Novel substituted heteroaromatic compounds as inhibitors of stearoyl-CoA desaturase.

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) has been implicated as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of a variety of metabolic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, hepatic steatosis, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The application WO2009129625 from Merck Frosst Canada claims novel substituted heteroaromatic compounds as inhibitors of SCD and potential drugs for the pharmacological treatment of metabolic disorders, when used alone or in combination with other drugs. Based on in vitro activity of the patented compounds, these molecules may be considered as potential SCD inhibitors and could be of therapeutic value. However, further preclinical studies are needed to evaluate their curative potential and safety before clinical development.