NO-independent activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC). Activates both isoforms α1β1 and α1β2 of sGC. While the related compound YC-1 (ALX-420-025) also acts as a non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, BAY 41-2272 has no effect on phosphodiesterases. Stimulation of sGC is not blocked by high concentrations of NO scavengers (e.g. PTIO, ALX-430-007) and the combination of BAY 41-2272 with the NO donor DEA NONOate (ALX-430-034) potentiates the activation of sGC. Although BAY 41-2272 alone is not as strong a stimulator of sGC as NO, concentrations as low as 10-100nM stimulate sGC to a level that would be expected to cause biologically important increases in cGMP. Alternative name: 3-(4-Amino-5-cyclopropylpyrimidine-2-yl)-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine. Purity: ≥98% (HPLC). Appearance: White to off-white needles. Solubility: Soluble in DMSO, dichloromethane, 100% ethanol or 2-pyrrolidone; practically insoluble in water.