Lead identification of 2-iminobenzimidazole antagonists of the chemokine receptor CXCR3

Modi. cation of a 2-iminobenzimidazole series derived from an HTS hit resulted in compounds with improved in-vitro species selectivity. Incorporation of an 8-quinoline amide and conformational rigidification of an aliphatic tether furnished potent compounds suitable for further lead optimization. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.