title: Discovery of AZD3839, a potent and selective BACE1 inhibitor clinical candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer disease.
abstract: β-Site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme1 (BACE1) is one of the key enzymes involved in the processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and formation of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) species. Because cerebral deposition of Aβ species might be critical for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease, BACE1 has emerged as a key target for the treatment of this disease. Here, we report the discovery and comprehensive preclinical characterization of AZD3839, a potent and selective inhibitor of human BACE1. AZD3839 was identified using fragment-based screening and structure-based design. In a concentration-dependent manner, AZD3839 inhibited BACE1 activity in a biochemical fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay, Aβ and sAPPβ release from modified and wild-type human SH-SY5Y cells and mouse N2A cells as well as from mouse and guinea pig primary cortical neurons. Selectivity against BACE2 and cathepsin D was 14 and >1000-fold, respectively. AZD3839 exhibited dose- and time-dependent lowering of plasma, brain, and cerebrospinal fluid Aβ levels in mouse, guinea pig, and non-human primate. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses of mouse and guinea pig data showed a good correlation between the potency of AZD3839 in primary cortical neurons and in vivo brain effects. These results suggest that AZD3839 effectively reduces the levels of Aβ in brain, CSF, and plasma in several preclinical species. It might, therefore, have disease-modifying potential in the treatment of Alzheimer disease and related dementias. Based on the overall pharmacological profile and its drug like properties, AZD3839 has been progressed into Phase 1 clinical trials in man.
authors.affiliation: Innovative Medicines AstraZeneca, CNS and Pain, 15185 Södertälje, Sweden.
authors.forename: Fredrik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jeppsson
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eketjäll
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Janson
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karlström
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gustavsson
authors.forename: Lise-Lotte
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.forename: Ann-Cathrine
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Radesäter
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ploeger
authors.forename: Gvido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cebers
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kolmodin
authors.forename: Britt-Marie
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Swahn
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: von Berg
authors.forename: Tjerk
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bueters
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fälting
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015195:Drug Design; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / Q000379:methods; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: C578092:AZD3839; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D015415:Biomarkers; D007211:Indoles; D011743:Pyrimidines; D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; C509284:BACE2 protein, human; C509280:BACE1 protein, human; D002402:Cathepsin D