Download MendeleyDiscovery of a Novel Lung-Restricted ALK5 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Ronchi, P., Pizzirani, D., Pala, D., Capelli, A.M., Rescigno, D., Bertani, B., Trist, I.M.L., Milioli, M., Cesari, N., Federico, G., Pappani, A., Venturi, L., Pecorari, D., Guariento, S., Marchini, G., Stellari, F.F., Xanxo Fernandez, S., Biagetti, M., Civelli, M., Bianchi, F., Remelli, R., Barilli, A., Pompilio, D., Hole, A.J., Caria, S., Armani, E.(2026) J Med Chem 69: 13002-13027
- PubMed: 42152170 Search on PubMed
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c03825
- Primary Citation Related Structures:
9SUV - PubMed Abstract:
As part of a therapeutic approach to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) using inhaled ALK5 inhibitors, which enable targeted lung delivery while minimizing systemic side effects, this work describes the optimization process of a previously reported series featuring a 4,6-disubstituted pyridazine core. The medicinal chemistry exploration, aimed at increasing cellular potency while keeping physicochemical and ADME properties favorable for inhalation, was directed to the functionalization of the 3-position in the pyridazine core. An efficient SAR exploration, supported by a late-stage functionalization (LSF) approach, led to the identification of a small set of compounds worthy of in vivo characterization. Compound 20 showed a persistent and lung-restricted target engagement in a pharmacodynamic model, which well-correlated with its in vitro solubility measured in simulated lung fluid (SLF). When tested in a mouse model of lung fibrosis, 20 showed remarkable efficacy, thus representing an advanced lead candidate for the development of topical antifibrotic therapeutics.
- Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Centro Ricerche, Largo Belloli 11/a, 43122 Parma, Italy.
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