Stable Imidazo[4,5-b]Pyridine Compounds Modulating AURKA–TPX2

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cancer treatments targeting Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) and its interacting protein TPX2 face challenges due to limited therapeutic index, metabolic instability, and potential harmful side-effects, necessitating the development of metabolically stable compounds that modulate AURKA conformation to selectively target diseased cells.

Innovation Solution

Development of nine-membered heterocyclic compounds, such as imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine derivatives, that interact with AURKA to modulate its binding to TPX2, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing toxicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional AURKA inhibitors are used to target cancer cells, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but metabolic stability deteriorates leading to limited therapeutic index

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoidmetabolic stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of AURKA inhibitors through various substitutions and modifications to improve metabolic stability while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness. Specific structural parameters such as molecular weight, lipophilicity, and metabolic stability parameters are optimized through systematic chemical modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining different chemical moieties and structural elements to create hybrid inhibitor molecules that exhibit both high therapeutic effectiveness and improved metabolic stability. The composite structures integrate multiple functional groups that work synergistically to achieve the desired therapeutic index.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If AURKA binding compounds are developed to modulate TPX2 interaction, then therapeutic index is improved, but compound complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic indexVSAvoidcompound complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex AURKA-TPX2 interaction interface into distinct binding regions and targeting specific segments with modular compound designs. This allows for simplified compound structures that selectively target key interaction sites rather than requiring complex molecules to engage the entire interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses intermediary principles by introducing small molecule compounds that act as mediators between AURKA and TPX2, modulating their interaction without requiring direct complex binding to both proteins simultaneously. These intermediary compounds simplify the therapeutic approach while maintaining high therapeutic index.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If current cancer therapies are administered to achieve tumor remission, then cancer cell proliferation is inhibited, but toxicity increases necessitating restricted dosing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetumor remission effectivenessVSAvoiddrug toxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the blessing in disguise principle by converting the normally harmful off-target effects and toxicity into selective therapeutic benefits through optimized compound design. The modified compounds exhibit enhanced selectivity for cancer cell targets while minimizing off-target toxicity, effectively converting potential harmful interactions into beneficial selective action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamics by designing compounds with dynamic properties that allow selective activation in cancer cells versus normal cells. The compounds may exhibit conditional activation, metabolic stability differences, or target engagement dynamics that are favorable in the cancer cell context, enabling higher effective doses with reduced toxicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4620957A1Imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-7-amine compounds binding aurora kinase a and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 EBERHARD KARLS UNIVERSITAET TUEBINGEN
  • EP4620957A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1E
  • EP4620957A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2E
  • EP4620957A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

The present invention relates to metabolically stable compounds that modulate the binding of AURKA to its interacting proteins, especially TPX2. The compounds of the present invention have high therapeutic efficiency due to its high metabolic stability and low toxicity. The present invention also pertains to the use of such compounds in the prevention and/or treatment of proliferative diseases, such as cancer, and kits comprising the same.