Design and synthesis of novel and potent amide linked PPARgamma/delta dual agonists.

A series of potent amide linked PPARgamma/delta dual agonists (1a) has been discovered through rational design. In the ZDF rat model of type 2 diabetes, compound (R)-3-[4-(3-{1-[(5-chloro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-indole-2-carbonyl)-amino]-ethyl}-5-fluoro-phenoxy)-2-ethyl-phenyl]-propionic acid (42) from this series has demonstrated glucose lowering efficacy comparable to the marketed PPARgamma agonist rosiglitazone with less weight gain.