Xie_2012_Eur.J.Med.Chem_52_205

We previously reported a highly potent DPP-IV inhibitor 6 with low in vivo efficacy. While trying to maintain consistent in vitro and in vivo biological activity, we initiated a pharmacokinetic property-driven optimization to improve the metabolic stability and permeability of inhibitor 6. A simple scaffold replacement of thienopyrimidine with pyrrolopyrimidine (21a) led to significantly improved metabolic stability (4% vs. 65% remaining). Further modification of the pyrrolopyrimidine scaffold to produce compound 21j resulted in much better oral bioavailability than 6. Importantly, compound 21j exhibits greater in vivo efficacy than does 6 and Alogliptin and is worthy of further development.