The drug is highly selective for the dopamine D3 receptor (Ki = 6.2nM) over the dopamine D2 receptor (Ki = 740nM) (~120-fold preference for the D3 receptor over the D2 receptor).[3] A single dose of GSK-598809 achieved 72 to 89% occupancy of the D3 receptor in smokers.[3]
GSK-598809 was first described in the scientific literature by 2009.[5][6] As of August 2023, no recent development of GSK-598809 has been reported for substance-related disorders, smoking withdrawal, or eating disorders since July 2016.[1] GSK-598809 reached at least phase 1 clinical trials.[1][2] According to a 2021 review, the clinical effects of GSK-598809 and other experimental dopamine D3 receptor antagonists were mixed or unsatisfactory and thus their development was discontinued early into clinical trials.[4] In any case, signs of clinical efficacy were reported to have been observed.[3][2][4]