Discovery of Aficamten (CK-274), a Next-Generation Cardiac Myosin Inhibitor for the Treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

J Med Chem. 2021 Oct 14;64(19):14142-14152. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01290. Epub 2021 Oct 4.

Abstract

Hypercontractility of the cardiac sarcomere may be essential for the underlying pathological hypertrophy and fibrosis in genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathies. Aficamten (CK-274) is a novel cardiac myosin inhibitor that was discovered from the optimization of indoline compound 1. The important advancement of the optimization was discovery of an Indane analogue (12) with a less restrictive structure-activity relationship that allowed for the rapid improvement of drug-like properties. Aficamten was designed to provide a predicted human half-life (t1/2) appropriate for once a day (qd) dosing, to reach steady state within two weeks, to have no substantial cytochrome P450 induction or inhibition, and to have a wide therapeutic window in vivo with a clear pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship. In a phase I clinical trial, aficamten demonstrated a human t1/2 similar to predictions and was able to reach steady state concentration within the desired two-week window.

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Myosins / drug effects*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / drug therapy*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Cardiac Myosins