BMS-986408 is an oral, dual DGK ⍺ and ζ inhibitor currently in a Ph. I/II trial in patients with solid tumors. The compound was identified stemming from a phenotypic screening approach, and subsequent target deconvolution revealed DGK to be the target. If approved, it would be a first-in-class intracellular checkpoint inhibitor of DGK. This is an excellent case study on how to overcome a DILI risk associated with BSEP inhibition, as well as how to improve solubility and PK properties of your compounds through the introduction of polarity, reduction of aromatic rings, and increase in f(sp3).

Sovleplenib (HMPL-523) is an orally bioavailable Syk inhibitor being developed by HUTCHMED and is currently in Ph. II and Ph. III clinical trials for several autoimmune diseases. Derived from an HTS hit and SAR optimization, the discovery story of sovleplenib serves as an excellent case study on how to design a next-generation Syk inhibitor devoid of off-target kinase activity, mitigated hERG activity, and more.

VVD-214/RO7589831 is an oral covalent, reversible, and allosteric inhibitor of WRN helicase discovered by the San Diego-based biotech Vividion Therapeutics and being developed by Roche for tumors marked by microsatellite instability and/or mismatch repair deficiency. Vividion has utilized its chemoproteomics platform to discover and develop novel treatment options for oncology targets. The structure and initial preclinical pharmacology data for VVD-214 were recently disclosed at the AACR Annual Meeting 2024 in San Diego. VVD-214 is currently being evaluated in a Ph. I trial.

STX-478 is a wild-type-sparing, oral, CNS-penetrant, novel allosteric inhibitor of mutant PI3Kα (phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase α) targeting a cryptic pocket near the ATP-binding site. PI3Kα plays a central role in many cancers, and has been recently highlighted in coverage of 2021 Molecule of the Year nominee and PI3Kα degrader inavolisib. Currently approved PI3Kα modulators are limited by their off-target activities on WT PI3Kα and other kinases, leading to significant side effects including hyperglycemia and rash.

NDI-101150 is an oral HPK1 inhibitor discovered by Nimbus Therapeutics and is currently in Ph. I/II clinical trial in advanced solid tumors. HPK1 is a compelling immuno-oncology target due to its critical role in regulating T-cells, B-cells, and dendritic cell-mediated immune responses. HPK1-deficient mice demonstrate enhanced anti-tumor T-cell responses and resistance to tumor growth. In this article, we detail the discovery of NDI-101150, as highlighted by Nimbus at the ACS Fall 2024 First-Time Disclosures session, interim results from the clinic, and more.