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

The G-protein-coupled cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CBR) is a key element of the endocannabinoid (EC) system. EC/CBR signaling has significant therapeutic potential in major pathologies affecting humans such as allergies, neurodegenerative disorders, inflammation or ocular diseases. CBR 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 CBR ligands that possess various degrees of potency on and selectivity against the cannabinoid receptor type 1. This review is an account of granted CBR ligand patents from 2010 up to the present, which were surveyed using Derwent Innovation.