Biarylsulfonamide CCR9 inhibitors for inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, affects millions of people worldwide. CCR9 has been shown to be a key chemokine receptor mediating the local inflammatory responses in the GI tract. The CCR9 inhibitor Vercirnon advanced to phase 3 clinical trials, but carries several liabilities which we sought to improve. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.