elpipodect

**Elpipodect (MK-8189)** is an orally active, selective small molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) with a Ki of 29 pM, developed by Merck at their West Point, PA site using fragment screening and structure-based drug design (SBDD). PDE10A is highly expressed in the brain, particularly in the striatum, where it regulates cAMP and cGMP signaling in medium spiny neurons; inhibition elevates these cyclic nucleotides to normalize striatal signaling imbalances implicated in psychosis. It is a Phase IIb clinical candidate for schizophrenia, targeting a historically challenging mechanism that prior candidates failed to validate clinically, potentially offering superior target engagement.[1][6][8]

Other names

(1R,2R)-MK-8189