(–)-6-(7-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethylpyrazolo [1, 5-a] pyridin-4-yl)-5-methyl-4, 5-dihydro-3-(2H)- pyridazinone (KCA-1490) is a dual PDE3/4 inhibitor that exhibits potent combined bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory activity. Here we show that a 4, 4-dimethylpyrazolone subunit serves as an effective surrogate for the 5-methyl-4, 5-dihydropyridazin-3 (2H)-one ring of KCA-1490 whilst lacking a stereogenic centre. The 2-and 7-substituents in the ...