Herein we describe the discovery and development of a novel class of M(4) positive allosteric modulators, culminating in the discovery of ML293. ML293 exhibited modest potency at the human M4 receptor (EC(50)=1.3 μM) and excellent efficacy as noted by the 14.6-fold leftward shift of the agonist concentration-response curve. ML293 was also selective versus the other muscarinic subtypes and displayed excellent in vivo PK properties in rat with low IV clearance (11.6 mL/min/kg) and excellent brain exposure (PO PBL, 10 mg/kg at 1h, [Brain]=10.3 μM, B:P=0.85).
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.