WO2006136823A1 - Heterocyclic containing amines as kinase b inhibitors - Google Patents

Heterocyclic containing amines as kinase b inhibitors Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006136823A1
WO2006136823A1 PCT/GB2006/002278 GB2006002278W WO2006136823A1 WO 2006136823 A1 WO2006136823 A1 WO 2006136823A1 GB 2006002278 W GB2006002278 W GB 2006002278W WO 2006136823 A1 WO2006136823 A1 WO 2006136823A1
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group
compound
compound according
formula
hydroxy
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PCT/GB2006/002278
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French (fr)
Inventor
Robert George Boyle
Gordon Saxty
Marinus Leendert Verdonk
Richard David Taylor
Christopher Hamlett
Hannah Fiona Sore
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Astex Therapeutics Limited
The Institute Of Cancer Research: Royal Cancer Hospital
Cancer Research Technology Limited
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Priority claimed from GB0512681A external-priority patent/GB0512681D0/en
Application filed by Astex Therapeutics Limited, The Institute Of Cancer Research: Royal Cancer Hospital, Cancer Research Technology Limited filed Critical Astex Therapeutics Limited
Publication of WO2006136823A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006136823A1/en

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D249/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing five-membered rings having three nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms
    • C07D249/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing five-membered rings having three nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms not condensed with other rings
    • C07D249/08—1,2,4-Triazoles; Hydrogenated 1,2,4-triazoles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D213/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing six-membered rings, not condensed with other rings, with one nitrogen atom as the only ring hetero atom and three or more double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members
    • C07D213/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing six-membered rings, not condensed with other rings, with one nitrogen atom as the only ring hetero atom and three or more double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members having three double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members
    • C07D213/04—Heterocyclic compounds containing six-membered rings, not condensed with other rings, with one nitrogen atom as the only ring hetero atom and three or more double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members having three double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members having no bond between the ring nitrogen atom and a non-ring member or having only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom
    • C07D213/24—Heterocyclic compounds containing six-membered rings, not condensed with other rings, with one nitrogen atom as the only ring hetero atom and three or more double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members having three double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members having no bond between the ring nitrogen atom and a non-ring member or having only hydrogen or carbon atoms directly attached to the ring nitrogen atom with substituted hydrocarbon radicals attached to ring carbon atoms
    • C07D213/36—Radicals substituted by singly-bound nitrogen atoms
    • C07D213/38—Radicals substituted by singly-bound nitrogen atoms having only hydrogen or hydrocarbon radicals attached to the substituent nitrogen atom
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D307/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing five-membered rings having one oxygen atom as the only ring hetero atom
    • C07D307/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing five-membered rings having one oxygen atom as the only ring hetero atom not condensed with other rings
    • C07D307/34—Heterocyclic compounds containing five-membered rings having one oxygen atom as the only ring hetero atom not condensed with other rings having two or three double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members
    • C07D307/38—Heterocyclic compounds containing five-membered rings having one oxygen atom as the only ring hetero atom not condensed with other rings having two or three double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with substituted hydrocarbon radicals attached to ring carbon atoms
    • C07D307/52—Radicals substituted by nitrogen atoms not forming part of a nitro radical
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D333/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing five-membered rings having one sulfur atom as the only ring hetero atom
    • C07D333/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing five-membered rings having one sulfur atom as the only ring hetero atom not condensed with other rings
    • C07D333/04—Heterocyclic compounds containing five-membered rings having one sulfur atom as the only ring hetero atom not condensed with other rings not substituted on the ring sulphur atom
    • C07D333/06—Heterocyclic compounds containing five-membered rings having one sulfur atom as the only ring hetero atom not condensed with other rings not substituted on the ring sulphur atom with only hydrogen atoms, hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals, directly attached to the ring carbon atoms
    • C07D333/14—Radicals substituted by singly bound hetero atoms other than halogen
    • C07D333/20—Radicals substituted by singly bound hetero atoms other than halogen by nitrogen atoms
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D401/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with only one nitrogen atom
    • C07D401/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with only one nitrogen atom containing two hetero rings
    • C07D401/04—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with only one nitrogen atom containing two hetero rings directly linked by a ring-member-to-ring-member bond
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D401/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with only one nitrogen atom
    • C07D401/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with only one nitrogen atom containing two hetero rings
    • C07D401/10—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with only one nitrogen atom containing two hetero rings linked by a carbon chain containing aromatic rings
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D405/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing both one or more hetero rings having oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, and one or more rings having nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom
    • C07D405/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing both one or more hetero rings having oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, and one or more rings having nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom containing two hetero rings
    • C07D405/10—Heterocyclic compounds containing both one or more hetero rings having oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, and one or more rings having nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom containing two hetero rings linked by a carbon chain containing aromatic rings
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07D413/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, at least one ring having nitrogen and oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms
    • C07D413/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, at least one ring having nitrogen and oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms containing two hetero rings
    • C07D413/10—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, at least one ring having nitrogen and oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms containing two hetero rings linked by a carbon chain containing aromatic rings

Definitions

  • This invention relates to aryl- and heteroaryl-alkylamine compounds that inhibit or modulate the activity of protein kinase B (PKB) and protein kinase A (PKA), to the use of the compounds in the treatment or prophylaxis of disease states or conditions mediated by PKB and PKA, and to novel compounds having PKB and PKA inhibitory or modulating activity. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and novel chemical intermediates.
  • Protein kinases constitute a large family of structurally related enzymes that are responsible for the control of a wide variety of signal transduction processes within the cell (Hardie, G. and Hanks, S. (1995) The Protein Kinase Facts Book. I and II, Academic Press, San Diego, CA).
  • the kinases may be categorized into families by the substrates they phosphorylate (e.g., protein-tyrosine, protein-serine/threonine, lipids, etc.).
  • Protein kinases may be characterized by their regulation mechanisms. These mechanisms include, for example, autophosphorylation, transphosphorylation by other kinases, protein- protein interactions, protein-lipid interactions, and protein-polynucleotide interactions. An individual protein kinase may be regulated by more than one mechanism.
  • Kinases regulate many different cell processes including, but not limited to, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, motility, transcription, translation and other signalling processes, by adding phosphate groups to target proteins. These phosphorylation events act as molecular on/off switches that can modulate or regulate the target protein biological function. Phosphorylation of target proteins occurs in response to a variety of extracellular signals (hormones, neurotransmitters, growth and differentiation factors, etc.), cell cycle events, environmental or nutritional stresses, etc. The appropriate protein kinase functions in signalling pathways to activate or inactivate (either directly or indirectly), for example, a metabolic enzyme, regulatory protein, receptor, cytoskeletal protein, ion channel or pump, or transcription factor.
  • Uncontrolled signalling due to defective control of protein phosphorylation has been implicated in a number of diseases, including, for example, inflammation, cancer, allergy/asthma, diseases and conditions of the immune system, diseases and conditions of the central nervous system, and angiogenesis.
  • Apoptosis or programmed cell death is an important physiological process which removes cells no longer required by an organism. The process is important in early embryonic growth and development allowing the non-necrotic controlled breakdown, removal and recovery of cellular components. The removal of cells by apoptosis is also important in the maintenance of chromosomal and genomic integrity of growing cell populations.
  • Cancerous cells consistently contain numerous mutations, errors or rearrangements in their chromosomal DNA. It is widely believed that this occurs in part because the majority of tumours have a defect in one or more of the processes responsible for initiation of the apoptotic process. Normal control mechanisms cannot kill the cancerous cells and the chromosomal or DNA coding errors continue to be propagated. As a consequence restoring these pro-apoptotic signals or suppressing unregulated survival signals is an attractive means of treating cancer.
  • the enzyme PDK is activated by a range of growth and survival factors e.g. EGF, PDGF and through the generation of polyphosphatidylinositols, initiates the activation of the downstream signalling events including the activity of the kinases PDKl and protein kinase B (PKB) also known as Akt.
  • PKB is a protein ser/thr kinase consisting of a kinase domain together with an N-terminal PH domain and C-terminal regulatory domain.
  • the enzyme PKB itself is phosphorylated on Thr 308 by PDKl and on Ser 473 by an as yet unidentified kinase. Full activation requires phosphorylation at both sites whilst association between PIP3 and the PH domain is required for anchoring of the enzyme to the cytoplasmic face of the lipid membrane providing optimal access to substrates.
  • Activated PKB in turn phosphorylates a range of substrates contributing to the overall survival response. Whilst we cannot be certain that we understand all of the factors responsible for mediating the PKB dependent survival response, some important actions are believed to be phosphorylation and inactivation of the pro-apoptotic factor BAD and caspase 9, phosphorylation of Forkhead transcription factors e.g. FKHR leading to their exclusion from the nucleus, and activation of the NfkappaB pathway by phosphorylation of upstream kinases in the cascade.
  • Forkhead transcription factors e.g. FKHR leading to their exclusion from the nucleus
  • NfkappaB pathway by phosphorylation of upstream kinases in the cascade.
  • the enzyme In addition to the anti-apoptotic and pro-survival actions of the PKB pathway, the enzyme also plays an important role in promoting cell proliferation. This action is again likely to be mediated via several actions, some of which are thought to be phosphorylation and inactivation of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor of p21 C ⁇ pl/WAF1 , and phosphorylation and activation of mTOR, a kinase controlling several aspects of cell growth.
  • the phosphatase PTEN which dephosphorylates and inactivates polyphosphatidyl-inositols is a key tumour suppressor protein which normally acts to regulate the PI3K/PKB survival pathway.
  • the significance of the PI3K/PKB pathway in tumourigenesis can be judged from the observation that PTEN is one of the most common targets of mutation in human tumours, with mutations in this phosphatase having been found in -50% or more of melanomas (Guldberg et al 1997, Cancer Research 57, 3660-3663) and advanced prostate cancers (Cairns et al 1997 Cancer Research 57, 4997).
  • PKB beta has been found to be over- expressed or activated in 10 - 40% of ovarian and pancreatic cancers (Bellacosa et al 1995, Int. J. Cancer 64, 280 - 285; Cheng et al 1996, PNAS 93, 3636-3641; Yuan et al 2000, Oncogene 19, 2324 - 2330), PKB alpha is amplified in human gastric, prostate and breast cancer (Staal 1987, PNAS 84, 5034 - 5037; Sun et al 2001, Am. J.
  • Pathol. 159, 431 -4357 and increased PKB gamma activity has been observed in steroid independent breast and prostate cell lines (Nakatani et al 1999, J. Biol. Chem. 274, 21528 - 21532).
  • the PKB pathway also functions in the growth and survival of normal tissues and may be regulated during normal physiology to control cell and tissue function.
  • disorders associated with undesirable proliferation and survival of normal cells and tissues may also benefit therapeutically from treatment with a PKB inhibitor.
  • disorders of immune cells associated with prolonged expansion and survival of cell population leading to a prolonged or up regulated immune response are disorders of immune cells associated with prolonged expansion and survival of cell population leading to a prolonged or up regulated immune response.
  • T and B lymphocyte response to cognate antigens or growth factors such as interleukin-2 activates the PI3K/PKB pathway and is responsible for maintaining the survival of the antigen specific lymphocyte clones during the immune response.
  • the PKB pathway contributes an important survival signal preventing the normal mechanisms by which the immune response is terminated via apoptosis of the activated cell population.
  • PKB may play a role
  • Other examples of inappropriate expansion, growth, proliferation, hyperplasia and survival of normal cells in which PKB may play a role include but are not limited to atherosclerosis, cardiac myopathy and glomerulonephritis.
  • PKB pathway functions in the control of glucose metabolism by insulin.
  • Available evidence from mice deficient in the alpha and beta isoforms of PKB suggests that this action is mediated by the beta isoform.
  • modulators of PKB activity may also find utility in diseases in which there is a dysfunction of glucose metabolism and energy storage such as diabetes, metabolic disease and obesity.
  • Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase is a serine/threonine protein kinase that phosphorylates a wide range of substrates and is involved in the regulation of many cellular processes including cell growth, cell differentiation, ion-channel conductivity, gene transcription and synaptic release of neurotransmitters.
  • the PKA holoenzyme is a tetramer comprising two regulatory subunits and two catalytic subunits. PKA acts as a link between G-protein mediated signal transduction events and the cellular processes that they regulate.
  • Binding of a hormone ligand such as glucagon to a transmembrane receptor activates a receptor-coupled G-protein (GTP-binding and hydrolyzing protein).
  • GTP-binding and hydrolyzing protein Upon activation, the alpha subunit of the G protein dissociates and binds to and activates adenylate cyclase, which in turn converts ATP to cyclic- AMP
  • cAMP cAMP
  • the cAMP thus produced then binds to the regulatory subunits of PKA leading to dissociation of the associated catalytic subunits.
  • the catalytic subunits of PKA which are inactive when associated with the regulatory sub-units, become active upon dissociation and take part in the phosphorylation of other regulatory proteins.
  • the catalytic sub-unit of PKA phosphorylates the kinase Phosphorylase
  • PKA which is involved in the phosphorylation of Phosphorylase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down glycogen to release glucose.
  • PKA is also involved in the regulation of glucose levels by phosphorylating and deactivating glycogen synthase.
  • modulators of PKA activity may be useful in the treatment or management of diseases in which there is a dysfunction of glucose metabolism and energy storage such as diabetes, metabolic disease and obesity.
  • PKA has also been established as an acute inhibitor of T cell activation.
  • Anndahl et al have investigated the possible role of PKA type I in HIV-induced T cell dysfunction on the basis that T cells from HIV-infected patients have increased levels of cAMP and are more sensitive to inhibition by cAMP analogues than are normal T cells. From their studies, they concluded that increased activation of PKA type I may contribute to progressive T cell dysfunction in HTV infection and that PKA type I may therefore be a potential target for immunomodulating therapy.
  • -Aandahl E. M., Aukrust, P., Skalhegg, B. S., M ⁇ ller, F., Fr ⁇ land, S. S., Hansson, V., Tasken, K. Protein kinase A type I antagonist restores immune responses of T cells from HIV-infected patients. FASEB J. 12, 855-862 (1998).
  • the hERG channel is one of a family of potassium ion channels the first member of which was identified in the late 1980s in a mutant Drosophila melanogaster fruitfiy (see Jan, L. Y. and Jan, Y.N. (1990). A Superfamily of Ion Channels. Nature, 345(6277):672).
  • HERG encodes the Ikr potassium channel. Cell, 81:299- 307, and Trudeau, M.C., Warmke, J. W., Ganetzky, B., and Robertson, G.A. (1995).
  • HERG a Human Inward Rectifier in the Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Family. Science, 269:92-95.
  • WO 00/07996 discloses substituted pyrazoles having estrogen receptor agonist activity. The compounds are described as being useful in treatingor preventing inter alia estrogen-receptor mediated breast cancer. PKB inhibitory activity is not disclosed.
  • WO 00/31063 discloses substituted pyrazole compounds as p38 kinase inhibitors.
  • WO 01/32653 discloses a class of pyrazolone kinase inhibitors.
  • WO 03/059884 discloses N-substituted pyridine compounds as modulators of nuclear receptors.
  • WO 03/068230 discloses substituted pyridones as p38 MAP kinase modulators.
  • WO 00/66562 discloses a class of 1-phenyl-substituted pyrazoles for use as anti-inflammatory agents.
  • the 1 -phenyl group is substituted by a sulphur-containing substituent as a sulphonamide or sulphonyl group.
  • WO 00/14066 and WO 00/39091 (Pfizer) each disclose a class of 4,4- diphenylpiperidine compounds having opioid receptor activity which are stated to be useful in treating neurological and gastrointestinal disorders, and various other diseases including inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis.
  • WO 91/11445 discloses a class of pyridylphenol carbinols as anti- inflammatory agents.
  • the invention provides compounds that have protein kinase B (PKB) and protein kinase A (PKA) inhibiting or modulating activity, and which it is envisaged will be useful in preventing or treating disease states or conditions mediated by PKB or PKA.
  • PKB protein kinase B
  • PKA protein kinase A
  • the invention provides a compound for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase B, the compound being a compound of the formula (I):
  • A is a saturated hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, the linker group having a maximum chain length of 5 atoms extending between R 1 and NR 2 R 3 and a maximum chain length of 4 atoms extending between E and NR 2 R 3 , wherein one of the carbon atoms in the linker group may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom; and wherein the carbon atoms of the linker group A may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from oxo, fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the hydroxy group when present is not located at a carbon atom ⁇ with respect to the NR 2 R 3 group and provided that the oxo group when present is located at a carbon atom ⁇ with respect to the NR 2 R 3 group;
  • E is a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group;
  • HET is a monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4 to 7 ring members of which up to 4 are heteroatoms selected from O, N and S; R 1 is an aryl or heteroaryl group;
  • R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from hydrogen, Ci -4 hydrocarbyl and C 1-4 acyl wherein the hydrocarbyl and acyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and methoxy; or R 2 and R 3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic group selected from an imidazole group and a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or one of R 2 and R 3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached and one or more atoms from the linker group A form a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or NR 2 R 3 and the carbon atom of linker group A to which it is attached together form a cyano group; n is 0 to 4; each R
  • R 9 is a group R 9a or (CH 2 )R 9a , wherein R 9a is a monocyclic or bicyclic group which may be carbocyclic or heterocyclic; the carbocyclic group or heterocyclic group R 9a being optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Ci.
  • R a is a bond, O, CO, X 1 C(X 2 ), C(X 2 )X ⁇ X 1 C(X ⁇ X 1 , S, SO, SO 2 , NR 0 , SO 2 NR 0 or NR 0 SO 2 ; and R b is selected from hydrogen, heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members, and a Q.g hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, oxo, halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Q.
  • R c is selected from hydrogen and C 1 . 4 hydrocarbyl
  • the invention provides a compound for use in medicine having the formula (Ia):
  • A is a saturated hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, the linker group having a maximum chain length of 5 atoms extending between R 1 and NR 2 R 3 and a maximum chain length of 4 atoms extending between E and NR 2 R 3 , wherein one of the carbon atoms in the linker group may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom; and wherein the carbon atoms of the linker group A may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from oxo, fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the hydroxy group when present is not located at a carbon atom ⁇ with respect to the NR 2 R 3 group and provided that the oxo group when present is located at a carbon atom ⁇ with respect to the NR 2 R 3 group;
  • E is a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group
  • HET is a monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4 to 7 ring members of which up to 4 are heteroatoms selected from O, N and S;
  • R 1 is an aryl or heteroaryl group
  • R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from hydrogen, C 1 ⁇ hydrocarbyl and C 1-4 acyl wherein the hydrocarbyl and acyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and methoxy; or R 2 and R 3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic group selected from an imidazole group and a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or one of R 2 and R 3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached and one or more atoms from the linker group A form a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or NR 2 R 3 and the carbon atom of linker group A to which it is attached together form a
  • R° is selected from hydrogen and Q. 4 hydrocarbyl
  • HET is other than a substituted or unsubstituted pyrazole-4-yl group
  • the invention provides a compound of the formula (Ib):
  • A is a saturated hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, the linker group having a maximum chain length of 5 atoms extending between R 1 and NR 2 R 3 and a maximum chain length of 4 atoms extending between E and NR 2 R 3 , wherein one of the carbon atoms in the linker group may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom; and wherein the carbon atoms of the linker group A may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from oxo, fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the hydroxy group when present is not located at a carbon atom ⁇ with respect to the NR 2 R 3 group and provided that the oxo group when present is located at a carbon atom ⁇ with respect to the NR 2 R 3 group;
  • E is a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group
  • HET is a monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4 to 7 ring members of which up to 4 are heteroatoms selected from O, N and S
  • R 1 is an aryl or heteroaryl group
  • R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from hydrogen, C 1 ⁇ hydrocarbyl and Ci -4 acyl wherein the hydrocarbyl and acyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and methoxy; or R 2 and R 3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic group selected from an imidazole group and a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or one of R 2 and R 3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached and one or more atoms from the linker group A form a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or NR 2 R 3 and the carbon atom of linker group A to which it is attached together form a cyano group; n is 0 to 4; each
  • R a is a bond, O, CO, X 1 C(X 2 ), C(X 2 )X', X 1 C(X 2 JX 1 , S, SO, SO 2 , NR 0 , SO 2 NR 0 or NR 0 SO 2 ; and R b is selected from hydrogen, heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members, and a C]-S hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, oxo, halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Cj.
  • (a-1) HET is other than a substituted or unsubstituted pyrazole-4-yl group
  • the invention further provides:
  • a method for treating a disease or condition comprising or arising from abnormal cell growth or abnormally arrested cell death in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III),
  • a method of inhibiting protein kinase B which method comprises contacting the kinase with a kinase-inhibiting compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (FV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein.
  • a method of modulating a cellular process by inhibiting the activity of a protein kinase B using a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein.
  • a method for treating a disease or condition comprising or arising from abnormal cell growth or abnormally arrested cell death in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group or embodiment thereof as defined herein in an amount effective to inhibit protein kinase A activity.
  • a method of inhibiting protein kinase A which method comprises contacting the kinase with a kinase-inhibiting compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group or embodiment thereof as defined herein.
  • a method of modulating a cellular process by inhibiting the activity of a protein kinase A using a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group or embodiment thereof as defined herein.
  • a method for treating a disease or condition comprising or arising from abnormal cell growth in a mammal comprises administering to the mammal a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any subgroup thereof as defined herein in an amount effective in inhibiting abnormal cell growth or abnormally arrested cell death.
  • a method for alleviating or reducing the incidence of a disease or condition comprising or arising from abnormal cell growth or abnormally arrested cell death in a mammal which method comprises administering to the mammal a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (D), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein in an amount effective in inhibiting abnormal cell growth.
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising a novel compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • a method for the treatment or prophylaxis of any one of the disease states or conditions disclosed herein comprises administering to a patient (e.g. a patient in need thereof) a compound (e.g. a therapeutically effective amount) of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein.
  • a compound e.g. a therapeutically effective amount of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein.
  • a method for alleviating or reducing the incidence of a disease state or condition disclosed herein comprises administering to a patient (e.g. a patient in need thereof) a compound (e.g. a therapeutically effective amount) of the formula (T), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein.
  • a compound e.g. a therapeutically effective amount of the formula (T), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein.
  • a method for the diagnosis and treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase B comprises (i) screening a patient to determine whether a disease or condition from which the patient is or may be suffering is one which would be susceptible to treatment with a compound having activity against protein kinase B; and (ii) where it is indicated that the disease or condition from which the patient is thus susceptible, thereafter administering to the patient a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any subgroup thereof as defined herein.
  • a method for the diagnosis and treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase A comprises (i) screening a patient to determine whether a disease or condition from which the patient is or may be suffering is one which would be susceptible to treatment with a compound having activity against protein kinase A; and (ii) where it is indicated that the disease or condition from which the patient is thus susceptible, thereafter administering to the patient a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV) 5 (V), (VI), (VII) or any subgroup or embodiment thereof as defined herein.
  • any one or more of the following provisos may apply in any combination to each of formulae (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) and any other sub-group of compounds within formula (I):
  • R 1 may be other than phenyl group substituted at the meta position thereof with a hydroxy, alkoxy, methoxy, fluorine, ester, amide, sulphonamide or carbinol group and optionally bearing a second substituent.
  • R 3 when E is an optionally substituted phenyl group or pyridyl group, the moiety ANR 2 forms a piperidine group or morpholine group, and R 1 is a phenyl group substituted at the meta position thereof and optionally bearing a second substituent, then R 3 may be hydrogen.
  • the moiety NR 2 R 3 may be other than an imidazole group.
  • provisos (a-1) to (d-4) are directed to the following prior art documents:
  • HET cyclic group
  • references to "carbocyclic” and “heterocyclic” groups as used herein shall, unless the context indicates otherwise, include both aromatic and non-aromatic ring systems.
  • such groups may be monocyclic or bicyclic and may contain, for example, 3 to 12 ring members, more usually 5 to 10 ring members.
  • monocyclic groups are groups containing 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 ring members, more usually 3 to 7, and preferably 5 or 6 ring members.
  • Examples of bicyclic groups are those containing 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 ring members, and more usually 9 or 10 ring members.
  • the carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups can be aryl or heteroaryl groups having from 5 to 12 ring members, more usually from 5 to 10 ring members.
  • aryl refers to a carbocyclic group having aromatic character and the term “heteroaryl” is used herein to denote a heterocyclic group having aromatic character.
  • the terms “aryl” and “heteroaryl” embrace polycyclic (e.g. bicyclic) ring systems wherein one or more rings are non-aromatic, provided that at least one ring is aromatic. In such polycyclic systems, the group may be attached by the aromatic ring, or by a non-aromatic ring.
  • the aryl or heteroaryl groups can be monocyclic or bicyclic groups and can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents, for example one or more groups R 10 as defined herein.
  • non-aromatic group embraces unsaturated ring systems without aromatic character, partially saturated and fully saturated carbocyclic and heterocyclic ring systems.
  • the term “fully saturated” refers to rings where there are no multiple bonds between ring atoms.
  • Saturated carbocyclic groups include cycloalkyl groups as defined below.
  • Partially saturated carbocyclic groups include cycloalkenyl groups as defined below, for example cyclopentenyl, cycloheptenyl and cyclooctenyl.
  • heteroaryl groups are monocyclic and bicyclic groups containing from five to twelve ring members, and more usually from five to ten ring members.
  • the heteroaryl group can be, for example, a five membered or six membered monocyclic ring or a bicyclic structure formed from fused five and six membered rings or two fused six membered rings.
  • Each ring may contain up to about four heteroatoms typically selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen.
  • the heteroaryl ring will contain up to 3 heteroatoms, more usually up to 2, for example a single heteroatom.
  • the heteroaryl ring contains at least one ring nitrogen atom.
  • the nitrogen atoms in the heteroaryl rings can be basic, as in the case of an imidazole or pyridine, or essentially non-basic as in the case of an indole or pyrrole nitrogen.
  • the number of basic nitrogen atoms present in the heteroaryl group, including any amino group substituents of the ring, will be less than five.
  • Examples of five membered heteroaryl groups include but are not limited to pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, furazan, oxazole, oxadiazole, oxatriazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, pyrazole, triazole and tetrazole groups.
  • Examples of six membered heteroaryl groups include but are not limited to pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazine, pyrimidine and triazine.
  • a bicyclic heteroaryl group may be, for example, a group selected from: a) a benzene ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms; b) a pyridine ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms; c) a pyrimidine ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms; d) a pyrrole ring fused to a a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms; e) a pyrazole ring fused to a a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms; f) a pyrazine ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms; g) an imidazole ring fused to a 5- or
  • a thiophene ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms 1) a thiophene ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms; m) a furan ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms; n) a cyclohexyl ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms; and o) a cyclopenryl ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms.
  • bicyclic heteroaryl groups containing a six membered ring fused to a five membered ring include but are not limited to benzfuran, benzthiophene, benzimidazole, benzoxazole, benzisoxazole, benzthiazole, benzisothiazole, isobenzofuran, indole, isoindole, indolizine, indoline, isoindoline, purine (e.g., adenine, guanine), indazole, benzodioxole and pyrazolopyridine groups.
  • bicyclic heteroaryl groups containing two fused six membered rings include but are not limited to quinoline, isoquinoline, chroman, thiochroman, chromene, isochromene, isochroman, benzodioxan, quinolizine, benzoxazine, benzodiazine, pyridopyridine, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, phthalazine, naphthyridine and pteridine groups.
  • polycyclic aryl and heteroaryl groups containing an aromatic ring and a non- aromatic ring examples include tetrahydronaphthalene, tetrahydroisoquinoline, tetrahydroquinoline, dihydrobenzthiene, dihydrobenzfuran, 2,3-dihydro-benzo[l,4]dioxine, benzo[l,3]dioxole, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzofuran, indoline and indane groups.
  • carbocyclic aryl groups examples include phenyl, naphthyl, indenyl, and tetrahydronaphthyl groups.
  • non-aromatic heterocyclic groups are groups having from 3 to 12 ring members, more usually 5 to 10 ring members. Such groups can be monocyclic or bicyclic, for example, and typically have from 1 to 5 heteroatom ring members (more usually 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatom ring members), usually selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur.
  • the heterocylic groups can contain, for example, cyclic ether moieties (e.g as in tetrahydrofuran and dioxane), cyclic thioether moieties (e.g. as in tetrahydrothiophene and dithiane), cyclic amine moieties (e.g. as in pyrrolidine), cyclic sulphones (e.g. as in sulpholane and sulpholene), cyclic sulphoxides, cyclic sulphonamides and combinations thereof (e.g. thiomorpholine).
  • Other examples of non-aromatic heterocyclic groups include cyclic amide moieties (e.g. as in pyrrolidone) and cyclic ester moieties (e.g. as in butyrolactone).
  • Examples of monocyclic non-aromatic heterocyclic groups include 5-, 6-and 7-membered monocyclic heterocyclic groups.
  • Particular examples include morpholine, thiomorpholine and its S-oxide and S,S-dioxide (particularly thiomorpholine), piperidine (e.g. 1- piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl 3-piperidinyl and 4-piperidinyl), N-alkyl piperidines such as N- methyl piperidine, piperidone, pyrrolidine (e.g.
  • One sub-group of monocyclic non-aromatic heterocyclic groups includes morpholine, piperidine (e.g. 1-piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl 3-piperidinyl and 4-piperidinyl), piperidone, pyrrolidine (e.g. 1-pyrrolidinyl, 2-pyrrolidinyl and 3-pyrrolidinyl), pyrrolidone, pyran (2H- pyran or 4H-pyran), dihydrothiophene, dihydropyran, dihydrofuran, dihydrothiazole, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrothiophene, dioxane, tetrahydropyran (e.g.
  • non-aromatic heterocyclic groups include piperidine, pyrrolidine, azetidine, morpholine, piperazine and N-alkyl piperazines.
  • a further particular example of a non-aromatic heterocyclic group, which also forms part of the above group of preferred non-aromatic heterocyclic groups, is azetidine.
  • non-aromatic carbocyclic groups include cycloalkane groups such as cyclohexyl and cyclopentyl, cycloalkenyl groups such as cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl and cyclooctenyl, as well as cyclohexadienyl, cyclooctatetraene, tetrahydronaphthenyl and decalinyl.
  • the carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring can, unless the context indicates otherwise, be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituent groups R 10 selected from halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Ci -4 hydrocarbylamino, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members; a group R a -R b wherein R a is a bond, O, CO, X 1 C(X 2 ), S, SO, SO 2 , NR 0 , SO 2 NR 0 or NR 0 SO 2 ; and R b is selected from hydrogen, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members, and a Ci -8 hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, oxo, halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino,
  • substituent group R 10 comprises or includes a carbocyclic or heterocyclic group
  • the said carbocyclic or heterocyclic group may be unsubstituted or may itself be substituted with one or more further substituent groups R 10 .
  • such further substituent groups R 10 may include carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups, which are typically not themselves further substituted.
  • the said further substituents do not include carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups but are otherwise selected from the groups listed above in the definition of R 10 .
  • the substituents R 10 may be selected such that they contain no more than 20 non-hydrogen atoms, for example, no more than 15 non-hydrogen atoms, e.g. no more than 12, or 10, or 9, or 8, or 7, or 6, or 5 non-hydrogen atoms.
  • the two substituents may be linked so as to form a cyclic group.
  • an adjacent pair of substituents on adjacent carbon atoms of a ring may be linked via one or more heteroatoms and optionally substituted alkylene groups to form a fused oxa-, dioxa-, aza-, diaza- or oxa-aza-cycloalkyl group.
  • Examples of such linked substituent groups include:
  • halogen substituents include fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. Fluorine and chlorine are particularly preferred.
  • hydrocarbyl is a generic term encompassing aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic groups having an all-carbon backbone, except where otherwise stated. In certain cases, as defined herein, one or more of the carbon atoms making up the carbon backbone may be replaced by a specified atom or group of atoms.
  • hydrocarbyl groups include alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, carbocyclic aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, and carbocyclic aralkyl, aralkenyl and aralkynyl groups. Such groups can be unsubstituted or, where stated, can be substituted by one or more substituents as defined herein.
  • the examples and preferences expressed below apply to each of the hydrocarbyl substituent groups or hydrocarbyl-containing substituent groups referred to in the various definitions of substituents for compounds of the formula (I) unless the context indicates otherwise.
  • the hydrocarbyl groups can have up to eight carbon atoms, unless the context requires otherwise.
  • C 1 ⁇ hydrocarbyl groups such as Q -4 hydrocarbyl groups (e.g. C 1-3 hydrocarbyl groups or Ci -2 hydrocarbyl groups), specific examples being any individual value or combination of values selected from Ci, C 2 , C3, C 4 , C5, C 6 , C 7 and C 8 hydrocarbyl groups.
  • alkyl covers both straight chain and branched chain alkyl groups.
  • alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, 2-pentyl, 3-pentyl, 2-methyl butyl, 3-methyl butyl, and n-hexyl and its isomers.
  • C ⁇ alkyl groups such as C 1 . 4 alkyl groups (e.g. Ci -3 alkyl groups or Ci -2 alkyl groups).
  • cycloalkyl groups are those derived from cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane and cycloheptane. Within the sub-set of cycloalkyl groups the cycloalkyl group will have from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, particular examples being C 3 . 6 cycloalkyl groups.
  • alkenyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethenyl (vinyl), 1-propenyl, 2- propenyl (allyl), isopropenyl, butenyl, buta-l,4-dienyl, pentenyl, and hexenyl.
  • alkenyl groups will have 2 to 8 carbon atoms, particular examples being C 2 .6 alkenyl groups, such as C 2-4 alkenyl groups.
  • Examples of cycloalkenyl groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl and cyclohexenyl. Within the sub-set of cycloalkenyl groups the cycloalkenyl groups have from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and particular examples are C 3-6 cycloalkenyl groups.
  • Examples of alkynyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethynyl and 2-propynyl (propargyl) groups. Within the sub-set of alkynyl groups having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, particular examples are C 2 . 6 alkynyl groups, such as C 2 . 4 alkynyl groups.
  • carbocyclic aryl groups include substituted and unsubstituted phenyl, naphthyl, indane and indene groups.
  • cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, carbocyclic aralkyl, aralkenyl and aralkynyl groups include phenethyl, benzyl, styryl, phenylethynyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopropylmethyl and cyclopentenylmethyl groups.
  • C 1 ⁇ hydrocarbyl as used herein encompasses alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, phenyl, benzyl and phenylethyl groups wherein the preferences for and examples of each of the aforesaid groups are as defined above.
  • particular hydrocarbyl groups are alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl and phenylethyl (e.g. 1- phenylethyl or 2-phenylethyl) groups, one subset of hydrocarbyl groups consisting of alkyl and cycloalkyl groups and in particular C 1 .
  • alkyl and cycloalkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-buty ⁇ , cyclopropyl and cyclobutyl.
  • Ci -4 hydrocarbyl as used herein encompasses alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl and cycloalkenyl groups wherein the preferences for and examples of the aforesaid groups are as defined above.
  • particular Q -4 hydrocarbyl groups are alkyl and cycloalkyl groups, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert- butyl, cyclopropyl and cyclobutyl.
  • a hydrocarbyl group can be optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, oxo, alkoxy, carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, mono- or di-Ci -4 hydrocarbylamino, and monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 (typically 3 to 10 and more usually 5 to 10) ring members.
  • substituents include halogen such as fluorine.
  • the substituted hydrocarbyl group can be a partially fluorinated or perfluorinated group such as difiuoromethyl or trifluoromethyl.
  • preferred substituents include monocyclic carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having 3-7 ring members.
  • one or more carbon atoms of a hydrocarbyl group may optionally be replaced by O, S, SO, SO 2 , NR C , X 1 C(X 2 ), C(X 2 )X' or X 1 C(X ⁇ X 1 (or a sub-group thereof) wherein X 1 and X 2 are as hereinbefore defined, provided that at least one carbon atom of the hydrocarbyl group remains.
  • 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms of the hydrocarbyl group may be replaced by one of the atoms or groups listed, and the replacing atoms or groups may be the same or different.
  • the number of linear or backbone carbon atoms replaced will correspond to the number of linear or backbone atoms in the group replacing them.
  • Examples of groups in which one or more carbon atom of the hydrocarbyl group have been replaced by a replacement atom or group as defined above include ethers and thioethers (C replaced by O or S), amides, esters, thioamides and thioesters (C-C replaced by X 1 C(X 2 ) or C(X ⁇ X 1 ), sulphones and sulphoxides (C replaced by SO or SO 2 ), amines (C replaced by NR C ). Further examples include ureas, carbonates and carbamates (C-C-C replaced by X 1 C(X ⁇ X 1 ).
  • an amino group may, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, and optionally with another heteroatom such as nitrogen, sulphur, or oxygen, link to form a ring structure of 4 to 7 ring members.
  • R a -R b as used herein, either with regard to substituents present on a carbocyclic or heterocyclic moiety, or with regard to other substituents present at other locations on the compounds of the formula (I), includes inter alia compounds wherein R a is selected from a bond, O, CO, OC(O), SC(O), NR c C(0), OC(S), SC(S), NR 0 C(S), OC(NR 0 ), SC(NR 0 ), NR 0 C(NR 0 ), C(O)O, C(O)S, C(O)NR 0 , C(S)O, C(S)S, C(S) NR 0 , C(NR°)0, C(NR°)S, C(NR°)NR C , OC(O)O, SC(O)O, NR 0 C(O)O, OC(S)O, SC(O)O, NR 0 C(O)O, OC(S)O
  • the moiety R b can be hydrogen or it can be a group selected from carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members (typically 3 to 10 and more usually from 5 to 10), and a Ci-S hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined. Examples of hydrocarbyl, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups are as set out above.
  • hydrocarbyloxy groups include saturated hydrocarbyloxy such as alkoxy (e.g. C 1 ⁇ alkoxy, more usually Ci -4 alkoxy such as ethoxy and methoxy, particularly methoxy), cycloalkoxy (e.g. C 3-6 cycloalkoxy such as cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy and cyclohexyloxy) and cycloalkyalkoxy (e.g. C 3 -6 cycloalkyl-Ci. 2 alkoxy such as cyclopropylmethoxy).
  • alkoxy e.g. C 1 ⁇ alkoxy, more usually Ci -4 alkoxy such as ethoxy and methoxy, particularly methoxy
  • cycloalkoxy e.g. C 3-6 cycloalkoxy such as cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy and cyclohexyloxy
  • the hydrocarbyloxy groups can be substituted by various substituents as defined herein.
  • the alkoxy groups can be substituted by halogen (e.g. as in difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy), hydroxy (e.g. as in hydroxyethoxy), Ci -2 alkoxy (e.g. as in methoxyethoxy), hydroxy-C ⁇ alkyl (as in hydroxyethoxyethoxy) or a cyclic group (e.g. a cycloalkyl group or non-aromatic heterocyclic group as hereinbefore defined).
  • halogen e.g. as in difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy
  • hydroxy e.g. as in hydroxyethoxy
  • Ci -2 alkoxy e.g. as in methoxyethoxy
  • hydroxy-C ⁇ alkyl as in hydroxyethoxyethoxy
  • a cyclic group e.g. a cycloalky
  • alkoxy groups bearing a non-aromatic heterocyclic group as a substituent are those in which the heterocyclic group is a saturated cyclic amine such as morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, piperazine, Q ⁇ -alkyl-piperazines, Ca. T -cycloalkyl-piperazines, tetrahydropyran or tetrahydrofiiran and the alkoxy group is a CM alkoxy group, more typically a Ci -3 alkoxy group such as methoxy, ethoxy or n-propoxy.
  • the heterocyclic group is a saturated cyclic amine such as morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, piperazine, Q ⁇ -alkyl-piperazines, Ca.
  • Alkoxy groups may be substituted by, for example, a monocyclic group such as pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine and piperazine and N-substituted derivatives thereof such as N-benzyl, N-C M acyl and N-CM alkoxycarbonyl.
  • a monocyclic group such as pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine and piperazine and N-substituted derivatives thereof such as N-benzyl, N-C M acyl and N-CM alkoxycarbonyl.
  • Particular examples include pyrrolidinoethoxy, piperidinoethoxy and piperazinoethoxy.
  • hydrocarbyl groups R a ⁇ R b are as hereinbefore defined.
  • the hydrocarbyl groups may be saturated groups such as cycloalkyl and alkyl and particular examples of such groups include methyl, ethyl and cyclopropyl.
  • the hydrocarbyl (e.g. alkyl) groups can be substituted by various groups and atoms as defined herein.
  • substituted alkyl groups include alkyl groups substituted by one or more halogen atoms such as fluorine and chlorine (particular examples including bromoethyl, chloroethyl, difluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl and perfluoroalkyl groups such as trifluoromethyl), or hydroxy (e.g. hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl), Ci -8 acyloxy (e.g. acetoxymethyl and benzyloxymethyl), amino and mono- and dialkylamino (e.g.
  • halogen atoms such as fluorine and chlorine
  • hydroxy e.g. hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl
  • Ci -8 acyloxy e.g. acetoxymethyl and benzyloxymethyl
  • amino and mono- and dialkylamino e.g.
  • alkoxy e.g. Ci -2 alkoxy such as methoxy - as in methoxyethyl
  • cyclic groups such as cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups and non-aromatic heterocyclic groups as hereinbefore defined
  • alkyl groups substituted by a cyclic group are those wherein the cyclic group is a saturated cyclic amine such as morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, piperazine, Ci_ 4 -alkyl-piperazines, Cs- ⁇ -cycloalkyl-piperazines, tetrahydropyran or tetrahydrofuran and the alkyl group is a Cu alkyl group, more typically a C 1-3 alkyl group such as methyl, ethyl or n-propyl.
  • alkyl groups substituted by a cyclic group include pyrrolidinomethyl, pyrrolidinopropyl, morpholinomethyl, morpholinoethyl, morpholinopropyl, piperidinylmethyl, piperazinomethyl and N-substituted forms thereof as defined herein.
  • alkyl groups substituted by aryl groups and heteroaryl groups include ben2yl, phenethyl and pyridylmethyl groups.
  • R b can be, for example, hydrogen or an optionally substituted C 1-8 hydrocarbyl group, or a carbocyclic or heterocyclic group.
  • R a -R b where R a is SO 2 NR 0 include aminosulphonyl, C 1 . 4 allcylaminosulphonyl and di-Ci -4 alkylaminosulphonyl groups, and sulphonamides formed from a cyclic amino group such as piperidine, morpholine, pyrrolidine, or an optionally N-substituted piperazine such as N- methyl piperazine.
  • R a -R b where R a is SO 2 examples include alkylsulphonyl, heteroarylsulphonyl and arylsulphonyl groups, particularly monocyclic aryl and heteroaryl sulphonyl groups. Particular examples include methylsulphonyl, phenylsulphonyl and toluenesulphonyl.
  • R b can be, for example, hydrogen or an optionally substituted Ci.g hydrocarbyl group, or a carbocyclic or heterocyclic group.
  • R a -R b where R a is NR 0 include amino, Ci -4 alkylamino (e.g. methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, isopropylamino, tert-butylamino), di-Ci. 4 alkylamino (e.g. dimethylamino and diethylamino) and cycloalkylamino (e.g. cyclopropylamino, cyclopentylamino and cyclohexylamino).
  • A is a saturated hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, the linker group having a maximum chain length of 5 atoms extending between R 1 and NR 2 R 3 and a maximum chain length of 4 atoms extending between E and NR 2 R 3 .
  • the moieties E and R 1 can each be attached at any location on the group A.
  • the term "maximum chain length” as used herein refers to the number of atoms lying directly between the two moieties in question, and does not take into account any branching in the chain or any hydrogen atoms that may be present. For example, in the structure A shown below:
  • the chain length between R 1 and NR 2 R 3 is 3 atoms whereas the chain length between E and NR 2 R 3 is 2 atoms.
  • the linker group has a maximum chain length of 3 atoms (for example 1 or 2 atoms).
  • the linker group has a chain length of 1 atom extending between R ! and NR 2 R 3 .
  • the linker group has a chain length of 2 atoms extending between R 1 and NR 2 R 3 .
  • the linker group has a chain length of 3 atoms extending between R 1 and NR 2 R 3 .
  • the linker group has a maximum chain length of 3 atoms extending between E and NR 2 R 3 .
  • the linker group has a chain length of 2 or 3 atoms extending between R 1 and NR 2 R 3 and a chain length of 2 or 3 atoms extending between E and NR 2 R 3 .
  • One of the carbon atoms in the linker group may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom.
  • the nitrogen atom may be linked directly to the group E.
  • the carbon atom to which the group R 1 is attached is replaced by an oxygen atom.
  • R 1 and E are attached to the same carbon atom of the linker group, and a carbon atom in the chain extending between E and NR 2 R 3 is replaced by an oxygen atom.
  • the nitrogen or oxygen atom and the NR 2 R 3 group are spaced apart by at least two intervening carbon atoms.
  • the linker atom linked directly to the group E is a carbon atom and the linker group A has an all-carbon skeleton.
  • the carbon atoms of the linker group A may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from oxo, fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the hydroxy group is not located at a carbon atom ⁇ with respect to the NR 2 R 3 group, and provided also that the oxo group is located at a carbon atom ⁇ with respect to the NR 2 R 3 group.
  • the hydroxy group if present, is located at a position ⁇ with respect to the NR 2 R 3 group. In general, no more than one hydroxy group will be present.
  • fluorine it may be present as a single fluorine substituent or may be present in a difluoromethylene or trifluoromethyl group, for example.
  • a fluorine atom is located at a position ⁇ with respect to the NR 2 R 3 group.
  • the compound of the formula (I) when an oxo group is present at the carbon atom adjacent the NR 2 R 3 group, the compound of the formula (I) will be an amide.
  • no fluorine atoms are present in the linker group A.
  • no oxo group is present in the linker group A.
  • the linker group A when a carbon atom in the linker group A is replaced by a nitrogen atom, the group A bears no more than one hydroxy substituent and more preferably bears no hydroxy substituents.
  • the linker group A When there is a chain length of four atoms between E and NR 2 R 3 , it is preferred that the linker group A contains no nitrogen atoms and more preferably has an all carbon skeleton.
  • the linker group A can have a branched configuration at the carbon atom attached to the NR 2 R 3 group.
  • the carbon atom attached to the NR 2 R 3 group can be attached to a pair of ge/r ⁇ -dimethyl groups.
  • the portion R ! -A-NR 2 R 3 of the compound is represented by the formula R 1 -(G) k -(CH 2 ) m -W-O b -(CH 2 ) n -(CR 6 R 7 ) p -NR 2 R 3 wherein G is NH, NMe or O; W is attached to the group E and is selected from (CH 2 )j- CR 20 , (CH 2 ) j -N and (NH) r CH; b is 0 or 1, j is 0 or 1, k is 0 or 1, m is 0 or 1, n is 0, 1, 2, or 3 and p is 0 or 1; the sum of b and k is 0 or 1; the sum of j, k, m, n and p does not exceed 4; R 6 and R 7 are the same or different and are selected from methyl and ethyl, or CR 6 R 7 forms a cycloprop
  • the portion R ⁇ A-NR 2 R 3 of the compound is represented by the formula R 1 -(G) k -(CH 2 ) m -X-(CH 2 ) n -(CR 6 R 7 ) p -NR 2 R 3 wherein G is NH, NMe or O; X is attached to the group E and is selected from (CH 2 )J-CH, (CH 2 )j-N and (NH) r CH; j is 0 or 1, k is 0 or 1, m is 0 or 1, n is 0, 1, 2, or 3 and p is 0 or 1, and the sum of j, k, m, n and p does not exceed 4; and R 6 and R 7 are the same or different and are selected from methyl and ethyl, or CR 6 R 7 forms a cyclopropyl group.
  • a particular group CR 6 R 7 is C(CH 3 ) 2 .
  • X is (CH 2 ) r CH.
  • R ⁇ A-NR 2 R 3 of the compound is represented by the formula R 1 -(G) k -(CH 2 ) m -X-(CH 2 ) n -(CR 6 R 7 ) p -NR 2 R 3 are those wherein:
  • the portion R ⁇ A-NR 2 R 3 of the compound is represented by the formula R ⁇ X-(CH 2 ) H -NR 2 R 3 wherein X is attached to the group E and is a group CH, and n is 2.
  • linker group A Particular examples of the linker group A, together with their points of attachment to the groups R 1 , E and NR 2 R 3 , are shown in Table 1 below.
  • Currently preferred groups include Al, A2, A3, A6, AlO, Al 1, A22 and A23.
  • One particular set of groups includes Al, A2, A3, AlO and Al l.
  • a further particular set of groups includes A2 and Al l.
  • Another particular set of groups includes A6, A22 and A23.
  • a further set of groups includes Al , A2 and A3.
  • the asterisk designates a chiral centre and the compounds can have either the R or S configuration about the chiral centre.
  • the compounds have the R configuration at this chiral centre.
  • compounds have the S configuration at this chiral centre.
  • the group R 1 is an aryl or heteroaryl group and may be selected from the list of such groups set out in the section headed General Preferences and Definitions.
  • R 1 can be monocyclic or bicyclic and, in one preferred embodiment, is monocyclic.
  • monocyclic aryl and heteroaryl groups are six membered aryl and heteroaryl groups containing up to 2 nitrogen ring members, and five membered heteroaryl groups containing up to 3 heteroatom ring members selected from O, S and N.
  • group R 1 can be unsubstituted or substituted by up to 5 substituents, and examples of substituents are those listed in group R 10 above.
  • Particular substituents include hydroxy; Ci -4 acyloxy; fluorine; chlorine; bromine; trifluoromethyl; cyano; CONH 2 ; nitro; C 1 . 4 hydrocarbyloxy and C 1-4 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by Ci -2 alkoxy, carboxy or hydroxy; C 1 . 4 acylamino; benzoylamino; pyrrolidinocarbonyl; piperidinocarbonyl; morpholinocarbonyl; piperazinocarbonyl; five and six membered heteroaryl and heteroaryloxy groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; phenyl; phenyl-Ci.
  • Preferred substituents include hydroxy; C 1 . 4 acyloxy; fluorine; chlorine; bromine; trifluoromethyl; cyano; Ci -4 hydrocarbyloxy and C 1 . 4 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by C 1 . 2 alkoxy or hydroxy; Ci -4 acylamino; benzoylamino; pyrrolidinocarbonyl; piperidinocarbonyl; morpholinocarbonyl; piperazinocarbonyl; five and six membered heteroaryl groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O and S, the heteroaryl groups being optionally substituted by one or more C 1 .
  • the substituents for R 1 are chosen from hydroxy; Ci -4 acyloxy; fluorine; chlorine; bromine; trifluoromethyl; cyano; Ci -4 hydrocarbyloxy and C 1 . 4 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by Ci -2 alkoxy or hydroxy.
  • substituents may be present, more typically there are 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents, preferably 0, 1, 2 or 3, and more preferably 0, 1 or 2.
  • the group R 1 is unsubstituted or substituted by up to 5 substituents selected from hydroxy; Ci -4 acyloxy; fluorine; chlorine; bromine; trifluoromethyl; cyano; Ci- 4 hydrocarbyloxy and Ci -4 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by C 1 .2 alkoxy or hydroxy.
  • the group R 1 is unsubstituted or substituted by up to 5 substituents selected from hydroxy; C 1 . 4 acyloxy; fluorine; chlorine; bromine; trifluoromethyl; cyano; pyridyl; C 1 . 4 hydrocarbyloxy and C 1 . 4 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by Ci -2 alkoxy or hydroxy.
  • the group R 1 can have one or two substituents selected from hydroxy, fluorine, chlorine, cyano, phenyloxy, pyrazinyloxy, benzyloxy, methyl and methoxy.
  • the group R 1 can have one or two substituents selected from fluorine, chlorine, trifluoromethyl, methyl and methoxy.
  • R 1 is a phenyl group
  • substituent combinations include mono- chlorophenyl and dichlorophenyl.
  • substituent combinations include those wherein R 1 is hydroxyphenyl, fluorochlorophenyl, cyanophenyl, methoxyphenyl, methoxy-chlorophenyl, fluorophenyl, difluorophenyl, phenoxyphenyl, pyrazinyloxyphenyl or benzyloxyphenyl.
  • Another group of substituent combinations consists of mono-chlorophenyl, dichlorophenyl, hydroxyphenyl, fluorochlorophenyl, cyanophenyl, methoxyphenyl, methoxy-chlorophenyl, fluorophenyl, difluorophenyl, phenoxyphenyl, pyrazinyloxyphenyl, benzyloxyphenyl and pyridyl-methoxyphenyl.
  • R 1 is a six membered aryl or heteroaryl group
  • a substituent may advantageously be present at the para position on the six-membered ring. Where a substituent is present at the para position, it is preferably larger in size than a fluorine atom.
  • aryl e.g. phenyl
  • heteroaryl group When two substituents are present on a six-membered aryl (e.g. phenyl) or heteroaryl group, they may be located at the para and meta positions.
  • R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from hydrogen, C 1 . 4 hydrocarbyl and Ci -4 acyl wherein the hydrocarbyl and acyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and methoxy.
  • hydrocarbyl moiety When the hydrocarbyl moiety is substituted by a hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino or methoxy group, typically there are at least two carbon atoms between the substituent and the nitrogen atom of the group NR 2 R 3 .
  • substituted hydrocarbyl groups are hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl.
  • R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from hydrogen, Ci -4 hydrocarbyl and Q -4 acyl.
  • the hydrocarbyl group is an alkyl group, more usually a d, C 2 or C 3 alkyl group, and preferably a methyl group.
  • R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl and hence NR 2 R 3 can be an amino, methylamino or dimethylamino group.
  • NR 2 R 3 can be an amino group.
  • NR 2 R 3 can be a methylamino group.
  • the Ci -4 hydrocarbyl group can be a cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl or cyclobutyl group.
  • R 2 and R 3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic group selected from an imidazole group and a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N.
  • R 2 and R 3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N.
  • the saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group can be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents R 10 as defined above in the General Preferences and Definitions section of this application.
  • any substituents on the heterocyclic group will be relatively small substituents such as Ci -4 hydrocarbyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, rc-propyl, /-propyl, cyclopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl and tert-buty ⁇ ), fluorine, chlorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, ethylamino and dimethylamino.
  • Particular substituents are methyl groups.
  • the saturated monocyclic ring can be an azacycloalkyl group such as an azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine or azepane ring, and such rings are typically unsubstituted.
  • the saturated monocyclic ring can contain an additional heteroatom selected from O and N, and examples of such groups include morpholine and piperazine. Where an additional N atom is present in the ring, this can form part of an NH group or an N-Ci- 4 alkyl group such as an N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl or N-isopropyl group.
  • NR 2 R 3 forms an imidazole group
  • the imidazole group can be unsubstituted or substituted, for example by one or more relatively small substituents such as C 1 . 4 hydrocarbyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, cyclopropyl and butyl), fluorine, chlorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, ethylamino and dimethylamino.
  • substituents are methyl groups.
  • one of R 2 and R 3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached and one or more atoms from the linker group A form a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N.
  • Examples of such compounds include compounds wherein NR 2 R 3 and A form a unit of the formula:
  • t and u are each 0, 1, 2 or 3 provided that the sum oft and u falls within the range of 2 to 4.
  • Such compounds include compounds wherein NR 2 R 3 and A form a cyclic group of the formula:
  • v and w are each 0, 1, 2 or 3 provided that the sum of v and w falls within the range of 2 to 5.
  • Particular examples of cyclic compounds are those in which v and w are both 2. Further examples of such compounds include compounds wherein NR 2 R 3 and A form a cyclic group of the formula:
  • x and w are each 0, 1, 2 or 3 provided that the sum of x and w falls within the range of 2 to 4.
  • Particular examples of cyclic compounds are those in which x is 2 and w is 1.
  • R-groups (usually R 2 ) forms part of a ring system and the other (usually R 3 ) typically does not.
  • the R-group (e.g. R 3 ) which does not form part of a ring system may be hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1 ⁇ hydrocarbyl and C 1 ⁇ acyl as defined herein. In one preferred embodiment however, R 3 is hydrogen.
  • R 1 and E are shown to illustrate the location of A and NR 2 R 3 with respect to the remainder of the molecule. However, it is not intended to imply that R 1 and E form part of A.
  • E is a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group and can be selected from the groups set out above in the section headed General Preferences and Definitions.
  • Preferred groups E are monocyclic and bicyclic aryl and heteroaryl groups and, in particular, groups containing a five or six membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring such as a phenyl, pyridine, pyrazole, pyrazine, pyridazine or pyrimidine ring, more particularly a phenyl, pyridine, pyrazole, pyrazine or pyrimidine ring, and more preferably a pyridine, pyrazole or phenyl ring.
  • groups containing a five or six membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring such as a phenyl, pyridine, pyrazole, pyrazine, pyridazine or pyrimidine ring, more particularly a phenyl, pyridine, pyrazole, pyrazine or pyrimidine ring, and more preferably a pyridine, pyrazole or phenyl ring.
  • bicyclic groups include benzo-fused and pyrido-fused groups wherein the group A and the cyclic group HET are both attached to the benzo- or pyrido- moiety.
  • E is a monocyclic group.
  • monocyclic groups include monocyclic aryl and heteroaryl groups such as phenyl, thiophene, furan, pyrazole, pyrimidine, pyrazine and pyridine, phenyl being presently preferred.
  • One subset of monocyclic aryl and heteroaryl groups comprises phenyl, pyrazole, thiophene, furan, pyrimidine and pyridine.
  • non-aromatic monocyclic groups include cycloalkanes such as cyclohexane and cyclopentane, and nitrogen-containing rings such as piperazine and piperazone.
  • the group A and the cyclic group HET are not attached to adjacent ring members of the group E.
  • the cyclic group HET can be attached to the group E in a meta or para relative orientation.
  • groups E include 1,4-phenylene, 1,3-phenylene, 2,5-pyridylene and 2,4-pyridylene, 1,4-piperazinyl, and 1,4-piperazonyl. Further examples include 1,3-disubstituted five membered rings .
  • the groups E can be unsubstituted or can have up to 4 substituents R 8 which may be selected from the group R 10 as hereinbefore defined. More typically however, the substituents R 8 are selected from hydroxy; oxo (when E is non-aromatic); halogen (e.g. chlorine and bromine); trifluoromethyl; cyano; Ci -4 hydrocarbyloxy optionally substituted by Ci -2 alkoxy or hydroxy; Ci -4 hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by Cu alkoxy or hydroxy; and phenyl optionally substituted by halogen (e.g. chlorine and bromine), trifluoromethyl, cyano, methyl or methoxy.
  • substituents R 8 are selected from hydroxy; oxo (when E is non-aromatic); halogen (e.g. chlorine and bromine); trifluoromethyl; cyano; Ci -4 hydrocarbyloxy optionally substituted by Ci -2 alkoxy or hydroxy; Ci -4 hydrocarbyl optional
  • the group E is unsubstituted.
  • E may be other than:
  • the group E can be an aryl or heteroaryl group having five or six members and containing up to three heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, the group E being represented by the formula:
  • U is selected from N and CR 12a ;
  • V is selected from N and CR 12b ; where R 12a and R 12b are the same or different and each is hydrogen or a substituent containing up to ten atoms selected from C, N, O, F, Cl and S provided that the total number of non-hydrogen atoms present in R 12a and R 12b together does not exceed ten; or R 12a and R 12b together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form an unsubstituted five or six membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing up to two heteroatoms selected from O and N; and
  • R 10 is as hereinbefore defined.
  • E is a group:
  • P, Q and T are the same or different and are selected from N, CH and NCR 10 , provided that the group A is attached to a carbon atom; and U, V and R 10 are as hereinbefore defined.
  • E is a group:
  • R 16 is hydrogen or a group R 10 , R 12a or R 12b as defined herein.
  • R 12a and R 12b include hydrogen and substituent groups R 10 as hereinbefore defined having no more than ten non-hydrogen atoms.
  • Particular examples of R 12a and R 12b include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, phenyl, fluorine, chlorine, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, methoxymethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, cyano, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino, CONH 2 , CO 2 Et, CO 2 H, acetamido, azetidinyl, pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazino, morpholino, methylsulphonyl, aminosulphonyl, mesylamino and trifluoroacetamido.
  • the atoms or groups in R 12a and R 12b that are directly attached to the carbon atom ring members C are selected from H, O (e.g. as in methoxy), NH (e.g. as in amino and methylamino) and CH 2 (e.g. as in methyl and ethyl).
  • the substituent group R 13 is selected from methyl, chlorine, fluorine and trifluoromethyl.
  • One preferred group E is group Bl in Table 2.
  • E may be other than a phenyl group having a sulphur atom attached to the position para with respect to the group HET.
  • E may be other than a substituted or unsubstituted benzimidazole, benzoxazole or benzthiazole group.
  • the cyclic group HET is a monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4 to 7 ring members of which up to 4 are heteroatoms selected from O, N and S.
  • the cyclic group HET has 4 to 6 ring members for example 5 or 6 ring members.
  • the cyclic group HET is an optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl group.
  • monocyclic heteroaryl groups include pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, thiophene, furan, oxazole, triazole, imidazole, with pyridine and pyrimidine being particularly preferred.
  • the cyclic group HET may take the form:
  • Q x is a hydrogen bond acceptor atom or group.
  • hydrogen bond acceptor is a well established term and refers to a group capable of forming a hydrogen bond with a hydrogen atom in the same or an adjacent molecule; see for example "Advanced Organic Chemistry” by Jerry March, 4 th edition, pages 75-79 and references therein.
  • hydrogen bond acceptors include nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur atoms; and groups containing nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur atoms.
  • a cyclic group X may contain one hydrogen bond acceptor, or more than one (e.g. two or three) hydrogen bond acceptor moieties.
  • the cyclic group HET may contain a hydrogen bond donor group adjacent the group G and hence the cyclic group HET may take the form:
  • Q x is a hydrogen bond acceptor atom or group and D is a hydrogen bond donor group.
  • the hydrogen bond donor group can be, for example, NH, C-NH 2 , C-NH, C-OH, C-SH, or C-H.
  • R is independently selected from oxo; halogen; Q- ⁇ hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci -2 alkoxy; cyano; Ci -6 hydrocarbyloxy optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci -2 alkoxy; CONH 2 ; CONHR 9 ; CF 3 ; NH 2 ; NHCOR 9 ; NHCONHR 9 ; and NHR 9 . More typically, R 4 is selected from oxo, amino, NHCOR 9 ; NHR 9 ; halogen, Cj -5 saturated hydrocarbyl, cyano and CF 3 . Preferred values for R 4 include oxo and methyl.
  • n O, 1 or 2.
  • n 0.
  • n 1 or 2.
  • R 4 is CONHR 9 , NHCOR 9 ; NHCONHR 9 ; or NHR 9 ;
  • R 9 is a group R 9a or (CH2)R 9a , wherein R 9a is a monocyclic or bicyclic group which may be carbocyclic or heterocyclic.
  • carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups are monocyclic.
  • carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups are aromatic.
  • the group R 9 is typically unsubstituted phenyl or benzyl, or phenyl or benzyl substituted by 1,2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen; hydroxy; trifluoromethyl; cyano; carboxy; Ci- 4 alkoxycarbonyl; C 1 . 4 acyloxy; amino; mono- or di-Ci- 4 alkylamino; C 1 . 4 alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci -2 alkoxy; Q.
  • Preferred groups include Dl, D4, D7, D9 and Dl 1.
  • a particularly preferred group is Dl .
  • R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 and R 5 are as defined herein in respect of formula (I) and sub-groups, examples and preferences thereof; and R 8 is a substituent group as hereinbefore defined.
  • q is preferably 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 and most preferably 0.
  • the group A is attached to the para position of the benzene ring.
  • A' is the residue of the group A and R 1 to R 4 are as defined herein.
  • R 20 is selected from hydrogen, methyl, hydroxy and fluorine and R 1 to R 4 are as defined herein, provided that when z is 0, R 20 is other than hydroxy.
  • R 1 and R 3 to R 4 are as defined herein.
  • R 3 is preferably selected from hydrogen and C 1 ⁇ hydrocarbyl, for example C i- 4 alkyl such as methyl, ethyl and isopropyl. More preferably R 3 is hydrogen.
  • T is N or CH, n is 0, 1 or 2 (preferably 0 or 1, and more preferably 0), R 16 is selected from hydrogen and amino; and A, E and R 1 to R 4 are as defined herein.
  • E is preferably a phenyl group.
  • R 4 is preferably absent (i.e. n is 0).
  • T is CH and R 16 is hydrogen.
  • T is N.
  • R 16 is preferably amino.
  • R 1 is preferably an optionally substituted phenyl group as defined herein.
  • the various functional groups and substituents making up the compounds of the formula (I) are typically chosen such that the molecular weight of the compound of the formula (I) does not exceed 1000. More usually, the molecular weight of the compound will be less than 750, for example less than 700, or less than 650, or less than 600, or less than 550. More preferably, the molecular weight is less than 525 and, for example, is 500 or less.
  • references to formula (I) included references to formulae (II), (HI), (IV), (V), (VI) and (VII) and all other sub-groups, preferences and examples thereof as defined herein.
  • references to a particular compound also includes ionic, salt, solvate, and protected forms thereof, for example, as discussed below.
  • Salt forms may be selected and prepared according to methods described in Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection, and Use, P. Heinrich Stahl (Editor), Camille G. Wermuth (Editor), ISBN: 3-90639-026-8, Hardcover, 388 pages, August 2002.
  • acid addition salts may be prepared by dissolving the free base in an organic solvent in which a given salt form is insoluble or poorly soluble and then adding the required acid in an appropriate solvent so that the salt precipitates out of solution.
  • Acid addition salts may be formed with a wide variety of acids, both inorganic and organic.
  • acid addition salts include salts formed with an acid selected from the group consisting of acetic, 2,2-dichloroacetic, adipic, alginic, ascorbic (e.g.
  • L-glutamic L-glutamic
  • ⁇ -oxoglutaric glycolic, hippuric, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, hydriodic, isethionic
  • lactic e.g. (+)-L-lactic and ( ⁇ )- DL-lactic
  • lactobionic maleic, malic, (-)-L-malic, malonic, ( ⁇ )-DL-mandelic, methanesulphonic, naphthalenesulphonic (e.g.
  • naphthalene-2-sulphonic naphthalene-2-sulphonic
  • naphthalene- 1,5- disulphonic l-hydroxy-2-naphthoic
  • nicotinic nitric, oleic, orotic
  • oxalic palmitic, pamoic
  • phosphoric propionic
  • L-pyroglutamic salicylic, 4-amino-salicylic, sebacic, stearic, succinic, sulphuric, tannic, (+)-L-tartaric, thiocyanic
  • toluenesulphonic e.g.p- toluenesulphonic
  • undecylenic and valeric acids as well as acylated amino acids and cation exchange resins.
  • One particular group of acid addition salts includes salts formed with hydrochloric, hydriodic, phosphoric, nitric, sulphuric, citric, lactic, succinic, maleic, malic, isethionic, fumaric, benzenesulphonic, toluenesulphonic, methanesulphonic, ethanesulphonic, naphthalenesulphonic, valeric, acetic, propanoic, butanoic, malonic, glucuronic and lactobionic acids.
  • Another group of acid addition salts includes salts formed from acetic, adipic, ascorbic, aspartic, citric, DL-Lactic, fumaric, gluconic, glucuronic, hippuric, hydrochloric, glutamic, DL-malic, methanesulphonic, sebacic, stearic, succinic and tartaric acids.
  • a further group of acid addition salts includes salts formed with formic, hydrochloric, acetic and trifluoroacetic acids.
  • Particular salts are those formed with hydrochloric, formic and acetic acids, and more particularly hydrochloric and acetic acids
  • the compounds of the invention may exist as mono- or di-salts depending upon the pKa of the acid from which the salt is formed.
  • a salt may be formed with a suitable cation.
  • suitable inorganic cations include, but are not limited to, alkali metal ions such as Na + and K + , alkaline earth cations such as Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ , and other cations such as Al 3+ .
  • suitable organic cations include, but are not limited to, ammonium ion (i.e., NH 4 + ) and substituted ammonium ions (e.g., NH 3 R + , NH 2 R 2 + , NHR 3 + , NR 4 + ).
  • Examples of some suitable substituted ammonium ions are those derived from: ethylamine, diethylamine, dicyclohexylamine, triethylamine, butylamine, ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, piperazine, benzylamine, phenylbenzylamine, choline, meglumine, and tromethamine, as well as amino acids, such as lysine and arginine.
  • An example of a common quaternary ammonium ion is N(CH 3 )/.
  • N-oxides may also form N-oxides.
  • a reference herein to a compound of the formula (I) that contains an amine function also includes the N-oxide.
  • one or more than one nitrogen atom may be oxidised to form an N-oxide.
  • Particular examples of N-oxides are the N-oxides of a tertiary amine or a nitrogen atom of a nitrogen-containing heterocycle.
  • N-Oxides can be formed by treatment of the corresponding amine with an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide or a per-acid (e.g. a peroxycarboxylic acid), see for example Advanced Organic Chemistry, by Jerry March, 4 th Edition, Wiley Interscience, pages. More particularly, N-oxides can be made by the procedure of L. W. Deady (Syn. Comm. 1977, 7, 509-514) in which the amine compound is reacted with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (MCPBA), for example, in an inert solvent such as dichloromethane.
  • MCPBA m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid
  • references to compounds of the formula (I) include all optical isomeric forms thereof (e.g. enantiomers and diastereoisomers), either as individual optical isomers, or mixtures or two or more optical isomers, unless the context requires otherwise.
  • the group A can include one or more chiral centres.
  • E and R 1 are both attached to the same carbon atom on the linker group A, the said carbon atom is typically chiral and hence the compound of the formula (I) will exist as a pair of enantiomers (or more than one pair of enantiomers where more than one chiral centre is present in the compound).
  • optical isomers may be characterised and identified by their optical activity (i.e. as + and - isomers) or they may be characterised in terms of their absolute stereochemistry using the "R and S" nomenclature developed by Cahn, Ingold and Prelog, see Advanced Organic Chemistry by Jerry March, 4 th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1992, pages 109-114, and see also Cahn, Ingold & Prelog, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 1966, 5, 385-415.
  • Optical isomers can be separated by a number of techniques including chiral chromatography (chromatography on a chiral support) and such techniques are well known to the person skilled in the art.
  • optical isomers can be separated by forming diastereoisomeric salts with chiral acids such as (+)-tartaric acid, (-)-pyroglutamic acid, (-)- di-toluloyl-L-tartaric acid, (+) ⁇ mandelic acid, (-)-malic acid, and (-)-camphorsulphonic, separating the diastereoisomers by preferential crystallisation, and then dissociating the salts to give the individual enantiomer of the free base.
  • chiral acids such as (+)-tartaric acid, (-)-pyroglutamic acid, (-)- di-toluloyl-L-tartaric acid, (+) ⁇ mandelic acid, (-)-malic acid, and (-)-camphorsulphonic
  • compositions containing a compound of the formula (I) having one or more chiral centres wherein at least 55% (e.g. at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95%) of the compound of the formula (I) is present as a single optical isomer (e.g.
  • 99% or more (e.g. substantially all) of the total amount of the compound of the formula (I) may be present as a single optical isomer (e.g. enantiomer or diastereoisomer).
  • Esters such as carboxylic acid esters and acyloxy esters of the compounds of formula (I) bearing a carboxylic acid group or a hydroxyl group are also embraced by Formula (I).
  • formula (I) includes within its scope esters of compounds of the formula (I) bearing a carboxylic acid group or a hydroxyl group.
  • formula (I) does not include within its scope esters of compounds of the formula (I) bearing a carboxylic acid group or a hydroxyl group.
  • R is an acyloxy substituent, for example, a Ci -7 alkyl group, a C 3-2O heterocyclyl group, or a C 5-2O aryl group, preferably a Ci -7 alkyl group.
  • formula (I) Also encompassed by formula (I) are any polymorphic forms of the compounds, solvates (e.g. hydrates), complexes (e.g. inclusion complexes or clathrates with compounds such as cyclodextrins, or complexes with metals) of the compounds, and pro-drugs of the compounds.
  • solvates e.g. hydrates
  • complexes e.g. inclusion complexes or clathrates with compounds such as cyclodextrins, or complexes with metals
  • pro-drugs is meant for example any compound that is converted in vivo into a biologically active compound of the formula (I).
  • Ci -7 alkyl e.g., -Me, -Et, -nPr, -iPr, -nBu, -sBu, -iBu, -tBu;
  • Ci -7 aminoalkyl e.g., aminoethyl; 2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethyl; 2-(4-morpholino)ethyl
  • acyloxy-Ci -7 alkyl e.g., acyloxymethyl; acyloxyethyl; pivaloyloxymethyl; acetoxymethyl; 1 -acetoxyethy 1; 1 -( 1 -methoxy- 1 -methyl)ethyl-carbonyloxy ethyl; 1 -(benzoyloxy)ethy 1; isopropoxy-carbonyloxymethyl; 1-isopropoxy-carbonyloxyethyl; cyclohexyl- carbonyloxymethyl; 1-cyclohexyl-carbonyloxy ethyl; cyclohexyloxy-carbonyloxymethyl; 1- cyclohexyloxy-carbonyloxyethyl; (4-tetrahydro
  • prodrugs are activated enzymatically to yield the active compound, or a compound which, upon further chemical reaction, yields the active compound (for example, as in antigen-directed enzyme pro-drug therapy (ADEPT), gene-directed enzyme pro-drug therapy (GDEPT) and ligand-directed enzyme pro-drug therapy (LIDEPT).
  • the prodrug may be a sugar derivative or other glycoside conjugate, or may be an amino acid ester derivative.
  • references to formula (I) included references to formulae (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI) and (VII) and all other sub-groups, preferences and examples thereof as defined herein.
  • A, E, G, n and R 1 to R 4 are as hereinbefore defined, one of the groups X and Y is chlorine, bromine or iodine or a trifluoromethanesulphonate (triflate) group, and the other one of the groups X and Y is a boronate residue, for example a boronate ester or boronic acid residue.
  • the reaction can be carried out under typical Suzuki Coupling conditions in the presence of a palladium catalyst such as bis(trW-butylphosphine)palladium and a base (e.g. a carbonate such as potassium carbonate).
  • a palladium catalyst such as bis(trW-butylphosphine)palladium
  • a base e.g. a carbonate such as potassium carbonate.
  • the reaction may be carried out in an aqueous solvent system, for example aqueous ethanol, and the reaction mixture is typically subjected to heating, for example to a temperature in excess of 100 0 C.
  • the starting material for the synthetic route shown in scheme 1 is the halo-substituted aryl- or heteroarylmethyl nitrile (XII) in which X is a chlorine, bromine or iodine atom or a triflate group.
  • XII halo-substituted aryl- or heteroarylmethyl nitrile
  • the nitrile (XII) is condensed with the aldehyde R 1 CHO in the presence of an alkali such as sodium or potassium hydroxide in an aqueous solvent system such as aqueous ethanol.
  • the reaction can be carried out at room temperature.
  • the resulting substituted acrylonitrile derivative (XIII) is then treated with a reducing agent that will selectively reduce the alkene double bond without reducing the nitrile group.
  • a borohydride such as sodium borohydride may be used for this purpose to give the substituted acetonitrile derivative (XIV).
  • the reduction reaction is typically carried out in a solvent such as ethanol and usually with heating, for example to a temperature up to about 65 0 C.
  • a reducing agent such as lithium aluminium hydride.
  • the amine (XIX) can be reacted with the boronate ester (XV) under the Suzuki coupling conditions described above to yield the amine (XX).
  • the nitrile (XXI) can be condensed with an aldehyde of the formula R ⁇ (CH 2 VCHO, wherein r is O or 1, and the resulting substituted acrylonitrile subsequently reduced to the corresponding substituted nitrile under conditions analogous to those set out in Scheme 1 above.
  • the protecting group PG can then be removed by an appropriate method.
  • the nitrile compound may subsequently be reduced to the corresponding amine by the use of a suitable reducing agent as described above.
  • the nitrile compound (XXI) may also be reacted with a Grignard reagent of the formula R ⁇ (CH 2 X-MgBr under standard Grignard reaction conditions followed by deprotection to give an amino compound of the invention which has the structure shown in formula (XXII).
  • the group E and the cyclic group HET are coupled together by the reaction of a halo-aryl or heteroaryl compound with a boronate ester or boronic acid in the presence of a palladium catalyst and base.
  • boronates suitable for use in preparing compounds of the invention are commercially available, for example from Boron Molecular Limited of Noble Park, Australia, or from Combi-Blocks Inc, of San Diego, USA. Where the boronates are not commercially available, they can be prepared by methods known in the art, for example as described in the review article by N. Miyaura and A. Suzuki, Chem. Rev. 1995, 95, 2457.
  • boronates can be prepared by reacting the corresponding bromo-compound with an alkyl lithium such as butyl lithium and then reacting with a borate ester.
  • the resulting boronate ester derivative can, if desired, be hydrolysed to give the corresponding boronic acid.
  • an aldehyde compound (XXIV) where X is bromine, chlorine, iodine or a triflate group is condensed with ethyl cyanoacetate in the presence of a base to give a cyanoacrylate ester intermediate (XXV).
  • the condensation is typically carried out in the presence of a base, preferably a non-hydroxide such as piperidine, by heating under Dean Stark conditions.
  • the cyanoacrylate intermediate (XXV) is then reacted with a Grignard reagent R 1 MgBr suitable for introducing the group R 1 by Michael addition to the carbon-carbon double bond of the aery late moiety.
  • the Grignard reaction may be carried out in a polar non-protic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a low temperature, for example at around 0 0 C.
  • the product of the Grignard reaction is the cyano propionic acid ester (XXVI) and this is subjected to hydrolysis and decarboxylation to give the propionic acid derivative (XXVII).
  • the hydrolysis and decarboxylation steps can be effected by heating in an acidic medium, for example a mixture of sulphuric acid and acetic acid.
  • the propionic acid derivative (XXVII) is converted to the amide (XXVIII) by reaction with an amine HNR 2 R 3 under conditions suitable for forming an amide bond.
  • the coupling reaction between the propionic acid derivative (XXVII) and the amine HNR 2 R 3 is preferably carried out in the presence of a reagent of the type commonly used in the formation of peptide linkages. Examples of such reagents include 1,3- dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) (Sheehan et al, J. Amer, Chem Soc.
  • Carbodiimide-based coupling agents are advantageously used in combination with 1- hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (HOAt) (L. A. Carpino, J. Amer. Chem. Soc, 1993, H5, 4397) or 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) (Konig et al, Chem. Ber., 103, 708, 2024-2034).
  • Preferred coupling reagents include EDC (EDAC) and DCC in combination with HOAt or HOBt.
  • the coupling reaction is typically carried out in a non-aqueous, non-protic solvent such as acetonitrile, dioxan, dimethylsulphoxide, dichloromethane, dimethylformamide or N- methylpyrrolidine, or in an aqueous solvent optionally together with one or more miscible co-solvents.
  • a non-aqueous, non-protic solvent such as acetonitrile, dioxan, dimethylsulphoxide, dichloromethane, dimethylformamide or N- methylpyrrolidine
  • an aqueous solvent optionally together with one or more miscible co-solvents.
  • the reaction can be carried out at room temperature or, where the reactants are less reactive (for example in the case of electron-poor anilines bearing electron withdrawing groups such as sulphonamide groups) at an appropriately elevated temperature.
  • the reaction may be carried out in the presence of a non-interfering base, for example a tertiary amine such as trieth
  • the amide coupling reaction can be carried out using l,l'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) to activate the carboxylic acid before addition of the ammonia.
  • CDI l,l'-carbonyldiimidazole
  • a reactive derivative of the carboxylic acid e.g. an anhydride or acid chloride
  • Reaction with a reactive derivative such an anhydride is typically accomplished by stirring the amine and anhydride at room temperature in the presence of a base such as pyridine.
  • the amide (XXVIII) can be converted to a compound of the formula (XXX) (which corresponds to a compound of the formula (I) wherein A has an oxo substituent next to the NR 2 R 3 group) by reaction with a boronate (XV) under Suzuki coupling conditions as described above.
  • the amide (XXX) can subsequently be reduced using a hydride reducing agent such as lithium aluminium hydride in the presence of aluminium chloride to give an amine of the formula (XXXI) (which corresponds to a compound of the formula (I) wherein A is CH-CH 2 -CH 2 -).
  • the reduction reaction is typically carried out in an ether solvent, for example diethyl ether, with heating to the reflux temperature of the solvent.
  • the amide may instead be reduced with lithium aluminium hydride/aluminium chloride, for example in an ether solvent at ambient temperature, to give the amine (XXEK) which is then reacted with the boronate (XV) under the Suzuki coupling conditions described above to give the amine (XXX).
  • the carboxylic acid (XXVII) can be converted to the azide by standard methods and subjected to a Curtius rearrangement in the presence of an alcohol such as benzyl alcohol to give a carbamate (see Advanced Organic Chemistry, 4 th edition, by Jerry March, John Wiley & sons, 1992, pages 1091-1092).
  • the benzylcarbamate can function as a protecting group for the amine during the subsequent Suzuki coupling step, and the benzyloxycarbonyl moiety in the carbamate group can then be removed by standard methods after the coupling step.
  • the benzylcarbamate group can be treated with a hydride reducing agent such as lithium aluminium hydride to give a compound in which NR 2 R 3 is a methylamino group instead of an amino group.
  • the aldehyde starting material (XXIX) can be one in which the moiety X is a cyclic group corresponding to the cyclic group HET, rather than being bromine, chlorine, iodine or a triflate group. In this case, the need for the Suzuki coupling step later in the reaction sequence is avoided.
  • the aldehyde compound (XXXII) can be obtained by oxidation of the corresponding alcohol (XXXIII) using, for example, the Dess-Martin periodinane (see Dess, D.B.; Martin, J.C. J. Org. Soc, 1983, 48, 4155 and Organic Syntheses, Vol. 77, 141). (XXXIII)
  • Cyclic intermediates of the formula (XXXIV), where R 1 is an aryl group such as an optionally substituted phenyl group, can be formed by Friedel Crafts alkylation of an aryl compound R 1 -H with a compound of the formula (XXXV):
  • the alkylation is typically carried out in the presence of a Lewis acid such as aluminium chloride at a reduced temperature, for example less than 5 0 C.
  • a Lewis acid such as aluminium chloride
  • an aldehyde of the formula (XXXVI) can be coupled with an amine of the formula HNR 2 R 3 under reductive amination conditions as described above.
  • A' is the residue of the group A - i.e. the moieties A' and CH 2 together form the group A.
  • the aldehyde (XXXVI) can be formed by oxidation of the corresponding alcohol using, for example, Dess-Martin periodinane.
  • the starting material for the synthetic route shown in Scheme 4 is the epoxide (XXXVIII) which can either be obtained commercially or can be made by methods well known to the skilled person, for example by reaction of the aldehyde Br-E-CHO with trimethylsulphonium iodide.
  • the epoxide (XXXVIII) is reacted with an amine HNR 2 R 3 under conditions suitable for a ring-opening reaction with the epoxide to give a compound of the formula (XXXK).
  • the ring opening reaction can be carried out in a polar solvent such as ethanol at room temperature or optionally with mild heating, and typically with a large excess of the amine.
  • the amine (XXXIX) is then reacted with an aryl compound R 1 H, typically a phenyl compound, capable of taking part in a Friedel Crafts alkylation (see for example Advanced Organic Chemistry, by Jerry March, pages 534-542).
  • an aryl compound R 1 H typically a phenyl compound, capable of taking part in a Friedel Crafts alkylation (see for example Advanced Organic Chemistry, by Jerry March, pages 534-542).
  • the amine of formula (XXXIX) is typically reacted with the aryl compound R 1 H in the presence of an aluminium chloride catalyst at or around room temperature.
  • the aryl compound R 1 H is a liquid, e.g. as in the case of a methoxybenzene (e.g. anisole) or a halobenzene such as chlorobenzene
  • the aryl compound may serve as the solvent.
  • the hydroxy intermediate (XXXIX) in Scheme 4 can also be used to prepare compounds of the formula (X) in which the carbon atom of the hydrocarbon linker group A adjacent the group R 1 is replaced by an oxygen atom.
  • the compound of formula (XXXIX), or an N-protected derivative thereof (where R 2 or R 3 are hydrogen) can be reacted with a phenolic compound of the formula R'-OH under Mitsunobu alkylation conditions, e.g. in the presence of diethyl azodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine.
  • the reaction is typically carried out in a polar non-protic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a moderate temperature such as ambient temperature.
  • hydroxy-intermediate (XXXIX) is for the preparation of the corresponding fluoro-compound.
  • the hydroxy group can be replaced by fluorine by reaction with pyridine :hydrogen fluoride complex (Olah's reagent).
  • the fluorinated intermediate can then be subjected to a Suzuki coupling reaction to give a compound of the formula (I) with a fluorinated hydrocarbon group A.
  • a fluorinated compound of the formula (I) could alternatively be prepared by first coupling the hydroxy intermediate (XXXIX), or a protected form thereof, with a heteroaryl boronic acid or boronate under Suzuki conditions and then replacing the hydroxy group in the resulting compound of formula (I) with fluorine using pyridine: hydrogen fluoride complex.
  • A is the hydrocarbon residue of the group A, can be prepared by the sequence of reactions shown in Scheme 5.
  • the amine protecting group can be, for example, a phthalolyl group in which case NR 2 R is a phthalimido group.
  • the reaction between compounds (XLI) and (XLII) can take the form of an toluene sulphonic acid catalysed condensation reaction.
  • the alcohol (XLI) can first be treated with a strong base such as sodium hydride to form the alcoholate which then reacts with the compound (XLII).
  • the resulting compound of the formula (XLIII) is then subjected to a Suzuki coupling reaction with the boronate reagent (XV) under typical Suzuki coupling conditions of the type described above to give a compound of the formula (XLIV).
  • the protecting group can then be removed from the protected amine group NR 2 R 3 to give a compound of the formula (I).
  • A is the hydrocarbon residue of the group A, can be prepared by the sequence of reactions shown in Scheme 6.
  • the starting material in Scheme 6 is the chloroacyl compound (XLV) which can be prepared by literature methods (e.g. the method described in J. Med. Chem., 2004, 47, 3924-3926) or methods analogous thereto.
  • Compound (XLV) is converted into the secondary alcohol (XLVI) by reduction with a hydride reducing agent such as sodium borohydride in a polar solvent such as water/tetrahydrofuran.
  • the secondary alcohol (XLVI) can then be reacted with a phenolic compound of the formula R 1 -OH under Mitsunobu alkylation conditions, e.g.
  • aryl ether compound (XLVII) is then displaced by reaction with an amine HNR 2 R 3 to give a compound of the formula (XLVIII).
  • the nucleophilic displacement reaction may be carried out by heating the amine with the aryl ether in a polar solvent such as an alcohol at an elevated temperature, for example approximately 100 0 C. The heating may advantageously be achieved using a microwave heater.
  • the resulting amine (XLVIII) can then be subjected to a Suzuki coupling procedure with a boronate of the formula (XV) as described above to give the compound (XLIX).
  • the secondary alcohol (XLVI) can be subjected to a nucleophilic displacement reaction with an amine HNR 2 R 3 before introducing the group R 1 by means of the Mitsunobu ether-forming reaction.
  • boronic acid compound (L) is reacted under Suzuki coupling conditions with the cyano compound X-E-CN in which X is typically a halogen such as bromine or chlorine.
  • the boronic acid (L) can be prepared using the method described in EP 1382603 or methods analogous thereto.
  • the resulting nitrile (LI) may then be reacted with a Grignard reagent R 1 -MgBr to introduce the group R 1 and form the ketone (LII).
  • the ketone (LII) is converted to the enamine (LIV) by reaction with the diphenylphosphinoylmethylamine (LIII) in the presence of a strong base such as an alkyl lithium, particularly butyl lithium.
  • the enamine (LIV) is then subjected to hydrogenation over a palladium on charcoal catalyst to reduce the double bond of the enamine and remove the 1-phenethyl group, thereby yielding a compound of the formula (LV).
  • the enamine (LIV) can be reduced with a hydride reducing agent under the conditions described in Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 14 (2003) 1309-1316 and subjected to a chiral separation. Removal of the protecting 2-phenethyl group then gives an optically active form of the compound of formula (LV).
  • a ketone (LVI) is reacted with trimethylsulphonium iodide to form the epoxide (LVII).
  • the reaction is typically carried out in the presence of a hydride base such as sodium hydride in a polar solvent such as dimethylsulphoxide.
  • the epoxide (LVII) is subjected to a ring opening reaction with ethanolamine in the presence of a non-interfering base such as triethylamine in a polar solvent such as an alcohol (e.g. isopropanol), usually with mild heating (e.g. up to approximately 50 0 C.
  • a non-interfering base such as triethylamine
  • a polar solvent such as an alcohol (e.g. isopropanol)
  • mild heating e.g. up to approximately 50 0 C.
  • the resulting secondary alcohol is then cyclised to form the morpholine ring by treatment with concentrated sulphuric acid in a solvent such as ethanolic dichloromethane.
  • the morpholine intermediate (LIX) can then reacted with the boronate (XV) under Suzuki coupling conditions to give the compound of formula (LX), which corresponds to a compound of the formula (I) in which A-NR 2 R 3 forms a morpholine group.
  • XV boronate
  • LX epoxide
  • ethanolamine epoxide
  • mono- or dialkylamines thereby providing a route to compounds containing the moiety:
  • R 2 and R 3 are both hydrogen can be prepared by reacting the epoxide (LVII) with potassium phthalimide in a polar solvent such as DMSO.
  • a polar solvent such as DMSO.
  • the phthalimide group may undergo partial hydrolysis to give the corresponding phthalamic acid which can be cleaved using hydrazine to give the amino group NH 2 .
  • the phthalamic acid can be recyclised to the phthalimide using a standard amide-forming reagent and the phthaloyl group then removed using hydrazine to give the amine.
  • the starting material (LXI) is typically a di-aryl/heteroaryl methane in which one or both of the aryl/heteroaryl groups is capable of stabilising or facilitating formation of an anion formed on the methylene group between E and R 1 .
  • R 1 may advantageously be a pyridine group.
  • the starting material (LXI) is reacted with the N- protected bis-2-chloroethylamine (LXII) in the presence of a non-interfering strong base such as sodium hexamethyldisilazide in a polar solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a reduced temperature (e.g.
  • the N-protected cyclic intermediate (LXIII) is N-protected cyclic intermediate (LXIII).
  • the protecting group can be any standard amine-protecting group such as a Boc group.
  • the intermediate (LXIII) is coupled to a boronate of the formula (XV) under Suzuki coupling conditions and then deprotected to give the compound of the formula (I).
  • AIk is a small alkyl group such as methyl or ethyl can be formed by the synthetic route illustrated in Scheme 10.
  • a carboxylic acid of the formula (LXIV) is esterif ⁇ ed by treatment with methanol in the presence of an acid catalyst such as hydrochloric acid.
  • the ester (LXV) is then reacted with a strong base such as lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) and an alkyl iodide such as methyl iodide at reduced temperature (e.g. between 0 0 C and -78 0 C).
  • LDA lithium diisopropylamide
  • an alkyl iodide such as methyl iodide
  • the amide (LXVIII) can then be reduced to the amine (LXIX) using lithium aluminium hydride, and the amine (LXIX) is then reacted with a heteroaryl boronate or boronic acid under Suzuki coupling conditions to give a compound of the formula (I).
  • the group E is a heterocyclic group in which a nitrogen atom of the group E is linked directly to the group A
  • the group R ⁇ A-NR 2 R 3 can be introduced by means of an alkylation procedure such as a Mitsunobu alkylation as shown in Scheme 11.
  • the oxirane (LXXVIII) starting material can be formed by epoxidisation of an aldehyde R ⁇ CHO using trimethylsulphonium iodide under conditions analogous to those set out above in Scheme 4 above.
  • the oxirane is reacted with an amine HNR 2 R 3 , suitably protected as necessary, to give the substituted ethanolamine (LXXIX).
  • the ethanolamine is then used in a Mitsunobu reaction to alkylate the nitrogen atom of the group E in compound (LXXX) to give, after deprotection where necessary, the product (LXXXI).
  • the Mitsunobu reaction is typically carried out in a polar aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran in the presence of diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD) and triphenyl phosphine, usually at a temperature of around room temperature.
  • a polar aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran in the presence of diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD) and triphenyl phosphine, usually at a temperature of around room temperature.
  • DEAD diethyl azodicarboxylate
  • triphenyl phosphine usually at a temperature of around room temperature.
  • the moiety represents a group E containing a nitrogen atom. Examples of such a group are imidazo
  • Another method of preparing compounds of the formula (I) involves the replacement of the bromine atom in the intermediate of formula (LXX) with a range of heterocyclic ring- precursor groups, and then the conversion of a ring precursor group into a heterocyclic ring.
  • the bromine atom in the compound of formula (LXX) can be converted by well known synthetic methods into, for example, CONH 2 , NH 2 , COOH, CHO or C(O)CH 3 group, each of which groups may be used for the construction of various heterocyclic ring systems.
  • the bromo-compound of formula (LXX) may be converted to the aldehyde (LXXI) by reacting the bromo-compound with an alkyl lithium such as butyl lithium and then formylating the resulting lithiated intermediate using dimethylformamide.
  • the lithiation step is typically carried out in a dry polar aprotic solvent such as THF at a low temperature (e.g. less than -50 0 C).
  • the aldehyde group in the compound (LXXI) can then be converted into a range of heterocyclic groups using chemistry well known to the skilled person. For example, by reacting the aldehyde with tosylmethylisocyanide (tosmic), the aldehyde can be converted into an oxazole ring.
  • tosylmethylisocyanide tosmic
  • the bromine atom in compound (LXXI) can be displaced by the nitrogen atom of a heterocyclic group in a coupling reaction mediated by copper (II) acetate.
  • the compound of formula (LXXI) can be reacted with a heteroaryl compound such as pyrazole, imidazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,3-triazole or IH- tetrazole in the presence of copper (II) acetate under conditions of the type described in Tetrahedron Letters, 1998, 39, 2941, J. Org. Chem., 2002, 67, 1699 or J. Org.
  • the bromo-compound (LXX) can be converted to the corresponding amine (LXXIII) by a palladium catalysed amination; see for example Hartwig et al, Org. Lett, 2001, 3, 17, 2729-2732.
  • the amino group of amine (LXXIII) may serve as the starting point for the construction of a number of heterocyclic rings.
  • a triazolinone ring (Table 4, D34 above) can be formed by reaction with phenyl chloroformate, hydrazine and formamidine according to the method described in Bolos et al, J. Heterocyclic Chem., 1997, 34 (6), 1709-1713.
  • the bromo-compound (LXX) can be converted to the corresponding acetyl derivative (LXXrV) using conditions analogous to those described in Wommack, et al.; J. Heterocycl. Chem., 1969, 6, 243; Worden et al; J. Chem. Soc. (C) 1970, 227; Xu et al, Org. Lett, 2001, 3 (2), 295-297 and Vallin et al.; J. Org. Chem., 2001, 66 (12), 4340-4343.
  • the ketone (LXXV) can in turn be converted into the thioketone (LXXV) using methods well known to the skilled person, see for example Steliou et al , J. Amer. Chem. Soc, 1982, 104, 3104. Ketones of the formula (LXXV) can be reacted with dimethylformamide-dimethylacetal under standard cyclisation conditions to give compounds in which the cyclic group HET is a pyrazol-3-yl group.
  • the ketone (LXXV) can also be converted into compounds wherein the cyclic group HET is a 4-pyrrolidone group (Table 4, D46) or a lH-pyrimidine-2,4-dione - 6-yl group (Table 4, D77; see for example Thakur et al, Tetrahedron, Asymmetry, (2003), 14(5), 581-586 and Shahak et al, Synthetic Communications, (2002), 32(6), 851-855 respectively.
  • the thioketone (LXXV) can be converted into a thiazole-5-yl group (Table 4, D78) by reaction with dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal followed by hydroxylamine-O-sulphonic acid according to the method of Lin et al, J. HeterocyclicChem., 2002, 39(1), 237-239.
  • Carboxylic acids of the formula (LXXVI) can be prepared by oxidation of aldehydes of the formula (LXXI) by standard methods, for example as described in the article by Looker et al, J. Amer. Chem. Soc, 1957,79, 745.
  • the carboxylic acid (LXXVI) can be turned into the acylhydrazide by a Standard amide coupling with hydrazine using EDCI and HOBt in a solvent such as dimethylformamide with subsequent cyclisation to form an oxadiazole ring (Table 4, D60) by condensation reaction with triethylorthoformate.
  • the carboxylic acid (LXXVI) can be converted into the amide (LXXVII) by standard methods of amide formation, see for example Advanced Organic Chemistry, by Jerry
  • compounds of the formula (I) can be converted into other compounds of the formula (I) using standard functional group interconversions.
  • compounds of the formula (I) in which the NR 2 R 3 forms part of a nitrile group can be reduced to the corresponding amine.
  • Compounds in which NR 2 R 3 is an NH 2 group can be converted to the corresponding alkylamine by reductive alkylation, or to a cyclic group.
  • R 1 contains a halogen atom such as chlorine or bromine can be used to introduce an aryl or heteroaryl group substituent into the R 1 group by means of a Suzuki coupling reaction.
  • the aldehyde or ketone group is readily regenerated by hydrolysis using a large excess of water in the presence of acid.
  • An amine group may be protected, for example, as an amide (- NRCO-R) or a urethane (-NRCO-OR), for example, as: a methyl amide (-NHCO-CH 3 ); a benzyloxy amide (-NHCO-OCH 2 C 6 H 5 , -NH-Cbz); as a t-butoxy amide (-NHCO-OC(CH 3 ) 3 , -NH-Boc); a 2-biphenyl-2-propoxy amide (-NHCO-OC(CBi) 2 C 6 H 4 C 6 H 5 , -NH-Bpoc), as a 9-fluorenylmethoxy amide (-NH-Fmoc), as a 6-nitroveratryloxy amide (-NH-Nvoc), as a 2- trimethylsilylethyloxy amide (-NH-Teoc), as a 2,2,2-trichloroethyloxy amide (-NH-Troc), as
  • a carboxylic acid group may be protected as an ester for example, as: an Ci -7 alkyl ester (e.g., a methyl ester; a t-butyl ester); a Ci -7 haloalkyl ester (e.g., a Cj. 7 trihaloalkyl ester); a triCi.
  • the active compound While it is possible for the active compound to be administered alone, it is preferable to present it as a pharmaceutical composition (e.g. formulation) comprising at least one active compound of the invention together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants, excipients, diluents, fillers, buffers, stabilisers, preservatives, lubricants, or other materials well known to those skilled in the art and optionally other therapeutic or prophylactic agents
  • the present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions, as defined above, and methods of making a pharmaceutical composition comprising admixing at least one active compound, as defined above, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, buffers, adjuvants, stabilizers, or other materials, as described herein.
  • pharmaceutically acceptable refers to compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of a subject (e.g. human) without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.
  • a subject e.g. human
  • Each carrier, excipient, etc. must also be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation.
  • compositions containing compounds of the formula (I) can be formulated in accordance with known techniques, see for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, PA, USA.
  • the invention provides compounds of the formula (I) and sub-groups thereof as defined herein in the form of pharmaceutical compositions.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions can be in any form suitable for oral, parenteral, topical, intranasal, ophthalmic, otic, rectal, intra-vaginal, or transdermal administration.
  • the compositions are intended for parenteral administration, they can be formulated for intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous administration or for direct delivery into a target organ or tissue by injection, infusion or other means of delivery.
  • the delivery can be by bolus injection, short term infusion or longer term infusion and can be via passive delivery or through the utilisation of a suitable infusion pump.
  • compositions adapted for parenteral administration include aqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats, co-solvents, organic solvent mixtures, cyclodextrin complexation agents, emulsifying agents (for forming and stabilizing emulsion formulations), liposome components for forming liposomes, gellable polymers for forming polymeric gels, lyophilisation protectants and combinations of agents for, inter alia, stabilising the active ingredient in a soluble form and rendering the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient.
  • aqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats, co-solvents, organic solvent mixtures, cyclodextrin complexation agents, emulsifying agents (for forming and stabilizing emulsion formulations), liposome components for forming liposomes, gellable polymers for forming polymeric gels,
  • compositions for parenteral administration may also take the form of aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents and thickening agents (R. G. Strickly, Solubilizing Excipients in oral and injectable formulations, Pharmaceutical Research, VoI 21(2) 2004, p 201-230).
  • Liposomes are closed spherical vesicles composed of outer lipid bilayer membranes and an inner aqueous core and with an overall diameter of ⁇ 100 ⁇ m.
  • moderately hydrophobic drugs can be solubilized by liposomes if the drug becomes encapsulated or intercalated within the liposome.
  • Hydrophobic drugs can also be solubilized by liposomes if the drug molecule becomes an integral part of the lipid bilayer membrane, and in this case, the hydrophobic drug is dissolved in the lipid portion of the lipid bilayer.
  • the formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, for example sealed ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilised) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier, for example water for injections, immediately prior to use.
  • sterile liquid carrier for example water for injections
  • the pharmaceutical formulation can be prepared by lyophilising a compound of formula (I), or sub-groups thereof. Lyophilisation refers to the procedure of freeze-drying a composition. Freeze-drying and lyophilisation are therefore used herein as synonyms. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets.
  • compositions of the present invention for parenteral injection can also comprise pharmaceutically acceptable sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, dispersions, suspensions or emulsions as well as sterile powders for reconstitution into sterile injectable solutions or dispersions just prior to use.
  • suitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers, diluents, solvents or vehicles include water, ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and the like), carboxymethylcellulose and suitable mixtures thereof, vegetable oils (such as olive oil), and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate.
  • Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of coating materials such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions, and by the use of surfactants.
  • compositions of the present invention may also contain adjuvants such as preservatives, wetting agents, emulsifying agents, and dispersing agents. Prevention of the action of microorganisms may be ensured by the inclusion of various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, paraben, chlorobutanol, phenol sorbic acid, and the like. It may also be desirable to include isotonic agents such as sugars, sodium chloride, and the like. Prolonged absorption of the injectable pharmaceutical form may be brought about by the inclusion of agents which delay absorption such as aluminum monostearate and gelatin.
  • the pharmaceutical composition is in a form suitable for i.v. administration, for example by injection or infusion.
  • the solution can be dosed as is, or can be injected into an infusion bag (containing a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, such as 0.9% saline or 5% dextrose), before administration.
  • the pharmaceutical composition is in a form suitable for sub-cutaneous (s.c.) administration.
  • Pharmaceutical dosage forms suitable for oral administration include tablets, capsules, caplets, pills, lozenges, syrups, solutions, powders, granules, elixirs and suspensions, sublingual tablets, wafers or patches and buccal patches.
  • tablet compositions can contain a unit dosage of active compound together with an inert diluent or carrier such as a sugar or sugar alcohol, eg; lactose, sucrose, sorbitol or mannitol; and/or a non-sugar derived diluent such as sodium carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, or a cellulose or derivative thereof such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and starches such as corn starch. Tablets may also contain such standard ingredients as binding and granulating agents such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, disintegrants (e.g.
  • swellable crosslinked polymers such as crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose
  • lubricating agents e.g. stearates
  • preservatives e.g. parabens
  • antioxidants e.g. BHT
  • buffering agents for example phosphate or citrate buffers
  • effervescent agents such as citrate/bicarbonate mixtures.
  • Capsule formulations may be of the hard gelatin or soft gelatin variety and can contain the active component in solid, semi-solid, or liquid form.
  • Gelatin capsules can be formed from animal gelatin or synthetic or plant derived equivalents thereof.
  • the solid dosage forms can be coated or un-coated, but typically have a coating, for example a protective film coating (e.g. a wax or varnish) or a release controlling coating.
  • a protective film coating e.g. a wax or varnish
  • the coating e.g. a Eudragit TM type polymer
  • the coating can be designed to release the active component at a desired location within the gastro-intestinal tract.
  • the coating can be selected so as to degrade under certain pH conditions within the gastrointestinal tract, thereby selectively release the compound in the stomach or in the ileum or duodenum.
  • the drug can be presented in a solid matrix comprising a release controlling agent, for example a release delaying agent which may be adapted to selectively release the compound under conditions of varying acidity or alkalinity in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • a release controlling agent for example a release delaying agent which may be adapted to selectively release the compound under conditions of varying acidity or alkalinity in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • the matrix material or release retarding coating can take the form of an erodible polymer (e.g. a maleic anhydride polymer) which is substantially continuously eroded as the dosage form passes through the gastrointestinal tract.
  • the active compound can be formulated in a delivery system that provides osmotic control of the release of the compound. Osmotic release and other delayed release or sustained release formulations may be prepared in accordance with methods well known to those skilled in the art.
  • compositions comprise from approximately 1% to approximately 95%, preferably from approximately 20% to approximately 90%, active ingredient.
  • Pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may be, for example, in unit dose form, such as in the form of ampoules, vials, suppositories, dragees, tablets or capsules.
  • compositions for oral administration can be obtained by combining the active ingredient with solid carriers, if desired granulating a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture, if desired or necessary, after the addition of appropriate excipients, into tablets, dragee cores or capsules. It is also possible for them to be incorporated into plastics carriers that allow the active ingredients to diffuse or be released in measured amounts.
  • the compounds of the invention can also be formulated as solid dispersions.
  • Solid dispersions are homogeneous extremely fine disperse phases of two or more solids.
  • Solid solutions molecularly disperse systems
  • one type of solid dispersion are well known for use in pharmaceutical technology (see (Chiou and Riegelman, J. Pharm. Sci., 60, 1281- 1300 (1971)) and are useful in increasing dissolution rates and increasing the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.
  • Solid dosage forms include tablets, capsules and chewable tablets.
  • Known excipients can be blended with the solid solution to provide the desired dosage form.
  • a capsule can contain the solid solution blended with (a) a disintegrant and a lubricant, or (b) a disintegrant, a lubricant and a surfactant.
  • a tablet can contain the solid solution blended with at least one disintegrant, a lubricant, a surfactant, and a glidant.
  • the chewable tablet can contain the solid solution blended with a bulking agent, a lubricant, and if desired an additional sweetening agent (such as an artificial sweetener), and suitable flavours.
  • compositions for topical use include ointments, creams, sprays, patches, gels, liquid drops and inserts (for example intraocular inserts). Such compositions can be formulated in accordance with known methods.
  • formulations for rectal or intra-vaginal administration include pessaries and suppositories which may be, for example, formed from a shaped moldable or waxy material containing the active compound.
  • compositions for administration by inhalation may take the form of inhalable powder compositions or liquid or powder sprays, and can be administrated in standard form using powder inhaler devices or aerosol dispensing devices. Such devices are well known.
  • the powdered formulations typically comprise the active compound together with an inert solid powdered diluent such as lactose.
  • a formulation may contain from 1 nanogram to 2 grams of active ingredient, e.g. from 1 nanogram to 2 milligrams of active ingredient.
  • particular sub-ranges of compound are 0.1 milligrams to 2 grams of active ingredient (more usually from 10 milligrams to 1 gram, e.g. 50 milligrams to 500 milligrams), or 1 microgram to 20 milligrams (for example 1 microgram to 10 milligrams, e.g. 0.1 milligrams to 2 milligrams of active ingredient).
  • a unit dosage form may contain from 1 milligram to 2 grams, more typically 10 milligrams to 1 gram, for example 50 milligrams to 1 gram, e.g. 100 miligrams to 1 gram, of active compound.
  • the active compound will be administered to a patient in need thereof (for example a human or animal patient) in an amount sufficient to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
  • the activity of the compounds of the invention as inhibitors of protein kinase A and protein kinase B can be measured using the assays set forth in the examples below and the level of activity exhibited by a given compound can be defined in terms of the IC 50 value.
  • Preferred compounds of the present invention are compounds having an IC 50 value of less than 1 ⁇ M, more preferably less than 0.1 ⁇ M, against protein kinase B.
  • the compounds of the formula (I) are inhibitors of protein kinase A and protein kinase B. As such, they are expected to be useful in providing a means of preventing the growth of or inducing apoptosis of neoplasias. It is therefore anticipated that the compounds will prove useful in treating or preventing proliferative disorders such as cancers.
  • tumours with deletions or inactivating mutations in PTEN or loss of PTEN expression or rearrangements in the (T-cell lytmphocyte) TCL-I gene may be particularly sensitive to PKB inhibitors. Tumours which have other abnormalities leading to an upregulated PKB pathway signal may also be particularly sensitive to inhibitors of PKB.
  • abnormalities include but are not limited to overexpression of one or more PI3K subunits, over-expression of one or more PKB isoforms, or mutations in PBK, PDKl, or PKB which lead to an increase in the basal activity of the enzyme in question, or upregulation or overexpression or mutational activation of a growth factor receptor such as a growth factor selected from the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-IR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) families.
  • EGFR epidermal growth factor receptor
  • FGFR fibroblast growth factor receptor
  • PDGFR platelet derived growth factor receptor
  • IGF-IR insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor
  • VEGFR vascular endothelial growth factor receptor
  • the compounds of the invention will be useful in treating other conditions which result from disorders in proliferation or survival such as viral infections, and neurodegenerative diseases for example.
  • PKB plays an important role in maintaining the survival of immune cells during an immune response and therefore PKB inhibitors could be particularly beneficial in immune disorders including autoimmune conditions.
  • PKB inhibitors could be useful in the treatment of diseases in which there is a disorder of proliferation, apoptosis or differentiation.
  • PKB inhibitors may also be useful in diseases resulting from insulin resistance and insensitivity, and the disruption of glucose, energy and fat storage such as metabolic disease and obesity.
  • cancers which may be inhibited include, but are not limited to, a carcinoma, for example a carcinoma of the bladder, breast, colon (e.g. colorectal carcinomas such as colon adenocarcinoma and colon adenoma), kidney, epidermal, liver, lung, for example adenocarcinoma, small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung carcinomas, oesophagus, gall bladder, ovary, pancreas e.g.
  • a carcinoma for example a carcinoma of the bladder, breast, colon (e.g. colorectal carcinomas such as colon adenocarcinoma and colon adenoma), kidney, epidermal, liver, lung, for example adenocarcinoma, small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung carcinomas, oesophagus, gall bladder, ovary, pancreas e.g.
  • the disease or condition comprising abnormal cell growth in one embodiment is a cancer.
  • cancers include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, oesophageal cancer, squamous cancer and non-small cell lung carcinomas.
  • a further subset of cancers includes breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, endometrial cancer and glioma.
  • protein kinase B inhibitors can be used in combination with other anticancer agents.
  • Immune disorders for which PKA and PKB inhibitors may be beneficial include but are not limited to autoimmune conditions and chronic inflammatory diseases, for example systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune mediated glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune diabetes mellitus, Eczema hypersensitivity reactions, asthma, COPD, rhinitis, and upper respiratory tract disease.
  • Other Therapeutic Uses for example systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune mediated glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune diabetes mellitus.
  • Other Therapeutic Uses for example systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune mediated glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune diabetes mellitus, Ec
  • PKB plays a role in apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation and therefore PKB inhibitors could also be useful in the treatment of the following diseases other than cancer and those associated with immune dysfunction; viral infections, for example herpes virus, pox virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Sindbis virus, adenovirus, HTV, HPV, HCV and HCMV; prevention of AIDS development in HTV-infected individuals; cardiovascular diseases for example cardiac hypertrophy, restenosis, atherosclerosis; neurodegenerative disorders, for example Alzheimer's disease, AIDS-related dementia, Parkinson's disease, amyotropic lateral sclerosis, retinitis pigmentosa, spinal muscular atropy and cerebellar degeneration; glomerulonephritis; myelodysplastic syndromes, ischemic injury associated myocardial infarctions, stroke and reperfusion injury, degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system, for example, osteoporosis and arthritis, aspirin-sensitive rhinosinusitis, cystic fibros
  • the compounds of the invention have physiochemical properties suitable for oral exposure.
  • Oral bioavailability can be defined as the ratio (F) of the plasma exposure of a compound when dosed by the oral route to the plasma exposure of the compound when dosed by the intravenous (i.v.) route, expressed as a percentage.
  • Compounds having an oral bioavailability (F value) of greater than 30%, more preferably greater than 40%, are particularly advantageous in that they may be administered orally rather than, or as well as, by parenteral administration.
  • compounds of the invention are both more potent and more selective in their activities against different kinases, and demonstrate enhanced selectivity for and potency against PKB and PKB kinases in particular. It is also envisaged that compounds of the invention are advantageous over prior art compounds in that they have different susceptibilities to P450 enzymes and and in that they exhibit improvements with regard to drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic properties.
  • thermodynamic solubilities thereby leading potentially to an improved dose: solubility ratio and reduced development risk.
  • compounds of the invention also demonstrate improved cell activity in proliferation and clonogenic assays thereby indicating improved anti-cancer activity.
  • the compounds are generally administered to a subject in need of such administration, for example a human or animal patient, preferably a human.
  • the compounds will typically be administered in amounts that are therapeutically or prophylactically useful and which generally are non-toxic. However, in certain situations (for example in the case of life threatening diseases), the benefits of administering a compound of the formula (I) may outweigh the disadvantages of any toxic effects or side effects, in which case it may be considered desirable to administer compounds in amounts that are associated with a degree of toxicity.
  • the compounds may be administered over a prolonged term to maintain beneficial therapeutic effects or may be administered for a short period only. Alternatively they may be administered in a pulsatile or continuous manner.
  • a typical daily dose of the compound of formula (I) can be in the range from 100 picograms to 100 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, more typically 5 nanograms to 25 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, and more usually 10 nanograms to 15 milligrams per kilogram (e.g. 10 nanograms to 10 milligrams, and more typically 1 microgram per kilogram to 20 milligrams per kilogram, for example 1 microgram to 10 milligrams per kilogram) per kilogram of body weight although higher or lower doses may be administered where required.
  • the compound of the formula (I) can be administered on a daily basis or on a repeat basis every 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 10 or 14, or 21, or 28 days for example.
  • the compounds of the invention may be administered orally in a range of doses, for example 1 to 1500 mg, 2 to 800 mg, or 5 to 500 mg, e.g. 2 to 200 mg or 10 to 1000 mg, particular examples of doses including 10, 20, 50 and 80 mg.
  • the compound may be administered once or more than once each day.
  • the compound can be administered continuously (i.e. taken every day without a break for the duration of the treatment regimen).
  • the compound can be administered intermittently, i.e. taken continuously for a given period such as a week, then discontinued for a period such as a week and then taken continuously for another period such as a week and so on throughout the duration of the treatment regimen.
  • treatment regimens involving intermittent administration include regimens wherein administration is in cycles of one week on, one week off; or two weeks on, one week off; or three weeks on, one week off; or two weeks on, two weeks off; or four weeks on two weeks off; or one week on three weeks off- for one or more cycles, e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 or more cycles.
  • a patient will be given an infusion of a compound of the formula (I) for periods of one hour daily for up to ten days in particular up to five days for one week, and the treatment repeated at a desired interval such as two to four weeks, in particular every three weeks.
  • a patient may be given an infusion of a compound of the formula (I) for periods of one hour daily for 5 days and the treatment repeated every three weeks.
  • a patient is given an infusion over 30 minutes to 1 hour followed by maintenance infusions of variable duration, for example 1 to 5 hours, e.g. 3 hours.
  • a patient is given a continuous infusion for a period of 12 hours to 5 days, an in particular a continuous infusion of 24 hours to 72 hours.
  • the quantity of compound administered and the type of composition used will be commensurate with the nature of the disease or physiological condition being treated and will be at the discretion of the physician.
  • the compounds as defined herein can be administered as the sole therapeutic agent or they can be administered in combination therapy with one of more other compounds for treatment of a particular disease state, for example a neoplastic disease such as a cancer as hereinbefore defined.
  • a neoplastic disease such as a cancer as hereinbefore defined.
  • other therapeutic agents or treatments that may be administered together (whether concurrently or at different time intervals) with the compounds of the formula (I) include but are not limited to: • Topoisomerase I inhibitors
  • agents that reduce or alleviate some of the side effects associated with chemotherapy include anti-emetic agents and agents that prevent or decrease the duration of chemotherapy-associated neutropenia and prevent complications that arise from reduced levels of red blood cells or white blood cells, for example erythropoietin (EPO), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF).
  • agents that inhibit bone resorption such as bisphosphonate agents e.g.
  • zoledronate, pamidronate and ibandronate agents that suppress inflammatory responses (such as dexamethazone, prednisone, and prednisolone) and agents used to reduce blood levels of growth hormone and IGF-I in acromegaly patients such as synthetic forms of the brain hormone somatostatin, which includes octreotide acetate which is a long-acting octapeptide with pharmacologic properties mimicking those of the natural hormone somatostatin.
  • agents that suppress inflammatory responses such as dexamethazone, prednisone, and prednisolone
  • agents used to reduce blood levels of growth hormone and IGF-I in acromegaly patients such as synthetic forms of the brain hormone somatostatin, which includes octreotide acetate which is a long-acting octapeptide with pharmacologic properties mimicking those of the natural hormone somatostatin.
  • agents such as leucovorin, which is used as an antidote to drugs that decrease levels of folic acid, or folinic acid it self and agents such as megestrol acetate which can be used for the treatment of side-effects including oedema and thromoembolic episodes.
  • Each of the compounds present in the combinations of the invention may be given in individually varying dose schedules and via different routes.
  • the compounds of the formula (I) can be administered simultaneously or sequentially.
  • they can be administered at closely spaced intervals (for example over a period of 5-10 minutes) or at longer intervals (for example 1, 2, 3, 4 or more hours apart, or even longer periods apart where required), the precise dosage regimen being commensurate with the properties of the therapeutic agent(s).
  • the compounds of the invention may also be administered in conjunction with non- chemotherapeutic treatments such as radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, gene therapy; surgery and controlled diets.
  • non- chemotherapeutic treatments such as radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, gene therapy; surgery and controlled diets.
  • the compound of the formula (I) and one, two, three, four or more other therapeutic agents can be, for example, formulated together in a dosage form containing two, three, four or more therapeutic agents.
  • the individual therapeutic agents may be formulated separately and presented together in the form of a kit, optionally with instructions for their use.
  • a person skilled in the art would know through his or her common general knowledge the dosing regimes and combination therapies to use.
  • a patient Prior to administration of a compound of the formula (I), a patient may be screened to determine whether a disease or condition from which the patient is or may be suffering is one which would be susceptible to treatment with a compound having activity against protein kinase A and/or protein kinase B.
  • a biological sample taken from a patient may be analysed to determine whether a condition or disease, such as cancer, that the patient is or may be suffering from is one which is characterised by a genetic abnormality or abnormal protein expression which leads to up-regulation of PKA and/or PKB or to sensitisation of a pathway to normal PKA and/or PKB activity, or to upregulation of a signal transduction component upstream of PKA and/or PKB such as, in the case of PKB, P13K, GF receptor and PDK 1 & 2.
  • a biological sample taken from a patient may be analysed for loss of a negative regulator or suppressor of the PKB pathway such as PTEN.
  • loss embraces the deletion of a gene encoding the regulator or suppressor, the truncation of the gene (for example by mutation), the truncation of the transcribed product of the gene, or the inactivation of the transcribed product (e.g. by point mutation) or sequestration by another gene product.
  • up-regulation includes elevated expression or over-expression, including gene amplification (i.e. multiple gene copies) and increased expression by a transcriptional effect, and hyperactivity and activation, including activation by mutations.
  • the patient may be subjected to a diagnostic test to detect a marker characteristic of up- regulation of PKA and/or PKB.
  • diagnosis includes screening.
  • marker we include genetic markers including, for example, the measurement of DNA composition to identify mutations of PKA and/or PKB.
  • marker also includes markers which are characteristic of up regulation of PKA and/or PKB, including enzyme activity, enzyme levels, enzyme state (e.g. phosphorylated or not) and mRNA levels of the aforementioned proteins.
  • tumour biopsy samples selected from tumour biopsy samples, blood samples (isolation and enrichment of shed tumour cells), stool biopsies, sputum, chromosome analysis, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, or urine.
  • Identification of an individual carrying a mutation in PKA and/or PKB or a rearrangement of TCL-lor loss of PTEN expression may mean that the patient would be particularly suitable for treatment with a PKA and/or PKB inhibitor.
  • Tumours may preferentially be screened for presence of a PKA and/or PKB variant prior to treatment. The screening process will typically involve direct sequencing, oligonucleotide microarray analysis, or a mutant specific antibody.
  • Screening methods could include, but are not limited to, standard methods such as reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or in-situ hybridisation.
  • RT-PCR reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
  • telomere amplification is assessed by creating a cDNA copy of the mRNA followed by amplification of the cDNA by PCR.
  • Methods of PCR amplification, the selection of primers, and conditions for amplification, are known to a person skilled in the art.
  • Nucleic acid manipulations and PCR are carried out by standard methods, as described for example in Ausubel, F.M. et al., eds. Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 2004, John Wiley & Sons Inc., or Innis, M.A. et-al., eds. PCR Protocols: a guide to methods and applications, 1990, Academic Press, San Diego.
  • FISH fluorescence in-situ hybridisation
  • in situ hybridization comprises the following major steps: (1) fixation of tissue to be analyzed; (2) prehybridization treatment of the sample to increase accessibility of target nucleic acid, and to reduce nonspecific binding; (3) hybridization of the mixture of nucleic acids to the nucleic acid in the biological structure or tissue; (4) post-hybridization washes to remove nucleic acid fragments not bound in the hybridization, and (5) detection of the hybridized nucleic acid fragments.
  • the probes used in such applications are typically labeled, for example, with radioisotopes or fluorescent reporters.
  • Preferred probes are sufficiently long, for example, from about 50, 100, or 200 nucleotides to about 1000 or more nucleotides, to enable specific hybridization with the target nucleic acid(s) under stringent conditions.
  • Standard methods for carrying out FISH are described in Ausubel, F.M. et al., eds. Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 2004, John Wiley & Sons Inc and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization: Technical Overview by John M. S. Bartlett in Molecular Diagnosis of Cancer, Methods and Protocols, 2nd ed.; ISBN: 1-59259-760-2; March 2004, pps. 077-088; Series: Methods in Molecular Medicine.
  • the protein products expressed from the mRNAs may be assayed by immunohistochemistry of tumour samples, solid phase immunoassay with microtitre plates, Western blotting, 2-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, ELISA, flow cytometry and other methods known in the art for detection of specific proteins. Detection methods would include the use of site specific antibodies. The skilled person will recognize that all such well-known techniques for detection of upregulation of PKB, or detection of PKB variants could be applicable in the present case.
  • PKB beta has been found to be upregulated in 10 - 40% of ovarian and pancreatic cancers (Bellacosa et al 1995, Int. J. Cancer 64, 280 - 285; Cheng et al 1996, PNAS 93, 3636-3641; Yuan et al 2000, Oncogene 19, 2324 - 2330). Therefore it is envisaged that PKB inhibitors, and in particular inhibitors of PKB beta, may be used to treat ovarian and pancreatic cancers.
  • PKB alpha is amplified in human gastric, prostate and breast cancer (Staal 1987, PNAS 84, 5034 - 5037; Sun et al 2001, Am. J. Pathol. 159, 431 -437). Therefore it is envisaged that PKB inhibitors, and in particular inhibitors of PKB alpha, may be used to treat human gastric, prostate and breast cancer.
  • PKB inhibitors and in particular inhibitors of PKB gamma, may be used to treat steroid independent breast and prostate cancers.
  • the compounds prepared were characterised by liquid chromatography, mass spectroscopy and 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy using the systems and operating conditions set out below.
  • the compounds are isolated or formed as the free base, they can be converted into a salt form such as an acetic acid or hydrochloric acid salt.
  • a salt form such as an acetic acid or hydrochloric acid salt.
  • the salt can be converted into the corresponding free base by methods well known to the skilled person, and then optionally converted to another salt.
  • Mass Spec Detector Micromass Platform LC PDA Detector: Waters 2996 PDA
  • the crude 3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)- propionamide was cooled to 0 0 C, and lithium aluminum hydride (0.075g, 1.97 mmol) and diethyl ether (3 ml) were added. With cooling, aluminum chloride (0.23 g, 1.69 mmol) was dissolved in diethyl ether (2 ml) and added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours, quenched with addition of water, basified (2N NaOH) and extracted with ethyl acetate.
  • the reaction mixture was heated in a CEM ExplorerTM microwave to 135 0 C for 30 minutes using 50 watts power. The solvents were removed and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (MgSO 4 ) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude reaction mixture was purified by preparative HPLC to give the desired product.
  • the solvents were removed and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water.
  • the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (MgSO 4 ) and concentrated under reduced pressure.
  • the crude reaction mixture was purified by SCX ion exchange column chromatography eluting with an ammonia-dichloromethane-methanol mixture to furnish the protected amine.
  • the protecting group was removed by stirring at room temperature in dichloromethane (1 ml) and trifluoroacetic acid (1 ml) for 30 minutes before concentrating and re-concentrating from methanol (x3).
  • the residue was purified by silica column chromatography eluting with a gradient from DMAW90 to DMAW60 furnishing the desired compound in ⁇ 90% purity.
  • Aqueous ammonium chloride solution was added and the mixture extracted with ethyl acetate (x2).
  • the combined liquors were washed with aqueous ammonium chloride and then saturated brine before drying (MgSO 4 ) and concentrating in vacuo.
  • the residue was mixed with dichloromethane and filtered onto a silica chromatography column. The column was eluted using a gradient of 10-30% ethyl acetate/ petrol furnishing the desired compound as an oil.
  • Aluminium chloride (278 mg, 2.087 mmol) was added portionwise to a stirred solution of l-(4-bromo-phenyl)-2-methylamino-ethanol (160 mg, 0.696 mmol) in chlorobenzene (3 ml) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 17 hours. Water (2ml) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was then partitioned between dichloromethane
  • the crude product was purified using silica column chromatography using a gradient 15-25% ethyl acetate/ petrol to give the protected compound as a colourless oil.
  • the protected compound was deprotected by stirring with trifluoroacetic acid (ImI) in dichloromethane (3ml) at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  • the reaction mixture was then concentrated and re-concentrated from methanol (x3) before SCX ion exchange purification to furnish the desired compound as a yellow solid.
  • Compounds of the invention can be tested for PK inhibitory activity using the PKA catalytic domain from Upstate Biotechnology (#14-440) and the 9 residue PKA specific peptide (GRTGRKNSI), also from Upstate Biotechnology (#12-257), as the substrate.
  • a final concentration of 1 nM emzyme is used in a buffer that includes 20 mM MOPS pH 7.2, 40 ⁇ M ATP/ ⁇ 33 P-ATP and 5 ⁇ M substrate.
  • Compounds are added in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) solution to a final DMSO concentration of 2.5%. The reaction is allowed to proceed for 20 minutes before addition of excess orthophosphoric acid to quench activity. Unincorporated ⁇ 33 P-ATP is then separated from phosphorylated proteins on a Millipore MAPH filter plate. The plates are washed, scintillant is added and the plates are then subjected to counting on a Packard Topcount.
  • DMSO dimethylsulphoxide
  • the % inhibition of the PKA activity is calculated and plotted in order to determine the concentration of test compound required to inhibit 50% of the PKB activity (IC 50 ).
  • the compounds of Examples 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31 and 32 have IC 50 values of less than 1 ⁇ M.
  • PKT protein kinase B
  • a final concentration of 0.6 nM enzyme is used in a buffer that includes 20 mM MOPS pH 7.2, 30 ⁇ M ATPZy 33 P-ATP and 25 ⁇ M substrate.
  • Compounds are added in DMSO solution to a final DMSO concentration of 2.5%.
  • the reaction is allowed to proceed for 20 minutes before addition of excess orthophosphoric acid to quench activity.
  • the reaction mixture is transferred to a phosphocellulose filter plate where the peptide binds and the unused ATP is washed away. After washing, scintillant is added and the incorporated activity measured by scintillation counting.
  • the % inhibition of the PKB activity is calculated and plotted in order to determine the concentration of test compound required to inhibit 50% of the PKB activity (IC 50 ).
  • the compounds of Examples I 3 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31 and 32 have IC 50 values of less than 1 ⁇ M, whereas the compounds of Examples 2, 4, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23 , 24 and 28 have IC 50 values of less than 10 ⁇ M, and the compound of Example 22 has an IC 50 value of less than 20 ⁇ M.
  • Ci) Tablet Formulation A tablet composition containing a compound of the formula (I) is prepared by mixing 50 mg of the compound with 197mg of lactose (BP) as diluent, and 3 mg magnesium stearate as a lubricant and compressing to form a tablet in known manner.
  • BP lactose
  • a capsule formulation is prepared by mixing lOOmg of a compound of the formula (I) with lOOmg lactose and filling the resulting mixture into standard opaque hard gelatin capsules.
  • a parenteral composition for administration by injection can be prepared by dissolving a compound of the formula (I) (e.g. in a salt form) in water containing 10% propylene glycol to give a concentration of active compound of 1.5 % by weight. The solution is then sterilised by filtration, filled into an ampoule and sealed.
  • a parenteral composition for injection is prepared by dissolving in water a compound of the formula (I) (e.g. in salt form) (2 mg/ml) and mannitol (50 mg/ml), sterile filtering the solution and filling into sealable 1 ml vials or ampoules.
  • a compound of the formula (I) e.g. in salt form
  • mannitol 50 mg/ml
  • a formulation for i.v. delivery by injection or infusion can be prepared by dissolving the compound of formula (I) (e.g. in a salt form) in water at 20 mg/ml. The vial is then sealed and sterilised by autoclaving.
  • a formulation for i.v. delivery by injection or infusion can be prepared by dissolving the compound of formula (I) (e.g. in a salt form) in water containing a buffer (e.g. 0.2 M acetate pH 4.6) at 20mg/ml. The vial is then sealed and sterilised by autoclaving.
  • a buffer e.g. 0.2 M acetate pH 4.6
  • a composition for sub-cutaneous administration is prepared by mixing a compound of the formula (I) with pharmaceutical grade corn oil to give a concentration of 5 mg/ml.
  • the composition is sterilised and filled into a suitable container.
  • compositions are frozen using a one-step freezing protocol at (— 45 0 C).
  • the temperature is raised to -10 0 C for annealing, then lowered to freezing at -45 0 C, followed by primary drying at +25 0 C for approximately 3400 minutes, followed by a secondary drying with increased steps if temperature to 50 0 C.
  • the pressure during primary and secondary drying is set at 80 millitor.

Abstract

The invention provides a compound of the formula (I) or a salt, solvate, tautomer or N-oxide thereof; for use as a PKB kinase inhibitor or PKA kinase inhibitor. In formula (I), A is a saturated hydrocarbon linker group; E is a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group; HET is a monocyclic heterocyclic group; R1 is an aryl or heteroaryl group; n is 0 to 4; and R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the claims, provided that HET is other than an unsubstituted or substituted pyrazole-4-yl group.

Description

HETEROCYCLIC CONTAINING AMINES AS KINASE B INHIBITORS
This invention relates to aryl- and heteroaryl-alkylamine compounds that inhibit or modulate the activity of protein kinase B (PKB) and protein kinase A (PKA), to the use of the compounds in the treatment or prophylaxis of disease states or conditions mediated by PKB and PKA, and to novel compounds having PKB and PKA inhibitory or modulating activity. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and novel chemical intermediates.
Background of the Invention
Protein kinases constitute a large family of structurally related enzymes that are responsible for the control of a wide variety of signal transduction processes within the cell (Hardie, G. and Hanks, S. (1995) The Protein Kinase Facts Book. I and II, Academic Press, San Diego, CA). The kinases may be categorized into families by the substrates they phosphorylate (e.g., protein-tyrosine, protein-serine/threonine, lipids, etc.). Sequence motifs have been identified that generally correspond to each of these kinase families (e.g., Hanks, S.K., Hunter, T., FASEB J., 9:576-596 (1995); Knighton, et al., Science, 253:407-414 (1991); Hiles, et al., Cell, 70:419-429 (1992); Kunz, et al., Cell, 73:585-596 (1993); Garcia-Bustos, et al., EMBO J., 13:2352-2361 (1994)).
Protein kinases may be characterized by their regulation mechanisms. These mechanisms include, for example, autophosphorylation, transphosphorylation by other kinases, protein- protein interactions, protein-lipid interactions, and protein-polynucleotide interactions. An individual protein kinase may be regulated by more than one mechanism.
Kinases regulate many different cell processes including, but not limited to, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, motility, transcription, translation and other signalling processes, by adding phosphate groups to target proteins. These phosphorylation events act as molecular on/off switches that can modulate or regulate the target protein biological function. Phosphorylation of target proteins occurs in response to a variety of extracellular signals (hormones, neurotransmitters, growth and differentiation factors, etc.), cell cycle events, environmental or nutritional stresses, etc. The appropriate protein kinase functions in signalling pathways to activate or inactivate (either directly or indirectly), for example, a metabolic enzyme, regulatory protein, receptor, cytoskeletal protein, ion channel or pump, or transcription factor. Uncontrolled signalling due to defective control of protein phosphorylation has been implicated in a number of diseases, including, for example, inflammation, cancer, allergy/asthma, diseases and conditions of the immune system, diseases and conditions of the central nervous system, and angiogenesis.
Apoptosis or programmed cell death is an important physiological process which removes cells no longer required by an organism. The process is important in early embryonic growth and development allowing the non-necrotic controlled breakdown, removal and recovery of cellular components. The removal of cells by apoptosis is also important in the maintenance of chromosomal and genomic integrity of growing cell populations. There are several known checkpoints in the cell growth cycle at which DNA damage and genomic integrity are carefully monitored. The response to the detection of anomalies at such checkpoints is to arrest the growth of such cells and initiate repair processes. If the damage or anomalies cannot be repaired then apoptosis is initiated by the damaged cell in order to prevent the propagation of faults and errors. Cancerous cells consistently contain numerous mutations, errors or rearrangements in their chromosomal DNA. It is widely believed that this occurs in part because the majority of tumours have a defect in one or more of the processes responsible for initiation of the apoptotic process. Normal control mechanisms cannot kill the cancerous cells and the chromosomal or DNA coding errors continue to be propagated. As a consequence restoring these pro-apoptotic signals or suppressing unregulated survival signals is an attractive means of treating cancer.
The signal transduction pathway containing the enzymes phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PDK), PDKl and PKB amongst others, has long been known to mediate increased resistance to apoptosis or survival responses in many cells. There is a substantial amount of data to indicate that this pathway is an important survival pathway used by many growth factors to suppress apoptosis. The enzyme PDK is activated by a range of growth and survival factors e.g. EGF, PDGF and through the generation of polyphosphatidylinositols, initiates the activation of the downstream signalling events including the activity of the kinases PDKl and protein kinase B (PKB) also known as Akt. This is also true in host tissues, e.g. vascular endothelial cells as well as neoplasias. PKB is a protein ser/thr kinase consisting of a kinase domain together with an N-terminal PH domain and C-terminal regulatory domain. The enzyme PKB itself is phosphorylated on Thr 308 by PDKl and on Ser 473 by an as yet unidentified kinase. Full activation requires phosphorylation at both sites whilst association between PIP3 and the PH domain is required for anchoring of the enzyme to the cytoplasmic face of the lipid membrane providing optimal access to substrates.
Activated PKB in turn phosphorylates a range of substrates contributing to the overall survival response. Whilst we cannot be certain that we understand all of the factors responsible for mediating the PKB dependent survival response, some important actions are believed to be phosphorylation and inactivation of the pro-apoptotic factor BAD and caspase 9, phosphorylation of Forkhead transcription factors e.g. FKHR leading to their exclusion from the nucleus, and activation of the NfkappaB pathway by phosphorylation of upstream kinases in the cascade.
In addition to the anti-apoptotic and pro-survival actions of the PKB pathway, the enzyme also plays an important role in promoting cell proliferation. This action is again likely to be mediated via several actions, some of which are thought to be phosphorylation and inactivation of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor of p21Cιpl/WAF1, and phosphorylation and activation of mTOR, a kinase controlling several aspects of cell growth.
The phosphatase PTEN which dephosphorylates and inactivates polyphosphatidyl-inositols is a key tumour suppressor protein which normally acts to regulate the PI3K/PKB survival pathway. The significance of the PI3K/PKB pathway in tumourigenesis can be judged from the observation that PTEN is one of the most common targets of mutation in human tumours, with mutations in this phosphatase having been found in -50% or more of melanomas (Guldberg et al 1997, Cancer Research 57, 3660-3663) and advanced prostate cancers (Cairns et al 1997 Cancer Research 57, 4997). These observations and others suggest that a wide range of tumour types are dependent on the enhanced PKB activity for growth and survival and would respond therapeutically to appropriate inhibitors of PKB.
There are 3 closely related isoforms of PKB called alpha, beta and gamma, which genetic studies suggest have distinct but overlapping functions. Evidence suggests that they can all independently play a role in cancer. For example PKB beta has been found to be over- expressed or activated in 10 - 40% of ovarian and pancreatic cancers (Bellacosa et al 1995, Int. J. Cancer 64, 280 - 285; Cheng et al 1996, PNAS 93, 3636-3641; Yuan et al 2000, Oncogene 19, 2324 - 2330), PKB alpha is amplified in human gastric, prostate and breast cancer (Staal 1987, PNAS 84, 5034 - 5037; Sun et al 2001, Am. J. Pathol. 159, 431 -437) and increased PKB gamma activity has been observed in steroid independent breast and prostate cell lines (Nakatani et al 1999, J. Biol. Chem. 274, 21528 - 21532). The PKB pathway also functions in the growth and survival of normal tissues and may be regulated during normal physiology to control cell and tissue function. Thus disorders associated with undesirable proliferation and survival of normal cells and tissues may also benefit therapeutically from treatment with a PKB inhibitor. Examples of such disorders are disorders of immune cells associated with prolonged expansion and survival of cell population leading to a prolonged or up regulated immune response. For example, T and B lymphocyte response to cognate antigens or growth factors such as interleukin-2 activates the PI3K/PKB pathway and is responsible for maintaining the survival of the antigen specific lymphocyte clones during the immune response. Under conditions in which lymphocytes and other immune cells are responding to inappropriate self or foreign antigens, or in which other abnormalities lead to prolonged activation, the PKB pathway contributes an important survival signal preventing the normal mechanisms by which the immune response is terminated via apoptosis of the activated cell population. There is a considerable amount of evidence demonstrating the expansion of lymphocyte populations responding to self antigens in autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis. Expansion of lymphocyte populations responding inappropriately to foreign antigens is a feature of another set of conditions such as allergic responses and asthma. In summary inhibition of PKB could provide a beneficial treatment for immune disorders.
Other examples of inappropriate expansion, growth, proliferation, hyperplasia and survival of normal cells in which PKB may play a role include but are not limited to atherosclerosis, cardiac myopathy and glomerulonephritis.
In addition to the role in cell growth and survival, the PKB pathway functions in the control of glucose metabolism by insulin. Available evidence from mice deficient in the alpha and beta isoforms of PKB suggests that this action is mediated by the beta isoform. As a consequence, modulators of PKB activity may also find utility in diseases in which there is a dysfunction of glucose metabolism and energy storage such as diabetes, metabolic disease and obesity.
Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that phosphorylates a wide range of substrates and is involved in the regulation of many cellular processes including cell growth, cell differentiation, ion-channel conductivity, gene transcription and synaptic release of neurotransmitters. In its inactive form, the PKA holoenzyme is a tetramer comprising two regulatory subunits and two catalytic subunits. PKA acts as a link between G-protein mediated signal transduction events and the cellular processes that they regulate. Binding of a hormone ligand such as glucagon to a transmembrane receptor activates a receptor-coupled G-protein (GTP-binding and hydrolyzing protein). Upon activation, the alpha subunit of the G protein dissociates and binds to and activates adenylate cyclase, which in turn converts ATP to cyclic- AMP
(cAMP). The cAMP thus produced then binds to the regulatory subunits of PKA leading to dissociation of the associated catalytic subunits. The catalytic subunits of PKA, which are inactive when associated with the regulatory sub-units, become active upon dissociation and take part in the phosphorylation of other regulatory proteins.
For example, the catalytic sub-unit of PKA phosphorylates the kinase Phosphorylase
Kinase which is involved in the phosphorylation of Phosphorylase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down glycogen to release glucose. PKA is also involved in the regulation of glucose levels by phosphorylating and deactivating glycogen synthase. Thus, modulators of PKA activity (which modulators may increase or decrease PKA activity) may be useful in the treatment or management of diseases in which there is a dysfunction of glucose metabolism and energy storage such as diabetes, metabolic disease and obesity.
PKA has also been established as an acute inhibitor of T cell activation. Anndahl et al, have investigated the possible role of PKA type I in HIV-induced T cell dysfunction on the basis that T cells from HIV-infected patients have increased levels of cAMP and are more sensitive to inhibition by cAMP analogues than are normal T cells. From their studies, they concluded that increased activation of PKA type I may contribute to progressive T cell dysfunction in HTV infection and that PKA type I may therefore be a potential target for immunomodulating therapy.-Aandahl, E. M., Aukrust, P., Skalhegg, B. S., Mϋller, F., Frøland, S. S., Hansson, V., Tasken, K. Protein kinase A type I antagonist restores immune responses of T cells from HIV-infected patients. FASEB J. 12, 855-862 (1998).
It has also been recognised that mutations in the regulatory sub-unit of PKA can lead to hyperactivation in endocrine tissue.
Because of the diversity and importance of PKA as a messenger in cell regulation, abnormal responses of cAMP can lead to a variety of human diseases such as irregular cell growth and proliferation (Stratakis, C.A.; Cho-Chung, Y.S.; Protein Kinase A and human diseases. Trends Endrocri. Metab. 2002, 13, 50-52). Over-expression of PKA has been observed in a variety of human cancer cells including those from ovarian, breast and colon patients. Inhibition of PKA would therefore be an approach to treatment of cancer (Li5 Q.; Zhu, G-D.; Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 2002, 2, 939-971).
For a review of the role of PKA in human disease, see for example, Protein Kinase A and Human Disease, Edited by Constantine A. Stratakis, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Volume 968, 2002, ISBN 1-57331-412-9.
hERG
In the late 1990s a number of drugs, approved by the US FDA, had to be withdrawn from sale in the US when it was discovered they were implicated in deaths caused by heart malfunction. It was subsequently found that a side effect of these drugs was the development of arrhythmias caused by the blocking of hERG channels in heart cells. The hERG channel is one of a family of potassium ion channels the first member of which was identified in the late 1980s in a mutant Drosophila melanogaster fruitfiy (see Jan, L. Y. and Jan, Y.N. (1990). A Superfamily of Ion Channels. Nature, 345(6277):672). The biophysical properties of the hERG potassium ion channel are described in Sanguinetti, M.C., Jiang, C, Curran, M.E., and Keating, M.T. (1995). A Mechanistic Link Between an Inherited and an Acquired Cardiac Arrhythmia: HERG encodes the Ikr potassium channel. Cell, 81:299- 307, and Trudeau, M.C., Warmke, J. W., Ganetzky, B., and Robertson, G.A. (1995). HERG, a Human Inward Rectifier in the Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Family. Science, 269:92-95.
The elimination of hERG blocking activity remains an important consideration in the development of any new drug.
Prior Art
Several classes of compounds have been disclosed as having PKA and PKB inhibitory activity.
For example, a class of isoquinolinyl-sulphonamido-diamines having PKB inhibitory activity is disclosed in WO 01/91754 (Yissum).
WO 00/07996 (Chiron) discloses substituted pyrazoles having estrogen receptor agonist activity. The compounds are described as being useful in treatingor preventing inter alia estrogen-receptor mediated breast cancer. PKB inhibitory activity is not disclosed. WO 00/31063 (Searle) discloses substituted pyrazole compounds as p38 kinase inhibitors.
WO 01/32653 (Cephalon) discloses a class of pyrazolone kinase inhibitors.WO 03/059884 (X-Ceptor Therapeutics) discloses N-substituted pyridine compounds as modulators of nuclear receptors.
WO 03/068230 (Pharmacia) discloses substituted pyridones as p38 MAP kinase modulators.
WO 00/66562 (Dr Reddy's Research Foundation) discloses a class of 1-phenyl-substituted pyrazoles for use as anti-inflammatory agents. The 1 -phenyl group is substituted by a sulphur-containing substituent as a sulphonamide or sulphonyl group.
Simig et al, Acta Chimica Hungarica, 118 (4), pp 309-314 (1985) describes the preparation of several morpholinyl-substituted diphenylacetamide compounds from 2- bromo-NN-dimethyl-2,2-diphenylacetamide. No therapeutic uses or biological activities are described for the compounds.
Nagarajan et al, Tetrahedron Letters, No. 22, pp 2717-2720 (1968) describes the preparation of N-methylpiperazinyl-substituted diphenylacetamide compounds from 2- chloro-NN-dimethyl-2,2-diphenylacetamide but no therapeutic uses or biological activities are disclosed.
WO 00/14066 (Pfizer) and WO 00/39091 (Pfizer) each disclose a class of 4,4- diphenylpiperidine compounds having opioid receptor activity which are stated to be useful in treating neurological and gastrointestinal disorders, and various other diseases including inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis.
WO 91/11445 (Dupont Merck) discloses a class of pyridylphenol carbinols as anti- inflammatory agents.
Summary of the Invention
The invention provides compounds that have protein kinase B (PKB) and protein kinase A (PKA) inhibiting or modulating activity, and which it is envisaged will be useful in preventing or treating disease states or conditions mediated by PKB or PKA. In a first aspect, the invention provides a compound for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase B, the compound being a compound of the formula (I):
Figure imgf000009_0001
or a salt, solvate, tautomer or N-oxide thereof; wherein A is a saturated hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, the linker group having a maximum chain length of 5 atoms extending between R1 and NR2R3 and a maximum chain length of 4 atoms extending between E and NR2R3, wherein one of the carbon atoms in the linker group may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom; and wherein the carbon atoms of the linker group A may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from oxo, fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the hydroxy group when present is not located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group and provided that the oxo group when present is located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group; E is a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group;
HET is a monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4 to 7 ring members of which up to 4 are heteroatoms selected from O, N and S; R1 is an aryl or heteroaryl group;
R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, Ci-4 hydrocarbyl and C1-4 acyl wherein the hydrocarbyl and acyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and methoxy; or R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic group selected from an imidazole group and a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or one of R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached and one or more atoms from the linker group A form a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or NR2R3 and the carbon atom of linker group A to which it is attached together form a cyano group; n is 0 to 4; each R4 is independently selected from oxo; halogen; Q.6 hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci-2 alkoxy; cyano; C].6 hydrocarbyloxy optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci-2 alkoxy; CONH2; CONHR9; CF3; NH2; NHCOR9; NHCONHR9; and NHR9; R9 is a group R9a or (CH2)R9a, wherein R9a is a monocyclic or bicyclic group which may be carbocyclic or heterocyclic; the carbocyclic group or heterocyclic group R9a being optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Ci.4 hydrocarbylamino; a group Ra-Rb wherein Ra is a bond, O, CO, X1C(X2), C(X2)X\ X1C(X^X1, S, SO, SO2, NR0, SO2NR0 or NR0SO2; and Rb is selected from hydrogen, heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members, and a Q.g hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, oxo, halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Q.4 hydrocarbylamino, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members and wherein one or more carbon atoms of the Ci-8 hydrocarbyl group may optionally be replaced by O, S, SO, SO2, NR0, X1C(X2), C(X2)X! or X1C(X^X1;
Rc is selected from hydrogen and C1.4 hydrocarbyl; and
X1 is O, S or NR0 and X2 is =0, =S or =NR°; provided that: (a-1) HET is other than a substituted or unsubstituted pyrazole-4-yl group.
In another aspect, the invention provides a compound for use in medicine having the formula (Ia):
Figure imgf000010_0001
or a salt, solvate, tautomer or N-oxide thereof; wherein A is a saturated hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, the linker group having a maximum chain length of 5 atoms extending between R1 and NR2R3 and a maximum chain length of 4 atoms extending between E and NR2R3, wherein one of the carbon atoms in the linker group may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom; and wherein the carbon atoms of the linker group A may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from oxo, fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the hydroxy group when present is not located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group and provided that the oxo group when present is located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group;
E is a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group; HET is a monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4 to 7 ring members of which up to 4 are heteroatoms selected from O, N and S;
R1 is an aryl or heteroaryl group; R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1^ hydrocarbyl and C1-4 acyl wherein the hydrocarbyl and acyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and methoxy; or R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic group selected from an imidazole group and a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or one of R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached and one or more atoms from the linker group A form a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or NR2R3 and the carbon atom of linker group A to which it is attached together form a cyano group; n is 0 to 4; each R4 is independently selected from oxo; halogen; Ci-6 hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci-2 alkoxy; cyano; Ci-6 hydrocarbyloxy optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci-2 alkoxy; CONH2; CONHR9; CF3; NH2; NHCOR9; NHCONHR9; and NHR9; R9 is a group R9a or (CH2)R9", wherein R9a is a monocyclic or bicyclic group which may be carbocyclic or heterocyclic; the carbocyclic group or heterocyclic group R9a being optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Ci-4 hydrocarbylamino; a group Ra-Rb wherein Ra is a bond, O, CO, X1C(X2),
Figure imgf000012_0001
S, SO, SO2, NR0, SO2NR0 or NR0SO2; and Rb is selected from hydrogen, heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members, and a Ci-S hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, oxo, halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Ci.4 hydrocarbylamino, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members and wherein one or more carbon atoms of the Ci-8 hydrocarbyl group may optionally be replaced by O, S, SO, SO2, NR0, X1C(X2), C(X^X1 or X1C(X^X1;
R° is selected from hydrogen and Q.4 hydrocarbyl; and
X1 is O, S or NR0 and X2 is =0, =S or =NR°; provided that:
(a-1) HET is other than a substituted or unsubstituted pyrazole-4-yl group; (b-1) when E is phenyl, A is a saturated hydrocarbyl group bearing a hydroxy substituent and NR2R3 forms an imidazolyl group, then HET is other than a pyridyl group; and (b-2) when HET is a thienyl group, E is an optionally substituted phenyl group and the moiety ANR2R3 forms an optionally substituted piperidine group, then R1 is other than a phenyl group bearing a substituent at the meta position thereof and optionally a second substituent.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a compound of the formula (Ib):
Figure imgf000012_0002
or a salt, solvate, tautomer or N-oxide thereof; wherein A is a saturated hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, the linker group having a maximum chain length of 5 atoms extending between R1 and NR2R3 and a maximum chain length of 4 atoms extending between E and NR2R3, wherein one of the carbon atoms in the linker group may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom; and wherein the carbon atoms of the linker group A may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from oxo, fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the hydroxy group when present is not located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group and provided that the oxo group when present is located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group;
E is a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group; HET is a monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4 to 7 ring members of which up to 4 are heteroatoms selected from O, N and S; R1 is an aryl or heteroaryl group;
R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1^ hydrocarbyl and Ci-4 acyl wherein the hydrocarbyl and acyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and methoxy; or R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic group selected from an imidazole group and a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or one of R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached and one or more atoms from the linker group A form a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or NR2R3 and the carbon atom of linker group A to which it is attached together form a cyano group; n is 0 to 4; each R4 is independently selected from oxo; halogen; C1^ hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci-2 alkoxy; cyano; Ci-6 hydrocarbyloxy optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or C1-2 alkoxy; CONH2; CONHR9; CF3; NH2; NHCOR9; NHCONHR9; and NHR9; R9 is a group R9a or (CH2)R9", wherein R9a is a monocyclic or bicyclic group which may be carbocyclic or heterocyclic; the carbocyclic group or heterocyclic group R9a being optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Q.4 hydrocarbylamino; a group Ra-Rb wherein Ra is a bond, O, CO, X1C(X2), C(X2)X', X1C(X2JX1, S, SO, SO2, NR0, SO2NR0 or NR0SO2; and Rb is selected from hydrogen, heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members, and a C]-S hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, oxo, halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Cj.4 hydrocarbylamino, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members and wherein one or more carbon atoms of the Ci-8 hydrocarbyl group may optionally be replaced by O, S, SO, SO2, NR0, X1C(X2), C(X2)X! or X1C(X2JX1;
R° is selected from hydrogen and C1^ hydrocarbyl; and X1 is O, S or NR0 and X2 is =0, =S or =NR°; provided that:
(a-1) HET is other than a substituted or unsubstituted pyrazole-4-yl group;
(b-1) when E is phenyl, A is a saturated hydrocarbyl group bearing a hydroxy substituent and NR2R3 forms an imidazolyl group, then HET is other than a pyridyl group;
(b-2) when HET is a thienyl group, E is an optionally substituted phenyl group and the moiety ANR2R3 forms an optionally substituted piperidine group, then R1 is other than a phenyl group bearing a substituent at the meta position thereof and optionally a second substituent; and
(c-1) when E is phenyl and the moiety R1ANR2R3 is an N-monosubstituted or N5N- disubstituted phenylacetamide group, then HET is other than a morpholine or N- methylpiperazine group.
The invention further provides:
• A compound per se of the formula (II), (III), (FV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any other sub-group or embodiment of the formula (I) as defined herein.
• A compound of the formula (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub- group thereof as defined herein for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase B.
• The use of a compound of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (111), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein for the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase B. • A method for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase B, which method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib)5 (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein.
• A compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein for use in treating a disease or condition comprising or arising from abnormal cell growth or abnormally arrested cell death in a mammal.
• The use of a compound of (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub- group thereof as defined herein for the manufacture of a medicament for treating a disease or condition comprising or arising from abnormal cell growth or abnormally arrested cell death in a mammal.
• A method for treating a disease or condition comprising or arising from abnormal cell growth or abnormally arrested cell death in a mammal, the method comprising administering to the mammal a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III),
(IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein in an amount effective to inhibit protein kinase B activity.
• A method of inhibiting protein kinase B, which method comprises contacting the kinase with a kinase-inhibiting compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (FV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein.
• A method of modulating a cellular process (for example cell division) by inhibiting the activity of a protein kinase B using a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein.
• A compound of the formula (T), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group or embodiment thereof as defined herein for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase A.
• The use of a compound of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group or embodiment thereof as defined herein for the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase A. • A method for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase A, which method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group or embodiment thereof as defined herein.
• A method for treating a disease or condition comprising or arising from abnormal cell growth or abnormally arrested cell death in a mammal, the method comprising administering to the mammal a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group or embodiment thereof as defined herein in an amount effective to inhibit protein kinase A activity.
• A method of inhibiting protein kinase A, which method comprises contacting the kinase with a kinase-inhibiting compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group or embodiment thereof as defined herein.
• A method of modulating a cellular process (for example cell division) by inhibiting the activity of a protein kinase A using a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group or embodiment thereof as defined herein.
• The use of a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein for the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition arising from abnormal cell growth or abnormally arrested cell death.
• A method for treating a disease or condition comprising or arising from abnormal cell growth in a mammal, which method comprises administering to the mammal a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any subgroup thereof as defined herein in an amount effective in inhibiting abnormal cell growth or abnormally arrested cell death.
• A method for alleviating or reducing the incidence of a disease or condition comprising or arising from abnormal cell growth or abnormally arrested cell death in a mammal, which method comprises administering to the mammal a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (D), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein in an amount effective in inhibiting abnormal cell growth. • A pharmaceutical composition comprising a novel compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
• A compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (in), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein for use in medicine.
• The use of a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein for the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis or treatment of any one of the disease states or conditions disclosed herein.
• A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of any one of the disease states or conditions disclosed herein, which method comprises administering to a patient (e.g. a patient in need thereof) a compound (e.g. a therapeutically effective amount) of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein.
• A method for alleviating or reducing the incidence of a disease state or condition disclosed herein, which method comprises administering to a patient (e.g. a patient in need thereof) a compound (e.g. a therapeutically effective amount) of the formula (T), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein.
• A method for the diagnosis and treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase B, which method comprises (i) screening a patient to determine whether a disease or condition from which the patient is or may be suffering is one which would be susceptible to treatment with a compound having activity against protein kinase B; and (ii) where it is indicated that the disease or condition from which the patient is thus susceptible, thereafter administering to the patient a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any subgroup thereof as defined herein.
• The use of a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group thereof as defined herein for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease state or condition in a patient who has been screened and has been determined as suffering from, or being at risk of suffering from, a disease or condition which would be susceptible to treatment with a compound having activity against protein kinase B.
• A method for the diagnosis and treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase A, which method comprises (i) screening a patient to determine whether a disease or condition from which the patient is or may be suffering is one which would be susceptible to treatment with a compound having activity against protein kinase A; and (ii) where it is indicated that the disease or condition from which the patient is thus susceptible, thereafter administering to the patient a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV)5 (V), (VI), (VII) or any subgroup or embodiment thereof as defined herein.
• The use of a compound of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) or any sub-group or embodiment thereof as defined herein for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease state or condition in a patient who has been screened and has been determined as suffering from, or being at risk of suffering from, a disease or condition which would be susceptible to treatment with a compound having activity against protein kinase A.
Where they do not already apply, any one or more of the following provisos may apply in any combination to each of formulae (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) and any other sub-group of compounds within formula (I):
Proviso (a-1)
Proviso (b-1)
Proviso (b-2)
Proviso (c-1)
(d-1) when E is an optionally substituted phenyl group or pyridyl group and the moiety ANR2R3 forms an optionally substituted piperidine group or optionally substituted morpholine group, then R1 may be other than phenyl group substituted at the meta position thereof with a hydroxy, alkoxy, methoxy, fluorine, ester, amide, sulphonamide or carbinol group and optionally bearing a second substituent. (d-2) when E is an optionally substituted phenyl group or pyridyl group, the moiety ANR2 forms a piperidine group or morpholine group, and R1 is a phenyl group substituted at the meta position thereof and optionally bearing a second substituent, then R3 may be hydrogen.
(d-3) when E is phenyl, HET is pyridyl, piperidinyl or pyrrolidinyl, and A is a saturated hydrocarbon group bearing a hydroxy substituent, then the moiety NR2R3 may be other than an imidazole group.
(d-4) the moiety NR2R3 may be other than an imidazole group.
The provisos (a-1) to (d-4) are directed to the following prior art documents:
Figure imgf000019_0001
General Preferences and Definitions
The following general preferences and definitions shall apply to each of the moieties A, E, R1 to R4 and R9 and any sub-definition, sub-group or embodiment thereof, unless the context indicates otherwise. Any references to Formula (I) herein shall be taken also to refer to formulae (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (FV), (V), (VI), (VII) and any other sub-group of compounds within formula (I) unless the context requires otherwise.
In this application, the moiety:
Figure imgf000020_0001
may be referred to for convenience as "the cyclic group HET" or just "HET".
References to "carbocyclic" and "heterocyclic" groups as used herein shall, unless the context indicates otherwise, include both aromatic and non-aromatic ring systems. In general, such groups may be monocyclic or bicyclic and may contain, for example, 3 to 12 ring members, more usually 5 to 10 ring members. Examples of monocyclic groups are groups containing 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 ring members, more usually 3 to 7, and preferably 5 or 6 ring members. Examples of bicyclic groups are those containing 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 ring members, and more usually 9 or 10 ring members.
The carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups can be aryl or heteroaryl groups having from 5 to 12 ring members, more usually from 5 to 10 ring members. The term "aryl" as used herein refers to a carbocyclic group having aromatic character and the term "heteroaryl" is used herein to denote a heterocyclic group having aromatic character. The terms "aryl" and "heteroaryl" embrace polycyclic (e.g. bicyclic) ring systems wherein one or more rings are non-aromatic, provided that at least one ring is aromatic. In such polycyclic systems, the group may be attached by the aromatic ring, or by a non-aromatic ring. The aryl or heteroaryl groups can be monocyclic or bicyclic groups and can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents, for example one or more groups R10 as defined herein.
The term non-aromatic group embraces unsaturated ring systems without aromatic character, partially saturated and fully saturated carbocyclic and heterocyclic ring systems. The terms "unsaturated" and "partially saturated" refer to rings wherein the ring structure(s) contains atoms sharing more than one valence bond i.e. the ring contains at least one multiple bond e.g. a C=C, C≡C or N=C bond. The term "fully saturated" refers to rings where there are no multiple bonds between ring atoms. Saturated carbocyclic groups include cycloalkyl groups as defined below. Partially saturated carbocyclic groups include cycloalkenyl groups as defined below, for example cyclopentenyl, cycloheptenyl and cyclooctenyl.
Examples of heteroaryl groups are monocyclic and bicyclic groups containing from five to twelve ring members, and more usually from five to ten ring members. The heteroaryl group can be, for example, a five membered or six membered monocyclic ring or a bicyclic structure formed from fused five and six membered rings or two fused six membered rings. Each ring may contain up to about four heteroatoms typically selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen. Typically the heteroaryl ring will contain up to 3 heteroatoms, more usually up to 2, for example a single heteroatom. In one embodiment, the heteroaryl ring contains at least one ring nitrogen atom. The nitrogen atoms in the heteroaryl rings can be basic, as in the case of an imidazole or pyridine, or essentially non-basic as in the case of an indole or pyrrole nitrogen. In general the number of basic nitrogen atoms present in the heteroaryl group, including any amino group substituents of the ring, will be less than five.
Examples of five membered heteroaryl groups include but are not limited to pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, furazan, oxazole, oxadiazole, oxatriazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, pyrazole, triazole and tetrazole groups.
Examples of six membered heteroaryl groups include but are not limited to pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazine, pyrimidine and triazine.
A bicyclic heteroaryl group may be, for example, a group selected from: a) a benzene ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms; b) a pyridine ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms; c) a pyrimidine ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms; d) a pyrrole ring fused to a a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms; e) a pyrazole ring fused to a a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms; f) a pyrazine ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms; g) an imidazole ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms; h) an oxazole ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms; i) an isoxazole ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms; j) a thiazole ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms; k) an isothiazole ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms;
1) a thiophene ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms; m) a furan ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms; n) a cyclohexyl ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms; and o) a cyclopenryl ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms. Examples of bicyclic heteroaryl groups containing a six membered ring fused to a five membered ring include but are not limited to benzfuran, benzthiophene, benzimidazole, benzoxazole, benzisoxazole, benzthiazole, benzisothiazole, isobenzofuran, indole, isoindole, indolizine, indoline, isoindoline, purine (e.g., adenine, guanine), indazole, benzodioxole and pyrazolopyridine groups.
Examples of bicyclic heteroaryl groups containing two fused six membered rings include but are not limited to quinoline, isoquinoline, chroman, thiochroman, chromene, isochromene, isochroman, benzodioxan, quinolizine, benzoxazine, benzodiazine, pyridopyridine, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, phthalazine, naphthyridine and pteridine groups. Examples of polycyclic aryl and heteroaryl groups containing an aromatic ring and a non- aromatic ring include tetrahydronaphthalene, tetrahydroisoquinoline, tetrahydroquinoline, dihydrobenzthiene, dihydrobenzfuran, 2,3-dihydro-benzo[l,4]dioxine, benzo[l,3]dioxole, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzofuran, indoline and indane groups.
Examples of carbocyclic aryl groups include phenyl, naphthyl, indenyl, and tetrahydronaphthyl groups.
Examples of non-aromatic heterocyclic groups are groups having from 3 to 12 ring members, more usually 5 to 10 ring members. Such groups can be monocyclic or bicyclic, for example, and typically have from 1 to 5 heteroatom ring members (more usually 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatom ring members), usually selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur.
The heterocylic groups can contain, for example, cyclic ether moieties (e.g as in tetrahydrofuran and dioxane), cyclic thioether moieties (e.g. as in tetrahydrothiophene and dithiane), cyclic amine moieties (e.g. as in pyrrolidine), cyclic sulphones (e.g. as in sulpholane and sulpholene), cyclic sulphoxides, cyclic sulphonamides and combinations thereof (e.g. thiomorpholine). Other examples of non-aromatic heterocyclic groups include cyclic amide moieties (e.g. as in pyrrolidone) and cyclic ester moieties (e.g. as in butyrolactone).
Examples of monocyclic non-aromatic heterocyclic groups include 5-, 6-and 7-membered monocyclic heterocyclic groups. Particular examples include morpholine, thiomorpholine and its S-oxide and S,S-dioxide (particularly thiomorpholine), piperidine (e.g. 1- piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl 3-piperidinyl and 4-piperidinyl), N-alkyl piperidines such as N- methyl piperidine, piperidone, pyrrolidine (e.g. 1-pyrrolidinyl, 2-pyrrolidinyl and 3- pyrrolidinyl), pyrrolidone, azetidine, pyran (2H-pyran or 4H-pyran), dihydrothiophene, dihydropyran, dihydrofuran, dihydrothiazole, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrothiophene, dioxane, tetrahydropyran (e.g. 4-tetrahydro pyranyl), imidazoline, imidazolidinone, oxazoline, thiazoline, 2-pyrazoline, pyrazolidine, piperazone, piperazine, and N-alkyl piperazines such as N-methyl piperazine, N-ethyl piperazine and N-isopropylpiperazine.
One sub-group of monocyclic non-aromatic heterocyclic groups includes morpholine, piperidine (e.g. 1-piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl 3-piperidinyl and 4-piperidinyl), piperidone, pyrrolidine (e.g. 1-pyrrolidinyl, 2-pyrrolidinyl and 3-pyrrolidinyl), pyrrolidone, pyran (2H- pyran or 4H-pyran), dihydrothiophene, dihydropyran, dihydrofuran, dihydrothiazole, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrothiophene, dioxane, tetrahydropyran (e.g. 4-tetrahydro pyranyl), imidazoline, imidazolidinone, oxazoline, thiazoline, 2-pyrazoline, pyrazolidine, piperazone, piperazine, and N-alkyl piperazines such as N-methyl piperazine. In general, preferred non-aromatic heterocyclic groups include piperidine, pyrrolidine, azetidine, morpholine, piperazine and N-alkyl piperazines. A further particular example of a non-aromatic heterocyclic group, which also forms part of the above group of preferred non-aromatic heterocyclic groups, is azetidine.
Examples of non-aromatic carbocyclic groups include cycloalkane groups such as cyclohexyl and cyclopentyl, cycloalkenyl groups such as cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl and cyclooctenyl, as well as cyclohexadienyl, cyclooctatetraene, tetrahydronaphthenyl and decalinyl.
Where reference is made herein to carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups, the carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring can, unless the context indicates otherwise, be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituent groups R10 selected from halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Ci-4 hydrocarbylamino, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members; a group Ra-Rb wherein Ra is a bond, O, CO, X1C(X2),
Figure imgf000024_0001
S, SO, SO2, NR0, SO2NR0 or NR0SO2; and Rb is selected from hydrogen, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members, and a Ci-8 hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, oxo, halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Q.4 hydrocarbylamino, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members and wherein one or more carbon atoms of the Ci-8 hydrocarbyl group may optionally be replaced by O, S, SO, SO2, NR0, X1C(X2), C(X2)X! or X1C(X^X1; R0 is selected from hydrogen and Q.4 hydrocarbyl; and
X1 is O, S or NR0 and X2 is =0, =S or =NR°.
Where the substituent group R10 comprises or includes a carbocyclic or heterocyclic group, the said carbocyclic or heterocyclic group may be unsubstituted or may itself be substituted with one or more further substituent groups R10. In one sub-group of compounds of the formula (I), such further substituent groups R10 may include carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups, which are typically not themselves further substituted. In another sub-group of compounds of the formula (I), the said further substituents do not include carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups but are otherwise selected from the groups listed above in the definition of R10.
The substituents R10 may be selected such that they contain no more than 20 non-hydrogen atoms, for example, no more than 15 non-hydrogen atoms, e.g. no more than 12, or 10, or 9, or 8, or 7, or 6, or 5 non-hydrogen atoms.
Where the carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups have a pair of substituents on adjacent ring atoms, the two substituents may be linked so as to form a cyclic group. For example, an adjacent pair of substituents on adjacent carbon atoms of a ring may be linked via one or more heteroatoms and optionally substituted alkylene groups to form a fused oxa-, dioxa-, aza-, diaza- or oxa-aza-cycloalkyl group. Examples of such linked substituent groups include:
Figure imgf000025_0001
Examples of halogen substituents include fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. Fluorine and chlorine are particularly preferred.
In the case of the cyclic group HET, as shown in formula (I) and other formulae herein, this is optionally substituted by one or more substituents R4 but the group HET is not itself further substituted by a substituent R10. However, where the substituents making up the group R4 contain a carbocyclic or heterocyclic group, the carbocyclic or heterocyclic group in question can be further substituted by R10 and the above definition of R10 applies to such substituents.
In the definition of the compounds of the formula (I) above and as used hereinafter, the term "hydrocarbyl" is a generic term encompassing aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic groups having an all-carbon backbone, except where otherwise stated. In certain cases, as defined herein, one or more of the carbon atoms making up the carbon backbone may be replaced by a specified atom or group of atoms. Examples of hydrocarbyl groups include alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, carbocyclic aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, and carbocyclic aralkyl, aralkenyl and aralkynyl groups. Such groups can be unsubstituted or, where stated, can be substituted by one or more substituents as defined herein. The examples and preferences expressed below apply to each of the hydrocarbyl substituent groups or hydrocarbyl-containing substituent groups referred to in the various definitions of substituents for compounds of the formula (I) unless the context indicates otherwise.
Generally by way of example, the hydrocarbyl groups can have up to eight carbon atoms, unless the context requires otherwise. Within the sub-set of hydrocarbyl groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, particular examples are C1^ hydrocarbyl groups, such as Q-4 hydrocarbyl groups (e.g. C1-3 hydrocarbyl groups or Ci-2 hydrocarbyl groups), specific examples being any individual value or combination of values selected from Ci, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 and C8 hydrocarbyl groups.
The term "alkyl" covers both straight chain and branched chain alkyl groups. Examples of alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, 2-pentyl, 3-pentyl, 2-methyl butyl, 3-methyl butyl, and n-hexyl and its isomers. Within the sub-set of alkyl groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, particular examples are Cμβ alkyl groups, such as C1.4 alkyl groups (e.g. Ci-3 alkyl groups or Ci-2 alkyl groups).
Examples of cycloalkyl groups are those derived from cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane and cycloheptane. Within the sub-set of cycloalkyl groups the cycloalkyl group will have from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, particular examples being C3.6 cycloalkyl groups.
Examples of alkenyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethenyl (vinyl), 1-propenyl, 2- propenyl (allyl), isopropenyl, butenyl, buta-l,4-dienyl, pentenyl, and hexenyl. Within the sub-set of alkenyl groups the alkenyl group will have 2 to 8 carbon atoms, particular examples being C2.6 alkenyl groups, such as C2-4 alkenyl groups.
Examples of cycloalkenyl groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl and cyclohexenyl. Within the sub-set of cycloalkenyl groups the cycloalkenyl groups have from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and particular examples are C3-6 cycloalkenyl groups. Examples of alkynyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethynyl and 2-propynyl (propargyl) groups. Within the sub-set of alkynyl groups having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, particular examples are C2.6 alkynyl groups, such as C2.4 alkynyl groups.
Examples of carbocyclic aryl groups include substituted and unsubstituted phenyl, naphthyl, indane and indene groups.
Examples of cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, carbocyclic aralkyl, aralkenyl and aralkynyl groups include phenethyl, benzyl, styryl, phenylethynyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopropylmethyl and cyclopentenylmethyl groups.
The term C1^ hydrocarbyl as used herein encompasses alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, phenyl, benzyl and phenylethyl groups wherein the preferences for and examples of each of the aforesaid groups are as defined above. Within this definition, particular hydrocarbyl groups are alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl and phenylethyl (e.g. 1- phenylethyl or 2-phenylethyl) groups, one subset of hydrocarbyl groups consisting of alkyl and cycloalkyl groups and in particular C1.4 alkyl and cycloalkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-buty\, cyclopropyl and cyclobutyl.
The term Ci-4 hydrocarbyl as used herein encompasses alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl and cycloalkenyl groups wherein the preferences for and examples of the aforesaid groups are as defined above. Within this definition, particular Q-4 hydrocarbyl groups are alkyl and cycloalkyl groups, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert- butyl, cyclopropyl and cyclobutyl.
When present, and where stated, a hydrocarbyl group can be optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, oxo, alkoxy, carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, mono- or di-Ci-4 hydrocarbylamino, and monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 (typically 3 to 10 and more usually 5 to 10) ring members. Preferred substituents include halogen such as fluorine. Thus, for example, the substituted hydrocarbyl group can be a partially fluorinated or perfluorinated group such as difiuoromethyl or trifluoromethyl. In one embodiment preferred substituents include monocyclic carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having 3-7 ring members.
Where stated, one or more carbon atoms of a hydrocarbyl group may optionally be replaced by O, S, SO, SO2, NRC, X1C(X2), C(X2)X' or X1C(X^X1 (or a sub-group thereof) wherein X1 and X2 are as hereinbefore defined, provided that at least one carbon atom of the hydrocarbyl group remains. For example, 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms of the hydrocarbyl group may be replaced by one of the atoms or groups listed, and the replacing atoms or groups may be the same or different. In general, the number of linear or backbone carbon atoms replaced will correspond to the number of linear or backbone atoms in the group replacing them. Examples of groups in which one or more carbon atom of the hydrocarbyl group have been replaced by a replacement atom or group as defined above include ethers and thioethers (C replaced by O or S), amides, esters, thioamides and thioesters (C-C replaced by X1C(X2) or C(X^X1), sulphones and sulphoxides (C replaced by SO or SO2), amines (C replaced by NRC). Further examples include ureas, carbonates and carbamates (C-C-C replaced by X1C(X^X1).
Where an amino group has two hydrocarbyl substituents, they may, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, and optionally with another heteroatom such as nitrogen, sulphur, or oxygen, link to form a ring structure of 4 to 7 ring members.
The definition "Ra-Rb" as used herein, either with regard to substituents present on a carbocyclic or heterocyclic moiety, or with regard to other substituents present at other locations on the compounds of the formula (I), includes inter alia compounds wherein Ra is selected from a bond, O, CO, OC(O), SC(O), NRcC(0), OC(S), SC(S), NR0C(S), OC(NR0), SC(NR0), NR0C(NR0), C(O)O, C(O)S, C(O)NR0, C(S)O, C(S)S, C(S) NR0, C(NR°)0, C(NR°)S, C(NR°)NRC, OC(O)O, SC(O)O, NR0C(O)O, OC(S)O, SC(S)O, NR0C(S)O, OC(NR°)O, SC(NR0P, NR°C(NR°)0, OC(O)S, SC(O)S, NR0C(O)S, OC(S)S, SC(S)S, NR0C(S)S, OC(NR°)S, SC(NR°)S, NR°C(NR°)S, OC(O)NR0, SC(O)NR0, NR0C(O) NR0, OC(S)NR0, SC(S) NR0, NR0C(S)NR0, OC(NR0)NR°, SC(NR°)NR°, NR0C(NR0NR0, S, SO, SO2 ,NR0, SO2NR0 and NR0SO2 wherein R° is as hereinbefore defined.
The moiety Rb can be hydrogen or it can be a group selected from carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members (typically 3 to 10 and more usually from 5 to 10), and a Ci-S hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined. Examples of hydrocarbyl, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups are as set out above.
When Ra is O and Rb is a Ci-8 hydrocarbyl group, Ra and Rb together form a hydrocarbyloxy group. Preferred hydrocarbyloxy groups include saturated hydrocarbyloxy such as alkoxy (e.g. C1^ alkoxy, more usually Ci-4 alkoxy such as ethoxy and methoxy, particularly methoxy), cycloalkoxy (e.g. C3-6 cycloalkoxy such as cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy and cyclohexyloxy) and cycloalkyalkoxy (e.g. C3-6 cycloalkyl-Ci.2 alkoxy such as cyclopropylmethoxy).
The hydrocarbyloxy groups can be substituted by various substituents as defined herein. For example, the alkoxy groups can be substituted by halogen (e.g. as in difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy), hydroxy (e.g. as in hydroxyethoxy), Ci-2 alkoxy (e.g. as in methoxyethoxy), hydroxy-C^ alkyl (as in hydroxyethoxyethoxy) or a cyclic group (e.g. a cycloalkyl group or non-aromatic heterocyclic group as hereinbefore defined). Examples of alkoxy groups bearing a non-aromatic heterocyclic group as a substituent are those in which the heterocyclic group is a saturated cyclic amine such as morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, piperazine, Q^-alkyl-piperazines, Ca.T-cycloalkyl-piperazines, tetrahydropyran or tetrahydrofiiran and the alkoxy group is a CM alkoxy group, more typically a Ci-3 alkoxy group such as methoxy, ethoxy or n-propoxy.
Alkoxy groups may be substituted by, for example, a monocyclic group such as pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine and piperazine and N-substituted derivatives thereof such as N-benzyl, N-CM acyl and N-CM alkoxycarbonyl. Particular examples include pyrrolidinoethoxy, piperidinoethoxy and piperazinoethoxy.
When Ra is a bond and Rb is a Ci-S hydrocarbyl group, examples of hydrocarbyl groups Ra~ Rb are as hereinbefore defined. The hydrocarbyl groups may be saturated groups such as cycloalkyl and alkyl and particular examples of such groups include methyl, ethyl and cyclopropyl. The hydrocarbyl (e.g. alkyl) groups can be substituted by various groups and atoms as defined herein. Examples of substituted alkyl groups include alkyl groups substituted by one or more halogen atoms such as fluorine and chlorine (particular examples including bromoethyl, chloroethyl, difluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl and perfluoroalkyl groups such as trifluoromethyl), or hydroxy (e.g. hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl), Ci-8 acyloxy (e.g. acetoxymethyl and benzyloxymethyl), amino and mono- and dialkylamino (e.g. aminoethyl, methylaminoethyl, dimethylaminomethyl, dimethylaminoethyl and tert-butylaminomethyl), alkoxy (e.g. Ci-2 alkoxy such as methoxy - as in methoxyethyl), and cyclic groups such as cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups and non-aromatic heterocyclic groups as hereinbefore defined).
Particular examples of alkyl groups substituted by a cyclic group are those wherein the cyclic group is a saturated cyclic amine such as morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, piperazine, Ci_4-alkyl-piperazines, Cs-γ-cycloalkyl-piperazines, tetrahydropyran or tetrahydrofuran and the alkyl group is a Cu alkyl group, more typically a C1-3 alkyl group such as methyl, ethyl or n-propyl. Specific examples of alkyl groups substituted by a cyclic group include pyrrolidinomethyl, pyrrolidinopropyl, morpholinomethyl, morpholinoethyl, morpholinopropyl, piperidinylmethyl, piperazinomethyl and N-substituted forms thereof as defined herein.
Particular examples of alkyl groups substituted by aryl groups and heteroaryl groups include ben2yl, phenethyl and pyridylmethyl groups.
When Ra is SO2NR0, Rb can be, for example, hydrogen or an optionally substituted C1-8 hydrocarbyl group, or a carbocyclic or heterocyclic group. Examples of Ra-Rb where Ra is SO2NR0 include aminosulphonyl, C1.4 allcylaminosulphonyl and di-Ci-4 alkylaminosulphonyl groups, and sulphonamides formed from a cyclic amino group such as piperidine, morpholine, pyrrolidine, or an optionally N-substituted piperazine such as N- methyl piperazine.
Examples of groups Ra-Rb where Ra is SO2 include alkylsulphonyl, heteroarylsulphonyl and arylsulphonyl groups, particularly monocyclic aryl and heteroaryl sulphonyl groups. Particular examples include methylsulphonyl, phenylsulphonyl and toluenesulphonyl.
When Ra is NR0, Rb can be, for example, hydrogen or an optionally substituted Ci.g hydrocarbyl group, or a carbocyclic or heterocyclic group. Examples of Ra-Rb where Ra is NR0 include amino, Ci-4 alkylamino (e.g. methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, isopropylamino, tert-butylamino), di-Ci.4 alkylamino (e.g. dimethylamino and diethylamino) and cycloalkylamino (e.g. cyclopropylamino, cyclopentylamino and cyclohexylamino).
Specific Embodiments and Preferences
The Group "A"
In formula (I), A is a saturated hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, the linker group having a maximum chain length of 5 atoms extending between R1 and NR2R3 and a maximum chain length of 4 atoms extending between E and NR2R3. Within these constraints, the moieties E and R1 can each be attached at any location on the group A. The term "maximum chain length" as used herein refers to the number of atoms lying directly between the two moieties in question, and does not take into account any branching in the chain or any hydrogen atoms that may be present. For example, in the structure A shown below:
Figure imgf000031_0001
the chain length between R1 and NR2R3 is 3 atoms whereas the chain length between E and NR2R3 is 2 atoms.
In general it is presently preferred that the linker group has a maximum chain length of 3 atoms (for example 1 or 2 atoms).
In one embodiment, the linker group has a chain length of 1 atom extending between R! and NR2R3.
In another embodiment, the linker group has a chain length of 2 atoms extending between R1 and NR2R3.
In a further embodiment, the linker group has a chain length of 3 atoms extending between R1 and NR2R3.
It is preferred that the linker group has a maximum chain length of 3 atoms extending between E and NR2R3.
In one particularly preferred group of compounds, the linker group has a chain length of 2 or 3 atoms extending between R1 and NR2R3 and a chain length of 2 or 3 atoms extending between E and NR2R3.
One of the carbon atoms in the linker group may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom.
When present, the nitrogen atom may be linked directly to the group E.
In one embodiment, the carbon atom to which the group R1 is attached is replaced by an oxygen atom. In another embodiment, R1 and E are attached to the same carbon atom of the linker group, and a carbon atom in the chain extending between E and NR2R3 is replaced by an oxygen atom.
When a nitrogen atom or oxygen atom are present, it is preferred that the nitrogen or oxygen atom and the NR2R3 group are spaced apart by at least two intervening carbon atoms.
In one particular group of compounds within formula (I), the linker atom linked directly to the group E is a carbon atom and the linker group A has an all-carbon skeleton.
The carbon atoms of the linker group A may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from oxo, fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the hydroxy group is not located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group, and provided also that the oxo group is located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group. Typically, the hydroxy group, if present, is located at a position β with respect to the NR2R3 group. In general, no more than one hydroxy group will be present. Where fluorine is present, it may be present as a single fluorine substituent or may be present in a difluoromethylene or trifluoromethyl group, for example. In one embodiment, a fluorine atom is located at a position β with respect to the NR2R3 group.
It will be appreciated that that when an oxo group is present at the carbon atom adjacent the NR2R3 group, the compound of the formula (I) will be an amide.
In one embodiment of the invention, no fluorine atoms are present in the linker group A.
In another embodiment of the invention, no hydroxy groups are present in the linker group A.
In a further embodiment, no oxo group is present in the linker group A.
In one group of compounds of the formula (I) neither hydroxy groups nor fluorine atoms are present in the linker group A, e.g. the linker group A is unsubstituted.
Preferably, when a carbon atom in the linker group A is replaced by a nitrogen atom, the group A bears no more than one hydroxy substituent and more preferably bears no hydroxy substituents. When there is a chain length of four atoms between E and NR2R3, it is preferred that the linker group A contains no nitrogen atoms and more preferably has an all carbon skeleton.
The linker group A can have a branched configuration at the carbon atom attached to the NR2R3 group. For example, the carbon atom attached to the NR2R3 group can be attached to a pair of ge/rø-dimethyl groups.
In one particular group of compounds of the formula (I), the portion R!-A-NR2R3 of the compound is represented by the formula R1-(G)k-(CH2)m-W-Ob-(CH2)n-(CR6R7)p-NR2R3 wherein G is NH, NMe or O; W is attached to the group E and is selected from (CH2)j- CR20, (CH2)j-N and (NH)rCH; b is 0 or 1, j is 0 or 1, k is 0 or 1, m is 0 or 1, n is 0, 1, 2, or 3 and p is 0 or 1; the sum of b and k is 0 or 1; the sum of j, k, m, n and p does not exceed 4; R6 and R7 are the same or different and are selected from methyl and ethyl, or CR6R7 forms a cyclopropyl group; and R20 is selected from hydrogen, methyl, hydroxy and fluorine;
In another sub-group of compounds of the formula (I), the portion R^A-NR2R3 of the compound is represented by the formula R1-(G)k-(CH2)m-X-(CH2)n-(CR6R7)p-NR2R3 wherein G is NH, NMe or O; X is attached to the group E and is selected from (CH2)J-CH, (CH2)j-N and (NH)rCH; j is 0 or 1, k is 0 or 1, m is 0 or 1, n is 0, 1, 2, or 3 and p is 0 or 1, and the sum of j, k, m, n and p does not exceed 4; and R6 and R7 are the same or different and are selected from methyl and ethyl, or CR6R7 forms a cyclopropyl group.
A particular group CR6R7 is C(CH3)2.
Preferably X is (CH2)rCH.
Particular configurations where the portion R^A-NR2R3 of the compound is represented by the formula R1-(G)k-(CH2)m-X-(CH2)n-(CR6R7)p-NR2R3 are those wherein:
• k is 0, m is 0 or 1, n is 0, 1, 2 or 3 and p is 0. • k is O, m is O or l, n is θ, 1 or 2 and p is 1.
• X is (CH2)j-CH, k is 1, m is 0, n is 0, 1, 2 or 3 and p is 0.
• X is (CH2)j-CH, k is 1, m is 0, n is 0, 1 or 2 and p is 1.
• X is (CH2)j-CH, G is O, k is 1, m is 0, n is 0, 1, 2 or 3 and p is 0. Particular configurations wherein the portion R1 -A-NR2R3 of the compound is represented by the formula R1-(G)k-(CH2)m-W-Ob-(CH2)n-(CR6R7)p-NR2R3 are those wherein:
• k is 0, m is 0, W is (CH2)j-CR20, j is 0, R20 is hydrogen, b is 1, n is 2 and p is 0.
• k is 0, m is 0, W is (CH2)j-CR20, j is 0, R20 is hydroxy, b is 0, n is 1 and p is 0. • k is 0, m is 0, W is (CH2)j-CR20, j is 0, R20 is methyl, b is 0, n is 1 and p is 0.
• k is 0, m is 0, W is (CH2)J:CR20, j is 0, R20 is fluorine, b is 0, n is 1 and p is 0.
In one preferred configuration, the portion R^A-NR2R3 of the compound is represented by the formula R^X-(CH2)H-NR2R3 wherein X is attached to the group E and is a group CH, and n is 2.
Particular examples of the linker group A, together with their points of attachment to the groups R1, E and NR2R3, are shown in Table 1 below.
Table 1:
Figure imgf000034_0001
Figure imgf000035_0001
Figure imgf000036_0001
Currently preferred groups include Al, A2, A3, A6, AlO, Al 1, A22 and A23.
One particular set of groups includes Al, A2, A3, AlO and Al l.
A further particular set of groups includes A2 and Al l.
Another particular set of groups includes A6, A22 and A23.
A further set of groups includes Al , A2 and A3.
In group A2, the asterisk designates a chiral centre and the compounds can have either the R or S configuration about the chiral centre.
In one embodiment, the compounds have the R configuration at this chiral centre.
In another embodiment, compounds have the S configuration at this chiral centre.
Compounds having the R configuration at this chiral centre represent one preferred subgroup of compounds of the invention.
El
The group R1 is an aryl or heteroaryl group and may be selected from the list of such groups set out in the section headed General Preferences and Definitions.
R1 can be monocyclic or bicyclic and, in one preferred embodiment, is monocyclic.
Particular examples of monocyclic aryl and heteroaryl groups are six membered aryl and heteroaryl groups containing up to 2 nitrogen ring members, and five membered heteroaryl groups containing up to 3 heteroatom ring members selected from O, S and N.
Examples of such groups include phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, furan, pyrimidine and pyridine, with phenyl being presently preferred. The group R1 can be unsubstituted or substituted by up to 5 substituents, and examples of substituents are those listed in group R10 above.
Particular substituents include hydroxy; Ci-4 acyloxy; fluorine; chlorine; bromine; trifluoromethyl; cyano; CONH2; nitro; C1.4 hydrocarbyloxy and C1-4 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by Ci-2 alkoxy, carboxy or hydroxy; C1.4 acylamino; benzoylamino; pyrrolidinocarbonyl; piperidinocarbonyl; morpholinocarbonyl; piperazinocarbonyl; five and six membered heteroaryl and heteroaryloxy groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; phenyl; phenyl-Ci.4 alkyl; phenyl-Ci-4 alkoxy; heteroaryl-Ci-4 alkyl; heteroaryl-Ci.4 alkoxy and phenoxy, wherein the heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, phenyl, phenyl-Ci-4 alkyl, phenyl-Q.4 alkoxy, heteroaryl-Ci.4 alkyl, heteroaryl-Ci.4 alkoxy and phenoxy groups are each optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from C1. 2 acyloxy, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl, cyano, CONH2, Ci-2 hydrocarbyloxy and C]-2 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by methoxy or hydroxy.
Preferred substituents include hydroxy; C1.4 acyloxy; fluorine; chlorine; bromine; trifluoromethyl; cyano; Ci-4 hydrocarbyloxy and C1.4 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by C1.2 alkoxy or hydroxy; Ci-4 acylamino; benzoylamino; pyrrolidinocarbonyl; piperidinocarbonyl; morpholinocarbonyl; piperazinocarbonyl; five and six membered heteroaryl groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O and S, the heteroaryl groups being optionally substituted by one or more C1.4 alkyl substituents; phenyl; pyridyl; and phenoxy wherein the phenyl, pyridyl and phenoxy groups are each optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from Ci-2 acyloxy, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl, cyano, Ci-2 hydrocarbyloxy and C1-2 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by methoxy or hydroxy.
In one sub-group of compounds, the substituents for R1 are chosen from hydroxy; Ci-4 acyloxy; fluorine; chlorine; bromine; trifluoromethyl; cyano; Ci-4 hydrocarbyloxy and C1.4 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by Ci-2 alkoxy or hydroxy.
Although up to 5 substituents may be present, more typically there are 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents, preferably 0, 1, 2 or 3, and more preferably 0, 1 or 2.
In one embodiment, the group R1 is unsubstituted or substituted by up to 5 substituents selected from hydroxy; Ci-4 acyloxy; fluorine; chlorine; bromine; trifluoromethyl; cyano; Ci-4 hydrocarbyloxy and Ci-4 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by C1.2 alkoxy or hydroxy.
In another embodiment, the group R1 is unsubstituted or substituted by up to 5 substituents selected from hydroxy; C1.4 acyloxy; fluorine; chlorine; bromine; trifluoromethyl; cyano; pyridyl; C1.4 hydrocarbyloxy and C1.4 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by Ci-2 alkoxy or hydroxy.
In a further embodiment, the group R1 can have one or two substituents selected from hydroxy, fluorine, chlorine, cyano, phenyloxy, pyrazinyloxy, benzyloxy, methyl and methoxy.
In another embodiment, the group R1 can have one or two substituents selected from fluorine, chlorine, trifluoromethyl, methyl and methoxy.
When R1 is a phenyl group, particular examples of substituent combinations include mono- chlorophenyl and dichlorophenyl.
Further examples of substituent combinations include those wherein R1 is hydroxyphenyl, fluorochlorophenyl, cyanophenyl, methoxyphenyl, methoxy-chlorophenyl, fluorophenyl, difluorophenyl, phenoxyphenyl, pyrazinyloxyphenyl or benzyloxyphenyl.
Another group of substituent combinations consists of mono-chlorophenyl, dichlorophenyl, hydroxyphenyl, fluorochlorophenyl, cyanophenyl, methoxyphenyl, methoxy-chlorophenyl, fluorophenyl, difluorophenyl, phenoxyphenyl, pyrazinyloxyphenyl, benzyloxyphenyl and pyridyl-methoxyphenyl.
When R1 is a six membered aryl or heteroaryl group, a substituent may advantageously be present at the para position on the six-membered ring. Where a substituent is present at the para position, it is preferably larger in size than a fluorine atom.
When two substituents are present on a six-membered aryl (e.g. phenyl) or heteroaryl group, they may be located at the para and meta positions.
R2 and R3
In one group of compounds of the formula (I), R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1.4 hydrocarbyl and Ci-4 acyl wherein the hydrocarbyl and acyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and methoxy.
When the hydrocarbyl moiety is substituted by a hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino or methoxy group, typically there are at least two carbon atoms between the substituent and the nitrogen atom of the group NR2R3. Particular examples of substituted hydrocarbyl groups are hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl.
In another group of compounds of the invention, R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, Ci-4 hydrocarbyl and Q-4 acyl.
Typically the hydrocarbyl group, whether substituted or unsubstituted, is an alkyl group, more usually a d, C2 or C3 alkyl group, and preferably a methyl group. In one particular sub-group of compounds, R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl and hence NR2R3 can be an amino, methylamino or dimethylamino group. In one particular embodiment, NR2R3 can be an amino group. In another particular embodiment, NR2R3 can be a methylamino group.
hi an alternative embodiment, the Ci-4 hydrocarbyl group can be a cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl or cyclobutyl group.
In another group of compounds, R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic group selected from an imidazole group and a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N.
In a further group of compounds, R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N.
The saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group can be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents R10 as defined above in the General Preferences and Definitions section of this application. Typically, however, any substituents on the heterocyclic group will be relatively small substituents such as Ci-4 hydrocarbyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, rc-propyl, /-propyl, cyclopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyϊ), fluorine, chlorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, ethylamino and dimethylamino. Particular substituents are methyl groups. The saturated monocyclic ring can be an azacycloalkyl group such as an azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine or azepane ring, and such rings are typically unsubstituted. Alternatively, the saturated monocyclic ring can contain an additional heteroatom selected from O and N, and examples of such groups include morpholine and piperazine. Where an additional N atom is present in the ring, this can form part of an NH group or an N-Ci- 4alkyl group such as an N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl or N-isopropyl group.
Where NR2R3 forms an imidazole group, the imidazole group can be unsubstituted or substituted, for example by one or more relatively small substituents such as C1.4 hydrocarbyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, cyclopropyl and butyl), fluorine, chlorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, ethylamino and dimethylamino. Particular substituents are methyl groups.
In a further group of compounds, one of R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached and one or more atoms from the linker group A form a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N.
Examples of such compounds include compounds wherein NR2R3 and A form a unit of the formula:
Figure imgf000040_0001
where t and u are each 0, 1, 2 or 3 provided that the sum oft and u falls within the range of 2 to 4.
Further examples of such compounds include compounds wherein NR2R3 and A form a cyclic group of the formula:
Figure imgf000040_0002
where v and w are each 0, 1, 2 or 3 provided that the sum of v and w falls within the range of 2 to 5. Particular examples of cyclic compounds are those in which v and w are both 2. Further examples of such compounds include compounds wherein NR2R3 and A form a cyclic group of the formula:
Figure imgf000041_0001
where x and w are each 0, 1, 2 or 3 provided that the sum of x and w falls within the range of 2 to 4. Particular examples of cyclic compounds are those in which x is 2 and w is 1.
In each of the foregoing embodiments and examples where NR2R3 and A together form a cyclic group, one of the R-groups (usually R2) forms part of a ring system and the other (usually R3) typically does not. The R-group (e.g. R3) which does not form part of a ring system may be hydrogen or optionally substituted C1^ hydrocarbyl and C1^ acyl as defined herein. In one preferred embodiment however, R3 is hydrogen.
In each of the above examples, R1 and E are shown to illustrate the location of A and NR2R3 with respect to the remainder of the molecule. However, it is not intended to imply that R1 and E form part of A.
The Group "E"
In formula (I), E is a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group and can be selected from the groups set out above in the section headed General Preferences and Definitions.
Preferred groups E are monocyclic and bicyclic aryl and heteroaryl groups and, in particular, groups containing a five or six membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring such as a phenyl, pyridine, pyrazole, pyrazine, pyridazine or pyrimidine ring, more particularly a phenyl, pyridine, pyrazole, pyrazine or pyrimidine ring, and more preferably a pyridine, pyrazole or phenyl ring.
Examples of bicyclic groups include benzo-fused and pyrido-fused groups wherein the group A and the cyclic group HET are both attached to the benzo- or pyrido- moiety.
In one embodiment, E is a monocyclic group. Particular examples of monocyclic groups include monocyclic aryl and heteroaryl groups such as phenyl, thiophene, furan, pyrazole, pyrimidine, pyrazine and pyridine, phenyl being presently preferred.
One subset of monocyclic aryl and heteroaryl groups comprises phenyl, pyrazole, thiophene, furan, pyrimidine and pyridine.
Examples of non-aromatic monocyclic groups include cycloalkanes such as cyclohexane and cyclopentane, and nitrogen-containing rings such as piperazine and piperazone.
It is preferred that the group A and the cyclic group HET are not attached to adjacent ring members of the group E. For example, the cyclic group HET can be attached to the group E in a meta or para relative orientation. Examples of such groups E include 1,4-phenylene, 1,3-phenylene, 2,5-pyridylene and 2,4-pyridylene, 1,4-piperazinyl, and 1,4-piperazonyl. Further examples include 1,3-disubstituted five membered rings .
The groups E can be unsubstituted or can have up to 4 substituents R8 which may be selected from the group R10 as hereinbefore defined. More typically however, the substituents R8 are selected from hydroxy; oxo (when E is non-aromatic); halogen (e.g. chlorine and bromine); trifluoromethyl; cyano; Ci-4 hydrocarbyloxy optionally substituted by Ci-2 alkoxy or hydroxy; Ci-4 hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by Cu alkoxy or hydroxy; and phenyl optionally substituted by halogen (e.g. chlorine and bromine), trifluoromethyl, cyano, methyl or methoxy.
Preferably there are 0-3 substituents, more preferably 0-2 substituents, for example 0 or 1 substituent. In one embodiment, the group E is unsubstituted.
E may be other than:
- a substituted pyridone group;
- a substituted thiazole group; - a substituted or unsubstituted pyrazole or pyrazolone group;
- a substituted or unsubstituted bicyclic fused pyrazole group;
- a phenyl ring fused to a thiophene ring or a six membered nitrogen-containing heteroaryl ring fused to a thiophene ring;
- a substituted or unsubstituted piperazine group; The group E can be an aryl or heteroaryl group having five or six members and containing up to three heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, the group E being represented by the formula:
Figure imgf000043_0001
where * denotes the point of attachment to the cyclic group HET, and "a" denotes the attachment of the group A; r is 0, 1 or 2;
U is selected from N and CR12a; and
V is selected from N and CR12b; where R12a and R12b are the same or different and each is hydrogen or a substituent containing up to ten atoms selected from C, N, O, F, Cl and S provided that the total number of non-hydrogen atoms present in R12a and R12b together does not exceed ten; or R12a and R12b together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form an unsubstituted five or six membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing up to two heteroatoms selected from O and N; and
R10 is as hereinbefore defined.
In one preferred group of compounds, E is a group:
Il I
where * denotes the point of attachment to the cyclic group HET, and "a" denotes the attachment of the group A;
P, Q and T are the same or different and are selected from N, CH and NCR10, provided that the group A is attached to a carbon atom; and U, V and R10 are as hereinbefore defined.
In another preferred group of compounds, E is a group:
Figure imgf000044_0001
wherein R16 is hydrogen or a group R10, R12a or R12b as defined herein.
Examples of R12a and R12b include hydrogen and substituent groups R10 as hereinbefore defined having no more than ten non-hydrogen atoms. Particular examples of R12a and R12b include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, phenyl, fluorine, chlorine, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, methoxymethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, cyano, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino, CONH2, CO2Et, CO2H, acetamido, azetidinyl, pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazino, morpholino, methylsulphonyl, aminosulphonyl, mesylamino and trifluoroacetamido.
Preferably, when U is CR12a and/or V is CR12b the atoms or groups in R12a and R12b that are directly attached to the carbon atom ring members C are selected from H, O (e.g. as in methoxy), NH (e.g. as in amino and methylamino) and CH2 (e.g. as in methyl and ethyl).
Particular examples of the linker group E, together with their points of attachment to the group A (a) and the ring HET (*) are shown in Table 2 below.
Table 2:
Figure imgf000044_0002
Bl B2 B3 B4
Figure imgf000045_0001
In the table, the substituent group R13 is selected from methyl, chlorine, fluorine and trifluoromethyl.
One preferred group E is group Bl in Table 2.
The following optional exclusions may apply to the definition of E in any of formulae (I), (Ia), (Ib), (II), (πi), (IV), (V), (VI) and (VII) and any sub-groups or sub-definitions thereof as defined herein:
• E may be other than a phenyl group having a sulphur atom attached to the position para with respect to the group HET.
E may be other than a substituted or unsubstituted benzimidazole, benzoxazole or benzthiazole group. The Group HET
Figure imgf000046_0001
The cyclic group HET is a monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4 to 7 ring members of which up to 4 are heteroatoms selected from O, N and S.
Examples of monocyclic heterocyclic groups are as set out above in the General Preferences and Definitions section.
Typically, the cyclic group HET has 4 to 6 ring members for example 5 or 6 ring members.
In one embodiment, the cyclic group HET is an optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl group.
Particular examples of monocyclic heteroaryl groups include pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, thiophene, furan, oxazole, triazole, imidazole, with pyridine and pyrimidine being particularly preferred.
In one embodiment, the cyclic group HET may take the form:
Figure imgf000046_0002
where Qx is a hydrogen bond acceptor atom or group.
The term "hydrogen bond acceptor" is a well established term and refers to a group capable of forming a hydrogen bond with a hydrogen atom in the same or an adjacent molecule; see for example "Advanced Organic Chemistry" by Jerry March, 4th edition, pages 75-79 and references therein. In the present context, hydrogen bond acceptors include nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur atoms; and groups containing nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur atoms.
Particular examples of hydrogen bond acceptors are the groups set out in Table 3 below. The asterisk marks the point of attachment to the group E.
Table 3
Figure imgf000047_0001
A cyclic group X may contain one hydrogen bond acceptor, or more than one (e.g. two or three) hydrogen bond acceptor moieties.
The cyclic group HET may contain a hydrogen bond donor group adjacent the group G and hence the cyclic group HET may take the form:
Figure imgf000047_0002
where Qx is a hydrogen bond acceptor atom or group and D is a hydrogen bond donor group.
The hydrogen bond donor group can be, for example, NH, C-NH2, C-NH, C-OH, C-SH, or C-H.
n & R4
Excluding from consideration any atoms or groups that may form part of the hydrogen bond acceptor Qx where present, the cyclic group HET may be an unsubstituted ring system (n = 0) or a substituted ring system (n = 1, 2, 3 or 4).
In formula (I), R is independently selected from oxo; halogen; Q-β hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci-2 alkoxy; cyano; Ci-6 hydrocarbyloxy optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci-2 alkoxy; CONH2; CONHR9; CF3; NH2; NHCOR9; NHCONHR9; and NHR9. More typically, R4 is selected from oxo, amino, NHCOR9; NHR9; halogen, Cj-5 saturated hydrocarbyl, cyano and CF3. Preferred values for R4 include oxo and methyl.
Preferably n is O, 1 or 2.
In one embodiment, n is 0.
In another embodiment, n is 1 or 2.
Where R4 is CONHR9, NHCOR9; NHCONHR9; or NHR9; R9 is a group R9a or (CH2)R9a, wherein R9a is a monocyclic or bicyclic group which may be carbocyclic or heterocyclic.
Examples of carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups are set out above in the General Preferences and Definitions section.
Typically the carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups are monocyclic.
Preferably the carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups are aromatic.
The group R9 is typically unsubstituted phenyl or benzyl, or phenyl or benzyl substituted by 1,2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen; hydroxy; trifluoromethyl; cyano; carboxy; Ci- 4alkoxycarbonyl; C1.4 acyloxy; amino; mono- or di-Ci-4 alkylamino; C1.4 alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci-2 alkoxy; Q.4 alkoxy optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci-2 alkoxy; phenyl, five and six membered heteroaryl groups containing up to 3 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S; and saturated carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups containing up to 2 heteroatoms selected from O, S and N.
Examples of the moiety:
Figure imgf000048_0001
are set out in Table 4. The asterisk marks the point of attachment to the group E.
Table 4
Figure imgf000049_0001
Figure imgf000050_0001
Figure imgf000051_0001
Preferred groups include Dl, D4, D7, D9 and Dl 1.
A particularly preferred group is Dl .
Particular and Preferred Sub-groups of the formula (D
One sub-group of compounds of the formula (I) has the general formula (II):
Figure imgf000051_0002
wherein the group A is attached to the meta or para position of the benzene ring, q is 0-4; R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined herein in respect of formula (I) and sub-groups, examples and preferences thereof; and R8 is a substituent group as hereinbefore defined. In formula (II), q is preferably 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 and most preferably 0. Preferably the group A is attached to the para position of the benzene ring.
Within formula (II), one particular sub-group of compounds of the invention is represented by the formula (III):
Figure imgf000052_0001
where A' is the residue of the group A and R1 to R4 are as defined herein.
Within formula (IH), one preferred group of compounds is represented by the formula (IV):
Figure imgf000052_0002
wherein z is 0, 1 or 2, R20 is selected from hydrogen, methyl, hydroxy and fluorine and R1 to R4 are as defined herein, provided that when z is 0, R20 is other than hydroxy.
Another group of compounds within formula (III) is represented by formula (V):
Figure imgf000053_0001
wherein and R1 and R3 to R4 are as defined herein.
In formula (V), R3 is preferably selected from hydrogen and C1^ hydrocarbyl, for example C i-4 alkyl such as methyl, ethyl and isopropyl. More preferably R3 is hydrogen.
Another group of preferred compounds of the invention can be represented by the formula (VI):
Figure imgf000053_0002
wherein T is N or CH, n is 0, 1 or 2 (preferably 0 or 1, and more preferably 0), R16 is selected from hydrogen and amino; and A, E and R1 to R4 are as defined herein.
In formula (VI), E is preferably a phenyl group.
In formula (VI), R4 is preferably absent (i.e. n is 0).
Within formula (VI), one preferred sub-group of compounds can be represented by the formula (VII);
Figure imgf000054_0001
In one sub-group of compounds within formula (VII), T is CH and R16 is hydrogen.
In another sub-group of compounds within formula (VII), T is N. Within this sub-group, R16 is preferably amino.
In each of formulae (II) to (V), R1 is preferably an optionally substituted phenyl group as defined herein.
For the avoidance of doubt, it is to be understood that each general and specific preference, embodiment and example of the groups R1 may be combined with each general and specific preference, embodiment and example of the groups R2 and/or R3 and/or R4 and/or R5 and/or R9 and that all such combinations are embraced by this application.
The various functional groups and substituents making up the compounds of the formula (I) are typically chosen such that the molecular weight of the compound of the formula (I) does not exceed 1000. More usually, the molecular weight of the compound will be less than 750, for example less than 700, or less than 650, or less than 600, or less than 550. More preferably, the molecular weight is less than 525 and, for example, is 500 or less.
Particular compounds of the invention are as illustrated in the examples below.
Salts, Solvates, Tautomers, Isomers, N-Oxides. Esters, Prodrugs and Isotopes
In this section, as in all other sections of this application, unless the context indicates otherwise, references to formula (I) included references to formulae (II), (HI), (IV), (V), (VI) and (VII) and all other sub-groups, preferences and examples thereof as defined herein. Unless otherwise specified, a reference to a particular compound also includes ionic, salt, solvate, and protected forms thereof, for example, as discussed below.
Many compounds of the formula (I) can exist in the form of salts, for example acid addition salts or, in certain cases salts of organic and inorganic bases such as carboxylate, sulphonate and phosphate salts. All such salts are within the scope of this invention, and references to compounds of the formula (I) include the salt forms of the compounds. As in the preceding sections of this application, all references to formula (I) should be taken to refer also to formula (II) and sub-groups thereof unless the context indicates otherwise.
Salt forms may be selected and prepared according to methods described in Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection, and Use, P. Heinrich Stahl (Editor), Camille G. Wermuth (Editor), ISBN: 3-90639-026-8, Hardcover, 388 pages, August 2002. For example, acid addition salts may be prepared by dissolving the free base in an organic solvent in which a given salt form is insoluble or poorly soluble and then adding the required acid in an appropriate solvent so that the salt precipitates out of solution.
Acid addition salts may be formed with a wide variety of acids, both inorganic and organic. Examples of acid addition salts include salts formed with an acid selected from the group consisting of acetic, 2,2-dichloroacetic, adipic, alginic, ascorbic (e.g. L-ascorbic), L- aspartic, benzenesulphonic, benzoic, 4-acetamidobenzoic, butanoic, (+) camphoric, camphor-sulphonic, (+)-(l.S)-camphor-10-sulphonic, capric, caproic, caprylic, cinnamic, citric, cyclamic, dodecylsulphuric, ethane- 1,2-disulphonic, ethanesulphonic, 2- hydroxyethanesulphonic, formic, fumaric, galactaric, gentisic, glucoheptonic, D-gluconic, glucuronic (e.g. D-glucuronic), glutamic (e.g. L-glutamic), α-oxoglutaric, glycolic, hippuric, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, hydriodic, isethionic, lactic (e.g. (+)-L-lactic and (±)- DL-lactic), lactobionic, maleic, malic, (-)-L-malic, malonic, (±)-DL-mandelic, methanesulphonic, naphthalenesulphonic (e.g. naphthalene-2-sulphonic), naphthalene- 1,5- disulphonic, l-hydroxy-2-naphthoic, nicotinic, nitric, oleic, orotic, oxalic, palmitic, pamoic, phosphoric, propionic, L-pyroglutamic, salicylic, 4-amino-salicylic, sebacic, stearic, succinic, sulphuric, tannic, (+)-L-tartaric, thiocyanic, toluenesulphonic (e.g.p- toluenesulphonic), undecylenic and valeric acids, as well as acylated amino acids and cation exchange resins.
One particular group of acid addition salts includes salts formed with hydrochloric, hydriodic, phosphoric, nitric, sulphuric, citric, lactic, succinic, maleic, malic, isethionic, fumaric, benzenesulphonic, toluenesulphonic, methanesulphonic, ethanesulphonic, naphthalenesulphonic, valeric, acetic, propanoic, butanoic, malonic, glucuronic and lactobionic acids.
Another group of acid addition salts includes salts formed from acetic, adipic, ascorbic, aspartic, citric, DL-Lactic, fumaric, gluconic, glucuronic, hippuric, hydrochloric, glutamic, DL-malic, methanesulphonic, sebacic, stearic, succinic and tartaric acids.
A further group of acid addition salts includes salts formed with formic, hydrochloric, acetic and trifluoroacetic acids.
Particular salts are those formed with hydrochloric, formic and acetic acids, and more particularly hydrochloric and acetic acids
The compounds of the invention may exist as mono- or di-salts depending upon the pKa of the acid from which the salt is formed.
If the compound is anionic, or has a functional group which may be anionic (e.g., -COOH may be -COO"), then a salt may be formed with a suitable cation. Examples of suitable inorganic cations include, but are not limited to, alkali metal ions such as Na+ and K+, alkaline earth cations such as Ca2+ and Mg2+, and other cations such as Al3+. Examples of suitable organic cations include, but are not limited to, ammonium ion (i.e., NH4 +) and substituted ammonium ions (e.g., NH3R+, NH2R2 +, NHR3 +, NR4 +). Examples of some suitable substituted ammonium ions are those derived from: ethylamine, diethylamine, dicyclohexylamine, triethylamine, butylamine, ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, piperazine, benzylamine, phenylbenzylamine, choline, meglumine, and tromethamine, as well as amino acids, such as lysine and arginine. An example of a common quaternary ammonium ion is N(CH3)/.
Where the compounds of the formula (I) contain an amine function, these may form quaternary ammonium salts, for example by reaction with an alkylating agent according to methods well known to the skilled person. Such quaternary ammonium compounds are within the scope of formula (I).
Compounds of the formula (I) containing an amine function may also form N-oxides. A reference herein to a compound of the formula (I) that contains an amine function also includes the N-oxide. Where a compound contains several amine functions, one or more than one nitrogen atom may be oxidised to form an N-oxide. Particular examples of N-oxides are the N-oxides of a tertiary amine or a nitrogen atom of a nitrogen-containing heterocycle.
N-Oxides can be formed by treatment of the corresponding amine with an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide or a per-acid (e.g. a peroxycarboxylic acid), see for example Advanced Organic Chemistry, by Jerry March, 4th Edition, Wiley Interscience, pages. More particularly, N-oxides can be made by the procedure of L. W. Deady (Syn. Comm. 1977, 7, 509-514) in which the amine compound is reacted with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (MCPBA), for example, in an inert solvent such as dichloromethane.
Compounds of the formula (I) may exist in a number of different geometric isomeric, and tautomeric forms and references to compounds of the formula (I) include all such forms. For the avoidance of doubt, where a compound can exist in one of several geometric isomeric or tautomeric forms and only one is specifically described or shown, all others are nevertheless embraced by formula (I).
Where compounds of the formula (I) contain one or more chiral centres, and can exist in the form of two or more optical isomers, references to compounds of the formula (I) include all optical isomeric forms thereof (e.g. enantiomers and diastereoisomers), either as individual optical isomers, or mixtures or two or more optical isomers, unless the context requires otherwise.
For example, the group A can include one or more chiral centres. Thus, when E and R1 are both attached to the same carbon atom on the linker group A, the said carbon atom is typically chiral and hence the compound of the formula (I) will exist as a pair of enantiomers (or more than one pair of enantiomers where more than one chiral centre is present in the compound).
The optical isomers may be characterised and identified by their optical activity (i.e. as + and - isomers) or they may be characterised in terms of their absolute stereochemistry using the "R and S" nomenclature developed by Cahn, Ingold and Prelog, see Advanced Organic Chemistry by Jerry March, 4th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1992, pages 109-114, and see also Cahn, Ingold & Prelog, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 1966, 5, 385-415. Optical isomers can be separated by a number of techniques including chiral chromatography (chromatography on a chiral support) and such techniques are well known to the person skilled in the art.
As an alternative to chiral chromatography, optical isomers can be separated by forming diastereoisomeric salts with chiral acids such as (+)-tartaric acid, (-)-pyroglutamic acid, (-)- di-toluloyl-L-tartaric acid, (+)~mandelic acid, (-)-malic acid, and (-)-camphorsulphonic, separating the diastereoisomers by preferential crystallisation, and then dissociating the salts to give the individual enantiomer of the free base.
Where compounds of the formula (I) exist as two or more optical isomeric forms, one enantiomer in a pair of enantiomers may exhibit advantages over the other enantiomer, for example, in terms of biological activity. Thus, in certain circumstances, it may be desirable to use as a therapeutic agent only one of a pair of enantiomers, or only one of a plurality of diastereoisomers. Accordingly, the invention provides compositions containing a compound of the formula (I) having one or more chiral centres, wherein at least 55% (e.g. at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95%) of the compound of the formula (I) is present as a single optical isomer (e.g. enantiomer or diastereoisomer). In one general embodiment, 99% or more (e.g. substantially all) of the total amount of the compound of the formula (I) may be present as a single optical isomer (e.g. enantiomer or diastereoisomer).
Esters such as carboxylic acid esters and acyloxy esters of the compounds of formula (I) bearing a carboxylic acid group or a hydroxyl group are also embraced by Formula (I). In one embodiment of the invention, formula (I) includes within its scope esters of compounds of the formula (I) bearing a carboxylic acid group or a hydroxyl group. In another embodiment of the invention, formula (I) does not include within its scope esters of compounds of the formula (I) bearing a carboxylic acid group or a hydroxyl group.
Examples of esters are compounds containing the group -C(=O)OR, wherein R is an ester substituent, for example, a C1-7 alkyl group, a C3-2O heterocyclyl group, or a C5.2o aryl group, preferably a Ci-7 alkyl group. Particular examples of ester groups include, but are not limited to, -C(=O)OCH3, -C(=O)OCH2CH3, -C(=O)OC(CH3)3, and -C(=O)OPh. Examples of acyloxy (reverse ester) groups are represented by -OC(=O)R, wherein R is an acyloxy substituent, for example, a Ci-7 alkyl group, a C3-2O heterocyclyl group, or a C5-2O aryl group, preferably a Ci-7 alkyl group. Particular examples of acyloxy groups include, but are not limited to, -0C(=0)CH3 (acetoxy), -OC(=O)CH2CH3, -OC(=O)C(CH3)3, -OC(=O)Ph, and -OC(=O)CH2Ph.
Also encompassed by formula (I) are any polymorphic forms of the compounds, solvates (e.g. hydrates), complexes (e.g. inclusion complexes or clathrates with compounds such as cyclodextrins, or complexes with metals) of the compounds, and pro-drugs of the compounds. By "prodrugs" is meant for example any compound that is converted in vivo into a biologically active compound of the formula (I).
For example, some prodrugs are esters of the active compound (e.g., a physiologically acceptable metabolically labile ester). During metabolism, the ester group (-C(=O)OR) is cleaved to yield the active drug. Such esters may be formed by esterifϊcation, for example, of any of the carboxylic acid groups (-C(=O)OH) in the parent compound, with, where appropriate, prior protection of any other reactive groups present in the parent compound, followed by deprotection if required.
Examples of such metabolically labile esters include those of the formula -C(=O)OR wherein R is:
Ci-7alkyl (e.g., -Me, -Et, -nPr, -iPr, -nBu, -sBu, -iBu, -tBu);
Ci-7 aminoalkyl (e.g., aminoethyl; 2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethyl; 2-(4-morpholino)ethyl); and acyloxy-Ci-7alkyl (e.g., acyloxymethyl; acyloxyethyl; pivaloyloxymethyl; acetoxymethyl; 1 -acetoxyethy 1; 1 -( 1 -methoxy- 1 -methyl)ethyl-carbonyloxy ethyl; 1 -(benzoyloxy)ethy 1; isopropoxy-carbonyloxymethyl; 1-isopropoxy-carbonyloxyethyl; cyclohexyl- carbonyloxymethyl; 1-cyclohexyl-carbonyloxy ethyl; cyclohexyloxy-carbonyloxymethyl; 1- cyclohexyloxy-carbonyloxyethyl; (4-tetrahydropyranyloxy) carbonyloxymethyl; l-(4- tetrahydropyranyloxy)-carbonyloxyethyl; (4-tetrahydropyranyi)carbonyloxymethyl; and l-(4-tetrahydropyranyl)-carbonyloxyethyl).
Also, some prodrugs are activated enzymatically to yield the active compound, or a compound which, upon further chemical reaction, yields the active compound (for example, as in antigen-directed enzyme pro-drug therapy (ADEPT), gene-directed enzyme pro-drug therapy (GDEPT) and ligand-directed enzyme pro-drug therapy (LIDEPT). For example, the prodrug may be a sugar derivative or other glycoside conjugate, or may be an amino acid ester derivative.
Methods for the preparation of compounds of the formula (I) In this section, as in all other sections of this application, unless the context indicates otherwise, references to formula (I) included references to formulae (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI) and (VII) and all other sub-groups, preferences and examples thereof as defined herein.
Compounds of the formula (I) can be prepared by reaction of a compound of the formula (X) with a compound of the formula (XI) or an N-protected derivative thereof:
Figure imgf000060_0001
wherein A, E, G, n and R1 to R4 are as hereinbefore defined, one of the groups X and Y is chlorine, bromine or iodine or a trifluoromethanesulphonate (triflate) group, and the other one of the groups X and Y is a boronate residue, for example a boronate ester or boronic acid residue.
The reaction can be carried out under typical Suzuki Coupling conditions in the presence of a palladium catalyst such as bis(trW-butylphosphine)palladium and a base (e.g. a carbonate such as potassium carbonate). The reaction may be carried out in an aqueous solvent system, for example aqueous ethanol, and the reaction mixture is typically subjected to heating, for example to a temperature in excess of 1000C.
An illustrative synthetic route involving a Suzuki coupling step is shown in Scheme 1. The starting material for the synthetic route shown in scheme 1 is the halo-substituted aryl- or heteroarylmethyl nitrile (XII) in which X is a chlorine, bromine or iodine atom or a triflate group. The nitrile (XII) is condensed with the aldehyde R1CHO in the presence of an alkali such as sodium or potassium hydroxide in an aqueous solvent system such as aqueous ethanol. The reaction can be carried out at room temperature.
The resulting substituted acrylonitrile derivative (XIII) is then treated with a reducing agent that will selectively reduce the alkene double bond without reducing the nitrile group. A borohydride such as sodium borohydride may be used for this purpose to give the substituted acetonitrile derivative (XIV). The reduction reaction is typically carried out in a solvent such as ethanol and usually with heating, for example to a temperature up to about 650C.
The reduced nitrile (XIV) is then coupled with the boronate ester (XV) under the Suzuki coupling conditions described above to give a compound of the formula (I) in which A- NR2R3 is a substituted acetonitrile group.
Figure imgf000061_0001
(XVI) (XVII)
Scheme 1 The substituted acetonitrile compound (XVI) may then be reduced to the corresponding amine (XVII) by treatment with a suitable reducing agent such as Raney nickel and ammonia in ethanol.
The synthetic route shown in Scheme 1 gives rise to amino compounds of the formula (I) in which the aryl or heteroaryl group E is attached to the β-position of the group A relative to the amino group. In order to give amino compounds of the formula (I) in which R1 is attached to the β-position relative to the amino group, the functional groups on the two starting materials in the condensation step can be reversed so that a compound of the formula X-E-CHO wherein X is bromine, chlorine, iodine or a triflate group is condensed with a compound of the formula R^CH2-CN to give a substituted acrylonitrile derivative which is then reduced to the corresponding acetonitrile derivative before coupling with the boronate (XV) and reducing the cyano group to an amino group.
Compounds of the formula (I) in which R1 is attached to the α-position relative to the amino group can be prepared by the sequence of reactions shown in Scheme 2.
In Scheme 2, the starting material is a halo-substituted aryl- or heteroarylmethyl Grignard reagent (XVIII, X = bromine or chlorine) which is reacted with the nitrile R1 -CN in a dry ether such as diethyl ether to give an intermediate imine (not shown) which is reduced to give the amine (XDC) using a reducing agent such as lithium aluminium hydride. The amine (XIX) can be reacted with the boronate ester (XV) under the Suzuki coupling conditions described above to yield the amine (XX).
(i) R-CN
Figure imgf000063_0001
(XX)
Scheme 2
Compounds of the formula (I) can also be prepared from the substituted nitrile compound (XXI).
Figure imgf000063_0002
The nitrile (XXI) can be condensed with an aldehyde of the formula R^(CH2VCHO, wherein r is O or 1, and the resulting substituted acrylonitrile subsequently reduced to the corresponding substituted nitrile under conditions analogous to those set out in Scheme 1 above. The protecting group PG can then be removed by an appropriate method. The nitrile compound may subsequently be reduced to the corresponding amine by the use of a suitable reducing agent as described above.
The nitrile compound (XXI) may also be reacted with a Grignard reagent of the formula R^(CH2X-MgBr under standard Grignard reaction conditions followed by deprotection to give an amino compound of the invention which has the structure shown in formula (XXII).
Figure imgf000064_0001
In the preparative procedures outlined above, the group E and the cyclic group HET are coupled together by the reaction of a halo-aryl or heteroaryl compound with a boronate ester or boronic acid in the presence of a palladium catalyst and base. Many boronates suitable for use in preparing compounds of the invention are commercially available, for example from Boron Molecular Limited of Noble Park, Australia, or from Combi-Blocks Inc, of San Diego, USA. Where the boronates are not commercially available, they can be prepared by methods known in the art, for example as described in the review article by N. Miyaura and A. Suzuki, Chem. Rev. 1995, 95, 2457. Thus, boronates can be prepared by reacting the corresponding bromo-compound with an alkyl lithium such as butyl lithium and then reacting with a borate ester. The resulting boronate ester derivative can, if desired, be hydrolysed to give the corresponding boronic acid.
Compounds of the formula (I) in which the group A contains a nitrogen atom attached to the group E can be prepared by well known synthetic procedures from compounds of the formula (XXffl) or a protected form thereof. Compounds of the formula (XXIII) can be obtained by a Suzuki coupling reaction of a compound of the formula (XV) (see Scheme 1) with a compound of the formula Br-E-NH2 such as 4-bromoaniline.
Figure imgf000065_0001
(XXIII)
Compounds of the formula (I) in which R1 and E are connected to the same carbon atom can be prepared as shown in Scheme 3.
In Scheme 3, an aldehyde compound (XXIV) where X is bromine, chlorine, iodine or a triflate group is condensed with ethyl cyanoacetate in the presence of a base to give a cyanoacrylate ester intermediate (XXV). The condensation is typically carried out in the presence of a base, preferably a non-hydroxide such as piperidine, by heating under Dean Stark conditions.
The cyanoacrylate intermediate (XXV) is then reacted with a Grignard reagent R1MgBr suitable for introducing the group R1 by Michael addition to the carbon-carbon double bond of the aery late moiety. The Grignard reaction may be carried out in a polar non-protic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a low temperature, for example at around 00C. The product of the Grignard reaction is the cyano propionic acid ester (XXVI) and this is subjected to hydrolysis and decarboxylation to give the propionic acid derivative (XXVII). The hydrolysis and decarboxylation steps can be effected by heating in an acidic medium, for example a mixture of sulphuric acid and acetic acid.
The propionic acid derivative (XXVII) is converted to the amide (XXVIII) by reaction with an amine HNR2R3 under conditions suitable for forming an amide bond. The coupling reaction between the propionic acid derivative (XXVII) and the amine HNR2R3 is preferably carried out in the presence of a reagent of the type commonly used in the formation of peptide linkages. Examples of such reagents include 1,3- dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) (Sheehan et al, J. Amer, Chem Soc. 1955, 77, 1067), 1- ethyl-3-(3'-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (referred to herein either as EDC or EDAC) (Sheehan et al, J. Org. Chem., 1961, 26, 2525), uronium-based coupling agents such as O-(7-azabenzotriazol-l-yl)-N,NN',N'-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HATU) and phosphonium-based coupling agents such as 1-benzo-triazolyloxytris- (pyrrolidino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBOP) (Castro et al, Tetrahedron Letters, 1990, 31, 205).
Figure imgf000066_0001
amide coupling reaction
Figure imgf000066_0002
reduction of amide
Figure imgf000066_0003
Figure imgf000066_0004
Figure imgf000066_0005
Scheme 3 Carbodiimide-based coupling agents are advantageously used in combination with 1- hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (HOAt) (L. A. Carpino, J. Amer. Chem. Soc, 1993, H5, 4397) or 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) (Konig et al, Chem. Ber., 103, 708, 2024-2034). Preferred coupling reagents include EDC (EDAC) and DCC in combination with HOAt or HOBt.
The coupling reaction is typically carried out in a non-aqueous, non-protic solvent such as acetonitrile, dioxan, dimethylsulphoxide, dichloromethane, dimethylformamide or N- methylpyrrolidine, or in an aqueous solvent optionally together with one or more miscible co-solvents. The reaction can be carried out at room temperature or, where the reactants are less reactive (for example in the case of electron-poor anilines bearing electron withdrawing groups such as sulphonamide groups) at an appropriately elevated temperature. The reaction may be carried out in the presence of a non-interfering base, for example a tertiary amine such as triethylamine or N,N-diisopropylethylamine.
Where the amine HNR2R3 is ammonia, the amide coupling reaction can be carried out using l,l'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) to activate the carboxylic acid before addition of the ammonia.
As an alternative, a reactive derivative of the carboxylic acid, e.g. an anhydride or acid chloride, may be used. Reaction with a reactive derivative such an anhydride is typically accomplished by stirring the amine and anhydride at room temperature in the presence of a base such as pyridine.
The amide (XXVIII) can be converted to a compound of the formula (XXX) (which corresponds to a compound of the formula (I) wherein A has an oxo substituent next to the NR2R3 group) by reaction with a boronate (XV) under Suzuki coupling conditions as described above. The amide (XXX) can subsequently be reduced using a hydride reducing agent such as lithium aluminium hydride in the presence of aluminium chloride to give an amine of the formula (XXXI) (which corresponds to a compound of the formula (I) wherein A is CH-CH2-CH2-). The reduction reaction is typically carried out in an ether solvent, for example diethyl ether, with heating to the reflux temperature of the solvent.
Rather than reacting the amide (XXVIII) with the boronate (XV), the amide may instead be reduced with lithium aluminium hydride/aluminium chloride, for example in an ether solvent at ambient temperature, to give the amine (XXEK) which is then reacted with the boronate (XV) under the Suzuki coupling conditions described above to give the amine (XXX).
In order to obtain the homologue of the amine (XXIX) containing one fewer methylene group, the carboxylic acid (XXVII) can be converted to the azide by standard methods and subjected to a Curtius rearrangement in the presence of an alcohol such as benzyl alcohol to give a carbamate (see Advanced Organic Chemistry, 4th edition, by Jerry March, John Wiley & sons, 1992, pages 1091-1092). The benzylcarbamate can function as a protecting group for the amine during the subsequent Suzuki coupling step, and the benzyloxycarbonyl moiety in the carbamate group can then be removed by standard methods after the coupling step. Alternatively, the benzylcarbamate group can be treated with a hydride reducing agent such as lithium aluminium hydride to give a compound in which NR2R3 is a methylamino group instead of an amino group.
In a variation on the reaction sequence shown in Scheme 3, the aldehyde starting material (XXIX) can be one in which the moiety X is a cyclic group corresponding to the cyclic group HET, rather than being bromine, chlorine, iodine or a triflate group. In this case, the need for the Suzuki coupling step later in the reaction sequence is avoided.
Intermediate compounds of the formula (X) where the moiety X is a chlorine, bromine or iodine atom and A is a group CH-CH2- can be prepared by the reductive amination of an aldehyde compound of the formula (XXXII):
Figure imgf000068_0001
(XXXII) with an amine of the formula HNR2R3 under standard reductive amination conditions, for example in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride in an alcohol solvent such as methanol or ethanol.
The aldehyde compound (XXXII) can be obtained by oxidation of the corresponding alcohol (XXXIII) using, for example, the Dess-Martin periodinane (see Dess, D.B.; Martin, J.C. J. Org. Soc, 1983, 48, 4155 and Organic Syntheses, Vol. 77, 141).
Figure imgf000069_0001
(XXXIII)
Compounds of the formula (I) where A, N and R2 together form a cyclic group can be formed by the Suzuki coupling of a boronate compound of the formula (XV) with a cyclic intermediate of the formula (XXXIV) or an N-protected derivative thereof.
Figure imgf000069_0002
(xxxrv)
Cyclic intermediates of the formula (XXXIV), where R1 is an aryl group such as an optionally substituted phenyl group, can be formed by Friedel Crafts alkylation of an aryl compound R1 -H with a compound of the formula (XXXV):
Figure imgf000069_0003
(XXXV) The alkylation is typically carried out in the presence of a Lewis acid such as aluminium chloride at a reduced temperature, for example less than 5 0C.
The Friedel Crafts reaction has been found to be of general applicability to the preparation of a range of intermediates of the formula (X). Accordingly, in a general method of making compounds of the formula (X), a compound of the formula (LXX):
Figure imgf000069_0004
is reacted with a compound of the formula R1 -H under Friedel Crafts alkylation conditions, for example in the presence of an aluminium halide (e.g. AlCl3). In a further method for the preparation of a compound of the formula (I) wherein the moiety NR2R3 is attached to a CH2 group of the moiety A, an aldehyde of the formula (XXXVI) can be coupled with an amine of the formula HNR2R3 under reductive amination conditions as described above. In the formulae (XXXVI) and (XXXVII), A' is the residue of the group A - i.e. the moieties A' and CH2 together form the group A. The aldehyde (XXXVI) can be formed by oxidation of the corresponding alcohol using, for example, Dess-Martin periodinane.
Figure imgf000070_0001
(XXXVI)
Figure imgf000070_0002
(XXXVII)
A Friedel Crafts alkylation procedure of the type described above for the synthesis of intermediates of the formula (XXXIV) can also be used to prepare intermediates of the formula (X) wherein X is bromine. An example of such a procedure is shown in Scheme 4.
Figure imgf000070_0003
Scheme 4
The starting material for the synthetic route shown in Scheme 4 is the epoxide (XXXVIII) which can either be obtained commercially or can be made by methods well known to the skilled person, for example by reaction of the aldehyde Br-E-CHO with trimethylsulphonium iodide. The epoxide (XXXVIII) is reacted with an amine HNR2R3 under conditions suitable for a ring-opening reaction with the epoxide to give a compound of the formula (XXXK). The ring opening reaction can be carried out in a polar solvent such as ethanol at room temperature or optionally with mild heating, and typically with a large excess of the amine.
The amine (XXXIX) is then reacted with an aryl compound R1H, typically a phenyl compound, capable of taking part in a Friedel Crafts alkylation (see for example Advanced Organic Chemistry, by Jerry March, pages 534-542). Thus, the amine of formula (XXXIX) is typically reacted with the aryl compound R1H in the presence of an aluminium chloride catalyst at or around room temperature. Where the aryl compound R1H is a liquid, e.g. as in the case of a methoxybenzene (e.g. anisole) or a halobenzene such as chlorobenzene, the aryl compound may serve as the solvent. Otherwise, a less reactive solvent such as nitrobenzene may be used. The Friedel Crafts alley lation of the compound R1H with the amine (XXXIX) gives a compound of the formula (XL) which corresponds to a compound of the formula (X) wherein X is bromine and A is CHCH2.
The hydroxy intermediate (XXXIX) in Scheme 4 can also be used to prepare compounds of the formula (X) in which the carbon atom of the hydrocarbon linker group A adjacent the group R1 is replaced by an oxygen atom. Thus the compound of formula (XXXIX), or an N-protected derivative thereof (where R2 or R3 are hydrogen) can be reacted with a phenolic compound of the formula R'-OH under Mitsunobu alkylation conditions, e.g. in the presence of diethyl azodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine. The reaction is typically carried out in a polar non-protic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a moderate temperature such as ambient temperature.
A further use of the hydroxy-intermediate (XXXIX) is for the preparation of the corresponding fluoro-compound. Thus, the hydroxy group can be replaced by fluorine by reaction with pyridine :hydrogen fluoride complex (Olah's reagent). The fluorinated intermediate can then be subjected to a Suzuki coupling reaction to give a compound of the formula (I) with a fluorinated hydrocarbon group A. A fluorinated compound of the formula (I) could alternatively be prepared by first coupling the hydroxy intermediate (XXXIX), or a protected form thereof, with a heteroaryl boronic acid or boronate under Suzuki conditions and then replacing the hydroxy group in the resulting compound of formula (I) with fluorine using pyridine: hydrogen fluoride complex.
Compounds of the formula (I) in which the moiety:
Figure imgf000072_0001
is a group:
Figure imgf000072_0002
where A" is the hydrocarbon residue of the group A, can be prepared by the sequence of reactions shown in Scheme 5.
R1MgBr R
X-E-CHO -*- X-E-CH-OH
Figure imgf000072_0003
Scheme 5 As shown in Scheme 5, the aldehyde (XXIV) is reacted with a Grignard reagent R1MgBr under standard Grignard conditions to give the secondary alcohol (XLI). The secondary alcohol can then be reacted with a compound of the formula (XLII) in which R2 and R3 represent the groups R2 and R3 or an amine-protecting group, A" is the residue of the group A, and X' represents a hydroxy group or a leaving group.
The amine protecting group can be, for example, a phthalolyl group in which case NR2 R is a phthalimido group.
When X' is a hydroxy group, the reaction between compounds (XLI) and (XLII) can take the form of an toluene sulphonic acid catalysed condensation reaction. Alternatively, when X' is a leaving group such as halogen, the alcohol (XLI) can first be treated with a strong base such as sodium hydride to form the alcoholate which then reacts with the compound (XLII).
The resulting compound of the formula (XLIII) is then subjected to a Suzuki coupling reaction with the boronate reagent (XV) under typical Suzuki coupling conditions of the type described above to give a compound of the formula (XLIV). The protecting group can then be removed from the protected amine group NR2 R3 to give a compound of the formula (I).
Compounds of the formula (I) in which the moiety:
Figure imgf000073_0001
is a group:
Figure imgf000073_0002
where A" is the hydrocarbon residue of the group A, can be prepared by the sequence of reactions shown in Scheme 6.
Figure imgf000074_0001
Scheme 6
The starting material in Scheme 6 is the chloroacyl compound (XLV) which can be prepared by literature methods (e.g. the method described in J. Med. Chem., 2004, 47, 3924-3926) or methods analogous thereto. Compound (XLV) is converted into the secondary alcohol (XLVI) by reduction with a hydride reducing agent such as sodium borohydride in a polar solvent such as water/tetrahydrofuran. The secondary alcohol (XLVI) can then be reacted with a phenolic compound of the formula R1 -OH under Mitsunobu alkylation conditions, e.g. in the presence of diethyl azodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine, as described above, to give the aryl ether compound (XLVII). The chorine atom in the aryl ether compound (XLVII) is then displaced by reaction with an amine HNR2R3 to give a compound of the formula (XLVIII). The nucleophilic displacement reaction may be carried out by heating the amine with the aryl ether in a polar solvent such as an alcohol at an elevated temperature, for example approximately 100 0C. The heating may advantageously be achieved using a microwave heater. The resulting amine (XLVIII) can then be subjected to a Suzuki coupling procedure with a boronate of the formula (XV) as described above to give the compound (XLIX).
In a variation on the reaction sequence shown in Scheme 6, the secondary alcohol (XLVI) can be subjected to a nucleophilic displacement reaction with an amine HNR2R3 before introducing the group R1 by means of the Mitsunobu ether-forming reaction.
Another route to compounds of the formula (I) in which E and R1 are attached to the same carbon atom in the group A is illustrated in Scheme 7.
In Scheme 7, boronic acid compound (L) is reacted under Suzuki coupling conditions with the cyano compound X-E-CN in which X is typically a halogen such as bromine or chlorine. The boronic acid (L) can be prepared using the method described in EP 1382603 or methods analogous thereto.
The resulting nitrile (LI) may then be reacted with a Grignard reagent R1 -MgBr to introduce the group R1 and form the ketone (LII). The ketone (LII) is converted to the enamine (LIV) by reaction with the diphenylphosphinoylmethylamine (LIII) in the presence of a strong base such as an alkyl lithium, particularly butyl lithium.
The enamine (LIV) is then subjected to hydrogenation over a palladium on charcoal catalyst to reduce the double bond of the enamine and remove the 1-phenethyl group, thereby yielding a compound of the formula (LV).
Alternatively, the enamine (LIV) can be reduced with a hydride reducing agent under the conditions described in Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 14 (2003) 1309-1316 and subjected to a chiral separation. Removal of the protecting 2-phenethyl group then gives an optically active form of the compound of formula (LV).
Figure imgf000076_0001
Figure imgf000076_0002
Scheme 7
Intermediates of the formula (X) wherein A and R2 link to form a ring containing an oxygen atom can be prepared by the general method illustrated in Scheme 8.
Figure imgf000077_0001
Scheme 8
In Scheme 8, a ketone (LVI) is reacted with trimethylsulphonium iodide to form the epoxide (LVII). The reaction is typically carried out in the presence of a hydride base such as sodium hydride in a polar solvent such as dimethylsulphoxide.
The epoxide (LVII) is subjected to a ring opening reaction with ethanolamine in the presence of a non-interfering base such as triethylamine in a polar solvent such as an alcohol (e.g. isopropanol), usually with mild heating (e.g. up to approximately 50 0C. The resulting secondary alcohol is then cyclised to form the morpholine ring by treatment with concentrated sulphuric acid in a solvent such as ethanolic dichloromethane.
The morpholine intermediate (LIX) can then reacted with the boronate (XV) under Suzuki coupling conditions to give the compound of formula (LX), which corresponds to a compound of the formula (I) in which A-NR2R3 forms a morpholine group. Instead of reacting the epoxide (LVII) with ethanolamine, it may instead be reacted with mono- or dialkylamines thereby providing a route to compounds containing the moiety:
Figure imgf000078_0001
Compounds wherein R2 and R3 are both hydrogen can be prepared by reacting the epoxide (LVII) with potassium phthalimide in a polar solvent such as DMSO. During the Suzuki coupling step, the phthalimide group may undergo partial hydrolysis to give the corresponding phthalamic acid which can be cleaved using hydrazine to give the amino group NH2. Alternatively, the phthalamic acid can be recyclised to the phthalimide using a standard amide-forming reagent and the phthaloyl group then removed using hydrazine to give the amine.
A further synthetic route to compounds of the formula (I) wherein A and NR2R3 combine to form a cyclic group is illustrated in Scheme 9.
Figure imgf000078_0002
(LXI) Cl (LXII) base
)
Figure imgf000078_0003
Scheme 9
In Scheme 9, the starting material (LXI) is typically a di-aryl/heteroaryl methane in which one or both of the aryl/heteroaryl groups is capable of stabilising or facilitating formation of an anion formed on the methylene group between E and R1. For example, R1 may advantageously be a pyridine group. The starting material (LXI) is reacted with the N- protected bis-2-chloroethylamine (LXII) in the presence of a non-interfering strong base such as sodium hexamethyldisilazide in a polar solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a reduced temperature (e.g. around 0 0C) to give the N-protected cyclic intermediate (LXIII). The protecting group can be any standard amine-protecting group such as a Boc group. Following cyclisation, the intermediate (LXIII) is coupled to a boronate of the formula (XV) under Suzuki coupling conditions and then deprotected to give the compound of the formula (I).
Compounds of the formula (I) in which the moiety:
Figure imgf000079_0001
is a group:
Figure imgf000079_0002
wherein "AIk" is a small alkyl group such as methyl or ethyl can be formed by the synthetic route illustrated in Scheme 10.
Figure imgf000080_0001
LDA AIk-I
Figure imgf000080_0002
I)
HNR2R3
LiAIH4
Figure imgf000080_0004
Figure imgf000080_0003
(LXVIII) (LXIX)
Scheme 10
In Scheme 10, a carboxylic acid of the formula (LXIV) is esterifϊed by treatment with methanol in the presence of an acid catalyst such as hydrochloric acid. The ester (LXV) is then reacted with a strong base such as lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) and an alkyl iodide such as methyl iodide at reduced temperature (e.g. between 0 0C and -78 0C). The branched ester (LXVI) is then hydrolysed to the acid (LXVII) and coupled with an amine HNR2R3 under standard amide forming conditions of the type described above. The amide (LXVIII) can then be reduced to the amine (LXIX) using lithium aluminium hydride, and the amine (LXIX) is then reacted with a heteroaryl boronate or boronic acid under Suzuki coupling conditions to give a compound of the formula (I). When the group E is a heterocyclic group in which a nitrogen atom of the group E is linked directly to the group A, the group R^A-NR2R3 can be introduced by means of an alkylation procedure such as a Mitsunobu alkylation as shown in Scheme 11.
Figure imgf000081_0001
In Scheme 1 l,the oxirane (LXXVIII) starting material can be formed by epoxidisation of an aldehyde R^CHO using trimethylsulphonium iodide under conditions analogous to those set out above in Scheme 4 above. The oxirane is reacted with an amine HNR2R3, suitably protected as necessary, to give the substituted ethanolamine (LXXIX).
The ethanolamine is then used in a Mitsunobu reaction to alkylate the nitrogen atom of the group E in compound (LXXX) to give, after deprotection where necessary, the product (LXXXI). The Mitsunobu reaction is typically carried out in a polar aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran in the presence of diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD) and triphenyl phosphine, usually at a temperature of around room temperature. In formula (LXXXI), the moiety:
Figure imgf000082_0001
represents a group E containing a nitrogen atom. Examples of such a group are imidazole and pyrazole groups.
Another method of preparing compounds of the formula (I) involves the replacement of the bromine atom in the intermediate of formula (LXX) with a range of heterocyclic ring- precursor groups, and then the conversion of a ring precursor group into a heterocyclic ring.
Figure imgf000082_0002
In particular, when the group E is an aryl or heteroaryl group such as a phenyl group, the bromine atom in the compound of formula (LXX) can be converted by well known synthetic methods into, for example, CONH2, NH2, COOH, CHO or C(O)CH3 group, each of which groups may be used for the construction of various heterocyclic ring systems.
By way of example, the bromo-compound of formula (LXX) may be converted to the aldehyde (LXXI) by reacting the bromo-compound with an alkyl lithium such as butyl lithium and then formylating the resulting lithiated intermediate using dimethylformamide. The lithiation step is typically carried out in a dry polar aprotic solvent such as THF at a low temperature (e.g. less than -50 0C).
The aldehyde group in the compound (LXXI) can then be converted into a range of heterocyclic groups using chemistry well known to the skilled person. For example, by reacting the aldehyde with tosylmethylisocyanide (tosmic), the aldehyde can be converted into an oxazole ring.
Compounds of the formula (I) wherein the cyclic group HET is a l,2,3-triazol-4-yl group (Table 4, D39) can be prepared from an aldehyde of the formula (LXXI) by reaction with nitromethane in the presence of a base to form a nitrovinyl group followed by reaction with sodium azide and cyclisation to the triazole: see for example Zefirov et al, J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun., 1971, 1001. Compounds of the formula (I) wherein the cyclic group HET is a pyrrolidine-2,5-dione-3- yl group (Table 4, D74) can be prepared from an aldehyde of the formula (LXXI) by the method of Saeed et al, Pharmaceutical Sciences, (1997), 3(5/6), 265-277. The Saeed et at. method involves condensation of the aldehyde with (i) ethylcyanoacetate in the presence of acetic acid and ammonium acetate followed by (ii) reaction of the resulting product with potassium cyanide in ethanol, (iii) treatment with acid and (iv) cyclisation with ammonium hydroxide.
Compounds of the formula (I) wherein the cyclic group HET is a 4-isothiazolidine 1,1- dioxide group (Table 4, D75) can be prepared from an aldehyde of the formula (LXXI) by the method of FiId et al, Chem. Ber., 1980, 113, 142 followed by the method of Avlessi et al., Zh. Org. Khim., 1994, 30 (4), 517-520.
Compounds of the formula (I) wherein the cyclic group HET is a 3-[l,2,5]thiadiazolidine 1,1 -dioxide group (Table 4, D76) can be prepared from an aldehyde of the formula (LXXI) using the conditions described in Stout et al, J. Org. Chem., 1983, 48 (26), 5369 or the conditions described in Harada et al, Naturwissenschaften, 1964, 51, 106.
In an alternative approach, the bromine atom in compound (LXXI) can be displaced by the nitrogen atom of a heterocyclic group in a coupling reaction mediated by copper (II) acetate. Thus, for example, the compound of formula (LXXI) can be reacted with a heteroaryl compound such as pyrazole, imidazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,3-triazole or IH- tetrazole in the presence of copper (II) acetate under conditions of the type described in Tetrahedron Letters, 1998, 39, 2941, J. Org. Chem., 2002, 67, 1699 or J. Org. Chem., 2001, 66, 7892, to give a compound of the formula (I) wherein the cyclic group HET is an imidazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,3-triazole, lH-tetrazole or pyrazol-1-yl group (Table 4, D 14, D10, D32, D37 & D28).
The bromo-compound (LXX) can be converted to the corresponding amine (LXXIII) by a palladium catalysed amination; see for example Hartwig et al, Org. Lett, 2001, 3, 17, 2729-2732.
Figure imgf000083_0001
The amino group of amine (LXXIII) may serve as the starting point for the construction of a number of heterocyclic rings.
Thus for example, a triazolinone ring (Table 4, D34 above) can be formed by reaction with phenyl chloroformate, hydrazine and formamidine according to the method described in Bolos et al, J. Heterocyclic Chem., 1997, 34 (6), 1709-1713.
Compounds wherein the cyclic group HET is a maleimide group (Table 4, D72) can be prepared by diazotisation of amine (LXXIII) and reaction with maleimide in the presence of copper (II) chloride; see Rondestvedt et al, J. Amer. Chem. Soc, (1956), 78, 6115-20.
Compounds wherein the cyclic group HET is a l-imidazolidine-2,4-dione group (Table 4, D73) can be prepared from the amine (LXXIII) by reaction with chloroacetic acid and urea according to the method of Kochkanyan et al., Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, KGSSAQ (1978), (1), 87-9; ISSN: 0453-8234.
Compounds wherein the cyclic group HET is a morpholine group (Table 4, D27) can be prepared from the amine (LXXIII) by reaction with tø-(2-bromoethyl)ether according to the method described in Wu et al, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett,. 2003, 13 (10), 1725-1728.
The bromo-compound (LXX) can be converted to the corresponding acetyl derivative (LXXrV) using conditions analogous to those described in Wommack, et al.; J. Heterocycl. Chem., 1969, 6, 243; Worden et al; J. Chem. Soc. (C) 1970, 227; Xu et al, Org. Lett, 2001, 3 (2), 295-297 and Vallin et al.; J. Org. Chem., 2001, 66 (12), 4340-4343.
Figure imgf000084_0001
The ketone (LXXV) can in turn be converted into the thioketone (LXXV) using methods well known to the skilled person, see for example Steliou et al , J. Amer. Chem. Soc, 1982, 104, 3104. Ketones of the formula (LXXV) can be reacted with dimethylformamide-dimethylacetal under standard cyclisation conditions to give compounds in which the cyclic group HET is a pyrazol-3-yl group.
The ketone (LXXV) can also be converted into compounds wherein the cyclic group HET is a 4-pyrrolidone group (Table 4, D46) or a lH-pyrimidine-2,4-dione - 6-yl group (Table 4, D77; see for example Thakur et al, Tetrahedron, Asymmetry, (2003), 14(5), 581-586 and Shahak et al, Synthetic Communications, (2002), 32(6), 851-855 respectively.
The thioketone (LXXV) can be converted into a thiazole-5-yl group (Table 4, D78) by reaction with dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal followed by hydroxylamine-O-sulphonic acid according to the method of Lin et al, J. HeterocyclicChem., 2002, 39(1), 237-239.
Carboxylic acids of the formula (LXXVI) can be prepared by oxidation of aldehydes of the formula (LXXI) by standard methods, for example as described in the article by Looker et al, J. Amer. Chem. Soc, 1957,79, 745.
0 ^
Figure imgf000085_0001
(LXXVII)
The carboxylic acid (LXXVI) can be turned into the acylhydrazide by a Standard amide coupling with hydrazine using EDCI and HOBt in a solvent such as dimethylformamide with subsequent cyclisation to form an oxadiazole ring (Table 4, D60) by condensation reaction with triethylorthoformate.
The carboxylic acid (LXXVI) can be converted into the amide (LXXVII) by standard methods of amide formation, see for example Advanced Organic Chemistry, by Jerry
March (reference below), or the article by Kamal et al, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 2002, 12 (13), 1735-1738.
Once formed, many compounds of the formula (I) can be converted into other compounds of the formula (I) using standard functional group interconversions. For example, compounds of the formula (I) in which the NR2R3 forms part of a nitrile group can be reduced to the corresponding amine. Compounds in which NR2R3 is an NH2 group can be converted to the corresponding alkylamine by reductive alkylation, or to a cyclic group. Compounds wherein R1 contains a halogen atom such as chlorine or bromine can be used to introduce an aryl or heteroaryl group substituent into the R1 group by means of a Suzuki coupling reaction. Further examples of interconversions of one compound of the formula (I) to another compound of the formula (I) can be found in the examples below. Additional examples of functional group interconversions and reagents and conditions for carrying out such conversions can be found in, for example, Advanced Organic Chemistry, by Jerry March, 4th edition, 119, Wiley Interscience, New York, Fiesers' Reagents for Organic Synthesis, Volumes 1-17, John Wiley, edited by Mary Fieser (ISBN: 0-471-58283-2), and Organic Syntheses, Volumes 1-8, John Wiley, edited by Jeremiah P. Freeman (ISBN: 0- 471-31192-8).
In many of the reactions described above, it may be necessary to protect one or more groups to prevent reaction from taking place at an undesirable location on the molecule. Examples of protecting groups, and methods of protecting and deprotecting functional groups, can be found in Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis (T. Green and P. Wuts; 3rd Edition; John Wiley and Sons, 1999).
A hydroxy group may be protected, for example, as an ether (-OR) or an ester (-OC(=O)R), for example, as: a t-butyl ether; a benzyl, benzhydryl (diphenylmethyl), or trityl (triphenylmethyl) ether; a trimethylsilyl or t-butyldimethylsilyl ether; or an acetyl ester (- OC(=O)CH3, -OAc). An aldehyde or ketone group may be protected, for example, as an acetal (R-CH(OR)2) or ketal (R2C(OR)2), respectively, in which the carbonyl group (>C=O) is converted to a diether (>C(OR)2), by reaction with, for example, a primary alcohol. The aldehyde or ketone group is readily regenerated by hydrolysis using a large excess of water in the presence of acid. An amine group may be protected, for example, as an amide (- NRCO-R) or a urethane (-NRCO-OR), for example, as: a methyl amide (-NHCO-CH3); a benzyloxy amide (-NHCO-OCH2C6H5, -NH-Cbz); as a t-butoxy amide (-NHCO-OC(CH3)3, -NH-Boc); a 2-biphenyl-2-propoxy amide (-NHCO-OC(CBi)2C6H4C6H5, -NH-Bpoc), as a 9-fluorenylmethoxy amide (-NH-Fmoc), as a 6-nitroveratryloxy amide (-NH-Nvoc), as a 2- trimethylsilylethyloxy amide (-NH-Teoc), as a 2,2,2-trichloroethyloxy amide (-NH-Troc), as an allyloxy amide (-NH-Alloc), or as a 2-(phenylsulphonyl)ethyloxy amide (-NH-Psec). Other protecting groups for amines, such as cyclic amines and heterocyclic N-H groups, include toluenesulphonyl (tosyl) and methanesulphonyl (mesyl) groups and benzyl groups such as apαra-methoxybenzyl (PMB) group. A carboxylic acid group may be protected as an ester for example, as: an Ci-7 alkyl ester (e.g., a methyl ester; a t-butyl ester); a Ci-7 haloalkyl ester (e.g., a Cj.7 trihaloalkyl ester); a triCi.7 alkylsilyl-Ci-7alkyl ester; or a C5-2O aryl-Ci-7 alkyl ester (e.g., a benzyl ester; a nitrobenzyl ester); or as an amide, for example, as a methyl amide. A thiol group may be protected, for example, as a thioether (-SR), for example, as: a benzyl thioether; an acetamidomethyl ether (-S-CH2NHC(=O)CH3).
Many of the chemical intermediates described above are novel and such novel intermediates form a further aspect of the invention.
Pharmaceutical Formulations
While it is possible for the active compound to be administered alone, it is preferable to present it as a pharmaceutical composition (e.g. formulation) comprising at least one active compound of the invention together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants, excipients, diluents, fillers, buffers, stabilisers, preservatives, lubricants, or other materials well known to those skilled in the art and optionally other therapeutic or prophylactic agents
Thus, the present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions, as defined above, and methods of making a pharmaceutical composition comprising admixing at least one active compound, as defined above, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, buffers, adjuvants, stabilizers, or other materials, as described herein.
The term "pharmaceutically acceptable" as used herein pertains to compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of a subject (e.g. human) without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. Each carrier, excipient, etc. must also be "acceptable" in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation.
Pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of the formula (I) can be formulated in accordance with known techniques, see for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, PA, USA.
Accordingly, in a further aspect, the invention provides compounds of the formula (I) and sub-groups thereof as defined herein in the form of pharmaceutical compositions. The pharmaceutical compositions can be in any form suitable for oral, parenteral, topical, intranasal, ophthalmic, otic, rectal, intra-vaginal, or transdermal administration. Where the compositions are intended for parenteral administration, they can be formulated for intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous administration or for direct delivery into a target organ or tissue by injection, infusion or other means of delivery. The delivery can be by bolus injection, short term infusion or longer term infusion and can be via passive delivery or through the utilisation of a suitable infusion pump.
Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for parenteral administration include aqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats, co-solvents, organic solvent mixtures, cyclodextrin complexation agents, emulsifying agents (for forming and stabilizing emulsion formulations), liposome components for forming liposomes, gellable polymers for forming polymeric gels, lyophilisation protectants and combinations of agents for, inter alia, stabilising the active ingredient in a soluble form and rendering the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient. Pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral administration may also take the form of aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents and thickening agents (R. G. Strickly, Solubilizing Excipients in oral and injectable formulations, Pharmaceutical Research, VoI 21(2) 2004, p 201-230).
Liposomes are closed spherical vesicles composed of outer lipid bilayer membranes and an inner aqueous core and with an overall diameter of < 100 μm. Depending on the level of hydrophobicity, moderately hydrophobic drugs can be solubilized by liposomes if the drug becomes encapsulated or intercalated within the liposome. Hydrophobic drugs can also be solubilized by liposomes if the drug molecule becomes an integral part of the lipid bilayer membrane, and in this case, the hydrophobic drug is dissolved in the lipid portion of the lipid bilayer.
The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, for example sealed ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilised) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier, for example water for injections, immediately prior to use.
The pharmaceutical formulation can be prepared by lyophilising a compound of formula (I), or sub-groups thereof. Lyophilisation refers to the procedure of freeze-drying a composition. Freeze-drying and lyophilisation are therefore used herein as synonyms. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets.
Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention for parenteral injection can also comprise pharmaceutically acceptable sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, dispersions, suspensions or emulsions as well as sterile powders for reconstitution into sterile injectable solutions or dispersions just prior to use. Examples of suitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers, diluents, solvents or vehicles include water, ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and the like), carboxymethylcellulose and suitable mixtures thereof, vegetable oils (such as olive oil), and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of coating materials such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions, and by the use of surfactants.
The compositions of the present invention may also contain adjuvants such as preservatives, wetting agents, emulsifying agents, and dispersing agents. Prevention of the action of microorganisms may be ensured by the inclusion of various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, paraben, chlorobutanol, phenol sorbic acid, and the like. It may also be desirable to include isotonic agents such as sugars, sodium chloride, and the like. Prolonged absorption of the injectable pharmaceutical form may be brought about by the inclusion of agents which delay absorption such as aluminum monostearate and gelatin.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the pharmaceutical composition is in a form suitable for i.v. administration, for example by injection or infusion. For intravenous administration, the solution can be dosed as is, or can be injected into an infusion bag (containing a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, such as 0.9% saline or 5% dextrose), before administration.
In another preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is in a form suitable for sub-cutaneous (s.c.) administration.
Pharmaceutical dosage forms suitable for oral administration include tablets, capsules, caplets, pills, lozenges, syrups, solutions, powders, granules, elixirs and suspensions, sublingual tablets, wafers or patches and buccal patches.
Thus, tablet compositions can contain a unit dosage of active compound together with an inert diluent or carrier such as a sugar or sugar alcohol, eg; lactose, sucrose, sorbitol or mannitol; and/or a non-sugar derived diluent such as sodium carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, or a cellulose or derivative thereof such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and starches such as corn starch. Tablets may also contain such standard ingredients as binding and granulating agents such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, disintegrants (e.g. swellable crosslinked polymers such as crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose), lubricating agents (e.g. stearates), preservatives (e.g. parabens), antioxidants (e.g. BHT), buffering agents (for example phosphate or citrate buffers), and effervescent agents such as citrate/bicarbonate mixtures. Such excipients are well known and do not need to be discussed in detail here.
Capsule formulations may be of the hard gelatin or soft gelatin variety and can contain the active component in solid, semi-solid, or liquid form. Gelatin capsules can be formed from animal gelatin or synthetic or plant derived equivalents thereof.
The solid dosage forms (eg; tablets, capsules etc.) can be coated or un-coated, but typically have a coating, for example a protective film coating (e.g. a wax or varnish) or a release controlling coating. The coating (e.g. a Eudragit ™ type polymer) can be designed to release the active component at a desired location within the gastro-intestinal tract. Thus, the coating can be selected so as to degrade under certain pH conditions within the gastrointestinal tract, thereby selectively release the compound in the stomach or in the ileum or duodenum.
Instead of, or in addition to, a coating, the drug can be presented in a solid matrix comprising a release controlling agent, for example a release delaying agent which may be adapted to selectively release the compound under conditions of varying acidity or alkalinity in the gastrointestinal tract. Alternatively, the matrix material or release retarding coating can take the form of an erodible polymer (e.g. a maleic anhydride polymer) which is substantially continuously eroded as the dosage form passes through the gastrointestinal tract. As a further alternative, the active compound can be formulated in a delivery system that provides osmotic control of the release of the compound. Osmotic release and other delayed release or sustained release formulations may be prepared in accordance with methods well known to those skilled in the art.
The pharmaceutical compositions comprise from approximately 1% to approximately 95%, preferably from approximately 20% to approximately 90%, active ingredient. Pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may be, for example, in unit dose form, such as in the form of ampoules, vials, suppositories, dragees, tablets or capsules.
Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration can be obtained by combining the active ingredient with solid carriers, if desired granulating a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture, if desired or necessary, after the addition of appropriate excipients, into tablets, dragee cores or capsules. It is also possible for them to be incorporated into plastics carriers that allow the active ingredients to diffuse or be released in measured amounts.
The compounds of the invention can also be formulated as solid dispersions. Solid dispersions are homogeneous extremely fine disperse phases of two or more solids. Solid solutions (molecularly disperse systems), one type of solid dispersion, are well known for use in pharmaceutical technology (see (Chiou and Riegelman, J. Pharm. Sci., 60, 1281- 1300 (1971)) and are useful in increasing dissolution rates and increasing the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.
This invention also provides solid dosage forms comprising the solid solution described above. Solid dosage forms include tablets, capsules and chewable tablets. Known excipients can be blended with the solid solution to provide the desired dosage form. For example, a capsule can contain the solid solution blended with (a) a disintegrant and a lubricant, or (b) a disintegrant, a lubricant and a surfactant. A tablet can contain the solid solution blended with at least one disintegrant, a lubricant, a surfactant, and a glidant. The chewable tablet can contain the solid solution blended with a bulking agent, a lubricant, and if desired an additional sweetening agent (such as an artificial sweetener), and suitable flavours.
The pharmaceutical formulations may be presented to a patient in "patient packs" containing an entire course of treatment in a single package, usually a blister pack. Patient packs have an advantage over traditional prescriptions, where a pharmacist divides a patient's supply of a pharmaceutical from a bulk supply, in that the patient always has access to the package insert contained in the patient pack, normally missing in patient prescriptions. The inclusion of a package insert has been shown to improve patient compliance with the physician's instructions. Compositions for topical use include ointments, creams, sprays, patches, gels, liquid drops and inserts (for example intraocular inserts). Such compositions can be formulated in accordance with known methods.
Examples of formulations for rectal or intra-vaginal administration include pessaries and suppositories which may be, for example, formed from a shaped moldable or waxy material containing the active compound.
Compositions for administration by inhalation may take the form of inhalable powder compositions or liquid or powder sprays, and can be administrated in standard form using powder inhaler devices or aerosol dispensing devices. Such devices are well known. For administration by inhalation, the powdered formulations typically comprise the active compound together with an inert solid powdered diluent such as lactose.
The compounds of the formula (I) will generally be presented in unit dosage form and, as such, will typically contain sufficient compound to provide a desired level of biological activity. For example, a formulation may contain from 1 nanogram to 2 grams of active ingredient, e.g. from 1 nanogram to 2 milligrams of active ingredient. Within this range, particular sub-ranges of compound are 0.1 milligrams to 2 grams of active ingredient (more usually from 10 milligrams to 1 gram, e.g. 50 milligrams to 500 milligrams), or 1 microgram to 20 milligrams (for example 1 microgram to 10 milligrams, e.g. 0.1 milligrams to 2 milligrams of active ingredient).
For oral compositions, a unit dosage form may contain from 1 milligram to 2 grams, more typically 10 milligrams to 1 gram, for example 50 milligrams to 1 gram, e.g. 100 miligrams to 1 gram, of active compound.
The active compound will be administered to a patient in need thereof (for example a human or animal patient) in an amount sufficient to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
Protein Kinase Inhibitory Activity
The activity of the compounds of the invention as inhibitors of protein kinase A and protein kinase B can be measured using the assays set forth in the examples below and the level of activity exhibited by a given compound can be defined in terms of the IC50 value. Preferred compounds of the present invention are compounds having an IC50 value of less than 1 μM, more preferably less than 0.1 μM, against protein kinase B. Therapeutic Uses
Prevention or Treatment of Proliferative Disorders
The compounds of the formula (I) are inhibitors of protein kinase A and protein kinase B. As such, they are expected to be useful in providing a means of preventing the growth of or inducing apoptosis of neoplasias. It is therefore anticipated that the compounds will prove useful in treating or preventing proliferative disorders such as cancers. In particular tumours with deletions or inactivating mutations in PTEN or loss of PTEN expression or rearrangements in the (T-cell lytmphocyte) TCL-I gene may be particularly sensitive to PKB inhibitors. Tumours which have other abnormalities leading to an upregulated PKB pathway signal may also be particularly sensitive to inhibitors of PKB. Examples of such abnormalities include but are not limited to overexpression of one or more PI3K subunits, over-expression of one or more PKB isoforms, or mutations in PBK, PDKl, or PKB which lead to an increase in the basal activity of the enzyme in question, or upregulation or overexpression or mutational activation of a growth factor receptor such as a growth factor selected from the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-IR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) families.
It is also envisaged that the compounds of the invention will be useful in treating other conditions which result from disorders in proliferation or survival such as viral infections, and neurodegenerative diseases for example. PKB plays an important role in maintaining the survival of immune cells during an immune response and therefore PKB inhibitors could be particularly beneficial in immune disorders including autoimmune conditions.
Therefore, PKB inhibitors could be useful in the treatment of diseases in which there is a disorder of proliferation, apoptosis or differentiation.
PKB inhibitors may also be useful in diseases resulting from insulin resistance and insensitivity, and the disruption of glucose, energy and fat storage such as metabolic disease and obesity.
Examples of cancers which may be inhibited include, but are not limited to, a carcinoma, for example a carcinoma of the bladder, breast, colon (e.g. colorectal carcinomas such as colon adenocarcinoma and colon adenoma), kidney, epidermal, liver, lung, for example adenocarcinoma, small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung carcinomas, oesophagus, gall bladder, ovary, pancreas e.g. exocrine pancreatic carcinoma, stomach, cervix, endometrium, thyroid, prostate, or skin, for example squamous cell carcinoma; a hematopoietic tumour of lymphoid lineage, for example leukaemia, acute lymphocytic leukaemia, B-cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, hairy cell lymphoma, or Burkett's lymphoma; a hematopoietic tumour of myeloid lineage, for example acute and chronic myelogenous leukaemias, myelodysplastic syndrome, or promyelocytic leukaemia; thyroid follicular cancer; a tumour of mesenchymal origin, for example fibrosarcoma or habdomyosarcoma; a tumour of the central or peripheral nervous system, for example astrocytoma, neuroblastoma, glioma or schwannoma; melanoma; seminoma; teratocarcinoma; osteosarcoma; xenoderoma pigmentosum; keratoctanthoma; thyroid follicular cancer; or Kaposi's sarcoma.
Thus, in the pharmaceutical compositions, uses or methods of this invention for treating a disease or condition comprising abnormal cell growth, the disease or condition comprising abnormal cell growth in one embodiment is a cancer.
Particular subsets of cancers include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, oesophageal cancer, squamous cancer and non-small cell lung carcinomas.
A further subset of cancers includes breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, endometrial cancer and glioma.
It is also possible that some protein kinase B inhibitors can be used in combination with other anticancer agents. For example, it may be beneficial to combine of an inhibitor that induces apoptosis with another agent which acts via a different mechanism to regulate cell growth thus treating two of the characteristic features of cancer development. Examples of such combinations are set out below.
Immune Disorders
Immune disorders for which PKA and PKB inhibitors may be beneficial include but are not limited to autoimmune conditions and chronic inflammatory diseases, for example systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune mediated glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune diabetes mellitus, Eczema hypersensitivity reactions, asthma, COPD, rhinitis, and upper respiratory tract disease. Other Therapeutic Uses
PKB plays a role in apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation and therefore PKB inhibitors could also be useful in the treatment of the following diseases other than cancer and those associated with immune dysfunction; viral infections, for example herpes virus, pox virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Sindbis virus, adenovirus, HTV, HPV, HCV and HCMV; prevention of AIDS development in HTV-infected individuals; cardiovascular diseases for example cardiac hypertrophy, restenosis, atherosclerosis; neurodegenerative disorders, for example Alzheimer's disease, AIDS-related dementia, Parkinson's disease, amyotropic lateral sclerosis, retinitis pigmentosa, spinal muscular atropy and cerebellar degeneration; glomerulonephritis; myelodysplastic syndromes, ischemic injury associated myocardial infarctions, stroke and reperfusion injury, degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system, for example, osteoporosis and arthritis, aspirin-sensitive rhinosinusitis, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, kidney diseases.
Advantages of Compounds of the Invention
It is envisaged that compounds of the formula (I) and sub-groups thereof as defined herein have advantages over prior art compounds.
Potentially the compounds of the invention have physiochemical properties suitable for oral exposure.
Compounds of the formula (I) should exhibit improved oral bioavailability relative to prior art compounds. Oral bioavailability can be defined as the ratio (F) of the plasma exposure of a compound when dosed by the oral route to the plasma exposure of the compound when dosed by the intravenous (i.v.) route, expressed as a percentage.
Compounds having an oral bioavailability (F value) of greater than 30%, more preferably greater than 40%, are particularly advantageous in that they may be administered orally rather than, or as well as, by parenteral administration.
Furthermore, it is envisaged that compounds of the invention are both more potent and more selective in their activities against different kinases, and demonstrate enhanced selectivity for and potency against PKB and PKB kinases in particular. It is also envisaged that compounds of the invention are advantageous over prior art compounds in that they have different susceptibilities to P450 enzymes and and in that they exhibit improvements with regard to drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic properties.
Furthermore, it is considered that compounds of the invention should exhibit reduced dosage requirements.
Compounds of the invention are advantageous in that they have improved thermodynamic solubilities, thereby leading potentially to an improved dose: solubility ratio and reduced development risk.
It is further envisaged that compounds of the invention also demonstrate improved cell activity in proliferation and clonogenic assays thereby indicating improved anti-cancer activity.
Compounds of the invention are potentially less toxic than prior art compounds.
For example, it is envisaged that compounds of formula (I) will have reduced, negligible or no HERG ion channel blocking activity.
Methods of Treatment
It is envisaged that the compounds of the formula (I) and sub-groups thereof as defined herein will be useful in the prophylaxis or treatment of a range of disease states or conditions mediated by protein kinase A and/or protein kinase B. Examples of such disease states and conditions are set out above.
The compounds are generally administered to a subject in need of such administration, for example a human or animal patient, preferably a human.
The compounds will typically be administered in amounts that are therapeutically or prophylactically useful and which generally are non-toxic. However, in certain situations (for example in the case of life threatening diseases), the benefits of administering a compound of the formula (I) may outweigh the disadvantages of any toxic effects or side effects, in which case it may be considered desirable to administer compounds in amounts that are associated with a degree of toxicity. The compounds may be administered over a prolonged term to maintain beneficial therapeutic effects or may be administered for a short period only. Alternatively they may be administered in a pulsatile or continuous manner.
A typical daily dose of the compound of formula (I) can be in the range from 100 picograms to 100 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, more typically 5 nanograms to 25 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, and more usually 10 nanograms to 15 milligrams per kilogram (e.g. 10 nanograms to 10 milligrams, and more typically 1 microgram per kilogram to 20 milligrams per kilogram, for example 1 microgram to 10 milligrams per kilogram) per kilogram of body weight although higher or lower doses may be administered where required. The compound of the formula (I) can be administered on a daily basis or on a repeat basis every 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 10 or 14, or 21, or 28 days for example.
The compounds of the invention may be administered orally in a range of doses, for example 1 to 1500 mg, 2 to 800 mg, or 5 to 500 mg, e.g. 2 to 200 mg or 10 to 1000 mg, particular examples of doses including 10, 20, 50 and 80 mg. The compound may be administered once or more than once each day. The compound can be administered continuously (i.e. taken every day without a break for the duration of the treatment regimen). Alternatively, the compound can be administered intermittently, i.e. taken continuously for a given period such as a week, then discontinued for a period such as a week and then taken continuously for another period such as a week and so on throughout the duration of the treatment regimen. Examples of treatment regimens involving intermittent administration include regimens wherein administration is in cycles of one week on, one week off; or two weeks on, one week off; or three weeks on, one week off; or two weeks on, two weeks off; or four weeks on two weeks off; or one week on three weeks off- for one or more cycles, e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 or more cycles.
In one particular dosing schedule, a patient will be given an infusion of a compound of the formula (I) for periods of one hour daily for up to ten days in particular up to five days for one week, and the treatment repeated at a desired interval such as two to four weeks, in particular every three weeks.
More particularly, a patient may be given an infusion of a compound of the formula (I) for periods of one hour daily for 5 days and the treatment repeated every three weeks. In another particular dosing schedule, a patient is given an infusion over 30 minutes to 1 hour followed by maintenance infusions of variable duration, for example 1 to 5 hours, e.g. 3 hours.
In a further particular dosing schedule, a patient is given a continuous infusion for a period of 12 hours to 5 days, an in particular a continuous infusion of 24 hours to 72 hours.
Ultimately, however, the quantity of compound administered and the type of composition used will be commensurate with the nature of the disease or physiological condition being treated and will be at the discretion of the physician.
The compounds as defined herein can be administered as the sole therapeutic agent or they can be administered in combination therapy with one of more other compounds for treatment of a particular disease state, for example a neoplastic disease such as a cancer as hereinbefore defined. Examples of other therapeutic agents or treatments that may be administered together (whether concurrently or at different time intervals) with the compounds of the formula (I) include but are not limited to: • Topoisomerase I inhibitors
• Antimetabolites
• Tubulin targeting agents
• DNA binder and topoisomerase II inhibitors
• Alkylating Agents • Monoclonal Antibodies.
• Anti-Hormones
• Signal Transduction Inhibitors
• Proteasome Inhibitors
• DNA methyl transferases • Cytokines and retinoids
• Chromatin targeted therapies
• Radiotherapy, and,
• Other therapeutic or prophylactic agents; for example agents that reduce or alleviate some of the side effects associated with chemotherapy. Particular examples of such agents include anti-emetic agents and agents that prevent or decrease the duration of chemotherapy-associated neutropenia and prevent complications that arise from reduced levels of red blood cells or white blood cells, for example erythropoietin (EPO), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Also included are agents that inhibit bone resorption such as bisphosphonate agents e.g. zoledronate, pamidronate and ibandronate, agents that suppress inflammatory responses (such as dexamethazone, prednisone, and prednisolone) and agents used to reduce blood levels of growth hormone and IGF-I in acromegaly patients such as synthetic forms of the brain hormone somatostatin, which includes octreotide acetate which is a long-acting octapeptide with pharmacologic properties mimicking those of the natural hormone somatostatin. Further included are agents such as leucovorin, which is used as an antidote to drugs that decrease levels of folic acid, or folinic acid it self and agents such as megestrol acetate which can be used for the treatment of side-effects including oedema and thromoembolic episodes.
Each of the compounds present in the combinations of the invention may be given in individually varying dose schedules and via different routes.
Where the compound of the formula (I) is administered in combination therapy with one, two, three, four or more other therapeutic agents (preferably one or two, more preferably one), the compounds can be administered simultaneously or sequentially. When administered sequentially, they can be administered at closely spaced intervals (for example over a period of 5-10 minutes) or at longer intervals (for example 1, 2, 3, 4 or more hours apart, or even longer periods apart where required), the precise dosage regimen being commensurate with the properties of the therapeutic agent(s).
The compounds of the invention may also be administered in conjunction with non- chemotherapeutic treatments such as radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, gene therapy; surgery and controlled diets.
For use in combination therapy with another chemotherapeutic agent, the compound of the formula (I) and one, two, three, four or more other therapeutic agents can be, for example, formulated together in a dosage form containing two, three, four or more therapeutic agents. In an alternative, the individual therapeutic agents may be formulated separately and presented together in the form of a kit, optionally with instructions for their use. A person skilled in the art would know through his or her common general knowledge the dosing regimes and combination therapies to use.
Methods of Diagnosis
Prior to administration of a compound of the formula (I), a patient may be screened to determine whether a disease or condition from which the patient is or may be suffering is one which would be susceptible to treatment with a compound having activity against protein kinase A and/or protein kinase B.
For example, a biological sample taken from a patient may be analysed to determine whether a condition or disease, such as cancer, that the patient is or may be suffering from is one which is characterised by a genetic abnormality or abnormal protein expression which leads to up-regulation of PKA and/or PKB or to sensitisation of a pathway to normal PKA and/or PKB activity, or to upregulation of a signal transduction component upstream of PKA and/or PKB such as, in the case of PKB, P13K, GF receptor and PDK 1 & 2.
Alternatively, a biological sample taken from a patient may be analysed for loss of a negative regulator or suppressor of the PKB pathway such as PTEN. In the present context, the term "loss" embraces the deletion of a gene encoding the regulator or suppressor, the truncation of the gene (for example by mutation), the truncation of the transcribed product of the gene, or the inactivation of the transcribed product (e.g. by point mutation) or sequestration by another gene product.
The term up-regulation includes elevated expression or over-expression, including gene amplification (i.e. multiple gene copies) and increased expression by a transcriptional effect, and hyperactivity and activation, including activation by mutations. Thus, the patient may be subjected to a diagnostic test to detect a marker characteristic of up- regulation of PKA and/or PKB. The term diagnosis includes screening. By marker we include genetic markers including, for example, the measurement of DNA composition to identify mutations of PKA and/or PKB. The term marker also includes markers which are characteristic of up regulation of PKA and/or PKB, including enzyme activity, enzyme levels, enzyme state (e.g. phosphorylated or not) and mRNA levels of the aforementioned proteins.
The above diagnostic tests and screens are typically conducted on a biological sample selected from tumour biopsy samples, blood samples (isolation and enrichment of shed tumour cells), stool biopsies, sputum, chromosome analysis, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, or urine.
Identification of an individual carrying a mutation in PKA and/or PKB or a rearrangement of TCL-lor loss of PTEN expression may mean that the patient would be particularly suitable for treatment with a PKA and/or PKB inhibitor. Tumours may preferentially be screened for presence of a PKA and/or PKB variant prior to treatment. The screening process will typically involve direct sequencing, oligonucleotide microarray analysis, or a mutant specific antibody.
Methods of identification and analysis of mutations and up-regulation of proteins are known to a person skilled in the art. Screening methods could include, but are not limited to, standard methods such as reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or in-situ hybridisation.
In screening by RT-PCR, the level of mRNA in the tumour is assessed by creating a cDNA copy of the mRNA followed by amplification of the cDNA by PCR. Methods of PCR amplification, the selection of primers, and conditions for amplification, are known to a person skilled in the art. Nucleic acid manipulations and PCR are carried out by standard methods, as described for example in Ausubel, F.M. et al., eds. Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 2004, John Wiley & Sons Inc., or Innis, M.A. et-al., eds. PCR Protocols: a guide to methods and applications, 1990, Academic Press, San Diego. Reactions and manipulations involving nucleic acid techniques are also described in Sambrook et al., 2001, 3rd Ed, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. Alternatively a commercially available kit for RT-PCR (for example Roche Molecular Biochemicals) may be used, or methodology as set forth in United States patents 4,666,828; 4,683,202; 4,801,531; 5,192,659, 5,272,057, 5,882,864, and 6,218,529 and incorporated herein by reference.
An example of an in-situ hybridisation technique for assessing mRNA expression would be fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH) (see Angerer, 1987 Meth. Enzymol., 152: 649).
Generally, in situ hybridization comprises the following major steps: (1) fixation of tissue to be analyzed; (2) prehybridization treatment of the sample to increase accessibility of target nucleic acid, and to reduce nonspecific binding; (3) hybridization of the mixture of nucleic acids to the nucleic acid in the biological structure or tissue; (4) post-hybridization washes to remove nucleic acid fragments not bound in the hybridization, and (5) detection of the hybridized nucleic acid fragments. The probes used in such applications are typically labeled, for example, with radioisotopes or fluorescent reporters. Preferred probes are sufficiently long, for example, from about 50, 100, or 200 nucleotides to about 1000 or more nucleotides, to enable specific hybridization with the target nucleic acid(s) under stringent conditions. Standard methods for carrying out FISH are described in Ausubel, F.M. et al., eds. Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 2004, John Wiley & Sons Inc and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization: Technical Overview by John M. S. Bartlett in Molecular Diagnosis of Cancer, Methods and Protocols, 2nd ed.; ISBN: 1-59259-760-2; March 2004, pps. 077-088; Series: Methods in Molecular Medicine.
Alternatively, the protein products expressed from the mRNAs may be assayed by immunohistochemistry of tumour samples, solid phase immunoassay with microtitre plates, Western blotting, 2-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, ELISA, flow cytometry and other methods known in the art for detection of specific proteins. Detection methods would include the use of site specific antibodies. The skilled person will recognize that all such well-known techniques for detection of upregulation of PKB, or detection of PKB variants could be applicable in the present case.
Therefore all of these techniques could also be used to identify tumours particularly suitable for treatment with PKA and/or PKB inhibitors.
For example, as stated above, PKB beta has been found to be upregulated in 10 - 40% of ovarian and pancreatic cancers (Bellacosa et al 1995, Int. J. Cancer 64, 280 - 285; Cheng et al 1996, PNAS 93, 3636-3641; Yuan et al 2000, Oncogene 19, 2324 - 2330). Therefore it is envisaged that PKB inhibitors, and in particular inhibitors of PKB beta, may be used to treat ovarian and pancreatic cancers.
PKB alpha is amplified in human gastric, prostate and breast cancer (Staal 1987, PNAS 84, 5034 - 5037; Sun et al 2001, Am. J. Pathol. 159, 431 -437). Therefore it is envisaged that PKB inhibitors, and in particular inhibitors of PKB alpha, may be used to treat human gastric, prostate and breast cancer.
Increased PKB gamma activity has been observed in steroid independent breast and prostate cell lines (Nakatani et al 1999, J. Biol. Chem. 274, 21528 - 21532). Therefore it is envisaged that PKB inhibitors, and in particular inhibitors of PKB gamma, may be used to treat steroid independent breast and prostate cancers.
EXPERIMENTAL
The invention will now be illustrated, but not limited, by reference to the specific embodiments described in the following procedures and examples.
The starting materials for each of the procedures described below are commercially available unless otherwise specified.
In the examples, the compounds prepared were characterised by liquid chromatography, mass spectroscopy and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy using the systems and operating conditions set out below.
Proton magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectra were recorded on a Bruker AV400 instrument operating at 400.13MHz, in Me-^3-OD at 27C, unless otherwise stated and are reported as follows: chemical shift δ/ppm (number of protons, multiplicity where s=singlet, d=doublet, t=triplet, q=quartet, m=multiplet, br=broad). The residual protic solvent MeOH (δH = 3.31 ppm) was used as the internal reference.
For the mass spectra, where chlorine is present, the mass quoted for the compound is for 35Cl.
In each of the examples, where the compounds are isolated or formed as the free base, they can be converted into a salt form such as an acetic acid or hydrochloric acid salt. Conversely, where the compounds are isolated or formed as a salt, the salt can be converted into the corresponding free base by methods well known to the skilled person, and then optionally converted to another salt.
Mass spectra were recorded using the Platform system detailed below.
Platform System HPLC System: Waters 2795
Mass Spec Detector: Micromass Platform LC PDA Detector: Waters 2996 PDA
MS conditions: Capillary voltage: 3.5 kV or 3.6 kV Cone voltage: 30 V Source Temperature: 120 0C Scan Range: 165-700 amu Ionisation Mode: ElectroSpray Negative, Positive or Positive &
Negative
GENERAL PROCEDURES
Method 1
Figure imgf000104_0001
To 4-bromobenzaldehyde (3g, 16.21 mmol) and ethyl cyanoacetate (1.9 ml, 17.84 mmol, 1.1 equiv.) in toluene was added piperidine (27 μl) and the reaction mixture was refluxed for 1 hour with a Dean-Stark separator. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was triturated with warm ethyl acetate and filtered to yield the desired product as a yellow solid
Method 2
Figure imgf000104_0002
A solution of 3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-2-cyano-acrylic acid ethyl ester (1.5 g, 5.36 mmol) in dry toluene (12 ml) was added dropwise to 4-chlorophenylmagnesium bromide (0.5 M solution in tetrahydrofuran, 14.0 ml, 6.96 mmol, 1.3 equiv.) at 0 0C. The reaction mixture was heated to 85 0C for 3 hours, poured onto ice, acidified with IN HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO4), filtered and concentrated, and the crude product was purified over flash silica chromatography eluting with petroleum ether to ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (5:95) to afford the desired product. Method 3
Figure imgf000105_0001
A mixture of 3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-propionic acid ethyl ester (1.91, 4.87 mmol), acetic acid (10 ml), concentrated sulphuric acid (5 ml) and water (5 ml) were refluxed for 2 hours. Reaction mixture was poured into iced water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO,}), filtered and concentrated, the crude product was purified over flash silica chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (1:1) to afford the desired product.
Method 4
Figure imgf000105_0002
A mixture of 3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-propionic acid (0.25g, 0.74 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenatriazole (0.12g, 0.88 mmol) in dichloromethane (3ml) was stirred for 15 minutes before addition of ammonia (2N solution in methanol, 0.74 ml, 1.47 mmol, 2.0 equiv.) and l-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (0.17g, 0.88 mmol, 1.2 equiv). The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours, then the solvent removed under reduced pressure and the residue partitioned between ethyl acetate and IN HCl. The organic layer was separated, washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate, brine, dried (MgSO4), filtered and concentrated to yield the title compound which was used in the next step without further purification.
Method 5
Figure imgf000106_0001
Under a nitrogen atmosphere, the crude 3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)- propionamide was cooled to 0 0C, and lithium aluminum hydride (0.075g, 1.97 mmol) and diethyl ether (3 ml) were added. With cooling, aluminum chloride (0.23 g, 1.69 mmol) was dissolved in diethyl ether (2 ml) and added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours, quenched with addition of water, basified (2N NaOH) and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO4), filtered and concentrated, the crude product was purified over Phenomenex_Strata_SCX column chromatography eluting with methanol followed by 2N ammonia in methanol to afford the desired product.
Method 6
Figure imgf000106_0002
To a suspension of 3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-propylamine (162 mg, 0.5 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) in toluene (0.8 ml) was added bis(tri-t-butylphosphine)palladium (0) (3 mg, 1 mol%) followed by a suspension of thiophene-3-boronic acid (70 mg, 0.55 mmol, 1.1 equiv.) in ethanol (0.8 ml) and potassium carbonate (415 mg, 3.0 mmol, 6 equiv.) in water (2.5 ml). The reaction mixture was heated in a CEM Explorer™ microwave to 135 0C for 30 minutes using 50 watts power. The solvents were removed and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude reaction mixture was purified by preparative HPLC to give the desired product.
Method 7
Figure imgf000107_0001
A suspension of 4-(4-bromo-phenyl)-piperidin-4-ol (4.02 g, 15.7 mmol) in chlorobenzene (30 ml) was added dropwise to a suspension of aluminium chloride (7.32 g, 54.9 mmol) in chlorobenzene (10 ml) at 00C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 0C for 2 hours, quenched by addition of ice and then methyl t-butyl ether was added. After stirring for 1 hour, the precipitate was collected by filtration and washed with water, methyl t-butyl ether and water to afford the desired compound.
Method 8
Figure imgf000107_0002
To a suspension of 4-(4-bromo-pheny l)-4-(4-chloro-pheny l)-piperidine hydrochloride (10 g, 25.8 mmol) in dichloromethane (150 ml) was added triethylamine (4.3 ml, 31.0 mmol) and di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (6.2 g, 28.4 mmol). After stirring for 72 hours, water was added and the organic layer was removed. The organic layer was washed with water then saturated sodium chloride solution before drying (MgSO4) and concentrating in vacuo to furnish the desired compound as a white solid.
Method 9
Figure imgf000108_0001
A mixture of 4-(4-bromo-phenyl)-4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-piperidine-l-carboxylic acid tert- butyl ester (5.0 g, 11.1 mmol), bis(pinacolato)diboron (2.8 g, 11.1 mmol), potassium acetate (3.3 g, 33.3 mmol) and [l,l'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloro palladium(II) (406 mg, 0.55 mmol) was heated to 80 0C under nitrogen for 2.5 hours. The reaction was then allowed to cool, diluted with ethyl acetate then filtered under suction. The solid was triturated with ethyl acetate to furnish the desired compound as a beige solid.
Method 10
Figure imgf000108_0002
A mixture of 4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4-[4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[l,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)- phenyl]-piperidine-l-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (200 mg, 0.4 mmol), bis(tri-t- butylphosphine)palladium (0) (6 mg, 3 mol%), 5-bromo-l-methylimidazole (84 mg, 0.5 mmol), potassium carbonate (299 mg, 1.4 mmol), ethanol (1.1 ml), toluene (1.1 ml) methanol (1.6 ml) and water (1.5 ml) was heated in a CEM Explorer™ microwave to 80 0C for 30 minutes using < 50 watts power. The solvents were removed and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude reaction mixture was purified by SCX ion exchange column chromatography eluting with an ammonia-dichloromethane-methanol mixture to furnish the protected amine. The protecting group was removed by stirring at room temperature in dichloromethane (1 ml) and trifluoroacetic acid (1 ml) for 30 minutes before concentrating and re-concentrating from methanol (x3). The residue was purified by silica column chromatography eluting with a gradient from DMAW90 to DMAW60 furnishing the desired compound in ~90% purity.
Method 11
Figure imgf000109_0001
A solution of 4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4-[4-(2-methylsulphanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-phenyl]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (121 mg, 0.2 mmol) and 3- chloroperoxybenzoic acid (120 mg, 0.537 mmol) in dichloromethane (2 ml) were stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. Dilute aqueous sodium sulphate was added then the organic layer was separated. The liquors were washed with water and concentrated in vacuo to furnish the desired compound as an oil.
Method 12
Figure imgf000109_0002
To a solution of 4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4-[4-(2-methanesulphonyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-phenyl]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (100 mg, 0.2 mmol) in dichloromethane (1 ml) and ethanol (1 ml) was added sodium borohydride (36mg, 0.9 mmol, portionwise). After stirring at room temperature for 4 hours, the reaction was quenched with water followed by IN aqueous hydrochloric acid and was extracted with dichloromethane. The crude product was purified using silica column chromatography eluting with 50% ethyl acetate/ petrol to furnish the desired compound.
Method 13
Figure imgf000110_0001
A solution of 4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4-[4-(2-methanesulphonyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-phenyi]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (400 mg, 0.76 mmol) and 4- methoxybenizylamine (300 μl, 2.3 mmol) in acetonitrile (5 ml) was irradiated in a sealed tube to 120 deg C, < 200W in a CEM Explorer™ microwave. After 90 minutes, additional amine (100 μl) was added and the mixture irradiated for a further 30 minutes. Aqueous ammonium chloride solution was added and the mixture extracted with ethyl acetate (x2). The combined liquors were washed with aqueous ammonium chloride and then saturated brine before drying (MgSO4) and concentrating in vacuo. The residue was mixed with dichloromethane and filtered onto a silica chromatography column. The column was eluted using a gradient of 10-30% ethyl acetate/ petrol furnishing the desired compound as an oil.
Method 14
Figure imgf000111_0001
A solution of 4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4-{4-[2-(4-methoxy-benzylamino)-pyrimidin-4-yl]- phenyl}-piperidine-l-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (60 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzoyl chloride (16mg, 0.1 mmol), triethylamine (19 μl, 0.1 mmol) and dichloromethane (3 ml) were stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The reaction was quenched with aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and the dichloromethane layer was separated. Purification by silica column chromatography using a stepped gradient (25, 50 and 75 % ethyl acetate/ petrol) furnished the desired compound as a colourless oil.
Method 15
Figure imgf000111_0002
A solution of 4-(4-{2-[benzoyl-(4-methoxy-benzyl)-amino]-pyrimidin-4-yl}-phenyl)-4-(4- chloro-phenyl)-piperidine-l-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (83 mg, O.lmmol), trifluoroacetic acid (1 ml) and anisole (0.5 mol) was heated to 50 0C. After 6.5 hours the reaction was allowed to cool. After concentrating in vacuo and re-concentrating from methanol (x2), the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and aqueous hydrochloric acid (2N). The organic layer was separated extracted with 2N hydrochloric acid. The combined aqueous fractions were basified with solid potassium hydroxide then extracted into ethyl acetate (x2). The combined liquors were washed with saturated brine then dried (MgSC>4) and concentrated in vacuo to furnish the desired compound as a white solid.
Method 16
Figure imgf000112_0001
Aluminium chloride (278 mg, 2.087 mmol) was added portionwise to a stirred solution of l-(4-bromo-phenyl)-2-methylamino-ethanol (160 mg, 0.696 mmol) in chlorobenzene (3 ml) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 17 hours. Water (2ml) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was then partitioned between dichloromethane
(100 ml) and saturated NaHCO3 (30 ml). The organic layer was dried (MgSC^), filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product was then purified by Phenomenex Strata SCX column chromatography eluting with methanol followed by 2N ammonia in methanol to afford the desired product.
Method 17
Figure imgf000112_0002
To a solution of [2-(4-bromo-phenyl)-2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-methyl-amine (4.3 g, 13.3 mmol) in dichloromethane at room temperature (150 ml) was added triethylamine (2.22 ml, 16 mmol) and di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (3.2g, 15 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 3 hours whereupon water was added. The organic liquors were separated then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica column chromatography using a gradient from 2- 15% ethyl acetate/ petrol furnishing the desired compound as a colourless oil. Method 18
Figure imgf000113_0001
A mixture of 4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4-{4-[2-(4-methoxy-benzylamino)-pyrimidin-4-yl]- phenyl}-piperidine-l-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (10 mg), trifluoroacetic acid (1 ml) and dichloromethane (1 ml) were allowed to stand for 15 minutes. The reaction was then concentrated under a stream of nitrogen. After re-concentrating from methanol under nitrogen, the compound was purified by preparative HPLC to furnish the required compound as the formate salt.
Method 19
Figure imgf000113_0002
A solution of 2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-oxirane (2.47 g, 16.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) in methylamine (20 ml, of a 33% solution in ethanol, 160.0 mmol, 10.0 equiv) was stirred at room temperature for 15 hours. The solvents were removed under reduced pressure and the resultant crude material was dissolved in dichloromethane (80 ml). To the solution was added triethylamine (4.5 ml, 32.0 mmol, 2.0 equiv) and di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (5.2 g, 24.0 mmol, 1.5 equiv) portion-wise. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvents were removed under reduced pressure and the resultant crude material was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with brine, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resultant crude material was purified by column chromatography gradient eluted with 0->20% ethyl actate-petrol to afford the desired product. Method 20
Figure imgf000114_0001
To a solution of 4-(5-phenyl-lH-pyrazol-4-yl)-pyridine (332 mg, 1.5 mmol, 1.5 equiv), [2- (4-chloro-phenyl)-2-hydroxy-ethyl]-methyl-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (286 mg, 1.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and triphenylphosphine (393 mg, 1.5 equiv, 1.5 equiv) in tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) was added diethyl azodicarboxylate (354 uL, 1.5 mmol, 1.5 equiv) dropwise over 30 minutes. The solution was stirred for 15 hours, the solvents were then removed under reduced pressure and the resultant crude material was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with brine, dried (MgSC>4) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The regio-isomers were separated by column chromatography eluted with ethyl acetate-petrol (0-M00% gradient) to afford the two products. The resulting pure [2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2-(5-phenyl-4-pyridin-4-yl-pyrazol- l-yl)-ethyl]-methyl-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester was dissolved in dichloromethane (20 ml), trifluoroacetic acid (5 ml) was added drop-wise, and the solution was stirred for 4 hours. The solvents were removed under reduced pressure and the resultant crude material was purified by column chromatography eluted with DMAW90 to afford the desired product.
Method 21
Figure imgf000114_0002
To a solution of 4-(4-bromo-phenyl)-4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-piperidine-l-carboxylic acid tert- butyl ester (1.Og, 2.22mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (7ml) at <-50 0C under nitrogen was added dropwise a solution of n-butyllithium in hexanes (2.7M, 0.9 ml, 2.33 mmol). After stirring for 10 minutes, dimethylformamide (0.5 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. After 30 minutes the reaction mixture was cooled to 0 0C then quenched with hydrochloric acid solution (IN, 10 ml). Ethyl acetate was added and the mixture was shaken vigorously. The aqueous layer was separated and extracted again with ethyl acetate; and the combined organic liquors were washed with water and saturated brine before drying (MgSO^ and concentrating in vacuo. The crude product was purified by silica column chromatography using a 10-35% ethyl acetate/ petrol gradient to furnish the desired compound as a colourless oil.
Method 22
Figure imgf000115_0001
A mixture of 4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4-(4-formyl-phenyl)-piperidine-l-carboxylic acid tert- butyl ester (117 mg, 0.3 mmol), tosylmethylisocyanide (63 mg, 0.3 mmol), potassium carbonate (49 mg, 0.4 mmol), dichloromethane (0.5 ml) and methanol (2 ml) was heated to reflux for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool before addition of water. The solution was extracted twice with ethyl acetate and the combined organic liquors were washed with water and saturated brine, dried (MgSC^) and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified using silica column chromatography using a gradient 15-25% ethyl acetate/ petrol to give the protected compound as a colourless oil. The protected compound was deprotected by stirring with trifluoroacetic acid (ImI) in dichloromethane (3ml) at room temperature for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was then concentrated and re-concentrated from methanol (x3) before SCX ion exchange purification to furnish the desired compound as a yellow solid.
EXAMPLES 1 TO 28
By following the methods described above, the compounds of Examples 1 to 28 were prepared.
Figure imgf000116_0001
Figure imgf000117_0001
Figure imgf000118_0001
Figure imgf000119_0001
Figure imgf000120_0001
Figure imgf000121_0001
Figure imgf000122_0001
Figure imgf000123_0001
Figure imgf000124_0001
Figure imgf000125_0001
Figure imgf000126_0001
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY EXAMPLE 34
Measurement of PKLA. Kinase Inhibitory Activity (1C™)
Compounds of the invention can be tested for PK inhibitory activity using the PKA catalytic domain from Upstate Biotechnology (#14-440) and the 9 residue PKA specific peptide (GRTGRKNSI), also from Upstate Biotechnology (#12-257), as the substrate. A final concentration of 1 nM emzyme is used in a buffer that includes 20 mM MOPS pH 7.2, 40 μM ATP/γ33P-ATP and 5 μM substrate. Compounds are added in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) solution to a final DMSO concentration of 2.5%. The reaction is allowed to proceed for 20 minutes before addition of excess orthophosphoric acid to quench activity. Unincorporated γ33P-ATP is then separated from phosphorylated proteins on a Millipore MAPH filter plate. The plates are washed, scintillant is added and the plates are then subjected to counting on a Packard Topcount.
The % inhibition of the PKA activity is calculated and plotted in order to determine the concentration of test compound required to inhibit 50% of the PKB activity (IC50).
The compounds of Examples 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31 and 32 have IC50 values of less than 1 μM.
EXAMPLE 35
Measurement of PKB Kinase Inhibitory Activity (ICsn")
The inhibition of protein kinase B (PKB) activity by compounds can be determined determined essentially as described by Andjelkovic et al. (MoI. Cell. Biol. 19, 5061-5072 (1999)) but using a fusion protein described as PKB-PIF and described in full by Yang et al (Nature Structural Biology 9, 940 - 944 (2002)). The protein is purified and activated with PDKl as described by Yang et al. The peptide AKTide-2T (H-A-R-K-R-E-R-T-Y-S-F-G- H-H-A-OH) obtained from Calbiochem (#123900) is used as a substrate. A final concentration of 0.6 nM enzyme is used in a buffer that includes 20 mM MOPS pH 7.2, 30 μM ATPZy33P-ATP and 25 μM substrate. Compounds are added in DMSO solution to a final DMSO concentration of 2.5%. The reaction is allowed to proceed for 20 minutes before addition of excess orthophosphoric acid to quench activity. The reaction mixture is transferred to a phosphocellulose filter plate where the peptide binds and the unused ATP is washed away. After washing, scintillant is added and the incorporated activity measured by scintillation counting. The % inhibition of the PKB activity is calculated and plotted in order to determine the concentration of test compound required to inhibit 50% of the PKB activity (IC50).
The compounds of Examples I3 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31 and 32 have IC50 values of less than 1 μM, whereas the compounds of Examples 2, 4, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23 , 24 and 28 have IC50 values of less than 10 μM, and the compound of Example 22 has an IC50 value of less than 20 μM.
PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATIONS
EXAMPLE 36
Ci) Tablet Formulation A tablet composition containing a compound of the formula (I) is prepared by mixing 50 mg of the compound with 197mg of lactose (BP) as diluent, and 3 mg magnesium stearate as a lubricant and compressing to form a tablet in known manner.
(ii) Capsule Formulation
A capsule formulation is prepared by mixing lOOmg of a compound of the formula (I) with lOOmg lactose and filling the resulting mixture into standard opaque hard gelatin capsules.
(iii) Injectable Formulation I
A parenteral composition for administration by injection can be prepared by dissolving a compound of the formula (I) (e.g. in a salt form) in water containing 10% propylene glycol to give a concentration of active compound of 1.5 % by weight. The solution is then sterilised by filtration, filled into an ampoule and sealed.
Civ") Injectable Formulation II
A parenteral composition for injection is prepared by dissolving in water a compound of the formula (I) (e.g. in salt form) (2 mg/ml) and mannitol (50 mg/ml), sterile filtering the solution and filling into sealable 1 ml vials or ampoules.
(v) Injectable formulation HI
A formulation for i.v. delivery by injection or infusion can be prepared by dissolving the compound of formula (I) (e.g. in a salt form) in water at 20 mg/ml. The vial is then sealed and sterilised by autoclaving. (Vi) Injectable formulation IV
A formulation for i.v. delivery by injection or infusion can be prepared by dissolving the compound of formula (I) (e.g. in a salt form) in water containing a buffer (e.g. 0.2 M acetate pH 4.6) at 20mg/ml. The vial is then sealed and sterilised by autoclaving.
(ViD Subcutaneous Injection Formulation
A composition for sub-cutaneous administration is prepared by mixing a compound of the formula (I) with pharmaceutical grade corn oil to give a concentration of 5 mg/ml. The composition is sterilised and filled into a suitable container.
(viii) Lvophilised formulation
Aliquots of formulated compound of formula (I) are put into 50 ml vials and lyophilized. During lyophilisation, the compositions are frozen using a one-step freezing protocol at (— 45 0C). The temperature is raised to -10 0C for annealing, then lowered to freezing at -45 0C, followed by primary drying at +25 0C for approximately 3400 minutes, followed by a secondary drying with increased steps if temperature to 50 0C. The pressure during primary and secondary drying is set at 80 millitor.
Equivalents
The foregoing examples are presented for the purpose of illustrating the invention and should not be construed as imposing any limitation on the scope of the invention. It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations may be made to the specific embodiments of the invention described above and illustrated in the examples without departing from the principles underlying the invention. All such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.

Claims

1. A compound for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase B, the compound being a compound of the formula (I):
Figure imgf000130_0001
or a salt, solvate, tautomer or N-oxide thereof; wherein A is a saturated hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, the linker group having a maximum chain length of 5 atoms extending between R1 and NR2R3 and a maximum chain length of 4 atoms extending between E and NR2R3, wherein one of the carbon atoms in the linker group may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom; and wherein the carbon atoms of the linker group A may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from oxo, fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the hydroxy group when present is not located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group and provided that the oxo group when present is located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group; E is a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group;
HET is a monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4 to 7 ring members of which up to 4 are heteroatoms selected from O, N and S; R1 is an aryl or heteroaryl group;
R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1.4 hydrocarbyl and Ci-4 acyl wherein the hydrocarbyl and acyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and methoxy; or R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic group selected from an imidazole group and a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or one of R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached and one or more atoms from the linker group A form a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or NR2R3 and the carbon atom of linker group A to which it is attached together form a cyano group; n is 0 to 4; each R4 is independently selected from oxo; halogen; Q-β hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or C1-2 alkoxy; cyano; Ci.β hydrocarbyloxy optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or C1-2 alkoxy; CONH2;
CONHR9; CF3; NH2; NHCOR9; NHCONHR9; and NHR9;
R9 is a group R9a or (CH2)R93, wherein R9a is a monocyclic or bicyclic group which may be carbocyclic or heterocyclic; the carbocyclic group or heterocyclic group R9a being optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-C1-4 hydrocarbylamino; a group Ra-Rb wherein Ra is a bond, O, CO, X1C(X2), C(X2)X!, X1C(X2JX1, S, SO, SO2, NR0, SO2NR0 OrNR0SO2; and Rb is selected from hydrogen, heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members, and a Ci-8 hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, oxo, halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Q.4 hydrocarbylamino, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members and wherein one or more carbon atoms of the Ci-8 hydrocarbyl group may optionally be replaced by O, S, SO, SO2, NR0, X1C(X2), C(X^X1 or X1C(X2JX1; R0 is selected from hydrogen and C1.4 hydrocarbyl; and
X1 is O, S or NR0 and X2 is =0, =S or =NR°; provided that: (a-1) HET is other than an unsubstituted or substituted pyrazole-4-yl group.
2. A compound for use in medicine having the formula (Ia):
Figure imgf000132_0001
or a salt, solvate, tautomer or N-oxide thereof; wherein A is a saturated hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, the linker group having a maximum chain length of 5 atoms extending between R1 and NR2R3 and a maximum chain length of 4 atoms extending between
E and NR2R3, wherein one of the carbon atoms in the linker group may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom; and wherein the carbon atoms of the linker group A may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from oxo, fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the hydroxy group when present is not located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group and provided that the oxo group when present is located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group; E is a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group; HET is a monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4 to 7 ring members of which up to 4 are heteroatoms selected from O, N and S; R1 is an aryl or heteroaryl group;
R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1^ hydrocarbyl and Ci-4 acyl wherein the hydrocarbyl and acyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and methoxy; or R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic group selected from an imidazole group and a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or one of R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached and one or more atoms from the linker group A form a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or NR2R3 and the carbon atom of linker group A to which it is attached together form a cyano group; n is 0 to 4; each R4 is independently selected from oxo; halogen; C1^ hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci-2 alkoxy; cyano; Q.6 hydrocarbyloxy optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or C1^ alkoxy; CONH2; CONHR9; CF3; NH2; NHCOR9; NHCONHR9; and NHR9;
R9 is a group R9a or (CH2)R9a, wherein R9α is a monocyclic or bicyclic group which may be carbocyclic or heterocyclic; the carbocyclic group or heterocyclic group R9a being optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Ci-4 hydrocarbylamino; a group Ra-Rb wherein Ra is a bond, O, CO, X1C(X2), CCX2JX1, X1C(X2JX1, S, SO, SO2, NR0, SO2NR0 or NR0SO2; and Rb is selected from hydrogen, heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members, and a Ci-S hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, oxo, halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-C1-4 hydrocarbylamino, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members and wherein one or more carbon atoms of the Ci-8 hydrocarbyl group may optionally be replaced by O, S, SO, SO2, NR0, X1C(X2), C(X2JX1 Or X1C(X2JX1;
R° is selected from hydrogen and Ci-4 hydrocarbyl; and X1 is O, S or NR0 and X2 is =O, =S or =NR°; provided that:
(a-1) HET is other than a substituted or unsubstituted pyrazole-4-yl group; (b-1) when E is phenyl, A is a saturated hydrocarbyl group bearing a hydroxy substituent and NR2R3 forms an imidazolyl group, then HET is other than a pyridyl group; and
(b-2) when HET is a thienyl group, E is an optionally substituted phenyl group and the moiety ANR2R3 forms an optionally substituted piperidine group, then R1 is other than a phenyl group bearing a substituent at the meta position thereof and optionally a second substituent.
A compound the formula (Ib):
Figure imgf000134_0001
or a salt, solvate, tautomer or N-oxide thereof; wherein A is a saturated hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, the linker group having a maximum chain length of 5 atoms extending between R1 and NR2R3 and a maximum chain length of 4 atoms extending between
E and NR2R3, wherein one of the carbon atoms in the linker group may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom; and wherein the carbon atoms of the linker group A may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from oxo, fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the hydroxy group when present is not located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group and provided that the oxo group when present is located at a carbon atom α with respect to the NR2R3 group;
E is a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group;
HET is a monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4 to 7 ring members of which up to 4 are heteroatoms selected from O, N and S; R1 is an aryl or heteroaryl group;
R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, Q.4 hydrocarbyl and C1.4 acyl wherein the hydrocarbyl and acyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and methoxy; or R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic group selected from an imidazole group and a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or one of R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached and one or more atoms from the linker group A form a saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group having 4-7 ring members and optionally containing a second heteroatom ring member selected from O and N; or NR2R3 and the carbon atom of linker group A to which it is attached together form a cyano group; n is 0 to 4; each R4 is independently selected from oxo; halogen; Q-β hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci-2 alkoxy; cyano; C1^ hydrocarbyloxy optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy or Ci-2 alkoxy; CONH2; CONHR9; CF3; NH2; NHCOR9; NHCONHR9; and NHR9;
R9 is a group R9a or (CH2)R9a, wherein R9a is a monocyclic or bicyclic group which may be carbocyclic or heterocyclic; the carbocyclic group or heterocyclic group R9a being optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Ci.4 hydrocarbylamino; a group Ra-Rb wherein Ra is a bond, O, CO, X1C(X2), C(X2)X', X1C(X2JX1, S, SO, SO2, NR0, SO2NR0 or NR0SO2; and Rb is selected from hydrogen, heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members, and a Ci-8 hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, oxo, halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Ci.4 hydrocarbylamino, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members and wherein one or more carbon atoms of the C1^ hydrocarbyl group may optionally be replaced by O, S, SO, SO2, NR0, X1C(X2), C(X2JX1 Or X1C(X2JX1;
R0 is selected from hydrogen and C1-4 hydrocarbyl; and X1 is O, S or NR0 and X2 is =O, =S or =NR°; provided that:
(a-1) HET is other than a substituted or unsubstituted pyrazole-4-yl group; (b-1) when E is phenyl, A is a saturated hydrocarbyl group bearing a hydroxy substituent and NR2R3 forms an imidazolyl group, then HET is other than a pyridyl group;
(b-2) when HET is a thienyl group, E is an optionally substituted phenyl group and the moiety ANR2R3 forms an optionally substituted piperidine group, then R1 is other than a phenyl group bearing a substituent at the meta position thereof and optionally a second substituent; and (c-1) when E is phenyl and the moiety R1ANR2R3 is an N-monosubstituted or
N,N-disubstituted phenylacetamide group, then HET is other than a morpholine or N-methylpiperazine group.
4. A compound according to claim 3 wherein the linker group A has a maximum chain length of 3 atoms (more preferably 1 or 2 atoms, and most preferably 2 atoms) extending between R1 and NR2R3.
5. A compound according to claim 4 wherein the linker group A has a maximum chain length of 3 atoms extending between E and NR2R3.
6. A compound according to claim 5 wherein the linker group A has a chain length of 2 or 3 atoms extending between R1 and NR2R3 and a chain length of 2 or 3 atoms extending between E and NR2R3.
7. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the linker group atom linked directly to the group E is a carbon atom and the linker group A has an all- carbon skeleton.
8. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the portion R1 -A- NR2R3 of the compound is represented by the formula R1-(G)k-(CH2)m-W-Ob- (CH2)n-(CR6R7)p-NR2R3 wherein G is NH, NMe or O; W is attached to the group E and is selected from (CH2)j-CR20, (CH2)rN and (NH)r CH; b is O or 1 , j is O or 1 , k is O or 1, m is O or 1, n is 0, 1, 2, or 3 and p is 0 or 1; the sum of b and k is 0 or 1; the sum of j, k, m, n and p does not exceed 4; R6 and R7 are the same or different and are selected from methyl and ethyl, or CR6R7 forms a cyclopropyl group; and R20 is selected from hydrogen, methyl, hydroxy and fluorine.
9. A compound according to claim 8 wherein k is 0, m is 0 or 1, n is 0, 1,2 or 3 and p is O.
10. A compound according to claim 8 wherein k is 0, m is 0 or 1, n is 0, 1 or 2 and p is 1.
11. A compound according to claim 8 wherein X is (CH2)j-CH, k is 1, m is 0, n is 0, 1,2 or 3 and p is 0.
12. A compound according to claim 8 wherein X is (CH2)j-CH, k is 1, m is 0, n is 0, 1 or 2 and p is 1.
13. A compound according to any one of claims 8, 11 and 12 wherein j is 0.
14. A compound according to any one of claims 8, 11 and 12 wherein j is 1.
15. A compound according to any one of claims 8, 11 and 12 wherein CR6R7 is C(CHs)2.
16. A compound according to claim 8 wherein the portion R!-A-NR2R3 of the compound is represented by the formula R^X-(CH2)U-NR2R3 where X is attached to the group E and is a group CH, and n is 2.
17. A compound according to any one of the preceding claims wherein R!-A(E)-NR2R3 is a group selected from the groups Al to Al 1 set out in Table 1 herein.
18. A compound according to claim 15 wherein R1 -A(E)-NR2R3 is selected from groups Al , A2, A3 and Al 0 in Table 1.
19. A compound according to claim 16 wherein R^A(E)-NR2R3 is the group AlO in Table 1.
20. A compound according to any one of the preceding claims wherein E is a monocyclic group.
21. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 20 wherein E is an aryl or heteroaryl group.
22. A compound according to claim 21 wherein E is selected from optionally substituted phenyl, thiophene, furan, pyrimidine and pyridine groups.
23. A compound according to claim 22 wherein E is a phenyl group.
24. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 20 wherein E is a non-aromatic monocyclic group selected from cycloalkanes such as cyclohexane and cyclopentane, and nitrogen-containing rings such as piperazine and piperazone.
25. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 24 wherein the group A and the pyrazole group are attached to the group E in a meta ox para relative orientation; i.e. A and the pyrazole group are not attached to adjacent ring members of the group E.
26. A compound according to claim 25 wherein E is selected from 1,4-phenylene, 1,3- phenylene, 2,5-pyridylene and 2,4-pyridylene, 1,4-piperazinyl, and 1,4- piperazonyl.
27. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 24 wherein E is unsubstituted or has up to 4 substituents R8 selected from hydroxy, oxo (when E is non-aromatic), chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl, cyano, C1^ hydrocarbyloxy and C1.4 hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by C1^ alkoxy or hydroxy.
28. A compound according to claim 27 wherein E has 0-3 substituents, more preferably 0-2 substituents, for example 0 or 1 substituent.
29. A compound according to claim 28 wherein E is unsubstituted.
30. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 29 wherein the group E is an aryl or heteroaryl group having five or six members and containing up to three heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, the group E being represented by the formula:
Figure imgf000138_0001
where * denotes the point of attachment to the pyrazole group, and "a" denotes the attachment of the group A; r is 0, 1 or 2;
U is selected from N and CR12a; and V is selected from N and CR12b; where R12a and R12b are the same or different and each is hydrogen or a substituent containing up to ten atoms selected from C, N, O,
F, Cl and S provided that the total number of non-hydrogen atoms present in R12a and R12b together does not exceed ten; or R12a and R12b together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form an unsubstituted five or six membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing up to two heteroatoms selected from O and N; and R10 is selected from halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Ci-4 hydrocarbylamino, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members; a group Ra-Rb wherein Ra is a bond, O, CO, X1C(X2), C(X2JX1, X1C(X2JX1, S, SO, SO2, NRC, SO2NR0 or NR0SO2; and Rb is selected from hydrogen, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members, and a Ci-8 hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, oxo, halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxy, amino, mono- or di-Q.4 hydrocarbylamino, carbocyclic and heterocyclic groups having from 3 to 12 ring members and wherein one or more carbon atoms of the Ci-g hydrocarbyl group may optionally be replaced by O, S, SO, SO2, NR0, X1C(X2),
C(X2JX1 or X1C(X^X1;
R° is selected from hydrogen and C1-4 hydrocarbyl; and
X1 is O, S or NR0 and X2 is =0, =S or =NR°.
31. A compound according to claim 30 wherein E is represented by the formula:
I l I
*
where P, Q and T are the same or different and are selected from N, CH and NCR10, provided that the group A is attached to a carbon atom.
32. A compound according to claim 31 wherein the group E is selected from groups B 1 to B13 in Table 2.
33. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 31 wherein R1 is selected from optionally substituted phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, furan, pyrimidine and pyridine.
34. A compound according to claim 33 wherein R1 is optionally substituted phenyl.
35. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 31, 33 and 34 wherein R1 is unsubstituted or bears one or more substituents selected from hydroxy; Q-4 acyloxy; fluorine; chlorine; bromine; trifluoromethyl; cyano; CONH2; nitro; Ci-4 hydrocarbyloxy and Ci-4 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by Ci-2 alkoxy, carboxy or hydroxy; Ci-4 acylamino; benzoylamino; pyrrolidinocarbonyl; piperidinocarbonyl; morpholinocarbonyl; piperazinocarbonyl; five and six membered heteroaryl and heteroaryloxy groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; phenyl; phenyl-C^ alkyl; phenyl-Ci.4 alkoxy; heteroaryl-C1-4 alkyl; heteroaryl-Ci.4 alkoxy and phenoxy, wherein the heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, phenyl, phenyl-Ci-4 alkyl, phenyl-Ci-4 alkoxy, heteroaryl-Ci-4 alkyl, heteroaryl-Ci-4 alkoxy and phenoxy groups are each optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from Ci-2 acyloxy, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl, cyano, CONH2, Ci-2 hydrocarbyloxy and Ci-2 hydrocarbyl each optionally substituted by methoxy or hydroxy.
36. A compound according to claim 35 wherein R1 is unsubstituted or is substituted by up to 5 substituents selected from hydroxy; Cj-4 acyloxy; fluorine; chlorine; bromine; trifluoromethyl; cyano; Ci-4 hydrocarbyloxy and Cj-4 hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by Ci-2 alkoxy or hydroxy; and five membered heteroaryl groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O and S, the heteroaryl groups being optionally substituted by one or more Ci-4 alkyl substituents.
37. A compound according to claim 36 wherein R1 is unsubstituted or is substituted by up to 5 substituents selected from hydroxy, Ci-4 acyloxy, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl, cyano, CM hydrocarbyloxy and Ci-4 hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by Ci-2 alkoxy or hydroxy.
38. A compound according to claim 36 or claim 37 wherein R1 is unsubstituted or is substituted by 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents, preferably 0, 1, 2 or 3, and more preferably 0, lor 2 substituents.
39. A compound according to claim 38 wherein the group R1 has one or two substituents selected from fluorine, chlorine, trifluoromethyl, methyl and methoxy.
40. A compound according to claim 39 wherein R1 is a mono-chlorophenyl or dichlorophenyl group.
41. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 40 wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, Q.4 hydrocarbyl and Ci-4 acyl.
42. A compound according to claim 41 wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl .
43. A compound according to claim 42 wherein R2 and R3 are both hydrogen.
44. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 43 wherein the cyclic group HET has 4 to 6 ring members, for example 5 or 6 ring members.
45. A compound according to claim 44 wherein the cyclic group HET is an optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl group.
46. A compound according to claim 45 wherein the monocyclic heteroaryl group is selected from pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, thiophene, furan, oxazole, triazole and imidazole, with pyridine being particularly preferred.
47. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 46 wherein the cyclic group HET takes the form:
Figure imgf000141_0001
where Q" is a hydrogen bond acceptor atom or group.
48. A compound according to claim 47 wherein the cyclic group HET is as defined in Table 3 herein.
49. A compound according to claim 47 or claim 48 wherein the cyclic group HET contains a hydrogen bond donor group adjacent the group G and hence the cyclic group HET takes the form:
Figure imgf000141_0002
where Qx is a hydrogen bond acceptor atom or group and D is a hydrogen bond donor group.
50. A compound according to claim 49 wherein the hydrogen bond donor group is selected from NH, C-NH2, C-NH, C-OH, C-SH and C-H.
51. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 50 wherein R4 is selected from hydrogen and methyl.
52. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 51 wherein R5 is selected from hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl, methoxymethyl, cyano, CF3, NH2, NHCOR9b and NHC0NHR9b where R9b is phenyl or benzyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, Cj-4 acyloxy, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl, cyano, Ci-4 hydrocarbyloxy and Ci-4 hydrocarbyl optionally substituted by Ci-2 alkoxy or hydroxy.
53. A compound according to claim 3 having the general formula (II):
Figure imgf000142_0001
wherein the group A is attached to the meta or para position of the benzene ring, q is 0-4; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R8 are as defined in any one of the preceding claims.
54. A compound according to claim 52 wherein q is 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 and most preferably 0.
55. A compound according to claim 53 or 54 wherein the group A is attached to the para position of the benzene ring.
56. A compound according to any one of claims 53 to 55 having the formula (III):
Figure imgf000142_0002
where A' is the residue of the group A and R1 to R4 are as defined in any one of the preceding claims.
57. A compound according to claim 56 having the formula (IV):
Figure imgf000143_0001
wherein z is 0, 1 or 2, R20 is selected from hydrogen, methyl, hydroxy and fluorine and R1 to R4 are as defined in any one of the preceding claims, provided that when z is 0, R20 is other than hydroxy.
58. A compound according to claim 56 having the formula (V):
Figure imgf000143_0002
wherein and R1 and R3 to R4 are as defined in any one of the preceding claims.
59. A compound according to claim 58 wherein R3 is selected from hydrogen and CM hydrocarbyl, for example Ci-4 alkyl such as methyl, ethyl and isopropyl.
60. A compound according to claim 59 wherein R3 is hydrogen.
61. A compound according to claim 3 having the formula (VI):
Figure imgf000144_0001
wherein T is N or CH, n is 0, 1 or 2 (preferably 0 or 1, and more preferably 0), R16 is selected from hydrogen and amino; and A, E and R1 to R4 are as defined in any one of the preceding claims.
62. A compound according to claim 60 wherein E is a phenyl group.
63. A compound according to claim 59 or claim 60 wherein R4 is absent (i.e. n is 0).
64. A compound according to any one of claims 60 to 62 which is represented by the formula (VII);
Figure imgf000144_0002
65. A compound according to claim 64 wherein T is CH and R16 is hydrogen.
66. A compound according to claim 64 wherein T is N.
67. A compound according to claim 66 wherein R16 is amino.
68. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 61 having a molecular weight no greater than 1000, more usually less than 750, for example less than 700, or less than 650, or less than 600, or less than 550.
69. A compound according to claim 68 wherein the molecular weight is less than 525 and, for example, is 500 or less.
70. A compound according to any one of claims 3 to 69 in the form of a salt, solvate (such as a hydrate), ester or N-oxide.
71. A compound as defined in any one of claims 3 to 70 for use in medicine.
72. A compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70 for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase B.
73. The use of a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70 for the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase B.
74. A method for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase B, which method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70.
75. A method for treating a disease or condition comprising or arising from abnormal cell growth in a mammal, which method comprises administering to the mammal a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70 in an amount effective in inhibiting abnormal cell growth.
76. A method for treating a disease or condition comprising or arising from abnormal cell growth in a mammal, the method comprising administering to the mammal a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70 in an amount effective to inhibit
PKB activity.
77. A method of inhibiting a protein kinase B, which method comprises contacting the kinase with a kinase-inhibiting compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70.
78. A method of modulating a cellular process by inhibiting the activity of a protein kinase B using a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70.
79. A method for treating an immune disorder in a mammal, the method comprising administering to the mammal a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70 in an amount effective to inhibit PKB activity.
80. A compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70 for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase A.
81. The use of a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70 for the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase A.
82. The use of a compound of the formula (I) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70 for the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition arising from abnormal cell growth.
83. The use of a compound of the formula (I) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70 for the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease in which there is a disorder of proliferation, apoptosis or differentiation.
84. A method for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state or condition mediated by protein kinase A, which method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70.
85. A method for treating a disease or condition comprising or arising from abnormal cell growth in a mammal, the method comprising administering to the mammal a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70 in an amount effective to inhibit PKA.
86. A method of inhibiting a protein kinase A, which method comprises contacting the kinase with a kinase-inhibiting compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70.
87. A method of modulating a cellular process by inhibiting the activity of a protein kinase A using a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70.
88. A method for treating an immune disorder in a mammal, the method comprising administering to the mammal a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70 in an amount effective to inhibit PKA activity.
89. A method of inducing apoptosis in a cancer cell, which method comprises contacting the cancer cell with a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70.
90. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a novel compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
91. A compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70 for use in medicine.
92. A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula (I) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 70, which process comprises:
(a) the reaction of a compound of the formula (X) with a compound of the formula (XI) or an N-protected derivative thereof:
Figure imgf000147_0001
wherein A, E, and R1 to R are as defined in any one of the preceding claims, one of the groups X and Y is selected from chlorine, bromine, iodine and trifluoromethanesulphonate, and the other one of the groups X and Y is a boronate residue, for example a boronate ester or boronic acid residue, in the presence of a palladium catalyst and a base;
(b) the reductive amination of a compound of the formula (XXXVI):
Figure imgf000147_0002
with HNR2R3 in the presence of a reducing agent; and optionally
(c) the conversion of one compound of the formula (I) into another compound of the formula (I).
93. A process according to claim 92, variant (a) wherein the compound of the formula (X) is prepared by the reaction of a compound of the formula (LXX):
Figure imgf000148_0001
with a compound of the formula R1 -H under Friedel Crafts alkylation conditions, for example in the presence of an aluminium, halide (e.g. AlCl3).
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