Title of Invention

INHIBITORS OF p38

Abstract The present invention relates to inhibitors of p38, a mammalian protein kinase involved cell proliferation, cell death and response to extracellular stimuli. The invention also relates to methods for producing these inhibitors. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inhibitors of the invention and methods of utilizing those compositions in the treatment and prevention of various disorders.
Full Text TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to inhibitors of
p38, a mammalian protein kinase involved in cell
proliferation, cell death and response to extracellular
stimuli. The invention also relates to methods for
producing these inhibitors. The invention also provides
pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inhibitors of
the invention and methods of utilizing those compositions
in the treatment and prevention of various disorders.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Protein kinases are involved in various
cellular responses to extracellular signals. Recently, a
family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) has
been discovered. Members of this family are Ser/Thr
kinases that activate their substrates by phosphorylation
[B. Stein et al., Ann. Rep. Med. Chem., 31, pp. 289-98
(1996)]. MAPKs are themselves activated by a variety of
signals including growth factors, cytokines, UV
radiation, and stress-inducing agents.
One particularly interesting MAPK is p38. p38,
also known as cytokine suppressive anti-inflammatory drug
binding protein (CSBP) and RK, was isolated from murine
pre-B cells that were transfected with the
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor, CD14, and induced with
LPS. p38 has since been isolated and sequenced, as has
the cDNA encoding it in humans and mouse. Activation of
p38 has been observed in cells stimulated by stress, such
as treatment of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), UV,

anisomycin, or osmotic shock, and by cytokines, such as
IL-1 and TNF.
Inhibition of p38 kinase leads to a blockade on
the production of both IL-1 and TNF. IL-1 and TNF
stimulate the production of other proinflammatory
cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-8 and have been implicated
in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases and in post-
menopausal osteoporosis [R. B. Kimble et al.,
Endocrinol., 136, pp. 3054-61 (1995)].
Based upon this finding, it is believed that
p38, along with other MAPKs, have a role in mediating
cellular response to inflammatory stimuli, such as
leukocyte accumulation, macrophage/monocyte activation,
tissue resorption, fever, acute phase responses and
neutrophilia. In addition, MAPKs, such as p38, have been
implicated in cancer, thrombin-induced platelet
aggregation, immunodeficiency disorders, autoimmune
diseases, cell death, allergies, osteoporosis and
neurodegenerative disorders. Inhibitors of p38 have also
been implicated in the area of pain management through
inhibition of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2
induction. Other diseases associated with 11-1, IL-6,
IL-8 or TNF overproduction are set forth in WO 96/21654.
Others have already begun trying to develop
drugs that specifically inhibit MAPKs. For example, PCT
publication WO 95/31451 describes pyrazole compounds that
inhibit MAPKs, and, in particular, p38. However, the
efficacy of these inhibitors in vivo is still being
investigated.
Accordingly, there is still a great need to
develop other potent inhibitors of p38, including p38-

specific inhibitors, that are useful in treating various
conditions associated with p38 activation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses this problem by
providing compounds that demonstrate strong inhibition of
p38.
These compounds have the general formula:

wherein each of Q1 and Q2 are independently selected from
a phenyl or 5-6 membered aromatic heterocyclic ring
system, or a 8-10 membered bicyclic ring system
comprising aromatic carbocyclic rings, aromatic
heterocyclic rings or a combination of an aromatic
carbocyclic ring and an aromatic heterocyclic ring.
A heterocyclic ring system or a heterocyclic
ring contains 1 to 4 heteroatoms, which are independently
selected from N, O, S, SO and So2.
The rings that make up Q1 are substituted with
1 to 4 substituents, each of which is independently
selected from halo; C1-C3 alkyl optionally substituted
with NR'2, OR', CO2R' or CONR'2; O-(C1-C3)-alkyl

optionally substituted with NR'2, OR', CO2R' or CONR'2;
NR'2; OCF3; CF3; N02; CO2R'; CONR'; SR'; S(O2)N(R')2; SCF3;
CN; N(R')C(O)R4; N (R') C (O) OR4; N (R' ) C (O) C (O) RA;
N(R')S (O2)R4; N(R')R4; N(R4)2; OR4; OC(O)R4; 0P(O),H.-; or
N=C-N(R')?.
The rings that make up Q2 are optionally
substituted with up to 4 substituents, each of which is
independently selected from halo; C1-C3 straight or
branched alkyl optionally substituted with NR'2, OR',
CO2R', S(O2)N(R')2, N=C-N(R')2, R3, or CONR'2; O-(C1-C3)-
alkyl; O-(C1-C3)-alkyl optionally substituted with NR'2,
OR', CO2R', S(O2)N(R')2, N=C-N(R')2, R3, or CONR'2; NR'2;
0CF3; CF3; N02; CO2R'; CONR'; R3; OR3; NR3; SR3; C(O)R3;
C(O)N(R')R3; C(O)0R3; SR'; S(O2)N(R')2; SCF3; N=C-N(R')2;
or CN.
Q/ is selected from phenyl or a 5-6 member
aromatic heterocyclic ring optionally substituted with 1-
3 substituents, each of which is independently selected
from halogen; C1-C3 alkyl optionally substituted with
NR'2/ OR', CO2R', CONR'2, or O-P(O3)H2; O-(C2-C3)-alkyl.
optionally substituted with NR'2, OR', CO2R', CONR'2, or
0P(O.,)H2; 0CF3; CF3; OR4; O-CO2R1; O-P(O3)H2; CO2R' ; CONR';
SR' ; S(O2)N(R')2; SCF3; CN; N(R')C(O)R4; N (R' ) C (O) OR4;
N(R' )C(O)C(O)R4; N (R' ) S (O2) R4; N(R')R4; N(R4)2; OR4 ;
0C(O)R4; OP(O)3H2; or N=C-N(R')2; provided that Q2' is not
phenyl optionally substituted 1 to 3 substituents
independently selected from halo, methoxy, cyano, nitro,
amino, hydroxy, methyl or ethyl.
R' is selected from hydrogen; (C1-C3)-alkyl;
(C2-C3)-alkenyl or alkynyl; phenyl or phenyl substituted

with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from
halo, methoxy, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxy, methyl or
ethyl; or a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring system
optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents
independently selected from halo, methoxy, cyano, nitro,
amino, hydroxy, methyl or ethyl.
3
R is selected from 5-8 membered aromatic or
non-aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring systems
each optionally substituted with R', R4, -C(O)R', -C(O)R4,
-C(O)OR or -J; or an 8-10 membered bicyclic ring system
comprising aromatic carbocyclic rings, aromatic
heterocyclic rings or a combination of an aromatic
carbocyclic ring and an aromatic heterocyclic ring each
optionally substituted with R', R4, -C(O)R', -C(O)R4, -
C(O)OR4 or -J.
R is (C1-C4)-straight or branched alkyl
optionally substituted with N(R')2, OR', CO2R' , CON(R')2,
or S02N(R^)2; or a 5-6 membered carbocyclic or
heterocyclic ring system optionally substituted with
N(R'),, OR', CO2R', CON(R')2, or S02N(R2)2.
R is selected from hydrogen; (C1-C3)-alkyl
optionally substituted with R ; (C2-C3)-alkenyl or alkynyl
each optionally substituted with R ; phenyl or phenyl
substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently
selected from halo, methoxy, cyano, nitro, amino,
hydroxy, methyl or ethyl; or a 5-6 membered heterocyclic
ring system optionally substituted with 1 to 3
substituents independently selected from halo, methoxy,
cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxy, methyl or ethyl.
W is selected from N (R2) S02-N (R2) 2; N(R2)SO2-
N(R)(R3); N(R2) C (O)-OR2; N (R2) C (O) -N (R2) 2; N(R2)C(G)-

N(R2)(R3); N(R2)C(O)-R2; N(R2)2; C(O)-R2; CH(OH)-R2; C (O)-
N(R2)2; C(O)-OR1:; J; or (C1-C4) straight or branched alkyl
optionally substituted with N(R')2, OR', CO2R', CON(R')_,
R5, SO2N(R2)2, OC(O)R2, OC(O)R', OC(O)N(R2)2, -N(R')(Rh), -
C(O)N(R5) (R2) , -C(O)R5, -N(R2)C(O)N(R2) (R5) , -NC(O)OR:', -
OC(O)N(R2) (R5) , or -J; a 5-6 membered carbocyclic or
heterocyclic ring system optionally substituted with
N(R')2, OR', CO2R', CON(R')2, or SO2N(R2)2; or a 8-10
membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system
optionally substituted with N(R')2, OR', CO2R', CON(R')2,
or SO2N(R2)2; provided that W is not an R3 substituted C:
alkyl.
W is selected from N (R2)-SO2-Q2; N (R2) -CO2-Q2;
N(R':)-C(O)-Q2; N(R2)(Q2); C(O)-Q2; CO2-Q2; C (O) N (R2) (Q2) ;
C(R2)2Q2.
Each R is independently selected from hydrogen,
-R2, -N(R2)2, -OR2, SR2, -C(O)-N(R2)2, S (O2) -N (R2) 2,
-C(O)-OR2 or -C(O)R2 wherein two adjacent R are optionally
bound to one another and, together with each Y to which
they are respectively bound, form a 4-8 membered
carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring.
R2 is selected from hydrogen, (C1-C3) -alkyl, or
(C1-C3)-alkenyl; each optionally substituted with -N(R')2,
-OR', SR', -C(O)-N(R' )2, -S(O2)-N(R' )2, -C (O) -OR',
-NSO2R4, -NSO2R3, -C(O)N(R' ) (R3) , -NC(O)R4, -N(R')(R3),
-N(R')(R4), -C(O)R3, -C(O)N(R') (R4) , -N(R4)2,
-C(O)N=C(NH)2 or R3 .
Y is N or C.
Z is CH, N, C(OCH3), C(CHj), C(NH2), C (OH) or
C(F) .

U is selected from R or W.
V is selected from -C(O)NH2, -P(O) (NH2)2, or
-SO2NK2.
A,B, and C are independently selected from -O-,
-CHR'-, -CHR4-, -NR'-, -NR4- or -S-.
J is a (C1-C4) straight chain or branched alkyl
derivative substituted with 1-3 substituents selected
from D, -T-C(O)R', or -OP03H2.
D is selected from the group

T is either 0 or NH.
G is either NH2 or OH.
In another embodiment, the invention provides
pharmaceutical compositions comprising the p38 inhibitors
of this invention. These compositions may be utilized in
methods for treating or preventing a variety of
disorders, such as cancer, inflammatory diseases,,
autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders,
proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, viral
diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. These
compositions are also useful in methods for preventing
cell death and hyperplasia and therefore may be used to
treat or prevent reperfusion/ischemia in stroke, heart
attacks, and organ hypoxia. The compositions are also
useful in methods for preventing thrombin-inducec.
platelet aggregation. Each of these above-described
methods is also part of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
These compounds have the general formula:

wherein each of Q1 and Q2 are independently selected from
a phenyl or 5-6 membered aromatic heterocyclic ring
system, or a 8-10 membered bicyclic ring system
comprising aromatic carbocyclic rings, aromatic
heterocyclic rings or a combination of an aromatic
carbocyclic ring and an aromatic heterocyclic ring.
The rings that make up Q1 are substituted with
1 to 4 substituents, each of which is independently
selected from halo; C1-C3 alkyl optionally substituted
with NR'2, OR', CO2R' or CONR'2; O-(C1-C3)-alkyl
optionally substituted with NR'2, OR', CO2R' or CONR'2,
NR'2; OCF3; CF3; NO2; CO2R'; CONR'; SR'; S(O2)N(R')2; SCF3;
CN; N(R')C(O)R';- N (R' ) C (O) OR4; N (R' ) C (O) C (O) R4 ;
N(R' )S (O2)R4; N(R')R4; N(R4)2; OR4; 0C(O)R4; 0P(O)3H2; or
N=C-N(R')2.
The rings that make up Q2 are optionally
substituted with up to 4 substituents, each of which is
independently selected from halo; C1-C3 straight or

branched alkyl optionally substituted with NR'2, OR',
CO2R', S(O2)N(R')2, N=C-N(R')2, R3, or CONR'2; O-(C1-C3)-
alkyl; O- (C1-C3) -alkyl optionally substituted with NR'2,
OR', CO2R', S(O2)N(R')2/ N=C-N(R')2, R3, or CONR'2; NR'2;
OCF3; CF3; NO2; CO2R'; CONR' ; R3; OR3; NR3; SR3; C(O)R3;
C(O)N(R')R3; C(O)OR3; SR' ; S(O2)N(R')2; SCF3; N=C-N(R');;
or CN.
Qz' is selected from phenyl or a 5-6 member
aromatic heterocyclic ring optionally substituted with 1-
3 substituents, each of which is independently selected
from halogen; C1-C3 alkyl optionally substituted with
NR'2/ OR', CO2R', CONR'2, or O-P(O3)H2; O-(C2-C3)-alkyl
optionally substituted with NR'2, OR', CO2R', CONR'2, or
OP(O.,)H2; OCF3; CF3; OR4; O-CO2R4; O-P(O3)H2; CO2R'; CONR';
SR'; S(O2)N(R')2; SCF3; CN; N(R')C(O)R4; N (R') C (O) OR4;
N(R')C(O)C (O)R4; N (R') S (O2) R4; N(R')R4; N(R4)2; OR4;
OC (O)R4; OP(O)3H.; or N=C-N(R')2; provided that Q2./ is not
phenyl optionally substituted 1 to 3 substituents
independently selected from halo, methoxy, cyano, nitro,
amino, hydroxy, methyl or ethyl.
R' is selected from hydrogen; (C1-C3)-alkyl;
(C2-C3) -alkenyl or alkynyl; phenyl or phenyl substituted
with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from
halo, methoxy, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxy,- methyl or
ethyl; or a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring system
optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents
independently selected from halo, methoxy, cyano, nitro,
amino, hydroxy, methyl or ethyl.
R is selected from 5-8 membered aromatic or
non-aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring systems

each optionally substituted with R', R4, -C(O)R', -C(O)R4,
4
-C(O)OR or -J; or an 8-10 membered bicyclic ring system
comprising aromatic carbocyclic rings, aromatic
heterocyclic rings or a combination of an aromatic
carbocyclic ring and an aromatic heterocyclic ring each
optionally substituted with R', R4, -C(O)R', -C(O)R4, -
C(O)OR4 or -J.
4
R is (C1-C4)-straight or branched alkyl
optionally substituted with N(R')2, OR', CO2R', CON(R'),-,
or SO2N(R2)2; or a 5-6 membered carbocyclic or
heterocyclic ring system optionally substituted with
N(R')2, OR', CO2R', CON(R')2, or SO2N(R2)2.
R is selected from hydrogen; (C1-C3)-alkyl
optionally substituted with R ; (C2-C3)-alkenyl or alkynyl
each optionally substituted with R ; phenyl or phenyl
substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently
selected from halo, methoxy, cyano, nitro, amino,
hydroxy, methyl or ethyl; or a 5-6 membered heterocyclic
ring system optionally substituted with 1 to 3
substituents independently selected from halo, methoxy,
cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxy, methyl or ethyl.
W is selected from N (R2) SO2-N (R2) 2; N(R2)SO2-
NtR2MR3); N(R2)C(O)-OR2; N (R2) C (O) -N (R2) 2; N(R2)C(O)~
N(R")(R3); N(R2)C(O)-R2; N(R2)2; C (O)-R2; CH(OH)-R2; C(O)-
N(R:'h; C(O)-OR2; J; or (C1-C4) straight or branched alkyl
optionally substituted with N(R')2, OR', CO2R', CON(R')2,
R:', SO?N(R2)2, OC(O)R2, 0C(O)R', 0C(O)N(R2)2, -N(R4)(R3), -
C(O)N(Rb) (R2) , -C(O)R5, -N(R2)C(O)N(R2) (R5) , -NC(O)OR", -
0C(O)N(R/") (Rr/) , or -J; a 5-6 membered carbocyclic or
heterocyclic ring system optionally substituted with
N(R'),, OR', CO,R', CON(R')2, or SO2N(R2)2; or a 8-10

membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system
optionally substituted with N(R')2, OR', CO2R', CON(R')2,
or SO2N(R2)2; provided that W is not an RJ substituted C-.
alkyl.
W is selected from N(R2)-SO2-Q2; N (R2) -CO2-Q2;
N(R:)-C(O)-Q2; N(R2)(Q2); C(O)-Q2; CO2-Q2; C (O) N (R2) (Qz) ;
C(R2)2Q2.
Each R is independently selected from hydrogen,
-R2, -N(R2)2, -OR2, SR2, -C(O)-N(R2)2, -S (O2)-N (R2) 2,
2 2
-C(O)-OR or -C(O)R wherein two adjacent R are optionally
bound to one another and, together with each Y to which
they are respectively bound, form a 4-8 membered
carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring.
When the two R components form a ring together
with the Y components to which they are respectively
bound, it will obvious to those skilled in the art that a
terminal hydrogen from each unfused R component will be
lost. For example, if a ring structure is formed by
binding those two R components together, one being -NH-
CH3 and the other being -CH2-CH3, one terminal hydrogen on
each R component (indicated in bold) will be lost.
Therefore, the resulting portion of the ring structure
will have the formula -NH-CH2-CH2-CH2-.
2
R is selected from hydrogen, (C1-C3)-alkyl, or
(C1-C3)-alkenyl; each optionally substituted with -N(R')2,
-OR', SR', -C(O)-N(R' )2, -S (O2)-N(R' )2, -C (O) -OR' ,
-NSO2R4, -NSO2R3, -C(O)N(R' ) (R3) , -NC(O)R4, -N(R')(R3),
-N(R')(R4), -C(O)R3, -C(O)N(R') (R4), -N(R4)2,
-C (O)N=C(NH)2 or R3 .
Y is N or C.

Z is CH, N, C(OCH3), C(CH3), C(NH2), C(OH) or
C(F) .
U is selected from R or W.
V is selected from -C(O) NH2, -P(O) (NH2)2, or
-SO2NH2.
A, B, and C are independently selected from -O-,
-CHR'-, -CHR4-, -NR'-, -NR4- or -S-.
J is a (C1-C4) straight chain or branched alkyl
derivative substituted with 1-3 substituents selected
from D, -T-C(O)R', or -OPO3H?.
D is selected from the group

T is either 0 or NH.
G is either NH2 or OH.
According to a preferred embodiment, Qi
is selected from phenyl or pyridyl containing 1 to 3
substituents, wherein at least one of said substituents
is in the ortho position and said substituents are
independently selected from chloro, fluoro, bromo, -CH3,
-OCH3, -OH, -CF3, -OCF3, -0(CH2)2CH3, NH2, 3,4-
methylenedioxy, -N(CH3)2, -NH-S (O) 2-phenyl, -NH-C(O)O-CH2-
4-pyridine, -NH-C (O) CH2-morpholine, -NH-C (O) CH?-N (CH3) 2,
-NH-C(O)CH2-piperazine, -NH-C(O}CH2-pyrrolidine,
-NH-C(O)C(O)-morpholine, -NH-C(O) C(O)-piperazine,
-NH-C (O)C(O)-pyrrolidine, -O-C (O) CH2-N (CH3) 2, or
-O- (CH2)2-N(CH3);. .

Even more preferred are phenyl or pyridyl
containing at least 2 of the above-indicated substituents
both being in the ortho position.
Some specific examples of preferred Q1 are:





Most preferably, Qi is selected from 2-fluoro-
6-trifluoromethylphenyl, 2,6-difluorophenyl, 2,6-

dichlorophenyl, 2-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl, 2-chloro-4-
aminophenyl, 2,6-dichloro-4-aminophenyl, 2,6-dichloro-3-
aminophenyl, 2,6-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl, 2-methoxy-3,5-
dichloro-4-pyridyl, 2-chloro-4,5 methylenedioxy phenyl,
5 or 2-chloro-4-(N-2-morpholino-acetamido)phenyl.
According to a preferred embodiment, Q2 is
phenyl, pyridyl or naphthyl containing 0 to 3
substituents, wherein each substituent is independently
selected from chloro, fluoro, bromo, methyl, ethyl,
10 isopropyl, -OCH3, -OH, -NH2, -CF3, -OCF3, -SCH3, -OCH3,
-C(O)OH, -C(O)OCH3, -CH2NH2, -N(CH3)2/ -CH2-pyrrolidine and
-CH2OH.







unsubstituted 2-pyridyl or unsubstituted phenyl.
Most preferred are compounds wherein Q2 is
selected from phenyl, 2-isopropylphenyl, 3,4-
dimethylphenyl, 2-ethylphenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 2-
methylphenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 2-
carbomethoxylphenyl, 2-carboxyphenyl, 2-methyl-4-
chlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2-pyridyl, 2-
methylenehydroxyphenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2-methyl-4-
fluorophenyl, 2-chloro-4-fluorphenyl, 2, 4-difluorophenyl,
2-hydroxy-4-fluorphenyl, 2-methylenehydroxy-4-
fluorophenyl, 1-naphthyl, 3-chloro-2-methylenehydroxy, 3-
chloro-2-methyl, or 4-fluoro-2-methyl.
According to another preferred embodiment, each
Y is C.
According an even more preferred embodiment,
each Y is C and the R and U attached to each Y component
is selected from hydrogen or methyl.
According to another preferred embodiment, W is
a O-4 atom chain terminating in an alcohol, amine,
carboxylic acid, ester, amide, or heterocycle.
Some specific examples of preferred W are:







According to an even more preferred embodiment,
each Y is C, and W and/or U is not hydrogen.
Some preferred embodiments are provided in
Table 1 to 6 below:






















According to another embodiment, the present
invention provides methods of producing the above-
identified inhibitors of p38 of the formulae (la), (lb),
(Ic), (Id) and (Ie). Representative synthesis schemes
for formula (la) are depicted below.
Schemes 1-3 illustrate the preparation of
compounds in which W is either an amino, carboxyl or an
aldehyde function. In each case the particular moiety
may be modified through chemistry well known in the
literature. For example the final amino compounds D and
N (schemes 1 and 4 respectively) may be acylated,
sulfonylated or alkylated to prepare compounds within the
scope of W. In all schemes, the LI and L2 groups on the
initial materials are meant to represent leaving groups

ortho to the nitrogen atom in a heterocyclic ring. For
example, compound A may be 2, 6-dichloro-3 nitro pyridine.

In Scheme 1, W is selected from amino-
derivatized compounds such as N (R1) SO2-N(R2)2; N(R2)SO2-
N(R')(R3); N(R2)C(O)-OR2; N (R2) C (O) -N (R2) 2; N(R2)C(O)-
N(R')(R3); N(R2)C(O)-R2; or N(R2)2.
In Scheme 1, the Q2 ring is introduced
utilizing one of many reactions know in the art which
result in the production of biaryl compounds. One
example may be the reaction of an aryl lithium compound
with the pyridine intermediate A. Alternatively, an
arylmetalic compound such as an aryl stannane or an aryl
boronic acid may be reacted with the aryl halide portion
(intermediate A) in the presence of a Pdo catalyst to
form product B. In the next step, a Ql substituted
derivative such as a phenyl acetonitrile derivative may
be created with a base such as sodium hydride, sodium
amide, LDA, lithium hexamethyldisilazide or any number of

other non-nucleophilic bases to deprotonate the position
alpha to the cyano group, which represents a masked amide
moiety. This anion is then contacted with intermediate B
to form C. The nitrile or equivalent group of
intermediate C is then hydrolyzed to form the amide and
the nitro group is subjected to reducing conditions to
form the amine intermediate D. Intermediate D is then
used to introduce various functionality defined by W
through chemistry such as acylation, sulfonylation or
alkylation reactions well known in the literature.
Depending on the regiochemistry of the first two steps of
this procedure, the first two steps may need to be
reversed.

In Scheme 2, W is selected from carboxyl-derivatized
compounds such as C(O)-R2; CH(OH)-R2; C (O) -N (R2) 2; or C(O)-
OR; .
Scheme 2 generally follows the procedures
described for Scheme 1 except that a carboxyl

intermediate such as E is the starting material. The
first two steps mirror Scheme 1, and, as mentioned for
Scheme 1, may be reversed depending on the regiochemistry
of specific examples. Intermediate G is formed from
these first two steps and this material may be hydrolyzed
as mention to for the carboxyl intermediate H. The
carboxyl group may then be modified according to well-
known procedures from the literature to prepare analogs
with defined W substituents such as acylations,
amidations and esterifications.

In Scheme 3, W is selected from (C1-C4) straight
or branched alkyl optionally substituted with N(R');., OR',
CO2R', CON(R');., R3, or SO2N(R2)2; or a 5-6 membered
carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system optionally
substituted with N(R')2, OR', CO2R' , CON(R')2, or
SOzN(R2)z; provided that W is not an R3 substituted C,
alkyl.

In scheme 3 a pyridine derivative is metalated
and quenched with one of many known electrophiles which
can generate an aldehyde, to form intermediate I. The
aldehyde can then be masked to form the dimethyl acetal
J. This intermediate is then carried on as described in
scheme 1 and 2 to introduce the Ql and Q2 substituents,
to produce intermediate L. As before, these two steps
may be interchanged depending on specific regiochemistry.
The masked aldehyde of L may then be deprotected and
utilized to form compounds with the defined W
substitution using well know chemistry such as
alkylations and reductive aminations.
Schemes 4-6 are similar to schemes 1-3 with the
exception that the targeted compounds are those :.n which
Z = Nitrogen. The steps for these schemes parallel 1-3
with the exception that the alkylation utilizing a phenyl
acetonitrile is replaced with a reaction with a Ql amine
derivative such as a substituted aniline derivative. The
amide portion of the molecule is then introduced in an
acylation reaction with, for example, chlorosulfonyl


In Scheme 4, W is selected from amino-
derivatized groups such as N (R2) SO2-N (R2) 2; N(R2)SO2-
N(R2)(R3); N(R2)C(O)-OR2; N (Rz) C (0) -N (R2) 2; N(R2)C(O)-
N(R2)(R3); N(R2)C(O)-R2; or N(R2)2.
In Scheme 4, intermediate B (from scheme 1) is
treated with, for example, an aniline derivative in the
presence of a base such as potassium carbonate.
Additionally, a palladium catalyst may be utilized to
enhance the reactivity of this general type of reaction,
if needed. The resulting amine derivative is then
acylated to form intermediate M. The nitro group of M is
then reduced to form N and the amino group may then be
derivatized as described for scheme 1. As mentioned for
schemes 1-3, the steps involved in the introduction of
the Ql and Q2 substituents may be interchanged depending
on the specific regiochemistry of specific compounds.


In Scheme 5, W is selected from carboxyl-derivatized
groups such as C(O)-R2; CH(OH)-R2; C(O)-N(R2)2; or C(O)-
OR2.


In Scheme 6, W is selected from (C1-C4) straight
or branched alkyl optionally substituted with N(R')2/ OR',
CO2R', CON(R')2, R3, or SO2N(R2)2; or a 5-6 membered
carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system optionally
substituted with N(R')2, OR', CO2R', CON(R')2, or
SO2N(R1)2; provided that W is not an R3 substituted C2
alkyl.
Schemes 5 and 6 generally follow the procedures
mentioned above.
One having skill in the art will recognize
schemes 1-6 may be used to synthesize compounds having
the general formula of (Ib), (Ic), (Id) and (Ie).
According to another embodiment of the
invention, the activity of the p38 inhibitors of this
invention may be assayed in vitro, in vivo or in a cell
line. In vitro assays include assays that determine
inhibition of either the kinase activity or ATPase
activity of activated p38. Alternate in vitro assays
quantitate the ability of the inhibitor to bind to p38
and may be measured either by radiolabelling the
inhibitor prior to binding, isolating the inhibitor/p38
complex and determining the amount of radiolabel bound,
or by running a competition experiment where new
inhibitors are incubated with p38 bound to known
radioligands.
Cell culture assays of the inhibitory effect of
the compounds of this invention may determine the amounts
of TNF, IL-1, IL-6 or IL-8 produced in whole blood or
cell fractions thereof in cells treated with inhibitor as
compared to cells treated with negative controls. Level
of these cytokines may be determined through the use of
commercially available ELISAs.

An in vivo assay useful for determining the
inhibitory activity of the p38 inhibitors of this
invention are the suppression of hind paw edema in rats
with Mycobacterium butyricum-induced adjuvant arthritis.
This is described in J.C. Boehm et al., J. Med. Chem.,
39, pp. 3929-37 (1996), the disclosure of which is herein
incorporated by reference. The p38 inhibitors of this
invention may also be assayed in animal models of
arthritis, bone resorption, endotoxin shock and immune
function, as described in A. M. Badger et al., J.
Pharmacol. Experimental Therapeutics, 279, pp. 1453-61
(1996), the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by
reference.
The p38 inhibitors or pharmaceutical salts
thereof may be formulated into pharmaceutical
compositions for administration to animals or humans.
These pharmaceutical compositions, which comprise an
amount of p38 inhibitor effective to treat or prevent a
p38-mediated condition and a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier, are another embodiment of the present invention.
The term "p38-mediated condition", as used
herein means any disease or other deleterious condition
in which p38 is known to play a role. This includes
conditions known to be caused by IL-1, TNF, IL-6 or IL-8
overproduction. Such conditions include, without:
limitation, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases,
destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders,
infectious diseases, neurodegenerative diseases,
allergies, reperfusion/ischemia in stroke, heart attacks,
angiogenic disorders, organ hypoxia, vascular
hyperplasia, cardiac hypertrophy, thrombin-induced

platelet aggregation, and conditions associated with
prostaglandin endoperoxidase synthase-2.
Inflammatory diseases which may be treated or
prevented by the compounds of this invention include, but
are not limited to, acute pancreatitis, chronic
pancreatitis, asthma, allergies, and adult respiratory
distress syndrome.
Autoimmune diseases which may be treated or
prevented by the compounds of this invention include, but
are not limited to, glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid
arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma,
chronic thyroiditis, Graves' disease, autoimmune
gastritis, diabetes, autoimmune hemolytic anemia,
autoimmune neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, atopic
dermatitis, chronic active hepatitis, myasthenia gravis,
multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease,
ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, or graft
vs. host disease.
Destructive bone disorders which may be treated
or prevented by the compounds of this invention include,
but are not limited to, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and
multiple myeloma-related bone disorder.
Proliferative diseases which may be treated or
prevented by the compounds of this invention include, but
are not limited to, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic
myelogenous leukemia, metastatic melanoma, Kaposi's
sarcoma, and multiple myeloma.
Angiogenic disorders which may be treated or
prevented by the compounds of this invention include
solid tumors, ocular neovasculization, infantile
haemangiomas.

Infectious diseases which may be treated or
prevented by the compounds of this invention include, but
are not limited to, sepsis, septic shock, and
Shigellosis.
Viral diseases which may be treated or
prevented by the compounds of -his invention include, but
are not limited to, acute hepatitis infection (including
hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C), HIV infection
and CMV retinitis.
Neurodegenerative diseases which may be treated
or prevented by the compounds of this invention include,
but are not limited to, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's
disease, cerebral ischemias or neurodegenerative disease
caused by traumatic injury.
"p38-mediated conditions" also include
ischemia/reperfusion in stroke, heart attacks, myocardial
ischemia, organ hypoxia, vascular hyperplasia, cardiac
hypertrophy, and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation.
In addition, p38 inhibitors of the instant
invention are also capable of inhibiting the expression
of inducible pro-inflammatory proteins such as
prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 (PGHS-2), also
referred to as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Therefore, other
"p38-mediated conditions" which may be treated by the
compounds of this invention include edema, analgesia,
fever and pain, such as neuromuscular pain, headache,
cancer pain, dental pain and arthritis pain.
The diseases that may be treated or prevented
by the p38 inhibitors of this invention may also be
conveniently grouped by the cytokine (IL-1, TNF, IL-6,
IL-8) that is believed to be responsible for the disease.

Thus, an IL-1-mediated disease or condition
includes rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, stroke,
endotoxemia and/or toxic shock syndrome, inflammatory
reaction induced by endotoxin, inflammatory bowel
disease, tuberculosis, atherosclerosis, muscle
degeneration, cachexia, psoriatic arthritis, Reiter's
syndrome, gout, traumatic arthritis, rubella arthritis,
acute synovitis, diabetes, pancreatic ß-cell disease and
Alzheimer's disease.
TNF-mediated disease or condition includes,
rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis,
osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis and other arthritic
conditions, sepsis, septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram
negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, adult respiratory
distress syndrome, cerebral malaria, chronic pulmonary
inflammatory disease, silicosis, pulmonary sarcoisosis,
bone resorption diseases, reperfusion injury, graft vs.
host reaction, allograft rejections, fever and myalgias
due to infection, cachexia secondary to infection, AIDS,
ARC or malignancy, keloid formation, scar tissue
formation, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or
pyresis. TNF-mediated diseases also include viral
infections, such as HIV, CMV, influenza and herpes; and
veterinary viral infections, such as lentivirus
infections, including, but not limited to equine
infectious anemia virus, caprine arthritis virus, visna
virus or maedi virus; or retrovirus infections, including
feline immunodeficiency virus, bovine immunodeficiency
virus, or canine immunodeficiency virus.
IL-8 mediated disease or condition includes
diseases characterized by massive neutrophil
infiltration, such as psoriasis, inflammatory bowel

disease, asthma, cardiac and renal reperfusion injury,
adult respiratory distress syndrome, thrombosis and
glomerulonephritis.
In addition, the compounds of this invention
may be used topically to treat or prevent conditions
caused or exacerbated by IL-1 or TNF. Such conditions
include inflamed joints, eczema, psoriasis, inflammatory
skin conditions such as sunburn, inflammatory eye
conditions such as conjunctivitis, pyresis, pain and
other conditions associated with inflammation.
In addition to the compounds of this invention,
pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of
this invention may also be employed in compositions to
treat or prevent the above-identified disorders.
Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the
compounds of this invention include those derived from
pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic and organic acids
and bases. Examples of suitable acid salts include
acetate, adipate, alginate, aspartate, benzoate,
benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate, citrate,
camphorate, camphorsulfonate, cyclopentanepropionate,
digiuconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate,
fumarate, glucoheptanoate, glycerophosphate, glycolate,
hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydrochloride,
hydrobromide, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate,
lactate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-
naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oxalate,
palmoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate,
phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, salicylate,
succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, tosylate and
undecanoate. Other acids, such as oxalic, while not in
themselves pharmaceutically acceptable, may be employed

in the preparation of salts useful as intermediates in
obtaining the compounds of the invention and their
pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts.
Sales derived from appropriate bases include alkali metal
(e.g., sodium and potassium), alkaline earth metal (e.g.,
magnesium), ammonium and N-(Cl-4 alkyl)4+ salts. This
invention also envisions the quaternization of any basic
nitrogen-containing groups of the compounds disclosed
herein. Water or oil-soluble or dispersible products may
be obtained by such quaternization.
Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers that may
be used in these pharmaceutical compositions include, but
are not limited to, ion exchangers, alumina, aluminum
stearate, lecithin, serum proteins, such as human serum
albumin, buffer substances such as phosphates, glycine,
sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, partial glyceride
mixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids, water, salts
or electrolytes, such as protamine sulfate, disodium
hydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium
chloride, zinc salts, colloidal silica, magnesium
trisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose-based
substances, polyethylene glycol, sodium
carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylates, waxes,
polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymers,
polyethylene glycol and wool fat.
The compositions of the present invention may
be administered orally, parenterally, by inhalation
spray, topically, rectally, nasally, buccally, vaginally
or via an implanted reservoir. The term "parenteral" as
used herein includes subcutaneous, intravenous,
intramuscular, intra-articular, intra-synovial,
intrasternal, intrathecal, intrahepatic, intralesional

and intracranial injection or infusion techniques.
Preferably, the compositions are administered orally,
intraperitoneally or intravenously.
Sterile injectable forms of the compositions of
this invention may be aqueous or oleaginous suspension.
These suspensions may be formulated according to
techniques known in the art using suitable dispersing or
wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile
injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable
solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-
acceptable diluent or solvent, for example as a solution
in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and
solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's
solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In
addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed
as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose, any
bland fixed oil may be employed, including synthetic mono-
or di-glycerides. Fatty acids, such as oleic acid and
its glyceride derivatives are useful in the preparation
of injectables, as are natural pharmaceutically-
acceptable oils, such as olive oil or castor oil,
especially in their polyoxyethylated versions. These oil
solutions or suspensions may also contain a long-chain
alcohol diluent or dispersant, such as carboxymethyl
cellulose or similar dispersing agents which are commonly
used in the formulation of pharmaceutically acceptable
dosage forms including emulsions and suspensions. Other
commonly used surfactants, such as Tweens, Spans and
other emulsifying agents or bioavailability enhancers
which are commonly used in the manufacture of
pharmaceutically acceptable solid, liquid, or other

dosage forms may also be used for the purposes of
formulation.
The pharmaceutical compositions of this
invention may be orally administered in any orally
acceptable dosage form including, but not limited to,
capsules, tablets, aqueous suspensions or solutions. In
the case of tablets for oral use, carriers commonly used
include lactose and corn starch. Lubricating agents,
such as magnesium stearate, are also typically added.
For oral administration in a capsule form, useful
diluents include lactose and dried cornstarch. When
aqueous suspensions are required for oral use, the active
ingredient is combined with emulsifying and suspending
agents. If desired, certain sweetening, flavoring or
coloring agents may also be added.
Alternatively, the pharmaceutical compositions
of this invention may be administered in the form of
suppositories for rectal administration. These can be
prepared by mixing the agent with a suitable non-
irritating excipient which is solid at room temperature
but liquid at rectal temperature and therefore will melt
in the rectum to release the drug. Such materials
include cocoa butter, beeswax and polyethylene glycols.
The pharmaceutical compositions of this
invention may also be administered topically, especially
when the target of treatment includes areas or organs
readily accessible by topical application, including
diseases of the eye, the skin, or the lower intestinal
tract. Suitable topical formulations are readily
prepared for each of these areas or organs.
Topical application fcr the lower intestinal
tract can be effected in a rectal suppository formulation

(see above) or in a suitable enema formulation.
Topically-transdermal patches may also be used.
For topical applications, the pharmaceutical
compositions may be formulated in a suitable ointment
containing the active component suspended or dissolved in
one or more carriers. Carriers for topical
administration of the compounds of this invention
include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, liquid
petrolatμM, white petrolatμM, propylene glycol,
polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene compound, emulsifying
wax and water. Alternatively, the pharmaceutical
compositions can be formulated in a suitable lotion or
cream containing the active components suspended or
dissolved in one or more pharmaceutically acceptable
carriers. Suitable carriers include, but are not limited
to, mineral oil, sorbitan monostearate, polysorbate 60,
cetyl esters wax, cetearyl alcohol, 2-octyldodecanol,
benzyl alcohol and water.
For ophthalmic use, the pharmaceutical
compositions may be formulated as micronized suspensions
in isotonic, pH adjusted sterile saline, or, preferably,
as solutions in isotonic, pH adjusted sterile saline,
either with or without a preservative such as
benzylalkonium chloride. Alternatively, for ophthalmic
uses, the pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated
in an ointment such as petrolatum.
The pharmaceutical compositions of this
invention may also be administered by nasal aerosol or
inhalation. Such compositions are prepared according to
techniques well-known in the art of pharmaceutical
formulation and may be prepared as solutions in saline,
employing benzyl alcohol or other suitable preservatives,

absorption promoters to enhance bioavailability,
fluorocarbons, and/or other conventional solubilizing or
dispersing agents.
The amount of p38 inhibitor that may be
combined with the carrier materials to produce a single
dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated,
the particular mode of administration. Preferably, the
compositions should be formulated so that a dosage of
between 0.01 - 100 mg/kg body weight/day of the inhibitor
can be administered to a patient receiving these
compositions.
It should also be understood that a specific
dosage and treatment regimen for any particular patient
will depend upon a variety of factors, including the
activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body
weight, general health, sex, diet, time of
administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, and
the judgment of the treating physician and the severity
of the particular disease being treated. The amount of
inhibitor will also depend upon the particular compound
in the composition.
According to another embodiment, the invention
provides methods for treating or preventing a p38-
mediated condition comprising the step of administering
to a patient one of the above-described pharmaceutical
compositions. The term "patient", as used herein, means
an animal, preferably a human.
Preferably, that method is used to treat or
prevent a condition selected from inflammatory diseases,
autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders,
proliferative disorders, infectious diseases,
degenerative diseases, allergies, reperfusion/ischemia in

stroke, heart attacks, angiogenic disorders, organ
hypoxia, vascular hyperplasia, cardiac hypertrophy, and
thrombin-induced platelet aggregation.
According to another embodiment, the inhibitors
of this invention are used to treat or prevent an IL-1,
IL-6, IL-8 or TNF-mediated disease or condition. Such
conditions are described above.
Depending upon the particular p38-mediated
condition to be treated or prevented, additional drugs,
which are normally administered to treat or prevent that
condition, may be administered together with the
inhibitors of this invention. For example,
chemotherapeutic agents or other anti-proliferative
agents may be combined with the p38 inhibitors of this
invention to treat proliferative diseases.
Those additional agents may be administered
separately, as part of a multiple dosage regimen, from
the p38 inhibitor-containing composition. Alternatively,
those agents may be part of a single dosage form, mixed
together with the p38 inhibitor in a single composition.
In order that the invention described herein
may be more fully understood, the following examples are
set forth. It should be understood that these examples
are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be
construed as limiting this invention in any manner.

EXAMPLE 1
Synthesis of p38 Inhibitor Compound 5

To a solution of LDA (60mmol, 40mLs) at -78° C,
was added dropwise a solution of 2,6-Dibromopyridine
(40mmol, 9.48gms) in THF (30mLs, dried). The mixture was
stirred at -78° C for 20 minutes. Ethyl formate (400mmol,
32.3mLs) was added and stirring was continued at -7 8° C
for 2 hours. Saturated ammonium chloride (200mLs) was
added and the mixture was warmed to room temperature.
The reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and
the organic layer was washed with aqueous acid and base.
The organic layer was dried and evaporated in vacuo. The
resulting material was purified by flash chromatography
on silica gel followed by eluting with 10% ethyl acetate
in n-hexane to afford 1 (32mmol, 8.41gms) as a white
solid.

A solution of 1 (13.08mmol, 3.1gms) and
concentrated sulfuric acid (1mL) in methanol (50mL) was
refluxed overnight. The reaction mixture was cooled,

neutralized with aqueous base and extracted into ethyl
acetate. Drying and evaporation of the organic layer
afforded 2 (11.77mmol, 3.63gms) as an oil.

To a solution of t-Butoxide (2.2mmol, 2mLs) was
added dropwise a solution of 2,6-Dichloroaniline
(l.Ommol, 162mgs) in THF (2mL, dried). The mixture was
stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes. A solution of
2 (l.Ommol, 309mgs) in THF (5mLs) was added and stirring
was continued for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was
diluted with ethyl acetate and the organic layer was
washed with aqueous acid and base. The organic layer was
dried and evaporated in vacuo. The resulting material
was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel
followed by eluting with 5% acetone in n-hexane to afford
3 (O.33mmol, 128mgs) as an orange solid.

o-Tolylboronic acid (O.34mmol, 46mgs), and 3
(O.20mmol, 80mgs) were dissolved in a toluene/ethanol

(5/1) mixture. Thallium carbonate (O.5, 235mgs) and
tetrakis (triphenylphosphine)palladium (O) (10mgs) was
added to the solution and the slurry was allowed to
reflux for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was diluted
with ethyl acetate and the organic layer was washed with
aqueous acid and base. The organic layer was dried and
evaporated in vacuo. The resulting material was purified
by flash chromatography on silica gel followed by eluting
with 5% methanol in methylene chloride to afford 4
(O.17mmol, 61mgs) as a white solid.

A solution of 4 (O.17mmol, 61mgs) and
chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (lmmol, 141.5mgs) in methylene
chloride (5mLs) was stirred at room temperature
overnight. The reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl
acetate and the organic layer was washed with aqueous
acid and base. The organic layer was dried and
evaporated in vacuo. The resulting material was purified
by flash chromatography on silica gel followed by eluting
with 5% acetone in n-hexane to afford 5 (O.12mmol, 4 6mgs)
as a white solid.

Sodium borohydride (l.Ommol, 39.8 mgs) was
added to a solution of 5 (O.12mmol, 46mgs) in methanol
(lOmLs) and the solution was stirred for 15 minutes. The
reaction was quenched with water. The reaction mixture
was then diluted with ethyl acetate and the organic layer
was washed with aqueous acid and base. The organic layer
was dried and evaporated in vacuo. The resulting
material was purified by flash chromatography to afford 6
(O.08mmol, 36mgs) as a white solid.
The spectral data for compound 6 was:
1H NMR (500 MHz, CDC13) δ 7.90 (d, 1H) , 7.60 (d, 2H) , 7.5-
7.3 (m, 5H), 6.30 (d, 2H), 4.5 (s, 2H), 2.3 (s, 2H).
Synthesis of p38 Inhibitor Compound 7

The amino-alcohol (500 mg, 1.43 mmol), which
was prepared in the same manner as 4, was dissolved in

dichloromethane. Triethylamine (433 mg, 4.29 lamol) was
added, followed by acetyl chloride (168 mg, 2.15 mmol).
The mixture was stirred at room temperature for one hour,
poured into water, and extracted with dichloromethane.
The organic extract was evaporated in vacuo and the
residue was dissolved in 10.0 mL of toluene. A 20%
solution of phosgene in toluene (5.0 mL) was added and
the solution was refluxed for two hours. The solution
was cooled and 5.0 mL of concentrated ammonium hydroxide
was added, precipitating a white solid. The mixture was
poured into water and extracted with toluene. The
organic extract was dried (MgSO4) and evaporated in vacuo
to afford 205 mg of the urea-acetate 7 as a white solid.
The spectral data for compound 7 was:
1H NMR (500 MHz, CDC13) 87.80 (d, 1H) , 7.62-7.50 (m, 2H) ,
7.25-7.0 (m, 5H), 6.59 (d, 1H), 5.1 (s, 2H) , 2.12 (s,
3H). HRMS showed MH+ 434.2 as the major peak.
Synthesis of p38 Inhibitor Compound 8

The urea-alcohol (548 mg, 1.4 mmol), which was
prepared in the same manner as 6, was dissolved in 5.0 mL
of toluene. A 20% solution of phosgene in toluene (5.0
mL) was added and the solution was refluxed for two

hours. The solution was cooled and 5.0 mL of
concentrated ammonium hydroxide was added, precipitating
a white solid. The mixture was poured into water and
extracted with toluene. The organic extract was dried
(MgSO4) and evaporated in vacuo to afford 284 mg of the
carbamate 8 as a white solid.
The spectral data of compound 8 was:
1H NMR (500 MHz, CDC13) 57.77 (d, 1H) , 7.55-7.45 (m, 2H) ,
7.15-6.95 (m, 5H), 6.50 (d, 1H), 5.40 (br s, 2H) , 5.00
(s, 2H). HRMS showed MH+ 435.1 as the major peak.
EXAMPLE 2
Synthesis of p38 Inhibitor Compound 16

One equivalent of 2,6-dichloropyridine-4-
carboxylic acid was dissolved in THF. The solution was
cooled to 0°C and one equivalent of borane dimethyl
sulfide complex was added. The solution was stirred at
room temperature for twelve hours. The mixture was
poured into water and extracted with diethyl ether. The
ether extract was dried, and evaporated in vacuo to
afford 9 in 93% yield.


One equivalent of 9 was dissolved in methylene
chloride. One equivalent of methyl chloromethyl ether
was added, followed by the addition of one equivalent of
ethyl diisopropylamine. The reaction was stirred at room
temperature for several hours, poured into water and
extracted with a water-immiscible solvent. The extract
was dried and evaporated in vacuo to afford 10 in 8 6%
yield.

One equivalent of potassium t-butoxide was
added to a solution of one equivalent of 2,6-
dichlorophenyl acetonitrile in THF at room temperature.
The mixture was stirred at room temperature for thirty
minutes, and a solution of the dichloropyridine 10 in THF
was added. After stirring for 1.5 hours, the mixture was
poured into aqueous ammonium chloride and extracted with
ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and evaporated in
vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography
to afford 11 in 79% yield as a white powder.


The acetal 11 was mixed with concentrated
hydrochloric acid and stirred for several hours. The
mixture was extracted with a water-immicible organic
solvent. The extract was washed with saturated aqueous
NaHCCk, dried, and evaporated in vacuo to afford 12.



The nitrile 12 was mixed with concentrated
sulfuric acid and heated to 100°C for several minutes.
The mixture was cooled, poured onto ice, and filtered to
afford 13.

One equivalent of the chloropyridine 13 was
dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane. One equivalent of 3-
chloro-2-methylphenylboronic acid was added. A solution
of one equivalent of sodium carbonate in water was added
along with a catalytic amount of tetrakis
(triphenylphosphine) palladium (O). The mixture was
heated to 80°C for several hours. The mixture was poured
into water and extracted with a water-immiscible organic

solvent. The extract was dried, evaporated in vacuo and
purified by flash chromatography to afford 14.

One equivalent of the alcohol 14 was dissolved
in THF. The solution was cooled to 0°C and one
equivalent of methanesulfonyl chloride was added
following by one equivalent of triethylamine. The
solution was stirred for several hours, poured into
water, and extracted with a water-immiscible solvent.
The extract was dried and evaporated in vacuo to afford
the crude mesylate 15.

One equivalent of the methanesulfonyl ester 15
was dissolved in THF. The solution was cooled to 0°C and
one equivalent of N-ethyl piperazine was added following
by one equivalent of triethylamine. The solution was
stirred for several hours, poured into water, and
extracted with a water-immiscible solvent. The extract
was dried, evaporated, and purified by flash
chromatography to afford the pure amine 16.

The spectral data for compound 16 is:
1H NMR (500 MHz, CDC13) 6 9.85 (br s, 1H) , 7.47 (dd, 1H) ,
7.42 (d, 1H), 7.27 (m, 5H), 6.75 (s, 1H) , 5.95 (s, 1H) ,
5.7 (br s, 1H), 3.5 (ABq, 2H), 2.5-2.3 (m, 10H), 2.3 (s,
3H), 1.2 (t, 3H).
EXAMPLE 2
Cloning of p38 Kinase in Insect Cells
Two splice variants of human p38 kinase, CSBP1
and CSBP2, have been identified. Specific
oligonucleotide primers were used to amplify the coding
region of CSBP2 cDNA using a HeLa cell library
(Stratagene) as a template. The polymerase chain
reaction product was cloned into the pET-15b vector
(Novagen). The baculovirus transfer vector, pVL-(His)6-
p38 was constructed by subcloning a Xbal-BamEI fragment
of pET15b-(His)6-p38 into the complementary sites in
plasmid pVL1392 (Pharmingen).
The plasmid pVL-(His)6-p38 directed the
synthesis of a recombinant protein consisting of a 23-
residue peptide (MGSSHHHHHHSSGLVPRGSHMLE, where LVPRGS
represents a thrombin cleavage site) fused in frame to
the N-terminus of p38, as confirmed by DNA sequencing and
by N-terminal sequencing of the expressed protein.
Monolayer culture of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect
cells (ATCC) was maintained in TNM-FH medium (Gibco BRL)
supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum in a T-flask at
27C'C. Sf9 cells in log phase were co-transfected with
linear viral DNA of Autographs califonica nuclear
polyhedrosis virus (Pharmingen) and transfer vector pVL-
(His)6-p38 using Lipofectin (Invitrogen). The individual

recombinant baculovirus clones were purified by plaque
assay using It low melting agarose.
EXAMPLE 3
Expression and Purification of Recombinant p38 Kinase
Trichoplusia ni (Tn-368) High-Five™ cells
(Invitrogen) were grown in suspension in Excel-405
protein free medium (JRH Bioscience) in a shaker flask at
27°C. Cells at a density of 1.5 X 106 cells/ml were
infected with the recombinant baculovirus described above
at a multiplicity of infection of 5. The expression
level of recombinant p38 was monitored by immunoblotting
using a rabbit anti-p38 antibody (Santa Cruz
Biotechnology). The cell mass was harvested 72 hours
after infection when the expression level of p38 reached
its maximum.
Frozen cell paste from cells expressing the
(His)6-tagged p38 was thawed in 5 volumes of Buffer A (50
mM NaH2PO4, pH 8.0, 200 mM NaCl, 2mM ß-Mercaptoethanol, 10%
Glycerol and 0.2 mM PMSF). After mechanical disruption
of the cells in a microfluidizer, the lysate was
centrifuged at 30,000 x g for 30 minutes. The
supernatant was incubated batchwise for 3-5 hours at 4°C
with Talon™ (Clontech) metal affinity resin at a ratio of
1 ml of resin per 2-4 mgs of expected p38. The resin was
settled by centrifugation at 500 x g for 5 minutes and
gently washed batchwise with Buffer A. The resin was
slurried and poured into a column (approx. 2.6 x 5.0 cm)
and washed with Buffer A + 5 mM imidazole.
The (His)6-p38 was eluted with Buffer A + 100
mM imidazole and subsequently dialyzed overnight at 4°C
against 2 liters of Buffer B, (50 mM HEPES, pH 7.5, 25 mM

ß-glycerophosphate, 5% glycerol, 2mM DTT). The His6 tag
was removed by addition of at 1.5 units thrombin
(Calbiochem) per mg of p38 and incubation at 20°C for 2-3
hours. The thrombin was quenched by addition of 0.2 mM
PMSF and then the entire sample was loaded onto a 2 ml
benzamidine agarose (American International Chemical)
column.
The flow through fraction was directly loaded
onto a 2.6 x 5.0 cm Q-Sepharose (Pharmacia) column
previously equilibrated in Buffer B + 0.2 mM PMSF. The
p38 was eluted with a 20 column volume linear gradient to
0.6M NaCl in Buffer B. The eluted protein peak was
pooled and dialyzed overnight at 4°C vs. Buffer C (50 mM
HEPES pH 7.5, 5% glycerol, 50 mM NaCl, 2 mM DTT, 0.2 mM
PMSF) .
The dialyzed protein was concentrated in a
Centriprep (Amicon) to 3-4 ml and applied to a 2.6 x 100
cm Sephacryl S-100HR (Pharmacia) column. The protein was
eluted at a flow rate of 35 ml/hr. The main peak was
pooled, adjusted to 20 mM DTT, concentrated to 13-80
mgs/ml and frozen in aliquots at -70°C or used
immediately.
EXAMPLE 4
Activation of p38
p38 was activated by combining 0.5 mg/ml p38
with 0.005 mg/ml DD-double mutant MKK6 in Buffer B + lOmM
MgCl,, 2mM ATP, 0. 2mM Na2V04 for 30 minutes at 20cC. The
activation mixture was then loaded onto a 1.0 x 10 cm
MonoQ column (Pharmacia) and eluted with a linear 20
column volume gradient to 1.0 M NaCl in Buffer B. The

activated p38 eluted after the ADP and ATP. The
activated p38 peak was pooled and dialyzed against buffer
B + 0.2mM Na2VO4 to remove the NaCl. The dialyzed protein
was adjusted to 1.1M potassium phosphate by addition of a
4.OM stock solution and loaded onto a 1.0 x 10 cm HIC
(Rainin Hydropore) column previously equilibrated in
Buffer D (10% glycerol, 20mM ß-glycerophosphate, 2.OmM
DTT) + 1.1MK2HP04. The protein was eluted with a 20
column volume linear gradient to Buffer D + 50mM K2HPO4.
The double phosphorylated p38 eluted as the main peak and
was pooled for dialysis against Buffer B + 0.2mM Na2v04.
The activated p38 was stored at -70°C.
EXAMPLE 5
p38 Inhibition Assays
A. Inhibition of Phosphorylation of EGF Receptor
Peptide
This assay was carried out in the presence of
10 mM MgCl2, 25 mM ^-glycerophosphate, 10% glycerol and
100 mM HEPES buffer at pH 7.6. For a typical ICb0
determination, a stock solution was prepared containing
all of the above components and activated p38 (5 nM).
The stock solution was aliquotted into vials. A fixed
volume of DMSO or inhibitor in DMSO (final concentration
of DMSO in reaction was 5%) was introduced to each vial,
mixed and incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature.
EGF receptor peptide, KRELVEPLTPSGEAPNQALLR, a phosphoryl
acceptor in p38-catalyzed kinase reaction (1), was added
to each vial to a final concentration of 200 uM. The
kinase reaction was initiated with ATP (100 uM) and the
vials were incubated at 30°C. After 30 minutes, zhe

reactions were quenched with equal volume of 101
trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).
The phosphorylated peptide was quantified by
HPLC analysis. Separation of phosphorylated peptide from
the unphosphorylated peptide was achieved on a reverse
phase column (Deltapak, 5 μm, C18 100D, Part no. 011795)
with a binary gradient of water and acteonitrile, each
containing 0.1% TFA. IC50 (concentration of inhibitor
yielding 50% inhibition) was determined by plotting the
percent (%) activity remaining against inhibitor
concentration.
B. Inhibition of ATPase Activity
This assay is carried out in the presence of 10
mM MgCl2, 25 mM ß-glycerophosphate, 10% glycerol and 100
mM HEPES buffer at pH 7.6. For a typical Ki
determination, the Km for ATP in the ATPase activity of
activated p38 reaction is determined in the absence of
inhibitor and in the presence of two concentrations of
inhibitor. A stock solution is prepared containing all
of the above components and activated p38 (60 nM). The
stock solution is aliquotted into vials. A fixed volume
of DMSO or inhibitor in DMSO (final concentration of DMSO
in reaction was 2.5%) is introduced to each vial, mixed
and incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature. The
reaction is initiated by adding various concentrations of
ATP and then incubated at 30°C. After 30 minutes, the
reactions are quenched with 50 μl of EDTA (O.1 M, final
concentration), pH 8.0. The product of p38 ATPase
activity, ADP, is quantified by HPLC analysis.
Separation of ADP from ATP is achieved on a
reversed phase column (Supelcosil, LC-18, 3 μm, part no.

5-8985) using a binary solvent gradient of following
composition: Solvent A - 0.1 M phosphate buffer
containing 8 mM tetrabutylamrnonium hydrogen sulfate
(Sigma Chemical Co., catalogue no. T-7158), Solvent B -
Solvent A with 30% methanol.
Ki is determined from the rate data as a
function of inhibitor and ATP concentrations.
p38 inhibitors of this invention will inhibit
the ATPase activity of p38.
C. Inhibition of IL-1, TNF, IL-6 and IL-8
Production in LPS-Stimulated PBMCs
Inhibitors were serially diluted in DMSO from a
20 mM stock. At least 6 serial dilutions were prepared.
Then 4x inhibitor stocks were prepared by adding 4 pi of
an inhibitor dilution to 1 ml of RPMI1640 medium/10%
fetal bovine serum. The 4x inhibitor stocks contained
inhibitor at concentrations of 80 μM, 32 μM, 12.8 μM,
5.12 μM, 2.048 μM, 0.819 μM, 0.328 μM, 0.131 μM, 0.052
μM, 0.021 uM etc. The 4x inhibitor stocks were pre-
warmed at 37°C until use.
Fresh human blood buffy cells were separated
from other cells in a Vacutainer CPT from Becton &
Dickinson (containing 4 ml blood and enough DPBS without
2 + 2 +
Mg /Ca to fill the tube) by centrifugation at 1500 x g
for 15 min. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs),
located on top of the gradient in the Vacutainer, were
removed and washed twice with RPMI1640 medium/10%, fetal
bovine serum. PBMCs were collected by centrifugation at
500 x g for 10 min. The total cell number was determined
using a Neubauer Cell Chamber and the cells were adjusted
to a concentration of 4.8 x 106 cells/ml in cell culture

medium (RPMI164 0 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine
serum).
Alternatively, whole blood containing an anti-
coagulant was used directly in the assay.
100 ul of cell suspension or whole blood were
placed in each well of a 96-well cell culture plate.
Then 50 ul of the 4x inhibitor stock was added to the
cells. Finally, 50 ul of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
working stock solution (16 ng/ml in cell culture medium)
was added to give a final concentration of 4 ng/ml LPS in
the assay. The total assay volume of the vehicle control
was also adjusted to 200 ul by adding 50 μl cell culture
medium. The PBMC cells or whole blood were then
incubated overnight (for 12-15 hours) at 37° C/5% CO2 in a
humidified atmosphere.
The next day the cells were mixed on a shaker
for 3-5 minutes before centrifugation at 500 x g for 5
minutes. Cell culture supernatants were harvested and
analyzed by ELISA for levels of IL-lb (R&D Systems,
Quantikine kits, #DBL50), TNF-a (BioSource, #KHC3012),
IL-6 (Endogen, #EH2-IL6) and IL-8 (Endogen, #EH2-IL8)
according to the instructions of the manufacturer. The
ELISA data were used to generate dose-response curves
from which IC50 values were derived.
Results for the kinase assay ("kinase";
subsection A, above), IL-1 and TNF in LPS-stimulated
PBMCs ("cell") and IL-1, TNF and IL-6 in whole blood
("WB") for various p38 inhibitors of this invention are
shown in Table 7 below:


Other p38 inhibitors of this invention will
also inhibit phosphorylation of EGF receptor peptide, and
will inhibit the production of IL-1, TNF and IL--6, as
well as IL-8, in LPS-stimulated PBMCs or in whole blood.
D. Inhibition of IL-6 and IL-8
Production in IL-1-Stimulated PBMCs
This assay is carried, out on PBMCs exactly the
same as above except that 50 ul of an IL-lb working stock
solution (2 ng/ml in cell culture medium) is added to the
assay instead of the (LPS) working stock solution.
Cell culture supernatants are harvested as
described above and analyzed by ELISA for levels of IL-6
(Endogen, #EH2-IL6) and IL-8 (Endogen, #EH2-IL8)
according to the instructions of the manufacturer. The
ELISA data are used to generate dose-response curves from
which IC50 values were derived.

E. Inhibition of LPS-Induced
Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase-2
(PGHS-2, or COX-2) Induction in PBMCs
Human peripheral mononuclear cells (FBMCs) are
isolated from fresh human blood buffy coats by
centrifugation in a Vacutainer CPT (Becton & Dickinson).
15 x 106 cells are seeded in a 6-well tissue culture dish
containing RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine
serμM, 50U/ml penicillin, 50 ug/ml streptomycin, and 2 mM
L-glutamine. Compounds are added at 0.2, 2.0 and 20 μM
final concentrations in DMSO. LPS is then added at a
final concentration of 4 ng/ml to induce enzyme
expression. The final culture volume is 10 ml/well.
After overnight incubation at 37°C, 5% CO2, the
cells are harvested by scraping and subsequent
centrifugation, the supernatant is removed, and the cells
are washed twice in ice-cold DPBS (Dulbecco's phosphate
buffered saline, BioWhittaker). The cells are lysed on
ice for 10 min in 50 μl cold lysis buffer (20 mM Tris-
HC1, pH 7.2, 150 mM NaCl, 1% Triton-X-100, 1% deoxycholic
acid, 0.1% SDS, 1 mM EDTA, 2% aprotinin (Sigma), 10 ug/ml
pepstatin, 10 μg/ml leupeptin, 2 mM PMSF, 1 mM
benzamidine, 1 mM DTT) containing 1 ul Benzonase (DNAse
from Merck). The protein concentration of each sample is
determined using the BCA assay (Pierce) and bovine serum
albumin as a standard. Then the protein concentration of
each sample is adjusted to 1 mg/ml with cold lysis
buffer. To 100 ul lysate an equal volume of 2xSDS PAGE
loading buffer is added and the sample is boiled for 5
min. Proteins (30 μg/lane) are size-fractionated on 4-
2OR SDS PAGE gradient gels (Novex) and subsequently
transferred onto nitrocellulose membrane by

electrophoretic means for 2 hours at 100 mA in Towbin
transfer buffer (25 mM Tris, 192 mM glycine) containing
20% methanol. After transfer, the membrane is pretreated
for 1 hour at room temperature with blocking buffer (51
non-fat dry milk in DPBS supplemented with 0.1% Tween-20)
and washed 3 times in DPBS/0.1% Tween-20. The membrane
is incubated overnight at 4°C with a 1: 250 dilution of
monoclonal anti-COX-2 antibody (Transduction
Laboratories) in blocking buffer. After 3 washes in
DPBS/0.1% Tween-20, the membrane is incubated with a
1:1000 dilution of horseradish peroxidase-conjugated
sheep antiserum to mouse Ig (Amersham) in blocking buffer
for 1 h at room temperature. Then the membrane is washed
again 3 times in DPBS/0.1% Tween-20. An ECL detection
system (SuperSignal™ CL-HRP Substrate System, Pierce) is
used to determine the levels of expression of COX-2.
While we have hereinbefore presented a number
of embodiments of this invention, it is apparent that our
basic construction can be altered to provide other
embodiments which utilize the methods of this invention.

We claim:
1. A compound of the formula:

wherein each of Q1 and Q2 are independently selected from
a phenyl or 5-6 membered aromatic heterocyclic ring
system, or a 8-10 membered bicyclic ring system
comprising aromatic carbocyclic rings, aromatic
heterocyclic rings or a combination of an aromatic
carbocyclic ring and an aromatic heterocyclic ring;
the rings that make up Q1 are substituted with
1 to 4 substituents, each of which is independently
selected from halo; C1-C3 alkyl optionally substituted
with NR'2, OR', CO2R' or CONR'2; O-(C1-C3)-alkyl
optionally substituted with NR'2, OR', CO2R' or CONR'2;
NR'2; OCF3; CF3; NO2; CO2R'; CONR'; SR' ; S(O2)N(R')2; SCF3;
CN; N(R')C(O)R4; N (R') C (O) OR4; N (R' ) C (O) C (O) R4 ;
N(R')S(O2)R4; N(R')R4; N(R4)2; OR4; OC(O)R4; OP(O)3H?; or
N-C-N(R')27

the rings that make up Q2 are optionally
substituted with up to 4 substituents, each of which is
independently selected from halo; C1-C3 straight or
branched alkyl optionally substituted with NR'2, OR',
CO2R', S(O2)N(R')2/ N=C-N(R')2, R3, or CONR'2; O-(C1-C3)-
alkyl; O- (C1-C3) -alkyl optionally substituted with NR'2,
OR', CO2R', S(O2)N(R')2, N=C-N(R')2, R3, or CONR'2; NR'2;
OCF3; CF3; NO2; CO2R'; CONR'; R3; OR3; NR3; SR3; C(O)R3;
C(O)N(R')R3; C(O)OR3; SR'; S(O2)N(R')2; SCF3; N=C-N(R')2;
or CN;
Q2' is selected from phenyl or a 5-6 member
aromatic heterocyclic ring optionally substituted with 1-
3 substituents, each of which is independently selected
from halogen; C1-C3 alkyl optionally substituted with
NR'2/ OR', CO2R', CONR' 2, or O-P(O3)H2; O-(C2-C3)-alkyl
optionally substituted with NR'2, OR', CO2R' , CONR'2, or
OP(O,)H2; 0CF3; CF3; OR4; O-CO2R4; O-P(O3)H2; CO2R'; CONR';
SR'; S(O2)N(R')2; SCF3; CN; N(R')C(O)R4; N (R' ) C (O) OR4;
N(R')C(O)C(O)R'; N (R') S (O2) R4; N(R')R4; N(R4)2; OP4;
0C(O)R4; OP(O)3H2; or N=C-N(R')2; provided that Q/ is not
phenyl optionally substituted 1 to 3 substituents
independently selected from halo, methoxy, cyano, nitro,
amino, hydroxy, methyl or ethyl;
R' is selected from hydrogen; (C1-C3)-alkyl;
(C2-C3)-alkenyl or alkynyl; phenyl or phenyl substituted
with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from
halo, methoxy, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxy, methyl or
ethyl; or a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring system
optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents

independently selected from halo, methoxy, cyano, nitro,
amino, hydroxy, methyl or ethyl;
R3 is selected from 5-8 membered aromatic or
non-aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring systems
each optionally substituted with R', R4, -C(O)R', -C(O)R4,
-C(O)OR4 or -J; or an 8-10 membered bicyclic ring system
comprising aromatic carbocyclic rings, aromatic
heterocyclic rings or a combination of an aromatic
carbocyclic ring and an aromatic heterocyclic ring each
optionally substituted with R', R4, -C(O)R', -C(O)R4, -
C(O)OR4 or -J;
R is (C1-C4)-straight or branched alkyl
optionally substituted with N(R')2, OR', CO2R', CON(R')2,
or SO2N(R2)2; or a 5-6 membered carbocyclic or
heterocyclic ring system optionally substituted with
N(R')2, OR', CO2R', CON(R')2, or SO2N(R2)2;
R is selected from hydrogen; (C1-C3)-alkyl
optionally substituted with R'; (C2-C3)-alkenyl or alkynyl
each optionally substituted with R ; phenyl or phenyl
substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently
selected from halo, methoxy, cyano, nitro, amino,
hydroxy, methyl or ethyl; or a 5-6 membered heterocyclic
ring system optionally substituted with 1 to 3
substituents independently selected from halo, methoxy,
cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxy, methyl or ethyl;
W is selected from N (R2) SO2-N (R2) 2; N(R2)SO2-
N(R')(R3); N(R2)C(O)-OR2; N (R2) C (O) -N (R2) 2; N(R2)C(O)-
N(R;)(R3); N(R2)C(O)-R2; N(R2)?; C(O)-R2; CH(OH)-R?; C(O)-
N(R2);;; C(O)-OR'-; J; or (C1-C4) straight or branched alkyl
optionally substituted with N(R')y, OR', CO2R', CON(R')2,
R3, SO2N(R2)2, 0C(O)R2, 0C(O)R', OC(O)N(R2)2, -N(R4)(R5), -

C(O)N(R5) (R2) , -C(O)R5, -N(R2)C(O)N(R2) (R5) , -NC(O)OR5
OC(O)N(R6) (R5) , or -J; a 5-6 membered carbocyclic or
heterocyclic ring system optionally substituted with
N(R')2, OR', CO2R' , CON(R')2, or SO2N(R2)2; or a 8-10
membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system
optionally substituted with N(R')2, OR', CO2R', CON(R')2,
or SO2N(R2)2; provided that W is not an R3 substituted C:
alkyl;
W is selected from N (Rz)-SO2-Q2/ N (R2)-CO2-Q2;
N(R2)-C(O)-Q2; N(R2)(Q2); C(O)-Q2; CO2-Q2; C (O) N (R2) (Q2) ;
C(R1)2Q2;
each R is independently selected from hydrogen,
-R2, -N(R2)2, -OR2, SR2, -C(O)-N(R2)2, -S (O2) -N (R2) 2,
-C(O)-OR2 or -C(O)R wherein two adjacent R are optionally
bound to one another and, together with each Y to which
they are respectively bound, form a 4-8 membered
carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;
R is selected from hydrogen, (C1-C3)-alkyl, or
(C1-C3)-alkenyl; each optionally substituted with -N(R')2,
-OR', SR', -C(O) -N(R' )2, -S (O2)-N(R' )2, -C(O)-OR',
-NSO2R4, -NSO2R3, -C(O)N(R' ) (R3) , -NC(O)R4, -N(R')(R3),
-N(R')(R4), -C(O)R3, -C(O)N(R') (R4), -N(R4)2,
-C(O)N=C(NH)2 or R3;
Y is N or C;
Z is CH, N, C(OCH3), C(CH3), C(NH2), C(OH) or
C(F) ;
U is selected from R or W;
V is selected from -C(O)NH2, -P(O)(NH2)2, or
-SO2NH2;

A, B, and C are independently selected from --O-,
-CUR'-, -CHR4-, -NR'-, -NR4- or -S-;
J is a (C1-C4) straight chain or branched alkyl
derivative substituted with 1-3 substituents selected
from D, -T-C(O)R', or -OP03H2;
D is selected from the group

T is either 0 or NH; and
G is either NH2 or OH.
2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein
Q1 is selected from phenyl or pyridyl containing 1 to 3
substituents independently selected from chloro, fluoro,
bromo, -CH3, -OCH3, -OH, -CF3, -OCF3, -0(CH2)2CH3, NH2,
3, 4-methylenedioxy, -N(CH3)2, -NH-S (O) 2-phenyl, -NH-C(O)O-
CH2-4-pyridine, -NH-C (O) CH2-morpholine,
-NH-C (O) CH2-N (CH3) 2/ -NH-C (O) CH2-piperazine,
-NH-C(O)CHv-pyrrolidine, -NH-C(O)C(O)-morpholine,
-NH-C(O)C(O)-piperazine, -NH-C(O)C(O)-pyrrolidine,
-O-C (O)CH2-N(CH3)2, or -O- (CH2) 2-N (CH3) 2 and wherein at
least one of said substituents is in the ortho position.
3. The compound according to claim 2, wherein
Q1 contains at least two substituents, both of which are
in the ortho position.
4. The compound according to claim 2, wherein
Q1 is selected from:






5. The compound according to claim 4, wherein
Q1 is selected from 2-fluoro-6-trifluoromethylphenyl,
2,6-difluorophenyl, 2,6-dichlorophenyl, 2-chloro-4-
hydroxyphenyl, 2-chloro-4-aminophenyl, 2,6-dichloro-4-
aminophenyl, 2,6-dichloro-3-aminophenyl, 2,6-dimethyl-4-
hydroxyphenyl, 2-methoxy-3,5-dichloro-4-pyridyl, 2-

chloro-4,5 methylenedioxy phenyl, or 2-chloro-4-(N-2-
morpholino-acetamido)phenyl.
6. The compound according to claim 1, wherein
Q2 is selected from phenyl, pyridyl or naphthyl and
wherein Q2 optionally contains up to 3 substituents, each
of which is independently selected from chloro, fluoro,
bromo, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, -OCH3, -OH, -NH2, -CF3, -
OCF3, -SCH3, -OCH3, -C(O)OH, -C(O)OCH3, -CH2NH2, -N(CH3)2/
-CH2,-pyrrolidine and -CH2OH.
7. The compound according to claim 6, wherein
Q2 is selected from:







8. The compound according to claim 7, wherein
Q2 is selected from phenyl, 2-isopropylphenyl, 3,4-
dimethylphenyl, 2-ethylphenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 2-
methylphenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 2-
carbomethoxylphenyl, 2-carboxyphenyl, 2-methyl-4-
chlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2-pyridyl, 2-
methylenehydroxyphenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2-methyl-4-
fluorophenyl, 2-chloro-4-fluorphenyl, 2, 4-difluorophenyl,
2-hydroxy-4-fluorphenyl or 2-methylenehydroxy-4~
fluorophenyl, 1-naphthyl, 3-chioro-2-methylenehydroxy, 3-
chloro-2-methyl, or 4-fluoro-2-methyl.
9. The compound according to claim 1, wherein
each Y is C.
10. The compound according to claim 9, wherein
each R and U attached to Y is independently selected from
hydrogen or methyl.
11. The compound according to claim 1, wherein
U, W or both U and W are a O-4 atom chain terminating in
an alcohol, amine, carboxylic acid, ester, amide or
heterocycle.
12. The compound according to claim 11,
wherein U, W or both U and W are selected from:





13. The compound according to claim 12,
wherein U, W, or both U and W are selected from:


14. The compound according to claim 1, wherein
the compound is selected from any one of the compounds
depicted in Tables 1 to 6.
15. The compound according to claim 1, wherein
the compound is

16. The compound according to claim 1, wherein
the compound is


and X is selected from NH2 or N(CH3)2;
17. The compound according to claim 1, wherein
the compound is

and X is selected from OH, NK2, or N(CH3)2.
18. The compound according to claim 1, wherein
the compound is


F
and X is selected from OH, NH2, or N(CH3)2-
19. The compound according to claim. 1, wherein
the compound is

20. The compound according to claim 1, wherein
the compound is


21. The compound according to claim 1, wherein
the compound is

22. The compound according to claim I, wherein
the compound is


23. The compound according to claim 1, wherein
the compound is

24. The compound according to claim 1, wherein
said compound is selected from any one of



25. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an
amount of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to
24 effective to inhibit p38, and a pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier.
26. Pharmaceutical compound, substantially as
herein described,particularly with reference to the examples.
27. Pharmaceutical composition, substantially as
herein described,particularly with reference to the examples.

The present invention relates to inhibitors of
p38, a mammalian protein kinase involved cell
proliferation, cell death and response to extracellular
stimuli. The invention also relates to methods for
producing these inhibitors. The invention also provides
pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inhibitors of
the invention and methods of utilizing those compositions
in the treatment and prevention of various disorders.

Documents:

431-CAL-1999-ABSTRACT 1.1.pdf

431-CAL-1999-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

431-CAL-1999-AMANDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION.pdf

431-CAL-1999-ASSIGNMENT.pdf

431-cal-1999-claims.pdf

431-CAL-1999-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

431-CAL-1999-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

431-CAL-1999-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE) 1.1.pdf

431-CAL-1999-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

431-CAL-1999-FORM 1 1.1.pdf

431-cal-1999-form 1.pdf

431-CAL-1999-FORM 13.pdf

431-CAL-1999-FORM 18.pdf

431-CAL-1999-FORM 2 1.1.pdf

431-cal-1999-form 2.pdf

431-CAL-1999-FORM 3 1.1.pdf

431-CAL-1999-FORM 3.pdf

431-CAL-1999-FORM 5 1.1.pdf

431-CAL-1999-FORM 5.pdf

431-CAL-1999-GPA.pdf

431-CAL-1999-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

431-CAL-1999-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

431-CAL-1999-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

431-CAL-1999-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

431-CAL-1999-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

431-CAL-1999-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION.pdf

431-CAL-1999-OTHERS 1.1.pdf

431-cal-1999-others.pdf

431-CAL-1999-PETITION UNDER RULE 137-1.1.pdf

431-cal-1999-priority document.pdf

431-CAL-1999-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

431-cal-1999-specification.pdf

431-CAL-1999-TRANSLATED COPY OF PRIORITY DOCUMENT.pdf


Patent Number 251480
Indian Patent Application Number 431/CAL/1999
PG Journal Number 12/2012
Publication Date 23-Mar-2012
Grant Date 20-Mar-2012
Date of Filing 10-May-1999
Name of Patentee VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
Applicant Address 130, WAVERLY STREET, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 VINCENT GALULLO 18A, AYER ROAD, HARVARD, MASSACHUSETTS 01451
2 FRANCESCO SALITURO 25, BAKER DRIVE, MARLBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS 01752
3 STEVEN BELLON 3, HUNDREDS ROAD, WELLESLEY, MASSACHUSETTS 02181
4 GUY BEMIS 256, APPLETON STREET, ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02476
5 JOHN COCHRAN 700, PRINCETON BOULEVARD, #18, LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS 01851
PCT International Classification Number A61K 31/472
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/127,626 1999-04-01 U.S.A.
2 60/085,053 1998-05-11 U.S.A.
3 61/129,099 1999-04-13 U.S.A.