Discovery of 3-(2-cyano-4-pyridyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, FYX-051 - a xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor for the treatment of hyperuricemia [corrected]

Our previous study identified 2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]-5-[5-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-1H-[1,2,4] triazol-3-yl]benzonitrile (2)[corrected]as a safe and potent xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) inhibitor for the treatment of hyperuricemia. Here, we synthesized a series of 3,5-dipyridyl-1,2,4-triazole derivatives and, in particular, examined their in vivo activity in lowering the serum uric acid levels in rats. As a result, we identified 3-(2-cyano-4-pyridyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (FYX-051, compound 39) [corrected] to be one of the most potent XOR inhibitors; it exhibited an extremely potent in vivo activity, weak CYP3A4-inhibitory activity and a better pharmacokinetic profile than compound 2. Compound 39 is currently being evaluated in a phase 2 clinical trial.