The identification of a novel lead class for phosphodiesterase 2 inhibition by fragment-based drug design.
Forster, A.B., Abeywickrema, P., Bunda, J., Cox, C.D., Cabalu, T.D., Egbertson, M., Fay, J., Getty, K., Hall, D., Kornienko, M., Lu, J., Parthasarathy, G., Reid, J., Sharma, S., Shipe, W.D., Smith, S.M., Soisson, S., Stachel, S.J., Su, H.P., Wang, D., Berger, R.(2017) Bioorg Med Chem Lett 27: 5167-5171
- PubMed: 29113762 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.10.054
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
6B96, 6B97, 6B98 - PubMed Abstract: 
We have identified a novel PDE2 inhibitor series using fragment-based screening. Pyrazolopyrimidine fragment 1, while possessing weak potency (K i = 22.4 μM), exhibited good binding efficiencies (LBE = 0.49, LLE = 4.48) to serve as a start for structure-based drug design. With the assistance of molecular modeling and X-ray crystallography, this fragment was developed into a series of potent PDE2 inhibitors with good physicochemical properties. Compound 16, a PDE2 selective inhibitor, was identified that exhibited favorable rat pharmacokinetic properties.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Discovery Chemistry, MRL, 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA. Electronic address: Ashley_nomland@merck.com.