Patent Evaluation: Novel Benzopyrans as LTB₄ Antagonists

Summary

Novelty: Benzopyran derivatives which are LTB₄ antagonists are disclosed and claimed as anti-inflammatory agents suitable for treating gout, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Biology: Data are presented on three assays using human neutrophils: i) against LTB₄-induced neutrophil degranulation, ii) against ³H-LTB₄ binding, iii) against LTB₄-induced chemotaxis. They are presented relative to that of SC41930 (the analogous carboxylic acid); the compound shown has a relative potency of 1.35 and 1.3 in the second and third assays, compared with IC₅₀ values of 1.8 and 0.3 μM for SC41930.

Chemistry: Ten examples illustrate the conversion of carboxylic acids into the compounds of the invention. 7-([4-Acetyl-3-methoxy-2-propyl]phenoxypropoxy)-8-propyl-N-phenylsulphonyl-benzopyran-2-carboxamide is one of six specifically claimed compounds.

Structure: