The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted in XML format via the USPTO patent electronic filing system and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said XML file, created on Jan. 17, 2024, is named 200062US02.xml and is 408 kilobytes in size.
The invention relates to a compound comprising a GLP-1 receptor agonist and an amylin receptor agonist. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical formulation, suitable for but not limited to oral administration, which comprises such a compound. The compound and pharmaceutical formulation comprising it may be used for the medical treatment of subjects with overweight or obesity, with or without associated comorbidities; diabetes with or without associated comorbidities; cardiovascular diseases, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cognitive impairment, such as that caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Overweight and obesity are the abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat that present a risk to an individual's overall health. A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and a BMI of over 30 is considered obese. Obesity is a leading risk factor in a large number of serious conditions, including type 2 diabetes and its associated co-morbidities, and cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke, which are the leading causes of death worldwide. Obesity is now recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an issue that has grown to epidemic proportion, even in children: in 2016, 1.9 billion adults worldwide were reportedly obese; in 2019, 38.3 million children under the age of 5 worldwide were reportedly obese. According to the WHO, 422 million people worldwide have diabetes and 1.6 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year. There is, therefore, a huge incentive for the individual, as well as society, to try to prevent and/or treat obesity.
When diet and exercise alone do not suffice in reducing the body mass index (BMI) of an obese individual to an acceptable level, treatment with pharmaceutical drugs such as liraglutide, orlistat and naltrexone-bupropion have been shown to cause some weight loss. Nonetheless, bariatric surgery has proven necessary in many cases. While bariatric surgery is currently the most effective treatment in terms of obtaining long-term weight loss, it is an invasive procedure associated with high risk to the patient and high cost. Therefore, an efficacious and minimally invasive treatment would be a significant improvement in the treatment of obesity.
Amylin is a 37-amino acid long polypeptide hormone that is produced in and co-secreted with insulin from the pancreatic beta (β)-cell. Endogenous amylin has a half-life of approximately 15-20 minutes. It produces its effects in several different organ systems, primarily acting via amylin receptors 1-3 (AMYR1-3). Amylin is an important regulator of energy metabolism in health and disease, inhibiting glucagon secretion, delaying gastric emptying, signalling satiety and suppressing appetite. Other amylin actions have also been reported, such as on the cardiovascular system and on bone.
Clinical studies have shown that amylin receptor agonists may be useful for the treatment of overweight, obesity, type 1 diabetes and/or type 2 diabetes. Currently, there is one product on the market (Symlin®) which contains an amylin receptor agonist (pramlintide acetate) as the active pharmaceutical ingredient. Symlin®, a liquid pharmaceutical formulation for subcutaneous administration, is approved for use in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who use basal and mealtime insulin and have failed to achieve desired glycemic control, despite optimal insulin therapy. Pramlintide for use in overweight and obese patients was also investigated in the clinic. Pramlintide has a short biological half-life (less than 1 hour), necessitating administration thrice daily. Consequently, there is a large diurnal difference in the pramlintide plasma levels of patients treated with it.
GLP-1 is a 30 or 31-amino acid polypeptide hormone that is synthesised and secreted from enteroendocrine L-cells. GLP-1 is an incretin, decreasing blood sugar levels in a glucose-dependent manner by enhancing the secretion of insulin. Endogenous GLP-1 is rapidly degraded, primarily by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), resulting in a half-life of approximately 2 minutes.
Several marketed products containing a GLP-1 receptor agonist as the active pharmaceutical ingredient are approved for use in individuals with type 2 diabetes. These include dulaglutide (Trulicity®), exenatide (Byetta®, Bydureon®), liraglutide (Victoza®), lixisenatide (Lyxumia®) and semaglutide (Ozempic®).
Semaglutide is the first GLP-1 receptor agonist to be approved in the form of a tablet (Rybelsus®). It is safe and effective as a monotherapy, and as add-on pharmacological therapy, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Two marketed products containing a GLP-1 receptor agonist as the active pharmaceutical ingredient are approved for use in individuals who are overweight or obese and have at least one weight-related co-morbidity: liraglutide (Saxenda®) and semaglutide (Wegovy®). The maximum efficacy that can be achieved with a GLP-1 receptor agonist is limited by tolerability. At increasing doses, side-effects such as nausea and vomiting become increasingly pronounced. Amylin receptor agonist therapy is limited by tolerability in much the same way as GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy (and by similar side-effects such as nausea and vomiting). There has been a similar desire to be able to prolong the action of amylin.
A fixed-dose combination of an amylin receptor agonist, cagrilintide, and a GLP-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide, is currently under investigation for the treatment of overweight and obesity (Lancet 2021; 397: 1736-48). The drug products being investigated are separate liquid pharmaceutical formulations for subcutaneous use. A clinical trial has demonstrated that a combination of semaglutide and cagrilintide induced a greater weight loss in obese patients than the maximal approved dose of semaglutide monotherapy, without resulting in a significant worsening of the side-effect profile.
Whilst current therapy options and investigatory drugs provide promise, individuals with overweight, obesity and/or associated comorbidities can, at best, hope to be treated with injectable pharmaceutical formulations or medications with modest efficacy. There still remains a need in the art for a more efficacious medicament, which does not simultaneously result in a proportionally increased level of side-effects and which is suitable for oral administration.
Disclosed herein is a GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist comprising a polypeptide (R1) according to Formula I:
Z1-Z2-Z3,
Disclosed herein is a GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist comprising a polypeptide (R1) according to Formula I:
Z1-Z2-Z3,
Disclosed herein is said GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist, further comprising 1-3 protraction moieties attached via the 1-3 lysine residues.
One preferred compound is “compound 0111”, that is: H-Aib-EGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGR-K([2-[2-[2-[[2-[2-[2-[[(4S)-4-carboxy-4-(17-carboxyheptadecanoylamino)butanoyl]amino]ethoxy]ethoxy]acetyl]amino]ethoxy]ethoxy]ace tyl])-GGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP-amide (see
Disclosed herein is a GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist for use as a medicament. Disclosed herein is a GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist for use in the treatment of subjects with; an initial body mass index (BMI) of 27 or more, such as 30 or more, optionally in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity; diabetes, optionally in the presence of at least one comorbidity, cardiovascular disease, non-steroidal steatohepatitis and/or cognitive impairment, such as that caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Disclosed herein is a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
SEQ ID NO: 1 represents the amino acid sequence of human GLP-1(7-37).
SEQ ID NOs: 2-78 represent the amino acid sequences of exemplified GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide backbones.
SEQ ID NOs: 79-88 represent the amino acid sequences of exemplified amylin receptor agonist peptide backbones.
SEQ ID NOs: 89-116 represent the amino acid sequences of exemplified optional peptide linkers.
SEQ ID NOs: 117-236 represent the amino acid sequences of exemplified GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist polypeptide backbones.
SEQ ID NO: 237 represents the amino acid sequence of human glucagon.
SEQ ID NO: 238 represents the amino acid sequence of a GLP-1 receptor agonist (peptide Z1) according to Formula II.
SEQ ID NO: 239 represents the amino acid sequence of optional peptide linker Z2.
SEQ ID NO: 240 represents the amino acid sequence of an amylin receptor agonist (peptide Z3) according to Formula III.
SEQ ID NOs: 241-245 represent the amino acid sequences of the polypeptide backbones within exemplified comparator compounds.
SEQ ID NO: 246 represents the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide backbone within semaglutide.
SEQ ID NO: 247 represents the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide backbone within pramlintide.
SEQ ID NO: 248 represents the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide backbone within cagrilintide.
SEQ ID NO: 249 represents the amino acid sequence of salmon calcitonin.
SEQ ID NO: 250 represents the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide backbone within compound 1806.
SEQ ID NOs: 251-254 represent the amino acid sequences of the polypeptide backbones within exemplified comparator compounds.
SEQ ID NO: 255 represents the amino acid sequence of a GLP-1 receptor agonist (peptide Z1) according to Formula II.
SEQ ID NO: 256 represents the amino acid sequence of an amylin receptor agonist (peptide Z3) according to Formula III.
The current invention relates to a compound comprising an amylin receptor agonist and a GLP-1 receptor agonist. The compound disclosed herein is capable of activating or “agonising” both the GLP-1 receptor and the amylin receptor system: it is a “GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist”. The compound may further comprise one, two or three protraction moieties.
The compound disclosed herein may be a potent GLP-1 receptor agonist.
The compound disclosed herein may be a potent amylin receptor agonist.
The compound disclosed herein may provide a similar level of activation of both receptor systems; that is, it may be “balanced”. Relatively “balanced” receptor activation is advantageous because the relative ratio of the compound's GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist portions is locked to the molecule; it is not possible to titrate the two receptor agonists, relative to one another. Ultimately, where a molecule is “balanced”, it may be dosed such that both hormone systems are activated without side-effects outweighing benefits.
A compound that is highly potent on one receptor and much less potent on the other would be “unbalanced”. For example, a compound that were highly potent on the GLP-1 receptor (for example, having an EC50 value of <50 pM) and considerably less potent on the amylin receptor system (for example, having an EC50 value of >200 pM) would be “unbalanced”; that is, it would be likely to behave as a GLP-1 receptor agonist only. Such a compound would be unable to achieve optimal efficacy from both hormone systems because side-effects arising from activation of the GLP-1 receptor would prevent administration of a dose sufficiently high to achieve activation of the amylin hormone system as well. The opposite situation might occur if the compound were highly potent on the amylin receptor (for example, having an EC50 value of <50 pM) and considerably less potent on the GLP-1 receptor (for example, having an EC50 value of >200 pM).
Furthermore, the compounds disclosed herein have a long half-life compared to their native ligands. The compound disclosed herein may possess a long biological half-life, relative to dosing interval, thus reducing the variability in steady state exposure.
The compound disclosed herein may be orally bioavailable, hence suitable for oral administration of subjects in need thereof.
Both the polypeptide backbone and the protraction moiety have been engineered and refined in order to achieve a compound having all of the above properties.
A “receptor agonist” or “agonist” is a ligand, such as a compound, that binds to and activates a biological receptor to produce a biological response. A full agonist may be defined as being one that elicits a response of the same magnitude as the natural ligand (see e.g. “Principles of Biochemistry”, A L Lehninger, DL Nelson, MM Cox, Second Edition, Worth Publishers, 1993, page 763). Receptors can be activated by either endogenous agonists, such as endogenous hormones, or exogenous agonists, such as pharmaceutical drugs.
In the context of the current invention, a “co-agonist” is a compound comprising two different ligands, each of which binds to a given biological receptor to produce a biological response that is characteristic of the natural ligand. The co-agonists disclosed herein are herein referred to as “GLP-1-amylin co-agonists” or “GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonists”.
The compound disclosed herein is a “GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist” or “GLP-1-amylin receptor co-agonist”. The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist comprises a GLP-1 receptor agonist, an optional peptide linker and an amylin receptor agonist. The GLP-1 receptor agonist component binds to and activates the GLP-1 receptor and the amylin receptor agonist component binds to and activates at least the human amylin 3 receptor (AMYR3).
The molecular format may be a single chain polypeptide backbone comprising one, two or three lysine (Lys, K) residues. The molecular format may be a single chain polypeptide backbone comprising one, two or three cysteine (Cys, C) residues. The molecular format may be a single chain polypeptide backbone comprising one, two or three lysine (Lys, K) and/or cysteine (Cys, C) residues. The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may further comprise 1-3 protraction moieties. A protraction moiety may be covalently bound to said lysine (Lys, K) or cysteine (Cys, C) residue(s).
The amide moiety at the C-terminus of the amylin receptor agonist must be free in order for the amylin receptor agonist to retain maximal bioactivity. Hence, the C-terminal residue of the GLP-1 receptor agonist is covalently linked to the N-terminal residue of either the optional peptide linker or the amylin receptor agonist and the N-terminal residue of the amylin receptor agonist is covalently linked to the C-terminal of either the optional peptide linker or the GLP-1 receptor agonist. When present, the peptide linker comprises 1-30 naturally occurring amino acids.
The polypeptide backbone of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may comprise 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues. The polypeptide backbone of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may comprise 1 or 2 lysine residues. The polypeptide backbone of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may comprise 1 lysine residue.
The polypeptide backbone of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may comprise 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues. The polypeptide backbone of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may comprise 1 or 2 cysteine residues. The polypeptide backbone of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may comprise 1 cysteine residue.
The polypeptide backbone of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may herein be referred to as “R1” and described by Formula I:
Z1-Z2-Z3,
wherein Z1 is a GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide, Z2 is an optional peptide linker and Z3 is an amylin receptor agonist peptide.
Z1 may comprise a maximum of 9 amino acid modifications, relative to wild type GLP-1 (7-37) (SEQ ID NO: 1). The C-terminus of Z1 is attached either to Z2, when Z2 is present, or to Z3, when Z2 is absent.
Z2 is an optional peptide linker. When present, its N-terminus is attached to the C-terminus of Z1 and its C-terminus is attached to the N-terminus of Z3.
Z3 may comprise a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The C-terminus of Z3 is modified with an amide group. The N-terminus of Z3 is attached to the C-terminus of Z2, when Z2 is present, or to the C-terminus of Z1, when Z2 is absent.
Z1-Z2-Z3 comprises one, two or three lysine and/or cysteine residues. Each lysine and/or cysteine residue may be covalently bound to a protraction moiety, which may be referred to herein as “R2-R3”, wherein “R2” is an optional linker and “R3” is a protractor.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may exhibit a variety of properties rendering it useful as a medicament, as described herein.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may be potent on the GLP-1 receptor and on the amylin receptor. The in vitro potency of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist on the GLP-1 receptor and on the amylin-3 receptor may be measured as described in Assays 1 and 2, respectively. The potency of the compound may be described by means of its EC50 values. EC50 represents the concentration of compound upon which 50% of its maximal effect is observed. The lower the EC50 value, the more potent the compound.
When tested as described in Assay 1, the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may have an EC50 value of less than 300 pM, such as less than 200 pM, such as less than 150 pM, preferably less than 100 pM, such as less than 75 pM, even more preferably less than 50 pM, such as less than 40 pM, such as less than 30 pM, such as less than 20 pM, such as less than 10 pM.
When tested as described in Assay 2, the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may have an EC50 value of less than 300 pM, such as less than 200 pM, such as less than 150 pM, preferably less than 100 pM, such as less than 75 pM, preferably less than 50 pM, such as less than 40 pM, such as less than 30 pM, such as less than 20 pM, such as less than 10 pM.
The in vivo pharmacology, including half-life, of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist described herein may be assessed as described in Examples 4 and 5.
The half-life of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist in animal subjects may be as long as 125 hours, or longer. The half-life of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist in animal subjects may be at least 4 hours. The half-life of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may be more than 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120 hours. The half-life of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may be 15-60 hours, such as 20-55 hours, such as 25-50 hours.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may be orally bioavailable; that is, present in the bloodstream following per oral administration.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may reduce food intake in a subject. Administration of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may result in an acute reduction in the intake of food. The in vivo effect of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist on food intake in rats may be assessed as described in Example 5. Administration of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may result in a food intake in rats, relative to vehicle, which is 0-90%, such as 0-80%, such as 0-70%, such as 0-60%, preferably 0-50%, even more preferably 0-40%, within 0-24 hours after a single subcutaneous injection of 10 nmol/kg of said co-agonist, wherein a food intake of 0% relative to vehicle means that the rat does not eat. Administration of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may result in a food intake in rats, relative to vehicle, which is 0-90%, such as 0-80%, such as 0-70%, such as 0-60%, preferably 0-50%, even more preferably 0-40%, within 24-48 hours after a single subcutaneous injection of 10 nmol/kg of said co-agonist, wherein a food intake of 0% relative to vehicle means that the rat does not eat.
The term “GLP-1” or “native GLP-1” herein refers to human Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1(7-37)), shown in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NO: 1. In the sequence listing, the amino acid residues are consecutively numbered 1-31. Therefore, the first amino acid in wild type human GLP-1(7-37)—that is, the N-terminal histidine—is number “1” in SEQ ID NO: 1.
The compounds disclosed herein comprise a GLP-1 receptor agonist. A “GLP-1 receptor agonist” may be defined as a ligand which is capable of binding to the GLP-1 receptor and producing a biological response similar to that of the natural ligand, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). A “full” GLP-1 receptor agonist may be defined as a GLP-1 receptor agonist which is capable of eliciting a biological response of the same magnitude as GLP-1.
Semaglutide, disclosed in WO2006/097537, Example 4, is an example of an exogenous GLP-1 receptor agonist.
The GLP-1 receptor agonist must have a free N-terminus. Therefore, the compounds disclosed herein comprise a GLP-1 receptor agonist which is attached to either the optional peptide or the amylin receptor agonist at its C-terminus.
The GLP-1 receptor agonist comprises polypeptide “Z1”.
The compound disclosed herein may comprise a GLP-1 receptor agonist which is a polypeptide variant of GLP-1(7-37) (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may be a derivative of a polypeptide variant of GLP-1(7-37).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 9 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 9 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 9 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 8 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 8 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 8 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 6 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 6 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 6 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 5 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 5 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 5 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 4 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 4 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 4 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 3 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 3 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 3 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 2 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 2 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 2 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 9 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 9 amino acid modifications relative to wild type human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 9 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 8 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 8 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 8 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 6 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 6 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 6 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 5 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 5 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 5 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 4 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 4 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 4 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 3 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 3 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 3 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 2 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 2 amino acid modifications relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 2 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a phenylalanine residue (Phe, F), tryptophan (Trp, W) or tyrosine (Tyr, Y) residue at position 28 relative to the amino acid sequence and numbering of human GLP-1(7-37). Relative to SEQ ID NO: 1, the numbering is shifted by −6, as shown in Formula II, SEQ ID NO: 238 and SEQ ID NO: 255. Hence, the GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a phenylalanine residue (Phe, F), tryptophan (Trp, W) or tyrosine (Tyr, Y) residue at position 22, relative to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 238 or SEQ ID NO: 255. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may not comprise an isoleucine (lie, 1) at position 22, relative to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 238 or SEQ ID NO: 255.
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise an isoleucine (Ile, I) leucine (Leu, L) or valine (Val, V) residue at position 29, relative to the amino acid sequence and numbering of human GLP-1(7-37). Relative to SEQ ID NO: 1, the numbering is shifted by −6, as shown in Formula II and SEQ ID NO: 238. Hence, the GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise an isoleucine (Ile, I) leucine (Leu, L) or valine (Val, V) residue at position 23, relative to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 238 or SEQ ID NO: 255.
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise an Imp (imidazopropionyl or deamino histidine) of formula Chem. 1 at position 7, relative to the amino acid sequence and numbering of human GLP-1(7-37). Relative to SEQ ID NO: 1, the numbering is shifted by −6, as shown in Formula II and SEQ ID NO: 238.
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise an Aib (alpha (α)-aminoisobutyryl, α-aminoisobutyric acid or α-methylalanine) of formula Chem. 2 at position 8, relative to the relative to the amino acid sequence and numbering of human GLP-1(7-37). Relative to SEQ ID NO: 1, the numbering is shifted by −6, as shown in Formula II and SEQ ID NO: 238.
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may comprise a lysine (Lys, K) residue at any one of positions 9, 10, 12, 16, 17, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30 or 31, relative to SEQ ID NO: 238 or SEQ ID NO: 255.
The GLP-1 receptor agonist disclosed herein may have Formula II, depicted in the sequence listing (SEQ ID NO: 238) as follows:
wherein
The skilled person often refers to the amino acid modifications of a GLP-1 receptor agonist by reference to the standard human, wild-type GLP-1(7-37) nomenclature. In the literature, the first amino acid in GLP-1(7-37) is referred to as being number 7, and subsequent amino acid residues are numbered accordingly, ending with a glycine at number 37.
Therefore, the skilled person might number the residues in Formula II as follows, Xaa1 of Formula II corresponding to Xaa7 in GLP-1(7-37), and so on:
wherein:
The GLP-1 receptor agonist disclosed herein may have Formula II, depicted in the sequence listing (SEQ ID NO: 255) as follows:
wherein
The GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide (Z1) may be described by reference to sequences in the sequence listing. The GLP-1 receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may comprise a GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide (Z1) which is selected from any one of those depicted in SEQ ID NOs 2-78.
The GLP-1 receptor agonists disclosed herein agonise, or activate, the GLP-1 receptor. This term refers to the ability to bind to the GLP-1 receptor and initiate a signal transduction pathway resulting in insulinotropic action or other physiological effects as is known in the art. The GLP-receptor agonists disclosed herein may be tested for GLP-1 receptor activation as described in Examples 2 (in vitro), 4 and 5 (in vivo).
The more potent the compound, the lower its EC50 value. A compound is considered a highly potent GLP-1 receptor agonist when its EC50 value is below approximately 50 pM. A compound is considered to have medium potency when its EC50 value is 50-250 pM. A compound is considered to have a poorer potency when its EC50 value value is 250-1000 pM. A compound is considered inactive when its EC50 value is above 1000 pM.
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay (see Assay 1) of about 300 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 200 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 150 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 100 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 90 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 80 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 70 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 60 pM or less. Preferably, the GLP-1 receptor agonist has an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 50 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 40 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 30 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 25 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 20 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 19 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 18 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 17 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 16 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 15 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 14 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 13 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 12 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 11 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 10 pM or less. The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human GLP-1 receptor functional assay of about 5 pM or less.
The GLP-1 receptor agonist may have a similar potency as semaglutide.
The term “amylin” herein refers to a polypeptide having the same amino acid sequence as an endogenous amylin, such as human amylin.
An amylin receptor agonist may activate or agonise the calcitonin receptor (CTR) and/or the amylin receptors (AMYRs). Amylin receptors consist of heterodimers of two components: the calcitonin receptor (CTR) and one of three receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMP1-3), resulting in three possible complexes, AMYR1-3. Unless otherwise specified herein, “amylin receptor” at least refers to amylin receptor 3 (AMYR3). Nonetheless, some cross-reactivity can be expected.
The compounds disclosed herein comprise an amylin receptor agonist. An “amylin receptor agonist” may be defined as a chemical entity which is capable of binding to the amylin receptor and is capable of activating it. In the context of the current invention, an “amylin receptor agonist” is capable of binding to and activating at least the AMYR3 complex. The amylin receptor agonist may also be capable of agonising the calcitonin receptor and AMYR1-2.
Examples of endogenous amylin receptor agonists are human amylin and human calcitonin. Examples of exogenous amylin receptor agonists are pramlintide and cagrilintide (disclosed in WO2012/168432).
The amylin receptor agonist disclosed herein comprises peptide “Z3”. The amylin receptor agonist disclosed herein comprises a C-terminal amide, which is essential for bioactivity.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 6 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 6 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 6 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 5 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 5 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 5 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 4 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 4 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 4 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 3 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 3 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 3 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and a maximum of 2 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and a maximum of 2 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and a maximum of 2 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 lysine residues and 1 amino acid modification, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 lysine residues and 1 amino acid modification, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 lysine residue and 1 modification, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 6 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 6 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 6 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 5 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 5 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 5 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 4 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 4 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 4 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 3 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 3 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 3 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and a maximum of 2 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and a maximum of 2 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and a maximum of 2 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 cysteine residues and 1 amino acid modification, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 or 2 cysteine residues and 1 amino acid modification, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide comprising 1 cysteine residue and 1 modification, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79.
The amylin receptor agonist may not comprise a proline at position 12, relative to SEQ ID NO: 240 or SEQ ID NO: 256.
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a lysine (Lys, K) residue at any one of positions 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 18, 20, 23 or 29 relative to SEQ ID NO: 240 or SEQ ID NO: 256.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may comprise an amylin receptor agonist according to Formula III (SEQ ID NO: 240):
wherein
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may comprise an amylin receptor agonist according to Formula III:
wherein
The amylin receptor agonist may comprise a polypeptide (Z3) represented by any one of SEQ ID NOs: 79-88. Hence, the polypeptide backbone of the amylin receptor agonist described herein (Z3) may be described by reference to sequences in the sequence listing.
The amylin receptor agonists disclosed herein agonise, or activate, the amylin receptors. The amylin agonists disclosed herein may be tested for amylin activity as described in Examples 2 (in vitro), 4 and 5 (in vivo).
The more potent the compound, the lower its EC50 value. A compound is considered a highly potent amylin-receptor agonist when its EC50 value is below 50 pM. A compound is considered to have medium potency when its EC50 value is 50-250 pM. A compound is considered to have a poorer potency when its EC50 value is 250-1000 pM. A compound is considered impotent when its EC50 value is above 1000 pM.
The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay (see Assay 2) of about 300 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 250 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 200 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 150 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 100 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 90 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 80 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 70 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 60 pM or less. Preferably, the amylin receptor agonist has an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 50 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 40 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 30 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC5 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 25 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 20 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 19 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 18 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 17 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 16 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 15 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 14 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 13 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 12 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 11 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 10 pM or less. The amylin receptor agonist may have an EC50 in a human amylin receptor functional assay of about 5 pM or less.
The amylin receptor agonist disclosed herein may have a similar potency as that of cagrilintide, pramlintide or amylin receptor agonist 1806.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist polypeptide backbone disclosed herein, R1, may comprise an optional peptide linker, Z2, which may be represented by Formula IV (SEQ ID NO: 239):
wherein Xaa1-30 is absent or is independently selected from any 7 naturally occurring, or canonical, amino acid residue(s).
Hence, the optional peptide linker may comprise 1-30 canonical amino acid residues. The optional peptide linker may comprise 1-25 canonical amino acid residues. The optional peptide linker may comprise 1-20 canonical amino acid residues, such as 1-15, 1-10 or 1-5 canonical amino acid residues.
In the context of the optional peptide linker, Xaa may be selected from any non-aromatic amino acid residue. Xaa may be a charged amino acid. Xaa may be a polar amino acid. Xaa may be a hydrophobic amino acid.
Xaa may be selected from the group consisting of alanine (Ala, A), cysteine (Cys, C), glutamic acid (E), glycine (G), isoleucine (Ile, I), lysine (Lys, K), glutamine (0), serine (S) and/or proline (Pro, P).
Xaa may be selected from the group consisting of alanine (A), glutamic acid (E), glycine (G), isoleucine (I), lysine (K), glutamine (0), serine (S) and/or proline (P).
The optional peptide linker (Z2) may be any one of the peptide linkers represented by SEQ ID NOs 89-116. The optional peptide linker (Z2) may be any one of the peptide linkers listed in Table 1. The optional peptide linker may be GGGGE.
The term “polypeptide” or “peptide”, as used herein, refers to a compound consisting of a series of amino acid residues that are interconnected by amide (or peptide) bonds.
The polypeptide backbone, of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist (R1) disclosed herein, typically comprises 60-85 amino acid residues linked together by peptide bonds. R1 comprises a peptide, Z1-Z2-Z3, which is a GLP-1 receptor agonist (Z1), an optional peptide linker (Z2) and a peptide which is an amylin receptor agonist (Z3).
Amino acids are molecules containing an amine group and a carboxylic acid group, and, optionally, one or more additional groups, often referred to as a side chain.
The term “amino acid” includes canonical amino acids (which are genetically encoded), and unnatural amino acids.
Non-limiting examples of unnatural amino acids are Aib (α-aminoisobutyric acid), deamino histidine (alternative name 3-(imidazol-4-yl)propanoic acid, abbreviated Imp (imidazopropionyl) and the D-isomers of the canonical amino acids.
All amino acid residues within the polypeptide for which the optical isomer is not stated is herein to be understood to mean the L-isomer, unless otherwise specified.
The GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide (Z1) disclosed herein may have a maximum of 9 amino acid modifications, relative to human GLP-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The amylin receptor agonist peptide (Z3) disclosed herein may have a maximum of 7 amino acid modifications, relative to SEQ ID NO: 79. Herein, “amino acid modification” refers to the substitution, addition or deletion of an amino acid at a given position in the reference sequence.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may further comprise one, two or three “protraction moieties”. A protraction moiety may be represented by the general formula “R2-R3”, in which R2 is an optional linker and R3 is a protractor. Each protraction moiety attaches to a lysine or a cysteine residue in the polypeptide backbone (R1) of the compound.
A protraction moiety may consist of one protractor.
A protraction moiety may comprise one linker and one protractor.
A protraction moiety may comprise one linker and two protractors.
When the linker (R2) is present, the protraction moiety attaches to the polypeptide backbone (R1) via R2. When the linker (R2) is absent, R3 attaches to the polypeptide backbone.
The protraction moiety (R2-R3) may attach to a lysine residue in the GLP-1 receptor agonist portion of the polypeptide backbone (the “Z1” in Z1-Z2-Z3). The protraction moiety may attach to a lysine residue in the optional peptide linker portion of the polypeptide backbone (the “Z2” in Z1-Z2-Z3). The protraction moiety may attach to a lysine residue in the amylin receptor agonist portion of the polypeptide backbone (the “Z3” in Z1-Z2-Z3). Where the protraction moiety attaches to a lysine residue via an amide linkage, the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist is considered to be “acylated”.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may comprise a single lysine residue, to which a single protraction moiety is attached.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may comprise two lysine residues and two protraction moieties. The compound disclosed herein may comprise two lysine residues and two identical protraction moieties.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may comprise three lysine residues and three protraction moieties. The compound disclosed herein may comprise three lysine residues and three identical protraction moieties.
The protraction moiety may attach to a cysteine residue in the GLP-1 receptor agonist portion of the polypeptide backbone (the “Z1” in Z1-Z2-Z3). The protraction moiety may attach to a cysteine residue in the optional peptide linker portion of the polypeptide backbone (the “Z2” in Z1-Z2-Z3). The protraction moiety may attach to a cysteine residue in the amylin receptor agonist portion of the polypeptide backbone (the “Z3” in Z1-Z2-Z3). Where the protraction moiety attaches to a cysteine residue via a thioether linkage, the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist is considered to be “alkylated”.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may comprise a single cysteine residue, to which a single protraction moiety is attached.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may comprise two cysteine residues and two protraction moieties. The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may comprise two cysteine residues and two identical protraction moieties.
The compound disclosed herein may comprise three cysteine residues and three protraction moieties. The compound disclosed herein may comprise three cysteine residues and three identical protraction moieties.
Where the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist comprises two or three protraction moieties, the protracting moieties are similar, preferably substantially identical, or, most preferably, identical.
In the context of chemical moieties such as the protraction moieties disclosed herein, similarity and/or identity may be determined using any suitable computer program and/or algorithm known in the art.
The skilled person may refer to compounds comprising a protraction moiety as being “derivatives”. For example, an “amylin derivative” is understood to be an amylin receptor agonist comprising a protraction moiety.
Herein, the term “protraction moiety” refers to a half-life extending, synthetic moiety comprising a “protractor” (R3) and an optional “side-chain linker” or “linker” (R2). R2 may join R3 to the side chain of a lysine or cysteine residue in R1, the polypeptide backbone of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist.
The protraction moiety may be capable of non-covalently binding to albumin, thereby promoting the circulation of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist in the blood stream and prolonging its half-life. Thus, the skilled person may also refer to the protraction moiety as being an “albumin binding moiety”.
The protractor (R3) may comprise an acyl group. The acyl group may be branched or unbranched. The acyl group may be saturated or unsaturated. The protractor (R3) may comprise a fatty acyl group. The acyl group may be branched or unbranched. The acyl group may be saturated or unsaturated.
The protractor (R3) may comprise a distal carboxylic acid group.
The protractor (R3) may comprise a fatty acid group.
The protractor (“R3”) may comprise a fatty acid group and an amide group.
The protractor (R3) may comprise a distal carboxylic acid group and an amide group.
The protractor (R3) may comprise an alkyl group.
The protractor (R3) may comprise an aryl group.
The protractor (R3) may comprise a tetrazole group.
The protractor (R3) may comprise a sulfonic acid group.
The protractor (R3) may comprise a phenoxy group.
The protractor (R3) may comprise a benzoic acid group.
The protractor (R3) may comprise a group defined by:
Chem. 3: HOOC—(CH2)n—CO—* wherein n is an integer in the range of 8-30, which may also be referred to as a C(n+2) diacid or as
wherein n is an integer in the range of 8-30.
The protractor (R3) may comprise 8-30 carbon atoms. The protractor may comprise 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 carbon atoms.
The protractor (R3) may comprise 6-30 consecutive —CH2— groups. The protractor (R3) may comprise a carbon chain comprising at least 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 consecutive —CH2— groups.
The protractor (R3) may comprise 12-26 carbon atoms. The “protractor”, or “side chain”, may comprise 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 or 26 carbon atoms.
The protractor (R3) may comprise 10-26 consecutive —CH2— groups. The protractor (R3) may comprise a carbon chain comprising 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 or 26 consecutive —CH2— groups.
The protractor (R3) may comprise 16-22 carbon atoms. The compound may comprise a single protraction moiety which comprises a side chain comprising 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22 carbon atoms.
The protractor (R3) may comprise 14-20 consecutive —CH2— groups. The protractor (R3) may comprise a carbon chain comprising 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 consecutive —CH2— groups.
The protractor (R3) may comprise 16-22 consecutive carbon atoms and 14-20 consecutive —CH2— groups.
The protractor (R3) may comprise 16 consecutive carbon atoms and 14 consecutive —CH2— groups.
The protractor (R3) may comprise 18 consecutive carbon atoms and 16 consecutive —CH2— groups.
The protractor (R3) may comprise 20 consecutive carbon atoms and 18 consecutive —CH2— groups.
The protractor (R3) may comprise 22 consecutive carbon atoms and 20 consecutive —CH2— groups.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may comprise two protraction moieties, each of which comprises 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 carbon atoms. The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may comprise two protraction moieties, wherein each protractor (R3) comprises 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18 consecutive —CH2— groups.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may comprise two C14 diacids, two C16 diacids or two C18 diacids.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may comprise three protraction moieties, each of which comprises a protractor comprising 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 carbon atoms. The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist may comprise three protraction moieties, wherein the protractor (R3) comprises 10, 11, 12 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18 consecutive —CH2— groups.
The protraction moiety (R2-R3) may be covalently attached to a lysine residue in the polypeptide backbone (R1). The protraction moiety may be attached via an amide bond formed between a carboxylic acid group in the protraction moiety and the epsilon amino group of the lysine residue.
The protraction moiety (R2-R3) may be covalently attached to a cysteine residue in the polypeptide backbone (R1). The protraction moiety may be attached via a thioether bond formed between the protraction moiety and the sulphur atom of the cysteine residue in the polypeptide.
As mentioned above, the compound disclosed herein may comprise one, two or three lysine or cysteine residues and thence one, two or three protraction moieties (R2-R3), wherein each protraction moiety is attached to a side chain of a single lysine or cysteine residue.
The protraction moiety may be attached to the polypeptide backbone described herein (R1) via a lysine (K) residue at any one of positions 9, 10, 12, 16, 17, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30 or 31 of the GLP-1 receptor agonist portion of the polypeptide backbone (Z1), relative to SEQ ID NO: 238 or SEQ ID NO: 255.
The protraction moiety may be attached to the polypeptide backbone (R1) via a lysine (K) residue in the optional linker (Z2).
The protraction moiety may be attached to the polypeptide backbone (R1) via a lysine (K) residue at any one of positions 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 14, 18, 20, 23 or 29 of the amylin receptor agonist portion of the polypeptide backbone (Z3), relative to SEQ ID NO: 240 or SEQ ID NO: 256.
The protraction moiety may be attached to the polypeptide backbone (R1) via a cysteine (C) residue at any one of positions 9, 10, 12, 16, 17, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30 or 31 of the GLP-1 receptor agonist portion of the polypeptide backbone (Z1), relative to SEQ ID NO: 238.
The protraction moiety may be attached to the polypeptide backbone (R1) via a cysteine (C) residue in the optional linker portion of the polypeptide backbone (Z2).
The protraction moiety may be attached to the polypeptide described herein via a cysteine (C) residue in the amylin receptor agonist portion of the polypeptide backbone (Z3). The cysteine residue may be at any one of positions 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 14, 18, 20, 23 or 29, relative to SEQ ID NO: 240.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may comprise a protractor (R3) which is selected from any one of those depicted in Table 2. In Table 2, R2 represents the optional linker which connects the depicted protractor (R3) to the polypeptide backbone (R1). R1 is not shown in the table.
As mentioned above, the protraction moiety (“R2-R3”) may comprise an optional side-chain linker, “R2”.
The optional side-chain linker (R2) may comprise Ado, Aeep or Aeeep, sulfonamide, Trx, ε-Lys, Ahx, Glu, γGlu, Gly, Ser, Ala, Thr and/or a bond.
The optional side-chain linker may comprise at least a moiety which may be represented by the following chemical formula:
wherein k is an integer in the range of 1-5, and n is an integer in the range of 1-5. When k=1 and n=1, the linker element may be designated Ado, or a 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoyl, which may be represented by the following chemical formula:
When k=1 and n=2, the linker element may be designated Aeep, which may be represented by the following chemical formula:
When k=2 and n=2, the linker element may be designated Aeeep, which may be represented by the following chemical formula:
The optional side-chain linker may comprise a sulfonamide-C4 moiety. A sulfonamide-C4 group is a sulfonamide group attached to a 4-butanoyl group and having the following chemical formula:
The optional side-chain linker may comprise Trx. Trx is also referred to as Tranexamic acid, trans-4-(aminomethyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid and has the following chemical formula:
The optional side-chain linker may comprise epsilon-lysine (ε-Lys).
The optional side-chain linker may comprise lysine (Lys).
The optional side-chain linker may comprise Ahx. Ahx is also referred to as Aminocaproic acid, 6-aminohexanoic acid and is defined by
The optional side-chain linker may comprise a Glu di-radical, such as Chem. 12:
wherein the Glu di-radical may be included p times, where p is an integer in the range of 1-3.
Chem. 12 may also be referred to as gamma-Glu, or briefly γGlu, due to the fact that it is the gamma carboxy group of the amino acid glutamic acid which is here used for connection to another linker element, or to the epsilon-amino group of lysine. As explained above, the other linker element may, for example, be another Glu residue, or an Ado molecule. The amino group of Glu in turn forms an amide bond with the carboxy group of the protracting moiety, or with the carboxy group of, e.g., an Ado molecule, if present, or with the gamma-carboxy group of, e.g., another Glu, if present.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may comprise a side-chain linker (R2) which is selected from any one of those depicted in Table 3. In Table 3, “R1” represents the polypeptide backbone (Z1-Z2-Z3), R2 (depicted) represents the side-chain linker and “R3” represents the protractor.)
The co-agonists may exist in different stereoisomeric forms having the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms but differing only in the three-dimensional orientation of their atoms in space. The stereoisomerism of the exemplified co-agonists is indicated in the experimental section, in the names as well as the structures, using standard nomenclature. Unless otherwise stated the invention relates to all stereoisomeric forms of the embodied derivative.
The compounds disclosed herein may, for instance, be produced by classical peptide synthesis, e.g. solid phase peptide synthesis using t-Boc or Fmoc chemistry, or other well established techniques, see e.g. Greene and Wuts, “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, John Wiley & Sons, 1999; Florencio Zaragoza Dörwald, “Organic Synthesis on Solid Phase”, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 2000; and “Fmoc Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis”, Edited by W. C. Chan and P. D. White, Oxford University Press, 2000.
Alternatively, the compounds may be produced by recombinant methods, e.g. by culturing a host cell containing a DNA sequence encoding the peptide sequence and capable of expressing the peptide, in a suitable nutrient medium under conditions permitting the expression of the peptide. Non-limiting examples of host cells suitable for expression of these peptides are Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammalian BHK or CHO cell lines.
The co-agonists that include non-natural amino acids and/or covalently attached substituents may be produced as described in the experimental part.
Specific examples of methods of preparing a number of the disclosed compounds are included in the examples.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for preparing the peptides described herein.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for preparing the receptor co-agonists described herein.
In one embodiment, the method for preparing a compound as described herein comprises a step of solid phase peptide synthesis. The substituent may be built sequentially as part of the solid phase peptide synthesis or produced separately and attached via the lysine residue after peptide synthesis.
In one embodiment, the compounds are produced by a two-step process whereby two peptide fragments are ligated after attachment of the substituent to one of the peptide fragments.
Also disclosed herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, may be prepared using methods known to the person skilled in the art.
The term “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient” refers to any ingredient in the pharmaceutical composition which is not the active pharmaceutical ingredient. The excipient may be functional or inert and may serve one or more purposes. For example, the excipient may enhance absorption of the active substance. The excipient might be, amongst others, a buffer, an antimicrobial preservative, an isotonicity agent, a carrier, a vehicle, a filler, a binder, a lubricant, a glidant, a disintegrant, a flow control agent, a crystallization inhibitor, a solubilizer, a stabilizer, a colouring agent, a flavoring agent, a surfactant, an emulsifier. The amount of each excipient used may vary within ranges conventional in the art.
The pharmaceutical composition may be suitable for oral administration. Techniques and excipients which may be used to formulate orally administered pharmaceutical compositions are described in Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients (e.g. 8th edition, Sheskey et al., Eds., American Pharmaceuticals Association and Pharmaceutical Press, publications department of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (2017) and later editions); and Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (e.g. 22nd edition, Remington and Allen, Eds., Pharmaceutical Press (2013), and later editions).
The pharmaceutical formulation may be a solid pharmaceutical formulation (e.g. a compressed tablet or capsule) containing the active pharmaceutical ingredient, for example as a freeze-dried or spray-dried composition, and may be used as is, dissolved prior to use, or combined with excipients in the formulation.
The pharmaceutical composition may be a solid formulation containing the compound disclosed herein, a salt of N-[8-(2-hydroxybenzoyl)amino]caprylate and one or more further excipients, as is described in the art. For example, the solid formulation may be as described in WO 2012/080471, WO2013/139694, WO 2013/189988, WO 2019/149880, WO2019/215063 or WO2021/219710.
Alternatively, the pharmaceutical composition may be a liquid formulation, such as an aqueous formulation. Such liquid composition may be suitable for oral administration or for parenteral administration. Liquid compositions that are suitable for injection can be prepared using conventional techniques of the pharmaceutical industry which involve dissolving and mixing the ingredients as appropriate to give the desired end product. Thus, according to one procedure, the compound described herein is dissolved in a suitable buffer at a suitable pH. The composition may be sterilized, for example, by sterile filtration. Techniques and excipients which may be used to prepare liquid formulations are described in Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients (e.g. 8th edition, Sheskey et al., Eds., American Pharmaceuticals Association and Pharmaceutical Press, publications department of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (2017) and later editions); and Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (e.g. 22nd edition, Remington and Allen, Eds., Pharmaceutical Press (2013), and later editions).
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may be used as a medicament.
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may be used for the following medical treatments:
In some embodiments the indication is (i). In some embodiments the indication is (ii). In a still further particular aspect the indication is (iii). In some embodiments the indication is (iv). In some embodiments the indication is (v). In some embodiments the indication is (vi). In some embodiments the indication is (vii). In some embodiments the indication is type 2 diabetes and/or obesity.
The term “treatment”, as used herein, refers to the medical therapy of any human or other vertebrate subject in need thereof. Said subject is expected to have undergone physical examination by a medical practitioner, or a veterinary medical practitioner, who has given a tentative or definitive diagnosis which would indicate that the use of said specific treatment is beneficial to the health of said human or other vertebrate. The timing and purpose of said treatment may vary from one individual to another, according to the status quo of the subject's health. Thus, said treatment may be prophylactic (preventative), palliative, symptomatic and/or curative.
In some embodiments the indication is (i) and (iii). In some embodiments the indication is (ii) and (iii).
In some embodiments the subject suffering from obesity is human, such as an adult human or a paediatric human (including infants, children, and adolescents).
Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. The formula for calculation is BMI=weight in kilograms/height in meters2. A human subject suffering from obesity may have a BMI of ≥30; this subject may also be referred to as being obese. In some embodiments the human subject suffering from obesity may have a BMI of ≥35 or a BMI in the range of ≥30 to <40. In some embodiments the obesity is severe obesity or morbid obesity, wherein the human subject may have a BMI of ≥40.
In some embodiments the invention relates to a method for treatment or prevention of overweight, optionally in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity. In some embodiments the invention relates to use of the formulation for treatment or prevention of overweight, optionally in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity. In some embodiments the subject suffering from overweight is human, such as an adult human or a paediatric human (including infants, children, and adolescents). In some embodiments a human subject suffering from overweight may have a BMI of ≥25, such as a BMI of ≥27, such as a BMI of ≥30, such as a BMI of ≥35 or a BMI of ≥40. In some embodiments a human subject suffering from overweight has a BMI in the range of 25 to <30 or in the range of 27 to <30. In some embodiments the weight-related comorbidity is selected from the group consisting of hypertension, diabetes (such as type 2 diabetes), dyslipidaemia, high cholesterol and obstructive sleep apnoea.
The term “reduction of body weight” may include treatment or prevention of obesity and/or overweight.
Administration of the compound disclosed herein may be as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult or paediatric patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obesity) or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity (e.g. hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia).
The GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may be administered approximately once daily, such as once every 12-36 hours, such as once every 18-30 hours, such as approximately once every 24 hours.
The GLP-1 amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may be administered approximately once every other day, such as once every 36-60 hours, such as once every 42-54 hours, such as approximately once every 48 hours.
The GLP-1 amylin receptor co-agonist disclosed herein may be administered approximately twice daily, such as once every 6-18 hours, such as once every 9-15 hours, such as approximately once every 12 hours.
Following is a non-limiting list of embodiments of the present invention.
Z1-Z2-Z3,
Z1-Z2-Z3,
This example provides the identity, materials for making and methods of synthesis of many compounds according to the current invention.
Also provided are the identity, materials for making and methods of synthesis of the comparator compounds described herein.
The following abbreviations are used in the following, in alphabetical order:
This section relates to general methods for solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS methods, including methods for cleaving the peptide from the resin and removal of the protecting groups and for its purification) Included as well are LCMS methods for detecting and characterising the resulting peptide.
Resins used for the preparation of C-terminal peptide amides were PAL Amide AM resin (loading e.g. 0.6 mmol/g) or H-Rink Amide-ChemMatrix resin (loading e.g. 0.5 mmol/g) or Rink Amide AM polystyrene resin (loading e.g. 0.3-0.7 mmol/g) or Tentagel® rink amide resin (loading e.g. 0.2-0.3 mmol/g) or similar resins suitable for SPPS.
The Fmoc-protected amino acid derivatives used comprised amongst others the standard recommended: Fmoc-Ala-OH, Fmoc-Arg(Pbf)-OH, Fmoc-Asn(Trt)-OH, Fmoc-Asp(OtBu)-OH, Fmoc-Cys(Trt)-OH, Fmoc-Gln(Trt)-OH, Fmoc-Glu(OtBu)-OH, Fmoc-Gly-OH, Fmoc-His(Trt)-OH, Fmoc-Ile-OH, Fmoc-Leu-OH, Fmoc-Lys(Boc)-OH, Fmoc-Met-OH, Fmoc-Phe-OH, Fmoc-Pro-OH, Fmoc-Ser(tBu)-OH, Fmoc-Thr(tBu)-OH, Fmoc-Trp(Boc)-OH or Fmoc-Trp-OH, Fmoc-Tyr(tBu)-OH, Fmoc-Val-OH, Fmoc-Lys(Mtt)-OH, Fmoc-Aib-OH, etc. supplied from e.g. AAPPTEC, Anaspec, Bachem, Chemlmpex, Iris Biotech, Midwest Biotech, Gyros Protein Technologies or Novabiochem. Other building blocks such as Fmoc-pseudoprolines and similar derivatives were employed in some difficult sequences. Where nothing else is specified the natural L-form of the amino acids are used. The N-terminal amino acid was Boc protected at the alpha amino group, either by using a reagent with the Boc group pre-installed (e.g. Boc-His(Trt)-OH for peptides with His at the N-terminus) or by exchanging the N-terminal Fmoc protective group for the Boc protective group after installation of the amino acid at the peptide N-terminus. Fmoc-Lys(Mtt)-OH and similar derivatives, such as, but not limited to Fmoc-Lys(ivDDE) etc. bearing an orthogonal protecting group at the epsilon amino position, were used in the cases where side chain instalment was relevant. The epsilon amino derivative would be liberated using a suitable orthogonal deprotecting agent, such as HFIP in DCM, and the side chain installed either stepwise with SPPS or by coupling the epsilon amino functionality directly to the activated ester (e.g. NHS ester) sidechain building block.
In case of stepwise side chain attachment using SPPS, the following suitably protected building blocks such as, but not limited to, Fmoc-8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (Fmoc-OEG-OH), Fmoc-tranexamic acid (Fmoc-Trx-OH), Fmoc-Glu-OtBu, octadecanedioic acid mono-tert-butyl ester, nonadecanedioic acid mono-tert-butyl ester, eicosanedioic acid mono-tert-butyl ester, hexadecanedioic acid mono-tert-butyl ester, tetradecanedioic acid mono-tert-butyl ester, or 4-(9-carboxynonyloxy) benzoic acid tert-butyl ester were used. All operations stated below were performed within a 50-450 μmol synthesis scale range.
SPPS was performed using Fmoc based chemistry on a SymphonyX Solid Phase Peptide Synthesizer from Protein Technologies (Tucson, AZ 85714 U.S.A.). Fmoc-deprotection was achieved with 20% piperidine in DMF, containing between 0 and 0.2 M Oxyma. Peptide couplings were performed using DIC/Oxyma Pure®. Amino acid/Oxyma Pure® solutions (0.3 M/0.3 M in DMF at a molar excess of 3-12 fold) were added to the resin followed by the same molar equivalent of DIC (as a 0.6-1.5M solution in DMF) and collidine (1.5M in DMF). The step-wise assembly was done using the following steps: 1) pre-swelling of resin with DMF; 2) Fmoc-deprotection by the use of 20% piperidine in DMF containing between 0 and 0.2M Oxyma Pure® for 1-5 treatments of 5-30 min each; 3) washes with DMF to remove traces of piperidine; 4) coupling of Fmoc-amino acid with 3-12 eq. of Fmoc-amino acid as a 0.3M solution in 0.3M Oxyma Pure® in DMF mixed with an equimolar volume of DIC and collidine for 1-12 hours. In the case of sterically hindered amino acids, this coupling step was repeated once or twice; 5) washes with DMF to remove excess reagents; 6) final wash with DCM at the completion of the assembly which made the resin ready for attachment of a modifying group on lysine side chain.
Alternatively, SPPS was performed using Fmoc based chemistry on a SymphonyX Solid Phase Peptide Synthesizer from Protein Technologies (Tucson, AZ 85714 U.S.A.). Fmoc-deprotection was achieved with 20% piperidine in DMF, containing between 0 and 0.2 M Oxyma. Peptide couplings were performed using DIC/Oxyma Pure®. Amino acid/Oxyma Pure® solutions (0.3 M/0.3 M in DMF at a molar excess of 3-12 fold) were added to the resin followed by the same molar equivalent of DIC (as a 0.6M solution in DMF). The step-wise assembly was done using the following steps: 1) pre-swelling of resin with DMF; 2) Fmoc-deprotection by the use of 20% piperidine in DMF containing between 0 and 0.2M Oxyma Pure® for 1-5 treatments of 5-30 min each; 3) washes with DMF to remove traces of piperidine; 4) coupling of Fmoc-amino acid with 3-12 eq. of Fmoc-amino acid as a 0.3M solution in 0.3M Oxyma Pure® in DMF mixed with an equimolar volume of DIC for 1-12 hours. In the case of sterically hindered amino acids, this coupling step was repeated once or twice; 5) washes with DMF to remove excess reagents; 6) final wash with DCM at the completion of the assembly which made the resin ready for attachment of a modifying group on lysine side chain.
Alternatively, the protected peptidyl resin was synthesized according to the Fmoc strategy on a Prelude solid phase peptide synthesiser (Protein Technologies, Tucson, USA) using the manufacturer supplied machine protocols. Coupling was done by the use of DIC (dicyclohexylcarbodiimide) and Oxyma Pure (ethyl 2-cyano-2-(hydroxyimino)-acetate, Merck, Novabiochem, Switzerland) mediated couplings in DMF. The coupling of the Fmoc-amino acid was done as described above using 4-8 time excess of amino acid relative to resin substitution (4-8 eq). Coupling time ranged from 1 hour up to 6 hours. The Fmoc-Arg(pbf)-OH was coupled using a double coupling procedure (1 hour+1 hour). The step-wise solid phase assembly on the Prelude was done using the following steps: 1) deprotection (removal of Fmoc) by the use of 20-25% piperidine in DMF for 2×4-10 min; step 2) Wash (removal of piperidine) with DMF and DCM, step 3) Coupling of Fmoc-amino acid (0.3M Fmoc-amino acid in 0.3M Oxyma Pure in DMF) 3-10 eq excess for 1-4 hours coupling initiated by adding 1/10 volume of 3M DIC in DMF and 1/10 volume collidine in DMF Mixing was done by occasional bubbling with nitrogen, step 4) Wash (removal of excess amino acid and reagents by the use of DMF and DCM). The last step included washing with DCM which made the resin ready for attachment of a modifying group on lysine side chain.
The N-epsilon-lysine Mtt protection group was removed by washing the resin with a suitable orthogonally deprotection mixture such as, but not limited to, 20-30% HFIP in DCM, containing 0-5% TIS in multiple cycles (e.g. 1×5 min and 2×20 min) before washing with piperidine, DMF and DCM.
Acylation was performed either manually, or on a solid phase peptide synthesizer, such as, but not limited to the SymphonyX Solid Phase Peptide Synthesizer from Protein Technologies (Tucson, AZ 85714 U.S.A.) as described in this method's section “SPPS of the peptidyl backbone” using stepwise addition of building blocks such as, but not limited to, Fmoc-8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (Fmoc-OEG-OH), Fmoc-Glu-OtBu, Fmoc-tranexamic acid (Fmoc-Trx-OH). Introduction of the fatty acid moiety was achieved using a suitable building block, such as, but not limited to, octadecanedioic acid mono-tert-butyl ester, eicosanedioic acid mono-tert-butyl ester, hexadecanedioic acid mono-tert-butyl ester, tetradecanedioic acid mono-tert-butyl ester, 4-(9-carboxynonyloxy) benzoic acid tert-butyl ester.
Alternatively the side chain moiety could be installed in 1 step, directly after removal of the Mtt group, as described in the first part of this section, by using the a suitable side chain building block equipped with an activated ester, e.g. NHS.
After synthesis the resin was washed with DCM, and the peptidyl resin subject to treatment with TFA mixtures in presence of 1-20 volume % scavenger agents such as, but not limited to, water, TIS, DTT and DODT. The cleavage reactions would typically be carried out at room temperature and a duration of 1-3 hours. Alternatively, the cleavage could be carried out at elevated temperatures (e.g. 50 degrees Celsius), for shorter times (15-60 minutes). The cleavage reaction was followed by precipitation of the crude peptide using cold (e.g. 5 degrees Celsius) diethyl ether. The precipitate was washed with diethylether and dissolved in a suitable mixture of water and MeCN. Optionally, suitable water-miscible co-solvents such as acetic acid were used.
The crude peptide solution was purified by reversed-phase preparative HPLC (Waters Deltaprep 4000) on a column containing C18-silica gel. Elution was performed with an increasing gradient of MeCN in water containing 0.1% TFA. Relevant fractions were analysed by analytical UPLC. Fractions containing the pure target peptide were pooled and freeze dried.
Alternatively, or when further purification was necessary, the crude peptide or lyophilized peptide TFA salt isolated as described above was dissolved in a neutral (e.g. pH 7-8) aqueous buffer based on common buffer salts such as, but not limited to, sodium hydrogen phosphate or ammonium bicarbonate and purified with reversed-phase preparative HPLC (Waters Deltaprep 4000) on a column containing C18-silica gel. Elution was performed with an increasing gradient of MeCN in aqueous buffer (such as, but not limited to, sodium phosphate (5-100 mM, pH 7-8, or 2-40 g/l ammonium bicarbonate). Relevant fractions were analysed by analytical UPLC. Fractions containing the pure target peptide were pooled and acidified with TFA until pH 2 and diluted with water until the total concentration of MeCN was <20%. Optionally, the resulting mixture was degassed by filtration using vacuum. The solution was then purified by reversed-phase preparative HPLC (Waters Deltaprep 4000) on a column containing C18-silica gel. Elution was performed with an increasing gradient of MeCN in water containing 0.1% TFA. Relevant fractions were analysed by analytical UPLC. Fractions containing the pure target peptide were pooled and freeze dried
LCMS34 was performed on a set up consisting of Waters Acquity UPLC H Class system and Waters Xevo G2-XS QTof. Eluents: A: 0.1% formic acid in MQ water; B: 0.1% formic acid in MeCN.
The analysis was performed at RT (column temp 40° C.) by injecting an appropriate volume of the sample onto the column which was eluted with a gradient of A and B. The UPLC conditions, detector settings, and mass spectrometer settings were: Column: Waters Acquity BEH, C-18, 1.7 μm, 2.1 mm×50 mm. Gradient: Linear 5%-95% B during 4.0 min at 0.4 ml/min. Detection: MS resolution mode, ionisation method: ES. Scan: 50-4000 amu.
LCMS36 was performed on a set up consisting of Waters Acquity UPLC H Class system and Waters Xevo G2-XS QTof. Eluents: A: 0.1% formic acid in MQ water; B: 0.1% formic acid in MeCN.
The analysis was performed at RT (column temp 60 C) by injecting an appropriate volume of the sample onto the column which was eluted with a gradient of A and B. The UPLC conditions, detector settings, and mass spectrometer settings were: Column: Phenomenex Aeris, C-4, 3.6 μm widepore, 2.1 mm×50 mm. Gradient: stepwise over 8 minutes; 5%-25% B during 1.0 min, 25%-65% B, during 6 minutes, 65-95% B during 0.5 minutes, 95% B isocratic for 0.5 minutes, at 0.4 ml/min. Detection: MS resolution mode, ionisation method: ES. Scan: 50-4000 amu.
LCMS_ZQ was performed on a LCMS instrument consisting of Waters Acquity UPLC system coupled with Waters Acquity TUV detector and Waters Micromass ZQ 2000 detector. Eluents: A—0.05% TFA in MQ-water, B—0.05% TFA in acetonitrile.
The analysis was performed at RT (column temperature 40° C.) by injecting appropriate volume (0.2-10 μl) of the sample onto the column which was eluted with a gradient of A and B. Column: Waters Acquity UPLC BEH, C-18, 1.7 μm, 2.1 mm×50 mm. Gradient run time: Linear 5-95% B over 4.5 min, then 95% B for 0.5 min, 95-5% B for 0.5 min, 5% B for 0.5 min at a flow rate of 0.45 ml/min. Detection: Ionization method: Electron spray positive, Scanning range: 200-2048 (m/z), Capillary voltage: 3.0 kV, Cone Voltage: 20 V, Scan time: 0.9 s, Interscan delay: 0.1 s, Detection method: quadrupole.
LCMS_01 was performed on a setup consisting of Waters Acquity UPLC system and LCT Premier XE mass spectrometer from Micromass. Eluents: A: 0.1% Formic acid in MQ water; B: 0.1% Formic acid in MeCN. The analysis was performed at RT (column temp 40 C) by injecting an appropriate volume of the sample onto the column which was eluted with a gradient of A and B. The UPLC conditions, detector settings and mass spectrometer settings were: Column: Waters Acquity UPLC BEH, C-18, 1.7 μm, 2.1 mm×50 mm. Gradient: Linear 5%-95% B during 4.0 min at 0.4 ml/min. Detection: 214 nm (analogue output from TUV (Tunable UV detector)) MS ionisation mode: API-ES. Scan: 500-2000 atomic mass units (amu).
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 117
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAREFIAWLVRGKGEGEGEEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 118
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAREFIAWLVRGRGEGEGEKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 119
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGGQEPGQEPEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 120
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGQEPGQAPEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 121
The amino acid sequence of XAEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 122
The amino acid sequence of HGEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 123
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 124
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRKGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 125
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 117
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRKGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 125
The amino acid sequence of XAEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 122
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGGGGGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 126
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGKQEPGQEPEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 127
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGGQEKGQEPEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 128
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGGQEPGQEPKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 129
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGGKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 130
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAARKFIAWLVRGRGGKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 131
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRGGKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 132
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGKGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 133
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGKGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 134
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVKGRGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 135
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGQEPGQAPEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 136
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAREFIAWLVRGRGQEPKGQAPEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 137
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAREFIAWLVRGRGQEPGQAPKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 138
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGEGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 139
The amino acid sequence of HGEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGEGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 140
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGEGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 139
The amino acid sequence of HGEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGEGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 140
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGGGGGGGGGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 141
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 142
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGGGGGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 126
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGGGGGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 126
The amino acid sequence of HGEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGEGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 143
The amino acid sequence of HGEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGEGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 144
The amino acid sequence of HGEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGEGGGGGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 145
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGEGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 146
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGEGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 147
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGEGGGGGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 148
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 149
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 150
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGEGQEPGGASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 151
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGEGQEPGGASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 151
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGKGGGGGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 152
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGKGGGGGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 152
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 154
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 150
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRKGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 155
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153
The amino acid sequence of XXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 156
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 157
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGKGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 158
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGKGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 159
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGRKGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 160
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 161
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGKGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 162
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 150
The amino acid sequence of XXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 156.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVKGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 163
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRGKGGGASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 164
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGKGGGASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 165
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGKASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 166.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 167.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGQAPGQEPEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 168
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGQAPGQEPEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 168
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGGGGGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 126
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRGGGGGGGGKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 169
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGRKEAEAEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 170
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGRKEAEAEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 170
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAREFIAWLVRGRGQEPKGQAPASRLSTEALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 171
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGQEPGQAPEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 121.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGRGEGGGGGASELSTAALGRLSKELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 172.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGRGEGGGGGASELSTAALGRLSAELHELKTLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 173.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGKGEGGGGGASELSTAALGRLSKELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 174
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGKGEGGGGGASELSTAALGRLSAELHELKTLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 175.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGKKGGGGASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 176.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGRGEGGGGGASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 177.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGRGEGGGGGASELSTAALGRLSKELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 172.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDKSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHKLATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 178.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDKSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELKTLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 179.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDKSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLKRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 180.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 150.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 181.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 182.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDKSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 183.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGKGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 184.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 185.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 186.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 187.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 187.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDKSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 188.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDKSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 188.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGKGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHKLATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 189.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGKGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELKTLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 190.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGKGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLKRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 191.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGKGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGKGSP has SEQ ID NO: 192.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDKSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGASELSTAALGRLSKELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 193.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEKQAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGASELSTAALGRLSKELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 194.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGASELSTAALGRLSKELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 195.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRGGGGGASELSTAALGRLSKELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 196.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRKRGGGGGASELSTAALGRLSKELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 197.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHKLATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 198.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELKTLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 199.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLKRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 200.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGKGSP has SEQ ID NO: 201.
The amino acid sequence of HAEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 202.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 203.
The amino acid sequence of HAEGTFTSKVSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 204.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSKVSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 205.
The amino acid sequence of HAEGTFTSDKSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 206.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDKSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 188.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 187.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAKEFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 207.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAKEFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 208.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 209.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGRKEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 210
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 211.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDKSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 212.
The amino acid sequence of HAEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 202.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 187.
The amino acid sequence of HAEGTFTSDVSSYLEEKAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 202.
The amino acid sequence of HAEGTFTSDKSSYLEEKAAREFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 213.
The amino acid sequence of HAEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAVREFIAKLVRGRGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 214.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAVREFIAKLVRGRGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 215.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAVREFIAKLVRGRGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 215.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 216.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRPKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 217.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHKLATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSRYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 219.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 154.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 220.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 221.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 222.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAREFIAWLVRGRGQEPKGQAPEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 137.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAREFIAWLVRGRGQEPKGQAPEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 137.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of HGEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 223.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 224.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 224.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 221.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 221.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRQEGGGGGASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 225.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGRGEGGGGGASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 226.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 227.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRQEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 228.
The amino acid sequence of H-Aib-EGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGGASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 229.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 230.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGAAEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 231.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGAAEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 231.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGAAEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 231.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAAREFIEWLVRGAAEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 232.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 224.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 233.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRKGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 234.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIEWLVRGRQEAASELSTAALGRLSAELHQLATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 235.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGSGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 236.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGSGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 236.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAARKFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 224.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSKYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRGGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 221.
The amino acid sequence of HWEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 185.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of HXEGTFTSDVSSYLEEQAAREFIAWLVRGRKGGGGEASELSTAALGRLSAELHELATLPRTETGSGSP has SEQ ID NO: 153.
The amino acid sequence of the peptide backbone in this comparator compound has SEQ ID NO: 241.
The amino acid sequence of the peptide backbone in this comparator compound has SEQ ID NO: 242.
The amino acid sequence of the peptide backbone in this comparator compound has SEQ ID NO: 243.
The amino acid sequence of the peptide backbone in this comparator compound has SEQ ID NO: 244.
The amino acid sequence of the peptide backbone in this comparator compound has SEQ ID NO: 245.
The amino acid sequence of the peptide backbone in this comparator compound has SEQ ID NO: 251.
The amino acid sequence of the peptide backbone in this comparator compound has SEQ ID NO: 252.
The amino acid sequence of the peptide backbone in this comparator compound has SEQ ID NO: 253.
The amino acid sequence of the peptide backbone in this comparator compound has SEQ ID NO: 254.
The amino acid sequence of the peptide backbone in compound 1806 has SEQ ID NO: 250.
The potencies of compounds were tested as described in Assays 1 and 2.
To determine the ability of compounds to activate or agonise the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), in vitro potency assays in cells expressing the human GLP-1 receptor were performed as described below.
Activation of GLP-1 receptors leads to increased cellular concentrations of cyclic AMP (cAMP). Consequently, transcription is activated by promotors containing multiple copies of the cAMP response element (CRE). It is thus possible to measure GLP-1 receptor activity using a CRE-luciferase reporter gene introduced into Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK) cells co-expressing the GLP-1 receptor.
Cell stocks were prepared by culturing a stably transfected cell line expressing the human GLP-1 receptor and the CRE responsive luciferase (CRE-Luc) reporter gene (BHK 467-12A KZ-10, prepared according to methods known to the person skilled in the art) in growth medium consisting of DMEM (Gibco, 61965-026) supplemented with 10% FBS (Gibco, 16140-071), 1% Pen/Strep (Gibco, 15140-122), 1 mM Na-pyruvate (Gibco, 11360-039), 1 mg/mL G418 (Gibco, 10131-027) and 240 nM MTX (Pfizer, 15936). Cells at approximately 80-90% confluence were washed once in PBS and loosened from the cell flasks with Versene (Gibco, 15040-033). After centrifugation, the cell pellet was dissolved and diluted to 1.5×10E6 cells/mL in medium consisting of DMEM (Gibco, 61965-026) supplemented with 20% FBS (Gibco, 16140-071), 1% Pen/Strep (Gibco, 15140-122), 1 mM Na-Pyrovate (Gibco, 11360-039), 1 mg/mL G418 (Gibco, 10131-027), 240 nM MTX (Pfizer, 15936) and 10% DMSO (Sigma, D2650). Cells were aliquoted and stored at −180° C. until use.
The assay buffer consisted of DMEM without phenol red (Gibco, 11880-028) supplemented with 1× GlutaMAX (Gibco, 35050-038), 10 mM HEPES (Gibco, 15630-056), 1% (w/v) ovalbumin (Sigma, A5503) and 0.1% (v/v) Pluronic F-68 (Gibco, 24040-032).
To perform the assay, serial dilutions (10-fold dilutions, 8 concentrations pr. compound) of comparator compounds and GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonists were performed in assay buffer without HAS, often starting from approximately 100-200 nM in a 96-well plate. Frozen stocks of human GLP-1R/CRE-Luc cells were thawed in a 37° C. water bath, washed once in PBS and diluted to 100.000 cells/mL in assay buffer. For each dilution, 50 μL aliquots of comparator compounds or GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonists were transferred to 96-well assay plates (ThermoFisher, 237105) to which 50 μL of the cell suspension was added (5.000 cells/well). The assay plates were incubated for 3 hours at 37° C. in 5% CO2, left at room temperature for 5 minutes after which 100 μL SteadyLite Plus (PerkinElmer, 6066759) was added to each well. Plates were sealed and incubated at room temperature with gentle shaking for 30 minutes while protected from light. Luminescence was detected on a luminescence plate reader e.g. a Synergy 2 (BioTek). The EC50-values [pM] were calculated by non-linear curve fitting applying a four-parameter logistic model (Hill slope=1) using GraphPad Prism or by means of TIBCO Enterprise Runtime for R (TIBCO Software, Palo Alto, CA, USA).
To determine the ability of compounds to activate or agonise the amylin receptor, in vitro potency assays on cells expressing the human amylin receptor (hAmyR3) can be performed as described below.
Activation of hAmyR3 leads to increased cellular concentrations of cAMP. Consequently, transcription is activated by promotors containing multiple copies of the cAMP response element (CRE). It is thus possible to measure hAmyR3 activity using a CRE-luciferase reporter gene introduced into Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK) cells co-expressing the hAmyR3.
A BHK cell line was stably transfected with the human calcitonin receptor (a) and a CRE-responsive luciferase (CRE-Luc) reporter gene according to methods known to the person skilled in the art (Hollex-1 cell line, obtained from Zymogentics described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,839). The cell line was further transfected with human receptor modifying protein 3 (RAMP3) using standard methods. This turns the human calcitonin receptor into a human amylin-3(a) receptor.
Cells stocks were prepared by culturing of the stably transfected BHK hAmyR3/CRE-Luc cell line in growth medium consisting of DMEM (Gibco, 31966-021) supplemented with 10% FBS (Gibco, 1640-071), 1% Pen/Strep (Gibco, 15140-122), 0.5 mg/mL Geneticin (Gibco, 10131-027), 0.4 mg/mL Hygromycin (Invitrogen, 1068701) and 250 nM Methotrexate (Sigma, A6770). Cells at approximately 80-90% confluence were washed once with PBS and loosened from the cell flasks with Versene (Gibco, 15040-033). After centrifugation, the cell pellet was dissolved and diluted to 2.5×10E6 cells/mL in Recovery™ Cell Culture Freezing Medium (Gibco, 12648-010). Cells were aliquoted and stored at −180° C. until use.
The assay buffer consisted of DMEM without phenol red (Gibco, 11880-028) supplemented with 1× GlutaMAX (Gibco, 35050-038), 10 mM HEPES (Gibco, 15630-056) and 0.1% (w/v) ovalbumin (Sigma, A5503).
To perform the assay, BHK hAmyR3/CRE-Luc cells were thawed, washed once in PBS and seeded in 40 μL growth medium in a white 384-well culture plate (PerkinElmer, 6007688) at a cell density of 4.000 cells/well on the day before the experiment. The plate was incubated over night at 37° C. in 5% CO2. On the day of the assay, cells were washed three times in assay buffer. Serial dilutions (7-fold dilutions, 7 concentrations pr. compound and one well containing only assay buffer) of comparator compounds and GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonists were performed in assay buffer often starting from approximately 10-100 nM in 96-well plates and 30 μL of each concentration added to the 384-well assay plate with cells. The assay plate was incubated for 3 hours at 37° C. in 5% CO2 after which 30 μL SteadyLite Plus (PerkinElmer, 6066759) was added to each well. The assay plate was sealed, incubated at room temperature with gentle shaking for 5 minutes followed by 30 minutes incubation without shaking while protected from light. Luminescence was detected on a luminescence plate reader e.g. a Synergy 2 (BioTek). The EC50-values [pM] were calculated by non-linear curve fitting applying a four-parameter logistic model (Hill slope=1.5, shared bottom response within each plate) using GraphPad Prism or by means of TIBCO Enterprise Runtime for R (TIBCO Software, Palo Alto, CA, USA).
The potencies of compounds according to the invention were tested as described in Assays 1 and 2. The results are provided in Table 4a. Details regarding the compounds, such as IUPAC nomenclature, may be found in Example 1 and the Sequence Listing.
The GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and amylin receptor (AmyR3) potencies of one compound according to the invention (compound 0111) were compared to the potencies of the GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonists from which it was derived, as well as the potencies of comparator compounds. The results are shown in Table 4b. Details regarding the compounds, such as IUPAC nomenclature, may be found in Example 1 and the Sequence Listing.
Comparator Compound 0672 comprises a GLP-1 RA having an amino acid sequence similar to that in semaglutide linked, via a short peptide linker, to an amylin RA having an amino acid sequence identical to that in cagrilintide. (In semaglutide, there is a lysine at position 20 (Lys20) and a glycine at position 31 (Gly31), relative to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 238, and a protraction moiety attached to Lys20. The GLP-1 RA similar to semaglutide comprises an arginine at position 20 (Arg20) and a lysine residue at position 31 (Lys31), relative to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 238, and a protraction moiety attached to Lys31.
Comparator Compound 0671 comprises the same GLP-1 RA as that in comparator compound 0672 linked, via a short peptide linker, to an amylin RA having an amino acid sequence identical to that within pramlintide.
Compound 0111 comprises the same GLP-1 sequence as that used in compound 0672 and compound 0671 linked, via a short peptide linker, to an amylin RA having an amino acid sequence identical to that in compound 1806).
The GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and amylin receptor (AmyR3) potencies of two compounds according to the invention (compounds 0045 and compound 0120) were compared to the potencies of comparator compounds having selected mutations in either their GLP-1 or amylin portion.
Comparator compounds 0164 and 0167 are identical to compounds 0045 and compound 0120, respectively, except for the fact that their GLP-1 portion comprises two sequence mutations: Phe22Ile and Ile23Phe, relative to the numbering in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 238 or SEQ ID NO: 255.
Comparator compounds 0185 and 0192 are identical to compounds 0045 and 0120, respectively, except for the fact that their amylin portion comprises a single mutation in the peptide backbone: Leu12Pro, relative to the numbering in SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 240 or SEQ ID NO: 256.
Comparator compounds 0015, 0016 and 0668 are further examples of compounds comprising a GLP-1 receptor agonist similar to semaglutide (as detailed in Example 2b) and an amylin receptor agonist having the amino acid sequence of cagrilintide (compounds 0015 and 0016) or an alternative protracted amylin receptor agonist (compound 0668).
The results are shown in Table 4c. Details regarding the compounds, such as IUPAC nomenclature, may be found in Example 1 and the Sequence Listing.
The data in Table 4a show that all of the tested compounds agonise both the human AmyR3 and the GLP-1R, i.e., they are GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonists. The compounds listed in Table 4a are all compounds according to the invention.
In contrast, the data in Table 4b show that linking the C-terminus of a potent GLP-1 receptor agonist (similar to semaglutide), via a peptide linker, to the N-terminus of a potent amylin receptor agonist (cagrilintide or pramlintide) does not result in a compound that is equally potent on these two receptors and that can necessarily function as a GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist (i.e., a compound according to the invention). A comparison of comparator compounds 0672 and 0671 with compound 0111 illustrates this point: compounds 0672 and 0671 both retained their potencies on the GLP-1 receptor but have impaired potency on the amylin receptor. Only compound 0111 retained full potency on both receptors and was similarly potent on both the GLP-1 and amylin receptors, relative to semaglutide and cagrilintide, respectively. Compound 0111 is considered a “balanced” compound.
The data in Table 4c show the comparator compounds' impaired ability to agonise (activate) the GLP-1 or the amylin receptor. The Phe22Ile and Ile23Phe mutations in comparator compounds 0164 and 0167 impaired their ability to agonise (activate) the GLP-1 receptor. The Leu12Pro mutation in comparator compounds 0185 and 0192 impaired their ability to agonise (activate) the amylin receptor. This impaired ability is further illustrated by the data provided in Table 6b. Further data in Table 4c highlight the difficulty of linking a GLP-1 receptor agonist to an amylin receptor agonist. Comparator compound 0015 was found to be a poor agonist of the amylin receptor. Comparator compounds 0016 and 0668 do not activate the amylin receptor.
To be able to evaluate oral exposure following tablet dosing, tablet compositions comprising the test substance and SNAC (sodium N-(8-(2-hydroxybenzoyl)amino)caprylate) were prepared by mixing test substance with roller compacted SNAC and magnesium stearate as, e.g., described in WO 2019/149880. The amount of SNAC in the tablet composition was 100-300 mg, the amount of magnesium stearate in the tablet composition was 7.7 mg, and the target amount of each test substance in the tablet composition was 3-4 mg.
Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in Beagle dogs were conducted to determine the exposure of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist after peroral administration.
For the pharmacokinetic studies male Beagle dogs were used, 2-7, or 1 to 5, years of age and weighing approximately 10-15, such as 10-12, kg at the start of the studies. The dogs were group housed in pens (12 hours light: 12 hours dark), and fed individually and restrictedly once daily with Royal Canin Medium Adult dog (Royal Canin Products, China Branch, or Brogaarden A/S, Denmark). Exercise and group social were permitted daily, whenever possible. The dogs were used for repeated pharmacokinetic studies with a suitable wash-out period between successive dosing. An appropriate acclimatisation period was given prior to initiation of the first pharmacokinetic study. All handling, dosing and blood sampling of the animals were performed by trained and skilled staff. Before the studies the dogs were fasted overnight and from 0 to 4 h after dosing. Besides, the dogs were restricted to water 1 hour before dosing until 4 hours after dosing, but otherwise have ad libitum access to water during the whole period.
The tablets used for the p.o. studies described herein were immediate release SNAC-based tablets dosed orally.
The tablets were administered in the following manner: 10 min prior to tablet administration the dogs may be dosed subcutaneously with approximately 3 nmol/kg of SEQ ID NO: 237, tablets were placed in the back of the mouth of the dog to prevent chewing. The mouth was then closed, and 10 mL of tap water was given by a syringe or gavage to facilitate swallowing of the tablet.
Blood was sampled at predefined time points for up till 240 hours, such as up till 10 hr, post dosing to adequately cover the full plasma concentration-time absorption profile of the GLP-1 agonist.
For each blood sampling time point approximately 0.8 mL of whole blood was collected in a 1.5 mL EDTA coated tube, and the tube was gently turned to allowing mixing of the sample with the EDTA. Blood samples (for example 0.8 mL) were collected in EDTA buffer (8 mM) and then centrifuged at 4° C. and 2000 G for 10 minutes. Plasma was pipetted into Micronic tubes on dry ice, and kept at −20° C. until analysis.
Blood samples were taken as appropriate, for example from a venflon in the cephalic vein in the front leg for the first 2 hours and then with syringe from the jugular vein for the rest of the time points (the first few drops were allowed to drain from the venflon to avoid heparin saline from the venflon in the sample).
Plasma concentration of the GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonists were determined using LCMS. Individual plasma concentration-time profiles were analysed by a non-compartmental model in WinNonlin v. 5.0 or Phoenix v. 6.2 or 6.3 (Pharsight Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA), or other relevant software for PK analysis.
The individual plasma concentration-time profiles were analysed by non-compartmental analysis (NCA). The following PK parameters were calculated and reported: tmax, Cmax/Dose and t½, as shown in Table 5.
All of the compounds tested demonstrated oral bioavailability in this model, as concentrations of the compound in plasma were detected (Cmax/D>0 and AUC/D>0) following oral administration. Furthermore, the tested compounds had long half-lives (4-110 hrs), as compared to the half-lives of human GLP-1 and human amylin, measured in humans to be approximately 2-4 min and 15-20 min, respectively (Meier et al., Diabetes, 2004, 53(3): 654-662).
Sprague Dawley (SD) rats from Taconic Europe, Denmark were used for the acute food intake experiments, wherein the principles of laboratory animal care were followed.
The rats had a body weight of 200-250 g at the start of the experiment. The rats arrived at least 10-14 days before the start of the experiment to allow acclimatisation to experimental settings. During this period, the animals were handled at least 2 times. Immediately upon arrival, rats were put on a reversed light cycle (dark from 11 am-11 pm) and put in the HM2 system and ID chipped. Three rats were housed in each cage. During the acclimatisation period, in which the rats get used to the new light cycle and diet (Research diet, LF 10% (Dl 2450B), the animals had free access to food and water. Since rats are normally active and eat their major part of their daily food intake during the dark period, rats were dosed in the morning right before lights were turned off. Such a set-up results in the lowest data variation and highest test sensitivity. Each dose of GLP-amylin receptor co-agonist was tested in a group of 5-8 rats. A vehicle group of 6-8 rats was included in each set of testing. In each cage there were animals from three different treatment groups (this was done if one of the cages should malfunction). The rats were dosed once according to body weight with a 0.01-3 mg/kg solution administered subcutaneously (sc). The time of dosing was recorded for each group.
After dosing, the rats were returned to their home cages, where they had access to food and water. The food consumption was recorded individually and continuously by on-line registration (HM2 system) up to 72 h. At the end of the experimental session, the animals were euthanised.
Table 6 shows acute food intake in lean rats. The results allowed assessment of in vivo potency and provided an indication of the compounds' duration of action. Food intake was performed in rats up to 48 h.
Following dosing of GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonists to rats, it was observed that many of them induced a profound food intake inhibition, compared with vehicle treatment, as can be deduced from the data presented in Table 6a.
The data in Table 6b highlight the importance of a compound being able to activate both the GLP-1 receptor and the amylin receptor. A comparison is made with three compounds: a GLP-1 receptor-amylin receptor co-agonist (compound 0120) which is fully potent on both receptors; comparator compound 0167, which has impaired GLP-1 activity but full amylin potency, and comparator compound 0192, which has impaired amylin activity but full GLP-1 potency (See Table 4c for the in vitro data). When compound 0120 is administered to rats (10 nmol/kg), it results in significant inhibition of food intake within the first 48 hours. When either compound 0167 or compound 0192 is administered to rats (10 nmol/kg), the rats' inhibition of food intake is, in both cases, significantly less than in the case of compound 0120. This indicates that both receptor systems are activated by compound 0120 and that it is a “balanced” compound.
While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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20215291.4 | Dec 2020 | EP | regional |
21154668.4 | Feb 2021 | EP | regional |
21179810.3 | Jun 2021 | EP | regional |
This application is a continuation U.S. application Ser. No. 18/084,088, filed Dec. 19, 2022, which is a continuation of International Application PCT/EP2021/086494, filed Dec. 17, 2021, which claims priority to European Patent Applications 20215291.4, filed Dec. 18, 2020, 21154668.4, filed Feb. 2, 2021, and 21179810.3, filed Jun. 16, 2021; the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 18084088 | Dec 2022 | US |
Child | 18591754 | US | |
Parent | PCT/EP2021/086494 | Dec 2021 | WO |
Child | 18084088 | US |