Discovery of 1-[4-(3-Chlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-7-yl]-1-morpholin-4-ylmethanone (GSK554418A), a Brain Penetrant 5-Azaindole CB2 Agonist for the Treatment of Chronic Pain

We report the synthesis and SAR of a series of novel azaindole CB2 agonists. 6-Azaindole 18 showed activity in an acute pain model but was inactive in a chronic model. 18 is a Pgp substrate with low brain penetration. The template was redesigned, and the resulting 5-azaindole 36 was a potent CB2 agonist with high CNS penetration. This compound was efficacious in the acute model and the chronic joint pain model.