17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 13 inhibitors and methods of use thereof

A compound, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug thereof, of Formula I:

• wherein X1, X2, X3, and X4 are each independently selected from H, F, Cl, Br, optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, optionally substituted C3-C6 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, and hydroxy;
• V is CH or N;
• W is CH or N;
• with a proviso that V and W are not simultaneously N and when either one or both of V and W are CH they can be independently substituted by X1, X2, X3, or X4 thereby becoming CX1, CX2, CX3, or CX4;
• wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl, with the proviso that R1 and R2 may be connected to one another to form a ring of 3 to 6 carbons;
• and wherein R3 is selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl, optionally substituted C1-C8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, optionally substituted cyclopropylalkyl, or optionally substituted C1-C8 alkynyl.