Benzodipyrazoles: a new class of potent CDK2 inhibitors

The synthesis and the preliminary expansion of this new class of CDK2 inhibitors are presented. The synthesis was accomplished using a solution-phase protocol amenable to rapid parallel expansion and suitable to be scaled-up in view of possible lead development. Following a medicinal chemistry program aimed at improving cell permeability and selectivity, a series of compounds with nanomolar activity in the biochemical assay and able to efficiently inhibit tumor cell proliferation has been obtained.