Selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor. Prepn: J. J. Talley et al., WO 9515316; M. J. Graneto, US 5521207 (1995, 1996 both to Searle); T. D. Penning et al., J. Med. Chem. 40, 1347 (1997). Structure activity study: G. R. Desiraju et al., Molecules 5, 945 (2000). Effect in experimental synovitis in dogs: D. L. Millis et al, Vet. Ther. 3, 453 (2002); HPLC determn in plasma: S. K. Cox et al., J. Chromatogr. B 819, 181 (2005).