Discovery of novel, potent benzamide inhibitors of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) exhibiting oral activity in an enzyme inhibition ex vivo model

We report the discovery of potent benzamide inhibitors of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD1). The optimization and correlation of in vitro and in vivo metabolic stability will be described. Through modifications to our initial lead 2, we discovered pyridyl compound 13. This compound has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile across three species and showed a dose-dependent decrease in adipose 11 beta-HSD1 activity in a monkey ex vivo pharmacodynamic model.