Discovery of Second Generation RORγ Inhibitors Composed of an Azole Scaffold

Starting from a previously reported ROR gamma inhibitor (1), successive efforts to improve in vivo potency were continued. Introduction of metabolically beneficial motifs in conjunction with scaffold hopping was examined, resulting in discovery of the second generation ROR gamma inhibitor composed of a 4-(isoxazol-3-yl)butanoic acid scaffold (24). Compound 24 achieved a 10-fold improvement in in vivo potency in a mouse CD3 challenge model along with significant anti-inflammatory effects in a mouse dermatitis model.