Discovery and Early Clinical Development of Isobutyl 1-[8-Methoxy-5-(1-oxo-3 H -isobenzofuran-5-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5- a ]pyridin-2-yl]cyclopropanecarboxylate (LEO 39652), a Novel "Dual-Soft" PDE4 Inhibitor for Topical Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.
Larsen, J., Lambert, M., Pettersson, H., Vifian, T., Larsen, M., Ollerstam, A., Hegardt, P., Eskilsson, C., Laursen, S., Soehoel, A., Skak-Nielsen, T., Hansen, L.M., Knudsen, N.O., Eirefelt, S., Sorensen, M.D., Stilou, T.G., Nielsen, S.F.(2020) J Med Chem 63: 14502-14521
- PubMed: 33054196 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00797
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
6ZBA - PubMed Abstract: 
We describe the design of a novel PDE4 scaffold and the exploration of the dual-soft concept to reduce systemic side effects via rapid elimination: introducing ester functionalities that can be inactivated in blood as well as by the liver (dual-soft) while being stable in human skin. Compound 40 was selected as a clinical candidate as it was potent and rapidly degraded by blood and liver to inactive metabolites and because in preclinical studies it showed high exposure at the target organ: the skin. Preclinical and clinical data are presented confirming the value of the dual-soft concept in reducing systemic exposure.