Discovery of novel quinoline sulphonamide derivatives as potent, selective and orally active RORγ inverse agonists

A high-throughput screen against Inventiva's compound library using a Gal4/RORγ-LBD luciferase reporter gene assay led to the discovery of a new series of quinoline sulphonamides as RORγ inhibitors, eventually giving rise to a lead compound having an interesting in vivo profile after oral administration. This lead was evaluated in a target engagement model in mouse, where it reduced IL-17 cytokine production after immune challenge. It also proved to be active in a multiple sclerosis model (EAE) where it reduced the disease score. The synthesis, structure activity relationship (SAR) and biological activity of these derivatives is described herein.