IP Library Granted Patent US 12,534,458
Granted Patent B2
US 12,534,458 · App. 17/771,527 · Granted Jan 27, 2026

Spiropiperidine allosteric modulators of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Inventors: Ian M. Bell (Harleysville, PA); Brendan M. Crowley (Collegeville, PA); Philippe Nantermet (Lansdale, PA)
Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
C07D417/08A61K31/454A61K31/4545A61K31/506C07D401/14C07D413/14
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,534,458
App. No.
17/771,527
Granted
Jan 27, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure relates to compounds of formula (I) that are useful as modulators of α7 nAChR, compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds for preventing, treating, or ameliorating disease, particularly disorders of the central nervous system such as cognitive impairments in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia, as well as for L-DOPA induced-dyskinesia and inflammation.

Claims (57)

1 . A compound having the formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

W is aryl or 6-14 membered heteroaryl ring, wherein W is substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 R 3 substituents each independently selected from OH, oxo, NR 6 R 7 , CN, O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, halogen, (C 1 -C 6 )haloalkyl, aminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclyl, wherein each R 3 is independently substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 R 5 ;

Z is hydrogen, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, wherein Z is substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 R 4 substituents each independently selected from OH, oxo, NR 6 R 7 , CN, O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, halogen, (C 1 -C 6 )haloalkyl, aminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclyl, wherein each R 4 is independently substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 R 5 ;

—X—R 10 is

each R 2 is independently halogen, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, cycloalkyl, or (C 1 -C 6 )haloalkyl; or two R 2 when both are (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl and are attached to the same carbon atom, may join to form a cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, or cyclopentyl ring or, two R 2 when both are (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl and are attached to different carbon atoms, may join to form a bridged ring, wherein said cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or bridged ring may be optionally substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 substituents independently selected from OH, halogen, or (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl;

each R 1 is independently halogen, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, or (C 1 -C 6 )haloalkyl; or, two R 1 when both are (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl may join to form a cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl ring and said ring is substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 substituents independently selected from OH, halogen, or (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl;

each R 5 is independently selected from halogen, OH, oxo, CF 3 , OCF 3 , CN, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, S(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, C═O(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, NR 8 R 9 , (C═O)NR 6 R 7 , (C═O)OR 6 , (C 2 -C 4 )alkenyl, (C 2 -C 4 )alkynyl, (C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl, O(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl, C═O(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl, aryl, O-aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl;

each R 6 is independently hydrogen or (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl;

each R 7 is independently hydrogen or (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl;

each R 8 is independently (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aryl, or (C═O)R 6 , each substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 substituents independently selected from halogen, (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, and OH; and

each R 9 is independently (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aryl, or (C═O)R 6 ,

each substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 substituents independently selected from halogen, (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, and OH.

2 . The compound according to claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R 1 is halogen, or (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl.

3 . The compound according to claim 2 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R 2 is halogen, or (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl.

4 . The compound according to claim 3 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein W is selected from phenyl, napthyl, benzimidazolyl, benzimidazolonyl, benzofuranyl, benzofurazanyl, benzopyrazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, carbazolyl, carbolinyl, cinnolinyl, indolinyl, indolyl, indolazinyl, indazolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolyl, naphthpyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyridopyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, quinazolinyl, quinolyl, quinoxalinyl, tetrazolopyridyl, dihydrobenzoimidazolyl, dihydrobenzofuranyl, dihydrobenzothiophenyl, dihydrobenzoxazolyl, dihydroindolyl, dihydroquinolinyl, tetrahydrobenzoxazolyl, oxazolopyridinyl, imidazopyridazinyl, dihydrocyclopentaoxazolyl, pyrazolopyridinyl, thienopyridinyl, tetrahydropyrazolopyridinyl, furopyridinyl, dihydropyridooxazinyl, dihydrobenzothiazolyl, tetrahydrobenzothiazolyl, thiazolopyridinyl, pyridopyrimidinyl, phthalazinyl, pyridopyrazinyl, thienoxazolyl, and thienothiazolyl, wherein W is substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 R 3 substituents each independently selected from OH, oxo, NR 6 R 7 , CN, O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, halogen, (C 1 -C 6 )haloalkyl, aminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclyl, wherein each R 3 is independently substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 R 5 .

5 . The compound according to claim 4 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z is hydrogen, aryl, or heteroaryl, wherein Z is substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 R 4 substituents each independently selected from OH, OXO, NR 6 R 7 , CN, O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, halogen, (C 1 -C 6 )haloalkyl, aminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclyl, wherein each R 4 is independently substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 R 5 .

6 . The compound according to claim 5 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein each R 5 is independently selected from halogen, OH, oxo, CF 3 , OCF 3 , methyl, ethyl, difluoromethyl, and trifluoromethyl.

7 . The compound according to claim 6 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein each R 6 is hydrogen.

8 . The compound according to claim 7 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein each R 7 is hydrogen.

9 . The compound according to claim 8 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein each R 8 is independently selected from (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aryl, and (C═O)R 6 , each R 8 is substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 substituents independently selected from halogen, (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, and OH.

10 . The compound according to claim 9 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein each R 9 is independently (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl or (C═O)R 6 , each R 9 is substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 substituents independently selected from halogen, (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, and OH.

11 . The compound of claim 1 which is:

1-(1,3-Benzothiazol-2-yl)-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

1,1-Difluoro-2-(6-phenylpyridin-2-yl)-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

1-(6-Phenylpyridin-2-yl)-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

1,1-Difluoro-2-(4-phenylpyrimidin-2-yl)-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

1,1-Difluoro-2-{6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyridin-2-yl}-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

1,1-Difluoro-2-[6-(2-methylphenyl)pyridin-2-yl]-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

1,1-Difluoro-2-(4-phenylpyridin-2-yl)-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

2-[6-(2-Cyclopropylphenyl)pyridin-2-yl]-1,1-difluoro-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

2-(1,3-Benzoxazol-2-yl)-1,1-difluoro-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

1,1-Difluoro-2-{6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyridin-2-yl}-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

1,1-Difluoro-2-(4-phenylpyridin-2-yl)-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

1,1-Difluoro-2-[3′-(trifluoromethyl) biphenyl-3-yl]-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

2-[6-(3-Cyclopropylisoxazol-4-yl) pyridin-2-yl]-1,1-difluoro-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

2-[6-(3-Cyclopropylisoxazol-4-yl) pyridin-2-yl]-1,1-difluoro-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

2-{6-[1-Cyclopropyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]pyridin-2-yl}-1,1-difluoro-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

12 . The compound of claim 11 a compound, which is:

(1R)-1-(1,3-Benzothiazol-2-yl)-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

1,1-Difluoro-2-(6-phenylpyridin-2-yl)-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

1-(6-Phenylpyridin-2-yl)-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

(2R)-1,1-Difluoro-2-(4-phenylpyrimidin-2-yl)-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

(2R)-1,1-Difluoro-2-{6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyridin-2-yl}-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

(2R)-1,1-Difluoro-2-[6-(2-methylphenyl)pyridin-2-yl]-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

(2R)-1,1-Difluoro-2-(4-phenylpyridin-2-yl)-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

(2R)-2-[6-(2-Cyclopropylphenyl)pyridin-2-yl]-1,1-difluoro-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

(2R)-2-(1,3-Benzoxazol-2-yl)-1,1-difluoro-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

(2S)-1,1-Difluoro-2-{6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyridin-2-yl}-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

(2S)-1,1-Difluoro-2-(4-phenylpyridin-2-yl)-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

1,1-Difluoro-2-[3′-(trifluoromethyl) biphenyl-3-yl]-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

2-[6-(3-Cyclopropylisoxazol-4-yl) pyridin-2-yl]-1,1-difluoro-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide;

2-[6-(3-Cyclopropylisoxazol-4-yl) pyridin-2-yl]-1,1-difluoro-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide; or

2-{6-[1-Cyclopropyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]pyridin-2-yl}-1,1-difluoro-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane-6-sulfonamide; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

13 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and (ii) a compound according to claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

14 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 13 , further comprising a second therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors; NMDA receptor antagonists; antipsychotics; MAO-B inhibitors; and levodopa.

15 . A method of treating a patient with cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia, the method comprising administering to the patient the compound according to claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an amount effective to treat the patient.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Aug 8, 2022
From: MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORP.
To: MERCK SHARP & DOHME LLC
Reel/Frame 061102/0145 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 25, 2022
From: BELL, IAN M.; CROWLEY, BRENDAN M.; NANTERMET, PHILIPPE
To: MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORP.
Reel/Frame 059692/0623 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62930764 · Nov 5, 2019
Related Publication 20220396571A1 · Dec 15, 2022
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