Specification
WO 2006/116150 PCT/US2006/015192
DIHYDROBENZOFURAN DERIVATIVES AND USES THEREOF
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application serial
number 60/674,150, filed April 22, 2005, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to 5-HT2C receptor agonists, processes for their
preparation, and uses thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Schizophrenia affects approximately 5 million people. The most prevalent treatments
for schizophrenia are currently the 'atypical' antipsychotics, which combine dopamine (D2) and
serotonin (5-HT2A) receptor antagonism. Despite the reported improvements in efficacy and side-
effect liability of atypical antipsychotics relative to typical antipsychotics, these compounds do
not appear to adequately treat all the symptoms of schizophrenia and are accompanied by
problematic side effects, such as weight gain (Allison, D. B., et. al., Am. J. Psychiatry, 156:
1686-1696, 1999; Masand, P. S., Exp. Opin. Pharmacother. I: 377-389, 2000; Whitaker, R.,
Spectrum Life Sciences. Decision Resources. 2:1-9, 2000).
[0004] Atypical antipsychotics also bind with high affinity to 5-HT2C receptors and function
as 5-HT2C receptor antagonists or inverse agonists. Weight gain is a problematic side effect
associated with atypical antipsychotics such as clozapine and olanzapine, and it has been
suggested that 5-HT2C antagonism is responsible for the increased weight gain. Conversely,
stimulation of the 5-HT2C receptor is known to result in decreased food intake and body weight
(Walsh et. al., Psychopharmacology 124: 57-73, 1996; Cowen, P. J., et. al., Human
Psychopharmacology 10: 385-391,1995; Rosenzweig-Lipson, S., et. al., ASPET abstract, 2000).
[0005] Several lines of evidence support a role for 5-HT2C receptor agonism or partial
agonism as a treatment for schizophrenia. Studies suggest that 5-HT2C antagonists increase
synaptic levels of dopamine and may be effective in animal models of Parkinson's disease (Di
Matteo, V., et. al., Neuropharmacology 37: 265-272, 1998; Fox, S. H., et. al., Experimental
Neurology 151: 35-49, 1998). Since the positive symptoms of schizophrenia are associated with
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WO 2006/116150 PCT/US2006/015192
increased levels of dopamine, compounds with actions opposite to those of 5-HT2C antagonists,
such as 5-HT2C agonists and partial agonists, should reduce levels of synaptic dopamine. Recent
studies have demonstrated that 5-HT2C agonists decrease levels of dopamine in the prefrontal
cortex and nucleus accumbens (Millan, M. J., et. al., Neuropharmacology 37: 953-955,1998; Di
Matteo, V., et. al., Neuropharmacology 38: 1195-1205, 1999; Di Giovanni, G., et. al., Synapse
35: 53-61, 2000), brain regions that are thought to mediate critical antipsychotic effects of drugs
like clozapine. However, 5-HT2C agonists do not decrease dopamine levels in the striatum, the
brain region most closely associated with extrapyramidal side effects. In addition, a recent study
demonstrates that 5-HT2C agonists decrease firing in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), but not in
the substantia nigra. The differential effects of 5-HT2C agonists in the mesolimbic pathway
relative to the nigrostriatal pathway suggest that 5-HT2C agonists have limbic selectivity, and will
be less likely to produce extrapyramidal side effects associated with typical antipsychotics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to 5-HT2C agonists and uses thereof. The compounds of
the present invention are useful, for example, to treat schizophrenia and the concomitant mood
disorders and cognitive impairments of schizophrenia. In certain embodiment, compounds of the
present invention are less likely to produce the body weight increases associated with current
atypical antipsychotics. The compounds of the present invention are also useful for the treatment
of obesity and its comorbidities.
[0007] In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a compound of formula I:
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein:
each =----= independently represents a single or double bond, provided that both == groups do
not simultaneously represent a double bond;
R1 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or -C(O)R;
R is hydrogen or lower alkyl;
R2 is hydrogen, -OH, or -OS(O)2OH;
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WO 2006/116150 PCT/US2006/015192
R3 is hydrogen, halogen, methyl, methoxy, -OH, or-OS(0)2OH;
R4 is hydrogen, -OH, or -OS(O)2OH;
Ra and Rb are each hydrogen or are taken together to form an oxo moiety;
Rc and Rd are each hydrogen or are taken together to form an oxo moiety;
each Rx is independently halogen or lower alkyl;
each Ry is independently hydrogen, -OH, or -OS(O)2OH, wherein at least one of R2, R4, and Ry is
-OH or-OS(O)2OH;and
n is one or two.
[0008] In certain other embodiments, the invention relates to methods for treating a patient
suffering from schizophrenia, sehizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, delusional
disorder, substance-induced psychotic disorder, L-DOPA-induced psychosis, psychosis
associated with Alzheimer's dementia, psychosis associated with Parkinson's disease, psychosis
associated with Lewy body disease, dementia, memory deficit, intellectual deficit associated with
Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disorders, depressive disorders, mood episodes, anxiety disorders,
adjustment disorders, eating disorders, epilepsy, sleep disorders, migraines, sexual dysfunction,
substance abuse, addiction to alcohol and various other drugs, including cocaine and nicotine,
gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, or a central nervous system deficiency associated with trauma,
stroke, or spinal cord injury that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective
amount of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
[0009] In still other embodiments, the invention relates to compositions comprising a
compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and one or more
pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, or diluents.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1. Compounds and Definitions:
[0010] The present invention relates to compounds that are agonists or partial agonists of the
2C subtype of brain serotonin receptors.
[0011] The term "lower alkyl," as used herein, refers to a hydrocarbon chain having up to 4
carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably 1 to 2 carbon atoms. The
term "alkyl" includes, but is not limited to, straight and branched chains such as methyl, ethyl, n-
propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, or t-butyl.
[0012] The terms "halogen" or "halo," as used herein, refer to chlorine, bromine, fluorine or
iodine.
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[0013] The terms "effective amount" and "therapeutically effective amount," as used herein,
refer to the amount of a compound of formula I that, when administered to a patient, is effective
to at least partially treat a condition from which the patient is suffering from. Such conditions
include, but are not limited to, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform
disorder, L-DOPA-induced psychosis, bipolar disorder, obesity, obsessive compulsive disorder,
depression, panic disorder, sleep disorders, eating disorders, and epilepsy.
[0014] The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" or "pharmaceutically acceptable salt"
refers to salts derived from treating a compound of formula I with an organic or inorganic acid
such as, for example, acetic, lactic, citric, cinnamic, tartaric, succinic, fumaric, maleic, malonic,
mandelic, malic, oxalic, propionic, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, phosphoric, nitric, sulfuric,
glycolic, pyruvic, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, salicylic, benzoic, or
similarly known acceptable acids. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides the
hydrochloride salt of a compound of formula I.
[0015] The term "patient," as used herein, refers to a mammal. In certain embodiments, the
term "patient", as used herein, refers to a human.
[0016] The terms "administer," "administering," or "administration," as used herein, refer to
either directly administering a compound or composition to a patient, or administering a prodrug
derivative or analog of the compound to the patient, which will form an equivalent amount of the
active compound or substance within the patient's body.
[0017] The terms "treat" or "treating," as used herein, refers to partially or completely
alleviating, inhibiting, preventing, ameliorating and/or relieving the condition.
[0018] The terms "suffer" or "suffering" as used herein refers to one or more conditions that
a patient has been diagnosed with, or is suspected to have.
2. Description of Exemplary Compounds:
[0019] In certain embodiments, the invention relates to a compound of formula I:
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WO 2006/116150 PCT/US2006/015192
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein:
each == independently represents a single or double bond, provided that both == groups do
not simultaneously represent a double bond;
R1 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or -C(O)R;
R is hydrogen or lower alkyl;
R2 is hydrogen, -OH, or -OS(O)2OH;
R3 is hydrogen, halogen, methyl, methoxy, -OH, or -OS(O)2OH;
R4 is hydrogen, -OH, or -OS(O)2OH;
Ra and Rb are each hydrogen or are taken together to form an oxo moiety;
Rc and Rd are each hydrogen or are taken together to form an oxo moiety;
each Rx is independently halogen or lower alkyl;
each Ry is independently hydrogen, -OH, or -OS(O)2OH, wherein at least one of R2, R4, and Ry is
-OH or-OS(O)2OH;and
n is one or two.
[0020] As defined generally above, each == independently represents a single or double
bond, provided that both == groups do not simultaneously represent a double bond; Ra and Rb
are each hydrogen or are taken together to form an oxo moiety; and Rc and Rd are each hydrogen
or are taken together to form an oxo moiety. It will be appreciated that when a == group
represents a double bond, then the corresponding Ra and Rb or Rc and Rd pair must represent a
single hydrogen. Accordingly, compounds of formula I are contemplated such that valency
permits.
[0021] In certain embodiments, the n group of formula I is 1.
[0022] In other embodiments, the n group of formula I is 2.
[0023] As defined generally above, the R1 group of formula I is R1 is hydrogen, lower alkyl,
or -C(O)R, wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl. In certain embodiments, the R1 group of
formula I is hydrogen. In other embodiments, the R1 group of formula I is lower alkyl. In still
other embodiments, the R1 group of formula I is methyl. According to another aspect, the R1
group of formula I is -C(O)R wherein R is hydrogen or methyl.
[0024] In certain embodiments, the R3 group of formula I is fluoro or chloro. In other
embodiments, the R3 group of formula I is fluoro.
[0025] In certain embodiments, the R2 group of formula I is -OH and the R4 group is
hydrogen. In other embodiments, the R2 group is hydrogen and the R4 group of formula I is
-OH. In still other embodiments, both of the R2 and R4 groups of formula I are -OH.
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WO 2006/116150 PCT/US2006/015192
[0026] In certain embodiments, eachRx group of formula I is independently halogen or
methyl. In other embodiments, each Rx group of formula I is independently a halogen group. In
still other embodiments, both Rx groups of formula I are chloro.
[0027] In certain embodiments, at least one of the R2, R4, and Ry groups of formula I is
-OS(O)2OH. According to another aspect, the present invention provides a compound of any of
formulae I-a, I-b, I-c, I-d, and I-e:
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein each of R2, R4, Rx, and Ry is as defined
above and in classes and subclasses described herein.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the == moiety of formula I is a double bond. In other
embodiments, the present invention provides a compound of formula I-f:
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WO 2006/116150 PCT/US2006/015192
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein each of R2, R3, R4, Rx, and Ry is as defined
above and in classes and subclasses described herein.
[0029] According to one aspect of the present invention, Ra and Rb are taken together to form
an oxo moiety. According to another aspect, Rc and Rd are taken together to form an oxo moiety.
In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a compound of formula I-g or I-h:
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein each of R2, R3, R4, Rx, and Ry is as defined
above and in classes and subclasses described herein.
[0030] In other embodiments, the present invention provides a compound of formula I':
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein each of R1, n, R2, R3, R4, Rx, and Ry is as
defined above and in classes and subclasses described herein.
[0031] According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of
formula II:
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WO 2006/116150 PCT/US2006/015192
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein each Rx, Ry, and R4 are as defined
generally above and in classes and subclasses described above and herein.
[0032] According to yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of
formula III:
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein each Rx, Ry, and R2 are as defined
generally above and in classes and subclasses described above and herein.
[0033] According to yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of
formula IV:
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein each Rx, R2 and R4 are as defined generally
above and in classes and subclasses described above and herein.
[0034] According to yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of
formula V:
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein each Rx, R2 and R4 are as defined generally
above and in classes and subclasses described above and herein.
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WO 2006/116150 PCT/US2006/015192
[0035] according to yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of
formula VI:
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein each Rx, R2 and R4 are as defined generally
above and in classes and subclasses described above and herein.
[0001] Compounds of the present invention contain asymmetric carbon atoms and thus give
rise to stereoisomers, including enantiomers and diastereomers. Accordingly, it is contemplated
that the present invention relates to all of these stereoisomers, as well as to mixtures of the
stereoisomers. Throughout this application, the name of the product of this invention, where the
absolute configuration of an asymmetric center is not indicated, is intended to embrace the
individual stereoisomers as well as mixtures of stereoisomers. In certain embodiments of the
invention, compounds having an absolute (R) configuration are preferred.
[0002] In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a compound of formula Ia or
Ib:
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein each R1, R2, R3, R4, Rx and Ry are as
defined above for compounds of formula I and in classes and subclasses as described above and
herein.
[0003] According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of
formula Ic or Id:
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WO 2006/116150 PCT/US2006/015192
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein each R1 , R2, R4 , Rx, and Ry are as defined
above for compounds of formula I and in classes and subclasses as described above and herein.
[0004] Where an enantiomer is preferred, it may, in some embodiments be provided
substantially free of the corresponding enantiomer. Thus, an enantiomer substantially free of the
corresponding enantiomer refers to a compound which is isolated or separated via separation
techniques or prepared free of the corresponding enantiomer. "Substantially free," as used
herein, means that the compound is made up of a significantly greater proportion of one
enantiomer. In certain embodiments the compound is made up of at least about 90% by weight
of a preferred enantiomer. In other embodiments of the invention, the compound is made up of
at least about 99% by weight of a preferred enantiomer. Preferred enantiomers may be isolated
from racemic mixtures by any method known to those skilled in the art, including chiral high
pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the formation and crystallization of chiral salts or
prepared by methods described herein. See, for example, Jacques, et al., Enantiomers,
Racemates and Resolutions (Wiley Interscience, New York, 1981); Wilen, S.H., et al.,
Tetrahedron 33:2725 (1977); Eliel, E.L. Stereochemistry of Carbon Compounds (McGraw-Hill,
NY, 1962); Wilen, S.H. Tables of Resolving Agents and Optical Resolutions p. 268 (E.L. Eliel,
Ed., Univ. of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame, IN 1972).
[0036] It is recognized that atropisomers of the present compounds may exit. The present
invention thus encompasses atropisomeric forms of compounds of formula I as defined above,
and in classes and sublcasses described above and herein.
[0037] Exemplary compounds of formula I are set forth in Table 1, below.
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Table 1: Exemplary Compounds of Formula I:
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2006/116150 PrT/m™n*/nisi
Documents
Application Documents
| # |
Name |
Date |
| 1 |
03841-kolnp-2007-abstract.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 1 |
abstract-03841-kolnp-2007.jpg |
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| 2 |
3841-KOLNP-2007-FORM 3-1.1.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 2 |
03841-kolnp-2007-claims.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 3 |
3841-KOLNP-2007-CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 1.1.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 3 |
03841-kolnp-2007-correspondence others.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 4 |
3841-KOLNP-2007-ASSIGNMENT.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 4 |
03841-kolnp-2007-description complete.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 5 |
03841-kolnp-2007-pct request form.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 5 |
03841-kolnp-2007-form 1.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 6 |
03841-kolnp-2007-pct priority document notification.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 6 |
03841-kolnp-2007-form 3.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 7 |
03841-kolnp-2007-international search report.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 7 |
03841-kolnp-2007-form 5.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 8 |
03841-kolnp-2007-international publication.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 8 |
03841-kolnp-2007-gpa.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 9 |
03841-kolnp-2007-international publication.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 9 |
03841-kolnp-2007-gpa.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 10 |
03841-kolnp-2007-form 5.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 10 |
03841-kolnp-2007-international search report.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 11 |
03841-kolnp-2007-pct priority document notification.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 11 |
03841-kolnp-2007-form 3.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 12 |
03841-kolnp-2007-pct request form.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 12 |
03841-kolnp-2007-form 1.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 13 |
3841-KOLNP-2007-ASSIGNMENT.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 13 |
03841-kolnp-2007-description complete.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 14 |
3841-KOLNP-2007-CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 1.1.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 14 |
03841-kolnp-2007-correspondence others.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 15 |
3841-KOLNP-2007-FORM 3-1.1.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 15 |
03841-kolnp-2007-claims.pdf |
2011-10-08 |
| 16 |
abstract-03841-kolnp-2007.jpg |
2011-10-08 |
| 16 |
03841-kolnp-2007-abstract.pdf |
2011-10-08 |