Discovery of (−)-6-[2-[4-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-piperidinyl]-1-hydroxyethyl]-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone—A potent NR2B-selective N-methyl d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist for the treatment of pain

(−)-6-[2-[4-(3-Fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-piperidinyl]-1-hydroxyethyl]-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone was identified as an orally active NR2B-subunit selective N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. It has very high selectivity for NR2B subunits containing NMDA receptors versus the HERG-channel inhibition (therapeutic index = 4200 vs NR2B binding IC50). This compound has improved pharmacokinetic properties compared to the prototype CP-101,606.

Graphical abstractCompound (−)-19 was identified by structure–activity relationship around CP-101,606 (1) in order to alleviate its significant PK variability and QT prolongation issues.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide