structure of the polyester is star-shaped. These polyesters have a single polyol residue as a central moiety surrounded by acid residue chains. The polyol moiety may be, e. g., glucose or, e. g., mannitol. These esters are known and described in GB 2,145,422 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,739, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

The star polymers may be prepared using polyhydroxy compounds, e. g., polyol, e.g., glucose or mannitol as the initiator. The polyol contains at least 3 hydroxy groups and has a molecular weight of up to about 20,000 Daltons, with at least 1, preferably at least 2, e.g., as a mean 3 of the hydroxy groups of the polyol being in the form of ester groups, which contain polylactide or co-polylactide chains. The branched polyesters, e.g., poly(d, l-lactide-co-glycolide) have a central glucose moiety having rays of linear polylactide chains.

The depot compositions of the invention (e.g., Compositions 6 and 6.1-6.10, in a polymer matrix) as hereinbefore described may comprise the polymer in the form of microparticles or nanoparticles, or in a liquid form, with the Compounds of the Invention dispersed or encapsulated therein. “Microparticles” is meant solid particles that contain the Compounds of the Invention either in solution or in solid form wherein such compound is dispersed or dissolved within the polymer that serves as the matrix of the particle. By an appropriate selection of polymeric materials, a microparticle formulation can be made in which the resulting microparticles exhibit both diffusional release and biodegradation release properties.

When the polymer is in the form of microparticles, the microparticles may be prepared using any appropriate method, such as by a solvent evaporation or solvent extraction method. For example, in the solvent evaporation method, the Compounds of the Invention and the polymer may be dissolved in a volatile organic solvent (for example a ketone such as acetone, a halogenated hydrocarbon such as chloroform or methylene chloride, a halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon, a cyclic ether such as dioxane, an ester such as ethyl acetate, a nitrile such as acetonitrile, or an alcohol such as ethanol) and dispersed in an aqueous phase containing a suitable emulsion stabilizer (for example polyvinyl alcohol, PVA). The organic solvent is then evaporated to provide microparticles with the Compounds of the Invention encapsulated therein. In the solvent extraction method, the Compounds of the Invention and polymer may be dissolved in a polar solvent (such as acetonitrile, dichloromethane, methanol, ethyl acetate or methyl formate) and then dispersed in an aqueous phase (such as a water/PVA solution). An emulsion is produced to provide microparticles with the Compounds of the Invention encapsulated therein. Spray drying is an alternative manufacturing technique for preparing the microparticles.

Another method for preparing the microparticles of the invention is also described in both U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,389,330 and 4,530,840.

The microparticle of the present invention can be prepared by any method capable of producing microparticles in a size range acceptable for use in an injectable composition. One preferred method of preparation is that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,330. In this method the active agent is dissolved or dispersed in an appropriate solvent. To the agent-containing medium is added the polymeric matrix material in an amount relative to the active ingredient that provides a product having the desired loading of active agent. Optionally, all of the ingredients of the microparticle product can be blended in the solvent medium together.

Solvents for the Compounds of the Invention and the polymeric matrix material that can be employed in the practice of the present invention include organic solvents, such as acetone; halogenated hydrocarbons, such as chloroform, methylene chloride, and the like; aromatic hydrocarbon compounds; halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon compounds; cyclic ethers; alcohols, such as, benzyl alcohol; ethyl acetate; and the like. In one embodiment, the solvent for use in the practice of the present invention may be a mixture of benzyl alcohol and ethyl acetate. Further information for the preparation of microparticles useful for the invention can be found in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2008/0069885, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The amount of the Compounds of the present disclosure incorporated in the microparticles usually ranges from about 1 wt % to about 90 wt. %, preferably 30 to 50 wt. %, more preferably 35 to 40 wt. %. By weight % is meant parts of the Compounds of the present disclosure per total weight of microparticle.

The pharmaceutical depot compositions may comprise a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier, such as a water miscible diluent or carrier.

Details of Osmotic-controlled Release Oral Delivery System composition may be found in U.S. Pub. No. 2009/0202631, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety.

A “therapeutically effective amount” is any amount of the Compounds of the invention (for example as contained in the pharmaceutical depot) which, when administered to a subject suffering from a disease or disorder, is effective to cause a reduction, remission, or regression of the disease or disorder over the period of time as intended for the treatment.

Dosages employed in practicing the present invention will of course vary depending, e.g. on the particular disease or condition to be treated, the particular Compound of the Invention used, the mode of administration, and the therapy desired. Unless otherwise indicated, an amount of the Compound of the Invention for administration (whether administered as a free base or as a salt form) refers to or is based on the amount of the Compound of the Invention in free base form (i.e., the calculation of the amount is based on the free base amount).

Compounds of the Invention may be administered by any satisfactory route, including orally, parenterally (intravenously, intramuscular or subcutaneous) or transdermally, but are preferably administered orally. In certain embodiments, the Compounds of the Invention, e.g., in depot formulation, are preferably administered parenterally, e.g., by injection.

In general, satisfactory results for Method 3 et seq., as set forth above, are indicated to be obtained on oral administration at dosages of the order from about 1 mg to 100 mg once daily, preferably 2.5 mg-50 mg, e.g., 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg or 50 mg, once daily, preferably via oral administration. In some embodiments, particularly related to sleep disorders, satisfactory results are obtained on oral administration of dosages of the order from about 2.5 mg-5 mg, e.g., 2.5 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg or 5 mg, of a Compound of the Invention, in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form, once daily, preferably via oral administration.

For treatment of the disorders disclosed herein wherein the depot composition is used to achieve longer duration of action, the dosages will be higher relative to the shorter action composition, e.g., higher than 1-100 mg, e.g., 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 500 mg, 1,000 mg, or greater than 1000 mg. Duration of action of the Compounds of the present disclosure may be controlled by manipulation of the polymer composition, i.e., the polymer:drug ratio and microparticle size. Wherein the composition of the invention is a depot composition, administration by injection is preferred.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the Compounds of the present disclosure can be synthesized from the parent compound which contains a basic or acidic moiety by conventional chemical methods. Generally, such salts can be prepared by reacting the free base forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate acid in water or in an organic solvent, or in a mixture of the two; generally, non-aqueous media like ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol, or acetonitrile are preferred.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising Compounds of the present disclosure may be prepared using conventional diluents or excipients (an example include, but is not limited to sesame oil) and techniques known in the galenic art. Thus, oral dosage forms may include tablets, capsules, solutions, suspensions and the like.

The prior art discloses numerous synthetic methods applicable generally to fused heterocycle gamma-carbolines related to the compounds disclosed herein. The skilled artisan may follow or adapt procedures as variously described in U.S. Pat. Nos. RE39,680; 7,183,282; 8,309,722; 9,751,883; and U.S. Patent Pub. 2017/0319580.

Diastereomers of prepared compounds can be separated by, for example, HPLC using CHIRALPAK® AY-H, 5μ, 30×250 mm at room temperature and eluted with 10% ethanol/90% hexane/0.1% dimethylethylamine. Peaks can be detected at 230 nm to produce 98-99.9% ee of the diastereomer.

Example 1: Synthesis of (6bR,10aS)-8-(3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl)-3-methyl-6b,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[3′,4′:4,5]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxalin-2(3H)-one

Sodium hydride (60% in mineral oil, 32 mg, 0.786 mmol) is added to a solution of (6bR,10aS)-8-(3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl)-6b,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[3′,4′:4,5] pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxalin-2(3H)-one (0.1 g, 0.262 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) at 0° C. The mixture is stirred at 0° C. for 30 mins and iodomethane (19.6 μL, 0.315 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred at 0° C. for 1 h and water (4 mL) is added. The mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate (3×4 ml) and the combined organic phase is dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. The mixture is filtered, and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness. The residue is purified by column chromatography with 0-100% mixed solvents [ethyl acetate/methanol/7N NH3(10:1:0.1 v/v)] in ethyl acetate. The title compound is obtained as an off-white solid (110 g, yield 99%). MS (ESI) m/z 396.2 [M+H]+.1H NMR (500 MHz, Chloroform-d): δ 7.02-6.95 (m, 2H), 6.95-6.85 (m, 2H), 6.85-6.76 (m, 3H), 4.09-3.99 (m, 3H), 3.93 (m, 1H), 3.44 (m, 2H), 3.36 (s, 3H), 3.16-2.65 (m, 4H), 2.29 (m, 3H), 2.13 (m, 1H), 1.73 (m, 2H).

Example 2: Synthesis of 4-((6bR,10aS)-3-methyl-2,3,6b,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido-[3′,4′:4,5]-pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxalin-8-(7H)-yl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-butanone

A suspension of (6bR,10aS)-3-methyl-2,3,6b,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido-[3′,4′:4,5]-pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxaline (ca. 11.8 g, ca.50 mmol), 4-chloro-4′-flurobutyrophenone (15.0 g, 74.8 mmol), triethylamine (30 mL, 214 mmol), and potassium iodide (12.6 g, 76 mmol) in dioxane (65 ml) and toluene (65 ml) is heated to reflux for 7 hours. After filtration and evaporation of the solvent, 200 ml of DCM is added. The DCM solution is washed with brine, dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated to approximately 55 ml. The concentrated solution is added dropwise to 600 ml of 0.5N HCl ether solution. The solid is filtered off and washed with ether and then dissolved in water. The resulting aqueous solution is basified with 2N NaOH and extracted with DCM. The DCM layers are combined, washed with brine (2×200 mL) and dried (Na2SO4). Evaporation of the solvent and chromatography of the residue over silica gel gives 4-((6bR,10aS)-3-methyl-2,3,6b,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido-[3′,4′:4,5]-pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxalin-8-(7H)-yl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-butanone.

Example 3: Synthesis of (6bR,10aS)-8-(3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl)-6b,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[3′,4′:4,5]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxalin-2(3H)-one

A mixture of (6bR,10aS)-6b,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[3′,4′:4,5]pyrrolo [1,2,3-de]quinoxalin-2(3H)-one (100 mg, 0.436 mmol), 1-(3-chloroproxy)-4-fluorobenzene (100 μL, 0.65 mmol) and KI (144 mg, 0.87 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) is degassed with argon for 3 minutes and DIPEA (150 μL, 0.87 mmol) is added. The resulting mixture is heated to 78° C. and stirred at this temperature for 2 h. The mixture is cooled to room temperature and then filtered. The filter cake is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a gradient of 0-100% ethyl acetate in a mixture of methanol/7N NH3in methanol (1:0.1 v/v) as an eluent to produce partially purified product, which is further purified with a semi-preparative HPLC system using a gradient of 0-60% acetonitrile in water containing 0.1% formic acid over 16 min to obtain the title product as a solid (50 mg, yield 30%). MS (ESI) m/z 406.2 [M+1]+.1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 10.3 (s, 1H), 7.2-7.1 (m, 2H), 7.0-6.9 (m, 2H), 6.8 (dd, J=1.03, 7.25 Hz, 1H), 6.6 (t, J=7.55 Hz, 1H), 6.6 (dd, J=1.07, 7.79 Hz, 1H), 4.0 (t, J=6.35 Hz, 2H), 3.8 (d, J=14.74 Hz, 1H), 3.3-3.2 (m, 3H), 2.9 (dd, J=6.35, 11.13 Hz, 1H), 2.7-2.6 (m, 1H), 2.5-2.3 (m, 2H), 2.1 (t, J=11.66 Hz, 1H), 2.0 (d, J=14.50 Hz, 1H), 1.9-1.8 (m, 3H), 1.7 (t, J=11.04 Hz, 1H).

Example 4: Receptor Binding Profile of Compound of Examples 1, 2 and 3

Receptor binding is determined for the Compounds of Examples 1, 2 and 3 (corresponding to Formula 1, Formula B and Formula A, respectively). The following literature procedures are used, each of which reference is incorporated herein by reference in their entireties: 5-HT2A: Bryant, H. U. et al. (1996),Life Sci.,15:1259-1268; D2: Hall, D. A. and Strange, P. G. (1997),Brit. J. Pharmacol.,121:731-736; D1: Zhou, Q. Y. et al. (1990),Nature,347:76-80; SERT: Park, Y. M. et al. (1999),Anal. Biochem.,269:94-104; Mu opiate receptor: Wang, J. B. et al. (1994),FEBS Lett.,338:217-222.

In general, the results are expressed as a percent of control specific binding:

measured⁢specific⁢bindingcontrol⁢specific⁢binding×100
and as a percent inhibition of control specific binding:

100-(measured⁢specific⁢bindingcontrol⁢specific⁢binding)×100
obtained in the presence of the test compounds.

The IC50values (concentration causing a half-maximal inhibition of control specific binding) and Hill coefficients (nH) are determined by non-linear regression analysis of the competition curves generated with mean replicate values using Hill equation curve fitting:

Y=D+[A-D1+(C/C50)nH]
where Y=specific binding, A=left asymptote of the curve, D=right asymptote of the curve, C=compound concentration, C50=IC50, and nH=slope factor. This analysis was performed using in-house software and validated by comparison with data generated by the commercial software SigmaPlot® 4.0 for Windows® (© 1997 by SPSS Inc.). The inhibition constants (Ki) were calculated using the Cheng Prusoff equation:

Ki=IC50(1+L/KD)
where L=concentration of radioligand in the assay, and KD=affinity of the radioligand for the receptor. A Scatchard plot is used to determine the KD.

The following receptor affinity results are obtained:

Compound 1Formula BFormula AReceptor(Ex. 1)(Ex. 2)(Ex. 3)Ki (nM) or maximum inhibition5-HT2A3.0108.3D211449160D1404150SERT10.216590Mu opiate>10,000>10,00011receptor

The Compound of Example 1 is further studied in a cell-based functional assay using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing the human D2S receptor, in both an agonist signaling assay, and in an antagonist signaling assay. To evaluate the agonist or antagonist activity of compounds, the ability of these compounds to either inhibit forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation or reverse the inhibition produced by 30 nM of quinpirole is determined.

CHO-K1 cells expressing human recombinant (hD2S) receptor (FAST-0102C) are grown prior to the test in media without antibiotic, and are then detached by gentle flushing with PBS-EDTA (5 mM EDTA), recovered by centrifugation and resuspended in assay buffer (5 mM KCl, 1.25 mM MgSO4, 124 mM NaCl, 25 mM HEPES, 13.3 mM Glucose, 1.25 mM KH2PO4, 1.45 mM CaCl2, 0.5 g/L protease-free BSA, supplemented with 1 mM IBMX).

For the agonist test, 12 μL of cells (2,500 cells/well) are mixed with 6 μL forskolin (10 μM final assay concentration) and 6 μL of the test compound at increasing concentrations in the wells of a 384-well plate, and then incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature. After addition of lysis buffer and 1 hour of incubation, cAMP concentrations are measured using the Cisbio “cAMP Dynamic2 Assay Kit” (Cisbio, 62AM4PEB). All assay points are determined in triplicate and data is presented as average values with standard deviation. Curve fitting is performed using XLfit software (IDBS), and affinity constants are determined using a 4-parameter logistic fit.

For the antagonist test, 12 μL of cells (2,500 cells/well) are mixed with 6 μL of the test compound at increasing concentrations in the wells of a 384-well plate, and then incubated 10 minutes at room temperature. Then 6 μL of a mix of quinpirole (final assay concentration 30 nM, corresponding to its measured EC80) and forskolin (10 μM final assay concentration) is added and the plates are incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature. After addition of lysis buffer and 1 hour of incubation, cAMP concentrations are measured with the Cisbio “cAMP Dynamic2 Assay Kit”. All assay points are determined in triplicate and data is presented as average values with standard deviation. Curve fitting is performed using XLfit software (IDBS), and affinity constants are determined using a 4-parameter logistic fit. For the antagonists, the apparent dissociation constants (KB) are calculated using the modified Cheng Prusoff equation KB=IC50/(1±(A/EC50A)), where A=concentration of reference agonist (30 nM of quinpirole) in the assay, and EC50A=EC50value of the reference agonist (EC50of 3.2 nM for quinpirole).

The results are shown in the table below.

AntagonistAgonistApparent DissociationCompoundIC50(nM)EC50(nM)Constants, KB(nM)IC201376907no activity87.42(>3 μM)

The results show that the Compound of Example 1 has antagonist activity at the D2S receptor, but no detectable agonist activity.

Example 5: Animal Pharmacokinetic Data

Using standard procedures, the pharmacokinetic profile of the compound of Examples 1, 2 and 3 are studied in rats.

Example 5a: Rat PK Study of the Compound of Example 1

Surgically modified rats are housed one per cage, and supplied with water and a commercial rodent diet ad libitum prior to study initiation. Food is withheld from the animals for a minimum of twelve hours before and during the study, until four hours post-dose, at which time food is returned. Animals are dosed IV, SC and PO, and blood samples are collected following the study design in the following table. Blood samples (˜0.25 mL) are collected via JVC or tail vein, placed into chilled blood collection tubes containing sodium heparin as the anticoagulant, and kept on ice until centrifugation. Blood samples are then centrifuged at a temperature of 2 to 8° C., at 3,000 g, for 5 minutes. Drug levels in the plasma samples are quantified via HPLC with MS/MS detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters based on the group geomean concentration versus time data, are calculated using a noncompartmental pharmaceutical data analysis software PK Solutions 2.0 (Summit Research Services, Montrose, Colo.).

TotalDosingDosingAni-DoseSolutionVolumeSamplingGroupDosingmals(mg/Conc.(mL/DoseTime#RouteN=kg)(mg/mL)kg)VehiclePoints1IV510.5210%0.03,Trapposol/0.08,1% Tween0.25, 0.5,80 in water1, 2, 6,8, 24, and48 hr2SC510.52PEG 4000.03,0.08,0.25, 0.5,1, 2, 6,8, 24, and48 hr3PO510.52PEG 4000.03,0.08,0.25, 0.5,1, 2, 6,8, 24, and48 hr

The results are summarized in the table below.

IVPOSC(1 mg/kg)(1 mg/kg)(1 mg/kg)30 min (ng/mL)1164.223.61 hour (ng/mL)702.928.16 hours (ng/mL)1.61.412.824 hours (ng/mL)——1.348 hours (ng/mL)———Cmax (ng/mL)5055.034.0AUC (ng-hr/mL)27022.6246.8Bioavailability100%10%90%t-1/2 (hr)1.0——

Example 5b: Rat PK Study of the Compound of Example 2

This study is performed according to the same procedure as outlined in Example 5a, with the blood samples collected as shown in the table below.

TotalDosingDosingAni-DoseSolutionVolumeSamplingGroupDosingmals(mg/Conc.(mL/DoseTime#RouteN=kg)(mg/mL)kg)VehiclePoints1IV610.2550 mM0.03,citrate/0.08,phosphate0.25, 0.5,buffer2, 4, 6, 8,pH 3.1and 12 hr2PO610250.02N HCl0.25, 0.5,1, 2, 4, 6,8, 12,and 24 hr3SC54512320% (w/w)0.083,Trapposol/0.25,0.05%0.5, 1, 2,EDTA/6, 12,0.5%24, andSodium48 hrmeta-bisulfitein saline

Representative results are tabulated below (* indicates plasma concentration below measurable level of quantitation):

Study 1Study 2IV (1 mg/kg)PO (10 mg/kg)SC (45 mg/kg)30 min (ng/mL)92.512.2704.71 hour (ng/mL)—13.8699.76 hours (ng/mL)3.11.5498.412 hours (ng/mL)0.50.3168.324 hours (ng/mL)—*12.3Cmax (ng/mL)13.8746.8AUC (ng-hr/mL)230.6567627Bioavailability100%2%73%t-1/2 (hr)1.4——

Example 5c: Rat PK Studies of the Compound of Example 3

In a first study, rats are administered the compound of Example 3 either by intravenous bolus (IV) at 1 mg/kg in 45% Trapposol vehicle, or orally (PO) at 10 mg/kg in 0.5% CMC vehicle (N=3 each group). In a second study, rats are administered the compound of Example 2 at 10 mg/kg PO or 3 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC), each in 45% Trapposol vehicle (N=6 for each group). Plasma concentrations of the drug are measured at time points from 0 to 48 hours post dose. Representative results are tabulated below (* indicates plasma concentration below measurable level of quantitation):

Study OneStudy TwoIVPOPOSC(1 mg/kg)(10 mg/kg)(10 mg/kg)(3 mg/kg)30 min (ng/mL)99.030.754.9134.41 hour (ng/mL)47.337.260.6140.96 hours (ng/mL)1.19.421.018.224 hours (ng/mL)*0.10.41.948 hours(ng/mL)**NDNDCmax (ng/mL)314.837.260.6140.9AUC (ng-hr/mL)182215409676Bioavailability100%12%22%123%t-1/2 (hr)1.1—

Together these results show that the compounds of the present disclosure are well-absorbed and distributed to the brain and tissues and are retained with a reasonably long half-life to enable once-daily administration of therapeutic doses.