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editorial
. 2026 Aug 13;17(9):1937–1938. doi: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.6c00430

Novel Tetrahydropyridinyl-6,6-Bicyclic Compounds as 5‑HT2A Receptor Agonists for Treating Depression, Anxiety, Substance Abuse, and Headaches

Ram W Sabnis †,*, Anika R Sabnis ‡
PMCID: PMC13573249  PMID: 42741299

Abstract

Provided herein are novel tetrahydropyridinyl-6,6-bicyclic compounds as 5-HT2A receptor agonists, pharmaceutical compositions, use of such compounds in treating depression, anxiety, substance abuse and headaches, and processes for preparing such compounds.


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Important Compound Classes

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Title

Tetrahydropyridinyl-6,6-Bicyclic 5-HT2AR Agonists and Uses Thereof

Patent Publication Number

WO 2026/074320 A1

URL: https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2026074320A1/en

Publication Date

April 9, 2026

Priority Application

US 63/703,388; US 63/749,996; US 63/758,426; and US 63/879,174

Priority Date

October 4, 2024; January 27, 2025; February 14, 2025; and September 10, 2025

Inventors

Glossop, P.; Montana, J.; Heal, J.; Cridland, A.; Clayton, R.; Fox, D.

Assignee Company

Brandaris Therapeutics B.V., Netherlands

Disease Area

Depression, anxiety, substance abuse and headaches

Biological Target

5-HT2A

Summary

Agonists of 5-HT2AR may have potential as pharmaceuticals for a variety of neurological diseases including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, migraine headaches and/or cluster headaches. Psychedelics (serotonergic hallucinogens) are powerful psychoactive substances that alter perception and mood and affect numerous cognitive processes. After the discovery of (5R,8R)-(+)-lysergic acid-N,N-diethylamide (LSD) and the identification of serotonin in the brain, early research focused intensively on LSD. Today, there is consensus that psychedelics are agonists or partial agonists at brain serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) receptors. Psychedelics have both rapid onset and persisting effects, which includes changes in mood and brain function. The classical psychotic agents include LSD, psilocybin or mescaline.

The 5-HT2A receptor plays an important role in emotional responses and is an important target to be considered in the action of 5-HT2A agonist psychedelics. In fact, a majority of known 5-HT2A agonists produce hallucinogenic effects in humans. Psilocybin activates 5HT1A receptors, which may contribute to antidepressant/antianxiety effects.

Psychosis is often referred to as an abnormal state of mind that is characterized by hallucinatory experiences, delusional thinking and disordered thoughts. Anecdotal evidence suggests that low, nonhallucinogenic doses of psychedelics can reduce symptoms of schizophrenia and psychosis.

The present application describes a series of novel tetrahydropyridinyl-6,6-bicyclic compounds as 5-HT2A receptor agonists for the treatment of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and headaches. Further, the application discloses compounds, their preparation, use, pharmaceutical composition, and treatment.

Definitions

X1 = N, NR1, CR1, or C = O; X2 = N. NR, or CR2; X3 = N, NR, or CR3; X4 = N, NR, CR4, or C = O; X5 = N or CR5; X6 = N or CR6; X7 = N or CR7; wherein at least one of X1 and X2 is N or NR; and

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Key Structures

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Biological Assay

The human 5-HT2A receptor calcium assay was performed. The compounds described in this application were tested for their ability to bind on human 5-HT2A. The 5-HT2A pEC50 are shown in the following Table.

Biological Data

The Table below shows representative compounds that were tested for binding properties on human 5-HT2A. The biological data obtained from testing representative examples are listed in the following Table.

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For pEC50: A means ≥ 6.

Claims

Total claims: 131

Compound claims: 120

Pharmaceutical composition claims: 1

Method of treatment claims: 4

Method of activating claims: 2

Method of selectively activating claims: 2

Method of increasing activation claims: 2

Recent Review Articles

See refs − .

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

References

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