Vertex Pharmaceuticals

About: Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a company organization based out in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Ivacaftor & Hepatitis C virus. The organization has 2135 authors who have published 2022 publications receiving 134750 citations. The organization is also known as: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. & Vertex.

Heterocyclic derivatives as modulators of ion channels

Abstract: The present invention relates to heterocyclic derivatives useful as inhibitors of ion channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.

Compounds Useful as Protein Kinase Inhibitors

Abstract: Compounds of this invention, and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, are useful as inhibitors of PLK1 protein kinases. These compounds have the formula I, as defined herein or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for treating or preventing a variety of diseases, disorders or conditions, including, but not limited to, an autoimmune, inflammatory, proliferative, or hyperproliferative disease, a neurodegenerative disease, or an immunologically-mediated disease. Formula I wherein R1is (formula); R6 is C1-4 aliphatic or C3-6 cycloaliphatic, and is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 halogen atoms; X is O and R2 is -CH3; or X is NR5 and, R2 and R5, together with the atoms to which they are attached, form a 1,2,4-triazole; each of R3 and R4 is independently H, methyl, or ethyl; or R3 and R4, together with the atoms to which they are attached, form a cyclopropyl ring; and n is 0 or 1.

VX-166: a novel potent small molecule caspase inhibitor as a potential therapy for sepsis

Abstract: Prevention of lymphocyte apoptosis by caspase inhibition has been proposed as a novel treatment approach in sepsis. However, it has not been clearly demonstrated that caspase inhibitors improve survival in sepsis models when dosed post-insult. Also, there are concerns that caspase inhibitors might suppress the immune response. Here we characterize VX-166, a broad caspase inhibitor, as a novel potential treatment for sepsis. VX-166 was studied in a number of enzymatic and cellular assays. The compound was then tested in a murine model of endotoxic shock (lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 20 mg/kg IV) and a 10 d rat model of polymicrobial sepsis by caecal ligation and puncture (CLP). VX-166 showed potent anti-apoptotic activity in vitro and inhibited the release of interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-18. In the LPS model, VX-166 administered 0, 4, 8 and 12 h post-LPS significantly improved survival in a dose-dependent fashion (P < 0.0028). In the CLP model, VX-166 continuously administered by mini-osmotic pump significantly improved survival when dosed 3 h after insult, (40% to 92%, P = 0.009). When dosed 8 h post-CLP, VX-166 improved survival from 40% to 66% (P = 0.19). Mode of action studies in the CLP model confirmed that VX-166 significantly inhibited thymic atrophy and lymphocyte apoptosis as determined by flow cytometry (P < 0.01). VX-166 reduced plasma endotoxin levels (P < 0.05), suggesting an improved clearance of bacteria from the bloodstream. Release of IL-1beta in vivo or T-cell activation in vitro were moderately affected. Our studies enhance the case for the use of caspase inhibitors in sepsis. VX-166 itself has promise as a therapy for the treatment of sepsis in man.

Tetralin compounds with mdr activity

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that can maintain, increase, or restore sensitivity of cells to therapeutic or prophylactic agents. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for treatment of multi-drug resistant cells, for prevention of the development of multi-drug resistance, and for the use in multi-drug resistant cancer. These compounds are represented by general formula (I), in which the different substitutes are defined into the description.

Application of chimeric mice with humanized liver for study of human-specific drug metabolism.

Abstract: Human-specific or disproportionately abundant human metabolites of drug candidates that are not adequately formed and qualified in preclinical safety assessment species pose an important drug development challenge. Furthermore, the overall metabolic profile of drug candidates in humans is an important determinant of their drug-drug interaction susceptibility. These risks can be effectively assessed and/or mitigated if human metabolic profile of the drug candidate could reliably be determined in early development. However, currently available in vitro human models (e.g., liver microsomes, hepatocytes) are often inadequate in this regard. Furthermore, the conduct of definitive radiolabeled human ADME studies is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor that is more suited for later in development when the risk of failure has been reduced. We evaluated a recently developed chimeric mouse model with humanized liver on uPA/SCID background for its ability to predict human disposition of four model drugs (lamotrigine, diclofenac, MRK-A, and propafenone) that are known to exhibit human-specific metabolism. The results from these studies demonstrate that chimeric mice were able to reproduce the human-specific metabolite profile for lamotrigine, diclofenac, and MRK-A. In the case of propafenone, however, the human-specific metabolism was not detected as a predominant pathway, and the metabolite profiles in native and humanized mice were similar; this was attributed to the presence of residual highly active propafenone-metabolizing mouse enzymes in chimeric mice. Overall, the data indicate that the chimeric mice with humanized liver have the potential to be a useful tool for the prediction of human-specific metabolism of xenobiotics and warrant further investigation.