Discovery of a Potent Analgesic NOP and Opioid Receptor Agonist: Cebranopadol

ACS Med Chem Lett. 2014 Jun 24;5(8):857-62. doi: 10.1021/ml500117c. eCollection 2014 Aug 14.

Abstract

In a previous communication, our efforts leading from 1 to the identification of spiro[cyclohexane-dihydropyrano[3,4-b]indole]-amine 2a as analgesic NOP and opioid receptor agonist were disclosed and their favorable in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties revealed. We herein report our efforts to further optimize lead 2a, toward trans-6'-fluoro-4',9'-dihydro-N,N-dimethyl-4-phenyl-spiro[cyclohexane-1,1'(3'H)-pyrano[3,4-b]indol]-4-amine (cebranopadol, 3a), which is currently in clinical development for the treatment of severe chronic nociceptive and neuropathic pain.

Keywords: MOP receptor agonists; NOP receptor agonists; analgesics; cebranopadol.