Reduction of methyl 3-(4-nitrophenyl)butyrate (I) with H2 in the presence of Pd/C produces aniline (II). This is then coupled with [N'-(2-methylphenyl)ureido]phenylacetic acid (III) by means of HATU, yielding amide (IV). Finally, ester group hydrolysis in (IV) with LiOH gives rise to the title carboxylic acid.