AZD9056 was developed as a selective inhibitor of the purinergic receptor P2X7, a key player in the generation and secretion of several proinflammatory cytokines. AZD 9056 participated is phase II clinical trials for osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but these studies were discontinued in 2009 because the drug failed to show significant efficacy in trials. In addition, in 2015 AZD 9056 was studied for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD), although the drug has shown a beneficial risk profile the lack in the change of inflammatory biomarkers questions its anti-inflammatory potential.