Optimization and structure–activity relationship of a series of 1-phenyl-1,8-naphthyridin-4-one-3-carboxamides: Identification of MK-0873, a potent and effective PDE4 inhibitor

Abstract A SAR study of a series of 1-phenyl-1,8-naphthyridin-4-one-3-carboxamides is described. Optimization of the series was based on in vitro potency against PDE4, inhibition of the LPS-induced production of TNF-α in human whole blood and minimizing affinity for the hERG potassium channel. From these studies, compounds 18 and 20 (MK-0873) were identified as optimized PDE4 inhibitors with good overall in vitro and in vivo profiles and selected as development candidates.