1,5-Biaryl pyrrole derivatives as EP1 receptor antagonists: Structure–activity relationships of 4- and 5-substituted benzoic acid derivatives

This paper details the SAR of 1,5-biaryl pyrrole derivatives with substituents in the 2-, 4-, and 5-positions of the benzoic acid group as EP1 receptor antagonists. Substitution at the 2-position was poorly tolerated, whereas only fluorine was tolerated at the 4-position. In contrast, a range of substituents at the 5-position were discovered which enhanced the in vitro affinity and led to compounds with promising oral exposure. Three derivatives showed efficacy in a preclinical model of inflammatory pain when dosed orally to rats.