Respiratory syncytial virus fusion inhibitors. Part 4: optimization for oral bioavailability.
Yu KL, Sin N, Civiello RL, Wang XA, Combrink KD, Gulgeze HB, Venables BL, Wright JJ, Dalterio RA, Zadjura L, Marino A, Dando S, D'Arienzo C, Kadow KF, Cianci CW, Li Z, Clarke J, Genovesi EV, Medina I, Lamb L, Colonno RJ, Yang Z, Krystal M, Meanwell NA.
A series of benzimidazole-based inhibitors of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion were optimized for antiviral potency, membrane permeability and metabolic stability in human liver microsomes. 1-Cyclopropyl-1,3-dihydro-3-[[1-(4-hydroxybutyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]methyl]-2H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-one (6m, BMS-433771) was identified as a potent RSV inhibitor demonstrating good bioavailability in the mouse, rat, dog and cynomolgus monkey that demonstrated antiviral activity in the BALB/c and cotton rat models of infection following oral administration.