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Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Prostaglandin Extraction and Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: June 25, 2013
Discovery and Characterization of 2-Acylaminoimidazole Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 Inhibitors
Matthew A Schiffler1, Stephen Antonysamy2, Shobha N Bhattachar1
1Lilly Research Laboratories, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States.
Abstract:
As part of a program aimed at the discovery of antinociceptive therapy for inflammatory conditions, a screening hit was found to inhibit microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) with an IC50 of 17.4 μM. Structural information was used to improve enzyme potency by over 1000-fold. Addition of an appropriate substituent alleviated time-dependent cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibition. Further structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies led to 8, which had desirable potency (IC50 = 12 nM in an ex vivo human whole blood (HWB) assay) and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties. Studies on the formulation of 8 identified 8·H3PO4 as suitable for clinical development. Omission of a lipophilic portion of the compound led to 26, a readily orally bioavailable inhibitor with potency in HWB comparable to celecoxib. Furthermore, 26 was selective for mPGES-1 inhibition versus other mechanisms in the prostanoid pathway. These factors led to the selection of 26 as a second clinical candidate.
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