Discovery of GS-9688 (Selgantolimod), as a Potent and Selective Oral Toll-like Receptor 8 Agonist for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B.

Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) recognizes pathogen-derived single stranded RNA fragments to trigger innate and adaptive immune responses. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is associated with a dysfunctional immune response, and therefore a selective TLR8 agonist may be an effective treatment option. Structure based optimization of a dual TLR7/8 agonist led to the identification of the selective TLR8 clinical candidate (R)-2-((2-amino-7-fluoropyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)-2-methylhexan-1-ol (GS-9688, (R)-7). Potent TLR8 agonism (IL-12p40 EC50=220 nM) and >100-fold TLR7 selectivity (IFN-α EC50>50 µM) was observed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The TLR8-ectodomain: (R)-7 complex confirmed TLR8 binding and a direct ligand interaction with TLR8 residue Asp545. Oral (R)-7 had good absorption and high first pass clearance in preclinical species. A reduction in viral markers was observed in HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes treated with media from PBMCs stimulated with (R)-7, supporting the clinical development of (R)-7 for the treatment of CHB.