PYRROLIDINE OR THIAZOLIDINE CARBOXYLIC ACID DERIVATIVES, PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION AND METHODS FOR USE IN TREATING METABOLIC DISORDERSAS AS AGONISTS OF G- PROTEIN COUPLED RECEPTOR 43 (GPR43)

The present invention relates to novel compounds including their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs, which are agonists or partial agonists of G-protein coupled receptor 43 (GPR43) and are useful as therapeutic compounds, particularly in the treatment and/or prevention of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and conditions that are often associated with this disease including, lipid disorders such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis and its sequelae.

[BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION]

Under normal conditions, Free Fatty Acids (FFAs) are implicated in numerous physiological processes by serving as fuel in various metabolic pathways and/or acting as signaling molecules in different tissues such as the heart, liver, skeletal muscle, adipocytes and the pancreas (Newsholme et al., Biochem. I, 80 pp 655-662, 1961; Prentki et al., Endocrine Reviews, PubMed print ahead, 2008). Among FFAs, the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs, carbon length C2-C6) are generated during anaerobic bacterial fermentation of fiber in the gut (Sellin et al, News. Physiol. Sci., 14, pp 58-64, 1999). Long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs, carbon length C14-C24) are products of dietary intake from adipose tissues and liver (McArthur et al., J. Lipid. Res., 40, pp 1371-1383, 1999).

Obesity is an increasing, worldwide public health problem associated with devastating pathologies such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and dyslipidemia (Wild et al., Diabetes Care 27, pp 1047-1053, 2004). Dyslipidemia is characterized by high levels of triglycerides and/or LDL (bad cholesterol) or low levels of HDL (good cholesterol). Dyslipidemia is a key independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. It has long been suggested that FFAs are implicated in the regulation and/or genesis of these diseases (Fraze et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 61, pp 807-811, 1985). It is well established that regular intake of dietary fiber has several beneficial metabolic effects such as lowering of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels (Anderson et al., J. Am. Coll. Nutr., 23, pp 5 - 17, 2004). Specifically, dietary fiber has been shown to increase endogenous levels of SCFAs, leading to the suppression of cholesterol synthesis and improvement in glucose tolerance in rat (Berggren et al., Br. J. Nutr., 76, pp 287- 294, 1996), as well as the reduction of hyperglycemia in a diabetic mice model (Sakakibara et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Com., 344, pp 597-604, 2006).

Drug therapies are available to address both T2D and dyslipidemia. Specifically, statins, fibrates and nicotinic acid or combinations thereof are often considered as a first line therapy in dyslipidemia whereas metformin, sulphonylureas and thiazolidinediones are three, widely-used classes of oral antidiabetic drugs (Tenenbaum et al., Cardiovascular Diabetology, 5, pp20-23, 2006). Although theses therapies are widespread in their use, the common appearance of adverse effects or lack of efficacy after long-term use causes concern. Moreover, the growing patient population suffering from T2D, dyslipidemia and associated metabolic diseases creates a demand for new entrants into this therapeutic market.

GPR43 (also named FFA2R) belongs to a subfamily of G-Protein- Coupled Receptors (GPCRs), including GPR40 and GPR41 that have been identified as receptor for FFAs (Le Poul et al, J. Biol Chem. 278, 25481-489, 2003; Covington et al., Biochemical Society transaction 34, 770-773, 2006). The 3 family members share 30 to 40% sequence identity with specificity toward different fatty acids carbon chain lengths, with SCFAs (short chain fatty acids: six carbons molecules or shorter) activating GPR41 and GPR43; and medium and long chain fatty acids (MCFA, LCFA) activating GPR40 (Rayasam et al, Expert Opinion on therapeutic targets, 11 661-671, 2007 ). C2 acetate and C3 propionate are the most potent activators of GPR43. GPR43 is mainly coupled with Gq- proteins, with some evidence for its possible coupling with Gi/o pathways as well. GPR43 is strongly expressed in adipocytes. Also there is evidence suggesting that GPR43 is overexpressed in pancreatic β-cells in prediabetic states as shown in WO2006/036688A2. Recent papers confirmed the GPR43 expression in pancreatic islets (Ahren, Nature Reviews, 8 pp396-385; 2009; Regard et al., J; Clin. Invst, 117 pp4034-4043, 2007). In adipocyte cells, GPR43 is induced during the differentiation process and increased during the high fat feeding in rodents, suggesting that GPR43 may affect adipocyte functions (Hong et al., Endocrinology, 146 pp5092-5099, 2005). Indeed, it has been reported that acetate and propionate may stimulate adipogenesis via GPR43. In addition siRNA results hinted that acetate and propionate may inhibit lipolysis in adipocytes via GPR43 activation (Hong et al, Endocrinology, 146 pp5092-5099, 2005). It is interesting to note that the effect of acetate on reducing plasma free fatty acids level has been documented in humans (Suokas et al., Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research, 12 pp52-58, 1988; Laurent et al., European journal of clinical nutrition, 49 pp484-491, 1995). In addition, it has been shown that (i) adipocytes treated with GPR43 endogenous SCFA ligands exhibit a reduction in lipolytic activity and such inhibition of lypo lysis is the result of GPR43 activation and (ii) GPR43 activation by acetate results in the reduction of plasma free fatty acids level in vivo (Ge et al, Endocrinology, 149 pp4519-26, 2008). Recently two GPR43 positive allosteric modulator molecules have been shown able to inhibit the lipolysis in adipocytes similarly to that of GPR43 endogenous SCFA ligands (Lee et al, Mol Pharmacol, 74(6) ppl599-1609, 2008). Such results suggest a potential role of GPR43 in regulating plasma lipid profiles and aspects of metabolic syndrome. On this basis, new agonists or partial agonists of GPR43 may be of therapeutic value for T2D mellitus and conditions that are associated with this disease including, lipid disorders such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis and its sequelae. [SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION]

The invention encompasses compounds of general Formula I, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs as well as methods of use of such compounds or compositions comprising such compounds as modulators of GPR43 activity.

In a general aspect, the invention provides compounds of general formula I:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts,solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

Ar ¹ is a 5- to 6-membered aryl or heteroaryl group, 3- to 8-membered cycloalkyl group, a 3- to 8-membered heterocycloalkyl group, or a linear or branched C3-C6 alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, amino, alkylamino, aminoalkyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, arylalkyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or two substituents form a cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl moiety together with the cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group they are attached to, or fused to the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group may be one or more cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino or oxo;

L ¹ is a single bond, C1-C3 alkylene, C3-C6 cycloalkylene, C2-C3 alkenylene, C2-C3 alkynylene, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl;

R ¹ is H, linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl;

E is N, C-R ⁵ where R ⁵ is H, linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl; D is CO or D is where D is linked to E eiher

on the nitrogen or the carbonyl and R ⁶ is H, alkyl, C ₂ -C ₄ alkenyl, C ₂

C ₄ alkynyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxyalkyl, and under the condition that E is C-R ⁵ ; L ² is a single bond, C1-C4 alkylene, C3-C6 cycloalkylene, C2-C3 alkenylene, C2-C3 alkynylene each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxyalkyl;

Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, benzoxazol- 2-yl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, amino, alkylamino, aminoalkyl, arylcarbonyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, oxo or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or two substituents form a cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl moiety together with the cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group they are attached to, or fused to the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group may be one or more cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, nitro, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by a chloro or methyl group, heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by a fluoro group, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylalkyloxy, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, oxo, aralkyl, heteroarylalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, and haloalkoxyalkyl.

R ² is H; L ³ is a single bond, C1-C3 alkylene, C3-C6 cycloalkylene, C2-C3 alkenylene or C ₂ - C3 alkynylene each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl;

Z is selected from the group consisting of -COOR,

wherein R is H or linear or branched alkyl, aryl, acyloxyalkyl, dioxolene, R ⁷ is H, methyl or ethyl, and R ⁷ is hydroxyl -S0 ₂ CH _3j -SChcyclopropyl or -S0 ₂ CF ₃ ; the bond represented by the dotted line is either absent or present;

R ³ is H, halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, amino, alkylamino, aminoalkyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, arylalkyloxy, acetyl, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or fused to the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group may be one or more cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino or oxo;

R ³ is H or C1 -C4 alkyl, or R ³ is absent if the dotted line is present;

R ⁴ is H, halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, amino, alkylamino, aminoalkyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, arylalkyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or fused to the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group may be one or more cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino or oxo, or R ⁴ forms together with R ³ a cyclopropane ring optionally substituted by one or more group selected from halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, or haloalkoxy, under the condition that the dotted line is absent;

R ⁴ is H, C ₁ -C4 alkyl, or R ⁴ is absent if the dotted line is present; under the condition that the compound of formula (I) is not (2S)-methyl l-benzoyl-5-mesitylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate,

(2S)-methyl l-benzoyl-5-(2,4,6-triethylphenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate,

(2S,5S)-l-benzoyl-5-mesitylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid,

(2S)-methyl 1 -benzoyl-5-propylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate,

(2S,5S)-methyl l-benzoyl-5-propylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate,

(2S,5R)-methyl l-benzoyl-5-propylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate,

(2S,5R)-5-(tert-butyl)- 1 -(4-phenylbutanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid, (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(tert-butyl)- 1 -(4-phenylbutanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate, (2R,5R)- 1 -(4-bromothiophene-2-carbonyl)-5-phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxy lic acid, (2R,5S)-l-(3-bromo-2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl)-5-phenylpyrrolidine -2-carboxylic acid,

tert-butyl 2-[(2R,5S)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-5-phenyl-pyrrolidine-l-carbonyl] indoline- 1-carboxylate,

(2R,5S)-l-(l-tert-butoxycarbonylindoline-2-carbonyl)-5-ph enyl-pyrrolidine-2- carboxylic acid,

1 -[7-(4-tert-butyl-phenoxy)- 1 -cyclopentylmethyl-isoquinoline-3-carbonyl]-(5R)- phenyl-pyrrolidine-(2S)-carboxylic acid.

Advantageously, the compounds of the invention or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof are those described above in respect to formula (I) with the following provisos:

Ar ² is not phthalazin-6-yl, pyrido[2,3-d]pyridazin-2-yl, pyrido[2,3-d]pyridazin-3- yl, or pyrazino[2,3-d]pyridazin-2-yl; and/or each of R ³ and R ⁴ is not a pyrimid-2-ylamino group substituted at position 6 by a bicyclic heteroaryl group, if the bond represented as a dotted line is absent; and/or

R ³ is not a mono substituted hydroxymethyl; and/or

The D-L ² -Ar ² moiety is not

wherein L is H or alkyl and L' is selected from phenyl, naphtyl, indolyl, quinolyl, phenylamino. In another aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound according to the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.

The invention also relates to the use of the above compounds or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs as modulators of GPR43, preferably as agonists or partial agonists of GPR43.

The invention further provides methods of treatment and/or prevention of type II diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia such as mixed or diabetic dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, low HDL cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, metabolic syndrome, syndrome X, thrombotic disorders, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and its sequelae including angina, claudication, heart attack, stroke and others, kidney diseases, ketoacidosis, nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases such as steatosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of formula (I), to a patient in need thereof. Preferably the patient is a warm-blooded animal, more preferably a human.

The invention also provides the use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof as a medicament. Preferably, the medicament is used for the treatment and/or prevention of type II diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia such as mixed or diabetic dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, low HDL cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, , metabolic syndrome, syndrome X, thrombotic disorders, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and its sequelae including angina, claudication, heart attack, stroke and others, kidney diseases, ketoacidosis, nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases such as steatosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

In a preferred embodiment the disease is type II diabetes, a lipid disorder such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, or atherosclerosis and its sequelae.

[DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION]

As noted above, the invention relates to compounds of formula I, as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs.

Preferred compounds of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof are those wherein all the following descriptions are independently the dotted line is absent and E is N; and/or L ¹ is a single bond, preferably a single bond drawn as a solid wedge; and/or

L ³ is a single bond, preferably a single bond drawn as a solid wedge; and/or

Z is selected from the group consisting of -COOR wherein R is defined as above in respect to formula I, preferably Z is COOH; and/or

R ³ is H, halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, 5-membered heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, 5-membered heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxy alkyl, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, amino, alkylamino, aminoalkyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, arylalkyloxy, acetyl, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfbnyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or fused to the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group may be one or more cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino or oxo, preferably R ³ is H, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aralkyl, heteroarylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, aminoalkyl, arylalkyloxy, acetyl, haloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoylalkyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or a bicyclic ring made by an aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl fused to one cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino or oxo, or R ³ forms together with R ⁴ a cyclopropane ring substituted by one or more group selected from halo, haloalkyl, or haloalkoxy, under the condition that the bond represented by the dotted line is absent, more preferably R ³ is H, cyano, alkyl, preferably methyl, aralkyl, preferably benzyl, acetyl linked to the E containing ring by bond drawn as a dotted wedge, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, even more preferably R ³ is H; and/or

R ⁴ is H, halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, amino, alkylamino, aminoalkyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, arylalkyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or fused to the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group may be one or more cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino or oxo, or R ⁴ forms together with R ³ a cyclopropane ring substituted by one or more haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, under the condition that the dotted line is absent, preferably R ⁴ is H, methyl or cyano, more preferably R ⁴ is H; and/or

R ³ and R ^4' are independently H or methyl, preferably R ³ is H or methyl and R ⁴ is H, more preferably R ³ and R ⁴ are both H; and/or

D is CO and L ² is a single bond; and/or

Ar ¹ is a 5- to 6-membered aryl or heteroaryl group, or a 3- to 6-membered cycloalkyl group, or a linear or branched C ₃ -C6 alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl preferably methyl, C ₁ -C ₄ hydroxyalkyl, C ₁ -C ₄ haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl preferably phenyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxy preferably methoxy, C ₁ -C ₄ haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , C ₁ -C ₄ alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, C ₁ -C ₄ alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, C ₁ -C ₄ alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, C ₁ -C ₄ alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or two substituents form a cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl moiety together with the cycloalkyl group they are attached to, or fused to the aryl, heteroaryl or cycloalkyl group may be one or more cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino or oxo, more preferably Ar ¹ is a phenyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, isopropyl, isobutyl or isopentyl group, each of said phenyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, cyclohexyl or cyclopentyl group being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl preferably methyl, C ₁ -C ₄ haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl, hydroxyl, C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxy preferably methoxy, C ₁ -C ₄ haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , C ₁ -C ₄ alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, C ₁ -C ₄ alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, C ₁ -C ₄ alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, still more preferably Ar ¹ is a phenyl, cyclohexyl, isobutyl or isopentyl group, said phenyl or cyclohexyl, group being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl preferably methyl, C ₁ -C ₄ haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably hydroxyl, C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxy preferably methoxy, C ₁ -C ₄ haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , C ₁ -C ₄ alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, alkylsulfonyl, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, even more preferably Ar ¹ is a phenyl or isobutyl group, said phenyl group being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano or C ₁ -C4 alkyl preferably methyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy; and/or

R ¹ is H or methyl, preferably R ¹ is H; and/or

R ² is H; and/or

Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or C ₂ -C6 alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, benzoxazol-2-yl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, oxo, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or two substituents form a cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl moiety together with the cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group they are attached to, or fused to the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group may be one or more cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, nitro, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by a chloro or methyl group, preferably phenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably 1,1,1- trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted with one fluoro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylalkyloxy preferably carbamoylmethyloxy, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl preferably (piperidin-l-yl)sulfonyl, (morpholin-4-yl)sulfonyl, arylsulfonyl preferably phenylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, oxo, aralkyl, heteroarylalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, and haloalkoxyalkyl, more preferably Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl preferably pyridyl, pyrazinyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group, each of said aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocyclyl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, benzoxazol-2-yl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, aryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a halo alkylenedioxy group, or fused to the cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group may be one aryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , cyanomethyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, alkoxyalkoxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted with one fluoro, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino, still more preferably Ar ² is an aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably pyridyl, heterocyclyl preferably piperidinyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group preferably isobutyl, each of said aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, heterocyclyl preferably pyrrolidin- 1 -yl, 4-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl, aryl, heteroaryl preferably pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, benzoxazol-2-yl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy and isopropyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, phenethyloxy and 3,3-diphenylpropan-l-oxy heteroarylalkyloxy preferably pyridylmethyloxy or pyridylethyloxy, aryloxyalkyl preferably phenoxymethyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl preferably pyridyloxymethyl, arylcarbonyl, or two substituents form an haloalkylenedioxy group each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, more preferably fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2- methoxyethoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted with one fluoro, preferably benzyloxy, 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino , (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino .

In one embodiment, preferred compounds of Formula I are those of formula lb:

L ² -Ar ²

lb and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

Ar ¹ is as defined above in respect to formula I, preferably Ar ¹ is a 5- to 6- membered aryl or heteroaryl group, or a 3- to 6-membered cycloalkyl group, or a linear or branched C3-C6 alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, C ₁ -C4 alkyl, C ₁ -C4 hydroxyalkyl, C ₁ -C4 haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl preferably phenyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, C ₁ -C4 alkoxy _, Ci- C4 haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , C ₁ -C4 alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, C ₁ -C4 alkylcarbonylamino alkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, C ₁ -C4 alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, C ₁ -C4 alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or two substituents form a cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl moiety together with the cycloalkyl group they are attached to, or fused to the aryl or heteroaryl group may be one or more cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, halo alkylsulfonylamino or oxo, more preferably Ar ¹ is a 5- to 6-membered aryl preferably phenyl, 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl group preferably pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, isopropyl, isobutyl or isopentyl each of said phenyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, cyclohexyl or cyclopentyl group being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl preferably methyl, C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxy preferably methoxy, aryl preferably phenyl, still more preferably Ar ¹ is aryl preferably phenyl, cyclohexyl, isobutyl or isopentyl, said phenyl group being optionally substituted by one or more halo group preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, methyl, phenyl or methoxy, further more preferably Ar ¹ is phenyl, cyclohexyl, isobutyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2-tolyl, 2- methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2,6-difluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2,4-dichlorophenyl, 2- bromophenyl, 2-cyanophenyl, 3,5-difluorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 2,3- difluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, 1 , l'-biphenyl-2-yl, 4-cyanophenyl, even more preferably Ar ¹ is isobutyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl , 2-chlorophenyl, 2-tolyl, 2- methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2,4-dichlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2,3- difluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, still even more preferably Ar ¹ is isobutyl, 2- chlorophenyl, 2-tolyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2- bromophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl;

L ¹ is as defined above in respect to formula I, preferably L ¹ is a single bond or a methylene optionally being substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluoro or methyl, more preferably L ¹ is a single bond drawn as a solid or dotted wedge, even more preferably a single bond drawn as a solid wedge;

R ¹ is as defined above in respect to formula I, preferably R ¹ is H or methyl, more preferably R ¹ is H; E is as defined above in respect to formula I, preferably E is N;

D is as defined above in respect of formula I, preferably D is CO;

L ² is as defined above in respect to formula I, preferably L ² is a single bond, Ci- C ₃ alkylene optionally being substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluoro or methyl, more preferably L ² is a single bond; Ar ² is as defined above in respect to formula I, preferably Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or C ₂ -C6 alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, benzoxazol-2-yl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, oxo, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or two substituents form a cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl moiety together with the cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group they are attached to, or fused to the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group may be one or more cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyano methyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by a chloro or methyl group, preferably phenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 4-tolyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, aralkyl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxy haloalkoxy preferably trifluoromethoxy, 1 , 1 , 1-trifluoroethyloxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, amino, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylalkyloxy preferably carbamoylmethyloxy, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl preferably (piperidin-l-yl)sulfonyl, (morpholin-4-yl)sulfonyl, arylsulfonyl preferably phenylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, oxo, more preferably Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl preferably pyridyl, pyrazinyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group, each of each of said aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocyclyl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, aryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a halo alkylenedioxy group, or fused to the cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group may be one aryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , cyanomethyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro or alkyl or cycloalkyl, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino, still more preferably Ar ² is an aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably pyridyl, heterocyclyl preferably piperidinyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group preferably isobutyl, each of said aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, preferably methyl, heterocyclyl preferably pyrrolidin-l-yl, 4- methylpiperidin-l-yl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy or isopropyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, phenethyloxy or 3,3-diphenylpropan-l-oxy, heteroarylalkyloxy preferably pyridylmethyloxy or pyridylethyloxy, aryloxyalkyl preferably phenoxymethyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl preferably pyridinyloxymethyl, arylcarbonyl preferably phenylacetyl, or two substituents form an haloalkylenedioxy group each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, more preferably fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2-methoxyethoxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, preferably benzyloxy or 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl- N-methylsulfonyl)amino, further more preferably Ar ² is a biaryl consisting of two 6-membered aryl moieties preferably biphenyl, more preferably a biphenyl linked to L ² at position 4' and monosubstituted at position 2, or Ar ² is a heterobiaryl consisting of one 6-membered aryl moiety and one 6-membered heteroaryl moiety or two 6-membered heteroaryl moieties, said heterobiaryl being linked to L ² either on the aryl or on the heteroaryl moiety and being preferably phenylpyridyl, pyrimidinylphenyl, pyridazinylphenyl, pyrazinylphenyl, or Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted by one group selected from arylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, each of said biaryl, heterobiaryl, aryl and heteroaryl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro preferably benzyloxy or 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, or Ar ² is a piperidinyl ring linked to L ² at position 4 and N substituted with a phenyl, 4-(4- chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl or benzoxazol-2-yl moiety, said phenyl moiety being further substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , alkoxy preferably methoxy, heterocyclylsulfonyl preferably (piperidin-1- yl)sulfonyl, (morpholin-4-yl)sulfonyl, alksulfamoyl preferably methylsulfonylamino, diethylaminosulfonyl, even more preferably Ar ² is 4'-(2- methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-fluoro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-chloro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-chloro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-chloro-2'-methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-(methoxymethyl)- Ι,Γ-biphenyl), 4'-(4-methoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(4-cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(3- chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-trifluoromethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-isopropoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyclopropylmethyloxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,6-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,4-dichloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2- trifluoromethyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methoxy-4-chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,4- dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(2,2'-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(naphtalen-2- yl)phenyl, 5-(2-phenyl)pyridyl, 4-cyclohexylphenyl, 4-benzylphenyl, 4-(3- thienyl)phenyl, 4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxypyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethoxy-pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4- (pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl, 4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)- 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-6-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, (4-benzyloxy)phenyl, 4-phenoxyphenyl, (3- phenethyloxy)phenyl, (4-phenethyloxy)phenyl, (4-phenoxymethyl)phenyl, optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, more preferably fluoro, alkyl preferably methyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, or Ar ² is 4'-(2,4-difluoro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4 '-(3 '-methyl- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3'-fluoro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-fluoro-4-methoxy-l,r-biphenyl), 4'- (4-fiuoro-2-methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2,3-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(3,4- dimethoxy- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2,3,4-trimethoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2,3,6- trimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3,5-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,5-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-isopropyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,2 '-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fluoro,2-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-ethyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-propyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-fert-butyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methoxy-4- methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methoxy-4-acetylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3-hydroxycarbamimidoyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-amino-2-methoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4 '-(3 -carbamoyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2,3-dimethoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-4,5-dimethoxy-l , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-l , 1 '- biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyanomethyl-4,5-dimethoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-fluoro-5- cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fiuoro-3,4-dimethoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(3- carbamoyl-4-cyano- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyano-4-methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2 '- fluoro-4-methylsulfonylamino- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fluoro-3- methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyano-2'-fluoro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2- chloro-5-cyano- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'- (2-methyl-3-(N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-methyl-4- (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-methylsulfonyl- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3-methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-amino-2-methyl- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2-methyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2-methoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3-cyano-l,r-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-3-methoxy-l, -biphenyl), 4'- (2-methyl-3-methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methyl-3-acetylamino- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4-(2-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-ethoxypyridin- 5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-isopropoxypyridin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-6-methylpyridin- 5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-4-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethylpyridin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(4-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3 -methoxyphenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3- methoxyphenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(4,6-dimethoxy- pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(3,6-dimethoxy-pyridazin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6-dimethoxy- pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(5-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3 -methoxyphenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3-fluorophenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3- fluorophenyl, 4-(3,6-dimethoxy-pyridazin-5-yl)-3-fluorophenyl, 4-(4,6- dimethoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)-3- methoxyphenyl, 4-(3-methoxy-pyridin-4-yl)phenyl, 4-(4-methoxy-pyridin-3- yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-3-yl)phenyl, 3-methoxy-2-(2- methoxyphenyl)pyridin-5 -yl, 3 -methoxy-2-(5 -cyano-2-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-5 - yl, 3-methoxy-2-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-5-yl, 2-(2,4- dimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-5-yl, l-(2-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin-4-yl, l-(2- nitro-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin-4-yl, l-(2-methoxy-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin- 4-yl;

R ² is H;

L ³ is as defined above in respect to formula I, preferably L ³ is a single bond, Ci- C ₃ alkylene optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from chloro, fluoro, alkyl preferably methyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, or haloalkyl, preferably L ³ is a single bond, more preferably L ³ is a single bond drawn as a solid wedge; Z is as defined above in respect to formula I, preferably Z is COOR where R is as defined above in respect of formula I, more preferably Z is COOH;

R ³ is as defined above in respect to formula I, preferably R ³ is H, cyano, alkyl, preferably methyl, aralkyl, preferably benzyl, hydroxyalkyl preferably hydroxymethyl, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, acetyl linked to the E containing ring by a bond drawn as a dotted wedge, arylsulfonyl preferably phenylsulfonyl, more preferably R ³ is H;

R ³ is as defined above in respect of formula I, preferably R ³ is H or methyl, more preferably R ³ is H; R ⁴ is as defined above in respect to formula I, preferably R ⁴ is H, cyano or methyl, more preferably R ⁴ is H;

R ⁴ is as defined above in respect to formula I, preferably R ⁴ is H or methyl, more preferably R ⁴ is H; the bond represented by the dotted line is either absent or present, preferably the dotted line is absent.

Particularly preferred compounds of formula lb are those of formula lb- la

lb-la and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein Ar ¹ , Ar ² , R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁴ , L ² , L ³ , D and Z are as defined above in respect of formula lb.

Preferred compounds of formula lb- la are those of formula lb- lb

lb-lb and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein Ar ¹ , Ar ² , R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁴ , L ² and D are as defined above in respect of formula lb and R is as defined above in respect of formula I.

Preferred compounds of formula lb- lb are those of formula Ib-lc

Ib-lc and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein Ar ¹ , Ar ² , R ¹ , R ² , L ² and D are as defined above in respect of formula lb and R is as defined above in respect of formula I. Other preferred compounds of formula lb- lb are those of formula lb-lb'

lb-lb' and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

R ² is as defined above in respect of formula lb and R is as defined above in respect of formula I;

R ¹ is H;

D is C=0; L is single bond;

Ar ¹ is a 5- to 6-membered aryl or heteroaryl group, 3- to 6-membered cycloalkyl group, or a linear or branched C3-C6 alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, each of said aryl or heteroaryl substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, preferably Ar ¹ is a 5- to 6-membered aryl preferably phenyl, 5- to 6- membered heteroaryl group preferably pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, isopropyl, isobutyl or isopentyl each of said phenyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, cyclohexyl or cyclopentyl group being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl preferably methyl, C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxy preferably methoxy, aryl preferably phenyl, still more preferably Ar ¹ is aryl preferably phenyl, cyclohexyl, isobutyl or isopentyl, said phenyl group being optionally substituted by one or more halo group preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, methyl, phenyl or methoxy, further more preferably Ar ¹ is phenyl, cyclohexyl, isobutyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2- tolyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 3- fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2,6-difluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2,4- dichlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2-cyanophenyl, 3,5-difluorophenyl, 3,4- difluorophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, l,l'-biphenyl-2-yl, 4- cyanophenyl, even more preferably Ar ¹ is isobutyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl , 2- chlorophenyl, 2-tolyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 2- fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2,4- dichlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, still even more preferably Ar ¹ is isobutyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2-tolyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 2- fluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 2,5- difluorophenyl;

Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or C ₂ -C6 alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, benzoxazol-2-yl heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, amino, alkylamino, arylcarbonyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, oxo, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or fused to the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group may be one or more aryl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, nitro, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by a chloro or methyl group, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by a fluoro or alkyl or cycloalkyl group, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyloxy, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, oxo, alkoxyalkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, and haloalkoxyalkyl; preferably Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl preferably pyridyl, pyrazinyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group, each of each of said aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocyclyl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, aryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or fused to the cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group may be one aryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , cyanomethyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro or alkyl or cycloalkyl, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino, still more preferably Ar ² is an aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably pyridyl, heterocyclyl preferably piperidinyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group preferably isobutyl, each of said aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, preferably methyl, heterocyclyl preferably pyrro lidin- 1 -yl, 4-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy or isopropyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, phenethyloxy or 3,3- diphenylpropan-l-oxy, heteroarylalkyloxy preferably pyridylmethyloxy or pyridylethyloxy, aryloxyalkyl preferably phenoxymethyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl preferably pyridinyloxymethyl, arylcarbonyl preferably phenylacetyl, or two substituents form an haloalkylenedioxy group each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, more preferably fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2-methoxyethoxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, preferably benzyloxy or 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonylalkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, further more preferably Ar ² is a biaryl consisting of two 6-membered aryl moieties preferably biphenyl, more preferably a biphenyl linked to L ² at position 4' and monosubstituted at position 2, or Ar ² is a heterobiaryl consisting of one 6- membered aryl moiety and one 6-membered heteroaryl moiety or two 6- membered heteroaryl moieties, said heterobiaryl being linked to L ² either on the aryl or on the heteroaryl moiety and being preferably phenylpyridyl, pyrimidinylphenyl, pyridazinylphenyl, pyrazinylphenyl, or Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted by one group selected from arylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, each of said biaryl, heterobiaryl, aryl and heteroaryl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro preferably benzyloxy or 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, or Ar ² is a piperidinyl ring linked to L ² at position 4 and N substituted with a phenyl, 4-(4- chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl or benzoxazol-2-yl moiety, said phenyl moiety being further substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , alkoxy preferably methoxy, heterocyclylsulfonyl preferably (piperidin-1- yl)sulfonyl, (morpholin-4-yl)sulfonyl, alksulfamoyl preferably methylsulfonylamino, diethylaminosulfonyl, even more preferably Ar ² is 4'-(2- methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-fluoro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-chloro-l,r-biphenyl), 4'-(2-chloro-l,r-biphenyl), 4'-(2-chloro-2'-methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-(methoxymethyl)- Ι,Γ-biphenyl), 4'-(4-methoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(4-cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(3- chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-trifluoromethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-isopropoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyclopropylmethyloxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,6-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,4-dichloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2- trifluoromethyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methoxy-4-chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,4- dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(2,2'-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(naphtalen-2- yl)phenyl, 5-(2-phenyl)pyridyl, 4-cyclohexylphenyl, 4-benzylphenyl, 4-(3- thienyl)phenyl, 4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxypyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethoxy-pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4- (pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl, 4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)- 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-6-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, (4-benzyloxy)phenyl, 4-phenoxyphenyl, (3- phenethyloxy)phenyl, (4-phenethyloxy)phenyl, (4-phenoxymethyl)phenyl, optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, more preferably fluoro, alkyl preferably methyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, or Ar ² is 4'-(2,4-difluoro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4 '-(3 '-methyl- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3'-fluoro-l,r-biphenyl), 4'-(2-fluoro-4-methoxy-l,r-biphenyl), 4'- (4-fiuoro-2-methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2,3-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(3,4- dimethoxy- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2,3,4-trimethoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2,3,6- trimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3,5-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,5-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-isopropyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,2 '-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fluoro,2-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-ethyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-propyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-fert-butyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methoxy-4- methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methoxy-4-acetylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3-hydroxycarbamimidoyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-amino-2-methoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4 '-(3 -carbamoyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2,3-dimethoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-4,5-dimethoxy-l , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-l , 1 '- biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyanomethyl-4,5-dimethoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-fluoro-5- cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fiuoro-3,4-dimethoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(3- carbamoyl-4-cyano- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyano-4-methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2 '- fluoro-4-methylsulfonylamino- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fluoro-3- methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyano-2'-fluoro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2- chloro-5-cyano- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'- (2-methyl-3-(N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-methyl-4- (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-methylsulfonyl- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3-methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-amino-2-methyl- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2-methyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2-methoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3-cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-3-methoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'- (2-methyl-3-methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methyl-3-acetylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(2-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)phenyl, 4-(2-ethoxypyridin- 5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-isopropoxypyridin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-6-methylpyridin- 5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-4-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethylpyridin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(4-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3 -methoxyphenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3- methoxyphenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(4,6-dimethoxy- pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(3,6-dimethoxy-pyridazin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6-dimethoxy- pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(5-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3 -methoxyphenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3-fluorophenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3- fluorophenyl, 4-(3,6-dimethoxy-pyridazin-5-yl)-3-fluorophenyl, 4-(4,6- dimethoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)-3- methoxyphenyl, 4-(3-methoxy-pyridin-4-yl)phenyl, 4-(4-methoxy-pyridin-3- yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-3-yl)phenyl, 3-methoxy-2-(2- methoxyphenyl)pyridin-5 -yl, 3 -methoxy-2-(5 -cyano-2-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-5 - yl, 3-methoxy-2-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-5-yl, 2-(2,4- dimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-5-yl, l-(2-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin-4-yl, l-(2- nitro-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin-4-yl, l-(2-methoxy-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin- 4-yl;

R ³ is H, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aralkyl, alkoxyalkyl, acetyl, arylsulfonyl; R ³ is H or Ci-C ₄ alkyl; R ⁴ is H, cyano, C ₁ -C4 alkyl.

Preferred compounds of formula Ib-lc or lb- lb' are those of formula lb- Id

Ib-ld and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein Ar ¹ , Ar ² , R ¹ and R ² are as defined above in respect of formula lb in case of preferred compounds of formula Ib-lc, or lb- lb' in case of preferred compounds of formula lb-lb', and R is as defined above in respect of formula I.

Preferred compounds of formula lb- Id are those of formula Ib-le

Ib-le and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

Ar ² , R ¹ and R ² are as defined above in respect of formula lb or lb- lb'; R is as defined above in respect of formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl preferably phenyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , heterocyclyloxy, alkylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, arylalkyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfbnyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ⁸ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ , or R ¹⁰ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ⁸ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ⁸ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ , or R ¹⁰ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ⁸ form together a cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalyl or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino or oxo, preferably R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl, hydroxyl, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ⁸ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ , or R ¹⁰ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ⁸ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, more preferably R ⁸ , R ^8' , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably bromo, fluoro or chloro, cyano, C ₁ -C4 alkyl preferably methyl, aryl preferably phenyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, still more preferably R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably bromo, fluoro or chloro, alkyl preferably methyl, still more preferably R ⁸ is Br, CI or F, preferably CI and R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H or F, or R ⁹ is CI or F and R ⁸ , R ⁸ ', R ⁹ ' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ⁹ and R ⁹ ' are F and R ⁸ , R ⁸ ' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ¹⁰ is CI or F and R , R , R and R are H, even more preferably R is Br, CI or F and R ⁸ ', R ⁹ , R ⁹ ' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ⁸ and R ⁹ are F and R ⁸ ', R ⁹ ' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ⁸ and R ¹⁰ are F and R ⁸ ', R ⁹ and R ⁹ ' are H.

Preferred compounds of formula Ib-le are those of formula lb- If

Ib-lf and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein Ar ² is as defined above in respect of formula lb or lb- lb'; R is as defined above in respect of formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ ', R ⁹ , R ⁹ ' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect of formula Ib-le.

Preferred compounds of formula Ib-lf are those of formula Ib-lg

Ib-lg and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

R is as defined above in respect of formula I; R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ ' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect of formula Ib-le;

R ¹¹ , R ¹¹ ', R ¹² , R ¹² ' and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably chloro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably -OCF ₃ or -OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, alkyloxycarbonyl, aminoalkylalkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxy carbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹¹ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ^12' , or R ^12' and R ^11' form together a cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by one a chloro or methyl group, heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, aralkyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably trifluoromethoxt, 1,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, amino, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylalkyloxy preferably carbamoylmethyloxy carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl preferably phenylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino and oxo, preferably R ¹¹ , R ¹¹ , R ¹² , R ¹² and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably chloro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably -OCF ₃ or -OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfbnyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹¹ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ^12' , or R ^12' and R ^11' form together an aryl or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyano methyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by one a chloro or methyl group, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably 1,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, amino, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyloxy preferably carbamoylmethyloxy carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl preferably phenylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino and oxo, more preferably R ¹¹ , R ¹¹ , R ¹² , R ¹² and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, aryloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, or one or more of R 11 and R 12 , or R 12 and R 16 , or R ¹⁶ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹¹ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ^12' , or R ^12' and R ^11' form together an aryl, or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino, still more preferably R ¹¹ , R ^11' , R ¹² , R ^12' and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or isobutyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl preferably cyclohexyl, heterocyclyl preferably pyrrolidin-l-yl, 4-methylpiperidin-l-yl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably thiophenyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, aralkyl preferably benzyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy or isopropyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, phenethyloxy or 3,3- diphenylpropan-l-oxy, heteroarylalkyloxy preferably pyridylmethyloxy or pyridylethyloxy, aryloxyalkyl preferably phenoxymethyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl preferably pyridyloxymethyl, or two substituents form an haloalkylenedioxy group each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably trifluoromethyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2-methoxyethoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, preferably benzyloxy, 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl- N-methylsulfonyl)amino . Preferred compounds of formula Ib-lg are those of formula lb- 1 g 1

Ib-lgl and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect of formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect of formula Ib-le;

R ¹⁶ is as defined above in respect to formula Ib-lg, preferably R ¹⁶ is selected from halo preferably chloro, alkyl preferably methyl or isobutyl, cycloalkyl preferably cyclohexyl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably pyridyl, thiophen-3-yl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, aralkyl preferably benzyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy more preferably isopropyloxy, haloalkoxy, preferably OCF ₃ , OCHF ₂ , more preferably OCF ₃ , cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, arylalkyloxy preferably phenethyloxy or benzyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy preferably pyridylethyloxy, aryloxyalkyl preferably phenoxymethyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl preferably pyridyloxymethyl, arylcarbonyl preferably phenylcarbonyl, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, more preferably fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, trifluoromethyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, aryl optionally substituted by a chloro or methyl group, hydroxyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, haloalkoxy preferably trifluoromethoxy, 1,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro preferably benzyloxy, 4-fluorobenzyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2-methoxyethoxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, carbamoyl, carbamoylmethyloxy, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N- methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, oxo, more preferably R ¹⁶ is selected from alkyl preferably isobutyl, or R ¹⁶ is alkoxy preferably isopropyloxy, or R ¹⁶ is heterocyclyl preferably pyrrolidin-l-yl, 4-methylpiperidin-l-yl, or R ¹⁶ is aryl preferably a phenyl, preferably a phenyl monosubstituted at position 2 by one group selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, more preferably fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2-methoxyethoxy, or R ¹⁶ is 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl, 4-fluoro-2-methoxyphenyl, 2,3- dimethoxyphenyl, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl, 2,5- dimethoxyphenyl, 2-methoxy-4-methylsulfonylaminophenyl, 4-acetylamino-2- methoxyphenyl, 4-amino-2-methoxyhenyl, 5-cyano-2,3-dimethoxyphenyl, 2- cyano-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl, 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl, 2-cyano-4-methoxyphenyl, 3 -methylsulfonylaminophenyl, 4-methylsulfonylaminophenyl, 2-chloro-5 - cyanophenyl, 2-cyano-4-trifluoromethylphenyl, 2-methyl-3-(N-methyl-N- methylsulfonyl)aminophenyl, 2-methoxy-4-(N-methyl-N- methylsulfonyl)aminophenyl, 4-methylsulfonylphenyl, 3- methylsulfonylaminophenyl, 4-methylsulfonylaminophenyl, 3-amino-2-methyl, 5-cyano-2-methylphenyl, 5-cyano-2-methoxyphenyl, 2-methyl-3- methylsulfonylamino, 3-cyano-2-methoxyphenyl, or R ¹⁶ is aralkyl preferably benzyl, or R ¹⁶ is heteroaryl preferably 4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl, 2- methoxypyrimidin-3 -yl, 2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-5 -yl, 2-methoxypyridin-3 -yl, 2,6-dimethoxy-pyridin-3-yl, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-pyridin-3-yl, 2- methoxypyrimidin-5-yl, 2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-6-yl, preferably 2- methoxypyrimidin-3-yl, (2,4-dimethoxy)pyrimidin-5-yl, 2-methoxypyrimidin-5- yl, 2,6-dimethoxy-pyridin-3-yl, more preferably (2,4-dimethoxy)pyrimidin-5-yl, 2,6-dimethoxy-pyridin-3-yl, 2-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl, 2-methoxy-6- methylpyridin-5-yl, 2,6-dimethylpyridin-5-yl, 2,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl, 4- methoxypyridin-3-yl, 2-methoxypyridin-5-yl, 2,4-dimethoxypyridin-5-yl, 2,6- dimethoxypyridazin-5-yl, 2,6-dimethoxypyridin-5-yl, 5-methoxypyridin-3-yl, 4,6- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl, 3-methoxypyridin-4-yl, 4-methoxypyridin-3-yl, or R ¹⁶ is, arylalkyloxy preferably phenethyloxy, benzyloxy, 2-fluorobenzyloxy, more preferably 2-fluorobenzyloxy, or R ¹⁶ is aryloxyalkyl preferably phenoxymethyl.

Preferred compounds of formula Ib-lgl are those of formula lb- l g l a

Ib-lgla and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect of formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect of formula Ib-le;

17 17' 18' 19

R , R , R ¹⁰ and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy, haloalkoxyalkyl, alkylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfbnyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, preferably

17 17' 18' 19

R , R , R and R ¹ ' are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, hydroxyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy, alkylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino,

17 17' 18' 19

haloalkylsulfonylamino, more preferably R , R , R and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably chloro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , alkoxy preferably methoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy preferably (2- methoxy)ethoxy, alkylamino preferably dimethylamino, more preferably R ¹⁷ , R ¹⁸ and R ¹⁹ are H and R ¹⁷ is methoxy, (2-methoxy)ethoxy or R ¹⁷ , R ¹⁸ and R ¹⁹

17' 17 17' 18' 19

are H and R is methoxy, or R , R and R are H and R is chloro, methyl,

17' 18' 17 19 methoxy, dimethylamino, or R and R are H and: a) both R and R are methyl or methoxy, or b) R ¹⁷ is methyl and R ¹⁹ is methoxy, or R ¹⁷ , R ¹⁷ and R ¹⁹

18' * 17' 18' 19 17 are H and R is methoxy even more preferably R , R ¹⁰ and R are H and R

17' 18' 17 19

is methoxy, or R and R are H and: a) both R and R are methyl or methoxy, or b) R ¹⁷ is methyl and R ¹⁹ is methoxy, or R ¹⁷ , R ¹⁷ and R ¹⁹ are H and

18' *

R is methoxy.

Other preferred compounds of formula Ib-lg are those of formula Ib-lg2

Ib-lg2 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect of formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect to formula Ib-le;

12 12' 12

R and R are as defined above in respect to formula Ib-lg, preferably R and R ¹² are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably ethyl, isopropyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , aryl preferably phenyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy or ethoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, aryloxy, arylalkyloxy preferably phenethyloxy or benzyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, alkoxy, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, more preferably R ¹² is H or alkoxy preferably methoxy or ethoxy, more preferably methoxy and R ¹² is halo preferably chloro, alkoxy preferably methoxy or ethoxy, more preferably methoxy, arylalkyloxy preferably phenethyloxy, benzyloxy or 3,3- diphenylpropan-l-oxy, optionally substituted by halo preferably chloro or fluoro, alkoxy, alkyl, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, even more preferably R ¹² is methoxy and R ¹² is methoxy, chloro, benzyloxy, (4-chlorobenzyl)oxy, (4- methylsulfonylbenzyl)oxy. Other preferred compounds of formula Ib-lg are those of formula

Ib-lh

Ib-lh and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect to formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect to formula Ib-le;

L ⁴ is a single bond, -C(O)-, -0-, -0-Ci-C3-alkylene or -Ci-C ₃ -alkylene-0- optionally substituted by one or more group selected from fluoro or methyl, preferably L ⁴ is a single bond, -0-, -0-Ci-C2-alkylene, -Ci-alkylene-O- optionally substituted by one or more group selected from fluoro or methyl, more preferably L ⁴ is a single bond, -OCH ₂ , -0(CH ₂ ) ₂ - or -CH ₂ 0-;

R ¹¹ , R ^11' , R ¹² and R ^12' are as defined above in respect to formula Ib-lg, preferably R ¹¹ and R ¹¹ are H and R ¹² and R ¹² are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , hydroxyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy or ethoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, more preferably R ¹¹ and R ^11' are H, R ¹² is H, fluoro, chloro, methyl, -CF ₃ , alkoxy preferably methoxy or ethoxy, more preferably methoxy and R ¹² is halo preferably chloro, alkoxy preferably methoxy or ethoxy, more preferably methoxy, or R ¹¹ , R ¹¹ and R ¹² are H and R ¹² is fluoro, chloro, methyl, CF ₃ , methoxy, even more preferably R ¹¹ and R ^11' are H, R ¹² is H or methoxy and R ¹² is methoxy, chloro, or R ¹¹ , R ¹¹ and R ¹² are H and R ¹² is fluoro, chloro, methyl, CF ₃ , methoxy;

R ¹³ , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ , OCHF ₂ , or 1 ,1,1- trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cyclo alky lalkyloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, haloalkoxyalkyl, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyloxy, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, preferably R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ , OCHF ₂ , or 1 ,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, haloalkoxyalkyl, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyloxy, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, more preferably R ¹³ , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, haloalkyl preferably -CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2-methoxyethoxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, still more preferably R ¹³ , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, more preferably fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably -CF ₃ or -CHF ₂ , alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2- methoxyethoxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, even more preferably R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ¹⁴ and R ^14' are H and R ¹⁵ is H, chloro, methyl or methoxy, methylsulfonyl, methylsulfonylamino, preferably H, methylsulfonyl, methylsulfonylamino, or R ^13' , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ is methoxy or chloro, preferably chloro, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is methylsulfonylamino, or R ^13' , R ¹⁴ and R ^14'

13 15 13 15 13 are H and R and R are a) both F, or b) R is F and R is methoxy, or c) R

15 13 15 13 is methoxy and R is F, or d) R is methoxy and R is acetylamino, or e) R is

15 13 15 13 methoxy and R is amino, or f) R is cyano and R is methoxy, or g) R is

15 13 15 13 chloro and R is cyano, or h) R is cyano and R is trifluoromethyl, or i) R is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is methylsulfonylamino, or c) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or d) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is amino, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are both methoxy, or R ^13' , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ^14' are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹⁴ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or c) R ¹⁴ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ and R ^14' are both methoxy, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ^13' , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ^14' are methoxy, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹³ are H and R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are methoxy.

Preferred compounds of formula Ib-lh are those of formula Ib-lhl

Ib-lhl and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

R is as defined above in respect to formula I; R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect to formula Ib-le;

R ¹² is as defined above in respect to formula Ib-lh, preferably R ¹² is H, fluoro, chloro, methyl, CF ₃ , nitro, cyano, methoxy or cyclopropylmethyloxy;

R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are as defined above in respect to formula Ib-lh, preferably R ^13' , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ is chloro, cyano, hydroxyl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, cyanomethyl, methoxy, isopropoxy, isobutyloxy, OCF ₃ , cyclopropylmethyloxy, phenoxy, cyclopropylmethyloxy, benzyloxy, (4- fluorobenzyl)oxy, methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethoxy, carbamoylmethyloxy, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is chloro, methylsulfonylamino, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ¹⁴ and R ^14' are H and R ¹⁵ is chloro, methylsulfonylamino, R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are a) independently selected from chloro or methoxy, or b) 13 15 13 15

both F, or c) R is F and R is methoxy, or d) R is methoxy and R is F, or e)

13 15 13 15

R is methoxy and R is acetylamino, or f) R is methoxy and R is amino, or

13 15 13 15 13 g) R is cyano and R is methoxy, or h) R is chloro and R is cyano, or i) R is cyano and R ¹⁵ is trifluoromethyl, or j) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is (N-methyl-N- methylsulfonyl)amino, or R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and both R ¹³ and R ¹³ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and both R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁴ are fluoro, methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and a) R ¹⁴ forms together with R ¹⁵ a phenyl moiety fused to the phenyl ring they are attached to, or b) both R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ^13' , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is methylsulfonylamino, or c) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or d) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is amino, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or c) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ , R ^13' and R ^14' are methoxy, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹³ are H and R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, more preferably R ^13' , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ is chloro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, isopropoxy, cyclopropylmethyloxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is chloro, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ¹⁴ and R ^14' are H and R ¹⁵ is chloro, methylsulfonylamino, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are a) independently selected from chloro or methoxy, or b) both F, or c) R ¹³ is F and R ¹⁵ is methoxy, or d) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is F, or e) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is

13 15 13 15 acetylamino, or f) R is methoxy and R is amino, or g) R is cyano and R is

13 15 13 15 methoxy, or h) R is chloro and R is cyano, or i) R is cyano and R is trifluoromethyl, or j) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is (N-methyl-N- methylsulfonyl)amino, or R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and both R ¹³ and R ¹³ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and a) R ¹⁴ forms together with R ¹⁵ a phenyl moiety fused to the phenyl ring they are attached to, or b) both R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is methylsulfonylamino, or c) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or d) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is amino, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or c) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ , R ^13' and R ^14' are methoxy, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹³ are H and R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are methoxy.

Other preferred compounds of formula Ib-lg are those of formula

Ib-lh'

Ib-lh' and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect to formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect to formula Ib-le;

R ¹² is as defined above in respect to formula Ib-lg, preferably R ¹² is H, fluoro, chloro, methyl, CF ₃ , or methoxy more preferably R ¹² is H or methoxy;

R ¹⁶ is selected from the group of heteroaryl moieties consisting of: ,wherein the arrow marks the attachment point to the phenyl ring;

17 17' 18 18' 19

R , R , R , R ¹⁰ and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert- butyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ , OCHF ₂ , or 1 , 1 , 1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aralkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, haloalkoxyalkyl, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino,

17 17' 18' 19

haloalkylsulfonylamino, preferably R , R , R and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-bvXy\, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ , OCHF ₂ , or 1 , 1 , 1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, aralkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-

17 17' 18' 19

methylsulfonylamino, more preferably R , R , R and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro, alkoxy preferably methoxy, even more

17 17' 18' 19

preferably R , R , R and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro, alkoxy preferably methoxy; Preferred compounds of formula Ib-lh' are those wherein R is selected from 2- 2-methoxypyrimidin-4-yl, 2,4-dibenzyloxypyrimidin-5-yl, 2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl, 3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-5-yl, 2-methoxypyrimidin-5- yl, 2-methoxypyrimidin-3-yl. Still other preferred compounds of formula Ib-lg are those of formula Ib-lh"

Ib-lh and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

R ⁸ is F or CI and R ⁹ is H, or both R ⁸ and R ⁹ are F; R is H, methyl, ethyl or tert-butyl;

A ⁰ , A ⁰ , A ¹ , A ² , A ³ , A ⁴ and A ⁵ are selected from the combinations / to 24:

Combi¬

A ⁰ A ^0' A ¹ A ² A ³ A ⁴ A ⁵ nation n°

1 CH CH C-OCH ₃ CH C-NHS0 ₂ CH ₃ CH CH

2 CH CH C-CH ₃ C-NHS0 ₂ CH ₃ CH CH CH

3 CH CH C-OCH ₃ N CH CH CH

4 CH CH C-OCH ₃ N C-OCH ₃ N CH

5 C-OCH ₃ CH CH N C-OCH ₃ N CH

6 CH CH C-OCH ₃ N N C-OCH ₃ CH

7 CH CH C-OCH ₃ CH CH C-CN CH

8 CH CH C-CH ₃ CH CH C-CN CH

9 C-F CH C-OCH ₃ N N C-OCH ₃ CH

Still other preferred compounds of formula Ib-lg are those of formula lb- 1 i

Ib-li and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect to formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect to formula lb- If; L ⁴ , R ¹¹ , R ^11' , R ^12' R ¹³ , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ is as defined above in respect to formula lb- 1 h;

R ¹⁶ is as defined above in respect to formula Ib-lg, preferably R ¹⁶ is selected from H, halo preferably chloro or fluoro more preferably chloro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, or R ¹⁶ forms together with R ¹² an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, alkoxy, alkyl, alkylsulfonyl, more preferably R ¹⁶ is selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably chloro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxyalkyl, or R ¹⁶ forms together with R ¹² an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, alkoxy, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylsulfonyl.

Other preferred compounds of formula lb- If are those of formula

Ib-lj

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

R is as defined above in respect of formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect of formula lb- If;

L ⁴ is as defined above in respect to formula Ib-lh, preferably L ⁴ is a single bond; R ¹¹ and R ^11' are as defined above in respect to formula Ib-lh, preferably R ¹¹ and R ^11' are H;

R ¹² is as defined above in respect to formula Ib-lh, preferably R ¹² is H or methoxy, more preferably R ¹² is H;

R ¹³ , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are as defined above in respect to formula Ib-lh, preferably R ^13' , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ is chloro, fluoro, methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is methoxy, or R ^13' , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and a) both R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are chloro or b) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ^14' are H and both R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy more preferably R ^13' , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ is chloro, or R ^13' , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and both R ¹³ and R ^14' are chloro.

Other preferred compounds of formula lb- If are those of formula lb- lk

Ib-lk and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect of formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect of formula Ib-le;

R ¹² is H, fluoro, chloro, CF ₃ , methyl or methoxy, preferably R ¹² is H or methoxy, more preferably R ¹² is methoxy;

17 17' 18' 19

R , R , R and R ¹ ' are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, more preferably fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethy, alkoxy preferably methoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2- methoxyethoxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino,

17' 18' 17

(N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, preferably R and R are H and both R and R ¹⁹ are methoxy.

Other preferred compounds of formula lb- If are those of formula

Ib-11 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect of formula I; R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect of formula Ib-le; is an aryl or heteroaryl, each of said aryl or heteroaryl being optionally substituted by one or more substituent(s) selected from halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, cyano, nitro, phenyl optionally substituted by one chloro, alkoxy, heterocyclylsulfonyl, alkylsulfamoyl or alkylsulfonylamino, preferably R ²⁰ is a phenyl optionally substituted by one or more substituent(s) selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , cyano, nitro, alkoxy preferably methoxy, heterocyclylsulfonyl preferably (piperidin-l-yl)sulfonyl, (morpholin-4-yl)sulfonyl, alksulfamoyl preferably diethylaminosulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, or R ²⁰ is 4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl, or R ²⁰ is a benzoxazol-2-yl, more preferably R ²⁰ is 2-methoxyphenyl, 2-cyano-4-trifluoromethylphenyl, 2-chloro-4- trifluoromethylphenyl, 2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl, 2-nitro-4-(piperidin- 1 - yl)sulfonyl phenyl, 4-(morpholin-4-yl)sulfonylphenyl, 2-nitro-4- diethylaminosulfonyl phenyl, 2-nitro-4-tolyl, 2-cyano-4-nitrophenyl, 4- nitrophenyl, 2-fluoro-4-nitrophenyl, 3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl, 5-chloro-2- nitrophenyl, 2-cyano-4-methylsulfonylaminophenyl, 2-cyano-4-methoxyphenyl, 2-methylsulfonylamino-4-trifluoromethylphenyl, 2-nitrophenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, 2-methoxy-4-trifluoromethylphenyl, or R ²⁰ is 4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl, or R ²⁰ is a benzoxazol-2-yl, even more preferably R ²⁰ is 2-cyano-4- trifluoromethylphenyl, 2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl, 2-methoxy-4- trifluoromethy lpheny 1.

Other referred compounds of formula lb are those of formula Ib-2

Ib-2 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

Ar ¹ , Ar ² , R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ^4' , L ² , L ³ , D, E and Z are as defined above in respect of formula lb; and the bond represented by the dotted line is either absent or present. Preferred compounds of formula Ib-2 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof are those wherein the dotted line is absent.

Further preferred compounds of formula lb are those of formula lb-

3

Ib-3 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

Ar ¹ , Ar ² , R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ^3' , R ⁴ , R ^4' , L ¹ , L ² , D and E are as defined above in respect of formula lb,

R is as defined above in respect of formula I; and the bond represented by the dotted line is either absent or present.

Preferred compounds of formula Ib-3 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof are those wherein dotted line is absent.

Yet other preferred compounds of formula lb are those of formula

Ib-4

Ib-4 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

Ar ¹ , Ar", R , R", L , If, If, D, E and Z are as defined above in respect of formula lb; and the bond represented by the dotted line is either absent or present.

Preferred compounds of formula Ib-4 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof are those wherein the dotted line is absent.

Further preferred compounds of formula lb are those of formula Ib- 5

Ib-5 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

Ar ¹ , Ar ² , L ¹ , L ³ , R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁴ and Z are as defined above in respect of formula lb; and the bond represented by the dotted line is either absent or present. Preferred compounds of formula Ib-5 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, olvates and prodrugs thereof are those wherein the dotted line is absent.

Further preferred compounds of formula lb are those of formula Ib-

Ib-6 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof ,wherein

Ar ¹ , Ar ² , L ¹ , L ² , L ³ , R ³ , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁴ , D, E and Z are as defined above in respect of formula lb; and the bond represented by the dotted line is either absent or present.

Preferred compounds of formula Ib-6 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof are those wherein the dotted line is absent.

In yet another embodiment, preferred compounds of Formula I are those of formula Ic:

Ic and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

Ar ¹ , Ar ² , L ¹ , L ² , L ³ , R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ^3' , R ⁴ , R ^4' , D, E and Z are as defined above in respect of formula I; and the bond represented by the dotted line is either absent or present. Preferred compounds of formula Ic and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof are those wherein the dotted line is absent.

Other preferred compounds of formula Ic are those of formula Ic-lb':

Ic-lb' and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

R ² is as defined above in respect of formula Ic and R is as defined above in respect of formula I;

R ¹ is H;

D is C=0; L ² is single bond;

Ar ¹ is a 5- to 6-membered aryl or heteroaryl group, 3- to 6-membered cycloalkyl group, or a linear or branched C3-C6 alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, each of said aryl or heteroaryl substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, preferably Ar ¹ is a 5- to 6-membered aryl preferably phenyl, 5- to 6- membered heteroaryl group preferably pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, isopropyl, isobutyl or isopentyl each of said phenyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, cyclohexyl or cyclopentyl group being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl preferably methyl, C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxy preferably methoxy, aryl preferably phenyl, still more preferably Ar ¹ is aryl preferably phenyl, cyclohexyl, isobutyl or isopentyl, said phenyl group being optionally substituted by one or more halo group preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, methyl, phenyl or methoxy, further more preferably Ar ¹ is phenyl, cyclohexyl, isobutyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2- tolyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 3- fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2,6-difluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2,4- dichlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2-cyanophenyl, 3,5-difluorophenyl, 3,4- difluorophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, l,l'-biphenyl-2-yl, 4- cyanophenyl, even more preferably Ar ¹ is isobutyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl , 2- chlorophenyl, 2-tolyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 2- fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2,4- dichlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, still even more preferably Ar ¹ is isobutyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2-tolyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 2- fluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 2,5- difluorophenyl; Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, benzoxazol-2-yl heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, amino, alkylamino, arylcarbonyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, oxo, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or fused to the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group may be one or more aryl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, nitro, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by a chloro or methyl group, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by a fluoro or alkyl or cycloalkyl group, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyloxy, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, oxo, alkoxyalkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, and haloalkoxyalkyl; preferably Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl preferably pyridyl, pyrazinyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group, each of each of said aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocyclyl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, aryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or fused to the cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group may be one aryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , cyanomethyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro or alkyl or cycloalkyl, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino, still more preferably Ar ² is an aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably pyridyl, heterocyclyl preferably piperidinyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group preferably isobutyl, each of said aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, preferably methyl, heterocyclyl preferably pyrrolidin-l-yl, 4-methylpiperidin-l-yl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy or isopropyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, phenethyloxy or 3,3- diphenylpropan-l-oxy, heteroarylalkyloxy preferably pyridylmethyloxy or pyridylethyloxy, aryloxyalkyl preferably phenoxymethyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl preferably pyridinyloxymethyl, arylcarbonyl preferably phenylacetyl, or two substituents form an haloalkylenedioxy group each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, more preferably fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2-methoxyethoxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, preferably benzyloxy or 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonylalkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, further more preferably Ar ² is a biaryl consisting of two 6-membered aryl moieties preferably biphenyl, more preferably a biphenyl linked to L ² at position 4' and monosubstituted at position 2, or Ar ² is a heterobiaryl consisting of one 6- membered aryl moiety and one 6-membered heteroaryl moiety or two 6- membered heteroaryl moieties, said heterobiaryl being linked to L ² either on the aryl or on the heteroaryl moiety and being preferably phenylpyridyl, pyrimidinylphenyl, pyridazinylphenyl, pyrazinylphenyl, or Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted by one group selected from arylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, each of said biaryl, heterobiaryl, aryl and heteroaryl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro preferably benzyloxy or 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, or Ar ² is a piperidinyl ring linked to L ² at position 4 and N substituted with a phenyl, 4-(4- chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl or benzoxazol-2-yl moiety, said phenyl moiety being further substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , alkoxy preferably methoxy, heterocyclylsulfonyl preferably (piperidin-1- yl)sulfonyl, (morpholin-4-yl)sulfonyl, alksulfamoyl preferably methylsulfonylamino, diethylaminosulfonyl, even more preferably Ar ² is 4'-(2- methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-fluoro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-chloro-2'-methoxy- Ι,Γ-biphenyl), 4'-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-(methoxymethyl)- Ι,Γ-biphenyl), 4'-(4-methoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(4-cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(3- chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-trifluoromethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-isopropoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyclopropylmethyloxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyano- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,6-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,4-dichloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2- trifluoromethyl- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-methoxy-4-chloro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2,4- dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(2,2'-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(naphtalen-2- yl)phenyl, 5-(2-phenyl)pyridyl, 4-cyclohexylphenyl, 4-benzylphenyl, 4-(3- thienyl)phenyl, 4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxypyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethoxy-pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4- (pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl, 4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)- 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-6-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, (4-benzyloxy)phenyl, 4-phenoxyphenyl, (3- phenethyloxy)phenyl, (4-phenethyloxy)phenyl, (4-phenoxymethyl)phenyl, optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, more preferably fluoro, alkyl preferably methyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, or Ar ² is 4'-(2,4-difluoro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4 '-(3 '-methyl- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3'-fluoro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-fluoro-4-methoxy-l,r-biphenyl), 4'- (4-fiuoro-2-methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2,3-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(3,4- dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,3 ,4-trimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,3 ,6- trimethoxy- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3,5-dimethoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2,5-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-isopropyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,2 '-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fluoro,2-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-ethyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-propyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-fert-butyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methoxy-4- methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methoxy-4-acetylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3-hydroxycarbamimidoyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-amino-2-methoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4 '-(3 -carbamoyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2,3-dimethoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-4,5-dimethoxy-l , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-l , 1 '- biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyanomethyl-4,5-dimethoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-fluoro-5- cyano- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fluoro-3,4-dimethoxy-l,r-biphenyl), 4'-(3- carbamoyl-4-cyano- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-4-methoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2'- fluoro-4-methylsulfonylamino- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fluoro-3- methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyano-2'-fluoro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2- chloro-5-cyano- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'- (2-methyl-3-(N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-methyl-4- (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-methylsulfonyl- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3-methylsulfonylamino-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(4-amino-2-methyl-l,l'- biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2-methyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2-methoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3-cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-3-methoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'- (2-methyl-3-methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methyl-3-acetylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(2-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)phenyl, 4-(2-ethoxypyridin- 5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-isopropoxypyridin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-6-methylpyridin- 5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-4-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethylpyridin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(4-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3 -methoxyphenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3- methoxyphenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(4,6-dimethoxy- pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(3,6-dimethoxy-pyridazin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6-dimethoxy- pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(5-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3 -methoxyphenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3-fluorophenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3- fluorophenyl, 4-(3,6-dimethoxy-pyridazin-5-yl)-3-fluorophenyl, 4-(4,6- dimethoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)-3- methoxyphenyl, 4-(3-methoxy-pyridin-4-yl)phenyl, 4-(4-methoxy-pyridin-3- yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-3-yl)phenyl, 3-methoxy-2-(2- methoxyphenyl)pyridin-5 -yl, 3 -methoxy-2-(5 -cyano-2-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-5 - yl, 3-methoxy-2-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-5-yl, 2-(2,4- dimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-5-yl, 1 -(2-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin-4-yl, 1 -(2- nitro-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin-4-yl, 1 -(2-methoxy-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin- 4-yl;

R ³ is H, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aralkyl, alkoxyalkyl, acetyl, arylsulfonyl;

R ³ is H or Ci-C ₄ alkyl;

R ⁴ is H, cyano, C ₁ -C4 alkyl. Preferred compounds of formula Ic-lb' are those of formula Ic-lg:

Ic-lg and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect of formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl preferably phenyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , heterocyclyloxy, alkylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, arylalkyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ⁸ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ , or R ¹⁰ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ⁸ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ⁸ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ , or R ¹⁰ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ⁸ form together a cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalyl or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino or oxo, preferably R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl, hydroxyl, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ⁸ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ , or R ¹⁰ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ⁸ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, more preferably R ⁸ , R ^8' , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably bromo, fluoro or chloro, cyano, C1 -C4 alkyl preferably methyl, aryl preferably phenyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, still more preferably R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably bromo, fluoro or chloro, alkyl preferably methyl, still more preferably R ⁸ is Br, CI or F, preferably CI and R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H or F, or R ⁹ is CI or F and R ⁸ , R ^8' , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ⁹ and R ^9' are F and R ⁸ , R ^8' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ¹⁰ is CI or F and R , R , R and R are H, even more preferably R is Br, CI or F and R ^8' , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ⁸ and R ⁹ are F and R ^8' , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ⁸ and R ¹⁰ are F and R ^8' , R ⁹ and R ^9' are H;

R ¹¹ , R ^11' , R ¹² , R ^12' and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably chloro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably -OCF ₃ or -OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, alkyloxycarbonyl, aminoalkylalkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxy carbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹¹ form an alkylenedioxy group or a halo alky lenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ^12' , or R ^12' and R ^11' form together a cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by one a chloro or methyl group, heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, aralkyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably trifluoromethoxt, 1,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, amino, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylalkyloxy preferably carbamoylmethyloxy carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl preferably phenylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino and oxo, preferably R ¹¹ , R ¹¹ , R ¹² , R ¹² and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably chloro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably -OCF ₃ or -OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R and R , or R and R , or R and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹¹ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ^12' , or R ^12' and R ^11' form together an aryl or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by one a chloro or methyl group, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably 1,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, amino, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyloxy preferably carbamoylmethyloxy carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl preferably phenylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino and oxo, more preferably R ¹¹ , R ¹¹ , R ¹² , R ¹² and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, aryloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, or one or more of R 11 and R 12 , or R 12 and R 16 , or R ¹⁶ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹¹ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ^12' , or R ^12' and R ^11' form together an aryl, or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino, still more preferably R ¹¹ , R ^11' , R ¹² , R ^12' and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or isobutyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl preferably cyclohexyl, heterocyclyl preferably pyrrolidin-l-yl, 4-methylpiperidin-l-yl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably thiophenyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, aralkyl preferably benzyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy or isopropyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, phenethyloxy or 3,3- diphenylpropan-l-oxy, heteroarylalkyloxy preferably pyridylmethyloxy or pyridylethyloxy, aryloxyalkyl preferably phenoxymethyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl preferably pyridyloxymethyl, or two substituents form an haloalkylenedioxy group each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably trifluoromethyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2-methoxyethoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, preferably benzyloxy, 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl- N-methylsulfonyl)amino .

Preferred compounds of formula Ic-lg are those of formula Ic-lhl :

Ic-lhl and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

R is as defined above in respect to formula I; R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect to formula Ic-lg;

R ¹² is as defined above in respect to formula Ic-lg, preferably R ¹² is H, fluoro, chloro, methyl, CF ₃ , nitro, cyano, methoxy or cyclopropylmethyloxy;

R ¹³ , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are as defined above in respect to formula Ic-lg, preferably R ^13' , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ is chloro, cyano, hydroxyl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, cyanomethyl, methoxy, isopropoxy, isobutyloxy, OCF ₃ , cyclopropylmethyloxy, phenoxy, cyclopropylmethyloxy, benzyloxy, (4- fluorobenzyl)oxy, methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethoxy, carbamoylmethyloxy, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is chloro, methylsulfonylamino, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ¹⁴ and R ^14' are H and R ¹⁵ is chloro, methylsulfonylamino, R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are a) independently selected from chloro or methoxy, or b)

13 15 13 15

both F, or c) R is F and R is methoxy, or d) R is methoxy and R is F, or e)

13 15 13 15

R is methoxy and R is acetylamino, or f) R is methoxy and R is amino, or

13 15 13 15 13 g) R is cyano and R is methoxy, or h) R is chloro and R is cyano, or i) R is cyano and R ¹⁵ is trifluoromethyl, or j) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is (N-methyl-N- methylsulfonylamino, or R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and both R ¹³ and R ¹³ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and both R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁴ are fluoro, methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and a) R ¹⁴ forms together with R ¹⁵ a phenyl moiety fused to the phenyl ring they are attached to, or b) both R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is methylsulfonylamino, or c) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or d) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is amino, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or c) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ , R ^13' and R ^14' are methoxy, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹³ are H and R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, more preferably R ^13' , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ is chloro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, isopropoxy, cyclopropylmethyloxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is chloro, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ¹⁴ and R ^14' are H and R ¹⁵ is chloro, methylsulfonylamino, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are a) independently selected from chloro or methoxy, or b) both F, or c) R ¹³ is F and R ¹⁵ is methoxy, or d) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is F, or e) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is

13 15 13 15 acetylamino, or f) R is methoxy and R is amino, or g) R is cyano and R is

13 15 13 15 methoxy, or h) R is chloro and R is cyano, or i) R is cyano and R is trifluoromethyl, or j) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is (N-methyl-N- methylsulfonyl)amino, or R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and both R ¹³ and R ¹³ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and a) R ¹⁴ forms together with R ¹⁵ a phenyl moiety fused to the phenyl ring they are attached to, or b) both R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is methylsulfonylamino, or c) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or d) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is amino, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or c) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ , R ^13' and R ^14' are methoxy, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹³ are H and R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are methoxy. Other preferred compounds of formula Ic-lg are those of formula

Ic-lh':

Ic-lh' and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect to formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect to formula Ic-lg;

R ¹² is as defined above in respect to formula Ic-lg, preferably R ¹² is H, fluoro, chloro, methyl, CF ₃ , or methoxy more preferably R ¹² is H or methoxy; R ¹⁶ is selected from the group of heteroaryl moieties consisting of:

,wherein the arrow marks the attachment point to the phenyl ring;

R 17 , R 17' , R 18 , R 1 ^± 8 ⁰ ' and R 19 are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert- butyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ , OCHF ₂ , or 1,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aralkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, haloalkoxyalkyl, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino,

17 17' 18' 19

haloalkylsulfonylamino, preferably R , R , R and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, ter t-butyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ , OCHF ₂ , or 1,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, aralkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-

17 17' 18' 19

methylsulfonylamino, more preferably R , R , R and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro, alkoxy preferably methoxy, even more

17 17' 18' 19

preferably R , R , R and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro, alkoxy preferably methoxy;

Preferred compounds of formula Ic-lh' are those wherein R ¹⁶ is selected from 2-2-methoxypyrimidin-4-yl, 2,4-dibenzyloxypyrimidin-5-yl, 2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl, 3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-5-yl, 2-methoxypyrimidin-5- yl, 2-methoxypyrimidin-3-yl.

In yet another embodiment, preferred compounds of Formula I are those of formula Id:

Id and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

Ar ¹ , Ar ² , L ¹ , L ² , L ³ , R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ³ ', R ⁴ , R ⁴ ', D, E and Z are as defined above in respect of formula I; and the bond represented by the dotted line is either absent or present.

Preferred compounds of formula Id and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof are those wherein the dotted line is absent.

Other preferred compounds of formula Id are those of formula Id- lb':

Id-lb' and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

R ² is as defined above in respect of formula Id and R is as defined above in respect of formula I; R S H: D is C=0;

L ² is single bond;

Ar ¹ is a 5- to 6-membered aryl or heteroaryl group, 3- to 6-membered cycloalkyl group, or a linear or branched C3-C6 alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, each of said aryl or heteroaryl substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, preferably Ar ¹ is a 5- to 6-membered aryl preferably phenyl, 5- to 6- membered heteroaryl group preferably pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, isopropyl, isobutyl or isopentyl each of said phenyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, cyclohexyl or cyclopentyl group being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl preferably methyl, C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxy preferably methoxy, aryl preferably phenyl, still more preferably Ar ¹ is aryl preferably phenyl, cyclohexyl, isobutyl or isopentyl, said phenyl group being optionally substituted by one or more halo group preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, methyl, phenyl or methoxy, further more preferably Ar ¹ is phenyl, cyclohexyl, isobutyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2- tolyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 3- fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2,6-difluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2,4- dichlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2-cyanophenyl, 3,5-difluorophenyl, 3,4- difluorophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, l,l'-biphenyl-2-yl, 4- cyanophenyl, even more preferably Ar ¹ is isobutyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl , 2- chlorophenyl, 2-tolyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 2- fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2,4- dichlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, still even more preferably Ar ¹ is isobutyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2-tolyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 2- fluorophenyl, 2,4-difiuorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 2,5- difluorophenyl; Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, benzoxazol-2-yl heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, amino, alkylamino, arylcarbonyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, oxo, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or fused to the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group may be one or more aryl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, nitro, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by a chloro or methyl group, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by a fluoro or alkyl or cycloalkyl group, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyloxy, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, oxo, alkoxyalkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, and haloalkoxyalkyl; preferably Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl preferably pyridyl, pyrazinyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group, each of each of said aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocyclyl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, aryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or fused to the cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group may be one aryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-bvXy\, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , cyanomethyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro or alkyl or cycloalkyl, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino, still more preferably Ar ² is an aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably pyridyl, heterocyclyl preferably piperidinyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group preferably isobutyl, each of said aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, preferably methyl, heterocyclyl preferably pyrrolidin-l-yl, 4-methylpiperidin-l-yl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy or isopropyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, phenethyloxy or 3,3- diphenylpropan-l-oxy, heteroarylalkyloxy preferably pyridylmethyloxy or pyridylethyloxy, aryloxyalkyl preferably phenoxymethyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl preferably pyridinyloxymethyl, arylcarbonyl preferably phenylacetyl, or two substituents form an haloalkylenedioxy group each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, more preferably fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2-methoxyethoxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, preferably benzyloxy or 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonylalkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, further more preferably Ar ² is a biaryl consisting of two 6-membered aryl moieties preferably biphenyl, more preferably a biphenyl linked to L ² at position 4' and monosubstituted at position 2, or Ar ² is a heterobiaryl consisting of one 6- membered aryl moiety and one 6-membered heteroaryl moiety or two 6- membered heteroaryl moieties, said heterobiaryl being linked to L ² either on the aryl or on the heteroaryl moiety and being preferably phenylpyridyl, pyrimidinylphenyl, pyridazinylphenyl, pyrazinylphenyl, or Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted by one group selected from arylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, each of said biaryl, heterobiaryl, aryl and heteroaryl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro preferably benzyloxy or 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, or Ar ² is a piperidinyl ring linked to L ² at position 4 and N substituted with a phenyl, 4-(4- chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl or benzoxazol-2-yl moiety, said phenyl moiety being further substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , alkoxy preferably methoxy, heterocyclylsulfonyl preferably (piperidin-1- yl)sulfonyl, (morpholin-4-yl)sulfonyl, alksulfamoyl preferably methylsulfonylamino, diethylaminosulfonyl, even more preferably Ar ² is 4'-(2- methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-fluoro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-chloro-2'-methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-(methoxymethyl)- Ι,Γ-biphenyl), 4'-(4-methoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(4-cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(3- chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-trifluoromethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-isopropoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyclopropylmethyloxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyano- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,6-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,4-dichloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2- trifluoromethyl-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-methoxy-4-chloro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2,4- dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(2,2'-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(naphtalen-2- yl)phenyl, 5-(2-phenyl)pyridyl, 4-cyclohexylphenyl, 4-benzylphenyl, 4-(3- thienyl)phenyl, 4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxypyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethoxy-pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4- (pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl, 4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)- 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-6-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, (4-benzyloxy)phenyl, 4-phenoxyphenyl, (3- phenethyloxy)phenyl, (4-phenethyloxy)phenyl, (4-phenoxymethyl)phenyl, optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, more preferably fluoro, alkyl preferably methyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, or Ar ² is 4'-(2,4-difluoro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4 '-(3 '-methyl- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3'-fluoro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-fluoro-4-methoxy-l,r-biphenyl), 4'- (4-fiuoro-2-methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2,3-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(3,4- dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,3 ,4-trimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,3 ,6- trimethoxy- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3,5-dimethoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2,5-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-isopropyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,2 '-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fluoro,2-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-ethyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-propyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-fert-butyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methoxy-4- methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methoxy-4-acetylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3-hydroxycarbamimidoyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-amino-2-methoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4 '-(3 -carbamoyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2,3-dimethoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-4,5-dimethoxy-l , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-l , 1 '- biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyanomethyl-4,5-dimethoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-fluoro-5- cyano- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fluoro-3,4-dimethoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(3- carbamoyl-4-cyano- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyano-4-methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2 '- fluoro-4-methylsulfonylamino- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fluoro-3- methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyano-2'-fluoro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2- chloro-5-cyano- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'- (2-methyl-3-(N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-methyl-4- (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-methylsulfonyl- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3-methylsulfonylamino-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(4-amino-2-methyl-l,l'- biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2-methyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2-methoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3-cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-3-methoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'- (2-methyl-3-methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methyl-3-acetylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(2-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)phenyl, 4-(2-ethoxypyridin- 5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-isopropoxypyridin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-6-methylpyridin- 5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-4-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethylpyridin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(4-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3 -methoxyphenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3- methoxyphenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(4,6-dimethoxy- pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(3,6-dimethoxy-pyridazin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6-dimethoxy- pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(5-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3 -methoxyphenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3-fluorophenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3- fluorophenyl, 4-(3,6-dimethoxy-pyridazin-5-yl)-3-fluorophenyl, 4-(4,6- dimethoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)-3- methoxyphenyl, 4-(3-methoxy-pyridin-4-yl)phenyl, 4-(4-methoxy-pyridin-3- yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-3-yl)phenyl, 3-methoxy-2-(2- methoxyphenyl)pyridin-5 -yl, 3 -methoxy-2-(5 -cyano-2-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-5 - yl, 3-methoxy-2-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-5-yl, 2-(2,4- dimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-5-yl, 1 -(2-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin-4-yl, 1 -(2- nitro-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin-4-yl, 1 -(2-methoxy-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin- 4-yl; R ³ is H, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aralkyl, alkoxyalkyl, acetyl, arylsulfonyl; R ³ is H or C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl; R ⁴ is H, cyano, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl.

Preferred compounds of formula Id-lb' are those of formula Id-lg:

Id-lg and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect of formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ ' and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl preferably phenyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , heterocyclyloxy, alkylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, arylalkyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfbnyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ⁸ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ , or R ¹⁰ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ⁸ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ⁸ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ , or R ¹⁰ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ⁸ form together a cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalyl or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino or oxo, preferably R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl, hydroxyl, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ⁸ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ , or R ¹⁰ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ⁸ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, more preferably R ⁸ , R ^8' , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably bromo, fluoro or chloro, cyano, C1 -C4 alkyl preferably methyl, aryl preferably phenyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, still more preferably R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably bromo, fluoro or chloro, alkyl preferably methyl, still more preferably R ⁸ is Br, CI or F, preferably CI and R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H or F, or R ⁹ is CI or F and R ⁸ , R ^8' , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ⁹ and R ^9' are F and R ⁸ , R ^8' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ¹⁰ is CI or F and R , R , R and R are H, even more preferably R is Br, CI or F and R ^8' , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ⁸ and R ⁹ are F and R ^8' , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ⁸ and R ¹⁰ are F and R ^8' , R ⁹ and R ^9' are H; R ¹¹ , R ^11' , R ¹² , R ^12' and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably chloro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably -OCF ₃ or -OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, alkyloxycarbonyl, aminoalkylalkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹¹ form an alkylenedioxy group or a halo alky lenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ^12' , or R ^12' and R ^11' form together a cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by one a chloro or methyl group, heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, aralkyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably trifluoromethoxt, 1,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, amino, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylalkyloxy preferably carbamoylmethyloxy carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl preferably phenylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino and oxo, preferably R ¹¹ , R ¹¹ , R ¹² , R ¹² and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably chloro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably -OCF ₃ or -OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹¹ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ^12' , or R ^12' and R ^11' form together an aryl or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by one a chloro or methyl group, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably 1,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, amino, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyloxy preferably carbamoylmethyloxy carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl preferably phenylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino and oxo, more preferably R ¹¹ , R ¹¹ , R ¹² , R ¹² and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, aryloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, or one or more of R 11 and R 12 , or R 12 and R 16 , or R ¹⁶ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹¹ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ^12' , or R ^12' and R ^11' form together an aryl, or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino, still more preferably R ¹¹ , R ^11' , R ¹² , R ^12' and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or isobutyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl preferably cyclohexyl, heterocyclyl preferably pyrrolidin-l-yl, 4-methylpiperidin-l-yl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably thiophenyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, aralkyl preferably benzyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy or isopropyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, phenethyloxy or 3,3- diphenylpropan-l-oxy, heteroarylalkyloxy preferably pyridylmethyloxy or pyridylethyloxy, aryloxyalkyl preferably phenoxymethyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl preferably pyridyloxymethyl, or two substituents form an haloalkylenedioxy group each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably trifluoromethyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2-methoxyethoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, preferably benzyloxy, 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl- N-methylsulfonyl)amino .

Preferred compounds of formula Id-lg are those of formula Id-lhl :

Id-lhl and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

R is as defined above in respect to formula I; R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect to formula Id-lg;

R ¹² is as defined above in respect to formula Id-lg, preferably R ¹² is H, fluoro, chloro, methyl, CF ₃ , nitro, cyano, methoxy or cyclopropylmethyloxy;

R ¹³ , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are as defined above in respect to formula Id-lg, preferably R ^13' , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ is chloro, cyano, hydroxyl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, cyanomethyl, methoxy, isopropoxy, isobutyloxy, OCF ₃ , cyclopropylmethyloxy, phenoxy, cyclopropylmethyloxy, benzyloxy, (4- fluorobenzyl)oxy, methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethoxy, carbamoylmethyloxy, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is chloro, methylsulfonylamino, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ¹⁴ and R ^14' are H and R ¹⁵ is chloro, methylsulfonylamino, R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are a) independently selected from chloro or methoxy, or b)

13 15 13 15

both F, or c) R is F and R is methoxy, or d) R is methoxy and R is F, or e)

13 15 13 15

R is methoxy and R is acetylamino, or f) R is methoxy and R is amino, or

13 15 13 15 13 g) R is cyano and R is methoxy, or h) R is chloro and R is cyano, or i) R is cyano and R ¹⁵ is trifluoromethyl, or j) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is (N-methyl-N- methylsulfonylamino, or R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and both R ¹³ and R ¹³ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and both R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁴ are fluoro, methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and a) R ¹⁴ forms together with R ¹⁵ a phenyl moiety fused to the phenyl ring they are attached to, or b) both R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is methylsulfonylamino, or c) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or d) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is amino, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or c) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ , R ^13' and R ^14' are methoxy, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹³ are H and R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, more preferably R ^13' , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ is chloro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, isopropoxy, cyclopropylmethyloxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is chloro, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ¹⁴ and R ^14' are H and R ¹⁵ is chloro, methylsulfonylamino, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are a) independently selected from chloro or methoxy, or b) both F, or c) R ¹³ is F and R ¹⁵ is methoxy, or d) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is F, or e) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is

13 15 13 15 acetylamino, or f) R is methoxy and R is amino, or g) R is cyano and R is

13 15 13 15 methoxy, or h) R is chloro and R is cyano, or i) R is cyano and R is trifluoromethyl, or j) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is (N-methyl-N- methylsulfonyl)amino, or R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and both R ¹³ and R ¹³ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and a) R ¹⁴ forms together with R ¹⁵ a phenyl moiety fused to the phenyl ring they are attached to, or b) both R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is methylsulfonylamino, or c) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or d) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is amino, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or c) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ , R ^13' and R ^14' are methoxy, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹³ are H and R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are methoxy. Other preferred compounds of formula Id-lg are those of formula

Id-lh':

Id-lh' and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect to formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect to formula Id-lg;

R ¹² is as defined above in respect to formula Id-lg, preferably R ¹² is H, fluoro, chloro, methyl, CF ₃ , or methoxy more preferably R ¹² is H or methoxy;

R ¹⁶ is selected from the group of heteroaryl moieties consisting of:

,wherein the arrow marks the attachment point to the phenyl ring;

R 17 , R 17' , R 18 , R 1 ^± 8 ⁰ ' and R 19 are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert- butyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ , OCHF ₂ , or 1,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aralkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, haloalkoxyalkyl, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino,

17 17' 18' 19

haloalkylsulfonylamino, preferably R , R , R and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, ter t-butyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ , OCHF ₂ , or 1,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, aralkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-

17 17' 18' 19

methylsulfonylamino, more preferably R , R , R and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro, alkoxy preferably methoxy, even more

17 17' 18' 19

preferably R , R , R and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro, alkoxy preferably methoxy;

Preferred compounds of formula Id-lh' are those wherein R ¹⁶ is selected from 2-2-methoxypyrimidin-4-yl, 2,4-dibenzyloxypyrimidin-5-yl, 2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl, 3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-5-yl, 2-methoxypyrimidin-5- yl, 2-methoxypyrimidin-3-yl.

In yet another embodiment, preferred compounds of Formula I are those of formula Ie:

Ie and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

Ar ¹ , Ar ² , L ¹ , L ² , L ³ , R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ^3' , R ⁴ , R ^4' , D, E and Z are as defined above in respect of formula I; and the bond represented by the dotted line is either absent or present.

Preferred compounds of formula Ie and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof are those wherein the dotted line is absent.

Other preferred compounds of formula Ie are those of formula Ie-lb':

Ie-lb' and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein

R ² is as defined above in respect of formula Ie and R is as defined above in respect of formula I; R ¹ is H;

D is C=0;

L ² is single bond;

Ar ¹ is a 5- to 6-membered aryl or heteroaryl group, 3- to 6-membered cycloalkyl group, or a linear or branched C3-C6 alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, each of said aryl or heteroaryl substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, preferably Ar ¹ is a 5- to 6-membered aryl preferably phenyl, 5- to 6- membered heteroaryl group preferably pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, isopropyl, isobutyl or isopentyl each of said phenyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, cyclohexyl or cyclopentyl group being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl preferably methyl, C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxy preferably methoxy, aryl preferably phenyl, still more preferably Ar ¹ is aryl preferably phenyl, cyclohexyl, isobutyl or isopentyl, said phenyl group being optionally substituted by one or more halo group preferably bromo, chloro or fluoro, cyano, methyl, phenyl or methoxy, further more preferably Ar ¹ is phenyl, cyclohexyl, isobutyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2- tolyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 3- fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2,6-difluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2,4- dichlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2-cyanophenyl, 3,5-difluorophenyl, 3,4- difluorophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, l,l'-biphenyl-2-yl, 4- cyanophenyl, even more preferably Ar ¹ is isobutyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl , 2- chlorophenyl, 2-tolyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 2- fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2,4- dichlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, still even more preferably Ar ¹ is isobutyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2-tolyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 2- fluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 2,5- difluorophenyl;

Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group, each of which being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, benzoxazol-2-yl heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, amino, alkylamino, arylcarbonyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, oxo, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or fused to the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group may be one or more aryl or heteroaryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, nitro, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by a chloro or methyl group, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by a fluoro or alkyl or cycloalkyl group, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyloxy, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, oxo, alkoxyalkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, and haloalkoxyalkyl; preferably Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl preferably pyridyl, pyrazinyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group, each of each of said aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocyclyl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, aryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, or two substituents form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group, or fused to the cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group may be one aryl moiety, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-bvXy\, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , cyanomethyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro or alkyl or cycloalkyl, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino, still more preferably Ar ² is an aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably pyridyl, heterocyclyl preferably piperidinyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group preferably isobutyl, each of said aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, preferably methyl, heterocyclyl preferably pyrrolidin-l-yl, 4-methylpiperidin-l-yl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy or isopropyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, phenethyloxy or 3,3- diphenylpropan-l-oxy, heteroarylalkyloxy preferably pyridylmethyloxy or pyridylethyloxy, aryloxyalkyl preferably phenoxymethyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl preferably pyridinyloxymethyl, arylcarbonyl preferably phenylacetyl, or two substituents form an haloalkylenedioxy group each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, more preferably fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2-methoxyethoxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, preferably benzyloxy or 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonylalkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, further more preferably Ar ² is a biaryl consisting of two 6-membered aryl moieties preferably biphenyl, more preferably a biphenyl linked to L ² at position 4' and monosubstituted at position 2, or Ar ² is a heterobiaryl consisting of one 6- membered aryl moiety and one 6-membered heteroaryl moiety or two 6- membered heteroaryl moieties, said heterobiaryl being linked to L ² either on the aryl or on the heteroaryl moiety and being preferably phenylpyridyl, pyrimidinylphenyl, pyridazinylphenyl, pyrazinylphenyl, or Ar ² is an aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted by one group selected from arylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, each of said biaryl, heterobiaryl, aryl and heteroaryl groups being optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro preferably benzyloxy or 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino, or Ar ² is a piperidinyl ring linked to L ² at position 4 and N substituted with a phenyl, 4-(4- chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl or benzoxazol-2-yl moiety, said phenyl moiety being further substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , alkoxy preferably methoxy, heterocyclylsulfonyl preferably (piperidin-1- yl)sulfonyl, (morpholin-4-yl)sulfonyl, alksulfamoyl preferably methylsulfonylamino, diethylaminosulfonyl, even more preferably Ar ² is 4'-(2- methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-fluoro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-chloro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-chloro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-chloro-2'-methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-(methoxymethyl)- Ι,Γ-biphenyl), 4'-(4-methoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(4-cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(3- chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-trifluoromethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-isopropoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyclopropylmethyloxy- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,6-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,4-dichloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2- trifluoromethyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methoxy-4-chloro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,4- dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(2,2'-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(naphtalen-2- yl)phenyl, 5-(2-phenyl)pyridyl, 4-cyclohexylphenyl, 4-benzylphenyl, 4-(3- thienyl)phenyl, 4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxypyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethoxy-pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4- (pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl, 4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)- 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-6-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, (4-benzyloxy)phenyl, 4-phenoxyphenyl, (3- phenethyloxy)phenyl, (4-phenethyloxy)phenyl, (4-phenoxymethyl)phenyl, optionally substituted by one or more group(s) selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, more preferably fluoro, alkyl preferably methyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, or Ar ² is 4'-(2,4-difluoro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4 '-(3 '-methyl- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3'-fluoro-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-fluoro-4-methoxy-l,r-biphenyl), 4'- (4-fiuoro-2-methoxy- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2,3-dimethoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(3,4- dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,3 ,4-trimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,3 ,6- trimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3,5-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,5-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-isopropyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2,2 '-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fluoro,2-dimethoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-ethyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(4-propyl- Ι,Γ-biphenyl), 4'-(4-fert-butyl-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-methoxy-4- methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methoxy-4-acetylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3-hydroxycarbamimidoyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-amino-2-methoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4 '-(3 -carbamoyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2,3-dimethoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-4,5-dimethoxy-l , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-l , 1 '- biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyanomethyl-4,5-dimethoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-fluoro-5- cyano- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fluoro-3,4-dimethoxy-l, -biphenyl), 4'-(3- carbamoyl-4-cyano- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyano-4-methoxy- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2 '- fluoro-4-methylsulfonylamino- 1,1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2'-fluoro-3- methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-cyano-2'-fluoro- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2- chloro-5-cyano- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'- (2-methyl-3-(N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(2-methyl-4- (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-methylsulfonyl- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3-methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(4-amino-2-methyl- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2-methyl- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2-methoxy- 1,1'- biphenyl), 4'-(3-cyano-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'-(2-cyano-3-methoxy-l,l'-biphenyl), 4'- (2-methyl-3-methylsulfonylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4 '-(2-methyl-3-acetylamino- 1 , 1 '-biphenyl), 4-(2-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)phenyl, 4-(2-ethoxypyridin- 5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-isopropoxypyridin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-6-methylpyridin- 5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-4-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethylpyridin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(4-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3 -methoxyphenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3- methoxyphenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3-chlorophenyl, 4-(4,6-dimethoxy- pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(3,6-dimethoxy-pyridazin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6-dimethoxy- pyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(5-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3 -methoxyphenyl, 4-(2,6- dimethoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3-fluorophenyl, 4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-3- fluorophenyl, 4-(3,6-dimethoxy-pyridazin-5-yl)-3-fluorophenyl, 4-(4,6- dimethoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)-3- methoxyphenyl, 4-(3-methoxy-pyridin-4-yl)phenyl, 4-(4-methoxy-pyridin-3- yl)phenyl, 4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-3-yl)phenyl, 3-methoxy-2-(2- methoxyphenyl)pyridin-5 -yl, 3 -methoxy-2-(5 -cyano-2-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-5 - yl, 3-methoxy-2-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-5-yl, 2-(2,4- dimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-5-yl, 1 -(2-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin-4-yl, 1 -(2- nitro-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin-4-yl, l-(2-methoxy-4-trifluoromethyl)piperidin- 4-yl;

R ³ is H, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aralkyl, alkoxyalkyl, acetyl, arylsulfonyl; R ³ is H or C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl; R ⁴ is H, cyano, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl.

Preferred compounds of formula Ie-lb' are those of formula Ie-lg:

Ie-lg and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect of formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ ' and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl preferably phenyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , heterocyclyloxy, alkylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, arylalkyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ⁸ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ , or R ¹⁰ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ⁸ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ⁸ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ , or R ¹⁰ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ⁸ form together a cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalyl or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino or oxo, preferably R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl, hydroxyl, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ⁸ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ , or R ¹⁰ and R ⁹ , or R ⁹ and R ⁸ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, more preferably R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably bromo, fluoro or chloro, cyano, C ₁ -C4 alkyl preferably methyl, aryl preferably phenyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, still more preferably R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H, halo preferably bromo, fluoro or chloro, alkyl preferably methyl, still more preferably R ⁸ is Br, CI or F, preferably CI and R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are independently selected from H or F, or R ⁹ is CI or F and R ⁸ , R ^8' , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ⁹ and R ^9' are F and R ⁸ , R ^8' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ¹⁰ is CI or F and R°, R° , R ^* and R ^* are H, even more preferably R is Br, CI or F and R ^8' , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ⁸ and R ⁹ are F and R ^8' , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are H, or R ⁸ and R ¹⁰ are F and R ^8' , R ⁹ and R ^9' are H;

R ¹¹ , R ^11' , R ¹² , R ^12' and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably chloro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably -OCF ₃ or -OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, alkyloxycarbonyl, aminoalkylalkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, heterocyclylcarbonylamino arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, heterocyclylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹¹ form an alkylenedioxy group or a halo alky lenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ^12' , or R ^12' and R ^11' form together a cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by one a chloro or methyl group, heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, aralkyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably trifluoromethoxt, 1,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, amino, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, cycloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyl, carbamoylalkyloxy preferably carbamoylmethyloxy carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl preferably phenylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, cycloalkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino and oxo, preferably R ¹¹ , R ¹¹ , R ¹² , R ¹² and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro more preferably chloro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably -OCF ₃ or -OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heteroarylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, heteroarylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfbnyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, arylsulfamoyl, heteroarylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹¹ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ^12' , or R ^12' and R ^11' form together an aryl or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl optionally substituted by one a chloro or methyl group, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably 1,1,1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, amino, alkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylalkyloxy preferably carbamoylmethyloxy carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl preferably phenylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino, haloalkylsulfonylamino and oxo, more preferably R ¹¹ , R ¹¹ , R ¹² , R ¹² and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ or OCHF ₂ , alkoxyalkoxy, aryloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy, heteroarylalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, or one or more of R 11 and R 12 , or R 12 and R 16 , or R ¹⁶ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹¹ form an alkylenedioxy group or a haloalkylenedioxy group together with the phenyl group they are attached to, or one or more of R ¹¹ and R ¹² , or R ¹² and R ¹⁶ , or R ¹⁶ and R ^12' , or R ^12' and R ^11' form together an aryl, or heteroaryl moiety fused to the phenyl group they are attached to, each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, cyanomethyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino, still more preferably R ¹¹ , R ^11' , R ¹² , R ^12' and R ¹⁶ are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, nitro, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or isobutyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , cycloalkyl preferably cyclohexyl, heterocyclyl preferably pyrrolidin-l-yl, 4-methylpiperidin-l-yl, aryl preferably phenyl, heteroaryl preferably thiophenyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, aralkyl preferably benzyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy or isopropyloxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, phenethyloxy or 3,3- diphenylpropan-l-oxy, heteroarylalkyloxy preferably pyridylmethyloxy or pyridylethyloxy, aryloxyalkyl preferably phenoxymethyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl preferably pyridyloxymethyl, or two substituents form an haloalkylenedioxy group each of said substituents being optionally substituted by one or more further substituents selected from halo preferably chloro or fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, haloalkyl preferably trifluoromethyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, isopropyloxy, isobutyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, alkoxyalkoxy preferably 2-methoxyethoxy, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aryloxy preferably phenoxy, aralkyloxy optionally substituted by one fluoro, preferably benzyloxy, 4-fluorobenzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino preferably acetylamino, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl- N-methylsulfonyl)amino. Preferred compounds of formula Ie-lg are those of formula le-lhl :

le-lhl and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect to formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect to formula Ie-lg;

R ¹² is as defined above in respect to formula Ie-lg, preferably R ¹² is H, fluoro, chloro, methyl, CF ₃ , nitro, cyano, methoxy or cyclopropylmethyloxy;

R ¹³ , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are as defined above in respect to formula Ie-lg, preferably R ^13' , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ is chloro, cyano, hydroxyl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, cyanomethyl, methoxy, isopropoxy, isobutyloxy, OCF ₃ , cyclopropylmethyloxy, phenoxy, cyclopropylmethyloxy, benzyloxy, (4- fluorobenzyl)oxy, methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethoxy, carbamoylmethyloxy, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is chloro, methylsulfonylamino, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ¹⁴ and R ^14' are H and R ¹⁵ is chloro, methylsulfonylamino, R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are a) independently selected from chloro or methoxy, or b)

13 15 13 15

both F, or c) R is F and R is methoxy, or d) R is methoxy and R is F, or e)

13 15 13 15

R is methoxy and R is acetylamino, or f) R is methoxy and R is amino, or

13 15 13 15 13 g) R is cyano and R is methoxy, or h) R is chloro and R is cyano, or i) R is cyano and R ¹⁵ is trifluoromethyl, or j) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is (N-methyl-N- methylsulfonyl)amino, or R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and both R ¹³ and R ¹³ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and both R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁴ are fluoro, methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and a) R ¹⁴ forms together with R ¹⁵ a phenyl moiety fused to the phenyl ring they are attached to, or b) both R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ^13' , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is methylsulfonylamino, or c) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or d) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is amino, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or c) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ , R ^13' and R ^14' are methoxy, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹³ are H and R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, more preferably R ^13' , R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ is chloro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, isopropoxy, cyclopropylmethyloxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is chloro, or R ¹³ , R ^13' , R ¹⁴ and R ^14' are H and R ¹⁵ is chloro, methylsulfonylamino, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are a) independently selected from chloro or methoxy, or b) both F, or c) R ¹³ is F and R ¹⁵ is methoxy, or d) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is F, or e) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is

13 15 13 15 acetylamino, or f) R is methoxy and R is amino, or g) R is cyano and R is

13 15 13 15 methoxy, or h) R is chloro and R is cyano, or i) R is cyano and R is trifluoromethyl, or j) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁵ is (N-methyl-N- methylsulfonyl)amino, or R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and both R ¹³ and R ¹³ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and a) R ¹⁴ forms together with R ¹⁵ a phenyl moiety fused to the phenyl ring they are attached to, or b) both R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is methylsulfonylamino, or c) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or d) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is amino, or R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are a) both methoxy, or b) R ¹³ is methoxy and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or c) R ¹³ is methyl and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹³ , R ^13' and R ^14' are methoxy, or R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁵ are H and R ¹⁴ is cyano, or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ are methoxy and R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are H and R ¹³ is cyano, or R ¹³ and R ¹³ are H and R ¹⁴ , R ^14' and R ¹⁵ are methoxy.

Other preferred compounds of formula le-lg are those of formula

Ie-lh':

Ie-lh' and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein R is as defined above in respect to formula I;

R ⁸ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ^9' and R ¹⁰ are as defined above in respect to formula le-lg;

R ¹² is as defined above in respect to formula le-lg, preferably R ¹² is H, fluoro, chloro, methyl, CF ₃ , or methoxy more preferably R ¹² is H or methoxy;

R ¹⁶ is selected from the group of heteroaryl moieties consisting of:

,wherein the arrow marks the attachment point to the phenyl ring; 17 17' 18 18' 19

R , R , R , R ¹⁰ and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert- butyl, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ or CHF ₂ , hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ , OCHF ₂ , or 1 , 1 , 1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy preferably cyclopropylmethyloxy, aralkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, haloalkoxyalkyl, amino, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, haloalkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, carbamoyl, hydroxycarbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, carbamoylamino, alkylcarbamoylamino, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl)amino,

17 17' 18' 19

haloalkylsulfonylamino, preferably R , R , R and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro and fluoro, cyano, alkyl preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, tert-bvXy\, haloalkyl preferably CF ₃ , alkoxy preferably methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, haloalkoxy preferably OCF ₃ , OCHF ₂ , or 1 , 1 , 1-trifluoroethyloxy, alkoxyalkyl preferably methoxymethyl, aralkyloxy preferably benzyloxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, carbamimidoyl, hydroxycarbamimidoyl, alkylsulfonyl preferably methylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino preferably methylsulfonylamino, (N-methyl-N-

17 17' 18' 19

methylsulfonylamino, more preferably R , R , R and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro, alkoxy preferably methoxy, even more

17 17' 18' 19

preferably R , R , R and R are independently selected from H, halo preferably chloro, alkoxy preferably methoxy; Preferred compounds of formula Ie-lh' are those wherein R ¹⁶ is selected from 2-2-methoxypyrimidin-4-yl, 2,4-dibenzyloxypyrimidin-5-yl, 2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl, 3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-5-yl, 2-methoxypyrimidin-5- yl, 2-methoxypyrimidin-3-yl.

Particularly preferred compounds of the invention are those listed in Table 1 hereafter: Table 1 :

Compound Compound name (M+H) ⁺ n°

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

1 biphenyl] -4-carbonyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic 436.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methyl-[ 1 , 1 '-

2 biphenyl] -4-carbonyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic 420.9 acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3-((4-chlorobenzyl)oxy)-5-

3 methoxybenzoyl)-5 -(2-chlorophenyl)pyrro lidine- 501.4 2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-fluoro-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

4 biphenyl] -4-carbonyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic 424.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4'-methyl-[ 1 , 1 '-

5 biphenyl] -4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 420.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy-5-

6 481.0 phenethoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-([l arbonyl)-5-(2-

8 ,r-biphenyl]-4-c

406.9 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-(3,3-

9 diphenylpropoxy)-5-methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine- 571.1 2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3'-fluoro-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

10 biphenyl] -4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 424.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3 '-methyl- [ 1 , 1 '-

11 biphenyl] -4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 420.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy-5-((4-

12 (methylsulfonyl)benzyl)oxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine- 545.0

2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3 ^* -methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

13 biphenyl] -4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 436.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3,5-

14 390.8 dimethoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-

15 (phenoxymethyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 436.9 acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-((2- fluorobenzyl)oxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 454.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-5-methoxybenzoyl)-5-(2-

395.2 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4'-fluoro-[ 1 , 1 ^* - biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 424.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-

450.9 phenethoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(chroman-3-

386.8 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3,5-

418.9 diethoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-

450.9 phenethoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S)-l-([l,l ^* -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-4-benzyl-5-

462.6 phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l,2,3,4- tetrahydronaphthalene-2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 384.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-

386.9 isobutylbenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2,2- difluorobenzo [d] [ 1 ,3 ]dioxo le-6- 410.8 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-([l,l ^* -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-

372.4 phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-fluoro-5-

378.8 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(6-

407.9 phenylnicotinoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy-5-(2- methoxyethoxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 434.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3 ^* -methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* - biphenyl] -3 -carbonyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic 436.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy-5-

(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 428.8 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(4- methoxyphenyl)-5 -phenyl- 1 H-pyrazo le-3 - 503.0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-

388.9 isopropoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-((3,5- dimethylisoxazo l-4-yl)methoxy)-5 - 485.9 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2,3-dihydro- 1 H-

370.8 indene-2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3-methyl-5- (trifluoromethoxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 428.8 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3-(benzyloxy)benzoyl)-5-(2-

436.9 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-

360.8 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2- phenylpyrimidine-5-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 408.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4- (trifluoromethoxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 414.8 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(5-cyclopropyl- l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 438.9 carboxylic acid

4-((2S,5R)-2-carboxy-5-(2- chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine- 1 -carbonyl)-2,6- 438.8 dimethoxypyrimidin-l-ium formate

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-

372.9 phenylbutanoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3-methyl-5-

(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 412.8 acid

(2S,5R)-l-([l,r-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(3-

407.9 chloropyridin-2-yl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3-hydroxy-5-

(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 414.8 acid

(2S,5S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-

360.8 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3,5-dimethoxybenzoyl)-5-

356.4 phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(S)-5-([l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-l-(3-

402.5 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-

358.8 phenylpropanoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid (2S,5S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* - biphenyl] -4-carbonyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic 436.9 acid

(2S,5R)-l-([l,r-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(pyridin-

373.4 2-yl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5-

407.9 phenylpicolinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-l-(3-

344.3 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(2-([l,r-biphenyl]-4-yl)acetyl)-5-(2-

420.9 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2R,5 S)- 1 -([ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl] -4-carbonyl)-5 -

372.4 phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-phenyl- 1 -(2-phenylacetyl)pyrrolidine-2-

310.4 carboxylic acid

(2R,5 S)-5-phenyl- 1 -(2-phenylacetyl)pyrrolidine-2-

310.4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3-methoxybenzoyl)-5-(2-

356.4 methoxyphenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2R,5 S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3-

360.8 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2R,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-

360.8 methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3-

360.8 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S)-5-([ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-yl)- 1 -(3-

402.5 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-

374.8 methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate

(2S)-5-(2-chlorobenzyl)- 1 -(3-

374.8 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S)-5-cyclohexyl-l-(3-

332.4 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2-(3- methoxyphenyl)acetyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 374.8 acid

(2S,5S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3,5-

390.8 dimethoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-([l,r-biphenyl]-2-yl)-l-(3-

402.5 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

2-((2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-

374.8 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidin-2-yl)acetic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(6-

75 phenylpyrimidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 408.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(6-(2-

76 fluorophenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 425.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(6-(2-

77 chlorophenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 442.3 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(6-(2-

78 methoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 437.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(3-

79 fluorophenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 425.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(3-

80 methoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 437.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(6-(4-

81 methoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 437.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(4-

82 fluorophenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 425.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2-(2-

83 chlorophenyl)pyrimidine-5-carbonyl)pyrrolidine- 443.3

2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2-methyl-6-

84 421.9 phenylnicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-chloro-2-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidine-5-

85 carbonyl)-5 -(2-chlorophenyl)pyrro lidine-2- 444.3 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-chloro-2-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidine-5-

86 carbonyl)-5 -(2-chlorophenyl)pyrro lidine-2- 444.3 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-chloro-2-(pyridin-4-yl)pyrimidine-5-

87 carbonyl)-5 -(2-chlorophenyl)pyrro lidine-2- 444.3 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(pyridin-2-

88 407.9 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-((4-chlorophenoxy)methyl)benzoyl)-

89 471.3

5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-((4-

90 fluorophenoxy)methyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 454.9 carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-((4-

91 methoxyphenoxy)methyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 466.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-((2-chlorophenoxy)methyl)benzoyl)-

92 471.3

5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-((2-

93 methoxyphenoxy)methyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 466.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-((3-

94 methoxyphenoxy)methyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 466.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-((3-chlorophenoxy)methyl)benzoyl)-

95 471.3

5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-((p-

96 tolyloxy)methyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 450.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-((3-

97 methoxybenzyl)oxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 466.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-((3-chlorobenzyl)oxy)benzoyl)-5-(2-

98 471.3 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-((3,5-

99 dimethylisoxazo 1-4- 455.9 yl)methoxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-((3,5-dimethyl-

100 1 H-pyrazo 1- 1 -yl)methoxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 454.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(pyridin-2-

101 437.9 ylmethoxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(pyridin-4-

102 437.9 ylmethoxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(pyridin-3-

103 437.9 ylmethoxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(5 -methyl- 1H-

104 pyrazol- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 410.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(isoxazol-5-

105 397.8 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(4H-l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-

106 397.8 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(5-(p-tolyl)-lH-

107 1 ,2,3-triazol- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 488.0 carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(5-oxo-3-phenyl-

108 4,5-dihydro- IH-pyrazol- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine- 488.9

2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(5-methyl-3-

109 (trifluoromethyl)- 1 H-pyrazo 1- 1 - 478.9 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(lH-pyrazol-l-yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-

110 396.8 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(oxazol-5-

111 397.8 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(3,5-dimethyl-

112 1 H-pyrazo 1- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic 424.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^, ,5 ^* -dichloro-[l,r-

113 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 475.8 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(pyrimidin-5-

114 408.9 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(furan-3-

115 396.8 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(6-

116 methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 437.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(3-fluoropyridin-

117 425.9

4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(pyridin-3-

118 407.9 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(6-

119 (dimethylamino)pyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine- 450.9

2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(pyridin-4-

120 407.9 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(6-

121 methylpyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 421.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2-

122 methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 437.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

123 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 436.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4'-cyano-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

124 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 431.9 acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(4-

125 methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 437.9 carboxylic acid

(2S.5R)- 1 -(4'-chloro-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-

126 441.3

5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3 ^* -chloro-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-

127 441.3

5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- 1 -(2'-chloro-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-

128 441.3

5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4'-

129 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 500.0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3 ^* -

130 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 500.0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-

131 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 500.0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(naphthalen-2-

132 456.9 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3 ^* ,5 ^* -difluoro-[ 1 , Γ-

133 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 442.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-hydroxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

134 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 422.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-

135 (trifluoromethoxy)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 490.9 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(2'-(benzyloxy)-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-

136 carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 513.0 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-phenoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

137 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 499.0 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-isopropoxy-

138 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 465.0 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-isobutoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

139 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 479.0 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -{ -

140 (cyclopropylmethoxy)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 477.0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-((4-

141 fluorobenzyl)oxy)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 531.0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(6-chloropyridin-

142 442.3

3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(6-fluoropyridin-

143 425.9

3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2-chloropyridin-

144 442.3

4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(2-chloro-3-fluoropyridin-4-

145 yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 460.3 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2-chloropyridin-

146 442.3

3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(6-(benzyloxy)pyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)-

147 514.0

5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(lH-pyrazol-4-yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-

148 396.8 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(thiophen-3-

149 412.9 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-

150 412.9 cyclohexylbenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4'-

151 (methylsulfonyl)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 485.0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(9-oxo-9H-fluorene-

152 432.9

2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-

153 (methylsulfonyl)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 485.0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(tetrahydro-2H-

154 414.9 pyran-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(9-methyl-9H-

155 carbazole-2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 433.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-

156 422.9 phenoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-benzylbenzoyl)-5-(2-

157 420.9 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-5-(2-

158 434.9 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(pyrimidin-2-

159 408.9 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(4,6- dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 468.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2- 468.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2- methoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2- 438.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2- (dimethylamino)pyrimidin-5 - 451.9 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2- morpholinopyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 494.0 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2-(piperidin- 1 - yl)pyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic 492.0 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -

(cyclohexanecarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 336.8 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-

324.8 methylpentanoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(4- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)-3-nitrobenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 472.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2-oxopiperidin- 427.9 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methyl-4- 429.9 morpholinobenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(piperidin- 1 -

413.9 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-

415.9 morpholinobenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(2- cyanophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 438.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(4- chlorophenyl)cyclohexanecarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 447.4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4- phenylcyclohexanecarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 412.9 carboxylic acid ((2R,5 S)-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-5 -( 1 H-tetrazol-5 -

183 yl)pyrrolidin- 1 -yl)(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 460.9 yl)methanone

(2R,5 S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-

184 436.9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(6-(2-

189 fluorophenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 425.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5-methoxy-6-

191 437.9 phenylnicotinoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2-

192 methoxyphenoxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 452.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(3-

193 methoxypyridin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 437.9 carboxylic acid

(2S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

194 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-4,4-dimethylpyrrolidine-2- 465.0 carboxylic acid

(2S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

195 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-4-methylpyrrolidine-2- 450.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

196 436.9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-cyano-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

197 431.9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,6'-dimethoxy-

198 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 466.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2',4 ^, -dichloro-[l,r-

199 475.8 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2 ^* -(trifluoromethyl)-

200 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 474.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2,2 ^* -dimethoxy-

201 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 466.9 acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4 ^* -chloro-2 ^* -methoxy-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-

202 carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 471.3 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(4-

203 methoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2- 438.9 carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2\4'-dimethoxy-

204 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 466.9 acid

(2S,5R)-l-([l,r-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(pyridin-

205 373.4

3-yl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2R,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

206 436.9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -phenyl- 1 H-

207 benzo[d]imidazole-5-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 446.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-

208 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 450.9 carboxylate

(2S,4S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)-

211 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 466.9 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,4S,5S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy-[l,r-

217 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-4- 577.1

(phenylsulfonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-cyano-l-(2'-

220 methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 461.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,3R,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-cyano-l-(2'-

221 methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 461.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(2-chloro-[l nyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-

224 ,r-biphe

441.3 (2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- l-(2'-chloro-2-methoxy-[ 1 , l'-biphenyl]-4-

225 carbonyl)-5 -(2-chlorophenyl)pyrro lidine-2- 471.3 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-(2-

226 methoxyethoxy)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 481.0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2-

227 methylthiophen-3 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2- 426.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^, ,6 ^* -dichloro-[l,r-

228 475.8 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- l-(2 ^* -chloro-4 ^* -methoxy-[ 1 , l ^* -biphenyl]-4-

229 carbonyl)-5 -(2-chlorophenyl)pyrro lidine-2- 471.3 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3-methoxy-4-

230 (pyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic 438.9 acid (2S.5R)- l-(2'-carbamimidoyl-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)-5 -(2-chlorophenyl)pyrro lidine-2- 448.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-

420.4 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- l-(2 ^* -methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-

416.5 5-(o-tolyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- l-(2 ^* -methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-

432.5 5-(2-methoxyphenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'- (methoxymethyl)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 450.9 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2,6- dimethoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 467.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3-methoxy-4-(2- methoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2- 468.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(5- methoxypyrazin-2-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 438.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2-(2- methoxyethoxy)pyridin-3 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2- 481.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(3- methoxypyrazin-2-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 438.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(2-chloro-4- (dimethylamino)pyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)-5 -(2- 486.4 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2,6- dimethoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 468.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-(dimethylamino)- [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 449.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2- methoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 438.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3-methoxy-4-(2- methoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 468.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2- methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 421.4 carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-l-(4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-

247 yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 452.4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2-methyl-[ 1 , 1 '-

248 420.9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

249 436.9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-(2-oxopyrrolidin-

250 1 -yl)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 490.0 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(5-phenylpyrazine-2-

251 408.9 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(5-methoxy-6-(2-

252 methoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 467.9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(5-

253 methoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 438.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(pyridazin-4-

254 408.9 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(lH-l,2,3-triazol-l-yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-

255 397.8 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(4-(p-tolyl)- 1 H-

256 1 ,2,3-triazol- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 488.0 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(2-

257 methoxyphenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine- 443.9

2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2-

258 methoxyphenyl)piperazine- 1 -carbonyl)pyrrolidine- 444.9

2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(4-

259 methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)piperidine-4- 445.9 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(4-

260 methoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)piperazine- 1 - 446.9 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3-methoxy-4-(4-

261 methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 458.0 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3-methoxy-4-( 1 -

262 methylpiperidin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 458.0 carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2-cyano-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

263 431.9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2-isobutoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-

264 479.0 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2,4-

265 dichloropyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2- 477.7 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2,4-

266 dimethoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)-3 - 498.9 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(2-chloro-4-methoxypyrimidin-5-

267 yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 473.3 carboxylic acid

(2S,3S,5S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy-[l,r-

268 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-3-methylpyrrolidine-2- 450.9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(2,6-dimethoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)-

269 451.5

5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- 1 -(2'-(2-amino-2-oxoethoxy)-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

270 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2- 479,9 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2-

271 (cyclopropylmethoxy)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 477,0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- l-(2 ^* -methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-

272 402,5

5 -phenylpyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(3-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

273 436,9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

274 436,9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(3-fluorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

275 420,4 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

276 420,4 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-4-acetyl-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-

278 methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 478,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,4S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

279 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-4- 481,0

(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2-

280 methoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 438,9 carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-cyclohexyl- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-

281 408,5 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(2-chloro-4-methoxypyrimidin-5-

283 yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 473,3 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(3-

284 methoxypyridin-2-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 437,9 carboxylic acid

(2R,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

285 420,4 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5 S)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

286 420,4 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2R,5 S)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-

287 420,4 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2-(trifluoromethyl)-

288 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 474,9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2',4'-difluoro-[ 1 , Γ-

289 442,9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2-methyl-[ 1 , 1 '-

290 420,9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)- 1 -(2 ^* -methoxy-

291 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 438,4 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)- 1 -(2 ^* -methoxy-

292 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 438,4 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* -methoxy-

293 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 471,3 acid

(2S,5R)-5-isobutyl- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-

294 382,5

4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-isopropyl- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-

295 368,4

4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-4-(pyrimidin-4-yl)benzoyl)-5-

296 443,3

(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2-fluoro-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

297 424,9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

^^^-^-ΰηΙθΓορηε^ -Ι-^'-ΑυοΓθ^·-

298 methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 454,9 carboxylic acid ^S^-S-^-chloro heny -l-^'-fluoro^'-

299 methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 454,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(6-ethoxypyridin-

300 451,9

3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(6-

301 isopropoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 465,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(6-methoxy-2-

302 methylpyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 451,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-4-

303 yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 473,3 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)-5-

304 443,3

(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-cyano-l-(2'-

305 methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-3- 475,9 methylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,4S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-cyano-l-(2'-

306 methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-4- 475,9 methylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,3'-dimethoxy-

307 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 466,9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3 ^* ,4 ^, -dimethoxy-

308 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 466,9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,3',4 ^, -trimethoxy-

309 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 497,0 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,3',6'-trimethoxy-

310 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 497,0 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3 ^* ,5 ^* -dimethoxy-

311 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 466,9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,5'-dimethoxy-

312 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 466,9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-isopropyl-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

313 449,0 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- l-(2,2'-dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-

314 carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 450,5 carboxylic acid (2S.5R)- l-(2-fluoro-2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-

315 carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 438,4 carboxylic acid

^S^-S-^-chloropheny -l-^-fluoro^'-

316 methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 454,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-cyclopentyl- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-

318 394,5 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-ethyl-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

319 434,9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2,6-

320 dimethylpyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 435,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(2,4-bis(benzyloxy)pyrimidin-5-

321 yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 621,1 carboxylic acid

(2S.5R)- 1 -([ 1 , Γ:4', 1 "-terphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-

322 483,0 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4'-propyl-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

323 449,0 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S.5R)- l-(4'-(tert-butyl)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-

324 carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 463,0 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-

325 yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 503,3 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5-(2-

326 methoxyphenyl)pyrazine-2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 438,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy-4-(4-

327 methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 467,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy-4-(6-

328 methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 467,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-5-

329 yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 473,3 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-4-(6-methoxypyridin-3-

330 yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 472,3 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(4-(4-

331 chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)piperidine-4- 531,5 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-l-(5-methoxy-6-(2-

332 methoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 451,5 acid

(2S,5R)-l-(l-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)piperidine-4-

333 carbonyl)-5 -(2-chlorophenyl)pyrro lidine-2- 454,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3-methoxy-4-

334 (pyrrolidin- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 429,9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(5-methoxy-6-(2-

335 methoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 467,9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(2-

336 methoxyphenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine- 443,9

2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2,4-

337 dimethoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)-3 - 498,9 methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-bromophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

338 481,4 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3 ^* -cyano-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

339 431,9 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3 ^* -cyano-2'-

340 methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 461,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3 ^* -cyano-2 ^, ,4'-

341 bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 627,9 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- l-(3 ^* -amino-2 ^* -methyl-[ 1 , l ^* -biphenyl]-4-

342 carbonyl)-5 -(2-chlorophenyl)pyrro lidine-2- 435,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methyl-3 ^* -

343 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 514,0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- l-(3'-acetamido-2'-methyl-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-

344 4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 478,0 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5 ^* -cyano-2'-

345 methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 461,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(5'-cyano-2'-methyl-

346 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 445,9 acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(4,6-

347 dimethoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 467,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(3 ,6-

348 dimethoxypyridazin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 468,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5S)-5-isopentyl- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , l'-biphenyl]-

349 396,5

4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy-4'-

350 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl] -4- 530,0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- 1 -(4'-acetamido-2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-

351 biphenyl] -4-carbonyl)-5 -(2- 494,0 chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3 ^* -carbamimidoyl-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-

352 carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 448,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3 ^* -((E)-N ^* -

353 hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl] -4- 464,9 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy-4'-

354 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl] -4- 513,6 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-l-(4-(2,6-

355 dimethoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 469,4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy-4-(5-

356 methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 467,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- l-(4'-amino-2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl] -4-

357 carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 451,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2',3,6'-trimethoxy-

358 [2,3'-bipyridine]-5-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 498,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3'-carbamoyl-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-

359 carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 449,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5 ^* -cyano-2',3 ^* -

360 dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl] -4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine- 491,9

2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-cyano-4',5 ^* -

361 dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine- 491,9

2-carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3',4 ^, ,5'-trimethoxy-

362 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 497,0 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-(cyanomethyl)-

363 4',5 '-dimethoxy- [1,1 '-biphenyl] -4- 506,0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3 ^* ,4'-dicyano-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

364 456,9 biphenyl] -4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5'-cyano-2 ^* -fluoro-

365 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 449,9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2-fluoro-3 ^, ,4 ^, -

366 dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine- 484,9

2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2,6-

367 dimethoxypyridin-3 -yl)-3 - 485,9 fluorobenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-fluoro-4-(6-

368 methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 455,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(2-cyano-4-

369 (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4- 506,9 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(l-(2-chloro-4-

370 (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)-5- 516,4

(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(5'-cyano-2 ^* -methoxy-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-

371 carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 445,5 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(2,6-dimethoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-

372 fluorobenzoyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 469,4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3-fluoro-4-(6-methoxypyridin-3-

373 yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 439,4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-4-

374 yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 452,4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3'-carbamoyl-4'-cyano-[l,r-biphenyl]-

375 4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 474,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(2-nitro-4-

376 (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4- 526,9 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(4-

377 (morpholinosulfonyl)-2-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4- 608,1 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(2-nitro-4-

378 (piperidin- 1 -ylsulfonyl)phenyl)piperidine-4- 606,1 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(4-(N,N-

379 diethylsulfamoyl)-2-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4- 594,1 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(4-methyl-2-

380 nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 472,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(2-cyano-4-

381 nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 483,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(4-

382 nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 458,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(2-fluoro-4-

383 nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 476,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(3-methoxy-4-

384 nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 488,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(l-(5-chloro-2-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-

385 carbonyl)-5 -(2-chlorophenyl)pyrro lidine-2- 493,4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-cyanophenyl)- 1 -(2 ^* -methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-

386 427,5 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^, -cyano-4'-

387 methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 461,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2-fluoro-4'-

388 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 518,0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(28^)-5-(2-Λ1θΓορη6^1)-1-(2-ΑυοΓθ-3·-

389 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 518,0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-cyano-2-fluoro-

390 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 449,9 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(2-cyano-4-

391 (methylsulfonamido)phenyl)piperidine-4- 532,0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(2-cyano-4-

392 methoxyphenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine- 468,9

2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(2- (methylsulfonamido)-4-

393 575,0

(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4- carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(2-

394 nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 458,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(4-

395 cyanophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- 438,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* -methoxy-

396 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 438,4 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* -methoxy-

397 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 438,4 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)- 1 -(2 ^* -methoxy-

398 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 438,4 acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* -methoxy-

399 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 438,4 acid

(2S,5R)-5-([ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-2-yl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-

400 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 478,6 acid

(2S,5R)- l-(2 ^* -cyano-4 ^* -methoxy-[ 1 , 1 ^* -biphenyl]-4-

401 carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 445,5 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(4-cyanophenyl)- 1 -(2 ^* -methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-

402 427,5 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(5-methyl-4-

403 (phenylsulfonyl)- 1H- 1 ,2,3-triazol- 1 - 552,0 yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3'-cyano-4'-fluoro-

404 [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic 449,9 acid

(2S,5R)-l-(2'-chloro-5 ^* -cyano-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-

405 carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 466,3 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-cyano-4'-

406 (trifluoromethyl)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 499,9 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -( 1 -(2-methoxy-4-

407 (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4- 511,9 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methyl-3 ^* -(N-

408 methylmethylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 528,0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy-4 ^, -(N-

409 methylmethylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 544,0 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(5-cyano-2-

410 methoxyphenyl)-5-methoxynicotinoyl)pyrrolidine- 492,9

2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(6-(2,4-

411 dimethoxyphenyl)-5 - 497,9 methoxynicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(6-(2,4-

412 dimethoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 467,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- l-(2'-cyano-4 ^, -(trifluoromethyl)-[ 1 , 1 '-

413 biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2- 483,4 fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(3 ^* -cyano-4'-fluoro-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-

414 carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 433,4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(2'-chloro-5 ^* -cyano-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-

415 carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 449,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(3 ,6-

416 dimethoxypyridazin-4-yl)-3 - 486,9 fluorobenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-l-(2'-methyl-3 ^* -(N-

417 methylmethylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 511,6 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-4'-(N-

418 methylmethylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 527,6 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(4,6-

419 dimethoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2- 468,9 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-l-(4-(2,4-

420 dimethoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2- 470.4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(5 ^* -cyano-2 ^, -methyl-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-

421 carbonyl)-5 -(2,3 -difluorophenyl)pyrro lidine-2- 447.4 carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2,3-difiuorophenyl)-l-(2 ^, -methoxy-4'-

422 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 531.5 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2,3-difiuorophenyl)-l-(2 ^, -methyl-3 ^* -

423 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 515.5 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-fiuorophenyl)-l-(2 ^, -methyl-3 ^* -

424 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- 497.6 carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-l-(4-(2-

425 methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 439.4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2,3-difiuorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy-4-(2-

426 methoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2- 470.4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-fiuorophenyl)- 1 -(3-methoxy-4-(2-

427 methoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2- 452.4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-l-(4-(3,6-

428 dimethoxypyridazin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2- 470.4 carboxylic acid

(2S.5R)- l-(5'-cyano-2 ^* -methoxy-[ 1 , l ^* -biphenyl]-4-

429 carbonyl)-5 -(2,3 -difluorophenyl)pyrro lidine-2- 463.4 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(5'-cyano-2'-methyl-[l,l ^, -biphenyl]-4-

430 carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 429.5 carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2,3-difiuorophenyl)-l-(4-(3,6-

431 dimethoxypyridazin-4-yl)-3 - 488.4 fluorobenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-4-yl)-3-

432 fluorobenzoyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- 470.4 carboxylic acid

The compounds of table 1 were named using ChemDraw Ultra 12 purchased from CambridgeSoft (Cambridge, MA, USA).

The compounds of formula I can be prepared by different ways with reactions known by the person skilled in the art. Reaction schemes as described in the example section illustrate by way of example different possible approaches. The invention further provides processes for the preparation of compounds of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof.

In one embodiment, the invention further provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula lb- lb'

lb-lb', wherein Ar ² is as defined defined above in respect to formula lb- lb';

Ar ¹ is 2-chlorophenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl; R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ³ , R ⁴ and R are H;

D is C=0;

L ² is a single bond; which consists of: a) the coupling of a compound of formula A

A wherein

R ⁸ is CI or F and R ⁹ is H, or R ⁸ and R ⁹ are both F; R is methyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, benzyl, allyl, phenacyl, methoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, 2-methoxyethoxymethyl, 2-trimethylsilylethyl, tert- butyldiphenylsilyl, preferably R is methyl, ethyl, or tert-butyl; with a compound of formula B

B wherein:

Ar ² is as defined defined above in respect to formula lb- lb';

R" is CI or OL wherein L is a carboxylic acid activating group, followed by b) a alkaline or acidic treatment, hydrogenolysis or treatment with fluoride of the ester intermediate obtained in step a); step b) being optionally followed by conversion of a compound of formula lb- lb' to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. In another embodiment the invention further provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula lb-lb'

lb-lb', wherein Ar ¹ R ³ , R ³ , R ⁴ are as defined above in respect to formula lb-lb'; R ¹ , R ² , and R are H; D is C=0; L ² is a single bond;

Ar ² is selected from 4'-(2-methoxy-4-methylsulfonyl-l,l '-biphenyl), 4'-(2- methyl-3-methylsulfonylamino-l,l '-biphenyl), 4-(2-methoxypyridin-3-yl)phenyl, 4-(2,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl, 3-methoxy-4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-5- yl)phenyl, 4-(3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-5-yl)phenyl, 4'-(5-cyano-2-methoxy-l,l '- biphenyl), 4'-(5-cyano-2-methyl-l,l '-biphenyl), 3-fluoro-4-(3,6- dimethoxypyridazin-5 -yl)phenyl, (4-(4-methoxypyridin-3 -yl)phenyl), (4'- (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-yl), (3'-(methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '- biphenyl]-4-yl), (4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl), (5-methoxy-6- phenylpyridin-3-yl), (4-(4-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl), (2,2'-dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '- biphenyl]-4-yl), (3-methoxy-4-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)phenyl), (4-(2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-3-methoxyphenyl), (4'-acetamido-2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '- biphenyl]-4-yl), (2'-cyano-4',5'-dimethoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-yl), (2'-methoxy-4'- (N-methylmethylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-yl), (6-(2,4- dimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-3-yl), (4-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)phenyl), (4-(3- methoxypyridin-4-yl)phenyl) ; which consists of: coupling of a compound of formula C

C wherein:

Ar ¹ , R ³ , R ³ and R ⁴ are as defined above in respect to formula lb- lb'; R is methyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, benzyl, allyl, phenacyl, methoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, 2-methoxyethoxymethyl, 2-trimethylsilylethyl, tert- butyldiphenylsilyl, preferably R is methyl, ethyl, or tert-butyl,

with a compound of formula D

D wherein

R" is CI or OL, wherein L is a carboxylic acid activating group;

A ⁰ , A ⁰ , A ¹ , A ² , A ³ , A ⁴ and A ⁵ are selected from the combinations / to 24:

followed by b) an alkaline or acidic treatment, a hydrogenolysis or a treatment with fluoride of the ester intermediate obtained in step a); step b) being optionally followed by conversion of a compound of formula lb- lb' to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. In yet another embodiment, the invention further provides a process for the preparation of a compound of the formula Ib-lh"

Ib-lh

wherein

R ⁸ is F or CI and R ⁹ is H, or both R ⁸ and R ⁹ are F; R is H;

A ⁰ , A ⁰ , A ¹ , A ² , A ³ , A ⁴ and A ⁵ are selected from the combinations / to 24:

Combi¬

A ⁰ A ^0' A ¹ A ² A ³ A ⁴ A ⁵ nation n°

1 CH CH C-OCH ₃ CH C-NHS0 ₂ CH ₃ CH CH

2 CH CH C-CH ₃ C-NHS0 ₂ CH ₃ CH CH CH

3 CH CH C-OCH ₃ N CH CH CH

4 CH CH C-OCH ₃ N C-OCH ₃ N CH

5 C-OCH ₃ CH CH N C-OCH ₃ N CH

6 CH CH C-OCH ₃ N N C-OCH ₃ CH

7 CH CH C-OCH ₃ CH CH C-CN CH

8 CH CH C-CH ₃ CH CH C-CN CH

9 C-F CH C-OCH ₃ N N C-OCH ₃ CH

10 CH CH CH N CH CH C-OCH ₃

11 CH CH CH CH C-NHS0 ₂ CH ₃ CH CH

12 CH CH CH C-NHS0 ₂ CH ₃ CH CH CH

13 CH CH CH N C-OCH ₃ N C-OCH ₃

C-

14 N CH CH CH CH CH

OCH ₃ which consists of: a) the coupling of a compound of formula A as defined above with a compound of formula B as defined above, followed by b) an alkaline or acidic treatment, a hydrogenolysis or a treatment with fluoride of the ester intermediate obtained in step a); step b) being optionally followed by conversion of a compound of formula Ib-lh' to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.

In one variant of the process for the preparation of a compound of formula Ib-lh" as described above, the compound of formula Ib-lh" is selected from:

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2-methoxypyridin-3-

122

yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(4-methoxypyridin-3-

125

yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4'-(methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

129

biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3 ^* -(methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 ^* -

130

biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-

161

yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5-methoxy-6-

191

phenylnicotinoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(3-methoxypyridin-4-

193

yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(4-methoxypyrimidin-5-

203

yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy-4-(2-

237

methoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2-methoxypyridin-3-

246

yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-

247

fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(2,2'-dimethoxy-[l,l ^* -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-

314

fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy-4-(4-

327

methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-

337

yl)-3-methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methyl-3 ^* -

343 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine- 2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(5'-cyano-2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-

345

biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(5 ^* -cyano-2'-methyl- [ 1 , Γ-

346

biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-4 -

348

yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^, -methoxy-4'-

350 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine- 2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4'-acetamido-2'-methoxy-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-

351

carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-4'-

354 (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine- 2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* -cyano-4 ^* ,5'-dimethoxy-[l,r-

361

biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)- l-(5'-cyano-2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-

371

5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-l-(4-(3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-4-yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-

374

fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy-4 ^, -(N-

409 methylmethylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(6-(2,4-

412

dimethoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-4-

416

yl)-3-fluorobenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(4-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-

419

yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S,5R)-5-(2,3-difiuorophenyl)-l-(4-(2,4-

420 dimethoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid

(2S.5R)- l-(5'-cyano-2 ^* -methyl-[ 1 , l ^* -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-

421

(2,3-difluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

Suitable carboxylic acid activating groups L for use in the above processes are benzotriazol-l-yl, 7-azabenzotriazol-l-yl, imidazol-l-yl, preferably 7-azabenzotriazo 1- 1 -yl.

In a typical procedure applicable to all of the aforementioned processes, the coupling reactions of a compound of formula B or D wherein R" is OL, are done in the presence of a base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, preferably diisopropylethylamine, in a suitable solvent such as MeCN, DMF, DCM, preferably MeCN, at a suitable temperature ranging from room temperature to the boiling point of the solvent used, preferably at room temperature. Intermediates of formulae B and D are generated in situ from their corresponding carboxylic acid precursor which is reacted with HOBt, HOBt hydrate, HATU, CDI, pentafluorophenol, preferably with HATU. Preferably, the coupling with an activated carboxylic acid is made using HATU and DIEA in MeCN at room temperature.

In a typical procedure applicable to all of the above-mentioned processes, the coupling reactions of a compound of formula B or D wherein R is CI, are done in the presence of a base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, preferably triethylamine, in a suitable solvent such as MeCN, DMF, DCM preferably DCM, at a suitable temperature ranging from room temperature to the boiling point of the solvent used, preferably at room temperature. Preferably, the coupling with an acyl chloride is made using triethylamine in DCM at room temperature.

In a typical procedure applicable to all of the aforementioned processes, the alkaline treatment of the intermediates obtained after coupling step a) and wherein R is methyl or ethyl, are done in the presence of a base such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, trimethyltin hydroxide, preferably lithium hydroxide, in a suitable solvent such as a 1/1 (v/v) mixture of water and THF, DCE, at a suitable temperature ranging from room temperature to the boiling point of the solvent used, preferably at room temperature.

In a typical procedure applicable to all of the above-mentioned processes, the acidic treatment of the intermediates obtained after coupling step a) and wherein R is tert-butyl, are done in the presence of a suitable acid such as HC1 or TFA, in a suitable solvent such as DCM, dioxane, or in a miscible mixture of said solvents, at room temperature.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that typical procedures applicable to all of the above-mentioned processes for step b) and wherein R is benzyl, allyl, phenacyl, methoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, 2- methoxyethoxymethyl, 2-trimethylsilylethyl or tert-butyldiphenylsilyl are well known and are indeed reported in Koscienski P.J., Protecting Groups 3 ^rd edition, Thieme, 2005, 394-450.

In a particular embodiment, useful intermediates for the preparation of compounds of the invention are those of formula E:

E wherein

R is CI or F and W is H, or R and W are both F; R is methyl, ethyl, benzyl, allyl, phenacyl, methoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, 2- methoxyethoxymethyl, 2-trimethylsilylethyl, tert-butyldiphenylsilyl or R is tert- butyl when R ⁸ is F.

Preferred compounds of formula E are those wherein R is methyl, ethyl, or R is fert-butyl when R ⁸ is F.

In a particular embodiment, useful intermediates for the preparation of compounds of the invention are those of formula F:

F wherein OH or CI;

A ⁰ , A ⁰ , A ¹ , A ² , A ³ , A ⁴ and A ⁵ are selected from the combinations / to 7, 9, 10, 13 to 15, 17 to 21, 23 mA 24 :

The invention further provides the use of the compounds of the invention or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof as agonists or partial agonists of G-protein coupled receptor 43 (GPR43).

Accordingly, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention relates to the use of compounds of formula I and subformulae in particular those of table 1 above, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, as GPR43 agonists or partial agonists.

[APPLICATIONS]

The compounds of the invention are therefore useful in the prevention and/or treatment of type II diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia such as mixed or diabetic dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, low HDL cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, metabolic syndrome, syndrome X, thrombotic disorders, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and its sequelae including angina, claudication, heart attack, stroke and others, kidney diseases, ketoacidosis, nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases such as steatosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Preferred diseases are type II diabetes, lipid disorders such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis and its sequelae.

In a particular preferred embodiment the diseases are type II diabetes and a lipid disorder such as dyslipidemia.

The invention also provides for a method for delaying in patient the onset of type II diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia such as mixed or diabetic dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, low HDL cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, metabolic syndrome, syndrome X, thrombotic disorders, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and its sequelae including angina, claudication, heart attack, stroke and others, kidney diseases, ketoacidosis, nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases such as steatosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) comprising the administration of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a patient in need thereof.

Preferably, the patient is a warm-blooded animal, more preferably a human. The invention further provides the use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvates thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for use in treating a patient and/or preventing a patient from developing a disease selected from the group consisting of type II diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia such as mixed or diabetic dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, low HDL cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, metabolic syndrome, syndrome X, thrombotic disorders, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and its sequelae including angina, claudication, heart attack, stroke and others, kidney diseases, ketoacidosis, nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases such as steatosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Preferably, the patient is a warm-blooded animal, more preferably a human.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is provided a method for modulating GPR43 receptor activity, in a patient, preferably a warm blooded animal, and even more preferably a human, in need of such treatment, which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of compound of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.

According to one embodiment, the compounds of the invention, their pharmaceutical acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs may be administered as part of a combination therapy. Thus, are included within the scope of the present invention embodiments comprising coadministration of, and compositions and medicaments which contain, in addition to a compound of the present invention, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof as active ingredient, additional therapeutic agents and/or active ingredients. Such multiple drug regimens, often referred to as combination therapy, may be used in the treatment and/or prevention of any of the diseases or conditions mediated by or associated with GPR43 receptor modulation, particularly type II diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia such as mixed or diabetic dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, low HDL cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, metabolic syndrome, syndrome X, thrombotic disorders, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and its sequelae including angina, claudication, heart attack, stroke and others, kidney diseases, ketoacidosis, nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases such as steatosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The use of such combinations of therapeutic agents is especially pertinent with respect to the treatment of the above-mentioned list of diseases within a patient in need of treatment or one at risk of becoming such a patient.

In addition to the requirement of therapeutic efficacy, which may necessitate the use of active agents in addition to the GPR43 agonist or partial agonist compounds of Formula I or their pharmaceutical acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, there may be additional rationales which compel or highly recommend the use of combinations of drugs involving active ingredients which represent adjunct therapy, i.e., which complement and supplement the function performed by the GPR43 receptor agonist or partial agonist compounds of the present invention. Suitable supplementary therapeutic agents used for the purpose of auxiliary treatment include drugs which, instead of directly treating or preventing a disease or condition mediated by or associated with GPR43 receptor modulation, treat diseases or conditions which directly result from or indirectly accompany the basic or underlying GPR43 receptor modulated disease or condition.

Thus, the methods of treatment and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may employ the compounds of Formula I or their pharmaceutical acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof in the form of monotherapy, but said methods and compositions may also be used in the form of multiple therapy in which one or more compounds of Formula I or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs are coadministered in combination with one or more other therapeutic agents such as those described in detail further herein.

Examples of other active ingredients that may be administered in combination with a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, and either administered separately or in the same pharmaceutical composition, include but are not limited to:

(a) PPARy agonists and partial agonists, including both glitazones and non-glitazones (e.g. troglitazone, pioglitazone, englitazone, MCC-555, rosiglitazone, balaglitazone, netoglitazone, T-131, LY-300512 and LY-818;

(b) Biguanides such as metformin and phenformin;

(c) Protein tyrosine phosphatase- IB (PTP-1B) inhibitors,

(d) Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP-IV) inhibitor, such as MK-0431 and LAF-237;

(e) Insulin or insulin mimetics;

(f) Sulfonylureas such as tolbutamide and glipizide or related materials;

(g) a-glucosidase inhibitors (such as acarbose);

(h) agents which improve a patient's lipid profile such as (i) HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (lovastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, rivastatin, itavastatin, ZD-4522 and other statins), (ii) bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine, colestipol and dialkylaminoalkyl derivatives of a cross-linked dextran), (iii) nicotinyl alcohol, nicotinic acid or a salt thereof, (iv) PPARa agonists such as fenofibric acid derivatives (gemfibrozil, clofibrate, fenofibrate and bezafibrate), (v) cholesterol absorption inhibitors such as for example ezetimibe, (vi) acyl Co A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT)inhibitors such as avasimibe, (vii) CETP inhibitors such as torcetrapib and (viii) phenolic anti-oxidants such as probucol; (i) PPARa/γ dual agonists such as muraglitazar, tesaglitazar, farglitazar and JT-501;

(j) PPAR8 agonists such those disclosed in W097/28149;

(k) Antiobesity compounds such as fenfluramine, dextenfluramine, phentiramine, subitramine, orlistat, neuropeptide Y5 inhibitors, MC4R agonists, cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonists/inverse agonists and β3 adrenergic receptor agonists;

(1) Ileal bile acid transporter inhibitors;

(m) Agents intended for use in inflammatory conditions such as aspirin, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, azulfidine and cyclo-oxygenase 2 selective inhibitors;

(n) Glucagon receptor antagonists;

(o) GLP-1;

(p) GIP-1;

(q) GLP-1 analogs, such as exendins, for example exenitide, and

(r) Hydroxysterol dehydrogenase- 1 (HSD-1) inhibitors.

The above combinations include combinations of a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate not only with one other active compound but also with two or more active compounds. Non limiting examples include combinations of compounds having Formula I with two or more active compounds selected from biguanides, sulfonylureas, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, other PPAR agonists, PTP-IB inhibitors, DP-IV inhibitors and anti-obesity compounds.

In the above-described embodiment combinations of the present invention, the compound of Formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof and other therapeutic active agents may be administered in terms of dosage forms either separately or in conjunction with each other, and in terms of their time of administration, either serially or simultaneously. Thus, the administration of one component agent may be prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to the administration of the other component agent(s). The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, excipient and/or adjuvant. As indicated above, the invention also covers pharmaceutical compositions which contain, in addition to a compound of the present invention, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof as active ingredient, additional therapeutic agents and/or active ingredients.

Another object of this invention is a medicament comprising at least one compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as active ingredient.

The invention also provides the use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof for the manufacture of a medicament. Preferably, the medicament is used for the treatment and/or prevention of type II diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia such as mixed or diabetic dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, low HDL cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, metabolic syndrome, syndrome X, thrombotic disorders, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and its sequelae including angina, claudication, heart attack, stroke and others, kidney diseases, ketoacidosis, nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases such as steatosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Preferred diseases are type II diabetes, lipid disorders such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis and its sequelae. In a particular preferred embodiment the disease are type II diabetes and a lipid disorder such as dyslipidemia.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is provided the use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for modulating GPR43 receptor activity, in a patient, in need of such treatment, which comprises administering to said patient an effective amount of compound of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. Preferably, the patient is a warm-blooded animal, more preferably a human.

As set forth above, the compounds of the invention, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs may be used in monotherapy or in combination therapy. Thus, according to one embodiment, the invention provides the use of a compound of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for at least one of the purposes described above, wherein said medicament is administered to a patient in need thereof, preferably a warmblooded animal, and even more preferably a human, in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent and/or active ingredient. The benefits and advantages of such a multiple drug regimen, possible administration regimens as well as suitable additional therapeutic agents and/or active ingredients are those described above.

Generally, for pharmaceutical use, the compounds of the inventions may be formulated as a pharmaceutical preparation comprising at least one compound of the invention and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, excipient and/or adjuvant, and optionally one or more further pharmaceutically active compounds.

By means of non-limiting examples, such a formulation may be in a form suitable for oral administration, for parenteral administration (such as by intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion), for topical administration (including ocular), for administration by inhalation, by a skin patch, by an implant, by a suppository, etc. Such suitable administration forms - which may be solid, semi-solid or liquid, depending on the manner of administration - as well as methods and carriers, diluents and excipients for use in the preparation thereof, will be clear to the skilled person; reference is made to the latest edition of Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Some preferred, but non-limiting examples of such preparations include tablets, pills, powders, lozenges, sachets, cachets, elixirs, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, syrups, aerosols, ointments, cremes, lotions, soft and hard gelatin capsules, suppositories, drops, sterile injectable solutions and sterile packaged powders (which are usually reconstituted prior to use) for administration as a bolus and/or for continuous administration, which may be formulated with carriers, excipients, and diluents that are suitable per se for such formulations, such as lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starches, gum acacia, calcium phosphate, alginates, tragacanth, gelatin, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, cellulose, (sterile) water, methylcellulose, methyl- and propylhydroxybenzoates, talc, magnesium stearate, edible oils, vegetable oils and mineral oils or suitable mixtures thereof. The formulations can optionally contain other substances that are commonly used in pharmaceutical formulations, such as lubricating agents, wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, dispersing agents, desintegrants, bulking agents, fillers, preserving agents, sweetening agents, flavoring agents, flow regulators, release agents, etc.. The compositions may also be formulated so as to provide rapid, sustained or delayed release of the active compound(s) contained therein.

The pharmaceutical preparations of the invention are preferably in a unit dosage form, and may be suitably packaged, for example in a box, blister, vial, bottle, sachet, ampoule or in any other suitable single-dose or multi-dose holder or container (which may be properly labeled); optionally with one or more leaflets containing product information and/or instructions for use. Generally, such unit dosages will contain between 0,05 and 1000 mg, and usually between 1 and 500 mg, of at least one compound of the invention, e.g. about 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300 or 400 mg per unit dosage. Usually, depending on the condition to be prevented or treated and the route of administration, the active compound of the invention will usually be administered between 0.01 to 100 mg per kilogram, more often between 0.1 and 50 mg, such as between 1 and 25 mg, for example about 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 mg, per kilogram body weight of the patient per day, which may be administered as a single daily dose, divided over one or more daily doses, or essentially continuously, e.g. using a drip infusion.

[DEFINITIONS]

The definitions and explanations below are for the terms as used throughout the entire application, including both the specification and the claims.

When describing the compounds of the invention, the terms used are to be construed in accordance with the following definitions, unless indicated otherwise.

Where groups may be substituted, such groups may be substituted with one or more substituents, and preferably with one, two or three substituents. Substituents may be selected from but not limited to, for example, the group comprising halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, cyano, nitro, amido, carboxy, amino, cyano haloalkoxy, and haloalkyl.

As used herein the terms such as "alkyl, aryl, or cycloalkyl, each being optionally substituted with..." or "alkyl, aryl, or cycloalkyl, optionally substituted with..." encompasses "alkyl optionally substituted with...", "aryl optionally substituted with..." and "cycloalkyl optionally substituted with...".

The term "halo" or "halogen" means fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo. Preferred halo groups are fluoro and chloro. The term "alkyl" by itself or as part of another substituent refers to a hydrocarbyl radical of Formula C _n H2 _n+ i wherein n is a number greater than or equal to 1. Generally, alkyl groups of this invention comprise from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, still more preferably 1 to 2 carbon atoms. Alkyl groups may be linear or branched and may be substituted as indicated herein. C _x-y -alkyl and Cx-Cy-alkyl refer to alkyl groups which comprise from x to y carbon atoms.

Suitable alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n- butyl, i-butyl, s-butyl and fert-butyl, pentyl and its isomers (e.g. n-pentyl, iso- pentyl), and hexyl and its isomers (e.g. n-hexyl, iso-hexyl). Preferred alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, s-butyl and tert-butyl.

When the suffix "ene" ("alkylene") is used in conjunction with an alkyl group, this is intended to mean the alkyl group as defined herein having two single bonds as points of attachment to other groups. The term "alkylene" includes methylene, ethylene, methylmethylene, propylene, ethylethylene, and 1,2- dimethy lethy lene .

The term "alkenyl" as used herein refers to an unsaturated hydrocarbyl group, which may be linear or branched, comprising one or more carbon-carbon double bonds. Suitable alkenyl groups comprise between 2 and 6 carbon atoms, preferably between 2 and 4 carbon atoms, still more preferably between 2 and 3 carbon atoms. Examples of alkenyl groups are ethenyl, 2- propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl and its isomers, 2-hexenyl and its isomers, 2,4-pentadienyl and the like.

The term "alkynyl" as used herein refers to a class of monovalent unsaturated hydrocarbyl groups, wherein the unsaturation arises from the presence of one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds. Alkynyl groups typically, and preferably, have the same number of carbon atoms as described above in relation to alkenyl groups. Non limiting examples of alkynyl groups are ethynyl, 2- propynyl, 2-butynyl, 3-butynyl, 2-pentynyl and its isomers, 2-hexynyl and its isomers-and the like. The terms "alkenylene" and "alkynylene" respectively mean an alkenyl group or an alkinyl group as defined above having two single bonds as points of attachment to other groups.

The term "haloalkyl" alone or in combination, refers to an alkyl radical having the meaning as defined above wherein one or more hydrogens are replaced with a halogen as defined above. Non-limiting examples of such haloalkyl radicals include chloromethyl, 1-bromoethyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl and the like.

The term "cyclo alkyl" as used herein is a cyclic alkyl group, that is to say, a monovalent, saturated, or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group having 1 or 2 cyclic structures. Cycloalkyl includes monocyclic or bicyclic hydrocarbyl groups. Cycloalkyl groups may comprise 3 or more carbon atoms in the ring and generally, according to this invention comprise from 3 to 10, more preferably from 3 to 8 carbon atoms still more preferably from 3 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groups include but are not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclo butyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, with cyclopropyl being particularly preferred.

When the suffix "ene" is used in conjunction with a cyclic group, this is intended to mean the cyclic group as defined herein having two single bonds as points of attachment to other groups.

Therefore, "cycloalkylene" herein refers to a saturated homocyclic hydrocarbyl biradical of Formula C _n H ₂ n-2. Suitable cycloalkylene groups are C _3- 6 cycloalkylene group, preferably a C _3-5 cycloalkylene (i.e. 1 ,2cyclopropylene, 1,1- cyclopropylene, 1,1 -cyclo butylene, 1 ,2-cyclobutylene, 1,3-cyclobutylene, 1,3- cyclopentylene,or 1,1-cyclopentylene), more preferably a C _3-4 cycloalkylene (i.e. 1,3-cyclopropylene, 1,1-cyclopropylene, 1,1 -cyclo butylene, 1,2-cyclo butylene).

Where at least one carbon atom in a cycloalkyl group is replaced with a heteroatom, the resultant ring is referred to herein as "heterocycloalkyl" or "heterocyclyl". The terms "heterocyclyl", "heterocycloalkyl" or "heterocyclo" as used herein by itself or as part of another group refer to non-aromatic, fully saturated or partially unsaturated cyclic groups (for example, 3 to 7 member monocyclic, 7 to 11 member bicyclic, or containing a total of 3 to 10 ring atoms) which have at least one heteroatom in at least one carbon atom-containing ring. Each ring of the heterocyclic group containing a heteroatom may have 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulfur atoms, where the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen heteroatoms may optionally be quaternized. Any of the carbon atoms of the heterocyclic group may be substituted by oxo (for example piperidone, pyrrolidinone).The heterocyclic group may be attached at any heteroatom or carbon atom of the ring or ring system, where valence allows. The rings of multi- ring heterocycles may be fused, bridged and/or joined through one or more spiro atoms. Non limiting exemplary heterocyclic groups include oxetanyl, piperidinyl, azetidinyl, 2-imidazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl imidazolidinyl, isoxazolinyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, piperidinyl, 3H- indolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, 2-oxopiperazinyl, piperazinyl, homopiperazinyl, 2-pyrazolinyl, 3-pyrazolinyl, tetrahydro-2H-pyranyl, 2H-pyranyl, 4H-pyranyl, 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyranyl, 3-dioxolanyl, 1 ,4-dioxanyl, 2,5-dioximidazolidinyl, 2- oxopiperidinyl, 2-oxopyrrolodinyl, indolinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolin- 1 -yl, tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl, tetrahydroisoquinolin-3-yl, tetrahydroisoquinolin-4-yl, thiomorpholin-4-yl, thiomorpholin-4-ylsulfoxide, thiomorpholin-4-ylsulfone, 1,3- dioxolanyl, 1 ,4-oxathianyl, lH-pyrrolizinyl, tetrahydro-l,l-dioxothiophenyl, N- formylpiperazinyl, and morpholin-4-yl.

The ring atoms of heterocyclyl and heterocyclylene moieties are numbered based on scheme below

piperidinyl tetrahydropyranyl piperazinyl morpholinyl

The term "aryl" as used herein refers to a polyunsaturated, aromatic hydrocarbyl group having a single ring (i.e. phenyl) or multiple aromatic rings fused together (e.g. naphtyl) or linked covalently, typically containing 5 to 12 atoms; preferably 6 to 10, wherein at least one ring is aromatic. The aromatic ring may optionally include one to two additional rings (either cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl) fused thereto. Aryl is also intended to include the partially hydrogenated derivatives of the carbocyclic systems enumerated herein. Non- limiting examples of aryl comprise phenyl, biphenylyl, biphenylenyl, 5- or 6- tetralinyl, naphthalen-1- or -2-yl, 4-, 5-, 6 or 7-indenyl, 1- 2-, 3-, 4- or 5- acenaphtylenyl, 3-, 4- or 5-acenaphtenyl, 1- or 2-pentalenyl, 4- or 5-indanyl, 5-, 6- , 7- or 8-tetrahydronaphthyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, 1 ,4-dihydronaphthyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-pyrenyl.

The term "arylene" as used herein is intended to include divalent carbocyclic aromatic ring systems such as phenylene, biphenylylene, naphthylene, indenylene, pentalenylene, azulenylene and the like. Arylene is also intended to include the partially hydrogenated derivatives of the carbocyclic systems enumerated above. Non-limiting examples of such partially hydrogenated derivatives are 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthylene, 1 ,4-dihydronaphthylene and the like.

The term "arylalkyl" or "aralkyl" refers to a linear or branched alkyl group where one carbon is attached to an aryl ring. Non limiting examples of aralkyl comprise benzyl, phenethyl, (naphtalen-l-yl) or (naphtalen-2-yl)methyl. When an aralkyl group is substituted, the substituent(s) is/are attached either on the alkyl group or on the aryl ring. A "x-membered aralkyl" refers to a linear or branched alkyl group where one carbon is attached to a x-membered aryl ring. Where at least one carbon atom in an aryl group is replaced with a heteroatom, the resultant ring is referred to herein as a heteroaryl ring.

The term "heteroaryl" as used herein by itself or as part of another group refers but is not limited to 5 to 12 carbon-atom aromatic rings or ring systems containing 1 to 2 rings which are fused together or linked covalently, typically containing 5 to 6 atoms; at least one of which is aromatic, in which one or more carbon atoms in one or more of these rings is replaced by oxygen, nitrogen and/or sulfur atoms where the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen heteroatoms may optionally be quaternized. Such rings may be fused to an aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl ring. Non-limiting examples of such heteroaryl, include: furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, triazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxatriazolyl, thiatriazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, oxazinyl, dioxinyl, thiazinyl, triazinyl, imidazo[2,l-b][l,3]thiazolyl, thieno[3,2-b]furanyl, thieno[3,2-b]thiophenyl, thieno[2,3-d][l,3]thiazolyl, thieno[2,3-d]imidazolyl, tetrazolo[l,5-a]pyridinyl, indolyl, indolizinyl, isoindolyl, benzo furanyl, isobenzo furanyl, benzothiophenyl, isobenzothiophenyl, indazolyl, benzimidazolyl, 1,3-benzoxazolyl, 1,2- benzisoxazolyl, 2,1-benzisoxazolyl, 1,3-benzothiazolyl, 1,2-benzo isothiazolyl, 2,1-benzoisothiazolyl, benzotriazolyl, 1,2,3-benzoxadiazolyl, 2,1,3- benzoxadiazolyl, 1 ,2,3-benzothiadiazolyl, 2, 1 ,3-benzothiadiazolyl, thienopyridinyl, purinyl, imidazo[l,2-a]pyridinyl, 6-oxo-pyridazin-l(6H)-yl, 2- oxopyridin-l(2H)-yl, 6-oxo-pyridazin-l(6H)-yl, 2-oxopyridin-l(2H)-yl, 1,3- benzodioxolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, cinnolinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl.

The term "heteroarylene" as used herein means divalent carbocyclic aromatic ring systems including pyridinylene and the like.

The ring atoms of heteroaryl or heteroarylene moieties numbered on scheme below:

X is selected from: X is selected from: X is selected from: Y is selected from: N, O or S N, O or S N, O or S C, N

Examples: Examples: Examples: Examples:

pyrrolyl imidazolyl pyrazolyl pyridyl

furanyl oxazolyl isooxazolyl pyrimidinyl thiophenyl thiazolyl isothiazolyl

1

pyridazinyl pyrazinyl X is selected from: X is selected from:

N, O or S N, O or S

Examples: Examples:

indolyl benzimidazolyl benzofuranyl benzoxazolyl benzothiophenyl benzothiazolyl

The term "biaryl" as used herein designates two aryl moieties as defined herein linked via a single bond. Non-limiting examples of such biaryl moieties include biphenyl.

biphenyl

The term "heterobiaryl" as used herein designates two heteroaryl moieties as defined herein or a heteroaryl moiety and an aryl moity as defined herein linked via a single bond. Non-limiting examples of such heterobiaryl moieties include pyridinylphenyl which is meant to include (2-pyridinyl)phenyl, (3-pyridinyl)phenyl and (4-pyridinyl)phenyl, bipyridinyl.

(2-pyridinyl)phenyl (3-pyridinyl)phenyl (4-pyridinyl)phenyl

bipyridinyl

The term "alkylamino" as used herein means an amino group substituted with one or two alkyl groups. This includes monoalkylamino and dialkylamino groups.

The term "carbamoyl" as used herein means a group of formula

wherein the arrow defines the attachment point. The term "carbamimidoyl" as used herein means a group of formula

wherein the arrow defines the attachment point.

The term "carbamimidoyl" as used herein means a group of formula

wherein the arrow defines the attachment point.

The compounds of Formula I and subformulae thereof contain at least one asymmetric center and thus may exist as different stereoisomeric forms. Accordingly, the present invention includes all possible stereoisomers and includes not only racemic compounds but the individual enantiomers and their non racemic mixtures as well. When a compound is desired as a single enantiomer, such may be obtained by stereospecific synthesis, by resolution of the final product or any convenient intermediate, or by chiral chromatographic methods as each are known in the art. Resolution of the final product, an intermediate, or a starting material may be effected by any suitable method known in the art. See, for example, Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds by E. L. Eliel, S. H. Wilen, and L. N. Mander (Wiley- Interscience, 1994), incorporated by reference with regard to stereochemistry.

The bonds from an asymmetric carbon in compounds of the present invention may be depicted herein using a solid line (— ), a zigzag line ( ^■ww ), a solid wedge ( ^~ ~~ ), or a dotted wedge ( ), a solid bar (^^) or a dotted bar ( ).. The use of a solid line to depict bonds from an asymmetric carbon atom is meant to indicate that all possible stereoisomers are meant to be included, unless it is clear from the context that a specific stereoisomer is intended. The use of either a solid or dotted wedge to depict bonds from an asymmetric carbon atom is meant to indicate that only the stereoisomer shown is meant to be included.

The compounds of the invention may also contain more than one asymmetric carbon atom. In those compounds, the use of a solid line to depict bonds from asymmetric carbon atoms is meant to indicate that all possible stereoisomers are meant to be included, unless it is clear from the context that a specific stereoisomer is intended. In those compounds, the use of solid or dotted bars is meant to indicate relative stereochemistry. As an example,

The compounds of the invention may be in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of formula I include the acid addition and base salts thereof. Suitable acid addition salts are formed from acids which form non-toxic salts. Examples include the acetate, adipate, aspartate, benzoate, besylate, bicarbonate/carbonate, bisulphate/sulphate, borate, camsylate, citrate, cyclamate, edisylate, esylate, formate, fumarate, gluceptate, gluconate, glucuronate, hexafluorophosphate, hibenzate, hydrochloride/chloride, hydrobromide/bromide, hydroiodide/iodide, isethionate, lactate, malate, maleate, malonate, mesylate, methylsulphate, naphthylate, 2-napsylate, nicotinate, nitrate, orotate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, phosphate/hydrogen phosphate/dihydrogen phosphate, pyroglutamate, saccharate, stearate, succinate, tannate, tartrate, tosylate, trifluoroacetate and xinofoate salts. Suitable base salts are formed from bases which form non-toxic salts. Examples include the aluminium, arginine, benzathine, calcium, choline, diethylamine, diolamine, glycine, lysine, magnesium, meglumine, olamine, potassium, sodium, tromethamine, 2-(diethylamino)ethanol, ethanolamine, morpholine, 4-(2- hydroxyethyl)morpholine and zinc salts. Hemisalts of acids and bases may also be formed, for example, hemisulphate and hemicalcium salts. Preferred, pharmaceutically acceptable salts include hydrochloride/chloride, hydrobromide/bromide, bisulphate/sulphate, nitrate, citrate, and acetate.

When the compounds of the invention contain an acidic group as well as a basic group the compounds of the invention may also form internal salts, and such compounds are within the scope of the invention. When the compounds of the invention contain a hydrogen-donating heteroatom (e.g. NH), the invention also covers salts and/or isomers formed by transfer of said hydrogen atom to a basic group or atom within the molecule.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of Formula I may be prepared by one or more of these methods:

(i) by reacting the compound of Formula I with the desired acid; (ii) by reacting the compound of Formula I with the desired base;

(iii) by removing an acid- or base-labile protecting group from a suitable precursor of the compound of Formula I or by ring-opening a suitable cyclic precursor, for example, a lactone or lactam, using the desired acid; or (iv) by converting one salt of the compound of Formula I to another by reaction with an appropriate acid or by means of a suitable ion exchange column.

All these reactions are typically carried out in solution. The salt, may precipitate from solution and be collected by filtration or may be recovered by evaporation of the solvent. The degree of ionization in the salt may vary from completely ionized to almost non-ionized.

The term "solvate" is used herein to describe a molecular complex comprising the compound of the invention and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable solvent molecules, for example, ethanol. The term 'hydrate' is employed when said solvent is water.

All references to compounds of formula I include references to salts, solvates, multi- component complexes and liquid crystals thereof.

The compounds of the invention include compounds of formula I as hereinbefore defined, including all polymorphs and crystal habits thereof, prodrugs and isomers thereof (including optical, geometric and tautomeric isomers) and isotopically- labeled compounds of formula I.

In addition, although generally, with respect to the salts of the compounds of the invention, pharmaceutically acceptable salts are preferred, it should be noted that the invention in its broadest sense also included non- pharmaceutically acceptable salts, which may for example be used in the isolation and/or purification of the compounds of the invention. For example, salts formed with optically active acids or bases may be used to form diastereoisomeric salts that can facilitate the separation of optically active isomers of the compounds of Formula I above.

The invention also generally covers all pharmaceutically acceptable predrugs and prodrugs of the compounds of Formula I. The term "prodrug" as used herein means the pharmacologically acceptable derivatives of compounds of formula I such as esters whose in vivo biotransformation product is the active drug. Prodrugs are characterized by increased bio-availability and are readily metabolized into the active compounds in vivo. Suitable prodrugs for the purpose of the invention include carboxylic esters, in particular alkyl esters, aryl esters, acyloxyalkyl esters, and dioxolene carboxylic esters; ascorbic acid esters as well as compounds of formula I in which Z is a substituent selected from the table 2 below.

Table 2

The term "predrug", as used herein, means any compound that will be modified to form a drug species, wherein the modification may take place either inside or outside of the body, and either before or after the predrug reaches the area of the body where administration of the drug is indicated.

The term "patient" refers to a warm-blooded animal, more preferably a human, who/which is awaiting or receiving medical care or is or will be the object of a medical procedure. The term "human" refers to suject of both genders and at any stage of development (i.e. neonate, infant, juvenile, adolescent, adult).

The terms "treat", "treating" and "treatment, as used herein, are meant to include alleviating or abrogating a condition or disease and/or its attendant symptoms.

The terms "prevent", "preventing" and "prevention", as used herein, refer to a method of delaying or precluding the onset of a condition or disease and/or its attendant symptoms, barring a patient from acquiring a condition or disease, or reducing a patient's risk of acquiring a condition or disease.

The term "therapeutically effective amount" (or more simply an "effective amount") as used herein means the amount of active agent or active ingredient (e. g. GPR43 agonist or partial agonist) which is sufficient to achieve the desired therapeutic or prophylactic effect in the individual to which it is administered.

The term "administration", or a variant thereof (e.g. 'administering"), means providing the active agent or active ingredient (e. g. a GPR43 agonist or partial agonist), alone or as part of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition, to the patient in whom/which the condition, symptom, or disease is to be treated or prevented.

By "pharmaceutically acceptable" is meant that the ingredients of a pharmaceutical composition are compatible with each other and not deleterious to the patient thereof.

The term "agonist" as used herein means a ligand that activates an intracellular response when it binds to a receptor. An agonist according to the invention may promote internalization of a cell surface receptor such that the cell surface concentration of a receptor is decreased or remove. The term "partial agonist" as used herein means an agonist which is unable to induce maximal activation of a receptor, regardless of the amount of compound applied on the receptor.

The term "pharmaceutical vehicle" as used herein means a carrier or inert medium used as solvent or diluent in which the pharmaceutically active agent is formulated and/or administered. Non-limiting examples of pharmaceutical vehicles include creams, gels, lotions, solutions, and liposomes.

The term "lipid disorder" as used herein means any plasma lipid disorder including but not limited to dyslipidemia such as mixed or diabetic dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, low HDL cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, hyperlipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia.

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the following examples. These examples are intended to representative of specific embodiments of the invention, and are not intended as limiting the scope of the invention.

CHEMISTRY EXAMPLES

All temperatures are expressed in °C and all reactions were carried out at room temperature (RT) unless otherwise stated.

Analytical thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used to monitor reactions, establish flash chromatography conditions and verify purity of intermediates or final products. TLC plates used were Merck TLC aluminium sheet silica gel 60 F254. TLC plates were revealed using ultraviolet irradiation (wavelength=254 nm) at RT or bromocresol green spray reagent at 0.1% in propan-2-ol or KMn0 ₄ revelator (KMn0 ₄ , Na ₂ C03, NaOH, H ₂ 0) upon heating at 160°C. HPLC-MS spectra were obtained on Agilent LCMS using Electropsray ionization (ESI). The Agilent instrument includes an Autosampler 1200, a binary pump 1100, a 5 wave length detector 1100 and a 6100 Single Quad. The column used was an XBridge CI 8.

Eluent was a mixture of solution A (0.1% TFA in H ₂ 0) and solution B (0.1% TFA in ACN). Gradients used are as follows: gradient A (intermediates characterization): held the initial conditions of 5% solution B for 1 min, increased linearly to 95% solution B in 4 min, held at 95% during 1 min, returned to initial conditions in 0.5 min and maintained for 1 min; gradient B (examples characterization): held the initial conditions of 5% solution B for 1 min, increased linearly to 60% in 10 min, increased linearly to 95% in 0.5 min, held at 95% during 3 min, returned to initial conditions in 0.5 min and maintained for 1 min.

Determination of enantiomeric excess was performed on an Agilent 1100 (binary pump and 5 wavelengths detector) with manual or automatic (Autosampler 1100) injection. Columns used were CHIRALPAK I A CHIRALPAK IB or CHIRALPAK IC in isocratic mode. Mixtures of eluents were selected depending on the separation obtained of enantiomers or diastereosiomers. Usual mixtures were:

- Hexane and Ethano 1 (0.1 % TFA)

Hexane and Propanol (0.1% TFA)

Hexane and Ethyl acetate (0.1% TFA)

Hexane and Dichloromethane (0.1% TFA)

Hexane and ter t-butyl methyl ether (0.1% TFA)

Preparative HPLC purifications were carried out on Fractionlynx instrument, from Waters. This instrument consists of a Fraction Collector, a 2767 Sample Manager, a pump control a module II, a 515 HPLC Pump, a 2525 Binary Gradient Module, a Switching Valve, a 2996 Photodiode Array Detector and a Micromass ZQ. The column used was a Waters Sunfire C18 Eluent was a mixture of solution A (0.1% TFA in H ₂ 0) and solution B (0.1% TFA in ACN). The gradient was adapted depending on impurities present in samples, to allow sufficient separation between impurities and target compound.

Chiral preparative HPLC purification were performed on an Agilent 1100 instrument (binary pump and 5 wavelengths detector) with manual injection using a CHIRALPAK IA or a CHIRALPAK IB column in isocratic mode. Mixtures of eluents were selected depending on the separation of enantiomers or diastereosiomers obtained with the analytical method. Usual mixtures were the same as those used for the determination of ee.

^! H and ¹³ C NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker ARX 300MHz. Chemical shifts are expressed in parts per million, (ppm, δ units). Coupling constants are expressed in Hertz units (Hz). Splitting patterns describe apparent multiplicities and are described as s (singlet), d (doublet), t (triplet), q (quintet), m (multiplet), or br (broad).

Solvents, reagents and starting materials were purchased from well known chemical suppliers such as for example Sigma Aldrich, Acros Organics, VWR Int., Sopachem or Polymer labs and the following abbreviations are used:

ACN or MeCN: Acetonitrile,

DCM: Dichloromethane,

DCE: 1 ,2-Dichloroethane,

EtOAc or AcOEt: Ethyl acetate,

EtOH: Ethanol,

MeOH: Methanol,

IPA: isopropanol,

PE: Petroleum ether,

NMP: N-methylpyrrolidinone,

RT: Room temperature,

DIEA: N,N-diisopropylethylamine, HATU: 0-(7-azabenzotriazol-l-yl)-N,N,N',N'-tretramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate ,

HOBt: 1-hydroxybenzotriazole or 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate,

DMAP: N, N-Dimethylaminopyridine

Y: Yield,

g: Grams,

mg: Milligrams,

L: Liters,

mL: Milliliters,

μί: Microliters,

mol: Moles,

mmol: Millimoles,

h: Hours,

min or mn: Minutes,

TLC: Thin layer chromatography,

MW: Molecular weight,

eq: Equivalent,

THF: Tetrahydrofuran,

TFA: Trifluoroacetic acid,

Ac: Acetyl,

ee: Enantiomeric excess,

tBu: fert-Butyl

P: UV purity at 254nm determined by HPLC-MS,

rt: Retention time,

BuLi: butyllithium,

CDI: carbonyldiimidazole,

TBDPS: te -butyl-diphenylsilyl,

Boc ₂ 0: di-tert-butyldicarbonate,

TBAF: tetrabutylammonium fluoride,

S-Phos: 2-Dicyclohexylphosphino-2',6'-dimethoxybiphenyl,

PvM: reaction mixture, Nu: Nucleophile,

DMF: N,N-dimethylformamide,

TMS: trimethylsilyl.

General synthetic schemes

A general method for the synthesis of most compounds of the invention is outlined in scheme 1.

Reaction conditions A: X=CI

DIEA (1.1eq), DCM, RT

Reaction conditions B: X=OH

HATU (1.2eq), DIEA (1.2eq),

ACN, RT to 60°C

Scheme 1: A general method for the synthesis of most compounds of the invention

Pyrrolidine methyl acetate intermediate 1.1 was acylated with acyl chlorides or carboxylic acids intermediates 1.2 using standard amide coupling procedures to give epimeric mixture compound 1.3.

In some cases epimers 1.3a and 1.3b were separated by chromatography (flash chromatography or preparative HPLC); subsequent saponification of intermediates 1.3a and 1.3b with lithium hydroxide afforded the desired carboxylic acid products 1.4 and 1.5 respectively.

Otherwise intermediate 1.3 was saponified with lithium hydroxide to give epimeric mixture 1.6 which was purified by chromatography (flash chromatography or preparative HPLC) to give desired carboxylic acid products 1.4 and 1.5.

Pyrrolidine ester intermediates 1.1 were synthesized from aryl or alkyl

Grignard or aryl-lithium reagents as shown in scheme 2.

Nu:M

Reaction Ar^ _N |_|^ ^C ° ^2Me conditions

I \ C, D or E \ chromatography

Ar ¹ ^N ^C ° ^2Me *~ _Ar i _N -C0 ₂ Me 1.1a

Reaction conditions C: ^H / /— \

^ ^ ,

NaBH(OAc) ₃ (2eq) Ar ^{1 ,} "^N ^¾

_2A TFA (O or l eq) _r1 H

DCE, RT

1.1 b

Reaction conditions D:

NaBH ₃ CN (1 .2eq)

MeOH, RT

Reaction conditions E:

H ₂ ,

Pd/C (5-10%w/w) or PtO ₂

MeOH

RT

Scheme 2: Synthetic scheme for the preparation of pyrrolidine ester intermediates

1.1

Addition of aryl or alkyl Grignard or aryl- lithium 2.1 to N-Boc-L-pyroglutamic acid methyl ester 2.2 provided intermediate 2.3, as described by Colandrea et al. in Bioorg. & Med. Chem. Lett. 2006, 16, 2905-2908 and Ying-zi Xu et al. in J Org. Chem. 1999, 64, 4069-4078. One pot Boc deprotection and cyclic imine formation under acidic conditions afforded cyclic imine intermediate 2.4 which could be reduced either by hydrogenation or by borohydride reagent to give the pyrrolidine ester intermediate 1.1. In some cases epimers 1.1a and 1.1b were separated by flash chromatography. Aryl or alkyl Grignard and aryl-lithium reagents 2.1 were prepared using the methodologies shown in scheme

X=CI, Br or I Route 2

5mn reflux

then RT 2.1a

X=CI, Br or I

Route 3

3 X

Scheme 3: Synthetic scheme for the preparation of aryl or alkyl magnesium and aryl-lithium reagents

Aryl or alkyl Grignard reagents 2.1a were prepared from aryl halides either by method 1 (isopropyl megnasium chloride/lithium chloride) or by method 2 (magnesium) and aryl-lithium reagents 2.1b were synthesized by method 3 (n- butyllithium). N-Boc-L-pyroglutamic acid methyl ester 2.2 was synthesized using the methodology shown in scheme 4

Scheme 4: Synthetic scheme for the preparation of N-Boc-L-pyroglutamic acid methyl ester 2.2

L-pyroglutamic acid 4.1 was converted to the methyl ester 4.2 which upon Boc protection with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate afforded intermediate 2.2.

Biaryl and heterobiaryl carboxylic acid intermediates 1.2a were synthesized using one of the three routes (a, b or c) shown in scheme 5.

Route a:

5.1a 5.2a ethanol

100°C

X=Br or I

Route b:

i

100°C

5.1b 5.2b

ifX^Brorl.X^ B(OH) ₂

ifX ₁ =B(OH) ₂ ,X ₂ =Brorl

Route c:

Phos (0.05eq)

100°C

5.1c 5.2c

ifX^Br orl,X ₂ = B(OH) ₂

ifX^BiOH^.X^Brorl

Scheme 5: Synthetic scheme for the preparation of biaryl carboxylic acid intermediates 1.2a

Suzuki coupling between 5.1 and 5.2 provided biaryl ester intermediate 5.3, subsequent saponification with lithium hydroxide afforded biaryl carboxylic acid intermediate 1.2a.

Aralkyloxyaryl carboxylic acid intermediates 1.2 were synthesized using the methodology shown in scheme 6 for benzyloxybenzoic acid intermediates

1.2b.

acetone, RT acetone, 50°C

6.4 1.2b Scheme 6: Synthetic scheme for the preparation of benzyloxybenzoic acid intermediates 1.2b

Methyl 3,5-dihydroxybenzoate 6.1 was methylated with dimehylsulfate to give intermediate 6.2. Benzylation with benzyl halide reagent 6.3 provided ester intermediate 6.4 which upon subsequent saponification with lithium hydroxide afforded benzyloxybenzoic acid intermediates 1.2b Additional synthetic schemes

Synthesis of compound n°24 is depicted in scheme 7.

Scheme 7: Synthesis of compound n°24

Synthesis of methyl substituted pyrrolidinone intermediates 2.2 is depicted in scheme 8.

THF, -78°C to RT °" ^{1 0}

Scheme 8: Synthesis of methyl substituted pyrrolidinone intermediates

Dipolar cycloaddition methodology is exemplified with the synthesis of compound n° 217 and is depicted in scheme 9.

toluene

Najera et al., Eur. J. Org. Chem., 2009, 5622

Scheme 9: Dipolar cycloaddition methodology.

Synthesis of compound n° 268 is depicted in scheme 10.

C

Scheme 10: Synthesis of compound n° 268.

Synthesis of intermediate 3-methoxy-4-(4-methylpiperidin-l-yl)benzoic acid used in the preparation of compound n°261 is depicted in scheme 11.

The synthesis of compound n° 393 is depicted in scheme 12.

Scheme 12: synthesis of compound n°393.

The synthesis of compound n°369 is depicted in scheme 13.

Scheme 13: synthesis of compound n°369. Synthesis of compound n° 279 is depicted in scheme

Scheme 14: synthesis of compound n°279 General methods

General method A: synthesis of pyrrolidine ester intermediates 1.1

General method A is examplified with the synthesis of intermediate la (2S,5R)- methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate, intermediate lb (2S,5S)- methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate and intermediate If

(2S,5R)-methyl 5-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate from 2-bromopyridine (route 3, conditions E).

Step 1 : synthesis of (2-chlorophenyl)magnesium chloride: route 1.

To a 2M solution of isopropylmagnesium chloride in anhydrous THF (5.76 mmol) was added lithium chloride (5.76 mmol) in distilled THF in a Schlenk tube under Ar atmosphere at RT. The reaction mixture was cooled to -15°C and 1- bromo-2-chlorobenzene (5.35 mmol) was added and the RM was stirred at -15°C for another 3h. This crude solution of (2-chlorophenyl)magnesium chloride was cooled to -40°C and used as such in step 2.

Step 2: synthesis of (S)-methyl 2-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-5-(2- chlorophenyl)-5-oxopentanoate.

To the_crude solution of (2-chlorophenyl)magnesium chloride obtained in step 1 was added at -40°C under Ar a solution of (S)-l-fert-butyl 2-methyl 5- oxopyrrolidine-l,2-dicarboxylate (4.11 mmol) in distilled THF (4mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at - 40°C for 2h and then quenched with lOmL of a saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride. The mixture was extracted three times with AcOEt, combined organics were dried over anhydrous MgSC^ and concentrated in vacuo. Crude was purified by flash chromatography (eluent: cyclohexane/AcOEt) to yield title compound. Y: 425 mg (29%), P: >95%, rt=4.24 min, (M+H) ⁺ = 256.

Step 3: synthesis of (S)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H- pyrrole-2-carboxylate.

TFA (2 mL) was added to a solution of (S)-methyl 2- tert- butoxycarbonyl)amino)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-oxopentanoate (1.08 mmol) in DCM (2mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 2h. The RM was evaporated to dryness to yield title compound. Y: 574 mg (56%), P: >95%, rt=2.85 min, (M+H) ⁺ = 238.

Step 4:

Reaction conditions C: synthesis of intermediate la (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2- chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate and intermediate lb (2S,5S)-methyl 5-(2- chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate.

Sodium triacetoxyborohydride (0.091 mol) was added portionwise to a stirred solution of (S)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole-2- carboxylate (0.076 mol) in 1 ,2-dichloroethane (200 mL) at RT under a nitrogen atmosphere. TFA (0.76 mol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 1.5 h. LCMS showed starting material still remaining so further TFA (~10mL) was added (to give pH 3-4) and stirring continued for a further 1.5 h. All starting material was consumed, water (30 mL) was added followed by saturated aqueous NaHC0 ₃ (-400 mL) until neutral pH. The separated aqueous layer was extracted with DCM (2 x 300ml) and the combined organics dried over anhydrous MgS0 ₄ and evaporated in vacuo to give a yellow oil (17.5 g). Crude was purified by column chromatography (eluent: PE/EtOAc) to give, as colourless oils, intermediate la: Y: 12 g (66%), P: >95%, rt=2.73 min, (M+H) ⁺ = 240 and intermediate lb Y: 3 g (16%), P: >95%, (M+H) ⁺ = 240.

Reaction conditions D: synthesis of intermediate (2S)-methyl 5-(2- chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate.

Sodium cyanobrorohydride (2.9 mmol) was added to a solution of (S)- methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole-2-carboxylate (2.42 mmol) in anhydrous MeOH (20 mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT for lh. The RM was quenched with water and extracted with DCM. Combined organics were dried over anhydrous MgS0 ₄ and concentrated in vacuo to yield title compound. Y: 338 mg (59%), P: >95%, rt=2.73 min, (M+H) ⁺ = 240. Reaction conditions E: synthesis of ^' intermediate If: (2S,5R)-methyl 5- (pyridin-2-yl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate from 2-bromopyridine (route 3).

In a lOmL round bottomed flask was dissolved (S)-methyl 5-(pyridin-2- yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole-2-carboxylate (0.208 mmol) in IPA (550 iL) to give a brown solution. Palladium on carbon (3.95 μιηοΐ) (10%w/w) was added, and reaction was stirred under ¾ atmosphere.

Reaction mixture was stirred overnight at RT. The mixture was filtered through celite and concentrated under reduced pressure to give intermediate If in a quantitative yield. Y: 12 g (66%), P: >95%, rt=2.34 min, (M+H) ⁺ = 207.

The following intermediates were synthesized from ad- hoc reagents using general method A: intermediate lc: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate from 2-bromo-3-chloropyridine (route 3, conditions C);

intermediate le: (2S)-methyl 5-([l, -biphenyl]-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate from biphenyl-3-ylmagnesium bromide (conditions C);

intermediate lg: (2S)-methyl 5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate from l-bromo-2-fluorobenzene (route 1 , conditions C), rt=2.5 min (gradient A);

intermediate li: (2S)-methyl 5-(2-methoxyphenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate l-bromo-2-methoxybenzene (route 1 , conditions D);

intermediate lj : (2R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate from l-bromo-2-chlorobenzene (route 1 , conditions D);

intermediate lk: (2S)-methyl 5-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate from 4-chlorophenylmagnesium bromide (conditions C);

intermediate 11: (2S)-methyl 5-([l , l'-biphenyl]-4-yl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate from [l , l'-biphenyl]-4-ylmagnesium bromide (conditions C);

intermediate lm: (2S)-methyl 5-(2-chlorobenzyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate from 2-chlorobenzylmagnesium chloride (conditions C); intermediate In: (2S)-methyl 5-cyclohexylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate from cyclohexylmagnesium chloride (conditions C);

intermediate lo: (2S)-methyl 5-([l,l'-biphenyl]-2-yl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate from [l,l'-biphenyl]-2-ylmagnesium bromide (conditions C);

intermediate lp: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-4,4- dimethylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate (conditions C), starting from (S)-l-tert-butyl 2- methyl 4,4-dimethyl-5-oxopyrrolidine-l,2-dicarboxylate obtained using the synthetic route described in scheme 8;

intermediate lq: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-4- methylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate (conditions C), starting from (S)-l-fert-butyl 2- methyl-4-dimethyl-5-oxopyrrolidine- 1 ,2-dicarboxylate;

intermediate lr: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate;

intermediate Is: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(o-tolyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate; intermediate It: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate

(condition E);

intermediate lu: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(3-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate (route 1, conditions C);

intermediate lv: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate (route 1, conditions C);

intermediate lw: (2S,5R)-5-(3-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (route 1, conditions E);

intermediate lx: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(4-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate (route 1, conditions E);

intermediate ly: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-cyclohexylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate was synthesized by hydrogenation of intermediate It using Pt0 ₂ in MeOH,

intermediate lz: (2R,5R)-methyl 5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate (route 1, conditions C);

intermediate lal: (2S,5S)-methyl 5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate(route 1, conditions C); intermediate lbl: (2R,5S)-methyl 5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate(route 1, conditions C);

intermediate lcl: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate(route 1, conditions E);

intermediate ldl: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate(route 1, conditions E);

intermediate lei: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate(route 1, conditions C);

intermediate lfl: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-isobutylpyrrolidine-2- carboxylate(route 2, conditions E);

intermediate lgl: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-isopropylpyrrolidine-2- carboxylate(route 1, conditions E);

intermediate lhl: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-cyclopentylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate (conditions E);

intermediate lil: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-bromophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate (route 1, conditions C);

intermediate ljl: (2S,5S)-methyl 5-isopentylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate (route 2, conditions E);

intermediate lkl: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate (route 1, conditions E);

intermediate 111: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(3,5-difluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- icarboxylate (route 1, conditions C);

intermediate 1ml: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(3,4-difluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate (route 1, conditions C);

intermediate lnl: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-

2carboxylate (route 1, conditions C), rt=2.6min (gradient A);

intermediate lol: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate (route 1, conditions C);

intermediate lpl: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(4-cyanophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate. (route 1, conditions C). General method B: synthesis of aryloxyaryl carboxylic acid intermediates

1.2b

General method B is examplified with the synthesis of intermediate 2a 3- (benzyloxy)-5 -methoxybenzo ic acid.

Step 1 : synthesis of methyl 3-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoate.

To a solution of methyl 3,5-dihydroxybenzoate (29.76 mmol) in anhydrous acetone (40 mL) was added dimethylsulfate (29.69 mmol), tetrabutylammonium iodide (2.97 mmol) and potassium carbonate (59.42 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at RT overnight. The RM was diluted with water and extracted with AcOEt. Combined organics were dried over anhydrous MgS0 ₄ and concentrated in vacuo. Crude was purified by flash chromatography (eluent: PE/AcOEt ) to yield title compound. Y: 1.7 g (31%), P: >95%, rt=3.75 min, (M+H) ⁺ = 183.

Step 2: synthesis of methyl 3-(benzyloxy)-5-methoxybenzoate.

To a solution of methyl 3-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoate (0.55 mmol) in anhydrous acetone (2 mL) was added benzyl bromide (0.55 mmol), potassium carbonate (0.66 mmol) and sodium iodide (0.055 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at 55°C for 5h. The RM was diluted with AcOEt and a 1M aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. The organic layer was separated, dried over anhydrous MgS0 ₄ and concentrated in vacuo. Crude was purified by flash chromatography (eluent: PE/ AcOEt) to yield title compound. Y: 104 mg (69%), P: >95%, rt=4.53 min, (M+H) ⁺ = 273.

Step 3: synthesis of intermediate 2a 3-(benzyloxy)-5-methoxybenzoic acid.

To a solution of methyl 3-(benzyloxy)-5-methoxybenzoate (0.38 mmol) in THF (1 mL) was added a solution of lithium hydroxide (1.53 mmol) in water (1 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at RT overnight. The RM was quenched with a 1M HCl aqueous solution and extracted three times with DCM. Combined organics were dried over anhydrous MgS0 ₄ and concentrated in vacuo to yield title compound. Y: 92 mg (94%), P: >95%, rt=3.95 mn, (M+H) ⁺ = 259. The following intermediates were synthesized from ad- hoc reagents using general method B:

intermediate 2b: 3-((4-chlorobenzyl)oxy)-5-methoxybenzoic acid, intermediate 2c: 3-methoxy-5-phenethoxybenzoic acid,

intermediate 2d: 3-(3,3-diphenylpropoxy)-5-methoxybenzoic acid, intermediate 2e: 3 -methoxy-5 -((4-(methylsulfonyl)benzyl)oxy)benzo ic acid,

intermediate 2f: 3 -methoxy-5 -(2-methoxyethoxy)benzoic acid,

intermediate 2g: 3-((3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)methoxy)-5- methoxybenzoic acid,

General method C: synthesis of most compounds of the invention

General method C is examplified with the synthesis of Example 1 : compound n° 1 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Step 1 : synthesis of (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy-

[1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate

Conditions A:

In a lOOmL round bottom flask, under argon, was dissolved 2'- methoxybiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (15.714 g, 68.8 mmol) in DCM (138 mL). A white suspension was obtained to which were successively added thionyl chloride (7.49 mL, 103 mmol) and DMF (0.107 mL, 1.377 mmol). Reaction mixture was heated at reflux (40°C) 3 hours. The solution was allowed to reach spontaneously RT (yellow-orange solution). RM was concentrated under reduced pressure. Removal of the excess of thionyl chloride was done by two co-evaporation cycles with DCM. The resulting brown residue was dried under vacuum to afford 17g of a brown solid. Crude product was used without further purification in the next step. In a 500 mL round bottom flask were introduced under argon methyl (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate (15 g, 62.6 mmol), DCM (62.4 mL) and Et ₃ N (9.59 mL, 68.8 mmol). To this solution cooled to 0°C, was added dropwise (via an addition funnel) a solution of 2'-methoxybiphenyl-4- carbonyl chloride (16.98 g, 68.8 mmol) in DCM (83 mL) (dark brown solution). The RM was stirred from 0°C to RT overnight. The RM was transferred to a separation funnel and washed with 25 mL of HC1 6M diluted with 75mL water. The organic layer was dried under stirring with MgS0 ₄ in the presence of 0.3g of Norit AS, filtered and concentrated to afford 34 g of a light brown foaming oily residue. Purification by column chromatography (eluent: EtOAc/PE: 1/2 ) yielded desired product as a beige solid. Y: 25.4 g (90 %), P > 95%.

Conditions B: To a solution of 2'-methoxybiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid 2b (1.1 mmol) in anhydrous ACN (2 mL) was added HATU (1.1 mmol). After 5 min was added (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate la (1 mmol) and DIEA (1.2 mmol). Reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 4 days. Reaction mixture was diluted with AcOEt and washed with saturated aqueous solution of NaHC0 ₃ and with water. The organic phase was dried over MgS0 ₄ and evaporated. Crude was purified by flash chromatography (eluent: cyclohexane/AcOEt) to yield title compound. Y: 300 mg (67%), P>95%, rt= 4.85 min (M+H) ⁺ =451.

Step 2: synthesis of Example 1: compound n°l : (2S,5R)-5-(2- chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

To a solution of (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate (0.67 mmol) in THF (5 mL) was added a solution of lithium hydroxide (2.67 mmol) in water (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at RT overnight. The RM was quenched with a 1M HC1 aqueous solution and extracted twice with AcOEt. Combined organics were dried over anhydrous MgS0 ₄ and concentrated in vacuo to yield title compound as a colorless solid. Y: 250 mg (86%), P: >95%, rt=6.05 min, (M+H) ⁺ = 436. General method D: synthesis of biaryl carboxylic acid intermediates 1.2a

Three routes (a, b and c) were used in the preparation of biaryl or heterobiaryl intermediates.

Route a is examplified with the synthesis of intermediate 2h 2'-methoxy-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid.

Step 1 : synthesis of methyl 2'-methoxy-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylate

A mixture of methyl-4-iodobenzoate (86.2g, 0.33 mol) and 2- methoxyphenyl boronic acid (50.0 g, 0.33 mol) in toluene (975 mL) and EtOH (525 mL) was degassed with nitrogen bubbling for 30 minutes. Pd(PPh ₃ ) ₄ (19.0 g, 16.5 mmol) and 4M aqueous Na ₂ C0 ₃ (271.5 mL, 1.09 mol) were added and the mixture stirred at 100°C under a nitrogen atmosphere overnight. After cooling to room temperature, EtOAc (1.5 L) and water (1.5 L) were added, and the separated organic layer was dried (Na ₂ S0 ₄ ) and evaporated in vacuo to leave a brown oily solid (107 g). The residue was purified by column chromatography using an increasing gradient from 5-50% EtO Ac/petrol to give title product as a yellow solid. Y: 51 g (64%), P>80%.

Step 2: synthesis of intermediate 2h 2'-methoxy-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4- carboxylic acid

LiOH.H ₂ 0 (89 g, 2.1 mol) was added to a stirred suspension of methyl 2'- methoxy-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylate(51 g, 0.21 mol) in a mixture of THF (500 mL) and H ₂ 0 (1 L). Further amounts of THF (-500 mL) and H ₂ 0 (~1 L) were added to dissolve the majority of the solids. After stirring overnight at room temperature, more solids had precipitated and starting material still remained. The mixture was heated to 50°C for 4 hours, after which time all solids had dissolved and no starting material remained. After cooling to room temperature, saturated aqueous citric acid was added until pH = 6-7, which produced a white precipitate. THF was removed by evaporation in vacuo and the resulting suspension filtered. The solid was washed with water several times and dried at 50°C overnight to give intermediate 2h as an off-white solid. Y: 43 g (90%), P>90%. Route b is exemplified with the synthesis of intermediate 2s2 4-(2- methoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzo ic acid.

Step 1 : synthesis of methyl 4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzoate In an oven dried glass tube, were introduced under argon 4- methoxycarbonylphenylboronic acid (381 mg, 2.116 mmol) and 4-bromo-2- methoxypyrimidine (200mg, 1.058 mmol). Three vacuum/ Argon cycles were performed and toluene (5 mL) was added, followed by a 2M aqueous solution of K ₂ C0 ₃ (0.106 mmol). The resulting mixture was degassed (argon bubbling into the solution for 5-10 minutes).

Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (0.1 mmol) was then added and the mixture was heated to 95°C overnight. The mixture was cooled down to room temperature and then diluted with EtOAc and washed with brine. The aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc and the combined organic layers were dried and concentrated. The residue was purified on silica gel (cyclohexane / EtOAc), furnishing 243 mg of desired product as a pale yellow solid (94% yield).

Step 2: synthesis of intermediate 2s2 4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzoic acid The same conditions as in step 2 of route a were used.

The following intermediates were synthesized from ad- hoc reagents using general method D route b:

intermediate 2i: 2',5'-dichloro-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2j: 4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2k: 4-(furan-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 21: 4-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid,

intermediate 2m: 4-(3-fluoropyridin-4-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2n: 4-(pyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2o: 4-(6-(dimethylamino)pyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2p: 4-(pyridin-4-yl)benzoic acid; intermediate 2q: 4-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2r: 4-(2-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid, rt=3.4 min (gradient A);

intermediate 2s: 4'-methoxy-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2t: 4'-cyano-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2u: 4-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2v: 4'-chloro-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2w: 3'-chloro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2x: 2'-chloro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2y: 4'-(methylsulfonamido)-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2z: 3'-(methylsulfonamido)-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2al : 2'-(methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2b 1: 4-(naphthalen-2-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2cl: 3',5'-difluoro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2dl: 2'-hydroxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2el: 2'-(trifluoromethoxy)-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2fl: 4-(3-fluoropyridin-4-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2gl: 4-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2hl: 4-(6-fluoropyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2il: 5-methoxy-6-phenylnicotinic acid;

intermediate 2jl: 4-(3-methoxypyridin-4-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2kl: 2-methoxy-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 211: 4-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2ml: 4-(6-fluoropyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid; intermediate 2nl: 4-(thiophen-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2ol: 4-cyclohexylbenzoic acid;

intermediate 2pl: 2'-(methylsulfonyl)-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2ql: 4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2rl: 4-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2sl: 4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acid, rt=3.4 min (gradient A);

intermediate 2tl: 4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2ul: 4-(pyridin-2-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2vl : 2'-cyano-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2wl: 2',6'-dimethoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid, intermediate 2x1: 2',4'-dichloro-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2yl: 2'-(trifluoromethyl)-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2zl: 2,2'-dimethoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2a2: 4'-chloro-2'-methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2b2: 4-(4-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2c2: 4-(3-fluoropyridin-4-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2d2: 2-chlorobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2e2: 2'-chloro-2-methoxybiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid, intermediate 2f2: 3-methoxy-4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2g2: 2'-(methoxymethyl)biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2h2: 4-(2,6-dimethoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2i2: 3-methoxy-4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acid, rt=3.2 min (gradient A);

intermediate 2j2: 4-(5-methoxypyrazin-2-yl)benzoic acid; intermediate 2k2: 4-(3-methoxypyrazin-2-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 212: 4-(2-chloro-4-(dimethylamino)pyrimidin-5-yl)b acid;

intermediate 2m2: 4-(2,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2n2: 4-(2-methylthiophen-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2o2: methyl 2',6'-dichlorobiphenyl-4-carboxylate;

intermediate 2p2: 2'-chloro-4'-methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2q2: 2'-(dimethylamino)-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2r2: 3-methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2t2: 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acid; intermediate 2u2: 4-(3-methoxypyridin-2-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2v2: 2-(trifluoromethyl)-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2w2: 2',4'-difluoro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2x2: 2-methyl-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2y2: 3-chloro-4-(pyrimidin-4-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2z2: 2-fluoro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2a3: 2'-fluoro-4'-methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2b3: 4'-fluoro-2'-methoxy-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2c3: 4-(6-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2d3: 4-(6-isopropoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2e3: 4-(6-methoxy-2-methylpyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2f3: 3-chloro-4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzoic acid; intermediate 2g3: 3-chloro-4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acid;intermediate 2',3'-dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2i3: 3',4'-dimethoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2j3: 2',3',4'-trimethoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2k3: 2',3',6'-trimethoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 213: 3',5'-dimethoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2m3: 2',5'-dimethoxy-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2n3: 2'-isopropyl-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2o3 ;2'-ethyl-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2p3 :4-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2q3 :4-(2,4-bis(benzyloxy)pyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2r3 :3-chloro-4-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2s3 :5-methoxy-6-(2-methoxyphenyl)nicotinic acid;

intermediate 2t3 :5-methoxy-6-(2-methoxyphenyl)nicotinic acid;

intermediate 2u3 :3'-cyano-2'-methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2v3 :3'-cyano-2',4'-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]- 4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2w3 :3'-amino-2'-methyl-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2x3: 2'-methyl-3'-(methylsulfonamido)-[l, -biphenyl]-4- carboxylic acid was obtained by sulfonylation of methyl 3'-amino-2'-methyl-[l, - biphenyl]-4-carboxylate (which was synthesized using general method D, route b) and subsequent saponification. Sulfonylation procedure (as in J Org. Chem. 2003, 68, 5300-5309): methyl 3'-amino-2 ^* -methylbiphenyl-4-carboxylate (0.83 mmol) was dissolved in dry Et ₂ 0 (5 mL) and cooled to 0 °C. Then pyridine (5.00 mmol) was added, followed by dropwise addition of methanesulfonyl chloride (5.00 mmol). The reaction was stirred at RT for 2h. The precipitate was filtered and washed with Et ₂ 0. The organic layer was washed with HC1 1M aqueous solution, brine, dried and concentrated, furnishing 265 mg of desired prioduct as a brown oil in a quantitative yield;

intermediate 2y3: 3'-acetamido-2'-methyl-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid was obtained by acetylation of methyl 3'-amino-2'-methyl-[l, -biphenyl]-4- carboxylate (which was synthesized using general method D, route b) and subsequent saponification ._Acetylation procedure: to a solution of methyl 3'- amino-2'-methylbiphenyl-4-carboxylate (0.83 mmol) in dry DCM (5 mL) under N ₂ was added acetyl chloride (0.95 mmol), followed by Et ₃ N (0.91 mmol). The RM was stirred at RT ovemight.The RM was then concentrated and the crude purified on silica gel (cyclohexane / EtOAc), furnishing 205 mg of desired product as a yellow oil (87% yield);

intermediate 2z3: 5'-cyano-2'-methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid, rt=3.7 min (gradient A);

intermediate 2a4: 5'-cyano-2'-methyl-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid, rt=3.9 min (gradient A);

intermediate 2b4: 4-(4,6-dimethoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2c4: 4'-acetamido-2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid was obtained by the nitro group reduction of methyl 2'-methoxy-4'-nitro- [l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylate (which was synthesized using general method D, route b) followed by acetylation with acetyl chloride (procedure described in the synthesis of intermediate 2y3) and saponification;

intermediate 2d4: 3-methoxy-4-(5-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid; intermediate 2e4: 2',3,6'-trimethoxy-[2,3'-bipyridine]-5-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2f4: 5'-cyano-2',3'-dimethoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2g4: 2'-cyano-4',5'-dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2h4: 3',4',5'-trimethoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2i4: 2'-(cyanomethyl)-4',5'-dimethoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4- carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2j4: 3',4'-dicyano-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2k4: 5'-cyano-2'-fluoro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 214: 2-fluoro-3',4'-dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2m4: 4-(2,6-dimethoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-fluorobenzoic acid; intermediate 2n4: 3-fluoro-4-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2r4: 4-(3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-4-yl)benzoic acid, rt=3.2 min (gradient A);

intermediate 2s4: 2'-cyano-4'-methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2u4: 3'-cyano-4'-fluoro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2v4: 2'-chloro-5'-cyano-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2w4: 2'-cyano-4'-(trifluoromethyl)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2x4 : 2'-methyl-3 '-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)- [ 1 , Γ- biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid was obtained by sulfonylation of methyl 3'-amino-2'- methyl-[l ,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylate, followed by sulfonamide N-methylation with iodomethane, and subsequent saponification. Methyl 3'-amino-2'-methyl- [l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylate was synthesized using general method D (route b); sulfonamide N-methylation procedure: in a glass tube was introduced methyl 2'- methyl-3'-(methylsulfonamido)biphenyl-4-carboxylate (0.438 mmol) and sodium hydride (0.570 mmol) in dry DMF (2 mL) at room temperature under argon atmosphere. After 30 minutes at room temperature, iodomethane (1.315 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h. Brine was then added and the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was dried over MgSC^ and concentrated under reduced pressure, furnishing crude desired product as a pale yellow oil in a quantitative yield; rt=3.4 min (gradient A) intermediate 2y4: 6-(5-cyano-2-methoxyphenyl)-5-methoxynicotinic acid; intermediate 2z4: 6-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-methoxynicotinic acid;

intermediate 2a5: 6-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)nicotinic acid; intermediate 2f5: 4-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acid.

Route c is exemplified for the synthesis of intermediate 2g5 3-chloro-4-(2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5 -yl)benzo ic acid Step 1: synthesis of methyl 3-chloro-4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-5- yl)benzoate

In a oven dried glass tube were introduced under argon 2-chloro-4- (methoxycarbonyl)phenylboronic acid (2.0 mmol) and 5-iodo-2,4- dimethoxypyrimidine (1.0 mmol). The tube was subjected to three vacuum/argon cycles and toluene (5 mL) was added, followed by a 2M aqueous solution of K ₂ CO ₃ (3.0 mmol). The resulting mixture was degassed (argon bubbling into the solution for 5-10 minutes). Tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0) (5%) and S- Phos (10%) were then added and mixture was heated to 95°C overnight. The mixture was cooled down to room temperature and then diluted with EtOAc and washed with brine. The aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc and the combined organic layers were dried and concentrated. The residue was purified on silica gel (cyclohex / EtOAc), furnishing 143 mg of desired product as a pale yellow solid (93% yield). Step 2: saponification using same procedure of 2h synthesis.

The following intermediates were synthesized from ad- hoc reagents using general method D route c:

intermediate 2h5: 2-fluoro-2'-methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2j5: 5-(2-methoxyphenyl)pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid;

intermediate 2k5: 3-methoxy-4-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid; intermediate 215: 3-methoxy-4-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2m5: 3-chloro-4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acid (exemplified above);

intermediate 2n5: 4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-3-methoxybenzoic acid;

intermediate 2r4: 4-(3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-4-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2p5: 2'-methoxy-4'-(methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- carboxylic acid was obtained by the nitro group reduction of methyl 2'-methoxy- 4'-nitro-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylate (which was synthesized using general method D, route c) followed by sulfonylation with methanesulfonyl chloride (procedure described in the synthesis of intermediate 2x3) and saponification. Nitro reduction procedure: to a solution of methyl 2'-methoxy-4'-nitrobiphenyl-4- carboxylate (1.184 mmol) in anhydrous EtOH (35 ml) was added a slurry of Raney Ni in water (0.4 mL). The mixture was stirred at 50°C overnight. The RM was filtered on celite, and the solid was washed with MeOH. The filtrate was evaporated to yield desired product which was used without further purification; intermediate 2q5: 4-(2,6-dimethoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid;

intermediate 2s5: 2-fluoro-4'-(methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- carboxylic acid was obtained by sulfonylation of methyl 4'-amino-2-fluoro-[l, - biphenyl]-4-carboxylate and subsequent saponification, methyl 4'-amino-2-fluoro- [l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylate was synthetized using general method D, route c; intermediate 2t5: 2-fluoro-3'-(methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- carboxylic acid was obtained by sulfonylation of methyl 3'-amino-2-fluoro-[l, - biphenyl]-4-carboxylate and subsequent saponification, methyl 3'-amino-2-fluoro- [l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylate was synthetized using general method D, route c; intermediate 2u5: 2'-cyano-2-fluoro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid; intermediate 2v5: 2'-methoxy-4'-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '- biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid was obtained by the nitro group reduction of 2'- methoxy-4'-nitro-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylate, followed by sulfonylation with methanesulfonyl chloride, followed by sulfonamide N-methylation with iodomethane, and subsequent saponification; rt=3.7 min (gradient A). Methyl 2'- methoxy-4'-nitro-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylate was synthesized using general method D (route c).

Intermediate 2w5 4-(3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-4-yl)-3-fluorobenzoic acid which was obtained from methyl 4-bromo-3-fluorobenzoate and (3,6- dimethoxypyridazin-4-yl)boronic acid using a suzuki coupling procedure described in the literature (J Org. Chem., 2008, 73, 2176-2181); rt=3.5 min (gradient A).

Unless otherwise stated compounds in examples 2 to 44 were synthesized from intermediate la and commercially available carboxylic acids or acyl chlorides using general method C. Example 2: compound n°2: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methyl-[l, - biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 3: compound n°3: (2S,5R)-l-(3-((4-chlorobenzyl)oxy)-5- methoxybenzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 4: compound n°4: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-fluoro-[l, - biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2b using general method C.

Example 5: compound n°5: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4'-methyl-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid .

Example 6: compound n°6: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy-5- phenethoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2c using general method C.

Example 8: compound n°8: (2S,5R)-l-([l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2- chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 9: compound n°9: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-(3,3- diphenylpropoxy)-5 -methoxybenzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2d using general method C.

Example 10: compound n°10: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3'-fluoro- [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 11: compound n°l l : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3'-methyl- [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 12: compound n°12: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy- 5-((4-(methylsulfonyl)benzyl)oxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbo xylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2e using general method C.

Example 13: compound n°13: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3'-methoxy- [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 14: compound n°14: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3,5- dimethoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid. Example 15: compound n°15: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- (phenoxymethyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 16: compound n°16: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-((2- fluorobenzyl)oxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 17: compound n°17: (2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-5-methoxybenzoyl)-5- (2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 18: compound n°18: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4 ^* - fluoro-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 19: compound n°19: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- phenethoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 20: compound n°20: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(chroman-3- carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 21: compound n°21: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3,5- diethoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 23: compound n°23: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- phenethoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 24: compound n°24: (2S)-l-([l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-4- benzyl-5-phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized as described in scheme 24.

Example 25: compound n°25: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l,2,3,4- tetrahydronaphthalene-2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 26: compound n°26: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- isobutylbenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 27: compound n°27: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2,2- difluorobenzo[d][l,3]dioxole-6-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid.

Example 28: compound n°28: (2S,5R)-l-([l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5- phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid. Example 29: compound n°29: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-fluoro-5- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 30: compound n°30: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6- phenylnicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 31: compound n°31 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy- 5-(2-methoxyethoxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2f using general method C.

Example 32: compound n°32: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3'-methoxy- [1,1 '-biphenyl]-3-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 33: compound n°33: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methoxy- 5-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 34: compound n°34: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(4- methoxyphenyl)-5 -phenyl- lH-pyrazole-3-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 35: compound n°35: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- isopropoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 36: compound n°36: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-((3,5- dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)methoxy)-5-methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine- 2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2g using general method C.

Example 37: compound n°37: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2,3-dihydro- lH-indene-2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 38: compound n°38: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methyl-5- (trifluoromethoxy)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 39: compound n°39: (2S,5R)-l-(3-(benzyloxy)benzoyl)-5-(2- chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 40: compound n°40: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid. Example 41: compound n°41 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2- phenylpyrimidine-5-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 42: compound n°42: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- (trifluoromethoxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 43: compound n°43: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(5- cyclopropyl- 1 ,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 44: compound n°44: 4-((2S,5R)-2-carboxy-5-(2- chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine- 1 -carbonyl)-2,6-dimethoxypyrimidin- 1 -ium formate.

Example 45: compound n°45: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- phenylbutanoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 46: compound n°46: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methyl-5- (trifluoromethyl)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 47: compound n°47: (2S,5R)-l-([l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(3- chloropyridin-2-yl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid intermediate lc using general method C.

Example 48: compound n°48: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-hydroxy- 5-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 49: compound n°49: (2S,5S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate lb using general method C.

Example 50: compound n°50: (2S,5R)-l-(3,5-dimethoxybenzoyl)-5- phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate Id ((2S,5R)-methyl 5-phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate). Id was synthesized from commercially available (2S,5R)- 1 -(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-5-phenylpyrrolidine-2- carboxylic acid using the synthetic steps described in scheme 4.

Example 51: compound n°51 : (S)-5-([l,l ^* -biphenyl]-3-yl)-l-(3- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate le using general method C. Example 52: compound n°52: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- phenylpropanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 53: compound n°53: (2S,5S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy- [l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate lb using general method C.

Example 54: compound n°54: (2S,5R)-l-([l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5- (pyridin-2-yl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate If using general method C.

Example 55: compound n°55: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5- phenylpicolinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 57: compound n°57: (2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate lg using general method C.

Example 58: compound n°58: (2S,5R)-l-(2-([l,l ^* -biphenyl]-4-yl)acetyl)-5- (2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 59: compound n°59: (2R,5S)-l-([l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5- phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate lh using general method C. lh was synthesized from commercially available (2R,5S)-1- (tert-butoxycarbonyl)-5-phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid using the synthetic steps described in scheme 4.

Example 60: compound n°60: (2S,5R)-5-phenyl-l-(2- phenylacetyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate Id using general method C.

Example 61: compound n°61 : (2R,5S)-5-phenyl-l-(2- phenylacetyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate lh using general method C. Example 62: compound n°62: (2S,5R)-l-(3-methoxybenzoyl)-5-(2- methoxyphenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate li using general method C.

Example 63: compound n°63: (2R,5S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate lj using general method C.

Example 64: compound n°64: (2R,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate lj using general method C. Example 65: compound n°65: (2S)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate lk using general method C.

Example 66: compound n°66: (2S)-5-([l,l'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-l-(3- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate 11 using general method C.

Example 67: compound n°67: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate was synthesized using general method C without the last saponification step.

Example 68: compound n°68: (2S)-5-(2-chlorobenzyl)-l-(3- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate lm using general method C.

Example 69: compound n°69: (2S)-5-cyclohexyl-l-(3- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate In using general method C.

Example 70: compound n°70: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2-(3- methoxyphenyl)acetyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid. Example 71: compound n°71 : (2S,5S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3,5- dimethoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate lb using general method C.

Example 72: compound n°72: (2S,5R)-5-([l,l ^* -biphenyl]-2-yl)-l-(3- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate lo using general method C.

Example 74: compound n°74: 2-((2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidin-2-yl)acetic acid. Compound n°40 was reacted with ethyl chloro formate (1.03 eq) in THF in the presence of triethylamine (1.03 eq) and then was added a solution of diazo methane in diethyl ether (2 eq), the mixture was stirred at RT for 2.5 days. Reaction mixture was quenched with a 10% aqueous solution of citric acid and diluted with diethyl ether. The organic layer was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate and brine, then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in MeOH and silver benzoate (1 eq) and triethylamine (2 eq) were added. The RM was stirred at RT for 45 min and diluted with AcOEt, washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate and brine 1M aqueous HC1, dried over anhydrous MgSC^ and evaporated to dryness to yield title compound.

Example 75: compound n°75: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6- phenylpyrimidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 76: compound n°77: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(2- chlorophenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 77: compound n°78: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(2- methoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 78: compound n°79: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(3- fluorophenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 79: compound n°80: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(3- methoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid. Example 80: compound n°81 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(4- methoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 81: compound n°82: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(4- fluorophenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 82: compound n°83: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2-(2- chlorophenyl)pyrimidine-5-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 83: compound n°84: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2-methyl-6- phenylnicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 84: compound n°88: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(pyridin-2- yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was was synthesized from intermediates la and 2ul using general method C.

Example 85: compound n°89: (2S,5R)-l-(4-((4- chlorophenoxy)methyl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine- 2-carboxylic acid.

Example 86: compound n°91 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-((4- methoxyphenoxy)methyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

Example 87: compound n°92: (2S,5R)-l-(4-((2- chlorophenoxy)methyl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine- 2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate lb using general method C.

Example 88: compound n°95: (2S,5R)-l-(4-((3- chlorophenoxy)methyl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine- 2-carboxylic acid.

Example 89: compound n°96: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-((p- tolyloxy)methyl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 90: compound n°99: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-((3,5- dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)methoxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxyl ic acid.

Example 91: compound n°102: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(pyridin- 4-ylmethoxy)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid. Example 92: compound n°104: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(5- methyl- 1 H-pyrazol- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 93: compound n°105: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- (isoxazol-5-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 94: compound n°106: (2S,5R)-l-(4-(4H-l,2,4-triazol-4- yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 95: compound n°107: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(5-(p- tolyl)- 1H- 1 ,2,3-triazol- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 96: compound n° 108: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(5-oxo-3- phenyl-4,5-dihydro- lH-pyrazol- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 97: compound n°109: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(5- methyl-3 -(trifluoromethyl)- 1 H-pyrazo 1- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 98: compound n°l 10: (2S,5R)-l-(4-(lH-pyrazol-l-yl)benzoyl)-5- (2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 99: compound n°l l l : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(oxazol- 5-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 100: compound n°112: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(3,5- dimethyl- 1 H-pyrazol- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 101: compound n°113: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,5 ^* - dichloro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2i using general method C.

Example 102: compound n°114: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- (pyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2j using general method C.

Example 103: compound n°115: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(furan- 3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2k using general method C. Example 104: compound n°116: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(6- methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 21 using general method C.

Example 105: compound n°117: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(3- fluoropyridin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2m using general method C.

Example 106: compound n°118: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- (pyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2n using general method C.

Example 107: compound n°119: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(6- (dimethylamino)pyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2o using general method C.

Example 108: compound n°120: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- (pyridin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2p using general method C.

Example 109: compound n°121 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(6- methylpyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2q using general method C.

Example 110: compound n°122: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2- methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2r using general method C.

Example 111: compound n°123: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4 ^* - methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2s using general method C.

Example 112: compound n°124: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4'-cyano- [l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2t using general method C. Example 113: compound n°125: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(4- methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2u using general method C.

Example 114: compound n°126: (2S,5R)-l-(4'-chloro-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2v using general method C.

Example 115: compound n°127: (2S,5R)-l-(3'-chloro-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2w using general method C.

Example 116: compound n°128: (2S,5R)-l-(2 ^* -chloro-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2x using general method C.

Example 117: compound n°129: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4 ^* - (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2y using general method C.

Example 118: compound n°130: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3'- (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2z using general method C.

Example 119: compound n°131 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - (methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2al using general method C.

Example 120: compound n°132: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- (naphthalen-2-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2b 1 using general method C.

Example 121: compound n°133: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3',5'- difluoro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2cl using general method C. Example 122: compound n°134: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - hydroxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2dl using general method C.

Example 123: compound n°135: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'- (trifluoromethoxy)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2el using general method C.

Example 124: compound n°136: (2S,5R)-l-(2 ^* -(benzyloxy)-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid.

Example 125: compound n°137: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'- phenoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 126: compound n°138: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'- isopropoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 127: compound n°139: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - isobutoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 128: compound n°140: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - (cyclopropylmethoxy)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 129: compound n°141 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* -((4- fluorobenzyl)oxy)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 130: compound n°142: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(6- chloropyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 211 using general method C.

Example 131: compound n°143: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(6- fluoropyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2ml using general method C.

Example 132: compound n°149: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- (thiophen-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2nl using general method C. Example 133: compound n°150: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- cyclohexylbenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2ol using general method C.

Example 134: compound n° 152: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(9-oxo-9H- fluorene-2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 135: compound n°153: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'- (methylsulfonyl)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2pl using general method C.

Example 136: compound n°155: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(9-methyl- 9H-carbazole-2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 137: compound n°156: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- phenoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 138: compound n°157: (2S,5R)-l-(4-benzylbenzoyl)-5-(2- chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 139: compound n°158: (2S,5R)-l-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-5-(2- chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 140: compound n°159: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- (pyrimidin-2-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2ql using general method C.

Example 141: compound n°160: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(4,6- dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2rl using general method C.

Example 142: compound n°161 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2sl using general method C.

Example 143: compound n°162: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2- methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2tl using general method C. Example 144: compound n°168: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l- (cyclohexanecarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 145: compound n°169: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- methylpentanoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 146: compound n°172: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(4- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)-3-nitrobenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 147: compound n°173: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2- oxopiperidin- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 148: compound n°174: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-methyl- 4-morpholinobenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 149: compound n°175: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- (piperidin- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 150: compound n°176: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- morpholinobenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 151: compound n°177: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2- cyanophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 152: compound n°178: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(4- chlorophenyl)cyclohexanecarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 153: compound n°179: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- phenylcyclohexanecarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 154: compound n°183: ((2R,5S)-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-(lH- tetrazol-5-yl)pyrrolidin- 1 -yl)(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-yl)methanone:

Step 1 : synthesis of (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide

In a glass tube containing compound n°l (0.2 g, 0.459 mmol) in THF (5 mL) were added CDI (0.167 g, 0.11 mmol). The RM was stirred at RT for 30mn, then NH ₃ bubbling in the RM for 1 mn. The RM was diluted with HCl 1M and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was dried overnight over MgS04. The concentrated in vacuo and the residue (164 mg) diluted in MeCN and passed through a new PE-AX (2 g) cartridge. The filtrate was concentrated to yield title intermediate. Y: 0.14 g (70%), P > 80%, rt=4.08 mn (gradient A).

Step 2: synthesis of (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbonitrile

In a 50 mL round bottom flask containing (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'- methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide (0.14 g, 0.322 mmol) were added DMF (3.22 mL). The RM was degassed and placed under Ar. Cyanuric chloride (0.059 g, 0.322 mmol) was added and the RM stirred at RT for 90 mn.The RM was diluted with NaHC0 ₃ (aqueous saturated solution) and extracted with AcOEt. The organic phase was washed with brine (2x), dried over MgS0 ₄ filtered and concentrated to afford 126mg of title product. Y: 0.126 g (94%), P > 80%, rt = 4.53 mn (gradient A), (M+H) ⁺ =417/419.

Step 3: synthesis of compound n° 183

In a oven-dried glass tube were added under Ar sodium azide (0.086 g, 1.330 mmol) and THF (5 mL). Were added successively aluminium chloride (0.101 g, 0.756 mmol) and (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* -methoxy-[l,r-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbonitrile (0.126 g, 0.302 mmol) diluted in lmL THF. The RM was heated at 60°C overnight. Sodium azide (0.086 g, 1.33 mmol) and aluminium chloride (0.101 g, 0.756 mmol) were added and the RM stirred at 60°C for another 7h. The RM was allowed to reach RT and quenched with HC1 6N and extracted with AcOEt (2x). The organic layer was dried over MgS0 ₄ , filtered and concentrated to afford 160mg of crude product as a yellow oil. Crude was purified by flash chromatography (DCM/MeOH : 95/5) and SPE using a PEAX cartridge and elution with ACN, then ACN + HC1. Crude in MeCN solution from the PEAX fractions were concentrated in vacuo. Residue lyophilized in ACN/Water (2 mL / 1 mL). Y: 13mg (9%), P=100 %, rt =5.19 mn (gradient B), (M+H) ⁺ =460. Example 155: compound n°184: (2R,5S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lj and 2h using general method C.

Example 160: compound n°189: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(2- fluorophenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 162: compound n°191: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5- methoxy-6-phenylnicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2il using general method C.

Example 163: compound n°192: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2- methoxyphenoxy)benzoyl)pyrro lidine-2-carboxylic acid.

Example 164: compound n°193: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(3- methoxypyridin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2jl using general method C.

Example 165: compound n°194: (2S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy- [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-4,4-dimethylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lp and 2h using general method C.

Example 166: compound n°195: (2S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy- [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-4-methylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lq and 2h using general method C.

Example 167: compound n°196: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2- methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2kl using general method C.

Example 168: compound n°197: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-cyano- [l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2vl using general method C.

Example 169: compound n°198: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,6 ^* - dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2wl using general method C. Example 170: compound n°199: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,4 ^* - dichloro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2x1 using general method C.

Example 171: compound n°200: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - (trifluoromethyl)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2yl using general method C.

Example 172: compound n°201 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2,2 ^* - dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2zl using general method C.

Example 173: compound n°202: (2S,5R)-l-(4'-chloro-2'-methoxy-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2a2 using general method C.

Example 174: compound n°203: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(4- methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2b2 using general method C.

Example 175: compound n°204: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,4 ^* - dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2c2 using general method C.

Example 176: compound n°205: (2S,5R)-l-([l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5- (pyridin-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lr using general method C.

Example 177: compound n°206: (2R,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate lj using general method C.

Example 178: compound n°207: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-phenyl- lH-benzo[d]imidazole-5-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid. Example 179: compound n°208: (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate was obtained in step 1 of general method C.

Example 180: compound n°217: (2S,4S,5S)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-4-(phenylsulfonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carb oxylic acid was synthesized using the methodology described in scheme 9.

Example 181: compound n°220: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-cyano-l- (2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized using the methodology described in scheme 9.

Example 182: compound n°224: (2S,5R)-l-(2-chloro-[l,l ^* -biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2d2 using general method C.

Example 183: compound n°225: (2S,5R)-l-(2'-chloro-2-methoxy-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2e2 using general method C.

Example 184: compound n°226: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* -(2- methoxyethoxy)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and 2'-(2-methoxyethoxy)biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid which was obtained by saponification of methyl 2'-(2- methoxyethoxy)biphenyl-4-carboxylate. The latter intermediate was prepared using Mitsunobu chemistry:

To a solution of methyl 2'-hydroxybiphenyl-4-carboxylate (300 mg, 1.31 mmol), triphenylphosphine (517 mg, 1.97 mmol) and 2-methoxyethanol (130 μί, 1.64 mmol) in THF (12.5 mL) was added slowly diisopropylazodicarboxylate (388 μί, 1.97 mmol) at 0°C. The mixture was stirred at RT overnight and the reaction was quenched with methanol. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with DCM (25 mL). The organic layer was washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. Crude was purified by column chromatography (cyclohexane/ EtOAc = 1/1) to yield 2'-(2-methoxyethoxy)biphenyl-4-carboxylate as a yellow oil. Y: 450 mg (78 %), P: 65%, rt= 2.5 mn (gradient A), Rf (cyclohexane/EtOAc = 95/5)=0.75.

Example 185: compound n°230: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxy-4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2f2 using general method C.

Example 186: compound n°231: (2S,5R)-l-(2'-carbamimidoyl-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid.

Step 1 :

To a solution of compound n° 197 precursor (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)- l-(2'-cyano-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate (100 mg, 0.225 mmol) and hydoxylamine hydrochloride (32 mg, 0.45 mmol) in EtOH (1 mL) was triethylamine(64 μί, 0.45 mmol) dropwise at room temperature. The mixture was stirred at reflux for 2 days. The mixture was cooled to RT and concentrated. Crude was purified by column chromatography (DCM/ MeOH = 98/2) to yield (2S,5R)-methyl5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-((Ε)-Ν'- hydroxycarbamimidoyl)biphenylcarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxyl ate as a colorless solid. Y: 113 mg (63 %), P: >80%, rt= 3.6 mn (gradient A), Rf (DCM/ MeOH = 9/l)=0.3.

Step 2:

A solution of (2S,5R)-methyl5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-((E)-N ^* - hydroxycarbamimidoyl)biphenylcarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxyl ate in (EtOH/THF/AcOH=l/l/0.025) (2 mL) was hydrogenated at RT for 45 min. under atmospheric pressure of ¾ using a slurry solution of Raney nickel catalyst in water (2 vacuum/N2 cycles and then 2 vacuurn/LL cycles). The catalyst was filtered off over Celite and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to yield (2S,5R)- methyl l-(2'-carbamimidoylbiphenylcarbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrro lidine-2- carboxylate as a greenish solid. Y: 64 mg (99 %), P: 70%, rt= 3.5 mn (gradient A). Step 3:

(2S,5R)-methyl 1 -(2'-carbamimidoylbiphenylcarbonyl)-5-(2- chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate was saponified as exemplified in general method C to provide compound n° 231.

Example 187: compound n°232: (2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lg using general method C.

Example 188: compound n°233: (2S,5R)-l-(2'-methoxy-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)-5-(o-tolyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates Is using general method C.

Example 189: compound n°234: (2S,5R)-l-(2 ^* -methoxy-[l,r-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)-5-(2-methoxyphenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates li using general method C.

Example 190: compound n°235: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - (methoxymethyl)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2g2 using general method C.

Example 191: compound n°236: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2,6- dimethoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2h2 using general method C.

Example 192: compound n°237: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxy-4-(2-methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-car boxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2i2 using general method C.

Example 193: compound n°238: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(5- methoxypyrazin-2-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2j2 using general method C.

Example 194: compound n°239: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2-(2- methoxyethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and 4-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)pyridin-3- yl)benzoic acid which was obtained by saponification of methyl 4-(2-(2- methoxyethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)benzoate. The latter intermediate was prepared using Mitsunobu chemistry as described for the synthesis of compound n° 226.

Example 195: compound n°240: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(3- methoxypyrazin-2-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2k2 using general method C.

Example 196: compound n°241 : (2S,5R)-l-(4-(2-chloro-4- (dimethylamino)pyrimidin-5 -yl)benzoyl)-5 -(2-chlorophenyl)pyrro lidine-2- carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 212 using general method C.

Example 197: compound n°242: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2,6- dimethoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2m2 using general method C.

Example 198: compound n°227: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2- methylthiophen-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2n2 using general method C and further purified by preparative HPLC.

Example 199: compound n°228: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,6 ^* - dichloro-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2o2 using general method C.

Example 200: compound n°229: (2S,5R)-l-(2 ^* -chloro-4 ^* -methoxy-[l,r- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2p2 using general method C.

Example 201: compound n°243: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - (dimethylamino)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2q2 using general method C.

Example 202: compound n°246: (2S,5R)-5-(2-fiuorophenyl)-l-(4-(2- methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lg and 2r using general method C. Example 203: compound n°247: (2S,5R)-l-(4-(2,4-dimethoxypyrimidin-5- yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lg and 2sl using general method C.

Example 204: compound n°249: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2r2 using general method C.

Example 205: compound n°269: (2S,5R)-l-(4-(2,6-dimethoxypyridin-3- yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lg and 2h2 using general method C.

Example 206: compound n°261: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxy-4-(4-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 3-methoxy-4-(4-methylpiperidin-l- yl)benzoic acid using general method C (condition B). The synthesis of 3- methoxy-4-(4-methylpiperidin-l-yl)benzoic acid is depicted in scheme 11.

Example 207: compound n°272: (2S,5R)-l-(2 ^* -methoxy-[l,r-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)-5-phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates It and 2h using general method C (condition A).

Example 208: compound n°273: (2S,5R)-5-(3-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lu and 2h using general method C (condition A).

Example 209: compound n°274: (2S,5R)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lv and 2h using general method C (condition A). Example 210: compound n°275: (2S,5R)-5-(3-fluorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lw and 2h using general method C (condition A).

Example 211: compound n°276: (2S,5R)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lx and 2h using general method C (condition A).

Example 212: compound n°278: (2S,5R)-4-acetyl-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l- (2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from (2S,4S,5R)-methyl 4-acetyl-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate using the same dipolar cycloaddition methodology as shown in scheme 9, except for the last step (Me3SnOH (lOeq), DCE, 90°C) instead of (TFA, DCM).

Example 213: compound n°279: (2S,4S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-4-(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbo xylic acid was synthesized from (2S,4S,5R)-4-tert-butyl 2-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate which was obtained using the dipolar cycloaddition methodology shown in scheme 9. Last steps to perform the synthesis of compound n°279 are depicted in scheme 14.

Example 214: compound n°280: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2- methoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2s2 using general method C (condition B).

Example 215: compound n°281 : (2S,5R)-5-cyclohexyl-l-(2'-methoxy- [l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates ly and 2h using general method C (condition B). Example 216: compound n°283: (2S,5R)-l-(4-(2-chloro-4- methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine -2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2t2 using general method C (condition B).

Example 217: compound n°284: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(3- methoxypyridin-2-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2u2 using general method C (condition B). Example 218: compound n°285: (2R,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lz and 2h using general method C (condition A).

Example 219: compound n°286: (2S,5S)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lal and 2h using general method C (condition A).

Example 220: compound n°287: (2R,5S)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lbl and 2h using general method C (condition A).

Example 221: compound n°288: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2- (trifluoromethyl)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2v2 using general method C (condition B).

Example 222: compound n°289: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,4 ^* - difluoro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2w2 using general method C (condition B). Example 223: compound n°290: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2-methyl- [l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2x2 using general method C (condition B). Example 224: compound n°291 : (2S,5R)-5-(2,6-difhiorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lcl and 2h using general method C (condition A).

Example 225: compound n°292: (2S,5R)-5-(2,4-difhiorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates ldl and 2h using general method C (condition A).

Example 226: compound n°293: (2S,5R)-5-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acidwas synthesized from intermediates lei and 2h using general method C (condition A).

Example 227: compound n°294: (2S,5R)-5-isobutyl-l-(2'-methoxy-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lfl and 2h using general method C (condition A).

Example 228: compound n°295: (2S,5R)-5-isopropyl-l-(2'-methoxy-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lgl and 2h using general method C (condition A). Example 229: compound n°296: (2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-4-(pyrimidin-4- yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2y2 using general method C (condition B).

Example 230: compound n°297: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2-fluoro- [l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2z2 using general method C (conditions B). Example 231: compound n°298: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-fluoro- 4'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2a3 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 232: compound n°299: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4'-fluoro- 2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2b3 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 233: compound n°300: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(6- ethoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2c3 using general method C (conditions B). Example 234: compound n°301 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(6- isopropoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2d3 using general method C (condition B).

Example 234: compound n°302: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(6- methoxy-2-methylpyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxyli c acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2e3 using general method C (condition B).

Example 235: compound n°303: (2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-4-(2- methoxypyrimidin-4-yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine -2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2f3 using general method C (condition B).

Example 236: compound n°304: (2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-4-(pyrimidin-5- yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2g3 using general method C (condition B). Example 237: compound n°305: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-cyano-l- (2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-3-methylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized using the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition shown in scheme 9. Example 238: compound n°306: (2S,4S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-cyano-

1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-4-methylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized using the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition shown in scheme 9.

Example 239: compound n°307: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,3 ^* - dimethoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2h3 using general method C (condition B).

Example 240: compound n°308: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3 ^* ,4 ^* - dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2i3 using general method C (condition B).

Example 241: compound n°309: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,3 ^* ,4 ^* - trimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2j3 using general method C (condition B).

Example 242: compound n°310: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,3 ^* ,6 ^* - trimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2k3 using general method C (condition B). Example 243: compound n°311 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3 ^* ,5 ^* - dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 213 using general method C (condition B).

Example 244: compound n°312: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,5'- dimethoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2m3 using general method C (condition B).

Example 245: compound n°313: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'- isopropyl-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2n3 using general method C (condition B).

Example 246: compound n°314: (2S,5R)-l-(2,2'-dimethoxy-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lg and 2zl using general method C (condition B).

Example 247: compound n°315: (2S,5R)-l-(2-fluoro-2'-methoxy-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lg and 2h5 using general method C (condition B).

Example 248: compound n°316: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2-fiuoro- 2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2h5 using general method C (condition B). Example 249: compound n°318: (2S,5R)-5-cyclopentyl-l-(2'-methoxy-

[l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lhl and 2h using general method C (condition A).

Example 250: compound n°319: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* -ethyl- [l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2o3 using general method C (condition B).

Example 251: compound n°320: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2,6- dimethylpyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2p3 using general method C (condition B). Example 252: compound n°321 : (2S,5R)-l-(4-(2,4- bis(benzyloxy)pyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrr olidine-2- carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2q3 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 253: compound n°322: (2S,5R)-l-([l,r:4',l"-terphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5- (2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial l, :4',l"-terphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 254: compound n°323: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4'-propyl- [l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial 4'-propyl-[l ,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 255: compound n°324: (2S,5R)-l-(4'-(tert-but l)-[l,l'-biphenyl]- 4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial 4'-(tert-butyl)-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 256: compound n°325: (2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-4-(2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidi ne-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2g5 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 257: compound n°326: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5-(2- methoxyphenyl)pyrazine-2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2j5 using general method C (conditions B). Example 258: compound n°327: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxy-4-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbo xylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2k5 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 259: compound n°328: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxy-4-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbo xylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 215 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 260: compound n°329: (2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-4-(2- methoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine -2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2m5 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 261: compound n°330: (2S,5R)-l-(3-chloro-4-(6- methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2 -carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2r3 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 262: compound n°331 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(4-(4- chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine- 2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial l-(4-(4- chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 263: compound n°332: (2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-l-(5- methoxy-6-(2-methoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxyl ic acid was synthesized from intermediates lg and 2s3 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 264: compound n°333: (2S,5R)-l-(l-(benzo[d]oxazol-2- yl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-ca rboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial l-(benzo[d]oxazol-2- yl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 265: compound n°334: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxy-4-(pyrrolidin-l-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized using the same methodology as shown in scheme 11, replacing 4- methylpiperidine with pyrrolidine.

Example 266: compound n°335: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5- methoxy-6-(2-methoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxyl ic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2t3 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 267: compound n°336: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2- methoxyphenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized using the same methodology as shown in scheme 13 replacing 2- cyano-4-trifluoromethyl-bromobenzene with 2-methoxy-bromobenzene.

Example 268: compound n°337: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-3-methoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carb oxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2n5 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 269: compound n°338: (2S,5R)-5-(2-bromophenyl)-l-(2'- methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lil and 2h using general method C (conditions A).

Example 270: compound n°339: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3'-cyano- [l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial 3'-cyano-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B). Example 271: compound n°340: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3'-cyano- 2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2u3 using general method C (conditions

A) .

Example 272: compound n°341 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3'-cyano- 2',4'-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2v3 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 273: compound n°342: (2S,5R)-l-(3'-amino-2'-methyl-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2w3 using general method C (conditions

B) .

Example 274: compound n°343: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methyl- 3'-(methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2x3 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 275: compound n°344: (2S,5R)-l-(3'-acetamido-2'-methyl-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2y3 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 276: compound n°345: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5'-cyano- 2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2z3 using general method C (conditions B). Example 277: compound n°346: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5'-cyano- 2'-methyl-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2a4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 278: compound n°347: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(4,6- dimethoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2b4 using general method C (conditions B). Example 279: compound n°348: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(3,6- dimethoxypyridazin-4-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2r4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 280: compound n°349: (2S,5S)-5-isopentyl-l-(2'-methoxy-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates ljl and 2h using general method C (conditions A).

Example 281: compound n°350: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-4'-(methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2p5 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 282: compound n°351 : (2S,5R)-l-(4'-acetamido-2'-methoxy- [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carb oxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2c4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 283: compound n°352: (2S,5R)-l-(3'-carbamimidoyl-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was synthesized from (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3'- cyanobiphenylcarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate which was obtained from intermediate la and commercial 3'-cyanobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B). Step 1: To a solution of (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3'- cyanobiphenylcarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate (1.0 mmol) and hydoxylamine hydrochloride (2.0 mmol) in dry EtOH (5 mL) under N ₂ was added NEt ₃ (2.0 mmol) dropwise at RT. The mixture was stirred under reflux overnight. The mixture was cooled down to RT, concentrated and purified on silica gel (cyclohex / EtOAc), furnishing 300 mg of (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3 ^* -((E)-N ^* - hydroxycarbamimidoyl)biphenylcarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxyl ate as a white solid (60% yield).

Step 2: A solution of (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3 ^* -((E)-N ^* - hydroxycarbamimidoyl)biphenylcarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxyl ate (0.42 mmol) in EtOH/THF/AcOH (3mL/3mL/0.1mL) was hydrogenated at RT under atmospheric pressure using a slurry solution of Raney nickel catalyst in water (0.5 mL) for 5h. The catalyst was filtered off over Celite and the filtrate was concentrated, furnishing 160 mg of white solid (83% yield).

Step 3: Saponification using standard methodology described in general method C.

Example 284: compound n°353: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3 ^* -((E)-N ^* - hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3'-((E)-N'- hydroxycarbamimidoyl)biphenylcarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxyl ate (step 1 of synthesis of compound n°352) using the saponification standard methodology described in general method C: (2S,5R)-l-(3'-carbamoyl-[l,l'-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained by hydrolysis and saponification using LiOH of (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)- l-(3'-cyanobiphenylcarbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate which was obtained from intermediate la and commercial 3'-cyanobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B). Example 285: compound n°360: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5'-cyano- 2',3'-dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2f4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 286: compound n°361 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-cyano- 4',5'-dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2g4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 287: compound n°362: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3 ^* ,4 ^* ,5 ^* - trimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2h4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 288: compound n°363: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - (cyanomethyl)-4',5'-dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2i4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 289: compound n°364: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3 ^* ,4 ^* - dicyano-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2j4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 290: compound n°365: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(5'-cyano- 2'-fluoro-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2k4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 291: compound n°366: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2-fluoro- 3',4'-dimethoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 214 using general method C (conditions B). Example 292: compound n°367: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(2,6- dimethoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-fluorobenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxy lic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2m4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 293: compound n°368: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3-fiuoro-

4-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates la and 2n4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 294: compound n°369: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2- cyano-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrol idine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized using the methodology shown in scheme 13.

Example 295: compound n°370: (2S,5R)-l-(l-(2-chloro-4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chloroph enyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylic acid was synthesized using the methodology shown in scheme 13 replacing 2-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl-bromobenzene with 2-chloro-4- trifluoromethy 1-bro mobenzene .

Example 296: compound n°371 : (2S,5R)-l-(5'-cyano-2'-methoxy-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lg and 2z3 using general method C (conditions B).

Exemple 297: compound n°372: (2S,5R)-l-(4-(2,6-dimethoxypyridin-3- yl)-3-fluorobenzoyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxy lic acid was synthesized from intermediates lg and 2m4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 298: compound n°373: (2S,5R)-l-(3-fiuoro-4-(6- methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2 -carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediates lg and 2n4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 299: compound n°374: (2S,5R)-l-(4-(3,6-dimethoxypyridazin-4- yl)benzoyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2r4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 300: compound n°375: (2S,5R)-l-(3'-carbamoyl-4'-cyano-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was obtained by the hydrolysis of the nitrile moiety of (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2- chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3',4'-dicyano-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate and subsequent saponification using LiOH. (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2- chlorophenyl)- 1 -(3',4'-dicyano-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylate was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2j4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 302: compound n°376: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2-nitro- 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine- 2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial l-(2-nitro-4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 303: compound n°377: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(4- (morpholinosulfonyl)-2-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyr rolidine-2- carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial l-(2-nitro- 4-(piperidin-l-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 304: compound n°378: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2-nitro- 4-(piperidin- 1 -ylsulfonyl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbo xylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial l-(4-(N,N- diethylsulfamoyl)-2-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 305: compound n°379: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(4- (N,N-diethylsulfamoyl)-2-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)p yrrolidine-2- carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial l-(4- methyl-2-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B). Example 306: compound n°380: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(4- methyl-2-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-car boxylic acid was synthesized using the same methodology as depicted in scheme 12, replacing 2- nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-fluorobenzene by 2-nitro-4-methyl-fluorobenzene. Example 307: compound n°381 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2- cyano-4-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carb oxylic acid was synthesized using the same methodology as depicted in scheme 12, replacing 2- nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-fluorobenzene by 2-cyano-4-methyl-fluorobenzene. Example 308: compound n°382: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(4- nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial l-(4-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B). Example 309: compound n°383: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2- fluoro-4-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-car boxylic acid was synthesized using the same methodology as depicted in scheme 13, replacing 2- cyano-4-trifluoromethyl-bromobenzene by 2-fluoro-4-nitro-bromobenzene. Example 310: compound n°384: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(3- methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-ca rboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial l-(3-methoxy-4- nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 311: compound n°385: (2S,5R)-l-(l-(5-chloro-2- nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrroli dine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial l-(5-chloro-2- nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 312: compound n°386: (2S,5R)-5-(2-cyanophenyl)-l-(2'- methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained by cyanation of (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-bromophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate and subsequent saponification. (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-bromophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate was obtained from intermediates lil and 2h using general method C, (conditions A). Cyanation method of cyanation: In a carrousel tube were introduced NMP (0.2 mL), z ^' -PrOH (9.7 μί), sodium carbonate (0.021 g, 0.202 mmol), palladium(II) acetate (0.908 mg, 4.05 μιηοΐ) and (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-bromophenyl)- 1 -(2'-methoxy-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate (0.1 g, 0.202 mmol). The RM was heated at 140°C and potassium ferrocyanide.3H ₂ 0 (0.026 g, 0.061 mmol) was added. Heating was stopped and the RM was stirred overnight. The RM was diluted with water and extracted with three times with EtOAc. The aqueous layer was acidified (a color change from brown to blue was observed) and extracted twice with diethyl ether. The combined organic layers were dried over MgS0 ₄ , filtered and concentrated to afford a brown residue. Crude was purified by flash chromatography (EtOAc/PE : 1/2) to yield compound n°386. Y=10%, P>90%.

Example 313: compound n°387: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-cyano- 4'-methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2s4 using general method C (conditions B). Example 314: compound n°388: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2-fluoro- 4'-(methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2s5 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 315: compound n°389: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2-fluoro- 3'-(methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2t5 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 316: compound n°390: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-cyano- 2-fluoro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2u5 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 317: compound n°391 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2- cyano-4-(methylsulfonamido)phenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrr olidine-2- carboxylic acid was obtained by reduction of nitro, sulfonylation and saponification of (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2-cyano-4- nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate which was obtained from intermediate la and commercial l-(2-cyano-4-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4- carboxylic acid using general method C, condition B.

Example 318: compound n°392: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2- cyano-4-methoxyphenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-ca rboxylic acid was obtained using the same methodology as shown in scheme 13 replacing 2-cyano- 4-trifluoromethyl-bromobenzene with 2-cyano-4-methoxy-bromobenzene.

Example 319: compound n°393: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2- (methylsulfonamido)-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4- carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained by reduction of the nitro group of (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2-nitro-4-

(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine -2-carboxylate, followed by sulfonylation with methane sulfonyl chloride, and subsequent saponification. (2S,5R)-methyl-5-(2-chlorophenyl)- 1 -(1 -(2-nitro-4-

(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine -2-carboxylate was obtained from intermediates la and commercial l-(2-nitro-4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 320: compound n°394: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2- nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial l-(2-nitrophenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 321: compound n°395: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(4- cyanophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial l-(4-cyanophenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 322: compound n°396: (2S,5R)-5-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-l-(2'- methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates 111 and intermediate 2h using general method C (conditions A).

Example 323: compound n°397: (2S,5R)-5-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates 1ml and intermediate 2h using general method C (conditions A). Example 324: compound n°398: (2S,5R)-5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates lnl and intermediate 2h using general method C (conditions A).

Example 325: compound n°399: (2S,5R)-5-(2,5-difhiorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates lol and intermediate 2h using general method C (conditions A).Example 326: compound n°400: (2S,5R)-5-([l,l'-biphenyl]-2-yl)-l-(2'- methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained by Suzuki coupling (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-bromophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate with phenylboronic acid and subsequent saponification. (2S,5R)-methyl 5-(2-bromophenyl)-l-(2'-methoxy- [l,l'-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate was obtained from intermediates lil and 2h using general method C (conditions A). Example 327: compound n°401 : (2S,5R)-l-(2'-cyano-4'-methoxy-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was obtained from intermediates lg and 2s4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 328: compound n°402: (2S,5R)-5-(4-cyanophenyl)-l-(2'- methoxy-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates lpl and 2h using general method C (conditions A).

Example 329: compound n°403: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(5- methyl-4-(phenylsulfonyl)- 1H- 1 ,2,3-triazol- 1 -yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthesized from intermediate la and commercial 4-(5-methyl-4- (phenylsulfonyl)-lH-l,2,3-triazol-l-yl)benzoic acid using general method C (conditions B).

Example 330: compound n°404: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3'-cyano- 4'-fluoro-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2u4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 331: compound n°405: (2S,5R)-l-(2 ^* -chloro-5'-cyano-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2v4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 332: compound n°406: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-cyano- 4'-(trifluoromethyl)-[l, -biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2w4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 333: compound n°407: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(l-(2- methoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carbonyl)pyrr olidine-2- carboxylic acid was obtained using the same methodology as depicted in scheme 12, replacing 2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-fluorobenzene by 2-methoxy-4- trifluoromethy 1- fluorobenzene . Example 334: compound n°408: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2'-methyl-

3'-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2x4 using general method C (conditions B). Example 335: compound n°409: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-4'-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2v5 using general method C (conditions B). Example 336: compound n°410: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(5- cyano-2-methoxyphenyl)-5-methoxynicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-car boxylic acid was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2y4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 337: compound n°411 : (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(2,4- dimethoxyphenyl)-5-methoxynicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxyli c acid was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2z4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 338: compound n°412: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(6-(2,4- dimethoxyphenyl)nicotinoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was obtained from intermediates la and intermediate 2a5 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 339: compound n°413: (2S,5R)-l-(2'-cyano-4'-(trifluoromethyl)- [1,1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carb oxylic acid was obtained from intermediates lg and intermediate 2w4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 340: compound n°414: (2S,5R)-l-(3'-cyano-4 ^* -fluoro-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was obtained from intermediates lg and intermediate 2u4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 341: compound n°415: (2S,5R)-l-(2'-chloro-5'-cyano-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was obtained from intermediates lg and intermediate 2v4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 342: compound n°416: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(3,6- dimethoxypyridazin-4-yl)-3-fluorobenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbo xylic acid was synthetized from la and 2w5 using general method C (conditions B). Example 343: compound n°417: (2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-l-(2'-methyl- 3'-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylic acid was synthetized from intermediates lg and 2x4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 344: compound n°418: (2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-4'-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4- carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthetized from lg and 2v5 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 345: compound n°419: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(4,6- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthetized from la and 2f5 using general method C (conditions B). Example 346: compound n°420: (2S,5R)-5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-l-(4-(2,4- dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthetized from intermediates lnl and 2sl using general method C (conditions B).

Example 347: compound n°421 : (2S,5R)-l-(5'-cyano-2'-methyl-[l,l'- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2,3-difluorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-ca rboxylic acid was synthetized from intermediates lnl and 2a4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 348: compound n°354: (2S,5R)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* - methoxy-4'-(methylsulfonamido)-[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylic acid was synthetized from intermediates lg and 2p5 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 349: compound n°355: (2S,5R)-5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-l-(4-(2,6- dimethoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was synthetized from intermediates lkl and 2q5 using general method C (conditions B). Example 350: compound n°356: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(3- methoxy-4-(5-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbo xylic acid was synthetized from intermediates la and 2d4 using general method C (conditions B).

Example 351: compound n°357: (2S,5R)-l-(4'-amino-2'-methoxy-[l,r- biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was synthetized from intermediate la and methyl 2'-methoxy-4'-amino-[l, - biphenyl]-4-carboxylate obtained in the synthesis of intermediate 2p5.

Example 352: compound n°358: (2S,5R)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-(2 ^* ,3,6'- trimethoxy-[2,3'-bipyridine]-5-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbox ylic acid was synthetized from intermediates la and 2e4 using general method C (conditions B). BIOLOGY EXAMPLES

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 represents the effect of compounds 1; 2; 4; 5; 8; 10; 11 and 13 on isoprenaline- induced lipolysis in adipocytes isolated from normal rat. Compounds are tested at 30μΜ final concentration.

Figures 2A and 2B represent the inhibition of blood glucose concentration in OGTT assay following bi-daily injection (at 50 mg/kg) of compound 1 during 28 days. Membrane binding assay: GTPyS binding assay.

The following assay can be used for determination of GPR43 activation. When a GPCR is in its active state, either as a result of ligand binding or constitutive activation, the receptor couples to a G protein and stimulates the release of GDP and subsequent binding of GTP to the G protein. The alpha subunit of the G protein-receptor complex acts as a GTPase and slowly hydro lyses the GTP to GDP, at which point the receptor normally is deactivated. Activated receptors continue to exchange GDP for GTP. The non-hydro lysable GTP analog, [ ³⁵ S]GTPyS, was used to demonstrate enhance binding of [ ³⁵ S]GTPyS to membranes expressing receptors. The assay uses the ability of GPCR to stimulate [ ³⁵ S]GTPyS binding to membranes expressing the relevant receptors. The assay can, therefore, be used in the direct identification method to screen candidate compounds to endogenous or not endogenous GPCR.

Preparation of membrane extracts:

Membrane extracts were prepared from cells expressing the human GPR43 receptor (hGPR43) as follows: the medium was aspirated and the cells were scraped from the plates in Ca ⁺⁺ and Mg ⁺⁺ -free Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The cells were then centrifuged for 3 min at 1500 g and the pellets were resuspended in buffer A (15 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 2 mM MgCl ₂ , 0.3 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA) and homogenized in a glass homogenizer. The crude membrane fraction was collected by two consecutive centrifugation steps at 40.000 x g for 25 min separated by a washing step in buffer A. The final pellet was resuspended in 500 μΐ of buffer B (75 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 12.5 mM MgCl ₂ , 0.3 mM EDTA, lmM EGTA, 250 mM sucrose) and flash frozen in liquid nitrogen. Protein content was assayed by the Folin method.

GTPYS assay (SPA method):

The assay was used to determine the activity of the compounds of the invention. The [ ³⁵ S]GTPyS assay was incubated in 20 mM HEPES pH7.4, 100 mM NaCl, 10 μg/ml saponin, 30 mM of MgCl ₂ , 10 μΜ of GDP, 5 μg membrane-expressing hGPR43, 250μg of wheatgerm agglutinin beads (Amersham, ref: RPNQ001), a range concentration of compounds of the invention (from 30 μΜ to 1 nM) in a final volume of 100 μΐ for 30 min at room temperature. The SCFA propionate was used at 1 mM final concentration as positive control. The plates were then centrifuged for 10 minutes at 2000 rpm, incubated for 2 hours at room temperature and counted for 1 min in a scintillation counter (TopCount, PerkinElmer). The results of the tested compounds are reported as the concentration of the compound required to reach 50% (EC ₅₀ ) of the maximum level of the activation induced by these compounds. When tested in the assay described above and by way of illustration the compounds in Table 3 activate GPR43 receptor. The EC ₅₀ value obtained is represented as follows: "+++" means EC ₅₀ < 200 nM; "++" means 200nM < EC ₅₀ <1 μΜ; "+" means EC ₅₀ >1 μΜ . Table 3: Compounds EC ₅₀ values in GTPy ³⁵ S assay.

Compound n° ECso (nM)

1 +++

2 +++

3 +++

4 +++

5 +++

6 +++

8 ++

9 ++

10 ++

11 ++

12 ++

13 ++

14 ++

15 ++

16 ++

17 ++

18 ++

19 ++

20 ++

21 ++

23 +

24 +

26 +

27 +

30 + 31 +

32 +

33 +

34 +

35 +

36 +

38 +

39 +

40 +

41 +

42 +

43 +

44 +

45 +

47 +

48 +

49 +

52 +

53 +

58 +

59 +

77 +++

78 ++

83 +

88 +

89 ++

91 ++

96 ++

99 ++

102 +

105 +

107 +

108 +

109 +

113 +++

114 +

116 ++

117 ++

120 + 121 ++

122 +++

123 +++

125 ++

126 +++

127 +++

128 +++

129 +++

130 +++

131 +

132 +++

133 ++

134 ++

135 +++

136 ++

137 ++

138 +++

140 +++

141 ++

143 +

149 ++

150 ++

151 ++

153 +

155 +

156 ++

157 +++

160 ++

161 +++

162 +

169 +

174 +

176 +

177 +

178 ++

179 +

183 +

184 ++

189 ++ 191 ++

192 ++

193 +++

194 ++

195 ++

196 +++

197 +++

198 +++

199 +++

200 +++

201 +++

202 +++

203 ++

204 +++

206 +

207 +

224 +++

225 +++

226 ++

227 +++

228 +++

229 +++

230 +

231 +

232 +++

233 ++

234 +

235 +++

236 +++

237 ++

239 ++

240 ++

242 ++

246 +++

247 +++

261 ++

268 +++

269 +++

272 ++ 273 ++

274 ++

275 +++

276 ++

278 ++

279 +

280 +

281 ++

283 +++

284 ++

285 +

286 +

287 ++

288 ++

289 +++

290 +++

291 ++

292 +++

293 ++

294 ++

295 +

296 +

297 +++

298 +++

299 +++

300 ++

301 ++

302 +++

303 ++

304 +

305 +

306 +

307 +++

308 +++

309 ++

310 ++

311 +++

312 +++

313 ++ 314 +++

315 +++

316 +++

318 +

319 ++

320 +++

321 ++

322 ++

323 ++

324 ++

325 +++

326 +

327 ++

328 +++

329 ++

330 ++

331 ++

332 +

333 +

334 ++

335 +

336 +

337 +++

338 +++

339 ++

340 +++

341 +

342 +++

343 +++

344 ++

345 +++

346 +++

347 +++

348 +++

349 ++

350 +++

351 +++

352 +

353 ++ 354 +++

355 +++

356 +++

357 +++

358 ++

359 ++

360 +++

361 +++

362 +++

363 ++

364 +

365 ++

366 +++

367 +++

368 +++

369 ++

370 +

371 +++

372 +++

373 ++

374 ++

375 ++

386 ++

387 +++

388 +++

389 +++

390 +++

391 +

392 +

393 +

395 ++

396 ++

397 ++

398 +++

399 +++

400 ++

401 +++

402 +

403 + 404 ++

405 +++

406 +++

407 ++

408 +++

409 +++

410 ++

411 ++

412 ++

413 +++

414 +

415 +++

416 +++

417 +++

418 ++

419 +++

420 +++

421 +++

Radioligand Binding (RLB) assay with cell membrane extracts from human GPR43 recombinant cell line

Human GPR43 radioligand binding assay is performed by adding successively in the wells of a 96 well plate (Master Block, Greiner, 786201), 50 μΐ of compound of the invention at increasing concentrations (diluted in assay buffer: 50 mM Tris pH 7.4), 25 μΐ radiolabeled antagonist (ie. compound n°277 described in EP10305100.9) diluted in assay buffer and 25 μΐ cell membrane extracts (10 μg protein/well). The final concentration of radiolabeled antagonist in the assay is 10 nM. The plate is incubated 60 min at 25°C in a water bath and then filtered over GF/B filters (Perkin Elmer, 6005177, presoaked in 0.05% Brij for 2h at room temperature) with a Filtration unit (Perkin Elmer). The filters are washed 3 times with 0.5 ml of ice-cold wash buffer (50 mM Tris pH 7.4). 50 μΐ of Microscint 20 (Packard), is added and the plate is incubated 15 min on an orbital shaker and then counted with a TopCount™ for 1 min/well. In Table 4 biological results obtained using the RLB assay as described above with compounds of the invention are set out in tabulated form. In this table, the constant of inhibition of radioligand binding carried out by the compound of the invention (Ki) is given. The Ki values (nM) obtained is represented as follows: "+++" means Ki < ΙμΜ; "++" means ΙμΜ < Ki < 2μΜ; "+" means 2μΜ < Ki.

Table 4: Compounds Ki values in RLB assay.

Cell based assay: Calcium flux. The Aequorin-based assay.

The following assay can be used for determination of GPR43 activation. The aequorin assay uses the responsiveness of mitochondrial apoaequorin to intracellular calcium release induced by the activation of GPCRs (Stables et al., 1997, Anal. Biochem. 252: 115-126; Detheux et al, 2000, J. Exp. Med., 192 1501- 1508). Briefly, GPCR-expressing clones are transfected to coexpress mitochondrial apoaequorin and Gal 6. Cells expressing GPR43 receptor are incubated with 5 μΜ Coelenterazine H (Molecular Probes) for 4 hours at room temperature, washed in DMEM-F12 culture medium and resuspended at a concentration of 0.5 x 10 ⁶ cells/ml (the amount can be changed for optimization). Cells are then mixed with test compounds and light emission by the aequorin is recorded with a luminometer for 30 sec. Results are expressed as Relative Light Units (RLU). Controls include assays using cells not expressing GPR43 (mock transfected), in order to exclude possible non-specific effects of the candidate compound. Aequorin activity or intracellular calcium levels are "changed" if light intensity increases or decreases by 10% or more in a sample of cells, expressing a GPR43 and treated with a compound of the invention, relative to a sample of cells expressing the GPR43 but not treated with the compound of the invention or relative to a sample of cells not expressing the GPR43 (mock-transfected cells) but treated with the compound of the invention.

Cell based assay: Intracellular Inositol-Phosphate accumulation assay. (Gq- associated receptor)

The following assay can be used for determination of GPR43 activation. On day 1, GPR43 -expressing cells in mid- log phase are detached with PBS-EDTA, centrifuged at 2000 x g for 2 min and resuspended in medium without antibiotics. After counting, cells are resuspended at 4 x 10 ⁵ cells/ml (the amount can be changed for optimization) in medium without antibiotics, distributed in a 96 well plate (ΙΟΟμΙ/well) and the plate is incubated overnight at 37°C with 5% C0 ₂ . On day 2, the medium is removed and the compounds of the invention, at increasing concentrations, are added (24μ1Λνε11) and the plate is incubated for 30 min. at 37°C in a humidified atmosphere of 95% air with 5% C0 ₂ . The IP1 concentrations are then estimated using the IP1-HTRF assay kit (Cisbio international, France) following the manufacturer recommendations.

Cell based assay: cAMP accumulation assay (Gy ₀ associated receptor)

The following assay can be used for determination of GPR43 activation. Cells expressing GPR43 in mid-log phase and grown in media without antibiotics are detached with PBS-EDTA, centrifuged and resuspended in media without antibiotics. Cells are counted and resuspended in assay buffer at 4.2 x 10 ⁵ cells/ml. 96 well plates are filled with 12 μΐ of cells (5 x 10 ³ cells/well), 6 μΐ of compound of the invention at increasing concentrations and 6 μΐ of Forskolin (final concentration of 10 μΜ). The plate is then incubated for 30 min. at room temperature. After addition of the lysis buffer, cAMP concentrations are estimated, according to the manufacturer specification, with the HTRF kit from Cis-Bio International.

In vitro assays to assess compound activity in 3T3-L1 cell line.

3T3-L1 adipocytes cell line has been described as cellular model to assess compounds mimicking insulin-mediated effect such as inhibition of lipo lysis and activation of glucose uptake.

Lipolvsis.

3T3-L1 cells (ATCC) are cultured in Dulbecco's modified eagle's medium (DMEM) containing 10% (v/v) bovine serum (fresh regular medium) in 24 well plate. On day 0 (2 days after 3T3-L1 preadipocytes reached confluence), cells are induced to differentiate by insulin (10μg/ml), IBMX (0.5 mM) and dexamethasone (1 μΜ). On day 3 and every other 3 ^rd day thereafter, fresh regular medium is substituted until day 14.

On day 14, the medium is removed and cells are washed twice with 1 ml of a wash buffer (Hank's balanced salt solution). The wash solution is removed and the SCFA or the tested compounds, or a combination of both, are added at the desired concentration in Hank's buffer supplemented with 2% BSA-FAF and incubated for 10 minutes a 37°C. Then, isoproterenol (100 nM) is added to induce lipolysis and incubate for 30 minutes at 37°C. The supernatants are collected in a glycerol-free container. 25μ1 (the amount can be changed for optimization) of cell-free supernatants are dispensed in 96-well microtiter plate, 25 μΐ of free glycerol assay reagent (Chemicon, the amount can be changed for optimization) is added in each well and the assay plate is incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature. The absorbance is recorded with a spectrophotometer at 540 or 560 nm. Using the supernatants, the free fatty acids amount can be assessed using the NEFA assay kit (Wako) according the manufacturer's recommendations. Glucose Uptake.

3T3-L1 cells are differentiated as described previously with or without of 30 μΜ of tested compounds (the concentration can be changed for optimization) during the 14 days of differentiation. The day of the experiment, the cells are washed twice with a KREBS-Ringer bicarbonate (pH 7.3) supplemented with 2 mM sodium pyruvate and starved for 30 minutes in the same buffer at 37°C in an atmosphere containing 5% C02 and 95% 02. Various amount of SCFA, tested compounds or combination of both are then added with or without 10 nM of insulin (the amount can be changed for optimization) for 30 minutes at 37°C in an atmosphere containing 5% C02 and 95% 02. Then, D-( ³ H)-2 deoxyglucose (0.2 μCi/well) and D-2-deoxyglucose (O. lmM) is added for 30 minutes. To stop the reaction, the cells are immersed in ice-cold saline buffer, washed for 30 min, and then dissolved in NaOH 1M at 55°C for 60 minutes. NaOH is neutralized with HC1 1M. The 3H labeled radioactivity of an aliquot of the extract is counted in the presence of a scintillation buffer.

In vitro assays to assess compound activity in NCI-H716 cell line.

Human intestinal cell line NCI-H716 has been described as cellular model to assess compounds mimicking nutrient-mediated effect such as glucagon-like peptide- 1 (GLP-1) secretion.

GLP-1 release.

NCI-H716 cells (ATCC, Manassas) are cultured in Dulbecco's modified eagle's medium (DMEM) containing 10% (v/v) bovine serum, 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 IU/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin in 75 ml flask. Cell adhesion and endocrine differentiation is initiated by growing cells in 96-well plate coated with matrigel in High Glucose DMEM containing 10% (v/v) bovine serum, 2 mM L- glutamine, 100 IU/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin for 2 days.

On day 2, the medium is removed and cells are washed once with a pre-warmed wash buffer (Phosphate Buffered salt solution). The wash solution is removed and the SCFA or the tested compounds, or a combination of both, are added at the desired concentration in High Glucose DMEM containing 0.1% (v/v) bovine serum and incubated for 2 hours at 37°C. The supernatants are collected in a container. Using the cell- free supernatants, the GLP-1 amount is assessed using a GLP-1 specific ELISA assay kit according the manufacturer's recommendations (ALPCON).

Ex vivo assays to assess compound activity in adipocytes from normal rat or mice and High-fat diet fed mice.

Mice C56Black6 male are housed in Makrolon type IV group housing cages (56 x 35 x 20 cm ³ ) throughout the experimental phase. Animals' cages litters are changed once a week. They are housed in groups of 10 animals at 12 light dark (at 8h30 pm lights off), 22 +/- 2 °C and 50 +/- 5 % relative humidity. Animals are acclimated one week. During the whole phase, standard diet or diet high in energy from fat (Research Diets, New Brunswick, NJ) and tap water are provided ad libitum. The animals are 16 weeks old at the time of the study.

For keeping only mice that have responded to the high fat diet, fasted glycemia are measured in these mice just before performing the ex-vivo study.

Glucose uptake assay in isolated adipocytes.

Animals are killed by cervical dislocation and epididymal fat pads are removed and digested in collagenase buffer at 37°C/120rpm for approximately 50 minutes. The digest is filtered through gauze to recover the adipocytes, which are washed and resuspended in Krebs-Ringer Hepes (KRH) buffer containing 1% BSA, 200nM adenosine and 2mM glucose.

Isolated adipocytes are washed in glucose-free KRH-buffer and resuspended to 30%. Adipocytes are then incubated at 37°C/80 rpm with either the tested compound (30μΜ, 10μΜ and ΙμΜ) in the presence or absence of insulin (ΙΟηΜ) for 30 min. 2-deoxyglucose and 2-deoxy-D-[l- ³ H] -glucose ( ³ H-2-DOG) are added and incubation continued for 10 min. The reactions are then stopped by addition of cytochalasin b followed by centrifugation through dinonylphthalate to recover the adipocytes. The uptake of ³ H-2-DOG- was measured by scintillation. Each data point is investigated in triplicates in two independent experiments.

Lipolvsis assay in isolated adipocytes.

Isolated adipocytes are diluted to 5% in KRH-buffer and are pre-treated with the tested compound (30μΜ, ΙΟμΜ and ΙμΜ) for 30 min at 37°C/120rpm. After the pre-treatment, Isoprenaline (ΙμΜ) is added to the adipocytes followed by 30 min incubation at 37 °C/150 rpm. The reactions are put on ice and the buffer is assayed spectrophotometrically for the production of NADH ⁺ from glycerol breakdown in reactions catalyzed by glycerol kinase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and/or Non Esterified Fatty Acid (NEFA). Each data point is investigated in triplicates in two independent experiments.

According to the method described above and by way of illustration the compounds n° 1; 2; 4; 5; 8; 10; 11 and 13 inhibit isoprenaline- induced lipolysis in adipocytes from normal rat, at the concentration of 30μΜ (Figure 1).

In vivo assay to assess compound activity in rodent diabetes model.

Genetic rodent models:

Rodent models of T2D associated with obesity and insulin resistance have been developed. Genetic models such as db/db and ob/ob in mice and fa/fa in Zucker rats have been developed for understanding the pathophysiology of disease and testing candidate therapeutic compounds. The homozygous animals, C57 Black/6- db/db mice developed by Jackson Laboratory are obese, hyperglycemic, hyperinsulinemic and insulin resistant (J Clin Invest, 1990, 85:962-967), whereas heterozygotes are lean and normoglycemic. In the db/db model, mice progressively develop insulinopenia with age, a feature commonly observed in late stages of human T2D when sugar levels are insufficiently controlled. Since this model resembles that of human T2D, the compounds are tested for activities including, but not limited to, lowering of plasma glucose and triglycerides. Zucker (fa/fa) rats are severely obese, hyperinsulinemic, and insulin resistant, and the fa/fa mutation may be the rat equivalent of the murine db mutation.

Genetically altered obese diabetic mice (db/db) (male, 7-9 weeks old) are housed under standard laboratory conditions at 22°C and 50% relative humidity, and maintained on a diet of Purina rodent chow and water ad libitum. Prior to treatment, blood is collected from the tail vein of each animal and blood glucose concentrations are determined using one touch basic glucose monitor system (Lifescan). Mice that have plasma glucose levels between 250 to 500 mg/dl are used. Each treatment group consists of several mice that are distributed so that the mean of glucose levels are equivalent in each group at the start of the study. Db/db mice are dosed by micro-osmotic pumps, inserted using isoflurane anesthesia, to provide compounds of the invention, saline, or an irrelevant compound to the mice intravenously (i.v). Blood is sampled from the tail vein at intervals thereafter and analyzed for blood glucose concentrations. Significant differences between groups (comparing compounds of the invention to saline- treated) are evaluated using Student t-test.

Ob/ob or obese mice are leptin-deficient mice that eat excessively and become profoundly obese, hyperinsulinemic and hyperglycemic. It is an animal model of type II diabetes. Such model can be used for oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs). A total of sixteen (16) male ob/ob mice (6 weeks of age) were obtained from Harlan. Upon arrival to the animal unit, mice were housed 4 per cage in rodent cages mounted with feeders containing regular chow. The mice were put in a 12/12h light-dark cycle (light from 0600-1800 h) with controlled temperature conditions (22-24°C). Fed blood glucose and body- weight was measured on day - 2 in the morning between 08:00 AM and 09:00 AM. Animals were randomized into 2 groups according to fed glucose levels (on day -2). The 16 mice with blood glucose and body- weight closest to the mean were distributed into the following groups: Group 1 : Vehicle p.o. bi-daily, (n=8) and Group 2: Compound of the invention, p.o., bi-daily, (n=8). Day 1 is the first day of dosing. Animals were dosed with compounds of the invention at 07:00 AM and 04:00 PM for 28 days. On the evening of day 27, food was removed and mice were transferred to clean cages. Mice were fasted for the subsequent 17 hours until the OGTT was performed. At -15 min, blood glucose was measured (using a glucose analyzer) and animals were dosed with compounds of the invention or vehicle. At time point 0, blood glucose was measured again and glucose was administered by oral gavage (lg/kg glucose). The blood glucose was then measured at time points 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120 minutes. The blood glucose area under the curve (AUC) from time -15 to 120 min was then calculated (GraphPad software). The percentages of AUC inhibition induced by compounds of the invention were calculated as follows: % of AUC inhibition: [1-(AUC compound/ AUC vehicule)]* 100.

When tested in the above-described assay, the compound 1 showed a % of AUC inhibition of 40%, indicating that compound 1 is able to significantly reduce the level of blood glucose in diabetic animal model (Figures 2A and 2B).

The high-fat diet fed mouse:

This model was originally introduced by Surwit et al. in 1988. The model has shown to be accompanied by insulin resistance, as determined by intravenous glucose tolerance tests, and of insufficient islet compensation to the insulin resistance. The model has, accordingly, been used in studies on pathophysiology of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes and for development of new treatments.

C57BL/6J mice are maintained in a temperature-controlled room (22°C) on a 12-h light-dark cycle. One week after arrival, mice are divided into two groups and are fed either a high- fat diet or received continuous feeding of a normal diet for up to 12 months. On caloric basis, the high-fat diet consist of 58% fat from lard, 25.6% carbohydrate, and 16.4% protein (total 23.4 kJ/g), whereas the normal diet contains 11.4% fat, 62.8% carbohydrate, and 25.8% protein (total 12.6 kJ/g). Food intake and body weight are measured once a week, and blood samples are taken at indicated time points from the intraorbital retrobulbar plexus from nonfasted anesthetized mice.

For intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTTs), 4-h fasted mice are anesthetized with 7.2 mg/kg fluanison/fenlanyl and 15.3 mg/kg midazolam. Thereafter a blood sample is taken from the retrobulbar, intraorbital, capillary plexus, after which D-glucose (1 g/kg) is injected intravenously in a tail vein (volume load 10 1/ g). Additional blood samples are taken at 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 75 min after injection. Following immediate centrifugation at 4C, plasma is separated and stored at -20C until analysis. For oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs), 16-h fasted anesthetized mice are given 150 mg glucose by gavage through a gastric tube (outer diameter 1.2 mm), which is inserted in the stomach. Blood samples are taken at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after glucose administration and handled as above.

Administration of the compounds: Five-week-old mice are fed a high-fat or a normal diet for 8 weeks. After 4 weeks, the mice are additionally given the compound of the invention in their drinking water (0.3 mg/ml, the amount can be changed for optimization. Control groups are given tap water without compound.

After another 4 weeks, the mice are subjected to an OGTT as described above.

Insulin and glucose measurements: Insulin is determined enzymatically using an ELISA assay kit (Linco Research, St. Charles, MO). Plasma glucose is determined by the glucose oxidase method.

In vivo assay to assess compound anti-obesity activity in rodent model.

Mouse acute food intake and weight change:

Male C57BL/6N wild-type mice are weighed and vehicle or the tested compounds are administered by oral gavage to male mice approximately 30 min prior to the onset of the dark phase of the light cycle. Mice are fed ad libitum in the dark phase following dosing. A preweighed aliquot of a highly palatable medium high fat diet is provided in the food hopper of the cage 5 min prior to the onset of the dark phase of the light cycle and weighed 2 and 18h after the onset of the dark phase of the light cycle. Acute studies in Diet-induced obesity (DIP) rats:

For acute experiments, male Sprague-Dawley DIO rats from Charles River Laboratories are raised from 4 weeks of age on a diet moderately high fat (32% kcal) and high in sucrose (25% kcal). Animals are used at 12 weeks of age and are maintained on a 12/12h light dark cycle. The rats are randomized into groups (n=6/group) for the tested compounds and vehicle dosing. Rats are weighed 17h after dosing to determine effects on overnight body weight gain. The tested compounds are administered orally or s.c. at amount desired lh before the start of the dark cycle. Powdered food is provided in food cups which are weighed continuously at 5 min intervals over 18h and the data are recorded using a computerized system.

Chronic studies in Diet-induced obesity rats:

For the 14-day chronic experiment, male Sprague-Dawley DIO rats are obtained as described above. Animals are used at 15 weeks of age and are maintained on a 12/12 hour light-dark cycle. Rats are conditioned to dosing for 4 days prior to baseline measurements, using an oral gavage or a s.c. route of vehicle. Thereafter, animals are dosed daily with vehicle or compound by oral gavage or s.c. The tested compound or vehicle is administered lh before the dark cycle for 14 days. Body composition is measured by dual energy X-ray densitometry (DEXAscan) 5 days prior to the study and at the end of the 14-day study. Daily endpoints included body weight and food intake.

In vivo assay to assess compound anti-lipolytic activity in rodent model.

Male C57BL/6N wild-type are housed one per cage in a room maintained on a 12h light/dark cycle under constant temperature (22-25°C) with ad libitum access to food and water. The anti-lipolytic effects of the tested compounds are studied in awake mice. Animals are fasted overnight before experimental use. On the day of the experiment, animals are put in metabolic cages and left undisturbed to acclimate to the environment for l-2h. blood samples are taken at indicated time points from the intraorbital retrobulbar plexus. A 1% sodium citrate saline solution is used to flush the lines. A pre-treatment blood sample is obtained from each animal to determine baseline values for free fatty acids (FFA) and triglycerides (TG). The tested compounds are given via oral gavage, sc injection, iv injection or ip injection for each different series of experiments. Blood samples are collected into pre-cooled tubes pre-coated with heparin (200μ1 blood, Li- heparin, Sarstedt) for determination triglycerides and glycerol and in tri-potassium EDTA added sodium fluoride (200 μΐ blood, K ₃ -EDTA, 1.6 mg/mL + 1% NaF, Sarstedt) for determination of plasma free fatty acids. The tubes are placed on wet ice pending processing. Blood samples will be centrifuged at 4000 x g, at 4°C, 15 min the resulting plasma will be transferred into non-coated tubes and stored at - 80°C until analyses. The plasma is thawed at 4°C for determinations of FFA and TG using commercial kits (Wako Chemicals).

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation ant it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.