Atogepant (Qulipta®) for migraine prevention

STRUCTURE: Atogepant (MK-8031/AGN-241689) is a heavily polycyclic molecule, containing four chiral centers, three aromatic and three aliphatic rings. An intriguing feature is the 2-azaspiro [4.4]nonan-1-one (spiroazaindane) motif in an S configuration, which is also present in earlier preclinical leads from Merck. The azospiro bispyridine unit is linked via an amide bond to a piperidine-2-one ring; the amide linkage is reversed to that seen in earlier leads to avoid potential release of a toxic aniline.