Imidazo[4,5-b]pyridines as corticotropin releasing factor receptor ligands.

A series of high affinity CRF receptor ligands with an imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine core is described. Individual analogues were synthesized and tested in a rat CRF receptor binding assay. The best compounds were further tested in the dog N-in-1 pharmacokinetic model to assess plasma levels at 1mg/kg (po) and in the rat situational anxiety model to assess anxiolytic efficacy at 3mg/kg (po). The structure-activity relationships for good receptor binding affinity are described herein.