Orally Bioavailable, Brain Penetrant Kinase 3 Inhibitor for Parkinsons D

Orally Bioavailable, Brain Penetrant Inhibitor of Mixed Lineage Kinase 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inhibition of mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) is a potential strategy for treatment of Parkinson’s disease and HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), requiring an inhibitor that can achieve significant brain concentration levels.

 

 

 

We report here URMC-099 (1) an orally bioavailable (F = 41%), potent (IC₅₀ = 14 nM) MLK3 inhibitor with excellent brain exposure in mouse PK models and minimal interference with key human CYP450 enzymes or hERG channels.

 

 

 

The compound inhibits LPS-induced TNFα release in microglial cells, HIV-1 Tat-induced release of cytokines in human monocytes and up-regulation of phospho-JNK in Tat-injected brains of mice. Compound 1 likely functions in HAND preclinical models by inhibiting multiple kinase pathways, including MLK3 and LRRK2 (IC₅₀ = 11 nM). We compare the kinase specificity and BBB penetration of 1 with CEP-1347 (2). Compound 1 is well tolerated, with excellent in vivo activity in HAND models, and is under investigation for further development.