EP1661879A4 — Diphenyl ether compound, process for producing the same, and use

USPTO Abstract

A compound represented by the general formula (I): (wherein rings A, B, and D each independently represents an optionally substituted cyclic group; W represents a spacer whose main chain has 1 to 8 atoms; X represents a spacer whose main chain has 1 or 2 atoms; Y represents a bond or a spacer whose main chain has 1 to 8 atoms; and Z represents an acidic group), a salt or solvate of the compound, or a prodrug of the compound. The compound represented by the general formula (I) has PPARδ agonistic activity and is useful as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for diseases caused by sugar/lipid abnormal metabolism (diabetes, hyperlipemia, arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, metabolic syndrome, etc.), hypertension, circulartory diseases, inflammatory skin diseases, etc.