Design and Optimization of Pyrazinecarboxamide-Based Inhibitors of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) Leading to a Clinical Candidate Dimethylpyrazinecarboxamide Phenylcyclohexylacetic Acid (AZD7687)

A new series of pyrazinecarboxamide DGAT1 inhibitors was designed to address the need for a candidate drug with good potency, selectivity, and physical and DMPK properties combined with a low predicted dose in man. Rational design and optimization of this series led to the discovery of compound <b>30</b> (AZD7687), which met the project objectives for potency, selectivity, in particular over ACAT1, solubility, and preclinical PK profiles. This compound showed the anticipated excellent pharmacokinetic properties in human volunteers