WO2014081996A1

WO2014081996A1 - Novel compounds as diacylglycerol acyltransferase inhibitors

Info

Publication number: WO2014081996A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/071380
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mui Cheung; Raghuram S. TANGIRALA
Original assignee: Glaxosmithkline Llc
Priority date: 2012-11-23
Filing date: 2013-11-22
Publication date: 2014-05-30

Abstract

This invention relates to novel compounds which are inhibitors of acyl coenzyme A: diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT-1 ), to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, to processes for their preparation, and to their use in therapy, alone or in combination with weight management therapies or other triglyceride lowering therapy for the prevention or treatment of diseases related to DGAT-1 dysfunction or where modulation of DGA T-1 activity may have therapeutic benefit.

Description

NOVEL COMPOUNDS AS DIACYLGLYCEROL ACYLTRANSFERASE INHIBITORS

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to novel compounds which are inhibitors of acyl coenzyme A: diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT-1), to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, to processes for their preparation, and to their use in therapy, alone or in combination with weight management therapies or other triglyceride lowering therapy, for the prevention or treatment of diseases related to DGAT- 1 dysfunction or where modulation of DGAT- 1 activity may have therapeutic benefit including but not limited to obesity, obesity related disorders, genetic (Type 1 , Type 5 hyperlipidemia) and acquired forms of hypertriglyceridemia or hyperlipoproteinemia- related disorders, caused by but not limited to lipodystrophy, hypothyroidism, medications (beta blockers, thiazides, estrogen, glucocorticoids, transplant) and other factors (pregnancy, alcohol intake), hyperlipoproteinemia, chylomicronemia, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular outcomes, angina, excess hair growth (including syndromes associated with hirsutism), nephrotic syndrome, fibrosis such as mycocardial, renal and liver fibrosis, hepatitis C virus infection and acne or other skin disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Obesity is a medical condition that is reaching epidemic proportions among humans in a number of countries throughout the world. It is a condition that is also associated with or induces other diseases or conditions that disrupt life activities and lifestyles. Obesity is recognized as a serious risk factor for other diseases and conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis. It is also known that increased body weight due to obesity can place a burden on joints, such as knee joints, causing arthritis, pain, and stiffness.

Because overeating and obesity have become such a problem in the general population, many individuals are now interested in losing weight, reducing weight, and maintaining a healthy body weight and desirable lifestyle. One approach to treating obesity is to reduce food intake and/or hyperlipidemia. It has been suggested that molecules which are developed to prevent the accumulation of triglyceride would not only reduce obesity but also have the additional beneficial effect of reducing insulin resistance, a primary factor contributing to the development of diabetes.

Acyl coenzyme A: diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT-1) is one of two known DGAT enzymes that catalyze the final step in mammalian triglyceride synthesis. DGAT-1 is an enzyme that is implicated in the development of both diabetes and insulin resistance. Studies of DGAT-1 deficient mice show that DGAT- 1 deficiency protects against insulin resistance and obesity, see Chen, H.C. et al., J Clin Invest., 109(8), 1049-1055 (2002). Therefore, inhibitors of DGAT-1 should be useful for the treatment of metabolic disorders, e.g. obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance syndrome (or metabolic syndrome) and other associated or related diseases and conditions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:

wherein:

X is CH, CR², or N;

R¹ is (C C₄)alkyl, halo(C C₄)alkyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, 4- to 6-membered

heterocycloalkyl, phenyl, phenyl(Ci-C₂)alkyl, or 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl, wherein said (Ci-C₄)alkyl is optionally substituted by (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)alkoxy, -C0₂H, or -C0₂(Ci-C )alkyl, and wherein said phenyl, phenyl(Ci-C₂)alkyl, or 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl is optionally substituted by -0(Ci-C₂)alkylO- or optionally substituted with one to three substituents independently selected from halogen, cyano, oxo, (Ci-C₄)alkyl, halo(Ci-C₄)alkyl, hydroxy(Cr C₄)alkyl, -C0₂H, -C0₂(C C₄)alkyl, and -OR³;

R² is halogen, (Ci-C )alkyl, halo(Ci-C )alkyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, 4- to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl, -NHC(0)(C C₄)alkyl, or -NHC(0)(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl; and

each R³ is independently selected from hydrogen, (Ci-C )alkyl, halo(Ci-C )alkyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, 4- to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl, phenyl, phenyl(Ci-C₂)alkyl, 5- or 6- membered heteroaryl, -CH₂C0₂H, -CH₂C0₂(C C₄)alkyl, -CH₂C(0)NH₂,

-CH₂C(0)NH(Ci-C₄)alkyl, and -CH₂C(0)N(Ci-C₄)alkyl(Ci-C₄)alkyl.

This invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of

Formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

This invention also relates to a method of treating obesity comprising administering to a human in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to compounds of the Formula (I) as defined above.

In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein X is CH or CR². In a specific embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein X is CH. In another specific embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein X is N. In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R² is (C3-C₇)cycloalkyl, 4- to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl, or -NHC(0)(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl.

In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is (Ci-C₄)alkyl, hydroxy(Ci-C₄)alkyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, azetidinyl, oxetanyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, phenyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, or triazinyl, wherein said phenyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, or triazinyl is optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, oxo, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, and cyclopentyloxy.

In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is (Ci-C/ alkyl which is optionally substituted by (C3-C₇)cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, (Ci-C/ alkoxy, -CO₂H, or -C0₂(Ci-C4)alkyl. In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is (Ci-C/ alkyl or hydroxy(Ci-C4)alkyl. In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is (Ci-C4)alkyl.

In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is (C3-C₇)cycloalkyl or 4- to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl. In a specific embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, azetidinyl, oxetanyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl,

thiomorpholinyl, or tetrahydropyranyl. In a more specific embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is cyclobutyl or oxetanyl.

In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is phenyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, or triazinyl, each of which is optionally substituted by -0(Ci-C₂)alkylO- or optionally substituted with one to three substituents independently selected from halogen, cyano, oxo, (Ci-C4)alkyl, halo(Ci-C₄)alkyl, hydroxy(Ci-C₄)alkyl, -C0₂H, -C0₂(Ci-C₄)alkyl, and -OR³. In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is phenyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, or triazinyl, each of which is optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, oxo, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, and cyclopentyloxy.

In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is phenyl which is optionally substituted by -0(Ci-C₂)alkylO- or optionally substituted with one to three substituents independently selected from halogen, cyano, oxo, (Ci-C₄)alkyl, halo(Cr C₄)alkyl, hydroxy(C C₄)alkyl, -C0₂H, -C0₂(Ci-C₄)alkyl, and -OR³. In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is phenyl which is optionally substituted by -0(Ci-C₂)alkylO- or optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from fluorine, chlorine, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)alkoxy, halo(Ci-C₄)alkoxy, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkoxy, (Ci-C₄)alkyl, and halo(Ci-C )alkyl. In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is phenyl which is optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, and cyclopentyloxy.

In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, or isothiazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)alkoxy, halo(Ci-C₄)alkoxy, (C3-C₇)cycloalkoxy, (Ci-C₄)alkyl, and halo(Ci-C₄)alkyl. In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, or isothiazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, and cyclopentyloxy.

In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, or pyrimidinyl, each of which is optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from oxo, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)alkoxy, halo(Ci-C₄)alkoxy, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkoxy, (Ci-C )alkyl, and halo(Ci-C )alkyl. In another embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) wherein R¹ is pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, or pyrimidinyl, each of which is optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, oxo, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, and cyclopentyloxy.

In a particular embodiment, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein:

X is CH or CR²;

R¹ is (Ci-C₄)alkyl, hydroxy(Ci-C₄)alkyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, azetidinyl, oxetanyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, phenyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, or triazinyl, wherein said phenyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, or triazinyl is optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, oxo, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, and cyclopentyloxy; and

R² is cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, azetidinyl, oxetanyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, -NHC(0)cyclopropyl, -NHC(0)cyclobutyl, -NHC(0)cyclopentyl, or -NHC(0)cyclohexyl.

X is CH; and

R¹ is (Ci-C/ alkyl, hydroxy(Ci-C4)alkyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, azetidinyl, oxetanyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, phenyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, or triazinyl, wherein said phenyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, or triazinyl is optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, oxo, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, and cyclopentyloxy.

X is N;

This invention also relates to compounds that are exemplified in the Experimental section. Specific compounds of this invention include:

6-(l-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l-(6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)-lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine; 6-(l -(2-methoxyphenyl)- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine; and

6-(l -propyl- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Other compounds that may be prepared using the methods described herein or by methods known in the art include:

6-(l -(cyclopropylmethyl)- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l -(4-methoxybenzyl)- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l -(2,2-difluoroethyl)- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l -phenyl- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l -(pyridin-2-yl)- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l -(thiazol-2-yl)- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l -cyclopropyl- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l -(pyrazin-2-yl)- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l-(2-(cyclopentyloxy)phenyl)-lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l -(2-isobutoxyphenyl)- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l-(2-isopropoxyphenyl)-lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l-(2-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yloxy)phenyl)- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7- amine;

2-(2-(5-(7-aminopyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-6-yl)-lH-indol- l-yl)phenoxy)acetic acid; 6-(l-(2-(prop-2-ynyloxy)phenyl)-lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

2-(2-(5-(7-aminopyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-6-yl)-lH-indol- l-yl)phenoxy)acetamide; 2-(2-(5-(7-aminopyrazolo[ 1 ,5-a]pyrimidin-6-yl)- lH-indol- 1 -yl)phenoxy)-N- methylacetamide;

2-(2-(5-(7-aminopyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-6-yl)-lH-indol- l-yl)phenoxy)-N,N- dimethylacetamide;

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

A person of ordinary skills in the art recognizes that compounds of the present invention may have alternative names when different naming software is used. This invention also relates to compounds of Formula (I) or any of the exemplified compounds, or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for use in therapy. In particular, for use in the treatment of diseases mediated by Acyl coenzyme A: diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT- 1), such as obesity, obesity related disorders, genetic (Type 1, Type 5 hyperlipidemia) and acquired forms of hypertriglyceridemia or hyperlipoproteinemia-related disorders,

hyperlipoproteinemia, chylomicronemia, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular outcomes, angina, excess hair growth (including syndromes associated with hirsutism), nephrotic syndrome, fibrosis such as mycocardial, renal and liver fibrosis, hepatitis C virus infection and acne or other skin disorders. In particular, this invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), or any of the exemplified compounds, or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for use in the treatment of obesity.

This invention also relates to compounds of Formula (I) or any of the exemplified compounds, or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for use as a medicament. This invention also relates to compounds of Formula (I) or any of the exemplified compounds, or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of obesity.

Typically, but not absolutely, the salts of the present invention are pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Salts encompassed within the term "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" refer to non-toxic salts of the compounds of this invention. Salts of the disclosed compounds containing a basic amine or other basic functional group may be prepared by any suitable method known in the art, including treatment of the free base with an inorganic acid, such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like, or with an organic acid, such as acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, mandelic acid, fumaric acid, malonic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, pyranosidyl acid, such as glucuronic acid or galacturonic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid, such as citric acid or tartaric acid, amino acid, such as aspartic acid or glutamic acid, aromatic acid, such as benzoic acid or cinnamic acid, sulfonic acid, such as p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid or the like. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include sulfates, pyrosulfates, bisulfates, sulfites, bisulfites, phosphates, chlorides, bromides, iodides, acetates, propionates, decanoates, caprylates, acrylates, formates, isobutyrates, caproates, heptanoates, propiolates, oxalates, malonates succinates, suberates, sebacates, fumarates, maleates, butyne- l,4-dioates, hexyne- 1 ,6-dioates, benzoates, chlorobenzoates, methylbenzoates, dinitrobenzoates, hydroxybenzoates,

methoxybenzoates, phthalates, phenylacetates, phenylpropionates, phenylbutrates, citrates, lactates, γ-hydroxybutyrates, glycolates, tartrates mandelates, and sulfonates, such as

xylenesulfonates, methanesulfonates, propanesulfonates, naphthalene- 1 -sulfonates and naphthalene-2-sulfonates. Salts of the disclosed compounds containing a carboxylic acid or other acidic functional group can be prepared by reacting with a suitable base. Such a pharmaceutically acceptable salt may be made with a base which affords a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, which includes alkali metal salts (especially sodium and potassium), alkaline earth metal salts (especially calcium and magnesium), aluminum salts and ammonium salts, as well as salts made from physiologically acceptable organic bases such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, morpholine, pyridine, piperidine, picoline, dicyclohexylamine, N,N-dibenzylethylenediamine, 2-hydroxyethylamine, bis-(2- hydroxyethyl)amine, tri-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, procaine, dibenzylpiperidine,

dehydroabietylamine, N,N-bisdehydroabietylamine, glucamine, N-methylglucamine, collidine, choline, quinine, quinoline, and basic amino acid such as lysine and arginine.

Other salts, which are not pharmaceutically acceptable, may be useful in the preparation of compounds of this invention and these should be considered to form a further aspect of the invention. These salts, such as oxalic or trifluoroacetate, while not in themselves pharmaceutically acceptable, may be useful in the preparation of salts useful as intermediates in obtaining the compounds of the invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

As used herein, the term "a compound of Formula (I)" or "the compound of Formula (I)" refers to one or more compounds according to Formula (I). The compound of Formula (I) may exist in solid or liquid form. In the solid state, it may exist in crystalline or noncrystalline form, or as a mixture thereof. The skilled artisan will appreciate that pharmaceutically acceptable solvates may be formed for crystalline or non-crystalline compounds. In crystalline solvates, solvent molecules are incorporated into the crystalline lattice during crystallization. Solvates may involve non-aqueous solvents such as, but not limited to, ethanol, isopropanol, DMSO, acetic acid, ethanolamine, or ethyl acetate, or they may involve water as the solvent that is incorporated into the crystalline lattice. Solvates wherein water is the solvent incorporated into the crystalline lattice are typically referred to as "hydrates." Hydrates include stoichiometric hydrates as well as compositions containing variable amounts of water. The invention includes all such solvates.

The skilled artisan will further appreciate that certain compounds of the invention that exist in crystalline form, including the various solvates thereof, may exhibit polymorphism (i.e. the capacity to occur in different crystalline structures). These different crystalline forms are typically known as "polymorphs." The invention includes all such polymorphs. Polymorphs have the same chemical composition but differ in packing, geometrical arrangement, and other descriptive properties of the crystalline solid state. Polymorphs, therefore, may have different physical properties such as shape, density, hardness, deformability, stability, and dissolution properties. Polymorphs typically exhibit different melting points, IR spectra, and X-ray powder diffraction patterns, which may be used for identification. The skilled artisan will appreciate that different polymorphs may be produced, for example, by changing or adjusting the reaction conditions or reagents, used in making the compound. For example, changes in temperature, pressure, or solvent may result in polymorphs. In addition, one polymorph may spontaneously convert to another polymorph under certain conditions.

The compound of Formula (I) or a salt thereof may exist in stereoisomeric forms (e.g., it contains one or more asymmetric carbon atoms). The individual stereoisomers (enantiomers and diastereomers) and mixtures of these are included within the scope of the present invention.

Likewise, it is understood that a compound or salt of Formula (I) may exist in tautomeric forms other than that shown in the formula and these are also included within the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood that the present invention includes all combinations and subsets of the particular groups defined hereinabove. The scope of the present invention includes mixtures of stereoisomers as well as purified enantiomers or enantiomerically/diastereomerically enriched mixtures. It is to be understood that the present invention includes all combinations and subsets of the particular groups defined hereinabove.

The subject invention also includes isotopically-labelled compounds, which are identical to those recited in Formula (I) and following, but for the fact that one or more atoms are replaced by an atom having an atomic mass or mass number different from the atomic mass or mass number usually found in nature. Examples of isotopes that can be incorporated into compounds of the invention and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof include isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, sulphur, fluorine, iodine, and chlorine, such as ²H, ³H, ^UC, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁷0, ¹⁸0, ³¹P, ³²P, ³⁵S, ¹⁸F, ³⁶C1, ¹²³I, and ¹²⁵I.

Compounds of the present invention and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds that contain the aforementioned isotopes and/or other isotopes of other atoms are within the scope of the present invention. Isotopically-labelled compounds of the present invention, for example those into which radioactive isotopes such as ³H or ¹⁴C are incorporated, are useful in drug and/or substrate tissue distribution assays. Tritiated, i.e., ³H, and carbon- 14, i.e., ¹⁴C, isotopes are particularly preferred for their ease of preparation and detectability. ^UC and ¹⁸F isotopes are particularly useful in PET (positron emission tomography), and ¹²⁵I isotopes are particularly useful in SPECT (single photon emission computerized tomography), all useful in brain imaging. Further, substitution with heavier isotopes such as deuterium, i.e., ²H, can afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greater metabolic stability, for example increased in vivo half- life or reduced dosage requirements and, hence, may be preferred in some circumstances. Isotopically labelled compounds of Formula (I) and following of this invention can generally be prepared by carrying out the procedures disclosed in the Schemes and/or in the Examples below, by substituting a readily available isotopically labelled reagent for a non-isotopically labelled reagent. DEFINITIONS

Terms are used within their accepted meanings. The following definitions are meant to clarify, but not limit, the terms defined.

As used herein, the term "alkyl" represents a saturated, straight or branched hydrocarbon moiety having the specified number of carbon atoms. The term "(Ci-C₄)alkyl" refers to an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Exemplary alkyls include, but are not limited to methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, and ?-butyl.

When the term "alkyl" is used in combination with other substituent groups, such as "halo(Ci-C4)alkyl" or "hydroxy(Ci -Chalky 1", the term "alkyl" is intended to encompass a divalent straight or branched-chain hydrocarbon radical, wherein the point of attachment is through the alkyl moiety. "halo(Ci-C4)alkyl" is intended to mean a radical having one or more halogen atoms, which may be the same or different, at one or more carbon atoms of an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which is a straight or branched-chain carbon radical. Examples of "halo(Ci-C4)alkyl" groups useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, -CHF₂ (difluoromethyl), -CF₃ (trifluoromethyl), -CC1₃ (trichloromethyl), 1 , 1 -difluoroethyl, 2,2,2- trifluoroethyl, and hexafluoroisopropyl. Examples of "hydroxy(Ci-C4)alkyl" groups useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, and

hydroxyisopropyl.

As used herein, the term "cycloalkyl" refers to a non-aromatic, saturated, cyclic hydrocarbon ring containing the specified number of carbon atoms. The term "(C3-C₇)cycloalkyl" refers to a non-aromatic cyclic hydrocarbon ring having from three to seven ring carbon atoms. Exemplary "(C3-C₇)cycloalkyl" groups useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cycloheptyl.

"Alkoxy" refers to a group containing an alkyl radical, defined hereinabove, attached through an oxygen linking atom. The term "(Ci-C₄)alkoxy" refers to a straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbon radical having at least 1 and up to 4 carbon atoms attached through an oxygen linking atom. Exemplary "(Ci-C4)alkoxy" groups useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, s-butoxy, isobutoxy, and ?-butoxy.

The term "halo(Ci-C4)alkoxy" refers to a straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbon radical, having at least 1 and up to 4 carbon atoms with one or more halogen atoms, which may be the same or different, attached to one or more carbon atoms, which radical is attached through an oxygen linking atom. Exemplary "halo(Ci-C4)alkoxy" groups useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, -OCHF₂ (difluoromethoxy), -OCF₃ (trifluoromethoxy), and -OCH(CF₃)₂ (hexafluoroisopropoxy).

"Cycloalkoxy" refers to a group containing a cycloalkyl radical, defined hereinabove, attached through an oxygen linking atom. The term "(C3-C₇)cycloalkoxy" refers to a non- aromatic, saturated, cyclic hydrocarbon ring having from three to seven ring carbon atoms attached through an oxygen linking atom. Exemplary "(C3-C₇)cycloalkoxy" groups useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy, and cycloheptyloxy.

As used herein, "halogen" or "halo" refers to F, CI, Br, or I. "Oxo" represents a double - bonded oxygen moiety; for example, if attached directly to a carbon atom forms a carbonyl moiety (C = O). "Hydroxy" or "hydroxyl" is intended to mean the radical -OH. As used herein, the term "cyano" refers to the group -CN.

As used herein, "4- to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl" represents a group or moiety comprising a non aromatic, monovalent monocyclic radical, which is saturated or partially unsaturated, containing 4, 5, or 6 ring atoms, which includes one or two heteroatoms selected independently from oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen. Illustrative examples of 4- to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl groups useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to azetidinyl, oxetanyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, oxazolinyl, thiazolinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, dihydrofuranyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, dihydropyranyl, 1,3-dioxanyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, 1,3- oxathiolanyl, 1,3-oxathianyl, and 1,3-dithianyl.

As used herein, "5- or 6-membered heteroaryl" represents a group or moiety comprising an aromatic monovalent monocyclic radical, containing 5 or 6 ring atoms, including at least one carbon atom and 1 to 4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Selected 5-membered heteroaryl groups contain one nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur ring heteroatom, and optionally contain 1, 2, or 3 additional nitrogen ring atoms. Selected 6-membered heteroaryl groups contain 1, 2, or 3 nitrogen ring heteroatoms. Illustrative examples of 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl groups useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, and triazinyl.

As used herein, the term "optionally" means that the subsequently described event(s) may or may not occur, and includes both event(s) that occur and event(s) that do not occur.

The term "independently" means that where more than one substituent is selected from a number of possible substituents, those substituents may be the same or different. The alternative definitions for the various groups and substituent groups of Formula (I) provided throughout the specification are intended to particularly describe each compound species disclosed herein, individually, as well as groups of one or more compound species. The scope of this invention includes any combination of these group and substituent group definitions. PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS

The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition (also referred to as pharmaceutical formulation) comprising a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and one or more excipients (also referred to as carriers and/or diluents in the pharmaceutical arts). The excipients are pharmaceutically acceptable in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof (i.e., the patient).

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition comprising mixing (or admixing) a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with at least one excipient.

Pharmaceutical compositions may be in unit dose form containing a predetermined amount of active ingredient per unit dose. Such a unit may contain a therapeutically effective dose of the compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a fraction of a therapeutically effective dose such that multiple unit dosage forms might be administered at a given time to achieve the desired therapeutically effective dose. Preferred unit dosage

formulations are those containing a daily dose or sub-dose, as herein above recited, or an appropriate fraction thereof, of an active ingredient. Furthermore, such pharmaceutical compositions may be prepared by any of the methods well-known in the pharmacy art.

Pharmaceutical compositions may be adapted for administration by any appropriate route, for example, by oral (including buccal or sublingual), rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal, sublingual, or transdermal), vaginal, or parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, or intradermal) routes. Such compositions may be prepared by any method known in the art of pharmacy, for example, by bringing into association the active ingredient with the excipient(s).

When adapted for oral administration, pharmaceutical compositions may be in discrete units such as tablets or capsules, powders or granules, solutions or suspensions in aqueous or nonaqueous liquids, edible foams or whips, oil-in-water liquid emulsions or water-in-oil liquid emulsions. The compound or salt thereof of the invention or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may also be incorporated into a candy, a wafer, and/or tongue tape formulation for administration as a "quick-dissolve" medicine.

For instance, for oral administration in the form of a tablet or capsule, the active drug component can be combined with an oral, non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier such as ethanol, glycerol, water, and the like. Powders or granules are prepared by comminuting the compound to a suitable fine size and mixing with a similarly comminuted pharmaceutical carrier such as an edible carbohydrate, as, for example, starch or mannitol. Flavoring, preservative, dispersing, and coloring agents can also be present.

Capsules are made by preparing a powder mixture, as described above, and filling formed gelatin or non-gelatinous sheaths. Glidants and lubricants such as colloidal silica, talc, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, solid polyethylene glycol can be added to the powder mixture before the filling operation. A disintegrating or solubilizing agent such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, or sodium carbonate can also be added to improve the availability of the medicine when the capsule is ingested.

Moreover, when desired or necessary, suitable binders, lubricants, disintegrating agents, and coloring agents can also be incorporated into the mixture. Suitable binders include starch, gelatin, natural sugars, such as glucose or beta-lactose, corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, tragacanth, sodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, waxes, and the like. Lubricants used in these dosage forms include sodium oleate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, and the like. Disintegrators include, without limitation, starch, methylcellulose, agar, bentonite, xanthan gum, and the like.

Tablets are formulated, for example, by preparing a powder mixture, granulating or slugging, adding a lubricant and disintegrant, and pressing into tablets. A powder mixture is prepared by mixing the compound, suitably comminuted, with a diluent or base as described above, and optionally, with a binder such as carboxymethylcellulose, and aliginate, gelatin, or polyvinyl pyrrolidone, a solution retardant such as paraffin, a resorption accelerator such as a quaternary salt, and/or an absorption agent such as bentonite, kaolin, or dicalcium phosphate. The powder mixture can be granulated by wetting a binder such as a syrup, starch paste, acadia mucilage, or solutions of cellulosic or polymeric materials and forcing through a screen. As an alternative to granulating, the powder mixture can be run through a tablet machine, resulting in imperfectly formed slugs broken into granules. The granules can be lubricated to prevent sticking to the tablet forming dies by means of the addition of stearic acid, a stearate salt, talc, or mineral oil. The lubricated mixture is then compressed into tablets. The compound or salt of the present invention can also be combined with a free-flowing inert carrier and compressed into tablets directly without going through the granulating or slugging steps. A clear opaque protective coating consisting of a sealing coat of shellac, a coating of sugar, or polymeric material, and a polish coating of wax can be provided. Dyestuffs can be added to these coatings to distinguish different dosages.

Oral fluids such as solutions, syrups, and elixirs can be prepared in dosage unit form so that a given quantity contains a predetermined amount of active ingredient. Syrups can be prepared by dissolving the compound or salt thereof of the invention in a suitably flavoured aqueous solution, while elixirs are prepared through the use of a non-toxic alcoholic vehicle. Suspensions can be formulated by dispersing the compound or salt of the invention in a non-toxic vehicle. Solubilizers and emulsifiers, such as ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols and polyoxyethylene sorbitol ethers, preservatives, flavor additives such as peppermint oil, natural sweeteners, saccharin, or other artificial sweeteners, and the like, can also be added. Where appropriate, dosage unit formulations for oral administration can be

microencapsulated. The formulation can also be prepared to prolong or sustain the release as, for example, by coating or embedding particulate material in polymers, wax, or the like.

In the present invention, tablets and capsules are preferred for delivery of the

pharmaceutical composition.

As used herein, the term "treatment" refers to alleviating the specified condition, eliminating or reducing one or more symptoms of the condition, slowing or eliminating the progression of the condition, and preventing or delaying the reoccurrence of the condition in a previously afflicted or diagnosed patient or subject.

The present invention provides a method of treatment in a mammal, especially a human, suffering from obesity, diabetes, hypertension, depression, anxiety, drug addiction, substance addiction, or a combination thereof. Such treatment comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to said mammal, particularly a human. Treatment can also comprise the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition containing a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to said mammal, particularly a human.

As used herein, the term "effective amount" means that amount of a drug or

pharmaceutical agent that will elicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, system, animal, or human that is being sought, for instance, by a researcher or clinician.

The term "therapeutically effective amount" means any amount which, as compared to a corresponding subject who has not received such amount, results in improved treatment, healing, prevention, or amelioration of a disease, disorder, or side effect, or a decrease in the rate of advancement of a disease or disorder. The term also includes within its scope amounts effective to enhance normal physiological function. For use in therapy, therapeutically effective amounts of a compound of Formula (I), as well as salts thereof, may be administered as the raw chemical. Additionally, the active ingredient may be presented as a pharmaceutical composition. While it is possible that, for use in therapy, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, may be administered as the raw chemical, it is typically presented as the active ingredient of a pharmaceutical composition or formulation.

The precise therapeutically effective amount of a compound or salt thereof of the invention will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the age and weight of the subject (patient) being treated, the precise disorder requiring treatment and its severity, the nature of the pharmaceutical formulation/composition, and route of administration, and will ultimately be at the discretion of the attending physician or veterinarian. Typically, a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, will be given for the treatment in the range of about 0.1 to 100 mg/kg body weight of recipient (patient, mammal) per day and more usually in the range of 0.1 to 10 mg/kg body weight per day. Acceptable daily dosages may be from about 0.1 to about 1000 mg/day, and preferably from about 1 to about 100 mg/day. This amount may be given in a single dose per day or in a number (such as two, three, four, five, or more) of sub-doses per day such that the total daily dose is the same. An effective amount of a salt thereof may be determined as a proportion of the effective amount of the compound of Formula (I) per se. Similar dosages should be appropriate for treatment of the other conditions referred herein for treatment. In general, determination of appropriate dosing can be readily arrived at by one skilled in medicine or the pharmacy art.

Additionally, the present invention provides the use of a compound of the invention in combination with weight management therapies or other triglyceride lowering therapy. In particular, the present invention provides a combination of a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition thereof with at least one other therapeutically active agent, including another anti-obesity drug and/or an anti-diabetes drug. Such other therapeutically active agent can include, for example, metformin (Glucophage^®), CB 1 receptor antagonists, GLP- 1 agonists, opioid antagonists, and neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors. When a compound of the invention is employed in combination with another anti-obesity drug or anti-diabetes drug, it is to be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the dose of each compound or drug of the combination may differ from that when the drug or compound is used alone.

Appropriate doses will be readily appreciated and determined by those skilled in the art. The appropriate dose of the compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and the other therapeutically active agent(s) and the relative timings of administration will be selected in order to achieve the desired combined therapeutic effect, and are within the expertise and discretion of the attending doctor or clinician. COMPOUNDS PREPARATION

Generic Synthesis Schemes

The compounds of this invention may be made by a variety of methods, including well- known standard synthetic methods. Illustrative general synthetic methods are set out below and then specific compounds of the invention are prepared in the working examples. The skilled artisan will appreciate that if a substituent described herein is not compatible with the synthetic methods described herein, the substituent may be protected with a suitable protecting group that is stable to the reaction conditions. The protecting group may be removed at a suitable point in the reaction sequence to provide a desired intermediate or target compound. In all of the schemes described below, protecting groups for sensitive or reactive groups are employed where necessary in accordance with general principles of synthetic chemistry. Protecting groups are manipulated according to standard methods of organic synthesis (T.W. Green and P.G.M. Wuts, (1991) Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons, incorporated by reference with regard to protecting groups). These groups are removed at a convenient stage of the compound synthesis using methods that are readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The selection of processes as well as the reaction conditions and order of their execution shall be consistent with the preparation of compounds of the present invention.

The synthesis of the compounds of the general Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives and salts thereof may be accomplished as outlined below in Scheme 1 by those skilled in the art. In the following description, the groups are as defined above for compounds of Formula (I) unless otherwise indicated. Starting materials are commercially available or are made from commercially available materials using methods known to those skilled in the art.

Compounds of Formula (I) may be prepared via the method illustrated in Scheme 1.

Commercially available 5-cyano indole A is treated with an appropriately substituted alkyl (or cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl) or an aryl (or heteroaryl) coupling precursor such as a bromide, iodide, or a triflate under suitable conditions to effect the corresponding alkylation or arylation to afford the indole derivative B. The cyano group is then cleanly reduced to the aldehyde under Raney nickel catalyzed conditions in the presence of aqueous sodium hypophosphite to afford C. The aldehyde functionality in C is then homologated to the corresponding cyanide D by treatment with TosMIC reagent in the presence of a strong base, such as potassium fert-butoxide. The cyanomethyl indole D is reacted with Bredereck's reagent to give an intermediate enamine (not shown) followed by condensation with 3-aminopyrazole to afford the pyrazolo pyrimidine derivative la, a compound of Formula (I).

Scheme 1. Reagents and conditions: a) R^l- r or R^OTf, Cs₂C0₃, DMF, 70 °C OR R^l-l/R^l-Br, CuBr, Cu(OAc)₂, K₂C0₃, NaOH, DMF, 105 °C OR R^I/R^Br, CuBr, Cu(OAc)₂, K₂C0₃, NaOH, DMF, 130 °C OR R^l-l/R^l-Br, CuBr, ethylene diamine, K₂C0₃, DMF, 140 °C; b) Raney Ni, NaH₂P0₂.H₂0, Py-AcOH, 45 °C; c) / toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide, KO-?Bu, THF, -78 °C, then MeOH, 70 °C; d) Bredereck's reagent, toluene, 80 °C, then 3-aminopyrazole, AcOH, CH₃CN, 80 °C. EXPERIMENTALS

The following examples illustrate the invention. These examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but rather to provide guidance to the skilled artisan to prepare and use the compounds, compositions, and methods of the present invention. While particular embodiments of the present invention are described, the skilled artisan will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Unless otherwise noted, reagents are commercially available or are prepared according to procedures in the literature. The symbols and conventions used in the descriptions of processes, schemes, and examples are consistent with those used in the contemporary scientific literature, for example, the Journal of the American Chemical Society or the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

In the Examples:

Chemical shifts are expressed in parts per million (ppm) units. Coupling constants (J) are in units of hertz (Hz). Splitting patterns describe apparent multiplicities and are designated as s (singlet), d (doublet), t (triplet), q (quartet), dd (double doublet), dt (double triplet), m (multiplet), br (broad).

Flash column chromatography was performed on silica gel.

The naming program used is ChemDraw^®.

Abbreviations:

Ac acetyl

ACN acetonitrile

AcOH acetic acid

Aq. aqueous

DCE dichloroethane

DCM dichloromethane

DMF dimethylformamide

DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide

ESI-MS electron spray ionisation mass spectrometry

EtOH ethanol/ethyl alcohol

g grams

h hours

m/z mass to charge ratio

MeOH methanol

mL millilitres

mmol millimoles NMR nuclear magnetic resonance

Ph phenyl

Py pyridine

RT room temperature

t- u tertiary butyl

Tf trifluoromethanesulfonyl

THF tetrahydrofuran

Example 1:

Reagents and conditions: a) 5-bromo-2-methylpyridine, CuBr, ethylene diamine, K₂C0₃, DMF, 140 °C, 16 h; b) Raney Ni, NaH₂P0₂.H₂0, Py-AcOH, 45 °C, 2 h; c) / toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide, ?-BuOK, THF, -78 °C, 1.5 h, then MeOH, 70 °C, lh; d) Bredereck's reagent, toluene, 80 °C, 4 h, then 3-amino pyrazole, AcOH, CH₃CN, 80 °C, 8 h.

Procedures

6-(l-(6-Methylpyridin-3-yl)-lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-alpyrimidin-7-amine:

l-(6-Methylpyridin-3-yl)-lH-indole-5-carbonitrile (1A):

Potassium carbonate (3.69 g, 26.7 mmol), copper (I) bromide (0.192 g, 1.337 mmol) and ethane- 1,2-diamine (0.008 g, 0.134 mmol) were added to a mixture of 5-bromo-2-methyl pyridine (6.9 g, 40.1 mmol) and 5-cyano-lH-indole (1.9 g, 13.37 mmol) in DMF (50 mL) and the resulting mixture was stirred at 140 °C for 16 h. Insoluble solids were filtered, the filtrate was concentrated and partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. Separated organic layer was dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography using 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes to afford the title compound (1.2 g, 36%) as an off-white solid. ^lU NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃): δ 8.67 (d, J= 2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (s, 1H), 7.69 (dd, Ji = 2.4 Hz, J₂ = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (s, 2H), 7.41 (d, J= 3.3 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (d, J= 8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.80 (d, J= 3.3 Hz, 1H), 2.65 (s, 3H). ESI-MS m/z = 234 (M+H)⁺. l-(6-Methylpyridin-3-yl)-lH-indole-5-carbaldehvde (IB):

Acetic acid (12 mL), a solution of sodium hypophosphite (1.52 g) in H₂0 (3 ml) and 10% Ra-Ni (1.5 g) were sequentially added to a solution of 1A (1.2 g, 5.14 mmol) in pyridine (24 mL). The resultant mixture was heated at 45 °C for 2 h and filtered. The filtrate was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with 0.1 N aqueous HCl (2 x 15 mL) and water (2 x 20 mL). Separated organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and triturated using chloroform to afford the title compound (0.6 g, 46%) as an off-white solid. ^lH

NMR (300 MHz, OMSO-d₆): δ 10.03 (s, 1H), 8.72 (d, J= 2.1 Hz, 1H), 8.29 (s, 1H), 7.99 (dd, J_; = 2.7 Hz, J₂ = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.84 (d, J= 3.3 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (d, J= 9.6 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (d, J= 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (d, J= 8.7 Hz, 1H), 6.95 (d, J= 3.3 Hz, 1H), 2.56 (s, 3H). ESI-MS m/z = 237 (M+H)⁺.

2-(l-(6-Methylpyridin-3-vn-lH-indol-5-vnacetonitrile (1C):

A solution of TosMIC (0.92 g, 5.08 mmol) in THF (30 mL) was added to a suspension of ?-BuOK (1.14 g, 10.16 mmol) in THF (30 mL) at -78 °C. The mixture was stirred for 10 min, treated with a solution of IB (0.66 g, 2.54 mmol) in THF (30 mL) dropwise and continued to stir for 1.5 h, at -78 °C. Methanol (10 mL) was then added to the reaction mixture at the same temperature, gradually warmed and then refluxed for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo after cooling back to room temperature and partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. Separated organic layer was dried over sodium sulphate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and purified by flash chromatography using 15% ethyl acetate in hexanes to afford the title compound (0.35 g, 52%) as a pale yellow solid. ^lU NMR (400 MHz, CDC1₃): δ 8.67 (d, J= 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.70 (dd, J = 2.8 Hz, J₂ = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (s, 1H), 7.45 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.36 - 7.28 (m, 3H), 7.16 (dd, J_/ = 1.6 Hz, J₂ = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 6.71 (d, J= 3.6 Hz, 1H), 3.86 (s, 2H), 2.66 (s, 3H). ESI-MS m/z = 248 (M+H)⁺.

6-(l-(6-Methylpyridin-3-yl)-lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-alpyrimidin-7-amine (1):

A solution of 1C (0.37 g, 1.496 mmol) and Bredereck's reagent (0.79 g, 4.94 mmol) in toluene (15 mL) was heated to 70 °C for 4 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 40 °C and a sequential addition of acetic acid (2.156 g, 35.9 mmol) and a solution of 3-aminopyrazole (0.249 g, 2.99 mmol) in acetonitrile (1 mL) was done. The reaction mixture was heated to 80 °C for 8 h, concentrated in vacuo and partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. Separated organic layer was dried over sodium sulphate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and purified by flash chromatography using 30% ethyl acetate in hexanes to afford the title compound (0.245 g, 47%) as a pale yellow solid. ^lH NMR (400 MHz, CDC1₃): δ 8.72 (d, J= 2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.33 (s, 1H), 8.09 (d, J = 2.8 Hz, 1H), 7.80 (s, 1H), 7.75 (dd, J = 2.8 Hz, J₂ = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (d, J= 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.39 (d, J= 3.6 Hz, 1H), 7.37 - 7.32 (m, 2H), 6.78 (d, J= 3.2 Hz, 1H), 6.57 (d, J= 2.0 Hz, 1H), 5.91 (bs, 2H), 2.67 (s, 3H). ESI-MS m/z = 341 (M+H)⁺; HPLC purity: 97.8%.

Examples 2 - 4 were prepared by the methods described above for Example 1 or routine variations thereof.

Biological Assay

Inhibition of human DGAT1 activity in vitro

Human DGAT1 was expressed in Sf9 insect cells using a baculovirus expression system. Microsomes were prepared and used as enzyme for in vitro inhibition testing in either of two formats measuring production of coenzyme A or tridecanoylglycerol product, respectively. All steps were performed at 21-23°C. All data for DGAT1 inhibition by test compounds were collected under conditions where product formation was linear with reaction time.

CPM assay: For inhibition of CoA product formation, test compounds were prepared in 100% DMSO, diluted 100-fold into assay buffer, and 10 uL added to 96-well half-area plates (Greiner 675076). An equal volume (10 uL) of 3X enzyme in buffer was added and the components incubated for 30 minutes pre -reaction incubation to allow enzyme and test compounds to attain binding equilibrium. The 3X enzyme mixture contained 30 uM {4-[4-(4-amino-7,7- dimethyl-7H-pyrimido[4,5-Z7][l,4]oxazin-6-yl)phenyl]cyclohexyl}acetic acid for fully inhibited control wells. Some assays were performed with inclusion of didecanoylglycerol in the pre- reaction incubation of test compound and enzyme. DGAT reactions (30 uL) were initiated upon addition of 10 uL of 3X substrate solution. Final reaction conditions consisted of 20 mM HEPES pH 7.5, 2 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM CHAPS, 50 uM didecanoylglycerol, 3 uM decanoyl-CoA, 1 ug/mL microsomal protein, and 1% DMSO. Following a 60 minute reaction incubation, reactions were stopped and CoA product derivatized with 30 uL of buffer containing 10 uM {4-[4-(4-amino-7,7- dimethyl-7H-pyrimido[4,5-Z7][l,4]oxazin-6-yl)phenyl]cyclohexyl}acetic acid and 50 uM 7- diethylamino-3-(4'-maleimidylphenyl)-4-methylcoumarin (CPM). Fluorescence was read using Envision reader at Ex 405 nm/Em 480 nm about 30 minutes after addition of final solution.

Inhibition was normalized to controls containing DMSO or 10 uM {4-[4-(4-amino-7,7-dimethyl- 7H-pyrimido[4,5-Z7][l,4]oxazin-6-yl)phenyl]cyclohexyl} acetic acid. IC₅oS were fitted using GraphPad Prism to a sigmoidal dose response.

LE assay: For inhibition of triacylglycerol product formation, 1 1 uL reactions were run in white Polyp late-384 (PerkinElmer6007300) starting with a 30 minute pre -reaction incubation of 5 uL of 2.2X enzyme and 1 uL of 100% DMSO containing test compound or control compound, {4- [4-(4-amino-7,7-dimethyl-7H-pyrimido[4,5-Z7][l,4]oxazin-6-yl)phenyl]cyclohexyl} acetic acid. Some assays were performed with inclusion of didecanoylglycerol in the pre-reaction incubation of test compounds and enzyme. Reactions were initiated after 30 minute pre-reaction incubation via addition of 5 uL of 2.2X substrate. Final reaction conditions consisted of 50 mM HEPES pH 7.5, 2 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM CHAPS, 25 uM didecanoylglycerol, 0.5 uM decanoyl-CoA, 0.3 nCi/uL [¹⁴C]-decanoyl-CoA or 0.5 nCi/uL [³H]-decanoyl-CoA, 0.05-4 ug/mL microsomal protein, and 1% DMSO. Following 60 minute reaction incubation, reactions were stopped with 40 uL of 45% isopropanol and 50 mM sodium carbonate in water and mixed. Extraction of tridecanoylglycerol product was accomplished via addition of 30 uL Microscint-E (Perkin Elmer) and 2 hours of incubation (sealed). Plates were read on a Microbeta Microplate reader. Inhibition was normalized to controls containing DMSO or 10 uM {4-[4-(4-amino-7,7-dimethyl-7H- pyrimido[4,5-Z?][l,4]oxazin-6-yl)phenyl]cyclohexyl}acetic acid. IC₅oS were fitted using GraphPad Prism to a sigmoidal dose response.

Biological Data

Exemplified compounds of the present invention were tested in one or more DGAT assays described above and were found to be inhibitors of DGAT 1 with IC₅₀ < 10 μΜ. Data for specific examples tested in the human DGAT1 lipid extraction (LE) assays are listed below in Table 1.

Table 1

Claims

Claims:

1. A compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein:

X is CH, CR², or N;

R¹ is (C C₄)alkyl, halo(d-C₄)alkyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, 4- to 6-membered

heterocycloalkyl, phenyl, phenyl(Ci-C₂)alkyl, or 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl, wherein said (Ci-C4)alkyl is optionally substituted by (C3-C₇)cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, (Ci-C/ alkoxy, -CO₂H, or -C0₂(Ci-C₄)alkyl, and wherein said phenyl, phenyl(Ci-C₂)alkyl, or 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl is optionally substituted by -0(Ci-C₂)alkylO- or optionally substituted with one to three substituents independently selected from halogen, cyano, oxo, (Ci-C₄)alkyl, halo(Ci-C₄)alkyl, hydroxy(Cr C₄)alkyl, -CO₂H, -C0₂(Ci-C₄)alkyl, and -OR³;

R² is halogen, (Ci-C₄)alkyl, halo(Ci-C₄)alkyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, 4- to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl, -NHC(0)(C C₄)alkyl, or -NHC(0)(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl; and

each R³ is independently selected from hydrogen, (Ci-C₄)alkyl, halo(Ci-C₄)alkyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, 4- to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl, phenyl, phenyl(Ci-C₂)alkyl, 5- or 6- membered heteroaryl, -CH₂C0₂H, -CH₂C0₂(C₁-C₄)alkyl, -CH₂C(0)NH₂,

-CH₂C(0)NH(CrC₄)alkyl, and -CH₂C(0)N(C₁-C₄)alkyl(C₁-C₄)alkyl.

2. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 1 wherein X is CH or CR².

3. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 1 wherein X is CH.

4. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein R² is (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, 4- to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl, or

-NHC(0)(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl.

5. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to any one of claims 1-4 wherein R¹ is

which is optionally substituted by (C3-C₇)cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)alkoxy, -C0₂H, or -C0₂(Ci-C₄)alkyl.

6. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to any one of claims 1-4 wherein R¹ is (C3-C₇)cycloalkyl or 4- to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl.

7. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 6 wherein R¹ is cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, azetidinyl, oxetanyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, or tetrahydropyranyl.

8. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to any one of claims 1 -4 wherein R¹ is phenyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, or triazinyl, each of which is optionally substituted by -0(Ci-C₂)alkylO- or optionally substituted with one to three substituents independently selected from halogen, cyano, oxo, (C C₄)alkyl, halo(Ci-C₄)alkyl, hydroxy(Ci-C₄)alkyl, -C0₂H, -C0₂(CrC₄)alkyl, and -OR³.

9. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 8 wherein R¹ is phenyl which is optionally substituted by -0(Ci-C₂)alkylO- or optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from fluorine, chlorine, hydroxyl, (Ci-C4)alkoxy, halo(Ci-C4)alkoxy, (C3-C₇)cycloalkoxy, (Ci-C4)alkyl, and halo(Ci-C4)alkyl.

10. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 8 wherein R¹ is furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, or isothiazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxyl, (Ci-C4)alkoxy, halo(Ci-C4)alkoxy, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkoxy, (Ci-C₄)alkyl, and halo(Ci-C₄)alkyl.

1 1. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 8 wherein R¹ is pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, or pyrimidinyl, each of which is optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from oxo, hydroxyl, (Ci-C4)alkoxy,

halo(Ci-C4)alkoxy, (C3-C₇)cycloalkoxy, (Ci-C4)alkyl, and halo(Ci-C4)alkyl.

12. The compound according to claim 1 which is:

6-(l-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

6-(l-(6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)-lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine; 6-(l -(2-methoxyphenyl)- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine; or 6-(l -propyl- lH-indol-5-yl)pyrazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to any one of claims 1-12 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

14. A method of treating obesity comprising administering to a human in need thereof an effective amount of the compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to any one of claims 1-12.

15. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to any one of claims 1-12 for use in therapy.

16. Use of the compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to any one of claims 1-12 for the treatment of obesity.