Design of 2,5-dimethyl-3-(6-dimethyl-4-methylpyridin-3-yl)-7-dipropylamino- pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (NBI 30775/R121919) and structure-activity relationships of a series of potent and orally active corticotropin-releasing factor receptor antagonists

We previously shown that 3-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines exemplified by 8 were potent antagonists of the human corticotropin-releasing factor-1 receptor. A series of 3-pyridylpyrazolo-[1,5-a]pyrimidines 15, 25-30, 34, and 35 containing a weakly basic pyridine ring at the 3-position of the bicyclic nucleus was designed to reduce lipophilicity from the initial leads such as 7. Here, we showed that these 3-pyridyl compounds exhibited potent antagonists at the human CRF receptor. Moreover, the hydrophilic and weakly basic pyridine moiety increased the water solubility of some analogues. Compound 26h exhibited good binding affinity at the human CRF receptor with a K value of 3.5 nM. As a functional antagonist, it dose-dependently inhibited CRF-stimulated cAMP production in cells expressing the CRF receptor (IC = 50 nM), and CRF-stimulated ACTH release from cultured rat pituitary cells (IC = 20 nM). 26h had a log P value of 4.9 and water solubility of greater than 10 mg/mL. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats showed that 26h was orally bioavailable and able to penetrate into the brain. 26h has been demonstrated in vivo efficacy in animal behavioral models that measure anxiolytic activity. These results suggest that analogues from this series were potent CRF receptor antagonists with proper physicochemical properties and good pharmacokinetic profiles. 26h was developed into a clinical compound and exhibited efficacy in patients with major depression.