Sulfamoyl benzamides as novel CB2 cannabinoid receptor ligands

Sulfamoyl benzamides were identified as a novel series of cannabinoid receptor ligands. Starting from a screening hit 8 that had modest affinity for the cannabinoid CB2 receptor, a parallel synthesis approach and initial SAR are described, leading to compound 27 with 120-fold functional selectivity for the CB2 receptor. This compound produced robust antiallodynic activity in rodent models of postoperative pain and neuropathic pain without traditional cannabinergic side effects. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.