Property- and Structure-Guided Discovery of a Tetrahydroindazole Series of Interleukin-2 Inducible T-Cell Kinase Inhibitors

Interleukin-2 inducible T-cell kinase (ITK), a member of the Tec family of tyrosine kinases, plays a major role in T-cell signaling downstream of the T-cell receptor (TCR), and considerable efforts have been directed toward discovery of ITK-selective inhibitors as potential treatments of inflammatory disorders such as asthma. Using a previously disclosed indazole series of inhibitors as a starting point, and using X-ray crystallography and solubility forecast index (SFI) as guides, we evolved a series of tetrahydroindazole inhibitors with improved potency, selectivity, and pharmaceutical properties. Highlights include identification of a selectivity pocket above the ligand plane, and identification of appropriate lipophilic substituents to occupy this space. This effort culminated in identification of a potent and selective ITK inhibitor (GNE-9822) with good ADME properties in preclinical species.