Discovery of <i>N</i>-[4-(1<i>H</i>-Pyrazolo[3,4-<i>b</i>]pyrazin-6-yl)-phenyl]-sulfonamides as Highly Active and Selective SGK1 Inhibitors

Abstract

From a virtual screening starting point, inhibitors of the serum and glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 were developed through a combination of classical medicinal chemistry and library approaches. This resulted in highly active small molecules with nanomolar activity and a good overall in vitro and ADME profile. Furthermore, the compounds exhibited unusually high kinase and off-target selectivity due to their rigid structure.