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The discovery of VU0652957 (VU2957, Valiglurax): SAR and DMPK challenges en route to an mGlu4 PAM development
Joseph D Panarese1, Darren W Engers1, Yong-Jin Wu2
1Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
Abstract:
This letter describes the first account of the chemical optimization (SAR and DMPK profiling) of a new series of mGlu4 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), leading to the identification of VU0652957 (VU2957, Valiglurax), a compound profiled as a preclinical development candidate. Here, we detail the challenges faced in allosteric modulator programs (e.g., steep SAR, as well as subtle structural changes affecting overall physiochemical/DMPK properties and CNS penetration).
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