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 [...]

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.

In August 2024, seladelpar (LivdelziTM) became the first FDA-approved selective agonist of PPARδ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ), following an almost 20-year journey from the original discovery and patent publications. Originally developed by CymaBay in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson, approval was granted to Gilead Sciences following their February 2024 purchase of CymaBay Therapeutics for $4.3B. Seladelpar was approved as a second-line treatment for patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

PF-06835919 is an oral first-in-class clinical candidate for NAFLD/NASH targeting ketohexokinase (KHK), an enzyme which initiates the metabolism of fructose. The authors describe a very elegant structure-based design campaign to improve a modestly active, quickly cleared lead molecule into this highly potent, permeable, bioavailable, and [...]

“compound 12j” is a potent agonist of the ghrelin hormone receptor, activation of which stimulates growth hormone secretion and appetite among other activities. Ghrelin receptor antagonists have previously been explored to treat disorders related to obesity such as diabetes, but an agonist could be useful in treating atrophic disorders like [...]