Discovery of a lead series of potent benzodiazepine 5-HT2C receptor agonists with high selectivity in functional and binding assays.

A series of potential new 5-HT2 receptor scaffolds based on a simplification of the clinically studied, 5-HT2CR agonist vabicaserin, were designed. An in vivo feeding assay early in our screening process played an instrumental part in the lead identification process, leading us to focus on a 6,5,7-tricyclic scaffold. A subsequent early SAR investigation provided potent agonists of the 5-HT2C receptor that were highly selective in both functional and binding assays, had good rat PK properties and that significantly reduced acute food intake in the rat.