Substituted imidazole kinesin inhibitors

Abstract

The invention provides a compound of formula II: that inhibits the activity of kinesin spindle protein (KSP, also called Eg5). Inhibitors of KSP can reduce undesired cellular proliferation and provide other therapeutic effects. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing the novel compound to treat various types of cancers. The compound and compositions of the invention are especially useful for treating certain classes of cancers that are resistant to conventional drug treatments, because such cancers are shown to remain sensitive to the compound of the invention.