Therapeutic compounds: patent evaluation of WO2011011652A1

A series of sulfonamide derivatives, incorporating azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane and phenyl-propyl scaffolds, were prepared by a succession of original steps. The compounds are claimed to act as antagonists of the C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) involved in the entry of HIV-1 to cells, but only semi-quantitative antiviral data are provided. HIV entry inhibitors, including CCR5 antagonists, are clinically used for the treatment of this viral infection; the compounds claimed in the patent, possessing a new and original scaffold, seem to be of interest for developing novel antiviral agents belonging to this class.