Imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazines, Novel Nucleus with Potent and Broad Spectrum Activity against Human Picornaviruses: Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation

Abstract

A novel structural class of picornavirus inhibitors comprising an imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine nucleus was discovered. 2-Aminoimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazines (6d, (E/Z)-7b, (E)-7d, (Z)-7d, (E/Z)-8b, (E)-10b, (E)-13a, (Z)-13a, (E)-13b, (Z)-13b, (E)-13c, and (Z)-13c) were designed and synthesized in an effort to identify potent broad spectrum antirhinoviral agents. A practical synthetic route to this chemical scaffold has been developed. The target compounds were evaluated in a plaque reduction assay and in a cytopathic effect assay. Our preliminary SAR studies highlight the minimum structural features required for antirhinovirus activity. Our data suggest that the nature of the linker between the phenyl and the imidazopyridazine moieties has a significant influence on the activity of these compounds. Oximes are slightly better than vinyl carboxamides at this position. The oximes are the most potent analogues against human rhinovirus 14 (HRV-14), and at the concentrations evaluated, no apparent cellular toxicity is noted. Furthermore, the E geometry appears to be a key element for activity; the Z isomer leads to a considerable loss in potency. Of particular interest, analogue 7b exhibits potent broad-spectrum antirhinoviral and antienteroviral activity when evaluated against a panel of seven additional rhino- and enteroviruses. The chemistry and the biological evaluations are discussed.