P2X7 antagonists for CNS indications: recent patent disclosures

P2X7, a ligand-gated purinergic ion channel, has been at the center of intense efforts in the pharmaceutical industry in the last 15 years due to the growing appreciation of its role in inflammation. Since 2008-2009, increased focus on CNS available compounds has led to the publication of various patents on behalf of several pharmaceutical companies. This patent review aims at analyzing the recent patent literature (2008-2016) with a particular emphasis on those patents that are thought to deal with CNS penetrant compounds on the basis of their physicochemical features, the assays described in the patents and the uses these compounds are claimed for.