Novel P2X7 receptor antagonists.

The synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a new series of potent P2X 7 receptor antagonists is disclosed. The compounds inhibit BzATP-mediated pore formation in THP-1 cells. The distribution of the P2X 7 receptor in inflammatory cells, most notably the macrophage, mast cell and lymphocyte, suggests that P2X 7 antagonists have a significant role to play in the treatment of inflammatory disease.