Synthesis of potent and orally efficacious 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitor HSD-016

Cortisol and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling pathway has been linked to the development of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. In vivo, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) catalyzes the conversion of inactive cortisone to its active form, cortisol. Existing clinical data have supported 11β-HSD1 as a valid therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes. In our research program, (R)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-(3-((R)-4-(4-fluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-methylpiperazin-1-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)propan-2-ol (HSD-016) was discovered to be a potent, selective, and efficacious 11β-HSD1 inhibitor and advanced as a clinical candidate. Herein, a reliable and scalable synthesis of HSD-016 is described. Key transformations include an asymmetric synthesis of a chiral tertiary alcohol via Sharpless dihydroxylation, epoxide formation, and subsequent mild reduction. This route ensured multikilogram quantities of HSD-016 necessary for clinical studies.