New Drug Approvals

Macimorelin

CAS  381231-18-1

Chemical Formula: C26H30N6O3

Exact Mass: 474.23794

Molecular Weight: 474.55480

Elemental Analysis: C, 65.80; H, 6.37; N, 17.71; O, 10.11

945212-59-9 (Macimorelin acetate)

AEZS-130
ARD-07
D-87875
EP-01572
EP-1572
JMV-1843

USAN (ab-26)
MACIMORELIN ACETATE

THERAPEUTIC CLAIM
Diagnostic agent for adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD)
CHEMICAL NAMES
1. D-Tryptophanamide, 2-methylalanyl-N-[(1R)-1-(formylamino)-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]-, acetate (1:1)
2. N2-(2-amino-2-methylpropanoyl-N1-[(1R)-1-formamido-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]- D-tryptophanamide acetate

MOLECULAR FORMULA
C26H30N6O3.C2H4O2
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
534.6

SPONSOR
Aeterna Zentaris GmbH
CODE DESIGNATIONS
D-87575, EP 1572, ARD 07
CAS REGISTRY NUMBER
945212-59-9

Macimorelin (also known as AEZS-130, EP-1572) is a novel synthetic small molecule, acting as a ghrelin agonist, that is orally active and stimulates the secretion of growth hormone (GH). Based on results of Phase 1 studies, AEZS-130 has potential applications for the treatment of cachexia, a condition frequently associated with severe chronic diseases such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and AIDS. In addition to the therapeutic application, a Phase 3 trial with AEZS-130 as a diagnostic test for growth hormone deficiencies in adults has been completed.

http://www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/usan/macimorelin-acetate.pdf

QUEBEC, Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (the “Company”) today announced that it has submitted a New Drug Application (“NDA”) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for its ghrelin agonist, macimorelin acetate (AEZS-130). Phase 3 data have demonstrated that the compound has the potential to become the first orally-approved product that induces growth hormone release to evaluate adult growth hormone deficiency (“AGHD”), with accuracy comparable to available intravenous and intramuscular testing procedures.  read at

http://www.drugs.com/nda/macimorelin_acetate_131105.html

http://www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/usan/macimorelin-acetate.pdf

macimorelin (JMV 1843), a ghrelin-mimetic growth hormone secretagogue in Phase III for adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD)

Macimorelin, a growth hormone modulator, is currently awaiting registration in the U.S. by AEterna Zentaris as an oral diagnostic test of adult growth hormone deficit disorder. The company is also developing the compound in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of cancer related cachexia. The compound was being codeveloped by AEterna Zentaris and Ardana Bioscience; however, the trials underway at Ardana were suspended in 2008 based on a company strategic decision. AEterna Zentaris owns the worldwide rights of the compound. In 2007, orphan drug designation was assigned by the FDA for the treatment of growth hormone deficit in adults.

New active series of growth hormone secretagogues
J Med Chem 2003, 46(7): 1191

WO 2001096300

WO 2007093820

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J Med Chem 2003, 46(7): 1191

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jm020985q

Synthetic Pathway for JMV 1843 and Analogues^a

^a Reagents and conditions:  (a) IBCF, NMM, DME, 0 °C; (b) NH₄OH; (c) H₂, Pd/C, EtOH, HCl; (d) BOP, NMM, DMF, Boc-(d)-Trp-OH; (e) Boc₂O, DMAP cat., anhydrous CH₃CN; (f) BTIB, pyridine, DMF/H₂O; (g) 2,4,5-trichlorophenylformate, DIEA, DMF; (h) TFA/anisole/thioanisole (8:1:1), 0 °C; (i) BOP, NMM, DMF, Boc-Aib-OH; (j) TFA/anisole/thioanisole (8:1:1), 0 °C; (k) RP preparative HPLC.

TFA, H-Aib-(d)-Trp-(d)-gTrp-CHO (7). 6 (1 g, 1.7 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid (8 mL), anisole (1 mL), and thioanisole (1 mL) for 30 min at 0 °C. The solvents were removed in vacuo, the residue was stirred in ether, and the precipitated TFA, H-Aib-(d)-Trp-(d)-gTrp-CHO was filtered. 7 was purified by preparative HPLC and obtained in 52% yield. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) + correlation ¹H−¹H:  δ 1.21 (s, 3H, CH₃ (Aib)), 1.43 (s, 3H, CH₃ (Aib)), 2.97 (m, 2H, (CH₂)_β), 3.1 (m, 2H, (CH₂)_β‘), 4.62 (m, 1H, (CH)α_A and (CH)α_B), 5.32 (q, 0.4H, (CH)α‘_B), 5.71 (q, 0.6H, (CH)α‘_A), 7.3 (m, 4H, H₅ and H₆ (2 indoles)), 7.06−7.2 (4d, 2H, H_2A and H_2B (2 indoles)), 7.3 (m, 2H, H₄ or H₇ (2 indoles)), 7.6−7.8 (4d, 2H, H_4A and H_4B or H_7A and H_7B), 7.97 (s, 3H, NH₂ (Aib) and CHO (formyl)), 8.2 (d, 0.4H, NH_1B (diamino)), 8.3 (m,1H, NH_A and NH_B), 8.5 (d, 0.6H, NH_1A (diamino)), 8.69 (d, 0.6H, NH_2A (diamino)), 8.96 (d, 0.4H, NH_2B (diamino)), 10.8 (s, 0.6H, N¹H_1A (indole)), 10.82 (s, 0.4H, N¹H_1B (indole)), 10.86 (s, 0.6H, N¹H_2A (indole)), 10.91 (s, 0,4H, N¹H_2B (indole)). MS (ES), m/z:  475 [M + H]⁺, 949 [2M + H]⁺. HPLC t_R:  16.26 min (conditions A).

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http://www.google.com/patents/US8192719

The inventors have now found that the oral administration of growth hormone secretagogues (GHSs) EP 1572 and EP 1573 can be used effectively and reliably to diagnose GHD.

EP 1572 (Formula I) or EP 1573 (Formula II) are GHSs (see WO 01/96300, Example 1 and Example 58 which are EP 1572 and EP 1573, respectively) that may be given orally.

EP 1572 and EP 1573 can also be defined as H-Aib-D-Trp-D-gTrp-CHO and H-Aib-D-Trp-D-gTrp-C(O)NHCH₂CH₃. Wherein, His hydrogen, Aib is aminoisobutyl, D is the dextro isomer, Trp is tryptophan and gTrp is a group of Formula III:

…………………………….

http://www.google.com/patents/US6861409

H-Aib-D-Trp-D-gTrp-CHO:

Example 1 H-Aib-D-Trp-D-gTrp-CHO

Total synthesis (percentages represent yields obtained in the synthesis as described below):

Z-D-Tr-NH₂

Z-D-Trp-OH (8.9 g; 26 mmol; 1 eq.) was dissolved in DME (25 ml) and placed in an ice water bath to 0° C. NMM (3.5 ml; 1.2 eq.), IBCF (4.1 ml; 1.2 eq.) and ammonia solution 28% (8.9 ml; 5 eq.) were added successively. The mixture was diluted with water (100 ml), and the product Z-D-Trp-NH₂ precipitated. It was filtered and dried in vacuo to afford 8.58 g of a white solid.

Yield=98%.

C₁₉H₁₉N₃O₃, 337 g.mol⁻¹.

Rf=0.46 {Chloroform/Methanol/Acetic Acid (180/10/5)}.

¹H NMR (250 MHZ, DMSO-d⁶): δ 2.9 (dd, 1H, H_β, J_ββ′=14.5 Hz; J_βα=9.8 Hz); 3.1 (dd, 1H, H_β′, J_β′β=14.5 Hz; J_β′α=4.3 Hz); 4.2 (sextuplet, 1H, H_α); 4.95 (s, 2H, CH₂ (Z); 6.9-7.4 (m, 11H); 7.5 (s, 1H, H²); 7.65 (d, 1H, J=7.7 Hz); 10.8 (s, 1H, N¹H).

Mass Spectrometry (Electrospray), m/z 338 [M+H]⁺, 360 [M+Na]⁺, 675 [2M+H]⁺, 697 [2M+Na]⁺.

Boc-D-Trp-D-Trp-NH₂

Z-D-Trp-NH₂ (3 g; 8.9 mmol; 1 eq.) was dissolved in DMF (100 ml). HCl 36% (845 μl; 1.1 eq.), water (2 ml) and palladium on activated charcoal (95 mg, 0.1 eq.) were added to the stirred mixture. The solution was bubbled under hydrogen for 24 hr. When the reaction went to completion, the palladium was filtered on celite. The solvent was removed in vacuo to afford HCl, H-D-Trp-NH₂ as a colorless oil.

In 10 ml of DMF, HCl, H-D-Trp-NH₂ (8.9 mmol; 1 eq.), Boc-D-Trp-OH (2.98 g; 9.8 mmol; 1.1 eq.), NMM (2.26 ml; 2.1 eq.) and BOP (4.33 g; 1.1 eq.) were added successively. After 1 hr, the mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (100 ml) and washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (200 ml), aqueous potassium hydrogen sulfate (200 ml, 1M), and saturated aqueous sodium chloride (100 ml). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford 4.35 g of Boc-D-Trp-D-Trp-NH₂ as a white solid.

Yield=85%.

C₂₇H₃₁N₅O₄, 489 g.mol⁻¹.

Rf=0.48 {Chloroform/Methanol/Acetic Acid (85/10/5)}.

¹H NMR (200 MHZ, DMSO-d⁶): δ 1.28 (s, 9H, Boc); 2.75-3.36 (m, 4H, 2 (CH₂)_β; 4.14 (m, 1H, CH_α); 4.52 (m, 1H, CH_α′); 6.83-7.84 (m, 14H, 2 indoles (10H), NH₂, NH (urethane) and NH (amide)); 10.82 (d, 1H, J=2 Hz, N¹H); 10.85 (d, 1H, J=2 Hz, N¹H).

Mass Spectrometry (Electrospray), m/z 490 [M+H]⁺, 512 [M+Na]⁺, 979 [2M+H]⁺.

Boc-D-(NiBoc)Trp-D-(NiBoc)Trp-NH₂

Boc-D-Trp-D-Trp-NH₂ (3 g; 6.13 mmol; 1 eq.) was dissolved in acetonitrile (25 ml).

To this solution, di-tert-butyl-dicarbonate (3.4 g; 2.5 eq.) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (150 mg; 0.2 eq.) were successively added. After 1 hr, the mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (100 ml) and washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (200 ml), aqueous potassium hydrogen sulfate (200 ml, 1M), and saturated aqueous sodium chloride (200 ml). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane {5/5} to afford 2.53 g of Boc-D-(NⁱBoc)Trp-D-(NⁱBoc)Trp-NH₂ as a white solid.

Yield=60%.

C₃₇H₄₇N₅O₈, 689 g.mol⁻¹.

Rf=0.23 {ethyl acetate/hexane (5/5)}.

¹H NMR (200 MHZ, DMSO-d⁶): δ 1.25 (s, 9H, Boc); 1.58 (s, 9H, Boc); 1.61 (s, 9H, Boc); 2.75-3.4 (m, 4H, 2 (CH₂)_β); 4.2 (m, 1H, CH_α′); 4.6 (m, 1H, CH_α); 7.06-8 (m, 14H, 2 indoles (10H), NH (urethane), NH and NH₂ (amides)).

Mass Spectrometry (Electrospray), m/z 690 [M+H]⁺, 712 [M+Na]⁺, 1379 [2M+H]⁺, 1401 [2M+Na]⁺.

Boc-D-(NⁱBoc)Trp-D-g(NⁱBoc)Trp-H

Boc-D-(NⁱBoc)Trp-D-(NⁱBoc)Trp-NH2 (3 g; 4.3 mmol; 1 eq.) was dissolved in the mixture DMF/water (18 ml/7 ml). Then, pyridine (772 μl; 2.2 eq.) and Bis(Trifluoroacetoxy)IodoBenzene (2.1 g; 1.1 eq.) were added. After 1 hr, the mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (100 ml) and washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (200 ml), aqueous potassium hydrogen sulfate (200 ml, 1M), and aqueous saturated sodium chloride (200 ml). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent removed in vacuo. Boc-D-NⁱBoc)Trp-D-g(NⁱBoc)Trp-H was used immediately for the next reaction of formylation.

Rf=0.14 {ethyl acetate/hexane (7/3)}.

C₃₆H₄₇N₅O₇, 661 g.mol⁻¹.

¹H NMR (200 MHZ, DMSO-d⁶): δ 1.29 (s, 9H, Boc); 1.61 (s, 18H, 2 Boc); 2.13 (s, 2H, NH₂ (amine)); 3.1-2.8 (m, 4H, 2 (CH₂)_β); 4.2 (m, 1H, CH_α′); 4.85 (m, 1H, CH_α); 6.9-8 (m, 12H, 2 indoles (10H), NH (urethane), NH (amide)).

Mass Spectrometry (Electrospray), m/z 662 [M+H]⁺, 684 [M+Na]⁺.

Boc-D-(NⁱBoc)Trp-D-g(NⁱBoc)Trp-CHO

Boc-D-(NⁱBoc)Trp-D-g(NⁱBoc)Trp-H (4.3 mmol; 1 eq.) was dissolved in DMF (20 ml). Then, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (815 μl; 1.1 eq.) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenylformate (1.08 g; 1.1 eq.) were added. After 30 minutes, the mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (100 ml) and washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (200 ml), aqueous potassium hydrogen sulfate (200 ml, 1M), and saturated aqueous sodium chloride (200 ml). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane {5/5} to afford 2.07 g of Boc-D-(NⁱBoc)Trp-D-g(NⁱBoc)Trp-CHO as a white solid.

Yield=70%.

C₃₇H₄₇N₅O₈, 689 g.mol⁻¹.

Rf=0.27 {ethyl acetate/hexane (5/5)}.

¹H NMR (200 MHZ, DMSO-d⁶): δ 1.28 (s, 9H, Boc); 1.6 (s, 9H, Boc); 1.61 (s, 9H, Boc); 2.75-3.1 (m, 4H, 2 (CH₂)_β); 4.25 (m, 1H, (CH)α_A&B); 5.39 (m, 0.4H, (CH)α′_B); 5.72 (m, 0.6H, (CH)α′_A); 6.95-8.55 (m, 14H, 2 indoles (10H), NH (urethane), 2 NH (amides), CHO (formyl)).

Mass Spectrometry (Electrospray), m/z 690 [M+H]⁺, 712 [M+Na]⁺, 1379 [2M+H]⁺.

Boc-Aib-D-Trp-D-gTrp-CHO

Boc-D-(NⁱBoc)Trp-D-g(NⁱBoc)Trp-CHO (1.98 g; 2.9 mmol; 1 eq.) was dissolved in a -mixture of trifluoroacetic acid (16 ml), anisole (2 ml) and thioanisole (2 ml) for 30 minutes at 0° C. The solvents were removed in vacuo, the residue was stirred with ether and the precipitated TFA, H-D-Trp-D-gTrp-CHO was filtered.

TFA, H-D-Trp-D-gTrp-CHO (2.9 mmol; 1 eq.), Boc-Aib-OH (700 mg; 1 eq.), NMM (2.4 ml; 4.2 eq.) and BOP (1.53 g; 1.2 eq.) were successively added in 10 ml of DMF. After 1 hr, the mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (100 ml) and washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (200 ml), aqueous potassium hydrogen sulfate (200 ml, 1M), and saturated aqueous sodium chloride (200 ml). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate to afford 1.16 g of Boc-Aib-D-Trp-D-gTrp-CHO as a white solid.

Yield=70%.

C₃₁H₃₈N₆O₅, 574 g.mol⁻¹.

Rf=0.26 {Chloroform/Methanol/Acetic Acid (180/10/5)}.

¹H NMR (200 MHZ, DMSO-d⁶): δ 1.21 (s, 6H, 2 CH₃(Aib)); 1.31 (s, 9H, Boc); 2.98-3.12 (m, 4H, 2 (CH₂)_β); 4.47 (m, 1H, (CH)α_A&B); 5.2 (m, 0.4H, (CH)α′_B); 5.7 (m, 0.6H, (CH)α′_A); 6.95-8.37 (m, 15H, 2 indoles (10H), 3 NH (amides), 1 NH (urethane) CHO (formyl)); 10.89 (m, 2H, 2 N¹H (indoles)).

Mass Spectrometry (Electrospray), ml/z 575 [M+H]⁺, 597 [M+Na]⁺, 1149 [2M+H]⁺, 1171 [2M+Na]⁺.

H-Aib-D-Trp-D-gTrT-CHO

Boc-Aib-D-Trp-D-gTrp-CHO (1 g; 1.7 nmmol) was dissolved in a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid (8 ml), anisole (1 ml) and thioanisole (1 ml) for 30 minutes at 0° C. The solvents were removed in vacuo, the residue was stirred with ether and the precipitated TFA, H-Aib-D-Trp-D-gTrp-CHO was filtered.

The product TFA, H-Aib-D-Trp-D-gTrp-CHO was purified by preparative HPLC (Waters, delta pak, C18, 40×100 mm, 5 μm, 100 A).

Yield=52%.

C₂₆H₃₀N₆O₃, 474 g.mol⁻¹.

¹H NMR (400 MHZ, DMSO-d⁶)+¹H/¹H correlation: δ 1.21 (s, 3H, CH₃ (Aib)); 1.43 (s, 3H, CH₃ (Aib)); 2.97 (m, 2H, (CH₂)_β); 3.1 (m, 2H, (CH₂)_β′); 4.62 (m, 1H, (CH)α_A&B); 5.32 (q, 0.4H, (CH)α′_B); 5.71 (q, 0.6H, (CH)α′_A); 7.3 (m, 4H₅ and H₆ (2 indoles)); 7.06-7.2 (4d, 2H, H_2A et H_2B (2 indoles)); 7.3 (m, 2H, H₄ or H₇ (2 indoles)); 7.6-7.8 (4d, 2H, H_4A and H_4B or H_7A et H_7B); 7.97 (s, 3H, NH₂ (Aib) and CHO (Formyl));8.2 (d, 0.4H, NH_1B (diamino)); 8.3 (m,1H, NH_A&B); 8.5 (d, 0.6H, NH_1A (diamino)); 8.69 (d, 0.6H, NH₂A (diamino)); 8.96 (d, 0.4H, NH_2B (diamino)); 10.8 (s, 0.6H, N¹H_1A (indole)); 10.82 (s, 0.4H, N¹H_1B (indole)); 10.86 (s, 0.6H, N¹H₂A (indole)); 10.91 (s, 0.4, N¹H_2B (indole)).

Mass Spectrometry (Electrospray), m/z 475 [M+H]⁺, 949 [2M+H]⁺.

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UPDATED INFO AS ON JAN 6 2014

Aeterna Zentaris NDA for Macimorelin Acetate in AGHD Accepted for Filing by the FDA

Quebec City, Canada, January 6, 2014 – Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZS) (the “Company”) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has accepted for filing the Company’s New Drug Application (“NDA”) for its ghrelin agonist, macimorelin acetate, in Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (“AGHD”). The acceptance for filing of the NDA indicates the FDA has determined that the application is sufficiently complete to permit a substantive review.

The Company’s NDA, submitted on November 5, 2013, seeks approval for the commercialization of macimorelin acetate as the first orally-administered product that induces growth hormone release to evaluate AGHD. Phase 3 data have demonstrated the compound to be well tolerated, with accuracy comparable to available intravenous and intramuscular testing procedures. The application will be subject to a standard review and will have a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (“PDUFA”) date of November 5, 2014. The PDUFA date is the goal date for the FDA to complete its review of the NDA.

David Dodd, President and CEO of Aeterna Zentaris, commented, “The FDA’s acceptance of this NDA submission is another significant milestone in our strategy to commercialize macimorelin acetate as the first approved oral product for AGHD evaluation. We are finalizing our commercial plan for this exciting new product. We are also looking to broaden the commercial application of macimorelin acetate in AGHD for use related to traumatic brain injury victims and other developmental areas, which would represent significant benefit to the evaluation of growth hormone deficiency, while presenting further potential revenue growth opportunities for the Company.”

About Macimorelin Acetate

Macimorelin acetate, a ghrelin agonist, is a novel orally-active small molecule that stimulates the secretion of growth hormone. The Company has completed a Phase 3 trial for use in evaluating AGHD, and has filed an NDA to the FDA in this indication. Macimorelin acetate has been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA for use in AGHD. Furthermore, macimorelin acetate is in a Phase 2 trial as a treatment for cancer-induced cachexia. Aeterna Zentaris owns the worldwide rights to this novel patented compound.

About AGHD

AGHD affects about 75,000 adults across the U.S., Canada and Europe. Growth hormone not only plays an important role in growth from childhood to adulthood, but also helps promote a hormonally-balanced health status. AGHD mostly results from damage to the pituitary gland. It is usually characterized by a reduction in bone mineral density, lean mass, exercise capacity, and overall quality of life.

About Aeterna Zentaris

Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing novel treatments in oncology and endocrinology. The Company’s pipeline encompasses compounds from drug discovery to regulatory approval.

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DR ANTHONY MELVIN CRASTO Ph.D

amcrasto@gmail.com