PF-07817883 (Ibuzatrelvir): A Second-Generation SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitor with Improved Metabolic Stability
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Mavacamten and Oteseconazole: FDA Novel Drug Approvals in April 2022
There were two novel small molecules approved in April 2022: mavacamten (Camzyos), an oral cardiac myosin inhibitor oteseconazole (Vivjoy), an oral antifungal ( jump to section ) This deep dive explores each drug in more detail, including the industry context, the clinical data, the target rationale, mechanisms of action, and drug origins [...]
The Covalent Drug Comeback
Whereas covalent drugs were once considered risky for indications other than cancer due to the potential for idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury and other toxicities, concerns appear to have softened as an increasing number of non-oncology covalent inhibitor programs have achieved successful outcomes. Here we highlight several recent anecdotes in covalent inhibitor drug discovery that seem to reflect these changing attitudes, including billion-dollar acquisitions and approvals outside oncology, and a few modern examples that showcase the increasingly rich science in this area.
Covalent Fragment Screening with Chemoproteomics: KEAP1 Engagers with an Unusual Warhead
Nrf2/KEAP1 modulation has been pursued since the discovery that dimethyl fumarate and its metabolite protect CNS neurons via up-regulation of Nrf2-depdendent activities. Compounds with greater selectivity have been sought for many years, culminating with the approval of the KEAP1 inhibitor, omaveloxolone. Vividion disclosed their efforts to identify the covalent KEAP1 inhibitor, VVD-702. This ACS Spring 2024 disclosure is an excellent case study for covalent hit finding using chemoproteomics, covalent compound optimization, and the use of an uncommon but surprisingly stable covalent warhead.
Two Potential Upcoming Approvals and Other January NDAs
Our latest roundup of small molecules in the news includes two potential upcoming approvals: rezafungin Rezafungin (CD-101) is a once-weekly IV antifungal agent and next-generation echinocandin (glucan synthase inhibitor) that demonstrated non-inferiority vs. standard of care caspofungin (IV QD) (NCT03667690). An FDA AdCom voted 14 to 1 in [...]
KIN-3248: Overcoming FGFR Resistance with a Next-Generation Pan-FGFR Inhibitor
KIN-3248 (Kinnate Biopharma) is a next-generation, irreversible, pan-fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitor (FGFRi) in a first-in-human (FIH) dose-escalation study (NCT05242822) in adults with advanced tumors harboring FGFR2 and FGFR3 gene alterations. The program is an excellent case study for rational covalent drug design to address kinase mutations while maintaining sufficient PK properties for oral daily dosing in humans.
