We report the synthesis and SAR of a series of novel azaindole CB(2) agonists. 6-Azaindole 18 showed activity in an acute pain model but was inactive in a chronic model. 18 is a Pgp substrate with low brain penetration. The template was redesigned, and the resulting 5-azaindole 36 was a potent CB(2) agonist with high CNS penetration. This compound was efficacious in the acute model and the chronic joint pain model.

A novel palladium-catalyzed synthesis of free N-H 2,3-disubstituted indoles from arenediazonium tetrafluoroborates and 2-alkynyltrifluoroacetanilides is presented. The reaction tolerates a variety of useful substituents both in the starting alkyne and the arenediazonium salt, including bromo and chloro substituents, nitro, cyano, keto, ester, and ether groups, as well as ortho substituents such as methoxy and methyl groups.

Casopitant was identified as a potent NK 1 antagonist by Glaxo-SmithKline (GSK). It was selected as part of a wide drug discovery programme within GSK for its potential activities on a number of therapeutic targets such as inflammatory bowel disease, overactive bladder, CNS disorders, and others. The mesylate salt of casopitant was selected for full development. The manufacturing process to casopitant mesylate was developed and optimised by following a Quality by Design approach, whereby a control strategy was developed, underpinned by process understanding and risk analysis, for an enhanced level of quality assurance. Quality process parameters and specifications levels for the Stages 2a, 2b, and 2c are the elements of the control strategy of the manufacturing process discussed in detail in this paper. The Design of Experiment approach has been extensively used to support the definition of the proven acceptable ranges for the process. The aim is to show the process development studies carried out to ensure quality control for the final drug substance.

Gilenya (fingolimod, FTY720) was recently approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of patients with remitting relapsing multiple sclerosis (RRMS). It is a potent agonist of four of the five sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) G-protein-coupled receptors (S1P1 and S1P3−5). It has been postulated that fingolimod's efficacy is due to S1P1 agonism, while its cardiovascular side effects (transient bradycardia and hypertension) are due to S1P3 agonism. We have discovered a series of selective S1P1 agonists, which includes 3-[6-(5-{3-cyano-4-[(1-methylethyl)oxy]phenyl}-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-5-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-isoquinolinyl]propanoate, 20, a potent, S1P3-sparing, orally active S1P1 agonist. Compound 20 is as efficacious as fingolimod in a collagen-induced arthritis model and shows excellent pharmacokinetic properties preclinically. Importantly, the selectivity of 20 against S1P3 is responsible for an absence of cardiovascular signal in telemetered rats, even at high dose levels.