Discovery of novel allosteric mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) 1,2 inhibitors possessing bidentate Ser212 interactions.

Using structure-based design, two novel series of highly potent biaryl amine mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors have been discovered. These series contain an H-bond acceptor, in a shifted position compared with previously disclosed compounds, and an adjacent H-bond donor, resulting in a bidentate interaction with the Ser212 residue of MEK1. The most potent compound identified, 1 (G-894), is orally active in in vivo pharmacodynamic and tumor xenograft models.