Discovery of DS79932728: A Potent, Orally Available G9a/GLP Inhibitor for Treating β-Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease

Therapeutic reactivation of the γ-globin genes for fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production is an attractive strategy for treating β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. It was reported that genetic knockdown of the histone lysine methyltransferase EHMT2/1 (G9a/GLP) is sufficient to induce HbF production. The aim of the present work was to acquire a G9a/GLP inhibitor that induces HbF production sufficiently. It was revealed that tetrahydroazepine has versatility as a side chain in various skeletons. We ultimately obtained a promising aminoindole derivative (DS79932728), a potent and orally bioavailable G9a/GLP inhibitor that was found to induce γ-globin production in a phlebotomized cynomolgus monkey model. This work could facilitate the development of effective new approaches for treating β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease.