Discovery and synthesis of a potent, selective and orally bioavailable EP4 receptor agonist

An optimized analog of prostaglandin E-2 which incorporates a gamma-lactam in place of the cyclopentanone ring and which incorporates metabolically stabilized side chains, has been identified and shown to exhibit potent and selective EP4 receptor agonism. The compound (2) (L-000902688) is also well absorbed on oral dosing and exhibits a long half-life making it an excellent tool for the study of the role of EP4 receptor in physiology and disease. An efficient synthesis of 2 from a chiral synthon is described.