David S. Weinstein

Bio: David S. Weinstein is an academic researcher from Bristol-Myers Squibb. The author has contributed to research in topics: Signal Transduction Inhibition & Glucocorticoid receptor. The author has an hindex of 20, co-authored 60 publications receiving 4048 citations. Previous affiliations of David S. Weinstein include University of California, San Diego & Scripps Research Institute.

Highly Selective Inhibition of Tyrosine Kinase 2 (TYK2) for the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases: Discovery of the Allosteric Inhibitor BMS-986165.

Abstract: Small molecule JAK inhibitors have emerged as a major therapeutic advancement in treating autoimmune diseases. The discovery of isoform selective JAK inhibitors that traditionally target the catalytically active site of this kinase family has been a formidable challenge. Our strategy to achieve high selectivity for TYK2 relies on targeting the TYK2 pseudokinase (JH2) domain. Herein we report the late stage optimization efforts including a structure-guided design and water displacement strategy that led to the discovery of BMS-986165 (11) as a high affinity JH2 ligand and potent allosteric inhibitor of TYK2. In addition to unprecedented JAK isoform and kinome selectivity, 11 shows excellent pharmacokinetic properties with minimal profiling liabilities and is efficacious in several murine models of autoimmune disease. On the basis of these findings, 11 appears differentiated from all other reported JAK inhibitors and has been advanced as the first pseudokinase-directed therapeutic in clinical development as an oral treatment for autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune pathways in mice and humans are blocked by pharmacological stabilization of the TYK2 pseudokinase domain.

Abstract: TYK2 is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase involved in adaptive and innate immune responses. A deactivating coding variant has previously been shown to prevent receptor-stimulated activation of this kinase and provides high protection from several common autoimmune diseases but without immunodeficiency. An agent that recapitulates the phenotype of this deactivating coding variant may therefore represent an important advancement in the treatment of autoimmunity. BMS-986165 is a potent oral agent that similarly blocks receptor-stimulated activation of TYK2 allosterically and with high selectivity and potency afforded through optimized binding to a regulatory domain of the protein. Signaling and functional responses in human TH17, TH1, B cells, and myeloid cells integral to autoimmunity were blocked by BMS-986165, both in vitro and in vivo in a phase 1 clinical trial. BMS-986165 demonstrated robust efficacy, consistent with blockade of multiple autoimmune pathways, in murine models of lupus nephritis and inflammatory bowel disease, supporting its therapeutic potential for multiple immune-mediated diseases.

Quantitation of protein.

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses various methods of estimating protein concentration. Absorption spectroscopy involves the absorption of a photon by an electron. Only those photons with a certain energy level can be absorbed as defined by the difference in energy between the orbital of the unexcited electron and a higher energy orbital. The peptide bond absorbs photons below 210 nm. Because of the large number of peptide bonds in a protein, this is a highly sensitive area of the protein spectrum. Although protein conformation and some absorption by tryptophan and tyrosine residues occurs in this region, less variability between proteins is observed than at 280 nm. There is a need to avoid storing buffers in plastic containers because some plastics leach plasticizers, which absorb at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths. Detergents can also be troublesome because many absorb UV light. If the buffer or protein solution is cold, the outside of the cuvette may need to be wiped between each reading with a lint-free wiper and the readings should be made quickly after placing the cold solution into the cuvette, because atmospheric moisture may condense on the outside of the cuvette producing an erroneously high reading.