Identification of TNO155, an Allosteric SHP2 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Cancer

SHP2 is a nonreceptor protein tyrosine phosphatase encoded by the <i>PTPN11</i> gene and is involved in cell growth and differentiation via the MAPK signaling pathway. SHP2 also plays an important role in the programed cell death pathway (PD-1/PD-L1). As an oncoprotein as well as a potential immunomodulator, controlling SHP2 activity is of high therapeutic interest. As part of our comprehensive program targeting SHP2, we identified multiple allosteric binding modes of inhibition and optimized numerous chemical scaffolds in parallel. In this drug annotation report, we detail the identification and optimization of the pyrazine class of allosteric SHP2 inhibitors. Structure and property based drug design enabled the identification of protein-ligand interactions, potent cellular inhibition, control of physicochemical, pharmaceutical and selectivity properties, and potent <i>in vivo</i> antitumor activity. These studies culminated in the discovery of TNO155, (3<i>S</i>,4<i>S</i>)-8-(6-amino-5-((2-amino-3-chloropyridin-4-yl)thio)pyrazin-2-yl)-3-methyl-2-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-4-amine (<b>1</b>), a highly potent, selective, orally efficacious, and first-in-class SHP2 inhibitor currently in clinical trials for cancer.