Cannabinoid receptor type 2 ligands: an analysis of granted patents since 2010

The G-protein-coupled cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB R) is a key element of the endocannabinoid (EC) system. EC/CB R signaling has significant therapeutic potential in major pathologies affecting humans such as allergies, neurodegenerative disorders, inflammation or ocular diseases. CB R agonism exerts anti-inflammatory and tissue protective effects in preclinical animal models of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, lung and neurodegenerative disorders. Existing ligands can be subdivided into endocannabinoids, cannabinoid-like and synthetic CB R ligands that possess various degrees of potency on and selectivity against the cannabinoid receptor type 1. This review is an account of granted CB R ligand patents from 2010 up to the present, which were surveyed using Derwent Innovation .