Potential oral VEGFR2 inhibitors: Treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration

•New VEGFR2 inhibitors for the treatment of w-AMD were designed and synthesized.•Compounds 9, 11, 12, 13, and 16 exhibited stronger activity than Vorolanib in VEGFR2 enzyme inhibition and anti-cell proliferation experiments.•Compound 16 showed minimal cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity similar to Vorolanib.•Compound 16 was found to inhibit VEGFR2 phosphorylation in HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner by WB assay.•Compound 16 exhibited remarkable stability in plasma, moderate stability in liver microsomes, and demonstrated acceptable oral bioavailability with an F value of 20.2%.