Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase inhibitor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I): The compound has apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (“ASK1”) inhibitory activity, and is thus useful in the treatment of diseases such as kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy and kidney fibrosis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compound of formula (I) 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       Namely, 5-(4-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)—N-(6-(4-isopropyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-yl)-2-fluoro-4-methylbenzamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         2 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt of  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         3 . A method of treating chronic kidney disease comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of  claim 1 , or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a patient in need thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A method of treating diabetic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, kidney fibrosis, liver fibrosis, or lung fibrosis comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt of  claim 1 , to a patient in need thereof.