Abstract
This review covers the progress made in the field of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptor antagonists and inverse agonists since 2004. The high therapeutic potential of these compounds is reflected by the great number of patents filed during the last 3 years. Although the vast majority of the patents are related to CB1 due to the known therapeutic potential of CB1 antagonists, several compounds acting at CB2 have also been disclosed. Obesity, metabolic syndrome and smoking cessation are CB1 antagonists indications supported by the recent clinical trials results.