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WO2011155983A1 - Ligands se liant aux opsines, compositions, et procédés d'utilisation - Google Patents

Ligands se liant aux opsines, compositions, et procédés d'utilisation Download PDF

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WO2011155983A1
WO2011155983A1 PCT/US2011/001028 US2011001028W WO2011155983A1 WO 2011155983 A1 WO2011155983 A1 WO 2011155983A1 US 2011001028 W US2011001028 W US 2011001028W WO 2011155983 A1 WO2011155983 A1 WO 2011155983A1
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Prior art keywords
compound
hydrogen
methyl
opsin
lower alkyl
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David S. Garvey
Gregory J. Larosa
Jeremy R. Greenwood
Leah L. Frye
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Bikam Pharmaceuticals Inc
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Bikam Pharmaceuticals Inc
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    • C07C43/14—Unsaturated ethers
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    • C07C43/174—Unsaturated ethers containing halogen containing six-membered aromatic rings
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    • C07C2603/12—Ortho- or ortho- and peri-condensed systems containing three rings containing at least one ring with less than six ring members containing five-membered rings only one five-membered ring
    • C07C2603/18—Fluorenes; Hydrogenated fluorenes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to compounds and compositions thereof for use in the treatment and/or prevention of ophthalmic diseases.
  • a diminished visual acuity or total loss of vision may result from a number of eye diseases or disorders caused by dysfunction of tissues or structures in the anterior segment of the eye and/or posterior segment of the eye. Of those that occur as a consequence of a dysfunction in the anterior segment, aberrations in the visual cycle are often involved.
  • the visual cycle (also frequently referred to as the retinoid cycle) comprises a series of light- driven and/or enzyme catalyzed reactions whereby a light-sensitive chromophore (called rhodopsin) is formed by covalent bonding between the protein opsin and the retinoid agent 1-cis-retinal and subsequently, upon exposure to light, the 11-cis-retinal is converted to all-trans-retinal, which can then be regenerated into 11-cis-retinal to again interact with opsin.
  • rhodopsin a light-sensitive chromophore
  • the main light and dark photoreceptor in the mammalian eye is the rod cell, which contains a folded membrane containing protein molecules that can be sensitive to light, the main one being opsin.
  • opsin is synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (i.e., on ribosomes) of the cytoplasm and then conducted to the cell membrane of rod cells.
  • opsin can exhibit improper folding to form a conformation that either fails to properly insert into the membrane of the rod cell or else inserts but then fails to properly react with 11-cis-retinal to form native rhodopsin. In either case, the result is moderate to severe interference with visual perception in the animal so afflicted.
  • RP retinitis pigmentosa
  • RP progressive ocular-neurodegenerative disease
  • RP peripheral vision
  • subsequent partial or near- total blindness a progressive ocular-neurodegenerative disease (or group of diseases) that affects an estimated 1 to 2 million people worldwide.
  • photoreceptor cells in the retina are damaged or destroyed, leading to loss of peripheral vision (i.e., tunnel vision) and subsequent partial or near- total blindness.
  • dubbed “chemical chaperones” stabilize proteins non-specifically. Examples of these include glycerol and trimethylamine oxide. These are not very desirable for treating ophthalmic disease because such treatment usually requires high dosages that may cause toxic side effects.
  • Other agents dubbed “pharmacological chaperones,” (which include native ligands and substrate analogs) act to stabilize the protein by binding to specific sites and have been identified for many misfolded proteins, e.g., G-protein coupled receptors.
  • Opsin is an example of a G-protein coupled receptor and its canonical pharmacological chaperones include the class of compounds referred to as retinoids.
  • the visual cycle comprises a series of enzyme catalyzed reactions, usually initiated by a light impulse, whereby the visual chromophore of rhodopsin, consisting of opsin protein bound covalently to 11-cis-retinal, is converted to an all-trans-isomer that is subsequently released from the activated rhodopsin to form opsin and the all-trans-retinal product.
  • This part of the visual cycle occurs in the outer portion of the rod cells of the retina of the eye.
  • Subsequent parts of the cycle occur in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE).
  • Components of this cycle include various enzymes, such as dehydrogenases and isomerases, as well as transport proteins for conveying materials between the RPE and the rod cells.
  • visual cycle products As a result of the visual cycle, various products are produced, called visual cycle products.
  • One of these is all-trans-retinal produced in the rod cells as a direct result of light impulses contacting the 11-cis-retinal moiety of rhodopsin.
  • All-trans-retinal after release from the activated rhodopsin, can be regenerated back into 11-cis-retinal or can react with an additional molecule of all-trans-retinal and a molecule of phosphatidylethanolamine to produce N- retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (dubbed "A2E"), an orange-emitting fluorophore that can subsequently collect in the rod cells and in the retina pigmented epithelium (RPE).
  • A2E N- retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine
  • A2E As A2E builds up (as a normal consequence of the visual cycle) it can also be converted into lipofuscin, a toxic substance that has been implicated in several abnormalities, including ophthalmic conditions such as wet and dry age related macular degeneration (ARMD). A2E can also prove toxic to the RPE and has been associated with dry ARMD.
  • ARMD wet and dry age related macular degeneration
  • the present invention answers this need by providing small molecules which noncovalently bind to opsin or mutated forms of opsin for treating and/or amelioration such conditions, if not preventing them completely.
  • agents are not natural retinoids and thus are not tightly controlled for entrance into the rod cells, where mutated forms of opsin are synthesized and/or visual cycle products otherwise accumulate. Therefore, such agents can essentially be titrated in as needed for facilitating the proper folding trafficking of mutated opsins to the cell membrane or prevention of rhodopsin activation that can lead to the excessive build-up of visual cycle products like all-trans-retinal that in turn can lead to toxic metabolic products.
  • Such compounds may compete with 11-cis-retinal to reduce all-trans-retinal by tying up the retinal binding pocket of opsin to prevent excessive all-trans- retinal build up.
  • the compounds provided by the present invention have the advantage that they do not directly inhibit the enzymatic processes by which 11-cis-retinal is produced in the eye (thus not contributing to retinal degeneration). Instead, the formation of all-trans-retinal is limited and thereby the formation of A2E is reduced.
  • rhodopsin activation caused by bright light stimulation especially during ophthalmic surgery is also diminished thus preventing the photocell death that results.
  • mislocalization of photoreceptor cell visual pigment proteins can occur in various ocular diseases, and also with normal aging. In both cases the accumulation of mislocalized opsin leads to the decline in viability of photoreceptor cells. With time this mislocalized opsin accumulation leads to rod and cone cell death, retinal degeneration, and loss of vision.
  • the present invention solves this problem by providing a method of correcting mislocalized opsin within a photoreceptor cell by contacting a mislocalized opsin protein with an opsin-binding agent that binds reversibly and/or non-covalently to said mislocalized opsin protein, and promotes the appropriate intracellular processing and transport of said opsin protein.
  • This correction of mislocalization relieves photoreceptor cell stress, preventing decline in viability and death of photoreceptor cells in various diseases of vision loss, and in normal age-related decline in dim-light and peripheral rod-mediated vision, central cone-mediated vision, and loss of night vision.
  • Improvements in docking algorithms and multiprocessor resources have improved the technique of computer-assisted molecular docking such that it can now be applied to more challenging problems. For example, this approach has recently been applied to defining small molecules that target protein-protein interfaces, which are relatively broad and flat compared to easily targeted enzyme active sites.
  • the present invention provides compounds having the structure of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and hydrates thereof, and compositions of said compounds:
  • the present invention provides compounds having the structure of Formula II, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, compounds:
  • the present invention relates to a method of inhibiting the formation or accumulation of a visual cycle product, comprising contacting an opsin protein with a compound recited herein to inhibit formation of said visual cycle product relative to when said contacting does not occur.
  • the present invention relates to a method to reduce the light toxicity associated with ophthalmic surgery by preventing rhodopsin regeneration during surgery to a mammalian eye and/or prevent or slow the formation of toxic visual cycle products by fractionally preventing rhodopsin formation during periods of light activation thereby providing a treatment of ocular conditions associated with the build up of visual products such as wet or dry ARMD.
  • the present invention relates to a method of correcting the proper folding and trafficking of mutated opsin proteins, comprising contacting a mutated opsin protein with a compound that stabilizes the proper three dimensional conformation of the protein relative to when said contacting does not occur wherein the compound has the structure of Formula I including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and hydrates thereof.
  • the ligand selectively binds reversibly or non- covalently to opsin. In another embodiment, the ligand binds at or near the 11-cis- retinal binding pocket of the opsin protein. In yet another embodiment, the ligand binds to the opsin protein so as to inhibit or slow the covalent binding of 11-cis-retinal to the opsin protein when the 11-cis-retinal is contacted with the opsin protein in the presence of the ligand. In yet another embodiment, the ligand binds to the opsin in the retinal binding pocket of opsin protein or disrupts 11-cis-retinal binding to the retinal binding pocket of opsin.
  • the ligand binds to the opsin protein so as to inhibit covalent binding of 11-cis-retinal to the opsin protein.
  • the mammal is a human being.
  • slowing or halting the progression of wet or dry ARMD is associated with reducing the level of a visual cycle product, for example, a visual cycle product formed from all-trans-retinal, such as lipofuscin or N-retinylidine-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E).
  • slowing or halting the progression of RP is associated with correcting the folding of mutated opsins.
  • the administering is topical administration, local administration (e.g., intraocular or periocular injection or implant) or systemic administration (e.g., oral, injection).
  • the light toxicity is related to an ophthalmic procedure (e.g., ophthalmic surgery).
  • the administering occurs prior to, during, or after the ophthalmic surgery.
  • the invention provides a method of correcting mislocalized opsin within a photoreceptor cell, comprising contacting a mislocalized opsin protein with an opsin-binding agent that binds reversibly and/or non-covalently to said mislocalized opsin protein to promote the appropriate intracellular processing and transport of said opsin protein.
  • This correction of mislocalization reduces photoreceptor cell stress, preventing photoreceptor cell decline in viability and death in various diseases of vision loss, and in normal age-related decline in dim-light and peripheral rod-mediated vision, central cone-mediated vision, and loss of night vision.
  • the ocular protein mislocalization disorder is any one or more of wet or dry form of macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, a retinal or macular dystrophy, Stargardt's disease, Sorsby's dystrophy, autosomal dominant drusen, Best's dystrophy, peripherin mutation associate with macular dystrophy, dominant form of Stargart's disease, North Carolina macular dystrophy, light toxicity, retinitis pigmentosa, normal vision loss related aging and normal loss of night vision related to aging .
  • the method further involves administering to a mammal, preferably a human being, an effective amount of at least one additional agent selected from the group consisting of a proteasomal inhibitor, an autophagy inhibitor, a lysosomal inhibitor, an inhibitor of protein transport from the ER to the Golgi, an Hsp90 chaperone inhibitor, a heat shock response activator, a glycosidase inhibitor, and a histone deacetylase inhibitor.
  • the opsin binding ligand and the additional agent are administered simultaneously.
  • the opsin binding ligand and the additional agent are each incorporated into a composition that provides for their long- term release.
  • the composition is part of a microsphere, nanosphere, nano emulsion or implant.
  • the composition further involves administering a mineral supplement, at least one anti-inflammatory agent, such as a steroid (e.g., any one or more of cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, betamethasone, beclamethasone and dexamethasone), or at least one anti-oxidant, such as vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E.
  • the opsin binding ligand, the anti-inflammatory agent, and/or the anti-oxidant are administered simultaneously.
  • Figure 1 shows predicted hydration of the rod opsin retinal binding pocket as developed from a homology model of human rhodopsin based upon the crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin.
  • the surface volume of 11-cis retinal is indicated by general outline.
  • Specific hydration sites are shown as circles where water molecules would be predicted to reside within the pocket in the absence of a ligand. Circles labeled with a "D" designate hydration sites that are in very hydrophobic environments and thus upon displacement by a ligand are predicted to lower the energy of the ligand protein complex relative to the hydrated apoprotein.
  • Circles labeled with an "R” designate hydration sites where the water molecule is forming stable hydrogen bonds with functional groups on the protein and thus signify coordinates within the binding pocket where suitable hydrogen bonding functionality of the ligand should be incorporated to replace the hydrogen bonding interactions that are broken between the water molecule and the protein upon binding of the ligand.
  • Figure 2 shows the increase in regeneration of 500 nm absorbing pigment upon treatment with 9-cis retinal from P23H opsin that was treated with 20 ⁇ of ⁇ -ionone during mutant protein production relative to pigment formation in the presence of vehicle (DMSO) alone.
  • opsin photoreceptor cell visual pigment protein
  • opsin especially human opsin
  • “Pharmacologic chaperones” refer to small molecular weight chemical compounds that interact with a protein (usually with a mis-folded, or un-folded protein) in such a way as to alter the folding or confirmation of said protein. Such an interaction can have diverse consequences on the cellular fate of the protein, including but not limited to leading to increased stability and increased levels of functional protein, increased stability and increased levels of non-functional protein, or decreased stability and decreased levels of functional or non-functional protein.
  • Proteinaceous chaperone refers to a pharmacologic chaperone that when interacting with a protein leads to an increased level of functional protein.
  • Counterproductive, shipwreck or destructive chaperone refers to a pharmacologic chaperone that interacts with a protein (usually with a mis- folded, or un-folded protein) and this interaction leads to a decreased stability and/or decreased levels of functional or non-functional protein.
  • proteasomal inhibitor is meant a compound that reduces a proteasomal activity, such as the degradation of a ubiquinated protein.
  • autophagy inhibitor is meant a compound that reduces the degradation of a cellular component by a cell in which the component is located.
  • lysosomal inhibitor is meant a compound that reduces the intracellular digestion of macromolecules by a lysosome. In one embodiment, a lysosomal inhibitor decreases the proteolytic activity of a lysosome.
  • inhibitor of ER-Golgi protein transport is meant a compound that reduces the transport of a protein from the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) to the Golgi, or from the Golgi to the ER.
  • HSP90 chaperone inhibitor is meant a compound that reduces the chaperone activity of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). In one embodiment, the inhibitor alters protein binding to an HSP90 ATP/ADP pocket.
  • heat shock response activator is meant a compound that increases the chaperone activity or expression of a heat shock pathway component.
  • Heat shock pathway components include, but are not limited to, HSP100, HSP90, HSP70, HASP60, HSP40 and small HSP family members.
  • glycosidase inhibitor is meant a compound that reduces the activity of an enzyme that cleaves a glycosidic bond.
  • histone deacetylase inhibitor is meant a compound that reduces the activity of an enzyme that deacetylates a histone.
  • reduceds or increases is meant a negative or positive alteration, respectively.
  • the alteration is by at least about 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of the initial level of the protein produced in the absence of the opsin binding ligand.
  • wild-type conformation refers to the three dimensional conformation or shape of a protein that is free of mutations to its amino acid sequence. For opsin, this means a protein free from mutations that cause misfiling, such as the mutation designated P23H (meaning that a proline is replaced by a histidine at residue 23 starting from the N-terminus). Opsin in a "wild-type conformation” is capable of opsin biological function, including but not limited to, retinoid binding, visual cycle function, and insertion into a photoreceptor membrane.
  • agent is meant a small compound (also called a “compound”), polypeptide, polynucleotide, or fragment thereof.
  • misfolded opsin protein is meant a protein whose tertiary structure differs from the conformation of a wild-type protein, such. that the misfolded protein lacks one or more biological activities associated with the wild-type protein.
  • selectively binds is meant a compound that recognizes and binds a polypeptide of the invention, such as opsin, but which does not substantially recognize and bind other molecules, especially non-opsin polypeptides, in a sample, for example, a biological sample.
  • effective amount or “therapeutically effective amount” is meant a level of an agent sufficient to exert a physiological effect on a cell, tissue, or organ or a patient. As used herein, it is the amount sufficient to effect the methods of the invention to achieve the desired result.
  • pharmacological chaperone a molecule that upon contacting a mutant protein is able to facilitate/stabilize the proper folding of the protein such that it acts and functions much more like wild type protein than would be the case in the absence of the molecule.
  • control is meant a reference condition. For example, where a cell contacted with an agent of the invention is compared to a corresponding cell not contacted with the agent, the latter is the “control” or “control” cell.
  • control is meant decrease, suppress, attenuate, diminish, arrest, or stabilize the development or progression of a disease, preferably an ocular disease, such as RP, AMD and/or light toxicity.
  • prevent reduce the risk that a subject will develop a condition, disease, or disorder, preferably an ocular disease, such as RP, AMD and/or light toxicity.
  • Compets for binding is meant that a compound of the invention and an endogenous ligand are incapable of binding to a target at the same time.
  • Assays to measure competitive binding are known in the art, and include, measuring a dose dependent inhibition in binding of a compound of the invention and an endogenous ligand by measuring ti/2 , for example.
  • a “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” is a salt formed from an acid or a basic group of one of the compounds of the invention.
  • Illustrative salts include, but are not limited to, sulfate, citrate, acetate, oxalate, chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, bisulfate, phosphate, acid phosphate, isonicotinate, lactate, salicylate, acid citrate, tartrate, oleate, tannate, pantothenate, bitartrate, ascorbatc, succinate, maleate, gentisinate, fumarate, gluconate, glucaronate, saccharate, formate, benzoate, glutamate, methanesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesuifonate, and pamoate (i.e., 1 , 1 '-methytene-bis-
  • Suitable bases include, but are not limited to, hydroxides of alkali metals such as sodium, potassium, and lithium; hydroxides of alkaline earth metal such as calcium and magnesium; hydroxides of other metals, such as aluminum and zinc; ammonia, and organic amines, such as unsubstituted or hydroxy-substituted mono-, di-, or trialkylamines; dicyclohexylamine; tributyl amine; pyridine; N-methyl-N- ethylamine; diethylamine; triethylamine; mono-, bis-, or tris-(2-hydroxy-lovyer alkylamines), such as mono-, bis-, or tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)- amine, 2-hydroxy- tert-but
  • pharmaceutically acceptable salt also refers to a salt prepared from a compound disclosed herein, e.g., a salt of a compound of Example 1 , having a basic functional group, such as an amino functional group, and a pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acid.
  • Suitable acids include, but are not limited to, hydrogen sulfate, citric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen bromide, hydrogen iodide, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, isonicotinic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, besylic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, glucaronic acid, saccharic acid, formic acid, benzoic acid, glutamic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, and p- toluenesulfonic acid.
  • excipient means one or more compatible solid or liquid tiller, diluents or encapsulating substances that are suitable for administration into a human.
  • excipient includes an inert substance added to a pharmacological composition to further facilitate administration of a compound.
  • excipients include but are not limited to calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars and types of starch, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, vegetable oils and polyethylene glycols.
  • carrier denotes an organic or inorganic ingredient, natural or synthetic, with which the active ingredient is combined to facilitate administration.
  • parenteral includes subcutaneous, intrathecal, intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, or infusion.
  • visual cycle product refers to a chemical entity produced as a natural product of one or more reactions of the visual cycle (the reactive cycle whereby opsin protein binds 11-cis-retinal to form rhodopsin, which accepts a light impulse to convert -cis-retinal to all trans-retinal, which is then released from the molecule to regenerate opsin protein with subsequent binding of a new 11-cis-retinal to regenerate rhodopsin).
  • visual cycle products include, but are not limited to, all-trans-retinal, lipofuscin and A2E.
  • light toxicity refers to any condition affecting vision that is associated with, related to, or caused by the production and/or accumulation of visual cycle products.
  • Visual cycle products include, but are not limited to, all-trans-retinal, lipofuscin or A2E.
  • light toxicity is related to exposure of the eye to large amounts of light or to very high light intensity, occurring, for example, during a surgical procedure on the retina.
  • opsin refers to an opsin protein, preferably a mammalian opsin protein, most preferably a human opsin protein.
  • the opsin protein is in the wild-type (i.e., physiologically active) conformation.
  • One method of assaying for physiological activity is assaying the ability of opsin to bind 11-cis-retinal and form active rhodopsin.
  • a mutant opsin, such as the P23H mutant, that is ordinarily misfolded has a reduced ability to bind 11-cis-retinal, and therefore forms little or no rhodopsin.
  • the opsin is correctly inserted into the rod cell membrane so that its conformation is the same, or substantially the same, as that of a non-mutant opsin.
  • This allows the mutant opsin to bind 11-cis- retinal to form active rhodopsin. Therefore, the methods of the invention operate to reduce the formation of visual cycle products.
  • Alkyl refers to an unbroken non-cyclic chain of carbon atoms that may be substituted with other chemical groups. It may also be branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted.
  • “Lower alkyl” refers to a branched or straight chain acyclic alkyl group comprising one to ten carbon atoms, preferably one to eight carbon atoms, more preferably one to six carbon atoms.
  • Exemplary lower alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, neopentyl, iso-amyl, hexyl, and octyl.
  • alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups disclosed herein may be substituted with one or more of the following: lower alkyl, hydroxy, ester, amidyl, oxo, carboxyl, carboxamido, halo, cyano, nitrate, nitrite, thionitrate, thionitrite sulfhydryl and amino groups (as elsewhere defined herein).
  • Haloalkyl refers to a lower alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a bridged cycloalkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or a heterocyclic ring, as defined herein, to which is appended one or more halogens, as defined herein.
  • exemplary haloalkyl groups include trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, 2- bromobutyl and 1-bromo-2-chloro-pentyl.
  • alkenyl refers to a branched or straight chain C 2 -Ci 0 hydrocarbon (preferably a C 2 -C 8 hydrocarbon, more preferably a C 2 -C 6 hydrocarbon) that can comprise one or more carbon-carbon double bonds.
  • alkenyl groups include propylenyl, buten-1-yl, isobutenyl, penten-1-yl, 2,2- methylbuten-1-yl, 3-methylbuten-1-yl, hexan-1-yl, hepten-1-yl and octen-1-yl.
  • “Lower alkenyl” refers to a branched or straight chain C2-C4 hydrocarbon that can comprise one or two carbon-carbon double bonds.
  • “Substituted alkenyl” refers to a branched or straight chain C2-C10 hydrocarbon (preferably a C2-C8 hydrocarbon, more preferably a C2-C6 hydrocarbon) which can comprise one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, wherein one or more of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced with one or more R 100 groups, wherein each R 100 is independently a hydroxy, an oxo, a carboxyl, a carboxamido, a halo, a cyano or an amino group, as defined herein.
  • Alkynyl refers to an unsaturated acyclic C2-C10 hydrocarbon (preferably a C2-C8 hydrocarbon, more preferably a C2-C6 hydrocarbon) that can comprise one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds.
  • exemplary alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl, butyn-1-yl, butyn-2-yl, pentyl-1-yl, pentyl-2- yl, 3-methylbutyn-1-yl, hexyl-1-yl, hexyl-2-yl, hexyl-3-yl and 3,3-dimethyl- butyn-1-yl.
  • “Lower alkynyl” refers to a branched or straight chain C2-C4 hydrocarbon that can comprise one or two carbon-carbon triple bonds
  • Bridged cycloalkyl refers to two or more cycloalkyl groups, heterocyclic groups, or a combination thereof fused via adjacent or non- adjacent atoms.
  • Bridged cycloalkyl groups can be unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, hydroxy, halo, carboxyl, alkylcarboxylic acid, aryl, amidyl, ester, alkylcarboxylic ester, carboxamido, alkylcarboxamido, oxo and nitro.
  • Exemplary bridged cycloalkyl groups include adamantyl, decahydronapthyl, quinuclidyl, 2,6-dioxabicyclo(3.3.0)octane, 7- oxabicyclo(2.2.1 )heptyl and 8-azabicyclo(3,2,1)oct-2-enyl.
  • Cycloalkyl refers to a saturated or unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon comprising from about 3 to about 10 carbon atoms.
  • Cycloalkyl groups can be unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, alkylarylamino, aryl, amidyl, ester, hydroxy, halo, carboxyl, alkylcarboxylic acid, alkylcarboxylic ester, carboxamido, alkylcarboxamido, oxo, alkylsulfinyl, and nitro.
  • Exemplary cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl and cyclohepta-1 ,3-dienyl.
  • Heterocyclic ring or group refers to a saturated or unsaturated cyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon group having about 2 to about 12 carbon atoms where 1 to about 4 carbon atoms are replaced by one or more nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulfur atoms. Sulfur may be in the thio, sulfinyl or sulfonyl oxidation state.
  • the heterocyclic ring or group can be fused to an aromatic hydrocarbon group.
  • Heterocyclic groups can be unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, amino, alkylthio, aryloxy, arylthio, arylalkyl, hydroxy, oxo, thial, halo, carboxyl, carboxylic ester, alkylcarboxylic acid, alkylcarboxylic ester, aryl, arylcarboxylic acid, arylcarboxylic ester, amidyl, ester, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, alkylsulfinyl, carboxamido, alkylcarboxamido, arylcarboxamido, sulfonic acid, sulfonic ester, sulfonamide nitrate and nitro.
  • heterocyclic groups include pyrrolyl, furyl, thienyl, 3-pyrrolinyl,4,5,6-trihydro-2H-pyranyl, pyridinyl, 1 ,4-dihydropyridinyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene, imidazolyl, indolyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrazolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolindinyl, oxazolindinyl 1 ,3-dioxolanyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolindinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, isoxazoly,
  • Heterocyclic compounds refer to mono- and polycyclic compounds comprising at least one aryl or heterocyclic ring.
  • Aryl refers to a monocyclic, bicyclic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system comprising one or two aromatic rings.
  • exemplary aryl groups include phenyl, pyridyl, napthyl, quinoyi, tetrahydronaphthyl, furanyl, indanyl, indenyl, indoyl.
  • Aryl groups can be unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, alkylarylamino, halo, cyano, alkylsulfinyl, hydroxy, carboxyl, carboxylic ester, alkylcarboxylic acid, alkylcarboxylic ester, aryl, arylcarboxylic acid, arylcarboxylic ester, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, amidyl, ester, carboxamido, alkylcarboxamido, carbomyl, sulfonic acid, sulfonic ester, sulfonamido and nitro.
  • exemplary substituted aryl groups include tetrafluorophenyl, pentafluorophenyl,
  • Cycloalkenyl refers to an unsaturated cyclic C3-C10 hydrocarbon (preferably a C 3 -C 8 hydrocarbon, more preferably a C3-C6 hydrocarbon), which can comprise one or more carbon-carbon double bonds.
  • Alkylaryl refers to an alkyl group, as defined herein, to which is appended an aryl group, as defined herein. Exemplary alkylaryl groups include benzyl, phenylethyl, hydroxybenzyl, fluorobenzyl and fluorophenylethyl.
  • Arylalkyl refers to an aryl radical, as defined herein, attached to an alkyl radical, as defined herein.
  • arylalkyl groups include benzyl, phenylethyl, 4-hydroxybenzyl, 3-fluorobenzyl and 2-fluorophenylethyl.
  • Arylalkenyl refers to an aryl radical, as defined herein, attached to an alkenyl radical, as defined herein.
  • Exemplary arylalkenyl groups include styryl and propenylphenyl.
  • Cycloalkylalkyl refers to a cycloalkyl radical, as defined herein, attached to an alkyl radical, as defined herein.
  • Cycloalkylalkoxy refers to a cycloalkyl radical, as defined herein, attached to an alkoxy radical, as defined herein.
  • Cycloalkylalkylthio refers to a cycloalkyl radical, as defined herein, attached to an alkylthio radical, as defined herein.
  • Heterocyclicalkyl refers to a heterocyclic ring radical, as defined herein, attached to an alkyl radical, as defined herein.
  • Arylheterocyclic ring refers to a bi- or tricyclic ring comprised of an aryl ring, as defined herein, appended via two adjacent carbon atoms of the aryl ring to a heterocyclic ring, as defined herein.
  • exemplary arylheterocyclic rings include dihydroindole and 1 ,2, 3,4-tetra-hydroquinoline.
  • Alkylheterocyclic ring refers to a heterocyclic ring radical, as defined herein, attached to an alkyl radical, as defined herein.
  • exemplary alkylheterocyclic rings include 2-pyridylmethyl and 1-methylpiperidin-2-one-3- methyl.
  • Alkoxy refers to R50O-, wherein R50 is an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an alkynyl group as defined herein (preferably a lower alkyl group or a haloalkyl group, as defined herein).
  • exemplary alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, t-butoxy, cyclopentyloxy, trifluoromethoxy, propenyloxy and propargyloxy.
  • Aryloxy refers to R55O-, wherein R55 is an aryl group, as defined herein.
  • Exemplary arylkoxy groups include phenoxy, napthyloxy, quinolyloxy, isoquinolizinyloxy.
  • Alkylthio refers to R 50 S-, wherein R50 is an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Lower alkylthio refers to a lower alkyl group, as defined herein, appended to a thio group, as defined herein.
  • Arylalkoxy or “alkoxyaryl” refers to an alkoxy group, as defined herein, to which is appended an aryl group, as defined herein.
  • exemplary arylalkoxy groups include benzyloxy, phenylethoxy and chlorophenylethoxy.
  • Arylalklythio refers to an alkylthio group, as defined herein, to which is appended an aryl group, as defined herein.
  • Exemplary arylalklythio groups include benzylthio, phenylethylthio and chlorophenylethylthio.
  • Arylalkylthioalkyl refers to an arylalkylthio group, as defined herein, to which is appended an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • exemplary arylalklythioalkyi groups include benzylthiomethyl, phenylethylthionnethyl and chlorophenylethylthioethy I .
  • Alkylthioalkyl refers to an alkylthio group, as defined herein, to which is appended an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • exemplary alkylthioalkyl groups include allylthiomethyl, ethylthiomethyl and trifluoroethylthiomethyl.
  • Alkoxyalkyl refers to an alkoxy group, as defined herein, appended to an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • exemplary alkoxyalkyl groups include methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl and isopropoxymethyl.
  • Alkoxyhaloalkyl refers to an alkoxy group, as defined herein, appended to a haloalkyi group, as defined herein.
  • Exemplary alkoxyhaloalkyl groups include 4- methoxy-2-chlorobutyl.
  • Cycloalkoxy refers to R54O-, wherein R 54 is a cycioalkyi group or a bridged cycioalkyi group, as defined herein.
  • Exemplary cycloalkoxy groups include cyclopropyloxy, cyclopentyloxy and cyclohexyloxy.
  • Cycloalkylthio refers to R54S-, wherein R 54 is a cycioalkyi group or a bridged cycioalkyi group, as defined herein.
  • exemplary cycloalkylthio groups include cyclopropylthio, cyclopentylthio and cyclohexylthio.
  • Haloalkoxy refers to an alkoxy group, as defined herein, in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms on the alkoxy group are substituted with halogens, as defined herein.
  • exemplary haloalkoxy groups include 1 ,1 ,1- trichloroethoxy and 2-bromobutoxy.
  • Oxylate refers to -O " R 77 + wherein R 77 is an organic or inorganic cation.
  • Thiol refers to -SH.
  • hio refers to -S-.
  • Oxime refers to wherein Rsi is a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group, a carboxylic ester, an alkylcarbonyl group, an arylcarbonyl group, a carboxamido group, an alkoxyalkyl group or an alkoxyaryl group.
  • “Hydrazone” refers to wherein R' 8 i is independently selected from Rsi , and Rei is as defined herein.
  • Hydrazino refers to H 2 N-N(H)-.
  • Organic cation refers to a positively charged organic ion.
  • Exemplary organic cations include alkyl substituted ammonium cations.
  • Inorganic cation refers to a positively charged metal ion.
  • Exemplary inorganic cations include Group I metal cations such as for example, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium.
  • Hydroalkyl refers to a hydroxy group, as defined herein, appended to an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Nirate refers to -O-NO 2 i.e. oxidized nitrogen.
  • Nirite refers to -O-NO i.e. oxidized nitrogen.
  • Niro refers to the group -NO 2 and “nitrosated” refers to compounds that have been substituted therewith.
  • Niroso refers to the group -NO and “nitrosylated” refers to compounds that have been substituted therewith.
  • Halogen or “halo” refers to iodine (I), bromine (Br), chlorine (CI), and/or fluorine (F).
  • Amine refers to any organic compound that contains at least one basic nitrogen atom.
  • Amino refers to -NH2, an alkylamino group, a dialkylamino group, an arylamino group, a diarylamino group, an alkylarylamino group or a heterocyclic ring, as defined herein.
  • Alkylamino refers to R 50 NH-, wherein R50 is an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • exemplary alkylamino groups include methylamino, ethylamino, butylamino, and cyclohexylamino.
  • Arylamino refers to R 55 NH-, wherein R 55 is an aryl group, as defined elsewhere herein.
  • Dialkylamino refers to R52R53N-, wherein R52 and R53 are each independently an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Exemplary dialkylamino groups include dimethylamino, diethylamino and methyl propargylamino.
  • Diarylamino refers to R55R60N-, wherein R 55 and R60 are each independently an aryl group, as defined herein.
  • Alkylarylamino or “arylalkylamino” refers to R52R55N-, wherein R 52 is an alkyl group, as defined herein, and R 55 is an aryl group, as defined herein.
  • Alkylarylalkylamino refers to R52R79N-, wherein R 52 is an alkyl group, as defined herein, and R79 IS an arylalkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Alkylcycloalkylamino refers to R52R80N-, wherein R 52 is an alkyl group, as defined herein, and Rao is a cycloalkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Aminoalkyi refers to an amino group, an alkylamino group, a dialkylamino group, an arylamino group, a diarylamino group, an alkylarylamino group or a heterocyclic ring, as defined herein, to which is appended an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Exemplary aminoalkyi groups include dimethylaminopropyl, diphenylaminocyclopentyl and methylaminomethyl.
  • aminoaryl refers to an aryl group to which is appended an alkylamino group, an arylamino group or an arylalkylamino group.
  • exemplary aminoaryl groups include anilino, N-methylanilino and N-benzylanilino.
  • Method refers to -C(S)-.
  • “Sulfonic acid” refers to -S(0) 2 OR 7 6, wherein R 76 is a hydrogen, an organic cation or an inorganic cation, as defined herein.
  • “Alkylsulfonic acid” refers to a sulfonic acid group, as defined herein, appended to an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Arylsulfonic acid refers to a sulfonic acid group, as defined herein, appended to an aryl group, as defined herein.
  • “Sulfonic ester” refers to -S(0)20Rs8, wherein R 58 is an alkyl group, an aryl group, or an aryl heterocyclic ring, as defined herein.
  • “Sulfonamide-” refers to -S(0)2-N(R 5 i)(R 5 7). wherein R 5 i and R 57 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or an arylheterocyclic ring, as defined herein, or R 5 i and R57 when taken together are a heterocyclic ring, a cycloalkyi group or a bridged cycloalkyi group, as defined herein.
  • Alkylsulfonamido refers to a sulfonamido group, as defined herein, appended to an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Arylsulfonamido refers to a sulfonamido group, as defined herein, appended to an aryl group, as defined herein.
  • Alkylthio refers to R50S-, wherein R 50 is an alkyl group, as defined herein (preferably a lower alkyl group, as defined herein).
  • Arylthio refers to R55S-, wherein R55 is an aryl group, as defined herein.
  • Arylalkylthio refers to an aryl group, as defined herein, appended to an alkylthio group, as defined herein.
  • Alkylsulfinyl refers to Rso-S(O)-, wherein R50 is an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Alkylsulfonyl refers to R50-S(O) 2 -, wherein R 50 is an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Alkylsulfonyloxy refers to R5o-S(0) 2 -0-, wherein R 50 is an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Arylsulfinyl refers to Rs5-S(0)-, wherein R55 is an aryl group, as defined herein.
  • Arylsulfonyl refers to R55-S(0) 2 -, wherein R 55 is an aryl group, as defined herein.
  • Arylsulfonyloxy refers to R55-S(0)2-0-, wherein R55 is an aryl group, as defined herein.
  • “Amidyl” refers to R 5 iC(0)N(R 57 )- wherein R51 and R57 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or an arylheterocyclic ring, as defined herein.
  • Ester refers to RsiC(0)R82- wherein R51 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or an arylheterocyclic ring, as defined herein and Rs2 is oxygen or sulfur.
  • Carbamoyl refers to -0-C(0)N(R 5 i)(R57), wherein R51 and R57 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or an arylheterocyclic ring, as defined herein, or R51 and R57 taken together are a heterocyclic ring, a cycloalkyl group or a bridged cycloalkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Carboxyl refers to -C(0)OR 7 6. wherein R 7 6 is a hydrogen, an organic cation or an inorganic cation, as defined herein.
  • Carbonyl refers to -C(O)-.
  • Alkylcarbonyl refers to R52-C(0)-, wherein R 52 is an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Arylcarbonyl refers to R55-C(0)-, wherein R 55 is an aryl group, as defined herein.
  • Arylalkylcarbonyl refers to R 5 5-R52-C(0)-, wherein R 55 is an aryl group, as defined herein, and R52 is an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Alkylarylcarbonyl refers to R52-Rs5-C(0)-, wherein R 55 is an aryl group, as defined herein, and R 52 is an alkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Heterocyclicalkylcarbonyl refer to R 7 eC(0)- wherein R 7 s is a heterocyclicalkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Carboxylic ester refers to -C(0)ORs8. wherein R 58 is an alkyl group, an aryl group or an aryl heterocyclic ring, as defined herein.
  • Alkylcarboxylic acid and “alkylcarboxyl” refer to an alkyl group, as defined herein, appended to a carboxyl group, as defined herein.
  • Alkylcarboxylic ester refers to an alkyl group, as defined herein, appended to a carboxylic ester group, as defined herein.
  • Alkyl ester refers to an alkyl group, as defined herein, appended to an ester group, as defined herein.
  • Arylcarboxylic acid refers to an aryl group, as defined herein, appended to a carboxyl group, as defined herein.
  • Arylcarboxylic ester and “arylcarboxyl” refer to an aryl group, as defined herein, appended to a carboxylic ester group, as defined herein.
  • Aryl ester refers to an aryl group, as defined herein, appended to an ester group, as defined herein.
  • Carboxamido refers to -C(0)N(R 5 )(R 57 ), wherein R 5 i and R 57 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or an arylheterocyclic ring, as defined herein, or R 5 i and R 57 when taken together are a heterocyclic ring, a cycloalkyi group or a bridged cycloalkyi group, as defined herein.
  • Alkylcarboxamido refers to an alkyl group, as defined herein, appended to a carboxamido group, as defined herein.
  • Arylcarboxamido refers to an aryl group, as defined herein, appended to a carboxamido group, as defined herein.
  • Rea refers to -N(R 59 )-C(0)N(R 51 )(R57) wherein R 5 i , R 57 , and R 59 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or an arylheterocyclic ring, as defined herein, or R 51 and R 57 taken together are a heterocyclic ring, a cycloalkyl group or a bridged cycloalkyl group, as defined herein.
  • Phosphoryl refers to -P( 7o)(R7i)( 72). wherein R 7 o is a lone pair of electrons, thial or oxo, and R 1 and R 2 are each independently a covalent bond, a hydrogen, a lower alkyl, an alkoxy, an alkylamino, a hydroxy, an oxy or an aryl, as defined herein.
  • Phosphoric acid refers to -P(0)(OR 5 -i)OH wherein R 51 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or an arylheterocyclic ring, as defined herein.
  • Phosphinic acid refers to -P(0)(R 5 )OH wherein R 51 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or an arylheterocyclic ring, as defined herein.
  • “Silyl” refers to -Si(R 73 )(R 74 )(R75), wherein R 7 3, R74 and R 7 5 are each independently a covalent bond, a lower alkyl, an alkoxy, an aryl or an arylalkoxy, as defined herein.
  • Organic acid refers to compound having at least one carbon atom and one or more functional groups capable of releasing a proton to a basic group. The organic acid preferably contains a carboxyl, a sulfonic acid or a phosphoric acid moeity. Exemplary organic acids include acetic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, camphorsulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, taurocholic acid, chlordronic acid, glyphosphate and medronic acid.
  • Inorganic acid refers to a compound that does not contain at least one carbon atom and is capable of releasing a proton to a basic group.
  • Exemplary inorganic acids include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid.
  • Organic base refers to a carbon containing compound having one or more functional groups capable of accepting a proton from an acid group.
  • the organic base preferably contains an amine group.
  • Exemplary organic bases include triethylamine, benzyldiethylamine, dimethylethyl amine, imidazole, pyridine and pipy dine.
  • Independently selected groups are groups present in the same structure that need not all represent the same substitution. For example, where two substituents are represented as NORA and each R A is said to be independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, and the like, this means that where one R A is methyl, the other R A may be methyl but could be H or ethyl (or any other recited substitution).
  • Some of the compounds for use in the methods of the present invention may contain one or more chiral centers and therefore may exist in enantiomeric and diastereomeric forms.
  • the scope of the present invention is intended to cover use of all isomers per se, as well as mixtures of cis and trans isomers, mixtures of diastereomers and racemic mixtures of enantiomers (optical isomers) as well. Further, it is possible using well known techniques to separate the various forms, and some embodiments of the invention may feature purified or enriched species of a given enantiomer or diastereomer.
  • a “pharmacological composition” refers to a mixture of one or more of the compounds described herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, with other chemical components, such as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or excipients.
  • the purpose of a pharmacological composition is to facilitate administration of a compound to an organism.
  • pharmaceutically acceptable carrier means a pharmaceutically-acceptable material, composition or vehicle, such as a liquid or solid filler, diluent, excipient, solvent or encapsulating material, involved in carrying or transporting the subject agent from one organ, or portion of the body, to another organ, or portion of the body.
  • Each carrier must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not injurious to the patient.
  • materials which can serve as pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers include sugars, such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches, such as corn starch and potato starch; cellulose, and its derivatives, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; excipients, such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; oils, such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil; glycols, such as propylene glycol; polyols, such as glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol and polyethylene glycol; esters, such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; agar; buffering agents, such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; Ringer
  • a “solvate” is a complex formed by the combination of a solute (e.g., a metalloprotease inhibitor) and a solvent (e.g., water). See J. Honig et al., The Van Nostrand Chemist's Dictionary, p. 650 (1953).
  • optical isomer e.g., a cis and/or trans isomer
  • stereoisomer e.g., a cis and/or trans isomer
  • diastereomer e.g., a cis and/or trans isomer
  • optical isomer e.g., a cis and/or trans isomer
  • stereoisomer e.g., a cis and/or trans isomer
  • diastereomer e.g., a cis and/or trans isomer
  • the illustration of specific protected forms and other derivatives of the compounds of the instant invention is not intended to be limiting.
  • the application of other useful protecting groups, salt forms, prodrugs etc. is within the ability of the skilled artisan.
  • prodrug is a form of a drug that must undergo chemical conversion by metabolic processes before becoming an active, or fully active, pharmacological agent.
  • a prodrug is not active, or is less active, in its ingested or absorbed or otherwise administered form.
  • a prodrug may be broken down by bacteria in the digestive system into products, at least one of which will become active as a drug.
  • it may be administered systemically, such as by intravenous injection, and subsequently be metabolized into one or more active molecules.
  • certain small molecule ligands are capable of reversibly binding non-covalently to the opsin protein and inhibiting the binding of 11-cis-retinal, to an opsin retinal binding pocket.
  • Such interference with retinal binding reduces the formation of visual cycle products, such as all-trans-retinal, and thereby inhibits the production of compounds such as lipofuscin and A2E with resulting reduced risk and occurrence of toxicity that can result from accumulation of these substances.
  • Such compounds acting as pharmacologic chaperones, are also able to facilitate the proper folding and trafficking of mutant opsins associated with RP.
  • the excessive stimulation and resulting activation of rhodopsin caused by exposure of the retina to bright light especially during retinal surgery reduces photocell death.
  • retinoids compounds structurally related to retinol (Vitamin A alcohol)
  • non-retinoid small molecules compounds having a molecular weight less than about 000 daltons, less than 800, less than 600, less than 500, less than 400, or less than about 300 daltons
  • opsin compounds having a molecular weight less than about 000 daltons, less than 800, less than 600, less than 500, less than 400, or less than about 300 daltons
  • the invention features compositions and methods that are useful for reducing formation of visual cycle products and toxicity associated with the accumulation of such products in vivo, reducing the probability of apoptotic events associated with excessive rhodopsin activation as well as preventing rod cell death due to aberrant processing and trafficking of mutant opsin proteins associated with RP.
  • the invention provides a method of correcting mislocalized opsin within a photoreceptor cell, comprising contacting a mislocalized opsin protein with an opsin-binding agent that binds reversibly and/or non-covalently to said mislocalized opsin protein, thereby promoting correct intracellular processing and transport of said opsin protein.
  • an opsin-binding agent is referred to as a "Productive Chaperone.”
  • Such correction of mislocalization reduces photoreceptor cell stress, preventing photoreceptor cell decline in viability and death in various diseases of vision loss, and in normal age-related decline in dim-light and peripheral rod-mediated vision, central cone-mediated vision, and loss of night vision.
  • the opsin-binding agent promotes the degradation of the mislocalized opsin protein.
  • This type of opsin-binding agent is referred to as a "Counterproductive”, Shipwreck", or "Destructive Chaperone.”
  • Enhancing the degradation of the mislocalized opsin by such an agent reduces the amount of mislocalized protein, thereby relieving photoreceptor cell stress, preventing decline in viability and death of photoreceptor cells in diseases of vision loss, as well as in normal age-related decline in dim-light and peripheral rod-mediated vision, central cone-mediated vision, and loss of night vision.
  • the ocular protein mislocalization disorder is one or more of wet or dry form of macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, a retinal or macular dystrophy, Stargardt's disease, Sorsby's dystrophy, autosomal dominant drusen, Best's dystrophy, peripherin mutation associate with macular dystrophy, dominant form of Stargart's disease, North Carolina macular dystrophy, light toxicity, retinitis pigmentosa, normal vision loss related aging and normal loss of night vision related to aging.
  • the GPCR G-protein coupled receptor
  • the pigment is generated by formation of a protonated Schiff base between the aldehyde group of 11-cis-retinal and the ⁇ -amino group of L-lysine in opsin (Matsumoto and Yoshizawa, Nature 1975 Dec 11 ;258(5535):523-6).
  • the present invention provides compositions and methods of use of small molecule compounds that bind to wild type and mutant opsins and compete with, or other wise prevent, 11-cis-retinal from combining with opsin to form rhodopsin and thereby inhibit formation of 11-cis-retinal and other visual cycle products.
  • Binding to this site may be predicted by the efficiency upon which the ligand is able to displace and/or replace the waters in the various hydration sites in the 11-cis retinal binding pocket as defined by the water map technology. Hydration sites labeled with an "R" ( Figure 1 shows hydration sites as circles or spheres) that are occupied by waters that are predicted to have hydrogen bonding interactions with the protein. Thus, ligands that displace these waters will ideally have functionality suitably oriented when the ligand binds to replace those hydrogen bonds that are broken in the process of the compound occupying the binding pocket.
  • ligand binding potency is enhanced by compounds that efficiently displace highly unstable waters from the opsin binding pocket. Occupation of the pocket by a pharmacologic chaperone creates interactions between the ligand and the protein that induces the proper folding and/or stabilization of the native 3-dimentional conformation of the protein that leads to it being properly processed and trafficked to its proper location in the cell membrane.
  • hydration sites labeled with a "D" locate waters that are in hydrophobic environments and therefore it is optimal for the binding compound to displace all of these waters with nonpolar substituents that compliment the hydrophobic environment of the protein.
  • displacing waters in hydrophobic environments while replacing the hydrogen bonds of waters in hydration sites predicted to have hydrogen bonding interactions with the protein with functionality on the ligand that can act as water mimetics when these waters are displaced leads to optimal potency and efficacy.
  • displacing waters in hydration sites labeled with a "D” in Figure 1 and leaving those waters in hydration sites labeled with an "R: (shown in Figure 1) unperturbed such that their environment with the ligand bound does not adversely affect the intrinsic stability of these waters in the pocket in the absence of ligand occupation leads to potent and efficacious compounds.
  • the hydration sites are predicted locations of waters in the absence of a ligand based on the hydration map.
  • Binding of a ligand of the invention may follow one of four possible mechanisms: (i) displacing a water occupying a hydration site, (ii) replacing a hydrogen bond between protein and a water in a hydration site by a functionality of the ligand, (iii) binding of a ligand and leaving a water in the hydration site intact, and (iv) forming an extended hydrogen bonding network with the water in a hydration site while not displacing it.
  • the invention provides opsin binding ligands of Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and hydrates thereof,
  • R 1 and R 2 are independently:
  • R 3 is:
  • R 4 is:
  • R 5 is:
  • R 6 is:
  • R 7 is:
  • R 9 is:
  • Rm- R n and R 0 are each independently:
  • R a and R , are each independently:
  • R 2 are selected as hydrogen then R, and R b must be selected from methyl and ethyl;
  • Rc, and R d are each independently:
  • R c and R 0 may be taken together as:
  • R e , Rf, R g and R h are each independently:
  • the invention provides opsin binding ligands of Formula II and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:
  • R p and R q are each independently:
  • n, R 1 , R 2 R 3 , R c , R d , R e , Rf. Rg, n, Ri, Rm. R n , > R 0 and Z are as defined herein for Formula I.
  • the compound has the structure of Formula
  • the compound has the structure of Formula
  • the compound has the structure of Formula I wherein A (i.e., the A ring) is an aryl group and one or more of R , R 2 is methyl, ethyl or hydrogen, more preferably methyl or hydrogen, and most preferably where each of R 1 and R 2 is a hydrogen, and R 3 is hydrogen, deuteron or methyl, more preferably hydrogen or deuteron and most preferably where R 3 is deuteron.
  • R a and R b are independently hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, preferably methyl or ethyl, and most preferably where both R a and R b are methyl.
  • R c and R d are hydrogen, lower alkyi or alkoxy, more preferably hydrogen or lower alkyi, most preferably hydrogen or methyl.
  • the compound has the structure of Formula II wherein B (i.e., the B ring) is an aryl group, R 1 and R 2 are methyl or ethyl more preferably methyl and R 3 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl, more preferably a hydrogen or methyl more preferably methyl and most preferably where each of R , R 2 and R 3 is a methyl.
  • R p and R q are independently hydrogen or methyl, preferably hydrogen, R c and R d are hydrogen, lower alkyi or alkoxy, more preferably hydrogen or lower alkyi, most preferably hydrogen or methyl.
  • the opsin binding compound of Formula I and Formula II are (wherein each compound number corresponds to the number of the example where it was prepared):
  • the present invention does not include the following compounds (as represented by their indicated CAS registry numbers) as novel compositions of matter (but are claimed for use in the methods of the invention) and are referred to herein as the Excluded Compound Group: 1205544-36-0, 1205544-35-9, 205544-34-8, 1205544-33-7, 1205544-32-6, 1205544-30-4, 1205544-28-0, 1205544-26-8, 1205544-24-6, 1205544-22-4, 1205544-20-2, 1205544-18-8, 1205544-16-6, 1205544-14-4, 1205544-10-0, 1205544-09-7, 1205544-07-5, 1205544-05-3, 170307-10-4, 170307-09-1 , 1 70307-08-0, 1170307-07-9, 1148136-47-3, 1148136-43-9, 1148136-39-3, 1131696-63-3, 1131696-61-1 , 131696-42-8, 1021879-70-8,
  • 620167-64-8 620167-63-7, 620167-62-6, 620167-61-5, 620167-60-4, 620167-59-1 620167-58-0, 620167-57-9, 620167-56-8, 620167-55-7,
  • the Excluded Compound Group contains any and all of the compounds in the preceding list as identified by their indicated CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) numbers.
  • novel compounds and/or compositions of matter of the invention are compounds of Formula I and Formula II (including their indicated substitutent identities) but do not include compounds of the Excluded Compound Group.
  • the methods of the present invention employ any compounds of Formula I and Formula II (including their indicated substitutent identities) but do not exclude use of compounds of the Excluded Compound Group.
  • Especially preferred examples of the compounds of the invention, and methods using said compounds include compounds selected from one or more of the group consisting of compounds 3, 3a, 3b, 5, 7, 11 , 12, 13, 17, 18, 28, 29, 36, 37, 40 41 , 43 ,47, 48, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 61 , 62, 63, 64a, 64b, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 , 73, 75, 79, 80, 84, 87, 88, 90, 93, 101 , 105, 109, 110, 112a, 112b, 113, 115, 116a, 116b, 123, 125, 126, 129, 131 , 132, 133, 137, 139, 142, 147, 149, 155, 166, 168, 169,
  • Another embodiment of the invention provides the opsin binding ligand metabolites of the opsin binding compounds.
  • These metabolites include but are not limited to, degradation products, hydrolysis products, gluconoride adducts and the like, of the opsin binding compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, of the opsin compounds.
  • Another embodiment of the invention provides processes for making the novel compounds of the invention and to the intermediates useful in such processes.
  • the reactions are performed in solvents appropriate to the reagents and materials used are suitable for the transformations being effected. It is understood by one skilled in the art of organic synthesis that the functionality present in the molecule must be consistent with the chemical transformation proposed. This will, on occasion, necessitate judgment by the routineer as to the order of synthetic steps, protecting groups required, and deprotection conditions. Substituents on the starting materials may be incompatible with some of the reaction conditions required in some of the methods described, but alternative methods and substituents compatible with the reaction conditions will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
  • Formula I for reducing the formation of toxic visual cycle products comprising contacting an opsin protein with small molecule ligands that reversibly bind to said opsin protein to inhibit 11-cis-retinal binding in said binding pocket, thereby reducing formation of toxic visual cycle products associated with wet or dry ARMD. and reducing photocell apoptosis associatiated with excessive rhodopsin activation as a result of bright light stimulation.
  • the present invention also provides a method of use of compounds of the Formula I for treating, preventing or reducing the risk of light toxicity in a mammal, comprising administering to a mammal, at risk of developing an ophthalmic condition that is related to the formation or accumulation of a visual cycle product or apoptotic photocell death.
  • the present invention also provides a method of use of compounds of the Formula I for treating, preventing or reducing the risk of light toxicity in a mammal, comprising administering to a mammal, at risk of developing an ophthalmic condition that is related to the formation or accumulation of a visual cycle product or apoptotic photocell death, an effective amount of a that small molecule ligand that reversibly binds (for example, at or near the retinal binding pocket) to an opsin protein present in the eye of said mammal, for example, to inhibit -cis-retinal binding in said binding pocket, thereby reducing light toxicity and photocell apoptosis.
  • the present invention also provides a method of use of compounds of the Formula I for treating, preventing or reducing the risk of RP in a mammal, comprising administering to a mammal, at risk of RP related to the improper folding and trafficking of mutant opsins, an effective amount of a that small molecule ligand that reversibly binds (for example, at or near the retinal binding pocket) to an opsin protein present in the eye of said mammal, for example, to inhibit 11-cis-retinal binding in said binding pocket, thereby reducing the vision loss caused by RP.
  • the small molecule ligand is selective for binding to opsin and/or the small molecule ligand binds to said opsin in the retinal binding pocket of said opsin protein and/or the small molecule ligand binds to said opsin protein so as to inhibit covalent binding of 1 -cis-retinal to said opsin protein when said 11-cis-retinal is contacted with said opsin protein when said small molecule ligand is present and/or the mammal is a human being.
  • light toxicity is related to an ophthalmic procedure, for example, ophthalmic surgery.
  • Said agent may be administered prior to, during or after said surgery (or at any one or more of those times).
  • the native opsin protein is present in a cell, such as a rod cell, preferably, a mammalian and more preferably a human cell.
  • the small molecule ligands of the invention inhibit binding of 11-cis-retinal in the binding pocket of opsin and slow the visual cycle thereby reducing the formation of all- trans-retinal, or a toxic visual cycle product formed from it, such as lipofuscin or N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E).
  • A2E N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine
  • photocell apoptosis as a result of excessive rhodopsin activation is reduced or prevented by inhibition of rhodopsin formation.
  • administering is preferably by topical administration (such as with an eye wash) or by systemic administration (including oral, intraocular injection or periocular injection).
  • the ophthalmic condition to be treated is light toxicity, such as that resulting from ocular surgery, for example, retinal or cataract surgery.
  • an ophthalmologic composition comprising an effective amount of compounds of the Formula I in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said agent reversibly binds non-covalently (for example, at or near the retinal binding pocket) to said opsin protein to inhibit 11-cis-retinal binding in said pocket, preferably where the small molecule ligand is selective for opsin protein.
  • the present invention further provides a screening method for identifying a small molecule ligand that reduces light toxicity in a mammalian eye, comprising:
  • test compound is structurally related to a compound disclosed herein.
  • a compound is sought that will tie up the retinal binding pocket of the opsin protein.
  • the assay seeks to identify a small molecule opsin binding compound (one that will not be tightly regulated by the retina as to amount entering rod cells) that competes with or prevents 11-cis-retinal or 9-cis-retinal from forming rhodopsin or isorhodopsin.
  • the assay is conducted in the presence of 11-cis-retinal, and the rate of formation of rhodopsin is measured as a way of determining competition for the retinal binding pocket, for example, by determining the rate of increase in the 500 nm peak characteristic for rhodopsin. No antibodies for rhodopsin are required for this assay.
  • a useful compound will exhibit a rate of rhodopsin formation that is at least about 2 to 5 fold lower than that observed in the presence of 11-cis-retinal when said test compound is not present.
  • the compounds of the Formula I may be administered along with other agents, including a mineral supplement, an anti-inflammatory agent, such as a steroid, for example, a corticosteroid, and/or an anti-oxidant.
  • an anti-inflammatory agent such as a steroid, for example, a corticosteroid
  • an anti-oxidant such as a steroid, for example, a corticosteroid
  • the corticosteroids useful for such administration are those selected from the group consisting of cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, betamethasone, beclamethasone and dexamethasone.
  • Useful anti-oxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E.
  • the methods of the invention also contemplate reducing light toxicity by using at least one additional agent (in addition to the compounds of the Formula I selected from the group consisting of a proteasomal inhibitor, an autophagy inhibitor, a lysosomal inhibitor, an inhibitor of protein transport from the ER to the Golgi, an Hsp90 chaperone inhibitor, a heat shock response activator, a glycosidase inhibitor, and a histone deacetylase inhibitor, wherein the small molecule opsin binding and the additional compound are administered simultaneously or within fourteen days of each other in amounts sufficient to treat the subject.
  • at least one additional agent in addition to the compounds of the Formula I selected from the group consisting of a proteasomal inhibitor, an autophagy inhibitor, a lysosomal inhibitor, an inhibitor of protein transport from the ER to the Golgi, an Hsp90 chaperone inhibitor, a heat shock response activator, a glycosidase inhibitor, and a histone deacetylase inhibitor, wherein the small
  • the compounds of the Formula I and/or Formula II the additional compound are administered within ten days of each other, within five days of each other, within twenty-four hours of each other and preferably are administered simultaneously.
  • the small molecule opsin binding and the additional compound are administered directly to the eye. Such administration may be intraocular or intravitrial.
  • the small molecule opsin binding and the additional compound are each incorporated into a composition that provides for their long-term release, such as where the composition is part of a microsphere, nanosphere, nano emulsion or implant.
  • the compounds of the Formula I and/or II useful in the methods of the invention are available for use alone or in combination with one or more additional compounds to treat or prevent conditions associated with excessive rhodopsin activation, such as light toxicity, for example, resulting from ocular surgical procedures.
  • compounds of the Formula I and/or II of the invention is administered without an additional active compound.
  • compounds of Formula I and/or II of the invention is used in combination and with another active compound (e.g., as discussed herein).
  • compounds of the Formula I and/or II are administered in combination with the proteasomal inhibitor MG132, the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine, a lysosomal inhibitor ammonium chloride, the ER-Golgi transport inhibitor brefeldin A, the Hsp90 chaperone inhibitor Geldamycin, the heat shock response activator Celastrol, the glycosidase inhibitor, and the histone deacetylase inhibitor Scriptaid, can be used to reduce formation of visual cycle products and cell apoptosis as a result of excessive rhodopsin activation.
  • the compounds of the Formula I and/or II useful in the methods of the invention are available for use alone or in combination with one or more additional compounds to treat or prevent the aberrant processing and trafficking of mutant opsin proteins associated with rod cell death as a result of RP.
  • compounds of the Formula I and/or II of the invention is administered without an additional active compound.
  • compounds of the Formula I and/or II of the invention are used in combination and with another active compound (e.g., as discussed herein).
  • compounds of the Formula I and/or II are administered in combination with the proteasomal inhibitor MG132, the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine, a lysosomal inhibitor ammonium chloride, the ER-Golgi transport inhibitor brefeldin A, the Hsp90 chaperone inhibitor Geldamycin, the heat shock response activator Celastrol, the glycosidase inhibitor, and the histone deacetylase inhibitor Scriptaid, can be used to reduce or prevent the rod cell death and resulting blindness associated with RP.
  • the compounds of the Formula I and/or II useful in the methods of the invention are available for use alone or in combination with one or more additional compounds to treat or prevent conditions associated with production and accumulation of toxic visual cycle products derived from all-trans-retinal, such as lipofucin and A2E, for example, the blindness associated with wet or dry ARMD.
  • compounds of the Formula I and/or II of the invention is administered without an additional active compound.
  • compounds of the Formula I and/or II of the invention is used in combination and with another active compound (e.g., as discussed herein).
  • compounds of the Formula I and/or II are administered in combination with the proteasomal inhibitor MG132, the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine, a lysosomal inhibitor ammonium chloride, the ER-Golgi transport inhibitor brefeldin A, the Hsp90 chaperone inhibitor Geldamycin, the heat shock response activator Celastrol, the glycosidase inhibitor, and the histone deacetylase inhibitor Scriptaid, can be used to reduce formation of toxic visual cycle product metabolites and photo cell death as a result of dry ARMD.
  • the mis-folded opsin protein comprises a mutation in its amino acid sequence, for example, one of the mutations T17M, P347S or P23H, preferably P23H.
  • the opsin-binding agent binds to opsin in its retinal binding pocket.
  • the present invention provides a method of inhibiting the formation or accumulation of a visual cycle product, comprising contacting an opsin protein with a compound that reduces hydration of said opsin protein, preferably wherein said compound competes with one or more water molecules for binding to opsin.
  • the compound binds chemically to the opsin protein, for example, through hydrogen bonding.
  • a compound useful therein may bind to opsin at any hydration site found within the retinal binding pocket of the opsin molecule so long as said binding excludes wholly, or in part, the binding of one or more water molecules in said binding pocket.
  • the compound used in such method binds so as to occupy the left side of the binding pocket as shown in Figure 1 and displace waters in hydration sites 5-20 (D labeled circles on left side of Figure 1), more preferably binds so that waters in hydration sites 5-20 are displaced (circles with D in Figure 1), and waters at hydration sites 3 or 4 (R labeled circles within 1 -cis retinal molecular surface as shown in Figure 1 are displaced and replaced with functionality on the ligand that mimics the hydrogen bonding interactions that these waters are predicted to have with residues on the protein.
  • a specific example of these methods contemplates binding of a compound by chemical interaction with Cys 87 or Glu1 3 of the opsin protein. In separate embodiments thereof, said interaction is with Cys187 or said interaction is with Glu1 3 or is with both sites.
  • a preferred mode of said interaction is hydrogen bonding.
  • said interaction is with a carbonyl group on the opsin protein.
  • said carbonyl is on Cys187 or Glu 13 of said opsin protein.
  • Separate embodiments include where the carbonyl is on Cys187 of the opsin protein or where the carbonyl is on Glu113 of the opsin protein.
  • the carbonyl is in the gamma- carboxyl group of Glu113 of the opsin protein.
  • a preferred embodiment is where the interaction is through an amine, carboxamido or urea group on the compound.
  • the reduction of formation of a visual cycle product by reducing the formation of rhodopsin is a general method of the invention for reducing such visual cycle product formation, especially production of lipofuscin and/or A2E, and for treating an ophthalmic disease by reducing said hydration is a general aim of the invention and is not necessarily limited in scope only to the use of chemicals disclosed herein but may include use of other known or yet to be known chemical compounds so long as they function in the methods of the invention and reduce hydration (i.e., binding of water) in the retinal binding pocket of opsin.
  • a compound of Formula I or II may bind to an allosteric site on the protein thereby excluding retinal from the retinal binding site without necessarily decreasing hydration yet still reduce formation of a visual cycle product, such as lipofuscin and/or A2E, by virtue of its excluding retinal from the binding pocket, thus non-covalently reducing the activity of the visual cycle.
  • a visual cycle product such as lipofuscin and/or A2E
  • the opsin-binding agent e.g., a non-retinoid binding agent
  • the opsin-binding agent is selective for binding to opsin.
  • selectivity is not to be taken as requiring exclusivity that said agent may bind to other proteins as well as to opsin but its binding to opsin will be at least selective, whereby the binding constant (or dissociation constant) for binding to opsin will be lower than the average value for binding to other proteins that also bind retinoids, such as retinal analogs.
  • opsin binding agents are non-retinoid opsin-binding agents that bind non-covalently to opsin.
  • the opsin binding agent binds at or near the opsin retinal binding pocket, where the native ligahd, 1-cis-retinal, normally binds.
  • the binding pocket accommodates retinal or an agent of the invention, but not both. Accordingly, when an agent of the invention is bound at or near the retinal binding pocket, other retinoids, such as 11-cis-retinal, are unable to bind to opsin.
  • Binding of an agent of the invention inside the retinal binding pocket of a mis-folded opsin molecule serves to direct formation of the native or wild-type conformation of the opsin molecule or to stabilize a correctly folded opsin protein, thereby facilitating insertion of the now correctly-folded opsin into the membrane of a rod cell.
  • said insertion may help to maintain the wild-type conformation of opsin and the opsin-binding agent is free to diffuse out of the binding pocket, whereupon the pocket is available for binding to retinal to form light-sensitive rhodopsin.
  • Other methods of the invention provide a means to restore photoreceptor function in a mammalian eye containing a mis-folded opsin protein that causes reduced photoreceptor function, comprising contacting said mis-folded opsin protein with an opsin-binding agent (e.g., a non-retinoid) that reversibly binds (e.g., that binds non-covalently) at or near the retinal binding pocket.
  • an opsin-binding agent e.g., a non-retinoid
  • binding of the opsin-binding agent to the mis-folded opsin protein competes with 11-cis-retinal for binding in said binding pocket.
  • binding of the opsin-binding agent restores the native conformation of said mis-folded opsin protein.
  • the mammalian eye is a human eye.
  • said contacting occurs by administering said opsin- binding agent (e.g., non-retinoid) to a mammal afflicted with an ophthalmic condition, such as a condition characterized by reduced photoreceptor function.
  • said opsin- binding agent e.g., non-retinoid
  • the condition is the wet or dry form of macular degeneration, diabetic RP, a retinal or macular dystrophy, Stargardt's disease, Sorsby's dystrophy, autosomal dominant drusen, Best's dystrophy, peripherin mutation associate with macular dystrophy, dominant form of Stargart's disease, North Carolina macular dystrophy, light toxicity (e.g., due to retinal surgery), or retinitis pigmentosa.
  • the administration may be topical administration or by systemic administration, the latter including oral administration, intraocular injection or periocular injection.
  • Topical administration can include, for example, eye drops containing an effective amount of an agent of the invention in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier.
  • the present invention also provides a method of stabilizing a mutant opsin protein, comprising contacting said mutant opsin protein with a non-retinoid opsin-binding agent that reversibly binds non- covalently (for example, at or in the retinal binding pocket) to said mutant opsin protein to prevent retinoid binding in said binding pocket, thereby stabilizing said mutant opsin protein.
  • a non-retinoid opsin-binding agent that reversibly binds non- covalently (for example, at or in the retinal binding pocket) to said mutant opsin protein to prevent retinoid binding in said binding pocket, thereby stabilizing said mutant opsin protein.
  • the present invention also provides a method of ameliorating loss of photoreceptor function in a mammalian eye, comprising administering an effective amount of an opsin-binding agent, such as a non-retinoid, to a mammal afflicted with a mutant opsin protein that has reduced affinity for 11- cis-retinal, whereby the opsin binding agent reversibly binds (e.g., non- covalently) to the retinal binding pocket of said mutant opsin, thereby ameliorating loss of photoreceptor function in said mammalian eye.
  • an opsin-binding agent such as a non-retinoid
  • the contacting occurs by administering said opsin-binding agent to a mammal afflicted with said reduced photoreceptor function, wherein said administering may be by topical administration or by systemic administration, the latter including oral, intraocular injection or periocular injection, and the former including the use of eye drops containing an agent of the invention.
  • Such loss of photoreceptor function may be a partial loss or a complete loss, and where a partial loss it may be to any degree between 1% loss and 99% loss.
  • loss may be due to the presence of a mutation that causes mis-folding of the opsin, such as where the mutation is the P23H mutation.
  • the opsin binding agent is administered to ameliorate an ophthalmic condition related to the mislocalization of an opsin protein.
  • the invention provides for the treatment of a subject having the dry form of age-related macular degeneration, where at least a portion of the opsin present in an ocular photoreceptor cell (e.g., a rod or cone cell) is mislocalized.
  • the mislocalized protein fails to be inserted into the membrane of a photoreceptor cell, where its function is required for vision.
  • Administration of the opsin binding agent to a subject having a mislocalized opsin protein rescues, at least in part, opsin localization. Accordingly, the invention is useful to prevent or treat an ophthalmic condition related to opsin mislocalization or to ameliorate a symptom thereof.
  • the present invention provides a method for treating and/or preventing an ophthalmic condition or a symptom thereof, including but not limited to, wet or dry form of macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, a retinal or macular dystrophy, Stargardt's disease, Sorsby's dystrophy, autosomal dominant drusen, Best's dystrophy, peripherin mutation associate with macular dystrophy, dominant form of Stargart's disease, North Carolina macular dystrophy, light toxicity (e.g., due to retinal surgery), or retinitis pigmentosa in a subject, such as a human patient, comprising administering to a subject afflicted with, or at risk of developing, one of the aforementioned conditions or another ophthalmic condition related to the expression of a misfolded or mislocalized opsin protein using a therapeutically effective amount of an opsin-binding agent, e.g., an agent that shows positive activity when tested in any one or
  • Such a method may also comprise administering to said subject at least one additional agent selected from the group consisting of a proteasomal inhibitor, an autophagy inhibitor, a lysosomal inhibitor, an inhibitor of protein transport from the ER to the Golgi, an Hsp90 chaperone inhibitor, a heat shock response activator, a glycosidase inhibitor, and a histone deacetylase inhibitor, wherein the opsin-binding compound and the additional compound are administered simultaneously or within fourteen days of each other in amounts sufficient to treat the subject.
  • at least one additional agent selected from the group consisting of a proteasomal inhibitor, an autophagy inhibitor, a lysosomal inhibitor, an inhibitor of protein transport from the ER to the Golgi, an Hsp90 chaperone inhibitor, a heat shock response activator, a glycosidase inhibitor, and a histone deacetylase inhibitor
  • the patient may comprise a mutation that affects protein folding where said mutation(s) causes mis-folding, e.g., in an opsin protein, and may be any of the mutations recited elsewhere herein, such as a P23H mutation.
  • the patient has an ophthalmic condition that is related to the mislocalization of an opsin protein.
  • the mislocalized opsin fails to insert into the membrane of a photoreceptor cell (e.g., a rod or cone cell). In general, this failure in localization would effect only a portion of the opsin present in an ocular cell of a patient.
  • the opsin- binding compound and the additional compound are administered within ten days of each other, more preferably within five days of each other, even more preferably within twenty-four hours of each other and most preferably are administered simultaneously.
  • the opsin-binding compound and the additional compound are administered directly to the eye. Such administration may be intra-ocular.
  • the opsin-binding compound and the additional compound are each incorporated into a composition that provides for their long-term release, such as where the composition is part of a microsphere, nanosphere, or nano emulsion.
  • the composition is administered via a drug-delivery device that effects long-term release.
  • Such methods also contemplate administering a vitamin A supplement along with an agent of the invention.
  • the opsin-binding agents useful in the methods of the invention are available for use alone or in combination with one or more additional compounds to treat or prevent conditions associated with the wet or dry form of macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, a retinal or macular dystrophy, Stargardt's disease, Sorsby's dystrophy, autosomal dominant drusen, Best's dystrophy, peripherin mutation associate with macular dystrophy, dominant form of Stargart's disease, North Carolina macular dystrophy, light toxicity (e.g., due to retinal surgery), retinitis pigmentosa or another ophthalmic condition related to the expression of a misfolded or mislocalized opsin protein.
  • an opsin-binding compound of the invention e.g., a non-retinoid or a retinoid that fails to covalently bind to opsin
  • a subject identified as having or at risk of developing such a condition e.g., the opsin binding agent is administered together with another therapeutic agent.
  • a non-retinoid opsin- binding compound of the invention is used in combination with a synthetic retinoid (e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004-0242704), and optionally with another active compound (e.g., as discussed herein).
  • an opsin-binding compound is administered in combination with the proteasomal inhibitor MG132, the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine, a lysosomal inhibitor, such as ammonium chloride, the ER- Golgi transport inhibitor brefeldin A, the Hsp90 chaperone inhibitor Geldamycin, the heat shock response activator Celastrol, the glycosidase inhibitor, and/or the histone deacetylase inhibitor Scriptaid, or any other agent that can stabilize a mutant P23H opsin protein in a biochemically functional conformation that allows it to associate with 1 1-cis-retinal to form rhodopsin.
  • a lysosomal inhibitor such as ammonium chloride, the ER- Golgi transport inhibitor brefeldin A, the Hsp90 chaperone inhibitor Geldamycin, the heat shock response activator Celastrol, the glycosidase inhibitor, and/or the histone deacetylase inhibitor Scriptaid, or any other agent that can stabilize
  • an opsin-binding compound is a non- polymeric (e.g., a small molecule, such as those disclosed herein for use in the methods of the invention) compound having a molecular weight less than about 1000 daltons, less than 800, less than 600, less than 500, less than 400, or less than about 300 daltons.
  • a compound of the invention increases the amount (e.g., from or in a cell) of a stably-folded and/or complexed mutant protein by at least 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 00% compared to an untreated control cell or protein.
  • the 26S proteasome is a multicatalytic protease that cleaves ubiquinated proteins into short peptides.
  • MG-132 is one proteasomal inhibitor that may be used. MG- 132 is particularly useful for the treatment of light toxicity and other ocular diseases related to the accumulation of visual cycle products (e.g., all-trans-retinal, A2E, lipofuscin), protein aggregation or protein misfolding.
  • visual cycle products e.g., all-trans-retinal, A2E, lipofuscin
  • proteasomal inhibitors useful in combination with of the invention in the methods of the invention include lactocystin (LC), clasto- lactocystin-beta-lactone, PSI (N-carbobenzoyl-lle-Glu-(OtBu)-Ala-Leu-CHO), MG-132 (N-carbobenzoyl-Leu-Leu-Leu-CHO), MG-115 (N-carbobenzoyl-Leu- Leu-Nva-CHO), MG-101 (N-Acetyl-Leu-Leu-norLeu-CHO), ALLM (N-Acetyl- Leu-Leu-Met-CHO), N-carbobenzoyl-Gly-Pro-Phe-leu-CHO, N-carbobenzoyl- Gly-Pro-Ala-Phe-CHO, N-carbobenzoyl-Leu-Leu-Phe-CHO, and salts or analogs thereof.
  • Autophagy is an evolutionary conserved mechanism for the degradation of cellular components in the cytoplasm, and serves as a cell survival mechanism in starving cells. During autophagy pieces of cytoplasm become encapsulated by cellular membranes, forming autophagic vacuoles that eventually fuse with lysosomes to have their contents degraded. Autophagy inhibitors may be used in combination with an opsin-binding or opsin-stabilizing compound of the invention.
  • Autophagy inhibitors useful in combination with a of the invention in the methods of the invention include, but are not limited to, 3-methyladenine, 3-methyl adenosine, adenosine, okadaic acid, N 6 -mercaptopurine riboside (N 6 -MPR), an aminothiolated adenosine analog, 5-amino-4-imidazole carboxamide riboside (AICAR), bafilomycin A1 , and salts or analogs thereof.
  • the lysosome is a major site of cellular protein degradation. Degradation of proteins entering the cell by receptor-mediated endocytosis or by pinocytosis, and of plasma membrane proteins takes place in lysosomes. Lysosomal inhibitors, such as ammonium chloride, leupeptin, trans- epoxysaccinyl-L-leucylamide-(4-guanidino) butane, L-methionine methyl ester, ammonium chloride, methylam/ne, chloroquine, and salts or analogs thereof, are useful in combination with an opsin-binding or opsin-stabilizing compound of the invention.
  • Lysosomal inhibitors such as ammonium chloride, leupeptin, trans- epoxysaccinyl-L-leucylamide-(4-guanidino) butane, L-methionine methyl ester, ammonium chloride, methylam/ne, chloroquine, and salts or
  • Heat shock protein 90 is responsible for chaperoning proteins involved in cell signaling, proliferation and survival, and is essential for the conformational stability and function of a number of proteins.
  • HSP-90 inhibitors are useful in combination with an opsin-binding or opsin-stabilizing compound in the methods of the invention.
  • HSP-90 inhibitors include benzoquinone ansamycin antibiotics, such as geldanamycin and 17- allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (I7-AAG), which specifically bind to Hsp90, alter its function, and promote the proteolytic degradation of substrate proteins.
  • Other HSP-90 inhibitors include, but are not limited to, radicicol, novobiocin, and any Hsp9O inhibitor that binds to the Hsp90 ATP/ADP pocket.
  • Celastrol a quinone methide triterpene, activates the human heat shock response.
  • celastrol and other heat shock response activators are useful for the treatment of PCD.
  • Heat shock response activators include, but are not limited to, celastrol, celastrol methyl ester, dihydrocelastrol diacetate, celastrol butyl ester, dihydrocelastrol, and salts or analogs thereof.
  • Histone deacetylase inhibitors include, but are not limited to, celastrol, celastrol methyl ester, dihydrocelastrol diacetate, celastrol butyl ester, dihydrocelastrol, and salts or analogs thereof.
  • Histone deacetylase inhibitors include Scriptaid, APHA Compound 8, Apicidin, sodium butyrate, (-)- Depudecin, Sirtinol, trichostatin A, and salts or analogs thereof. Such inhibitors may be used in combination with compounds of the invention in the methods disclosed herein.
  • Glycosidase inhibitors are one class of compounds that are useful in the methods of the invention, when administered in combination with an opsin-binding or opsin-stabilizing compound of the invention.
  • Castanospermine a polyhydroxy alkaloid isolated from plant sources, inhibits enzymatic glycoside hydrolysis. Castanospermine and its derivatives are particularly useful for the treatment of light toxicity or of an ocular Protein Conformation Disorder, such as RP.
  • glycosidase inhibitors including australine hydrochloride, 6-Acetamido-6-deoxy-castanosperrnine, which is a powerful inhibitor of hexosaminidases, Deoxyfuconojirimycin hydrochloride (DFJ7), Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), which inhibits glucosidase I and II, Deoxygalactonojirimycin hydrochloride (DGJ), winch inhibits a-D- galactosidase, Deoxymannojirimycin hydrochloride (DM1 ), 2R.5R- Bis(hydroxymethyl)-3R,4R-dihydroxypyrrolidine (DMDP), also known as 2,5- dideoxy-2,5-imino-D-mannitol, 1 ,4-Dideoxy-1 ,4-imino-D-mannitol hydrochloride, (3R,4R,5R,6R)-3,4,5,6-T
  • N-butyldeoxynojirimycin EDNJ
  • N-nonyl DNJ NDND, N-hexyl DNJ (I5TDNJ)
  • MDNJ N-methyldeoxynojirimycin
  • Glycosidase inhibitors are available commercially, for example, from Industrial Research Limited (Wellington, New Zealand) and methods of using them are described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,894,388, 5,043,273, 5,103,008, 5,844,102, and 6,831 ,176; and in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 20020006909.
  • the present invention features pharmaceutical preparations comprising compounds together with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, where the compounds provide for the inhibition of visual cycle products, such as all- trans-retinal or other products formed from 1 1-cis-retinal.
  • visual cycle products such as all- trans-retinal or other products formed from 1 1-cis-retinal.
  • Such preparations have both therapeutic and prophylactic applications.
  • a pharmaceutical composition includes an opsin-binding or stabilizing compound (e.g., a compound identified using the methods of Example 1 ) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; optionally in combination with at least one additional compound that is a proteasomal inhibitor, an autophagy inhibitor, a lysosomal inhibitor, an inhibitor of protein transport from the ER to the Golgi, an Hsp90 chaperone inhibitor, a heat shock response activator, a glycosidase inhibitor, or a histone deacetylase inhibitor.
  • the opsin-binding or opsin-stabilizing compound is preferably not a natural or synthetic retinoid.
  • the opsin-binding or opsin-stabilizing compound and the additional compound are formulated together or separately.
  • Compounds of the invention may be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition.
  • the non-oral compositions should be sterile and contain a therapeutically effective amount of the opsin-binding or opsin-stabilizing compound in a unit of weight or volume suitable for administration to a subject.
  • the compositions and combinations of the invention can be part of a pharmaceutical pack, where each of the compounds is present in individual dosage amounts.
  • phrases "pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to those compounds of the present invention, compositions containing such compounds, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.
  • Non-oral pharmaceutical compositions of the invention to be used for prophylactic or therapeutic administration should be sterile. Sterility is readily accomplished by filtration through sterile filtration membranes (e.g., 0.2 ⁇ membranes), by gamma irradiation, or any other suitable means known to those skilled in the art.
  • Therapeutic opsin-binding or opsin-stabilizing compound compositions generally are placed into a container having a sterile access port, for example, an intravenous solution bag or vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle. These compositions ordinarily will be stored in unit or multi-dose containers, for example, sealed ampoules or vials, as an aqueous solution or as a lyophilized formulation for reconstitution.
  • the compounds may be combined, optionally, with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
  • compositions also are capable of being co-mingled with the molecules of the present invention, and with each other, in a manner such that there is no interaction that would substantially impair the desired pharmaceutical efficacy.
  • Compounds of the present invention can be contained in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
  • the excipient preferably contains minor amounts of additives such as substances that enhance isotonicity and chemical stability.
  • Such materials are non-toxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed, and include buffers such as phosphate, citrate, succinate, acetate, lactate, tartrate, and other organic acids or their salts; tris- hydroxymethylaminomethane (TRIS), bicarbonate, carbonate, and other organic bases and their salts; antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid; low molecular weight (for example, less than about ten residues) polypeptides, e.g., polyarginine, polylysine, polyglutamate and polyaspartate; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polypropylene glycols (PPGs), and polyethylene glycols (PEGs);
  • compositions as described above, can be administered in effective amounts.
  • the effective amount will depend upon the mode or administration, the particular condition being treated and the desired outcome. It may also depend upon the stage of the condition, the age and physical condition of the subject, the nature of concurrent therapy, if any, and like factors well known to the medical practitioner. For therapeutic applications, it is that amount sufficient to achieve a medically desirable result.
  • an effective amount is an amount sufficient to reduce the rate or extent of formation and accumulation of visual cycle products, such as all-trans-retinal, or lipofuscin, or A2E as well as preventing photocell apoptosis as a result of excessive rhodopsin activation.
  • the compounds of the present invention would be from about 0.01 mg/kg per day to about 1000 mg/kg per day. It is expected that doses ranging from about 50 to about 2000 mg/kg will be suitable. Lower doses will result from certain forms of administration, such as intravenous administration.
  • compositions of the invention are administered intraocularly.
  • Other modes of administration include oral, rectal, topical, intraocular, buccal, intravaginal, intracisternal, intracerebroventricular, intratracheal, nasal, transdermal, within/on implants, or parenteral routes.
  • Compositions comprising a composition of the invention can be added to a physiological fluid, such as to the intravitreal humor.
  • CNS administration For CNS administration, a variety of techniques are available for promoting transfer of the therapeutic across the blood brain barrier including disruption by surgery or injection, drugs which transiently open adhesion contact between the CNS vasculature endothelial cells, and compounds that facilitate translocation through such cells. Oral administration can be preferred for prophylactic treatment because of the convenience to the patient as well as the dosing schedule.
  • compositions of the invention can optionally further contain one or more additional proteins as desired, including plasma proteins, proteases, and other biological material, so long as it does not cause adverse effects upon administration to a subject.
  • Suitable proteins or biological material may be obtained from human or mammalian plasma by any of the purification methods known and available to those skilled in the art; from supernatants, extracts, or lysates of recombinant tissue culture, viruses, yeast, bacteria, or the like that contain a gene that expresses a human or mammalian plasma protein which has been introduced according to standard recombinant DNA techniques; or from the fluids (e.g., blood, milk, lymph, urine or the like) or transgenic animals that contain a gene that expresses a human plasma protein which has been introduced according to standard transgenic techniques.
  • compositions of the invention can comprise one or more pH buffering compounds to maintain the pH of the formulation at a predetermined level that reflects physiological pH, such as in the range of about 5.0 to about 8.0 (e.g., 6.0, 6.5, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1 , 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.8).
  • the pH buffering compound used in the aqueous liquid formulation can be an amino acid or mixture of amino acids, such as histidine or a mixture of amino acids such as histidine and glycine.
  • the pH buffering compound is preferably an agent which maintains the pH of the formulation at a predetermined level, such as in the range of about 5.0 to about 8.0, and which does not chelate calcium ions.
  • Illustrative examples of such pH buffering compounds include, but are not limited to, imidazole and acetate ions.
  • the pH buffering compound may be present in any amount suitable to maintain the pH of the formulation at a predetermined level.
  • compositions of the invention can also contain one or more osmotic modulating agents, i.e., a compound that modulates the osmotic properties (e.g., tonicity, osmolality and/or osmotic pressure) of the formulation to a level that is acceptable to the blood stream and blood cells of recipient individuals.
  • the osmotic modulating agent can be an agent that does not chelate calcium ions.
  • the osmotic modulating agent can be any compound known or available to those skilled in the art that modulates the osmotic properties of the formulation. One skilled in the art may empirically determine the suitability of a given osmotic modulating agent for use in the inventive formulation.
  • osmotic modulating agents include, but are not limited to: salts, such as sodium chloride and sodium acetate; sugars, such as sucrose, dextrose, and mannitol; amino acids, such as glycine; and mixtures of one or more of these agents and/or types of agents.
  • the osmotic modulating agent(s) maybe present in any concentration sufficient to modulate the osmotic properties of the formulation.
  • Compositions comprising an opsin-binding or opsin-stabilizing compound of the present invention can contain multivalent metal ions, such as calcium ions, magnesium ions and/or manganese ions.
  • Any multivalent metal ion that helps stabilize the composition and that will not adversely affect recipient individuals may be used.
  • compositions of the invention can also be a nonaqueous liquid formulation.
  • Any suitable non-aqueous liquid may be employed, provided that it provides stability to the active agents (a) contained therein.
  • the non-aqueous liquid is a hydrophilic liquid.
  • suitable non-aqueous liquids include: glycerol; dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); polydimethylsiloxane (PMS); ethylene glycols, such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol ("PEG”) 200, PEG 300, and PEG 400; and propylene glycols, such as dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol ("PPG”) 425, PPG 725, PPG 1000, PEG 2000, PEG 3000 and PEG 4000.
  • DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide
  • PMS polydimethylsiloxane
  • ethylene glycols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (“PEG”) 200, PEG 300, and PEG 400
  • PPG polypropylene glycol
  • PPG polypropylene glycol
  • compositions of the invention can also be a mixed aqueous/non-aqueous liquid formulation.
  • Any suitable non-aqueous liquid formulation such as those described above, can be employed along with any aqueous liquid formulation, such as those described above, provided that the mixed aqueous/non-aqueous liquid formulation provides stability to the compound contained therein.
  • the non- aqueous liquid in such a formulation is a hydrophilic liquid.
  • suitable nonaqueous liquids include: glycerol; DMSO; EMS; ethylene glycols, such as PEG 200, PEG 300, and PEG 400; and propylene glycols, such as PPG 425, PPG 725, PEG 1000, PEG 2000, PEG 3000 and PEG 4000.
  • Suitable stable formulations can permit storage of the active agents in a frozen or an unfrozen liquid state.
  • Stable liquid formulations can be stored at a temperature of at least -70 °C, but can also be stored at higher temperatures of at least 0 °C, or between about 0 °C and about 42 °C, depending on the properties of the composition. It is generally known to the skilled artisan that proteins and polypeptides are sensitive to changes in pH, temperature, and a multiplicity of other factors that may affect therapeutic efficacy.
  • a desirable route of administration can be by pulmonary aerosol.
  • Techniques for preparing aerosol delivery systems containing polypeptides are well known to those of skill in the art. Generally, such systems should utilize components that will not significantly impair the biological properties of the antibodies, such as the paratope binding capacity (see, for example, Sciarra and Cutie, "Aerosols," in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 18th edition, 1990, pp 1694-1712; incorporated by reference). Those of skill in the art can readily modify the various parameters and conditions for producing polypeptide aerosols without resorting to undue experimentation.
  • Other delivery systems can include time-release, delayed release or sustained release delivery systems. Such systems can avoid repeated administrations of compositions of the invention, increasing convenience to the subject and the physician.
  • release delivery systems are available and known to those of ordinary skill in the art. They include polymer base systems such as polylactides (U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,919; European Patent No. 58,481 ), poly(lactide-glycolide), copolyoxalates polycaprolactones, polyesteramides, polyorthoesters, poiyhydroxybutyric acids, such as poly-D-(- )-3-hydroxybutyric acid (European Patent No. 133,988), copolymers of L- glutamic acid and gamma-ethyl-L-glutamate (Sidman, KR.
  • polymer base systems such as polylactides (U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,919; European Patent No. 58,481 ), poly(lactide-glycolide), copolyoxalates polycaprolactones, polyesteramides, polyorthoesters, poiyhydroxybutyric acids, such as poly-D-(
  • sustained-release compositions include semi ⁇ permeable polymer matrices in the form of shaped articles, e.g., films, or microcapsules.
  • Delivery systems also include non-polymer systems that are: lipids including sterols such as cholesterol, cholesterol esters and fatty acids or neutral fats such as mono-, di- and tri-glycerides; hydrogel release systems such as biologically-derived bioresorbable hydrogel (i.e., chitin hydrogels or chitosan hydrogels); sylastic systems; peptide based systems; wax coatings; compressed tablets using conventional binders and excipients; partially filled implants; and the like.
  • Specific examples include, but are not limited to: (a) aerosional systems in which the agent is contained in a form within a matrix such as those described in 13.5. Patent Nos.
  • colloidal dispersion systems include lipid-based systems including oil-in-water emulsions, micelles, mixed micelles, and liposomes.
  • Liposomes are artificial membrane vessels, which are useful as a delivery vector in vivo or in vitro.
  • Large unilamellar vessels (LUV) which range in size from 0.2 - 4.0 ⁇ , can encapsulate large macromolecules within the aqueous interior and be delivered to cells in a biologically active form (Fraley, R., and Papahadjopoulos, D., Trends Biochem. Sci. 6: 77-80).
  • Liposomes can be targeted to a particular tissue by coupling the liposome to a specific ligand such as a monoclonal antibody, sugar, glycolipid, or protein.
  • a specific ligand such as a monoclonal antibody, sugar, glycolipid, or protein.
  • Liposomes are commercially available from Gibco BRL, for example, as LIPOFECTINTM and LIPOFECTACETM, which are formed of cationic lipids such as N-[1-(2, 3 dioleyloxy)-propyl]-N,N,N- trimethylammonium chloride (DOTMA) and dimethyl dioctadecylammonium bromide (DDAB).
  • DOTMA N-[1-(2, 3 dioleyloxy)-propyl]-N,N,N- trimethylammonium chloride
  • DDAB dimethyl dioctadecylammonium bromide
  • Another type of vehicle is a biocompatible microparticle or implant that is suitable for implantation into the mammalian recipient.
  • exemplary bioerodible implants that are useful in accordance with this method are described in PCT International application no. PCTIUS/03307 (Publication No- WO 95/24929, entitled “Polymeric Gene Delivery System”).
  • PCT/US/0307 describes biocompatible, preferably biodegradable polymeric matrices for containing an exogenous gene under the control of an appropriate promoter. The polymeric matrices can be used to achieve sustained release of the exogenous gene or gene product in the subject.
  • the polymeric matrix preferably is in the form of a microparticle such as a microsphere (wherein an agent is dispersed throughout a solid polymeric matrix) or a microcapsule (wherein an agent is stored in the core of a polymeric shell).
  • a microparticle such as a microsphere (wherein an agent is dispersed throughout a solid polymeric matrix) or a microcapsule (wherein an agent is stored in the core of a polymeric shell).
  • Microcapsules of the foregoing polymers containing drugs are described in, for example, U.S. Patent 5,075,109.
  • Other forms of the polymeric matrix for containing an agent include films, coatings, gels, implants, and stents.
  • the size and composition of the polymeric matrix device is selected to result in favorable release kinetics in the tissue into which the matrix is introduced.
  • the size of the polymeric matrix further is selected according to the method of delivery that is to be used.
  • the polymeric matrix and composition are encompassed in a surfactant vehicle.
  • the polymeric matrix composition can be selected to have both favorable degradation rates and also to be formed of a material, which is a bioadhesive, to further increase the effectiveness of transfer.
  • the matrix composition also can be selected not to degrade, but rather to release by diffusion over an extended period of time.
  • the delivery system can also be a biocompatible microsphere that is suitable for local, site-specific delivery. Such microspheres are disclosed in Chickering, D.B., et al., Biotechnot. Bioeng, 52. 96-101 ; Mathiowitz, B., et at., Nature 386: 410-414.
  • Both non-biodegradable and biodegradable polymeric matrices can be used to deliver the compositions of the invention to the subject.
  • Such polymers may be natural or synthetic polymers.
  • the polymer is selected based on the period of time over which release is desired, generally in the order of a few hours to a year or longer. Typically, release over a period ranging from between a few hours and three to twelve months is most desirable.
  • the polymer optionally is in the form of a hydrogel that can absorb up to about 90% of its weight in water and further, optionally is cross-linked with multivalent ions or other polymers.
  • Exemplary synthetic polymers which can be used to form the biodegradable delivery system include: polyamides, polycarbonates, polyalkylenes, polyalkylene glycols, polyalkylene oxides, polyalkylene terephthalates, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl halides, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyglycolides, polysiloxanes, polyurethanes and copolymers thereof, alkyl cellulose, hydroxyalkyl celluloses, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, nitro celluoses, polymers of acrylic and methacrylic esters, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxybutyl methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate phthalate, carboxylethyl cellulose, cellulose triacetate
  • compositions of the invention are particularly suitable for treating ocular diseases or conditions, such as light toxicity, in particular light toxicity related to an ocular surgical procedure.
  • compositions of the invention are administered through an ocular device suitable for direct implantation into the vitreous of the eye.
  • the compositions of the invention may be provided in sustained release compositions, such as those described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,672,659 and 5,595,760.
  • sustained release compositions such as those described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,672,659 and 5,595,760.
  • Such devices are found to provide sustained controlled release of various compositions to treat the eye without risk of detrimental local and systemic side effects.
  • An object of the present ocular method of delivery is to maximize the amount of drug contained in an intraocular device or implant while minimizing its size in order to prolong the duration of the implant. See, e.g., U.S. Patents 5,378,475; 6,375,972, and 6,756,058 and U.S. Publications 20050096290 and 200501269448.
  • Such implants may be biodegradable and/or biocompatible implants, or may be non-bio
  • the implants may be permeable or impermeable to the active agent, and may be inserted into a chamber of the eye, such as the anterior or posterior chambers or may be implanted in the sclera, transchoroidal space, or an avascularized region exterior to the vitreous.
  • a contact lens that acts as a depot for compositions of the invention may also be used for drug delivery.
  • the implant may be positioned over an avascular region, such as on the sclera, so as to allow for transcleral diffusion of the drug to the desired site of treatment, e.g. the intraocular space and macula of the eye.
  • the site of transcleral diffusion is preferably in proximity to the macula.
  • implants for delivery of a composition of the invention include, but are not limited to, the devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,416,530; 3,828,777; 4,014,335; 4,300,557; 4,327,725; 4,853,224; 4,946,450; 4,997,652; 5,147,647; 164,188; 5,178,635; 5,300,114; 5,322,691 ; 5,403,901 ; 5,443,505; 5,466,466; 5,476,511 ; 5,516,522; 5,632,984; 5,679,666; 5,710,165; 5,725,493; 5,743,274; 5,766,242; 5,766,619; 5,770,592; 5,773,019; 5,824,072; 5,824,073; 5,830,173; 5,836,935; 5,869,079, 5,902,598; 5,90
  • a sustained release drug delivery system comprising an inner reservoir comprising an effective amount of an agent effective in obtaining a desired local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect, an inner tube impermeable to the passage of the agent, the inner tube having first and second ends and covering at least a portion of the inner reservoir, the inner tube sized and formed of a material so that the inner tube is capable of supporting its own weight, an impermeable member positioned at the inner tube first end, the impermeable member preventing passage of the agent out of the reservoir through the inner tube first end, and a permeable member positioned at the inner tube second end, the permeable member allowing diffusion of the agent out of the reservoir through the inner tube second end; a method for administering a compound of the invention to a segment of an eye, the method comprising the step of implanting a sustained release device to deliver the compound of the invention to the vitreous of the eye or an implantable, sustained release device for administering a compound of the invention to a segment of
  • liposomes to target a compound of the present invention to the eye, and preferably to retinal pigment epithelial cells and/or Bruch's membrane.
  • the compound maybe complexed with liposomes in the manner described above, and this compound/liposome complex injected into patients with an ophthalmic condition, such as light toxicity, using intravenous injection to direct the compound to the desired ocular tissue or cell.
  • Directly injecting the liposome complex into the proximity of the retinal pigment epithelial cells or Bruch's membrane can also provide for targeting of the complex with some forms of ocular PCD.
  • the compound is administered via intra-ocular sustained delivery (such as VITRASERT or ENVISION.
  • the compound is delivered by posterior subtenons injection.
  • microemulsion particles containing the compositions of the invention are delivered to ocular tissue to take up lipid from Bruchs membrane, retinal pigment epithelial cells, or both.
  • Nanoparticles are a colloidal carrier system that has been shown to improve the efficacy of the encapsulated drug by prolonging the serum half- life.
  • Polyalkylcyanoacrylates (PACAs) nanoparticles are a polymer colloidal drug delivery system that is in clinical development, as described by Stella et al, J. Pharm. Sci., 2000. 89: p. 1452-1464; Brigger et al., Tnt. J. Pharm., 2001. 214: p. 37-42; Calvo et al., Pharm. Res., 2001. 18: p. 1157-1166; and Li et al., Biol. Pharm. Bull., 2001. 24: p. 662-665.
  • Biodegradable poly (hydroxyl acids) such as the copolymers of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (lactic-co- glycolide) (PLGA) are being extensively used in biomedical applications and have received FDA approval for certain clinical applications.
  • PEG- PLGA nanoparticles have many desirable carrier features including (i) that the agent to be encapsulated comprises a reasonably high weight fraction (loading) of the total carrier system; (ii) that the amount of agent used in the first step of the encapsulation process is incorporated into the final carrier (entrapment efficiency) at a reasonably high level; (iii) that the carrier have the ability to be freeze-dried and reconstituted in solution without aggregation; (iv) that the carrier be biodegradable; (v) that the carrier system be of small size; and (vi) that the carrier enhance the particles persistence.
  • Nanoparticles are synthesized using virtually any biodegradable shell known in the art.
  • a polymer such as poly (lactic-acid) (PLA) or poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is used.
  • PLA poly (lactic-acid)
  • PLGA poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)
  • Such polymers are biocompatible and biodegradable, and are subject to modifications that desirably increase the photochemical efficacy and circulation lifetime of the nanoparticle.
  • the polymer is modified with a terminal carboxylic acid group (COOH) that increases the negative charge of the particle and thus limits the interaction with negatively charge nucleic acid aptamers.
  • Nanoparticles are also modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG), which also increases the half-life and stability of the particles in circulation.
  • the COOH group is converted to an N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester for covalent conjugation to amine-modified aptamers.
  • NHS N-hydroxysuccin
  • Biocompatible polymers useful in the composition and methods of the invention include, but are not limited to, polyamides, polycarbonates, polyalkylenes, polyalkylene glycols, polyalkylene oxides, polyalkylene terephthalates, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl halides, poly(viny Ipyrrolidone), polyglycolides, polysiloxanes, polyurethanes and copolymers thereof, alkyl cellulose, hydroxyalkyl celluloses, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, nitro celluloses, polymers of acrylic and methacrylic esters, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxybutyl methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate phthalate, carboxylethyl cellulose, cellulose tria
  • compositions of the invention may also be delivered topically.
  • the compositions are provided in any pharmaceutically acceptable excipient that is approved for ocular delivery.
  • the composition is delivered in drop form to the surface of the eye.
  • the delivery of the composition relies on the diffusion of the compounds through the cornea to the interior of the eye.
  • treatment regimens for using the compounds of the present invention to treat light toxicity or other ophthalmic conditions can be straightforwardly determined. This is not a question of experimentation, but rather one of optimization, which is routinely conducted in the medical arts. In vivo studies in nude mice often provide a starting point from which to begin to optimize the dosage and delivery regimes. The frequency of injection will initially be once a week, as has been done in some mice studies. However, this frequency might be optimally adjusted from one day to every two weeks to monthly, depending upon the results obtained front the initial clinical trials and the needs of a particular patient.
  • RP light toxicity or other ophthalmic conditions
  • Human dosage amounts can initially be determined by extrapolating from the amount of compound used in mice, as a skilled artisan recognizes it is routine in the art to modify the dosage for humans compared to animal models.
  • the dosage may vary from between about 1 mg compound/Kg body weight to about 5000 mg compound/Kg body weight; or from about 5 mg/Kg body weight to about 4000 mg/Kg body weight or from about 10mg/Kg body weight to about 3000 mg/Kg body weight; or from about 50mg/Kg body weight to about 2000 mg/Kg body weight; or from about 100 mg/Kg body weight to about 1000 mg/Kg body weight; or from about 150 mg/Kg body weight to about 500 mg/Kg body weight.
  • this dose maybe about 1 , 5, 10, 25, 50,75, 100, 150, 10 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1050, 1 100, 1 150, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350, 1400, 1450, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2500, 3000,. 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000 mg/Kg body weight, in other embodiments, it is envisaged that lower does may be used, such doses may be in the range of about 5 mg compound/Kg body to about 20 mg compound/Kg body.
  • the doses may be about 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 15 or 18 mg/Kg body weight.
  • this dosage amount may be adjusted upward or downward, as is routinely done in such treatment protocols, depending on the results of the initial clinical trials and the needs of a particular patient.
  • Useful compounds of the invention are compounds of the formula (I) that reversibly bind to a native or mutated opsin protein, such as in or near the 11-cis-retinal binding pocket.
  • the non bleachable or slowly bleachable pigment rhodopsins formed from these small molecule opsin bindings will prevent light toxicity related to, for example, the accumulation of visual cycle products as -well as apoptotic photocell death resulting from excessive rhodopsin stimulation.
  • Such binding will commonly inhibit, if not prevent, binding of retinoids, especially 11-cis-retinal, to the binding pocket and thereby reduce formation of visual cycle products, such as all-trans-retinal. Any number of methods are available for carrying out screening assays to identify such compounds.
  • an opsin protein is contacted with a candidate compound or test compound that is a non-retinoid in the presence of 11-cis-retinal or retinoid analog and the rate or yield of formation of chromophore is determined.
  • the binding of the non-retinoid to opsin is characterized.
  • the non-retinoid binding to opsin is non- covalent and reversible.
  • inhibition of rhodopsin formation by a non- retinoid indicates identification of a successful test compound.
  • An increase in the amount of rhodopsin is assayed, for example, by measuring the protein's absorption at a characteristic wavelength (e.g., 498 nm for rhodopsin) or by measuring an increase in the biological activity of the protein using any standard method (e.g., enzymatic activity association with a ligand).
  • a characteristic wavelength e.g. 498 nm for rhodopsin
  • Useful compounds inhibit binding of 11-cis-retinal (and formation of rhodopsin) by at least about 10%, 15%, or 20%, or preferably by 25%, 50%, or 75%, or most preferably by up to 90% or even 100%.
  • the efficacy of compounds useful in the methods of the invention may be determined by exposure of a mammalian eye to a high intensity light source prior to, during, or following administration of a test compound, followed by determination of the amount of visual cycle products (e.g., all-trans retinal, A2E, or lipofuscin) formed as a result of exposure to the high intensity light source, wherein a compound of the invention will have reduced the amount of visual cycle products related to the exposure.
  • visual cycle products e.g., all-trans retinal, A2E, or lipofuscin
  • test compounds identified by the screening methods of the invention are non-retinoids, are selective for opsin and bind in a reversible, non-covalent manner to opsin protein.
  • their administration to transgenic animals otherwise producing increased lipofuscin results in a reduced rate of production or a reduced accumulation of lipofuscin in the eye of said animal.
  • Compounds identified according to the methods of the invention are useful for the treatment of light toxicity or other ophthalmic condition in a subject, such as a human patient.
  • compositions of the invention useful for the prevention of light toxicity, as well as AMD and retinitis pigmentosa, can optionally be combined with additional therapies as heretofore described.
  • Example 1 ( ⁇ )-(4afi,9aS)-7-isopropyl-6-methoxy-1 ,1 ,4a-trimethyl- 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H-fluoren-9(9aH)- ne
  • the title compound obtained as a colorless oil (27.0 mg, 25%), was prepared from 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-enecarboxylic acid (38.0 mg, 0.530 mmol) and anisole (171 mg, 1.58 mmol) according to the procedure of [Tang, S.; Xu, Y.; He, J.; He, Y.; Zheng, J.; Pan, X.; She, X. Org. Lett. 2008, 10, 1855-1858].
  • Example 4 was prepared from the product of Example 4 according to the procedure of Example 5 except acetylchloride was substituted for iodoethane, and pyridine was substituted for potassium carbonate.
  • Example 3 The product of Example 3 (480 mg, 1.86 mmol) was added to a stirred slurry of lithium aluminum hydride (150 mg, 3.70 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (15 mL) cooled to 0°C under argon. The reaction was heated to reflux for 18 hours.
  • the reaction was cooled to 0°C, diluted with tetrahydrofuran (30 mL) and quenched by sequentially adding water (0. 5 mL), 15% sodium hydroxide solution (0.15 mL) and water (0.45 mL). Magnesium sulfate was then added to the reaction and the slurry was vigorously stirred for 30 minutes. The reaction was filtered, concentrated and the crude purified by flash column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexanes 0:100 -> 10:90) to afford the title compound as a white solid (248 mg, Yield: 51%).
  • Example 13 (+)-(4a ?,9aS)-6-methoxy-1 ,1 ,4a-trimethyl-2, 3,4,4a, 9,9a- hexahydro-1 H-i luorene
  • the product of Example 1 1 (40.0 mg, 0.170 mmol) was added to a stirred slurry of 10% palladium on carbon ( ⁇ 100 mg) in methanol.
  • the reaction flask was capped, evacuated and then charge with a balloon of hydrogen gas. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours.
  • Example 14 ( ⁇ )-(4aR,9aS)-6-(6-chloropyridazin-3-yloxy)- ,1 ,4a-trimethyl- 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H-fluoren-9(9aH)-one
  • the product of Example 4 (108 mg, 0.440 mmol) was added to a stirred slurry of sodium hydride (19.0 mg, 0.490 mmol, 60% dispersion) in /V,/V-dimethylformamide (0.67 mL).
  • 2,2-Dimethylcyclohexanone (1.00 g, 7.90 mmol) was combined, neat, with phenylhydrazine (0.857 g, 7.90 mmol) and heated to 120 °C in an oil bath. Upon completed evolution of steam ( ⁇ 15 minutes) the resulting hydrazone was treated with a 1 :1 (v/v) mixture of acetic acid and concentrated hydrochloric acid (8.0 ml_). The mixture was left at 120 °C until complete evaporation of the liquid phase leaving solid residue ( ⁇ 3 hours).
  • Example 15 The product of Example 15 (100 mg, 0.500 mmol) was added to a stirred slurry of sodium hydride (40.0 mg, 1.00 mmol, 60% dispersion) in N,N- dimethylformamide (1.5 mL) at 0 °C and stirred for 30 minutes, lodomethane (213 mg, 3.00 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture, and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for another 30 minutes.
  • Example 20 To a solution of the product of Example 20 (40 mg, 0.136 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (1 mL) at 0 °C was added sodium hydride (5 mg, 0.187 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. Then a solution of methyl iodide (40 mg, 0.272 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (1 mL) was added to the reaction mixture and it was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. Water (2 mL) was added to quench the reaction. The mixture was concentrated and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate (30 mL) and water (3 mL).
  • Example 19 To a solution of the product of Example 19 (100 mg, 0.413 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (3 mL) was added 3 M methyl magnesium iodide (0.7 mL) under argon with stirring. Then the mixture was heated to reflux for 5 hours. Water (10 mL) was added to quench the reaction. The mixture was concentrated to remove the tetrahydrofuran and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate (20 mL) and water (3 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine (2 mL), dried (sodium sulfate) and concentrated under reduced pressure.
  • Example 30 To a solution of the product of Example 30 (250 mg, 1.1 mmol) in methanol (6.0 mL) at 0 °C was added sodium borohydride (150.0 mg, 3.96 mmol). The resulting mixture was allowed to gradually warm to room temperature and stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. Water (20 mL) was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (30 mL x 2). The combined organic phase was washed with brine (30 mL), dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated under reduced pressure.
  • sodium borohydride 150.0 mg, 3.96 mmol
  • Example 32 To a solution of the product of Example 32 (65 mg, 0.31 mmol) in methanol (3.0 mL) was added palladium on carbon (10.0 mg) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight under an atmosphere of hydrogen. The catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure.
  • Example 30 To a solution of the product of Example 30 (25 mg, 0.11 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (2.0 mL) was added methyl magnesium iodide (0.18 mL, 0.55 mmol) at 0 °C and the resulting mixture was stirred for 5 hours. The solution was poured into ice water (5.0 mL), and to the solution was added ethyl acetate (10 mL). The organic phase was separated washed with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (5.0 mL), water (10 mL) and brine (20 mL). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the volatiles evaporated under reduced pressure.
  • methyl magnesium iodide (0.18 mL, 0.55 mmol
  • Example 38 (methoxy(2,6,6-trimethy lcyclohex-1 -enyl)methyl)benzene
  • dichloromethane 3.0 mL
  • proton sponge 212.2 mg, 0.99 mmol
  • trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate 120 mg, 0.81 mmol.
  • the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours.
  • the reaction was quenched by the addition of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (5 mL). The phases were separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane (30 mL x 2).
  • Example 39 (4-chlorophenyl)(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl)methanol
  • 4-chlorophenyl)magnesium bromide 33 mL, 32.75 mmol
  • diethyl ether 32 mL
  • 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1- enecarbaldehyde 2.0 g, 13.1 mmol
  • diethyl ether 16 mL
  • Example 39 To a mixture of the product of Example 39 (100 mg, 0.38 mmol) in dichloromethane (6 mL) at 0 °C was added stannic chloride (148 mg, 0.57 mmol). The reaction was stirred at 0 °C for 5 minutes, and then the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0 °C, and water (1 mL) was added to quench the reaction and the organic volatiles were evaporated in vacuo.
  • Example 42a (5aR)-8-chloro-2,2,5a-trimethyl-2,3,4,5,5a,9b-hexahydro- fluoreno[8a,9-b]oxirene
  • Example 41 To a mixture of the product of Example 41 (72 mg, 0.29 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (49 mg, 0.59 mmol) in dichloromethane (6 mL) at 0 °C was added meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (76 mg, 0.44 mmol). The reaction was stirred at 0 °C for 30 minutes, allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for an additional 2 hours. The mixture was cooled to 0 °C and then saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (2 mL) was added to quench the reaction. The volatiles were evaporated in vacuo and the residue was taken up in diethyl ether (60 mL).
  • Example 42b (+)-(4a/?,9aR)-6-chloro-1 ,1 ,4a-trimethyl-2,3,4,4a,9,9a- hexahydro-1 H-fluorene
  • Example 42a To the product of Example 42a in dichloromethane (6 mL) at 0 °C was added boron trifluoride etherate (0.1 mL, 0.788 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 30 minutes, allowed to warm to room temperature and then stirred for an additional 2 hours. The mixture was cooled to 0 °C and water (2 mL) was added to quench the reaction. The reaction was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was taken up in diethyl ether (60 mL). The organic phase was washed with water (10 mL x 2), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (10 mL x 2), brine (20 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo.
  • Example 42b To a mixture of the product of Example 42b (50 mg, 0.19 mmol) in methanol (2 mL) at 0 °C was added sodium borohydride (21.6 mg, 0.57 mmol). The reaction mixture stirred at 0 °C for 30 minutes, allowed to warm to room temperature, and stirred overnight. The mixture was cooled to 0 °C, water (20 mL) was added to quench the reaction, and then volatiles were evaporated in vacuo. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate (60 mL) and the organic phase was washed with water (10 mL x 2), brine (20 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo.
  • Example 42 To a mixture of the product of Example 42 (50 mg, 0.19 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (3 mL) at 0 °C was added 3M methyl magnesium iodide (0.32 mL, 0.95 mmol). The reaction was stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and 20 mL of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride was added.
  • Example 46 ( ⁇ )-(4-ethylphenyl)(2,6,6-trimethy lcyclohex-1 -enyl)methanol
  • 4-ethylphenyl) magnesium bromide 0.5 M in tetrahydrofuran, 44 mL, 22.0 mmol
  • diethyl ether (20 mL) at 0 °C was added a solution of 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-l-enecarbaldehyde (1.67 g, 11.0 mmol) diethyl ether (16 mL) drop wise over 5 minutes under argon.
  • the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature.
  • Example 48 To a solution of the product of Example 48 (370 mg, 1.44 mmol) in methanol (8 mL) at 0 °C was added sodium borohydride (164 mg, 4.33 mmol) portion wise. The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was diluted with water. The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 30 mL) and the combined organic phase was washed with brine (20 mL), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and then concentrated under reduced pressure.
  • sodium borohydride 164 mg, 4.33 mmol
  • Example 48 To a solution of the product of Example 48 (128 mg, 0.5 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (10 mL) at -78 °C was added methyl magnesium iodide (3.0 M, 0.5 mL) and the reaction was stirred at -78 °C for 2 hours after which it was allowed to warmed to room temperature and stirred overnight. The reaction was then heated to 50 °C stirred an additional 24 hours. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and quenched by the addition of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride. The organics were extracted with dichloromethane and then the organic phase was washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and then concentrated under reduced pressure.
  • methyl magnesium iodide 3.0 M, 0.5 mL
  • Examples 55a and 55b (+)-(4a ,9aS)-1 ,1 ,4a,6,7-pentamethyl-2,3,4,4a- tetrahydro-1W-fluoren-9(9aH)-one (55a) and ( ⁇ )-(4aR,9aS)-1 ,1 ,4a,5,6- pentamethyl-2,3 ,4,4a-tetrahydro-1 H-fluoren-9(9aW)-one (55b)
  • Example 58 To a solution of the product of Example 58 (32 mg, 0.13 mmol) in methanol (2 mL) was added sodium borohydride (42 mg, 1 .1 mmol). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 46 hours. Water (20 mL) was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (15 mL x 4). The combined organic phase was washed with brine (30 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure.
  • sodium borohydride 42 mg, 1 .1 mmol
  • Example 41 To the product of Example 41 (50 mg, 0.21 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran at -78 °C under argon was added 1 M borane in tetrahydrofuran (1.7 mL, 1.7 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at for 10 minutes after which time it was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for an additional 20 hours. The reaction was cooled to 0 °C, ethanol was added to quench the reaction, and to the reaction mixture was added a solution of aqueous sodium hydroxide (136.2 mg in 2.4 mL water) and then 30% hydrogen peroxide (1.26 mL) were added with stirring.
  • aqueous sodium hydroxide 136.2 mg in 2.4 mL water
  • Example 61 ( ⁇ )-(4aft,9aS)-6-chloro-1 ,1 ,4a-trimethy l-2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro- 1W-fluoren-9(9aW)-one
  • Example 60 To a mixture of the product of Example 60 (50 mg, 0.19 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (16 mg, 0.38 mmol) in dichloromethane (5 mL) at 0 °C was added Dess-Martin periodinane (160.2 mg, 0.38 mmol). The reaction was stirred at 0 °C for 30 minutes after which time it was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. Hydrochloric acid (2 mL, 5%) was added to quench the reaction which was then extracted with ethyl acetate (20 mL x 3).
  • Examples 64a and 64b ( ⁇ )-(4aR,9aS)-5-chloro-1 ,1 ,4a,6-tetramethyl- 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H-fluoren-9(9aH)-one (64a) and (+)-(4aK,9aS)-7- chloro-1 ,1 ,4a,6-tetramethyl-2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1 H-fluoren-9(9aW)-one (64b)
  • Example 63 The product of Example 63 (162 mg, 0.59 mmol) was added to methanesulfonic acid (2 mL) and the mixture was stirred at 55 °C for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was added to ethyl acetate (50 mL) and the organic phase was washed with water (30 mL), then brine (30 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo.
  • Example 65 ( ⁇ )-(4aft,9 ?,9aS)-7-chloro-1 ,1 ,4a,6-tetramethyl-2,3 ,4,4a,9,9a- hexahydro-1 H-fluoren-9-ol
  • Example 64a To a stirred solution of the product of Example 64a (27 mg, 0.10 mmol) in methanol (2 mL) was added sodium borohydride (31 mg, 0.80 mmol). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The reaction was quenched by the addition of water (20 mL) and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (15 mL x 4). The combined organic phase was washed with brine (30 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo.
  • Example 66 ( ⁇ )-(4afl,9fl,9aS)-5-chloro-1 ,1 ,4a,6-tetramethyl-2,3,4,4a,9,9a hexahydro-1 W-fluoren-9-ol
  • Example 64b To a stirred solution of the product of Example 64b (39 mg 0.14 mmol) in methanol (2 mL) was added sodium borohydride (42 mg, 1.1 1 mmol). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 60 hours. Water (20 mL) was added to quench the reaction and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (15 mL x 4). The combined organic phase was washed with brine (30 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure.
  • sodium borohydride 42 mg, 1.1 1 mmol
  • Example 70 ( ⁇ )-(4aR,9R,9aS)-7-fluoro-6-methoxy-1 ,1 ,4a-trimethyl- 2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1 H-fluoren-9-ol
  • Example 69 To a stirred solution of the product of Example 69 (68 mg, 0.25 mmol) in methanol (2 mL) was added sodium borohydride (38 mg, 1.0 mmol). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours after which time additional sodium borohydride (38 mg, 1.0 mmol) was added. The reaction was stirred overnight. Water (20 mL) was added to quench the reaction and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (15 mL x 4). The combined organic phase was washed with brine (30 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo.
  • Example 71 ( ⁇ )-(thiophen-2-yl(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1 -enyl)methanol
  • thiophen-2-ylmagnesium bromide (2M in tetrahydrofuran, 6.6 mL, 13.13 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (7 mL) at -78 °C was added a tetrahydrofuran solution (10 mL) of 2,6,6-trimethyicyclohex-1- enecarbaldehyde (1 g, 6.57 mmol) drop wise over 5 minutes.
  • the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred overnight.
  • Example 72 thiophen-2-yl(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1 -enyl)methanone
  • Example 72 To the product of Example 72 (100 mg, 0.427 mmol) was added methanesulfonic acid (1.5 mL) and the mixture was stirred at 50 °C for 2 hours. Water (10 mL) was added to the reaction mixture and it was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 10 mL). The combined organic phase was washed with brine (5 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography to give the title compound as a white solid (75 mg, Yield: 75%).
  • Example 73 To a solution of the product of Example 73 (55 mg, 0.24 mmol) in methanol (2 mL) and tetrahydrofuran (1 mL) at 0 °C was added sodium borohydride (71 mg, 1.88 mmol) portion wise. The mixture was warmed to room temperature stirred for approximately 48 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was partitioned between water and ethyl acetate (20 mL). The aqueous phase was extracted with additional ethyl acetate (20 mL) and the combined organic phase was washed with brine (10 mL), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure.
  • 3-Bromothiophene (0.978 g, 6.0 mmol) was dissolved in dry hexane (9 mL). n-Butyl lithium (3.75 mL, 6.0 mmol) was added slowly at -40 °C. Tetrahydrofuran (0.9 mL) was then slowly added to this mixture at -40 °C, during which time a white solid precipitated. Then more hexane (5 mL) was added. A solution of 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-l-enecarbaldehyde (609 mg, 4.0 mmol) in dry hexane (3 mL) was added slowly at this temperature and the reaction was then allowed to warm gradually to room temperature and stirred for 1 hour.
  • Example 71 To a solution of the product of Example 71 (100 mg, 0.423 mmol) in dichloromethane (6 mL) at 0 °C under argon was added stannic chloride (165 mg, 0.64 mmol). The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred for 2 hours. Water (10 mL) was added to the reaction mixture and then it was extracted with diethyl ether (3 x 0 mL). The combined organic phase was washed with brine (5 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography to afford the title compound as a pale yellow solid (73 mg, Yield: 79%,).
  • Example 78 ( ⁇ )-(3b ?,7aS,8/?)-3b,7,7-trimethyl-4,5,6,7,7a,8-hexahydro- 3bH-indeno[2,1 -b]thiophen-8-ol
  • Example 77 To 1 M borane in tetrahydrofuran (2.23 mL, 2.23 mmol) at -78 °C under argon was added the product of Example 77 (60 mg, 0.28 mmol) and the reaction stirred at that temperature for 10 minutes after which time it was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirring was continued for 20 hours. The mixture was cooled to 0 °C and then 95% ethanol was added to quench the reaction and then a solution of sodium hydroxide (180 mg) in 3.2 mL water and the 1.68 mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide were added slowly with stirring. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirring was continued for 2 hours.
  • the reaction mixture was poured into saturated aqueous ammonium chloride, and then extracted with diethyl ether (20 mL x 3). The combined organic phase was washed with water (10 mL x 2), then brine (20 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography to afford the title compound as a white solid (35 mg, Yield: 53%).
  • Examples 80a and 80b ( ⁇ )-(4R,4aS,8aR)-5,5,8a-trimethyl-4a,5,6,7,8,8a- exahydro-4H-indeno[1,2-b]thiophen-4-ol (80a) and (+)-(4S,4aS,8aR)- 4a,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-4a,5,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-4A/-indeno[1,2-b]thiophen- 4-ol (80b)
  • Example 81a furan-3-yl(2,6,6-trimethy lcyclohex-1 -eny l)methanol
  • Example 81a To a solution of the product of Example 81a (220.0 mg, 1.0 mmol) in dichloromethane (3.0 ml_) cooled to 0 °C was added sodium bicarbonate (84 mg, 1.0 mmol) and Dess-Martin periodinane (848.0 mg, 2.0 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 1 hour, then warmed to room temperature and stirred for an additional 2 hours.
  • reaction mixture was quenched with the addition of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (20 ml_) and then extracted with dichloromethane, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, then purified by silica gel column chromatography (eluent: petroleum ether/ethyl acetate from 50:1 -> 40:1) to afford the title compound as a yellow solid (170.2 mg, Yield: 77%).
  • Example 82 (ti ⁇ aS.ea ⁇ -S ⁇ .ea-trimethyMa.S.e .e.ea-hexah dro ⁇ W- indeno[1 ,2-6]furan-4-one
  • Example 82 To a solution of the product of Example 82 (33.9 mg, 0.16 mmol) in methanol at 0 °C was added sodium borohydride (17.6 mg, 0.47 mmol). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours and then the solution was stirred at 50 °C for 2 hours. The reaction was quenched by the addition of water (2 ml_) and then the volatiles were evaporated under reduced pressure, was The residue was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo.
  • Example 84 furan-2-yl(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl)methanone
  • Example 84a furan-2-yl(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl)methanol
  • Example 84a (10.0 mL) was added the product of Example 84a (220 mg, 1.0 mmol) and the mixture was stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was filtered, and then concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to afford the title compound as a white solid (120 mg, Yield: 55% yield).
  • Example 87 To a solution of the product of Example 87 (74 mg, 0.35 mmol) in methanol (3 mL) was added sodium borohydride (40 mg, 1.05 mmol), stirred at room temperature for 2 days. The reaction was quenched with water (2 mL) and mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. The aqueous residue was extracted with ethyl acetate (30 mL x 3) and the combined organic phase was washed with water (20 mL), then brine (20 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography to give the title compound as a yellow oil (23 mg, Yield: 30%).
  • Example 88 To a mixture of the product of Example 88 (20 mg, 0.087 mmol) and potassium carbonate (30 mg, 0.21 mmol) in acetonitrile (4 mL) was added methyl iodide (210 mg, 1.5 mmol) and the reaction was heated and stirred at reflux for 3 hours. After cooling to room temperature the reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and then diluted with ethyl acetate (60 mL). The organic phase was washed with water (10 m L x 2), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (10 mL x 2), brine (20 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo.
  • Example 91 To a mixture of the product of Example 91 (50 mg, 0.23 mmol) and potassium carbonate (77.14 mg, 0.56 mmol) in acetonitrile (4 mL) was added methyl iodide (554 mg, 3.91 mmol) and the reaction was stirred at reflux for 3 hours. The volatiles were evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue diluted with ethyl acetate (60 mL). The organic phase was washed with water (10 mL x 2), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (10 mL x 2), and brine (20 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure.
  • Example 93a 6-methoxy-1,1 ,4a-trimethyl-2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H- carbazole
  • Example 93a To the product of Example 93a (240 mg, 0.21 mmol) in methanol (10 mL) was added sodium borohyd de (113 mg, 0.62 mmol), stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and then quenched with water (2 mL). The aqueous residue was extracted with ethyl acetate (30 mL x 3) and the combined organic phase was washed with water (20 mL), brine (20 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography to afford the title compound as white solid. (180 mg, Yield: 74%).
  • Example 95 (3-methoxyphenyl)(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl)methanol
  • 3-methoxyphenyl)magnesium bromide 1.0 M in tetrahydrofuran
  • a solution of 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enecarbaldehyde (609 mg, 4.0 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (10 mL).
  • the reaction mixture was warmed gradually to room temperature and stirred for additional 5 hours.
  • the mixture was cooled down to 0 °C and saturated ammonium chloride (30 mL) was added slowly followed by addition of water (20 mL).
  • Examples 98a and 98b ( ⁇ )-(4aR,9S,9aS)-7-methoxy-1 ,1 ,4a-trimethyl- 2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-fluoren-9-ol (98a) and ( ⁇ )-(4aR,9R,9aS)-7- methoxy-1,1,4a-trimethyl-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1W-fluoren-9-ol (98b) To a stirred solution of the product of Example 97 (63 mg, 0.24 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (3 mL) was added lithium aluminum hydride (73 mg, 1.92 mmol).
  • Example 100 To a solution of the product of Example 100 (160 mg, 0.5 mmol) in dichloromethane (3 mL) at 0 °C was added sodium bicarbonate (42 mg, 0.5 mmol) and Dess-Martin periodinane (424 mg, 1.0 mmol). The reaction was stirred for 0.5 hours and then allowed to warmed to room temperature and stirred for an additional 2 hours. The mixture was poured onto the 2N HCI and extracted with dichloromethane (150 mL). The organic layer was washed by saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (50 mL x 2) and brine (50 mL x 2), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure.
  • sodium bicarbonate 42 mg, 0.5 mmol
  • Dess-Martin periodinane 424 mg, 1.0 mmol
  • Example 41 The product of Example 41 (50 mg, 0.21 mmol) was added to 1 M borane in tetrahydrofuran (1.7 mL, 1.7 mmol) at -78 °C under argon, and the reaction mixture was stirred at that temperature for 10 minutes and then it was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 20 hours. The mixture was cooled to 0 °C and 95% ethanol was added to quench the reaction and then a solution of sodium hydroxide (136.2 mg) in water (2.4 mL) and 30% hydrogen peroxide (1.26 mL) were sequentially added slowly with stirring.
  • Example 102 6-fluoro-1 ,1 ,4a-trimethyl-2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1 H-carbazole
  • Example 104 (4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1- enyl)methanone
  • Example 105 ( ⁇ )-(4a ?,9aS)-6-methoxy-1,1 ,4a,7-tetramethyl-2,3,4,4a- tetrahydro-1 tf-fluoren-9(9atf)-one
  • Example 107 To a solution of the product of Example 107 (160 mg, 0.54 mmol) in dichloromethane (3.0 mL) at 0 °C was added sodium bicarbonate (45.4 mg, 0.54 mmol) and Dess-Martin periodinane (454.8 mg, 1.08 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 1 hour and, then stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. To the reaction mixture was quenched with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (40 mL) and then extracted with dichloromethane, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure.
  • sodium bicarbonate 45.4 mg, 0.54 mmol
  • Dess-Martin periodinane 454.8 mg, 1.08 mmol
  • Example 109 ( ⁇ )-(4a ?,9aS)-1 ,1 ,4a-trimethy l-e-ftrifluoromethyl ⁇ .S ⁇ a- tetrahydro-1 H-fluoren-9(9aH)-one
  • Example 110 (3-fluoropheny l)(2,6,6-trimethy lcyclohex-1 -enyl)methanol

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
  • Acyclic And Carbocyclic Compounds In Medicinal Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des compositions convenant au traitement d'états ophtalmiques en lien avec une mauvaise localisation de protéines de la famille des opsines, en lien avec une erreur de pliage de chaînes de protéines mutantes de la famille des opsines, et en lien avec la production de produits toxiques du cycle visuel s'accumulant dans l'œil. L'invention concerne également, non seulement des compositions mettant en œuvre ces composés, soit seuls, soit associés à d'autres agents thérapeutiques, mais aussi des procédés thérapeutiques d'utilisation de telles compositions. L'invention concerne enfin des procédés permettant de réaliser la synthèse de tels composés.
PCT/US2011/001028 2010-06-07 2011-06-07 Ligands se liant aux opsines, compositions, et procédés d'utilisation Ceased WO2011155983A1 (fr)

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WO2013058809A1 (fr) * 2011-10-19 2013-04-25 Bikam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ligands de liaison à une opsine, compositions et procédés d'utilisation
WO2012134971A3 (fr) * 2011-03-25 2014-05-01 Bikam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ligands liant l'opsine, compositions et procédés d'utilisation
US9266892B2 (en) 2012-12-19 2016-02-23 Incyte Holdings Corporation Fused pyrazoles as FGFR inhibitors
US9388185B2 (en) 2012-08-10 2016-07-12 Incyte Holdings Corporation Substituted pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyrazines as FGFR inhibitors
US9533984B2 (en) 2013-04-19 2017-01-03 Incyte Holdings Corporation Bicyclic heterocycles as FGFR inhibitors
US9533954B2 (en) 2010-12-22 2017-01-03 Incyte Corporation Substituted imidazopyridazines and benzimidazoles as inhibitors of FGFR3
US9580423B2 (en) 2015-02-20 2017-02-28 Incyte Corporation Bicyclic heterocycles as FGFR4 inhibitors
US9611267B2 (en) 2012-06-13 2017-04-04 Incyte Holdings Corporation Substituted tricyclic compounds as FGFR inhibitors
US9708318B2 (en) 2015-02-20 2017-07-18 Incyte Corporation Bicyclic heterocycles as FGFR4 inhibitors
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US10611762B2 (en) 2017-05-26 2020-04-07 Incyte Corporation Crystalline forms of a FGFR inhibitor and processes for preparing the same
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US11897891B2 (en) 2019-12-04 2024-02-13 Incyte Corporation Tricyclic heterocycles as FGFR inhibitors
US11939331B2 (en) 2021-06-09 2024-03-26 Incyte Corporation Tricyclic heterocycles as FGFR inhibitors
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US12065494B2 (en) 2021-04-12 2024-08-20 Incyte Corporation Combination therapy comprising an FGFR inhibitor and a Nectin-4 targeting agent
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US12428420B2 (en) 2021-06-09 2025-09-30 Incyte Corporation Tricyclic heterocycles as FGFR inhibitors

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