dotinurad (FYU-981) potently inhibits uric acid uptake by renal proximal tubule epithelial cells, increasing uric acid urinary secretion which can help hyperuricemic conditions like gout. The mechanism of action is believed to be inhibition of the URAT1 organic anion transporter which mediates uric acid reabsorption. Benzbromarone has been [...]

Pfizer disclosed the structure and discovery of their oral small molecule BDK inhibitor/degrader, PF-07328948, during the ACS Fall 2024 First-Time Disclosures session in Denver. The team identified a thiophene carboxylic acid-based hit targeting an allosteric pocket on BDK. Through optimization, they overcame challenges such as potential IADRs and BDK-E2 complex stabilization. By manipulating the dihedral angle of the methoxy group, they enhanced binding interactions, verifying PF-07328948's unexpected mechanism of action in vivo. PF-07328948 is currently Ph. I trials.

PF-06882961 is an oral small molecule agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R). GLP-1R agonists increase the production of insulin and are highly useful in the treatment of diabetes. However, until the recent introduction of an oral formulation of semaglutide, GLP-1 agonists were all peptides requiring inconvenient injections. [...]

GS-9688 (selgantolimod) is a potent and selective TLR8 agonist sparing related receptor TLR7, and is intended to induce better immune responses in chronic hepatitis B. Since systemic activation of TLR8 was undesirable, selgantolimod was designed to have high first-pass hepatic clearance to induce effective antiviral immunity in the liver but [...]

Merck’s macrocyclic PCSK9 protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitor, MK-0616, is a once-daily PCSK9-lowering and LDL-cholesterol-lowering small molecule that has recently demonstrated antibody-like efficacy as an oral agent in the clinic. The program highlights numerous technical achievements at the forefront of modern drug discovery, and will set a standard for modern “classics in drug discovery” for some time.