NEWS Publications MAY 07 2021 In-press article in Drug Discovery Today is now available and displays one of the major achievements of the outstanding pan European Lead Factory (ELF) collaboration. Through the European Lead Factory model, industry-standard high-throughput screening and hit validation are made available to academia, small and medium-sized enterprises, charity organizations, patient foundations, and participating pharmaceutical companies. The compound collection used for screening is built from a unique diversity of sources. It brings together compounds from companies with different therapeutic area heritages and completely new compounds from library synthesis. This generates structural diversity and combines molecules with complementary physicochemical properties. In 2019, the screening library was updated to enable another 5 years of running innovative drug discovery projects. Here, we investigate the physicochemical and diversity properties of the updated compound collection. We show that it is highly diverse, drug-like, and complementary to commercial screening libraries. Learn more JAN 26 2021 Novel library synthesis of 3,4-disubstituted pyridin-2(1H)-ones via cleavage of pyridine-2-oxy-7-azabenzotriazole ethers under ionic hydrogenation conditions at room temperature Collaborative work between Galderma R&D and Edelris yields new routes to the pyridin-2(1H)-one motif. Efficient access to the 4-amino-3-carboxamide disubstituted pyridine-2(1H)-one kinase hinge-binder motif proved to be more challenging than anticipated requiring a significant investment in route scouting and optimization. This full paper focuses on the synthesis issues that we encountered during our route exploration and the original solutions we developed in order to identify two optimized library-style processes to prepare a large kinase inhibitor library. Learn more NOV 16 2020 Novel 2,7-Diazaspiro[4,4]nonane Derivatives to Inhibit Mouse and Human Osteoclast Activities and Prevent Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Mice without Affecting Bone Formation From a unique EDELRIS compound library, a series of novel N-arylsulfonamides featuring the diazaspiro[4,4]nonane nucleus were identified as actives against DOCK5, a crucial signaling protein in osteoclasts. Advancing further synthetic work and LBDD revealed compound E197, which was also shown to prevent pathological bone loss in mice. Learn more OCT 26 2020 Exploring new targets and chemical space with affinity selection-mass spectrometry Affinity selection-mass spectrometry (AS-MS) is a high-throughput screening (HTS) technique for drug discovery that enables rapid screening of large collections of compounds to identify ligands for a specific biomolecular target. AS-MS is a binding assay that is insensitive to the functional effects a ligand might have, which is important because it lets us identify novel ligands irrespective of their binding site. This approach is gaining popularity, notably due to its role in the emergence of useful agents for targeted protein degradation. This Perspective highlights the use of AS-MS techniques to explore broad chemical space and identify small-molecule ligands for biological targets that have proven challenging to address with other screening paradigms. We present chemical structures of reported AS-MS hits to illustrate the potential of this screening approach to deliver high-quality hits for further optimization. AS-MS has, thus, evolved from being an infrequent alternative to traditional HTS or DNA-encoded library strategies to now firmly establishing itself as a HTS approach for drug discovery. Learn more DEC 02 2019 Discovery of novel Cyclophilin D inhibitors starting from three dimensional fragments with millimolar potencies Another showcase story of the quality of Edelris’ SP3-rich Keymical Fragments™, used in fragment-based lead discovery. These remarkable results were obtained in collaboration with researchers from Merck KGA, EMD Serono, and Proteros Biostructures. Fragment-based screening enabled the discovery of chemical diverse fragment hits with millimolar binding affinities to the peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Cyclophilin D (CypD). Merging and linking 3D-rich fragment hits from CypD co-crystal structures (KD=mM range) and a reference small molecule inhibitor (KD=230nM), followed by additional SAR-optimization improved extensively the in vitro affinities (1.2x10^6), as exemplified below. This study was also highlighted by Jahnke et al. in the J. Med. Chem. Perspective «Fragment-to-Lead Medicinal Chemistry Publications in 2019». (https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01608). Learn more FEB 05 2019 Generation of a Heteropolycyclic and sp3‐Rich Scaffold for Library Synthesis from a Highly Diastereoselective Petasis/Diels–Alder and ROM–RCM Reaction Sequence Another example of libraries successfully synthesized by EDELRIS scientists! Using one-pot Petasis/Diels Alder cascade reaction developed by our creative academic partners from DTU - Technical University of Denmark we were able to produced 2188 new compounds as an addition to the European Lead Factory Library! Learn more AUG 20 2018 Synthesis and stability evaluation of novel peptidomimetic Caspase-1 inhibitors for topical application During our search for topically-active Caspase-1 inhibitors, we identified a novel class of potent inhibitors based on a 1,3,5-trisubstituted uracil motif equipped with an L-aspartate semi-aldehyde derived warhead. In the literature, the majority of Caspase-1 inhibitors possessing the same warhead have been designed and evaluated for oral administration as the ethyl acetal pro-drug form. For our topical program, the pro-drug acetal form was not fully hydrolysed in the skin and was unstable in many of our standard topical excipients, therefore, we were obliged to focus on the actual hemiacetal drug form of the molecule during our drug discovery program. Our work focuses on both the synthesis and achiral and chiral stability of the final drug molecules in topical excipients. Learn more AUG 14 2018 Translation of innovative chemistry into screening libraries: an exemplar partnership from the European Lead Factory The identification of high-quality starting points for drug discovery is an enduring challenge in medicinal chemistry. Yet, the chemical space explored in discovery programmes tends be limited by the narrow toolkit of robust methods that are exploited in discovery workflows. The European Lead Factory (ELF) was established in 2013 to boost early-stage drug discovery within Europe. In this Feature, we describe an exemplar partnership that has led to the addition of 21 119 distinctive screening compounds to the ELF Joint European Compound Library. The partnership could serve as a blueprint for the translation of innovative academic chemistry into discovery programmes. Learn more JUL 13 2018 Squaramides as novel class I and IIB histone deacetylase inhibitors for topical treatment of cutaneous t-cell lymphoma. A series of squaramide-based hydroxamic acids were designed, synthesized and evaluated against human HDAC enzyme. Squaramides were found to be potent in the Hut78 cell line, but initially suffered from low solubility. Leads with improved solubility and metabolic profiles were shown to be class I, IIB and IV selective Learn more JUL 12 2018 Petasis/Diels–Alder/Cyclization Cascade Reactions for the Generation of Scaffolds with Multiple Stereogenic Centers and Orthogonal Handles for Library Production A new effective strategy for the synthesis of sp3-rich small molecules for library production is presented. The key steps to generate complexity involve Petasis 3-component reaction followed by an intramolecular Diels-Alder and cyclization to generate a densely enriched tricyclic or tetracyclic scaffolds with 3-4 stereocenters with 3 handles for decoration. Learn more APR 26 2018 Rational Drug Design of Topically Administered Caspase 1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Inflammatory Acne The use of an interleukin β antibody is currently being investigated in the clinic for the treatment of acne, a dermatological disorder affecting 650M persons globally. Inhibiting the protease responsible for the cleavage of inactive pro-IL1β into active IL-1β, caspase-1, could be an alternative small molecule approach. This report describes the discovery of uracil 20, a potent (38 nM in THP1 cells assay) caspase-1 inhibitor for the topical treatment of inflammatory acne. The uracil series was designed according to a published caspase-1 pharmacophore model involving a reactive warhead in P1 for covalent reversible inhibition and an aryl moiety in P4 for selectivity against the apoptotic caspases. Reversibility was assessed in an enzymatic dilution assay or by using different substrate concentrations. In addition to classical structure–activity-relationship exploration, topical administration challenges such as phototoxicity, organic and aqueous solubility, chemical stability in solution, and skin metabolic stability are discussed and successfully resolved. Learn more APR 18 2018 Realisation of small molecule libraries based on frameworks distantly related to natural products The availability of high-quality screening compounds is of paramount importance for the discovery of innovative new medicines. Natural product (NP) frameworks can inspire the design of productive compound libraries. Here, we describe the design and synthesis of four compound libraries based on scaffolds that have broad NP-like features, but that are only distantly related to specific NPs. The optimisation of syntheses of the scaffolds using [5 + 2] cycloaddition chemistry is detailed, together with methods to yield exemplar decorated screening compounds. In each case, a library was nominated for production, leading to a total of >2900 screening compounds that augmented the Joint European Compound Library of the European Lead Factory. Learn more JAN 11 2018 WO2018007323 : Benzosultams and analogues and their use as fungicides Contribution from EDELRIS : the invention patented by Bayer Cropscience AG relates to fungicidal active compounds of formula (I), more specifically to benzosultams and analogues thereof, processes and, intermediates for their preparation and use thereof as fungicidal active compound, particularly in the form of fungicide compositions. The present disclosure also relates to methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi of plants using these compounds or compositions comprising them. Learn more NOV 09 2017 New Caspase-1 inhibitor by scaffold hopping into bio-inspired 3D-fragment space Virtual fragmentation of a library of 12,000 compounds inspired by natural products led to a dataset of 153,000 fragments that was used as a source to identify effective P2-P3 scaffold replacement solutions for peptidic Caspase-1 inhibitors. Our strategy led to the identification of an original 2-azabicyclo-octane scaffold (2-ABO) that was further elaborated into the potent Caspase-1 inhibitor CD10847 (IC50 = 17 nM). The crystal structure of Caspase-1 in complex with CD10847 was obtained, and its binding mode was shown to be similar to the one predicted by docking and in good agreement with other known inhibitors. Learn more OCT 25 2017 Isoform-Selective ATAD2 Chemical Probe with Novel Chemical Structure and Unusual Mode of Action ATAD2 (ANCCA) is an epigenetic regulator and transcriptional cofactor, whose overexpression has been linked to the progress of various cancer types. Here, we report a DNA-encoded library screen leading to the discovery of BAY-850, a potent and isoform selective inhibitor that specifically induces ATAD2 bromodomain dimerization and prevents interactions with acetylated histones in vitro, as well as with chromatin in cells. These features qualify BAY-850 as a chemical probe to explore ATAD2 biology. Learn more OCT 05 2017 WO2017173049: Compounds for the inhibition of cyclophilins and uses thereof Contribution from Edelris: the invention patented by Merck Serono relates to compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, useful as inhibitors of cyclophilins, and for the treatment of cyclophilin-related disorders. Learn more OCT 05 2017 WO2017173048: Compounds for the inhibition of cyclophilins and uses thereof Contribution from Edelris: the invention patented by Merck Serono relates to compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, useful as inhibitors of cyclophilins, and for the treatment of cyclophilin-related disorders. Learn more JUN 08 2017 WO2017093272 : Furane derivatives as inhibitors of ATAD2 Contribution from Edelris: the invention patented by Bayer relates to furane derivatives as inhibitors of ATAD2 and processes for their preparation, their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, and their use for the preparation of pharmaceuticals for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cancer. Learn more DEC 19 2016 An expedient synthesis of non-racemic N-alkylated pyrrolidin-2,5-diones and piperidin-2,6-diones as peptidomimetics In our hands, access to 2 novel peptidomimetic scaffolds, based on N-alkylated pyrrolidin-2,5-diones and piperidin-2,6-diones (1), proved to be much more challenging than anticipated. In this short communication, we disclose the strategies that we explored and our final route choices to the desired scaffolds with control of both stereocenters. Learn more NOV 29 2016 A metal-catalyzed enyne-cyclization step for the synthesis of bi- and tricyclic scaffolds amenable to molecular library production A facile metal-catalyzed diversiﬁcation step for the synthesis of novel bi- and tricyclic scaffolds from enyne substrates is reported in this study. From a single starting material, topologically diverse scaffolds for library synthesis can be generated and decorated in a few steps. The methodology was used to produce a library of 490 compounds within the European Lead Factory (ELF) Consortium. Learn more JUL 08 2016 Tandem Mannich/Diels–Alder reactions for the synthesis of indole compound libraries tandem Mannich/Diels–Alder sequence is demonstrated in this studies for the synthesis of an O-bridged octahydro -isoindole core bearing an indole moiety. This scaffold displays a high Fsp 3 value, several chiral centers and a 500-compound library is being produced within the European Lead Factory Consortium. Learn more NOV 24 2015 Expansion of chemical space for collaborative lead generation and drug discovery: the European Lead Factory Perspective The European Lead Factory (ELF) project is addressing the challenge of generation and maintenance of a competitive compound collection by leveraging the diverse experience and know-how of academic groups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in synthetic and/or medicinal chemistry. Here, we describe the novelty, diversity, structural complexity, physicochemical characteristics and overall attractiveness of the first batch of 50.000 ELF compounds for HTS purposes. Learn more NOV 23 2015 Exploitation of the Ugi–Joullié Reaction in the Synthesis of Libraries of Drug-Like Bicyclic Hydantoins A general and efficient method for the synthesis of drug-like fused bicyclic hydantoins is reported. An Ugi–Joullié reaction/cyclisation sequence was exploited as the key complexity-generating process, which enabled the synthesis of large small molecule libraries, leading to the production of >1000 compounds for addition to the screening collection of the European Lead Factory. Learn more NOV 23 2015 Synthesis of (Arylamido)pyrrolidinone Libraries through Ritter-Type Cascade Reactions of Dihydroxylactams The Ritter-type reaction of arylnitriles and N-acyliminium ions generated in situ from dihydroxy-g-lactams gave tetrahydropyrrolo[2,3-d]oxazol-5-ones in excellent yields and with high diastereoselectivity. Subsequent acidic hydrolysis yielded new (arylamido)pyrrolidinones. A combined one-step Ritter–hydrolysis procedure proved to be of equal efficiency. Within the European Lead Factory Consortium, this versatile method was successfully used for the production of a drug-like molecular library (+500 compounds) for biological screening. Learn more JUN 03 2015 WO2015036442: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of Hepatitis B virus infection Hepatitis B is still a major public health problem with more than 350 million people chronically infected worldwide, 20 to 40% of them being at risk of developing chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite the existence of an effective preventive vaccine, the hepatitis B virus infection is still rampant in many countries, even developed ones, with an estimated 4.5 million cases of infection per year worldwide. Edelris and its partners Inserm and Poxel have identified FXR as a therapeutic target for HBV and discovered new compounds leading to a strong inhibition of viral DNA and viral antigen production. Learn more JUN 02 2015 WO2015028095A1: Derivatives of macrocyclic natural product Branimycin (and their use for the treatment of bacterial infectious diseases) Contribution from Edelris: The invention patented by Galapagos NV relates to novel Branimycin derivatives with formula (I) that are useful in the treatment of infectious diseases, in particular those causing significant morbidity in human. These compounds are active against a specific enzyme in the bacterial DNA replicative process. Edelris was more specifically involved in the synthesis, purification and structural characterization of these novel derivatives. Learn more JUN 01 2015 Innovative approaches to the design and synthesis of small molecule libraries This editorial by Pr. Nelson (Leeds University) and Dr. Roche (Edelris) is dedicated to innovative approaches to the design and synthesis of small molecular libraries. Learn more MAR 09 2015 Aminomethylhydroxylation of alkenes: Exploitation in the synthesis of scaffolds for small molecule libraries The application of [4+2] cycloadditions between alkenes and an N-benzoyl iminium species, generated in situ under acidic conditions, is described in the synthesis of diverse molecular scaffolds. The key reaction led to the formation of cyclic imidates in good yield and with high regioselectivity. It was demonstrated that the cyclic imidates may be readily converted into 1,3-amino alcohols. Incorporation of orthogonally-reactive functionality, such as aryl and alkyl bromides, into the cycloaddition substrates enabled the synthesis of additional scaffolds. Learn more FEB 23 2015 Synthesis of 1,4,5 trisubstituted γ-lactams via a 3-component cascade reaction A three component one-pot cascade reaction was developed for the synthesis of 1,4,5-trisubstituted γ-lactams. The resulting scaffold can be modified independently at three positions, two of which are conveniently accessed by changing the components of the one-pot reaction. The phases of building block generation, scaffold synthesis and subsequent appendage modification were adapted to library production, which resulted in a screening library of 500 compounds. Learn more FEB 11 2015 Design, synthesis and decoration of molecular scaffolds for exploitation in the production of alkaloid-like libraries The design, synthesis and decoration of six small molecule libraries is described. Each library was inspired by structures embedded in the framework of specific alkaloid natural products. The development of optimised syntheses of the required molecular scaffolds is described, in which reactions including Pd-catalysed aminoarylation and dipolar cycloadditions have been exploited as key steps. In total, the research has led to the successful synthesis of >2500 novel alkaloid-like compounds for addition to the screening collection (the Joint European Compound Library, JECL) of the European Lead Factory. Learn more JUL 28 2014 Synthesis of non racemic 2,5-pyrrolidinedione and 2,6-piperidinedione peptidomimetics The synthesis of conformationnally restricted peptidomimetics through cyclisation is of interest in the drug development process. The preparation of imide by cyclisation of aspartic or glutamic carboxylic acid side chain with backbone amide is scarcely described (pathway a). Moreover, the C-N bond formation on amino succinimide or aminoglutarimide derivatives has never been reported to our knowledge (pathway b). This poster presented at the BOSS 2014 outlines the different strategies devised and applied to overcome selectivity and epimerisation issues in the synthesis of aminosuccinimide and aminoglutarimide containing peptides. Learn more JUL 15 2014 Pd-catalyzed carboamination: a key reaction to explore 3D diversity The palladium-catalyzed carboamination of N-protected γ-aminoalkenes with aryl bromides is a powerful reaction to access functionalized pyrrolidines with high levels of diastereoselectivity. The poster presents the synthesis of two pyrrolidine-based libraries, illustrating our process in the development and production phases. Hurdles, solutions and outcomes are discussed. Learn more MAR 01 2014 The metabolic sensors FXRα, PGC-1α, and SIRT1 cooperatively regulate hepatitis B virus transcription Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome transcription is highly dependent on liver-enriched, metabolic nuclear receptors (NRs). Among others, NR farnesoid X receptor α (FXRα) enhances HBV core promoter activity and pregenomic RNA synthesis. Interestingly, two food-withdrawal-induced FXRα modulators, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-ɣ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and deacetylase SIRT1, have been found to be associated with HBV genomes ex vivo. Whereas PGC-1α induction was shown to increase HBV replication, the effect of SIRT1 on HBV transcription remains unknown. Here, we showed that, in hepatocarcinoma- derived Huh-7 cells, combined activation of FXRα by GW4064 and SIRT1 by activator 3 increased HBV core promoter-controlled luciferase expression by 25-fold, compared with a 10-fold increase with GW4064 alone. Learn more SEP 28 2012 Rhodium(III)-catalyzed allylic C–H bond amination. Synthesis of cyclic amines from ω-unsaturated N-sulfonylamines For the first time, intramolecular allylic amination was conducted using rhodium(III) according to an “inner-sphere” type mechanism with amines activated by only one electron-withdrawing group. The activation of C(sp3)–H bonds was chemoselective and allows the access to a variety of substituted cyclic amines such as pyrrolidines and piperidines. Learn more FEB 01 2012 (E)-Dimethyl 2-Oxopent-3-enylphosphonate: An Excellent Substrate for Cross- Metathesis – Easy Access to Functionalized Heterocycles Simple and efficient access to tetrahydrofurans, tetrahydropyrans, and pyrrolidines through a tandem cross-metathesis/1,4-addition process from (E)-dimethyl 2-oxopent-3-enylphosphonate and N-protected unsaturated amines or alcohols under microwave irradiation is described. As the Grubbs–Hoveyda catalyst is highly chemoselective, a diversity of functionalized heterocycles were synthesized. Furthermore, an additional functionalization can be performed due to the presence of a side chain that possesses a ketophosphonate at the C2 position of the heterocycle. Learn more AUG 01 2011 N-Formylsaccharin: A New Formylating Agent N-Formylsaccharin has been revealed to be an efficient and chemoselective formylating agent of amines.The latter is a solid, is very cheap, easy to handle, stable, it can react under mild reaction conditions with short reaction times (15 min) and purification of the produced N-formamides is not needed. Learn more JUN 23 2011 Synthesis and biological properties of macrolactam analogs of the natural product macrolide (−)-A26771B Promising synthetic derivatives of macrolactone natural product (-)-A26771B have been designed and synthesized both from semisynthesis and total synthesis. Further optimization led to the first synthesis of macrolactam analogs of (-)-A26771B with improved antibacterial activity and metabolic stability. Learn more MAY 09 2011 WO 2011058193: [1,5]-diazocin derivatives Contribution from EDELRIS: The present invention relates to compounds having a [1,5]-diazocin, in particular a 4-oxo-[1,5]-diazocin, type of structure, to compositions and/or medicaments comprising at least one compound of this type, and their use as a constituent in a medicament, in particular for the treatment of diabetes, more particularly of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type II diabetes), insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type I diabetes), and/or of hypertension, pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity. Learn more MAY 06 2004 Natural products and combinatorial chemistry: back to the future The introduction of high-throughput synthesis and combinatorial chemistry has precipitated a global decline in the screening of natural products by the pharmaceutical industry. Some companies terminated their natural products program, despite the unproven success of the new technologies. This was a premature decision, as natural products have a long history of providing important medicinal agents. Furthermore, they occupy a complementary region of chemical space compared with the typical synthetic compound library. For these reasons, the interest in natural products has been rekindled. Various approaches have evolved that combine the power of natural products and organic chemistry, ranging from the combinatorial total synthesis of analogues to the exploration of natural product scaffolds and the design of completely unnatural molecules that resemble natural products in their molecular characteristics. Learn more Legal notice Credits Phone: +33 (0)437 561 900 60, Avenue Rockefeller, Bioparc, Bioserra 1 Building, 69008 LYON, FRANCE