Discovery of a Potent, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable Acidic 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 (11β-HSD1) Inhibitor: Discovery of 2-[(3S)-1-[5-(Cyclohexylcarbamoyl)-6-propylsulfanylpyridin-2-yl]-3-piperidyl]acetic Acid (AZD4017)

Inhibition of 11β-HSD1 is an attractive mechanism for the treatment of obesity and other elements of the metabolic syndrome. We report here the discovery of a nicotinic amide derived carboxylic acid class of inhibitors that has good potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic characteristics. Compound 11i (AZD4017) is an effective inhibitor of 11β-HSD1 in human adipocytes and exhibits good druglike properties and as a consequence was selected for clinical development.