Traf2- and Nck-interacting kinase inhibitors: a patent review (2008–2024)

INTRODUCTION: Traf2- and Nck-interacting kinase (TNIK) is a crucial player in various intracellular signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, cytoskeleton organization, and immune activation. It phosphorylates several key target genes and is widely expressed in different organ systems, such as neural, gastrointestinal, lung, liver, and kidney tissues. TNIK has been implicated in multiple different disease areas, including oncology, neurological diseases, and fibrosis. AREA COVERED: This review provides an update of small molecule TNIK inhibitors in patents published from 2008 to 2024. EXPERT OPINION: Despite over 10 patents disclosing multiple scaffolds since 2008, only one inhibitor, INS018_055, has advanced to clinical trials to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. For the oncology indications, this is largely due to complexities in the relationship between TNIK and oncogenic pathways. Additionally, key characteristics of the molecules, such as kinase selectivity, physicochemical properties, and pharmacokinetic profiles, have played significant roles in determining whether the molecules are drug-like enough to advance to clinical trials.