The Discovery of AM-6494: A Potent and Orally Efficacious β-Site Amyloid Precursor Protein Cleaving Enzyme 1 (BACE1) Inhibitor with in vivo Selectivity over BACE2

ABSTRACT β-Site Amyloid Precursor Protein Cleaving Enzyme 1 (BACE1) is an aspartyl protease that plays a key role in the production of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain and has been extensively pursued as a target for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). BACE2, an aspartyl protease that is structurally related to BACE1, has been recently reported to be involved in melanosome maturation and pigmentation. Herein, we describe the development of a series of cyclopropylthiazines as potent and orally efficacious BACE1 inhibitors. Optimization in the P1’ and P3 regions of lead compound 6 resulted in the identification of 20, a molecule with biochemical IC50 BACE2/BACE1 ratio of 47. Administration of this compound resulted in no skin/fur color change in a 13-day mouse hypopigmentation study, and demonstrated robust and sustained reduction of CSF and brain Aβ 40 levels in rat and monkey pharmacodynamic models. Based on a compelling data package, 20 (AM-6494) was advanced to preclinical development.