MSC2530818 binds to CDK8 and CDK19 with similar affinity (4 nM). Potent inhibition of phospho-STAT1, an established biomarker of CDK8 activity, in SW620 human colorectal carcinoma cells is also observed (pSTAT1 IC50=8±2 nM). MSC2530818 demonstrates potent inhibition of WNT-dependent transcription in human cancer cell lines that have constitutively activated WNT signaling. For example, MSC2530818 inhibits the reporter-based luciferase readout in several cell lines bearing activating WNT-pathway mutations; LS174T (β-catenin mutant, IC50=32±7 nM), COLO205 (APC mutant, IC50=9±1 nM) and demonstrates inhibition of WNT3a ligand-dependent reporter readout in PA-1 cells (IC50=52±30 nM). MSC2530818 demonstrates minimal activity in the CEREP panel, and demonstrates minimal hERG inhibition. Furthermore, MSC2530818 is a soluble CDK8 inhibitor with high permeability and low efflux ratio in Caco-2 cells and does not inhibit any cytochrome P450 subtypes.