UREA COMPOUNDS AS INHIBITORS FOR VLA-4 This invention relates to compounds which are inhibitors of the interaction between the integrin a4ßl, also known as Very Late Antigen-4 (VLA-4) or CD49d/CD29, and its protein ligands, for example Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and fibronectin. This invention further relates to processes for preparing such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and to their use in methods of therapeutic application. a4ßl is a member of the integrin family of heterodimeric cell surface receptors that are composed of noncovalently associated glycoprotein subunits (a and ß) and are involved in cell adhesion to other cells or to extracellular matrix. There are at least 14 different human integrin a subunits and at least 8 different (3 subunits and each P subunit can form a heterodimer with one or more a subunits. Integrins can be subdivided based on their ß subunit composition. a4 (31 is one of several pi integrins, also known as Very Late Antigens (VLA).

The interactions between integrins and their protein ligands are fundamental for maintaining cell function, for example by tethering cells at a particular location, facilitating cell migration, or providing survival signals to cells from their environment.

Ligands recognised by integrins include extracellular matrix proteins, such as collagen and fibronectin ; plasma proteins, such as fibrinogen ; and cell surface molecules, such as transmembrane proteins of the immunoglobulin superfamily and cell-bound complement. The specificity of the interaction between integrin and ligand is governed by the a and ß subunit composition.

Integrin a¢ (31 is expressed on numerous hematopoietic cells and established cell lines, including hematopoietic precursors, peripheral and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, monocytes, thymocytes and eosinophils [Hemler, M. E. et al (1987), J.

Biol. Chem., 262, 11478-11485 ; Bochner, B. S. et al (1991), J. Exp. Med., 173, 1553-1556]. Unlike other pi integrins that bind only to cell-extracellular matrix proteins, a4 (31 binds to VCAM-1, an immunoglobulin superfamily member expressed on the cell surface, for example on vascular endothelial cells, and to fibronectin containing

the alternatively spliced type III connecting segment (CS-1 fibronectin) [Elices, M. J. et al (1990), Cell, 60, 577-584 ; Wayner, E. A. et al (1989). J. Cell Biol., 109, 1321-1330].

The activation and extravasation of blood leukocytes plays a major role in the development and progression of inflammatory diseases. Cell adhesion to the vascular endothelium is required before cells migrate from the blood into inflamed tissue and is mediated by specific interactions between cell adhesion molecules on the surface of vascular endothelial cells and circulating leukocytes [Sharar, S. R. et al (1995). Springer Semin. Immunopathol., 16, 359-378]. a4ßl is believed to have an important role in the recruitment of lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils during inflammation. a4 (3, /ligand binding has also been implicated in T-cell proliferation, B-cell localisation to germinal centres, haemopoeitic progenitor cell localisation in the bone marrow, placental development, muscle development and tumour cell metastasis.

The affinity of a4 (31 for its ligands is normally low but chemokines expressed by inflamed vascular endothelium act via receptors on the leukocyte surface to upregulate a 4 ? t function [Weber, C. et al (1996), J. Cell Biol., 134, 1063-1073]. VCAM-1 expression is upregulated on endothelial cells in vitro by inflammatory cytokines [Osborn, L. et al (1989) Cell, 59, 1203-1211] and in human inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis [Morales-Ducret, J. et al (1992). J. Immunol., 149, 1424-1431], multiple sclerosis [Cannella, B. et al., (1995). Ann. Neurol., 37, 424-435], allergic asthma [Fukuda, T. et al (1996), Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol., 14, 84-94] and atherosclerosis [O'Brien, K. D. et al (1993). J. Clin. Invest., 92, 945-951].

Monoclonal antibodies directed against the a4 integrin subunit have been shown to be effective in a number of animal models of human inflammatory diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, allergic asthma, contact dermatitis, transplant rejection, insulin-dependent diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and glomerulonephritis.

Integrins recognise short peptide motifs in their ligands The minimal Ct4ßl binding epitope in CS-1 is the tripeptide leucine-aspartic acid-valine (Leu-Asp-Val) [Komoriya, A., et al (1991). J. Biol. Chem., 266, 15075-15079] while VCAM-1 contains the similar sequence isoleucine-aspartic acid-serine [Clements, J. M., et al (1994). J. Cell Sci., 107, 2127-2135]. The 25-amino acid fibronectin fragment, CS-1 peptide, which

contains the Leu Asp-Val motif, is a competitive inhibitor of α4ß1 binding to VCAM-1 [Makarem, R., et al (1994). J. Biol. Chem., 269, 4005-4011]. Small molecule OC401 inhibitors based on the Leu-Asp-Val sequence in CS-1 have been described, for example the linear molecule phenylacetic acid-Leu-Asp-Phe-D-Pro-amide [Molossi, S. et al (1995). J. Clin. Invest., 95, 2601-2610] and the disulphide cyclic peptide Cys-Trp-Leu-Asp-Val-Cys [Vanderslice, P., et al (1997). J. Immunol., 158, 1710-1718].

More recently, non-and semi-peptidic compounds which inhibit oc4ßl/VCAM binding and which can be orally administered have been reported in for example, W096/22966 and W098/04247.

There remains a continuing need for alternative compounds which inhibit the interaction between VCAM-1 and fibronectin with integrin OC401 and, in particular, for compounds which can be administered by an oral route.

We have now found a group of compounds which contain a substituted ring system which inhibit this interaction.

Accordingly the present invention provides a compound of formula (I) where D is a VLA-4 specificity determinant which does not impart significant IIB/IIIa activity ; Ra and Rb are independently hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl ; a is an integer from 1 to 4 ; X is a direct bond, oxygen, sulphur, amino or C, _4alkylamino ; R3 is hydrogen or C1-5 alkyl ; A is aryl or heterocycle ; n is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 3 ;

R34 is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, aryl or heterocycle, the aryl or heterocycle being optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from nitro, Cl. 6 alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, C1-4alkoxy, C1-6 alkylamino, C1-4alkylC1-6alkyoxyl, C, 6alkylaminoCl 6alkyl, cyano, halogeno, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, (CH2) pOH where p is 1 or 2,-CO2Re'and-CONRe'Rf', where Re1 and Rf1 are independently selected from hydrogen and C, 6 alkyl ; R3s is selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, C, 6 alkyl, C26alkenyl, 1, 3-benzodioxol-5-yl, an ester group, amido, heterocycle and aryl, the heterocycle, and aryl optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from nitro, C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, C1-4 alkoxy, C1-6 alkylamino, C1-4alkylC1-6alkyoxyl, C1-6alkylaminoC1-6alkyl, cyano, halogeno, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, (CH2) pOH where p is 1 or 2,-CO2Re2 and-CoNRe2Rf2, where Re2 and Rf2 are independently selected from hydrogen and Cl 6 alkyl ; each R36 group, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, C1-4alkoxy, C1-4alkanoyl, C1-6 alkylamino, C1-4alkoxylC1-6alkyl, C1-6alkylaminoC1-6alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogeno, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, (CH2) pOH where p is 1 or 2, -CO2Re2, and -CONRe3Rf3, where Re3 and Rf3 are independently selected from hydrogen and C1-6 alkyl ; R39 is an acidic functional group ; h is zero or 1 ; g is zero of 1 ; k is zero or a number from 1 to 3 ; and R4'is a group of formula (V) U- (CH2) d-V-T (V) wherein U is selected from oxygen, sulphur, a direct bond of -CH2O-, V is selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, S (O), S (O) 2 or a direct bond, d is zero or a number from 1 to 4, and T is selected from Rc or, when V is nitrogen, RCRd, where R'and Rd are independently selected from hydrogen, Cl 4 alkyl, Cl 4 alkoxy, Cl 4 alkoxy (Cl 6) alkyl, C37 cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl ; or T is a heterocycle containing up to

three heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from Cl 6 alkyl, C26alkenyl, C26alkynyl, Cl 6 alkoxy, Cl 4 alkanoyl, Cl 6 alkylamino, Cl 4aLkoxylC, 6alkyl, C, 6alkylaminoC, 6alkyl, C 4 alkylsulphonyl, nitro, cyano, halogeno, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, hydroxy, (CH2) pOH where p is 1 or 2,-COZRe4, and-CONRe4Rf4, where Re4 and Rf4 are independently selected from hydrogen and C, 6 alkyl, and linked to V through a ring carbon or nitrogen and with the provisos that when T is a heterocycle linked to V through a ring nitrogen then V is a direct bond, and that at least one of U or V is other than a direct bond or d is other than 0 ; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable derivative thereof.

In this specification the following definitions are adopted :- The term'heterocycle'means an aromatic or non-aromatic saturated or partially saturated cyclic ring system containing up to five heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. Heterocycles with two or more rings may include a mixture of aromatic and non-aromatic rings, or they may be completely aromatic or completely non-aromatic. Suitable optional substituents for heterocycles include one or more substituents selected from oxo, C, 6 alkyl, C26alkenyl, C26alkynyl, C, 6 alkoxy, C, 4 alkanoyl, C, 6 alkylamino, C, 4alkoxylC, 6alkyl, C, 6alkylaminoC, 6alkyl, Cl 4 alkylsulphonyl, nitro, cyano, halogeno, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, hydroxy, (CH2) pOH where p is 1 or 2, - CO2Re, and-CONReRf, where Re and Rf are independently selected from hydrogen and Cl 6 alkyl. Examples include 3 to 10 membered monocyclic or bicyclic rings with up to five heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur, such as, for example, furanyl, pyrrolinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, thienyl, pyridyl, imidazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrimidinyl, triazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, morpholinyl, oxiranyl, oxetanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperazinyl, dihydropyridinyl, tetrahydropyridinyl, dihydropyrimidinyl and tetrahydropyrimidinyl.

The monocyclic heteroaryl is a aromatic ring system containing up to four heteroatoms, examples of which are given above.

'Bicyclic heteroaryl'means an aromatic 5, 6- 6, 5- or 6, 6- fused ring system wherein one or both rings contain ring heteroatoms. The ring system may contain up to

three heteroatoms, independently selected from oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur and can be optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from C, _6 alkyl, Cz_6alkenyl, C26alkynyl, Cl 6 alkoxy, Cl 4 alkanoyl, Cl 6 alkylamino, Cl 4alkoxylCI 6alkyl, Cj_6alkylaminoCi_6alkyl, C, _4 alkylsulphonyl, nitro, cyano, halogeno, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, hydroxy, (CH2) pOH where p is 1 or 2,-COW, and-CONReRf, where Re and Rf are independently selected from hydrogen and Cl 6 alkyl. When the ring system contains more than one heteratom at least one heteroatom is nitrogen. Examples of bicyclic heteroaryl's include quinazolinyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, phthalazinyl and benzotriazolyl.

'Alkyl'refers to straight or branched chain alkyl groups, which, unless otherwise stated, generally contain up to 10 suitably from 1-6 and more preferably from 1-4 carbon atoms. Similarly, the terms'alkenyl'and'alkynyl'refer to straight or branched unsaturated chains, which, unless otherwise stated, generally contain from 2-10 and preferably from 2-6 carbon atoms.

'Aryl'typically means phenyl or naphthyl, preferably phenyl.

'Aralkyl'means alkyl substituted by aryl such as benzyl.

The term'acidic functional group'means a group which incorporates an acidic hydrogen and includes carboxylic acids, tetrazoles, acyl sulphonamides, sulphonic and sulphinic acids, and preferably is carboxy.

The term'ester group'is an ester derived from a Cl l0 straight or branched alkyl, arylalkyl or C5 7 cycloaLkyl (optionally substituted with Cl 4 alkyl) alcohol. Suitable ester groups are those of formula-COOR"where R"can be tert-butyl, 2, 4-dimethyl-pent-3-yl, 4-methyl-tetrahydropyran-4-yl, 2, 2-dimethyl aminoethyl or 2-methyl 3-phenyl prop-2-yl.

In this specification suitable specific groups for the substituents mentioned include :- for halogeno : fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo for Cl 6alkyl (this includes straight chained, branched structures and ring systems) : methyl, ethyl,

propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, cyclopropane and cyclohexane ; for C26alkenyl : vinyl, allyl and but-2-enyl ; for C, 6alkanoyl ; formyl, acetyl, propionyl or butyryl ; for C26alkynyl : ethynyl, 2-propynyl and but-2-ynyl ; for Cl 6alkoxy : ethoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy and butoxy ; for C26alkenyloxy : vinyloxy and allyloxy ; for C26alkynyloxy : ethynyloxy and 2-propynyloxy ; for C, _6alkylamino : methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, isopropylamino and butylamino ; for di-CI 6alkylamino : dimethylamino, diethylamino ; for C26alkanoylamino : acetamido, propionamido and butyramido ; for N-CI 6alkylcarbamoyl : N-methylcarbamoyl, N-ethylcarbamoyl and N-propylcarbamoyl ; for Cl 6alkoxycarbonyl : methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl and tert-butoxycarbonyl ; for Cl 4alkoxyCl 6alkyl : methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, 1-methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethyl ; for Cl 6 alkylthio : methylthio ; for Cl alkylsulphonyl : methylsulphonyl ; for Cl 6alkylaminoCl 6alkyl :-CH2NHC2H5 It is to be understood that, insofar as certain of the compounds of the formula (I) and (II) as defined above and below may exist in optically active or racemic forms by virtue of one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, the invention encompasses any such optically active or racemic form which can inhi bit the interaction between VCAM-1 and fibronectin with the integrin α4ß1. the synthesis of optically active forms may be carried out by standard techniques of organic chemistry well known in the art, for example by synthesis from optically active starting materials or by resolution of a racemic form.

Suitably, in the compounds of formula (I), the group of sub-formula (i) is arranged on the ring A at a position which is meta to the group of sub-formula (ii) In a particular embodiment A is a 5 or 6-membered heterocycle or phenyl, and is preferably phenyl. Suitably, R41 is para to the group of sub-formula (i) and ortho to the group of sub-formula (ii) on the ring A.

Examples of suitable groups D are described in WO 98/042476. In particular, D is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aliphatic acyl, optionally substituted with N-alkyl-or N-arylamido, aroyl, heterocycloyl, alkyl-and arylsulfonyl, aralkylcarbonyl optionally substituted with aryl, heterocycloalkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aralkyloxycarbonyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl optionally fused with aryl, heterocycloalkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl and aralkylaminocarbonyl optionally substituted with bis- (alkylsulfonyl) amino, alkoxycarbonylamino or alkenyl.

More preferably, D is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic acyl, aroyl, aralkylcarbonyl, heterocycloyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aralkyloxycarbonyl and heterocycloalkylcarbonyl, which may be optionally substituted as defined below. In other embodiments, D is preferably selected from the group consisting of (N-Ar'-urea)-para-substituted aralkylcarbonyl, (N-Ar'-urea)-para-substituted aralkyl and (N-Ar'-urea)-para-substituted aryl, where Ar'or aryl groups may be optionally substituted as defined below. Most preferably, A is selected from the group consisting of (N-Ar'-urea)-para-substituted phenylmethylcarbonyl, (N-Ar'-urea)-para-substituted

phenylmethyl and (N-Ar'-urea)-para-substituted phenyl ; where Ar'is aryl such as phenyl. Any aryl group or Ar'group present in D may be optionally substituted by from one to three more groups selected from halogen, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, carboxy, carboalkoxy, aralkyl, aralkenyl or aralkynyl, 1, 2-dioxymethylene, 1, 2-dioxyethylene, alkoxy, alkenoxy, alkynoxy, aralkoxy, aryl-substituted alkenoxy or aryl substituted alkynoxy, alkylamino, alkenylamino or alkynylamino, aryl substituted alkylamino, aryl substituted alkenylamino, aryl substituted alkynylamino, aryl substituted carbonyloxy, alkylcarbonyloxy, aliphatic or aromatic acyl, aryl substituted acyl, arylsubstituted alkylcarbonyloxy, aryl substituted carbonylamino, aryl substituted amino, aryloxy, arylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonylamino, arylsubsubstituted alkylcarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino, aryl substituted alkoxycarbonylamino, aryl oxycarbonylamino, alkylsuphonylamino, mono-or bis- (aryl sulphonyl) amino, aralkylsulphonylamino, morpholinocarbonylamino, thiomorpholinocarbonylamino, N-alkyl guanidino, N, N- dialkylguanidino, N, N, N-trialkylguanidino, N-alkyl urea, N, N-dialkylurea, N-arylurea, N, N, (alkyl aryl) urea, N, N- (diaryl) urea, aralkyloxycarbonyl-substituted alkyl, aralkylamino carbonyl, or thioaryloxy and where any aryl group listed above, may itself be further substituted by up to three substitutents selected from halogen, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, 1, 2- dioxymethylene, 1, 2-dioxyethylene, alkoxy, alkenoxy, alkynoxy, alkylamino, alkenylamino or alkynylamino, alkylcarbonyloxy, aliphatic or aromatic acyl, alkylcarbonylamino, arylsubsubstituted alkylcarbonylamino, alkoxyvarbonylamino, alkylsuphonylamino, N-alkyl urea or N, N-dialkylurea.

A particular example of D is a group of sub-formula (iii) (iii) where * is the point of attachment to the group X in formula (I), each Rl3 or Rl4 is independently selected from Cl 6 alkyl, C26alkenyl, C26alkynyl, Cl 4 alkoxy, Cl 4 alkanoyl, Cl 6 alkylamino, Cl 4alkoxylCl 6alkyl, Cl 6aLkylaminoCl 6alkyl, cyano, nitro,

halogeno, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, (CH2) pOH where p is 1 or 2,-CO2Res, and -CONRe5Rf5, where Res and Rfs are independently hydrogen and C1-6alkyl, or two adjacent substituents can be taken together to form a 5-7 membered ring ; and f and e are independently selected from zero or an integer from 1 to 5.

Suitably f and e are independently selected from zero of an integer of from 1 to 3, and most preferably, they are 1.

The 5 to 7 membered ring formed by adjacent substituents R 13 can be an, optionally substituted, saturated or unsaturated ring with up to three heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. Suitable optional substitutents include those listed above for heterocycles In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a compound of formula (II) (II) wherein X, Ra, Rb, a, R3, R36, n, R41, g, h, R34, R3s, k, R39 and R4'are as defined above in relation to formula (I) and Rl3, 14 e and f are as defined above in relation to sub-formula (iii).

Preferably f is 1 and Rl3 is C, 6 alkyl, such as methyl. Preferably e is 0 or 1 and Rl4 is C, 4 alkoxy such as methoxy. In particular the compound of formula (II) is a compound of formula (III)

wherein X, Ra, Rb, a, R3, R36, n, R41, g, h, R34, R35, k, R39 and R41 are as defined above ; and Rls is hydrogen or C, 4alkoxy.

Preferably, X is a direct bond or oxygen, and most preferably a direct bond.

Suitably Ra and Rb are independently selected from hydrogen or C1-2 alkyl and preferably they are both hydrogen.

Suitably a is 1 or 2 and preferably 1.

Preferably R3 is hydrogen or CI 2 alkyl, more preferably hydrogen.

Preferably R39 is carboxy.

Preferably n is 0 or 1 and most preferably n is 0. Where a group R36 is present, it is suitably C1 6 alkyl or C 1-4 alkoxy, such a methoxy.

In a preferred embodiment W4 and R35 are independently selected from hydrogen or C1-6alkyl such as methyl.

Preferably h and k are 1.

Preferably g is 0.

As mentioned above, R4'is a group of formula V U- (CH2) d-V-T (V) as defined above.

A particularly preferred group U is oxygen.

Most preferably V is a direct bond or is sulphur, SO2 or oxygen. d is suitably 0 or 2 or 3.

Suitably, T is a heterocycle, in particular a nitrogen containing heterocycle which may be optionally substituted as defined above.

Particularly preferred examples of the group Include (i) the group CI-4alkoXYCI-4alkoxyl, such as 2-methoxyethoxy. ii) the group O- (CH2) d-T where d is 0 or an integer of 1 to 4, preferably 2 or 3, and T is a nitrogen containing heterocycle linked to oxygen through a ring nitrogen or ring carbon and preferably is selected from piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, methylpiperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl and pyridyl ;

iii) the group-O-(CH2) d-N-RCRd, where d is 2 or 3, W and W are each independently (CH2)2OCH3, C1-4 alkyl or hydrogen ; iv) R4'is the group -O-(CH2)d-T where d is from 1 to 4, preferably 2 or 3 and T is a nitrogen containing heterocycle linked to oxygen through a ring nitrogen and preferably is selected from piperidinyl, morpholinyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolidinyl and pyridyl ; or v) R4'is the group-(CH2) d-T where d is 1 and T is morpholinyl.

Particularly suitable compounds are those described in the Examples and in Table 1.

Table 1 Compd No. R3s d V Rls 1 H 2 bond H -nô 2 H 3 bond H -N 3 H 3 bond H -N 4 CH3 3 bond H -N 0 5 CH3 3 bond H * -nu 6 CH3 3 bond H -N Compd No. R35 d V R15 T 7 CH3 0 bond H * > N 8 H 0 bond H N-C (O) CH3 9 H 0 bond H * N-S02CH3 10 CH3 0 bond H 0 J 11 CH3 0 bond H * < NH 12 H 3 O OCH3 benzyl 13 H 3 O OCH3 H 14 H 3 S OCH3 CH3 15 CH3 0 bond H * N-S02CH3 16 CH3 0 bond H * N-C (O) CH3 3 SO2-OCH3 CH3

In the above Table, * indicates the point of attachment to the-O (CH2) dV-group.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include acid addition salts such as salts formed with mineral acids, for example, hydrogen halides such as hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide, sulphonic and phosphonic acids ; and salts formed with organic acids, especially citric, maleic, acetic, oxalic, tartaric, mandelic, p-toluenesulphonic, methanesulphonic acids and the like. In another aspect, suitable salts are base salts such as alkali metals salts, for example, sodium and potassium ; alkaline earth metal salts such as magnesium and calcium ; aluminium and ammonium salts ; and salts with organic bases such as ethanolamine, methylamine, diethylamine, isopropylamine,

trimethylamine and the like. Such salts may be prepared by any suitable method known in the art.

In vivo hydrolysable derivatives include, in particular, pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives that may be oxidised or reduced in the human body to produce the parent compound or esters that hydrolyse in hte human body to produce the parent compound. Such esters can be identified by administering, for example, intravenously to the test animal, the compound under test and subsequently examining the test animal's body fluids. Suitable in vivo hydrolysable esters for hydroxy include acetyl and for carboxyl include, for example, alkyl esters, dialkylaminoalkoxy esters, esters of formula -C (O)-O-CH2C (O) NRa Rb where Ra and Rb are, for example, selected from hydrogen and C, _4 alkyl, and Cl 6alkoxy methyl esters for example methoxymethyl, Cl 6alkanoyloxymethyl esters for example pivaloyloxymethyl, phthalidyl esters, C38 cycloalkoxyvarbonyloxyCI 6alkyl esters for example 1-cyclohexylcarbonyloxyethyl ; 1, 3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl esters for example 5-methyl-1, 3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl ; and Cl 6alkoxycarbonyloxyethyl esters for example 1-methoxycarbonyloxyethyl.

The activities of the compounds of this invention to inhibit the interaction between VCAM-1 and fibronectin with integrin °64p1 may be determined using a number of in vitro and in vivo screens.

For example, compounds of formulae (I), (II), or (III) preferably have an IC, (, of <101lM, more preferably <lllM in the MOLT-4 cell/Fibronectin assay hereinafter described.

In order for it to be used, a compound of formulae (I), (II) or (III) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable derivative thereof is typically formulated as a pharmaceutical composition in accordance with standard pharmaceutical practice.

Thus, according to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formulae (I), (II) or (III) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable derivative thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be in a form suitable for oral use, for example a tablet, capsule, aqueous or oily solution, suspension or emulsion ; for nasal use, for example a snuff, nasal spray or nasal drops ; for vaginal or rectal use, for example a suppository ; for administration by inhalation, for example as a finely divided powder or a liquid aerosol ; for sub-lingual or buccal use, for example a tablet or capsule ; or for parenteral use (including intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravascular or infusion), for example a sterile aqueous or oily solution or suspension, or a depot formulation with drug incorporated in a biodegradable polymer. The composition may be in a form suitable for topical administration such as for example creams, ointments and gels. Skin patches are also contemplated. For these purposes, the compositions of this invention may be formulated by means known in the art, such as for example, as described in general terms, in Chapter 25. 2 of Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 5, Editor Hansch et al, Pergamon Press 1990.

Furthermore, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may contain one or more additional pharmacological agents suitable for treating one or more disease conditions referred to hereinabove, in addition to the compounds of the present invention. In a further aspect, the additional pharmacological agent or agents may be co-administered, either simultaneously or sequentially, with the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention.

The composition of the invention will normally be administered to humans such that the daily dose will be 0. 01 to 75mg/kg body weight and preferably 0. 1 to 15mg/kg body weight. A preferred composition of the invention is one suitable for oral administration in unit dosage form for example a tablet or capsule which contains from 1 to 1000mg and preferably 10 to 500mg of a compound according to the present invention in each unit dose.

Thus, according to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a compound of formulae (I), (II), or (III) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable derivative thereof for use in a method of therapeutic treatment of the human or animal body.

In yet a further aspect of the invention the present invention provides a method of treating a disease mediated by the interaction between VCAM-1 and/or fibronectin and

the integrin receptor a4 (31 in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said warm-blooded mammals an effective amount of a compound of formulae (I), (II), or (III) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable derivative thereof.

The present invention also provides the use of a compound of formulae (I), (II), or (III) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in vivo hydrolysable derivative thereof in the production of a medicament for use in the treatment of a disease or medical condition mediated by the interaction between fibronectin and/or VCAM-1 (especially VCAM-1) and the integrin receptor a4 (3,.

In a preferred embodiment the mammal in need of treatment is suffering from multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, coronary artery disease, psoriasis, atherosclerosis, transplant rejection, inflammatory bowel disease, insulin-dependent diabetes and glomerulonephritis.

Compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by conventional routes, for example as described in WO 98/04247. In particular, they may be prepared by process which comprises coupling together a compound of formula (VI)

where D, X, Ra, Rb and a are as defined hereinbefore in relation to formula (I) ; and an appropriate amine of formula (VII)

where R3, A, R36, n, R4l, g, h, R34 R35, k and R39 are as hereinbefore defined in relation to formula (I) ; and where any functional group is optionally protected ; and thereafter, if necessary : a) removing any protecting group ; and b) forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable derivative.

The reactions to couple the acids of formula (VI) to the amines of formula (VII) are to are suitably performed under standard coupling conditions for forming peptide bonds. They can be performed either on a solid support (Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis) or in solution using normal techniques used in the synthesis of organic compounds.

With the exception of the solid support, all the other protecting groups, coupling agents, deblocking reagents and purification techniques are similar in both the solid phase and solution phase peptide synthesis techniques.

During the reaction, amino acid functional groups may, if necessary, be protected by protecting groups, for example BOC (tert-butoxycarbonyl). Such groups can be cleaved when necessary using standard techniques such as acid or base treatment.

Suitable protecting groups for the protection of the carboxyl groups include esters.

Coupling reagents for forming peptide bonds include the commonly used azide, symmetrical anhydride, mixed anhydride and various active esters and carbodiimides. In the case of carbodiimides, additives such as 1-hydroxybenzotriazole and N-hydroxysuccinimide may also be added. Other coupling reagents include <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> lH-benzotriazole-l-yl-oxy-tris-pyrrolidinophosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBOP), (2- (lH-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1, 1, 3, 3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU), (2- (lH-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1, 1, 3, 3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HBTU)] and 0- (7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-1, 1, 3, 3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HATU).

The coupling reactions can be performed at temperatures between-20°C to 40°C.

The time of the reaction can vary such as between 10 minutes and 24 hours.

Suitable purification methods for the intermediates and final products include chromatographic techniques such as high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) along with many other standard techniques used in organic chemistry (e. g. solvent extraction and crystallisation).

It will be understood that all amino acids are the natural isomers unless otherwise stated. The following examples illustrate the invention.

Example 1 Method for alkylation of 4-nitrocatechol to give nitrophenol (18 Sodium hydride (5. 2g of a 60% suspension in oil ; 129mmol) was suspended in DMF (50cm3) and cooled to 0°C. 4-Nitrocatechol (lOg ; 64. 5mmol) in DMF (50cm3) was slowly added. The purple solution that formed was stirred for 0. 5h and then methyl 4-bromobutyrate (7. 4cm3 ; 64. 5mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was very viscous for about lh but after this time it became quite fluid. The mixture was stirred for 24h by which time it had become red in colour. The reaction mixture was quenched by careful addition of water and then acidified with 2N hydrochloric acid causing the mixture to turn pale yellow. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (x2) and the combined extracts washed with brine (x2), saturated, aqueous sodium bicarbonate, brine, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The yellow sticky solid was washed with hexane to remove mineral oil and gave the nitrophenol (18) (15g, 67%) as a pale yellow solid.

MS (ES+) 256. 4 (M+H) + 'H (300MHz ; CDC13) 2. 20 (2H, m), 2. 55 (2H, t), 3. 75 (3H, s), 4. 20 (2H, t), 6. 60 (1H, brs), 6. 95 (1H, d), 7. 75 (1H, d), 7. 90 (IH, dd).

Alkylation of Nitrophenol (18)

(19) Nitrophenol (18) (0. 75g ; 2. 9mmol), N- (2-chloroethyl)-piperidine hydrochloride (0. 63g ; 3. 4mmol) and potassium carbonate (l. lg ; 7. 9mmol) were heated to 80°C in DMF over night. After cooling, the mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was suspended between DCM and 1N sodium hydroxide, and the organic phase was separated, washed with brine and passed through phase separating paper. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure to give crude nitrobenzene (19) which was used without further purification. MS ES+ 367. 1 (M+H) Reduction of Nitrophenol 9) To the entire sample of nitrophenol (19) was added methanol and ammonium formate (lg), and the system was purged with argon. To this was added 10% Pd on charcoal (25mg) and the mixture was heated to 45°C for 1 hour. The mixture was filtered through a pad of celite and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was suspended between DCM and aq. sat. NaHCO3. The organic phase was separated, washed with brine and passed through phase separating paper. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure to give crude aniline (20) which was used without further purification.

MS ES+ 337. 1 (M+H) Preparation of ester (22)

To a DMF solution (3ml) of crude aniline (20) (300mg) was added diphenylurea phenylacetic acid (21) (prepared according to the method described in W097/03094) and HATU (0- (7-azabenzotriazole-1-yl)-1, 1, 3, 3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate, 310mg, 0. 82mmol). The system was purged with argon then DIPEA (diisopropylethylamine, 0. 33ml) was added. The mixture was stirred for 72 hours, and then quenched with water and DCM. The organic phase was washed with aq. sat. NaHCO3 and brine, then passed through phase separating paper. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure to give ester (22) as a crude solid which was used without further purification. MS ES+ 603 (M+H).

Hydrolysis of ester (22) to give Compound 1 in Table 1 To a solution in THF (12ml) of the entire sample of ester (22) was added water (5ml) and LiOH. H20 (205mg, 5mmol) and the mixture was allowed to stir for 12 hours. The mixture was acidified with aq. 2NHC1 (5ml) and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to give a sticky solid. The solid was taken up in warm MeOH and purified using an Isolute SCX column (eluant 1% ammonia in MeOH) and the solvent was removed. The solid was dried in a vacuum oven to give Compound 1 as a solid (140mg).

'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 35 (2H, d), 1. 45 (4H, m), 1. 90 (2H, t), 2. 23 (3H, s), 2. 45 (4H, m), 2. 60 (2H, t), 3. 50 (2H, s), 3. 95 (2H, t), 4. 00 (2H, t), 6. 90 (2H, m), 7. 05-7. 25 (6H, m), 7. 45 (2H, d), 7. 75 (1H, d), 8. 60 (1H, s), 9. 70 (1H, s), 9. 95 (1H, s).

MS ES+ 589. 5 (M+H), ES-587. 4 (M-H).

Example 2 Preparation of nitro compound (23

Nitrophenol (18) (2. 5g ; 9. 80mmol), 1-bromo-3-chloropropane (1. 9cm3 ; 19. 6mmol) and caesium carbonate (9. 6g ; 29. 4mmol) were heated under reflux in acetone (120cm3) over night. After cooling, the mixture was filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The residue was dissolved in DCM, washed with 2N sodium hydroxide, brine, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crystalline solid. This was suspended in iso-hexane and filtered to give the product (23) as a colourless crystalline solid (3. 1g, 95%).

'H NMR (CDC13 ; 300MHz) 2. 20 (2H, m), 2. 30 (2H, m), 2. 55 (2H, t), 3. 70 (3H, s), 3. 80 (2H, t), 4. 15 (2H, t), 4. 25 (2H, t), 6. 95 (1H, d), 7. 75 (1H, d), 7. 90 (1H, dd).

Preparation of aniline (24 Nitro compound (23) (1. 5g ; 4. 52mmol), iron powder (1. 5g ; 27. 1mmol) and ammonium chloride (0. 17g ; 3. 16mmol) were heated under reflux in ethanol/water (30/9. 9cm3) for lh. After cooling, the mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and filtered. The filtrate was dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under reduced pressure to give the aniline (24) as a pale brown oil (1. 06g, 78%).

'H NMR (CDC13 ; 300MHz) 2. 15 (4H, m), 2. 55 (2H, t), 3. 70 (3H, s), 3. 75 (2H, t), 4. 00 (2H, t), 4. 05 (2H, t), 6. 20 (1H, dd), 6. 30 (1H, d), 6. 75 (1H, d).

Preparation of amide (25)

Aniline (24) (960mg ; 3. 18mmol), 4-nitrophenylacetic acid (692mg ; 3. 82mmol), HATU (O- (7-azabenzotriazole-1-yl)-1, 1, 3, 3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate, 1. 4g ; 3. 82mmol) were dissolved in DMF (5cm3) and DIPEA (diisopropylethylamine, 1. 4cm3 ; 7. 95mmol) added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16h. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with 2N aqueous hydrochloric acid, 2N sodium hydroxide, brine, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed (1% MeOH/DCM) to give the product amide (25) as a pale brown solid (852mg, 58%).

'H NMR (CDC13 ; 300MHz) 2. 10 (2H, m), 2. 20 (2H, m), 2. 55 (2H, t), 3. 70 (3H, s), 3. 80 (4H, m), 4. 00 (2H, t), 4. 10 (2H, t), 6. 85 (2H, s), 7. 05 (1H, s), 7. 55 (2H, d), 8. 25 (2H, d).

Preparation of ester (26) Amide (25) (275mg ; 0. 59mmol) and pyrrolidine (99ml ; 1. 18mmol) were heated at 120°C in O-dichlorobenzene (3cm3) for 5h. The mixture was cooled and placed on top of a silica column. The product was then eluted with MeOH/DCM (5-7%) to give the product ester (26) as a brown oil (260mg, 88%).

'H NMR (CDC13 ; 300MHz) 1. 95 (4H, m), 2. 10 (2H, m), 2. 25 (2H, m), 2. 50 (2H, t), 3. 00 (6H, m), 3. 65 (3H, s), 3. 90 (4H, m), 3. 95 (2H, t), 6. 70 (1H, d), 6. 90 (1H, dd), 7. 50 (1H, d), 7. 60 (2H, d), 8. 15 (2H, d), 8. 75 (1H, brs).

Preparation of aniline (27)

Ester (26) (260mg ; 0. 52mmol) was dissolved in MeOH (3cm3) and the system purged with argon gas. 10% Pd/C (26mg ; 10% by mass) was added and the mixture stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere for 3h. The Pd/C was removed by filtration and the filtrate concentrated under reduced pressure to give the product aniline (27) as a pale brown oil (250mg, 100%) MS 470. 4 (M+H) + Preparation of ester (28) Aniline (27) (250mg ; 0. 53mmol) was dissolved in DMF (5cm3) and o-tolyl isocyanate (79ml ; 0. 64mmol) added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16h. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with brine. This caused a sticky gum to form on the inside of the separating funnel which was dissolved in MeOH and placed on an Isolute SCX column. After washing with MeOH the product was eluted with 1°/ONH3/MeOH to give a pale brown solid (130mg, 41%).

'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 65 (4H, m), 1. 85 (2H, m), 1. 95 (2H, m), 2. 25 (3H, s), 2. 40 (4H, m), 3. 50 (2H, s), 3. 60 (3H, s), 3. 90 (4H, m), 6. 90 (2H, m), 7. 05-7. 15 (3H, m), 7. 20 (2H, d), 7. 30 (1H, d), 7. 40 (2H, d), 7. 80 (1H, d), 7. 85 (1H, s), 8. 95 (1H, s), 9. 90 (1H, s).

Hydrolysis of ester (28) to give Compound 2 in Table 1 This was carried out following the procedure described above for hydrolysis of ester (22) to give Compound 2 as a pale yellow foam.

MS 589. 5 (M+H) +

'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 55 (4H, m), 1. 85 (4H, m), 2. 10 (2H, t), 2. 25 (3H, s), 2. 40 (4H, m), 3. 50 (2H, s), 3. 90 (4H, m), 6. 85 (IH, d), 6. 90 (1H, t), 7. 10 (5H, m), 7. 25 (1H, d), 7. 45 (2H, d), 6. 90 (1H, t), 7. 10 (5H, m), 7. 25 (1H, d), 7. 45 (2H, d), 7. 70 (1H, d), 9. 10 (1H, s), 9. 90 (1H, s), 10. 20 (1H, brs) HPLC 11. 75min Example 3 Preparation of ester (29) Using the procedure described for formation of ester (26), amide (25) was treated with piperidine to give ester (29).

Ester (29) was then treated in an analogous fashion to ester (26) to give Compound 3 in Table 1.

MS 603. 4 (M+H) + 'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 35 (2H, m), 1. 50 (4H, m), 1. 80 (2H, m), 1. 90 (2H, m), 2. 25 (3H, s), 2. 35 (8H, m), 3. 50 (2H, s), 3. 90 (4H, m), 6. 85 (1H, d), 6. 90 (1H, t), 7. 10 (3H, m), 7. 20 (2H, d), 7. 30 (1H, d), 7. 40 (2H, d), 7. 80 (1H, d), 8. 10 (1H, s), 9. 95 (1H, s) HPLC 12. 10min Example 4 Synthesis of (+) methyl 4-bromo-3-methylbutvrate

3-Methylglutaric anhydride (50g ; 390mmol) and dry methanol (15. 8cm3 ; 390mmol) were heated to reflux (100°C). After Ih the mixture stopped refluxing but was maintain at 100°C over night. After cooling, the mixture was distilled (95°C at 0. 2mmHg) to give monomethyl 3-methylglutaric acid (37g, 59%) as a colourless oil.

MS (ES-) 159. 0 (M-H)-. (ES+) 161. 0 (M+H) + [175. 1 (M+H) + for diester].

'H NMR (300MHz ; CDCl3) 1. 10 (3H, d), 2. 30 (2H, m), 2. 45 (3H, m), 3. 70 (3H, s).

Monomethyl 3-methylglutaric acid (37g ; 231mmol) was added to 1M NaOH (231cm3 ; 23 lmmol) causing the solution to warm slightly. This solution was added to a solution of silver nitrate (39. 2g ; 231mmol) in water (184cm3) at 60°C. A fine white precipitate form immediately. The mixture was cooled and stirred in an ice bath for lh before being filtered, washed with water, acetone and ether and partially dried on the filter. The solid was then dried over night at 80°C in a vacuum oven to give the silver salt of the monomethyl 3-glutaric acid (49g, 79%) as a pale brown solid.

The silver salt (49g ; 184mmol) was suspended in carbon tetrachloride (245cm3) and bromine (9. 5cm3) slowly added. The reaction mixture warmed to w30°C during this process an effervescence was seen. The reaction mixture was maintained at this temperature by the rate of addition of bromine. After the final addition of bromine the viscous mixture was stirred for 0. 5h before being heated at reflux for Ih. After cooling, the pale yellow precipitate was removed by filtration and the filtrate washed with 1M aqueous sodium thiosulphate, brine, dried (phase separation paper) and concentrated under reduced pressure. This gave a pale yellow oil which contained 15% of monomethyl 3-methyl glutaric acid as an impurity by'H NMR. This was removed by taking the oil up in DCM and washing with 1M NaOH. Drying and concentration as above gave () methyl 4-bromo-3-methylbutyrate (25g, 70%) as a pale yellow oil.

'H NMR (300MHz ; CDCl3) 1. 10 (3H, d), 2. 30 (2H, m), 2. 55 (1H, dd), 3. 40 (1H, dd), 3. 45 (1H, dd), 3. 70 (3H, s).

Preparation of nitrophenol (30)

Using the procedure described for formation of nitrophenol (18), nitrocatechol was alkylated with () methyl 4-bromo-3-methylbutyrate to give nitrophenol (30).

Preparation of nitro compound (31) Using the procedure described for formation of nitro compound (23), nitrophenol (30) was alkylated with 1-bromo-3-chloropropane to give nitro compound (31).

Preparation of nitro compound (32) Using the procedure described for formation of ester (26), nitro compound (31) was treated with morpholine to give nitro compound (32).

Preparation of aniline (33)

Using the procedure described for preparation of aniline (27), nitro compound (32) was reduced with hydrogen and Pd to give aniline (33).

Preparation of ester (34)

Using the procedure described for preparation of ester (22), aniline (33) was coupled with diphenylurea phenylacetic acid (21) to give ester (34).

Preparation of Compound 4 in Table 1 Using the procedure described for the hydrolysis of ester (22), ester (34) was hydrolysed to give Compound 4.

MS 619. 5 (M+H) + 'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 00 (3H, d), 1. 80 (2H, m), 1. 95 (1H, dd), 2. 15-2. 35 (9H, m), 2. 40 (2H, t), 3. 50 (2H, s), 3. 55 (4H, t), 3. 70 (1H, dd), 3. 85 (1H, dd), 3. 95 (2H, t), 6. 85 (1H, d), 6. 90 (1H, t), 7. 05-7. 20 (5H, m), 7. 25 (1H, d), 7. 45 (2H, d), 7. 70 (1H, d), 8. 95 (1H, s), 9. 90 (1H, s), 10. 05 (1H, brs) HPLC 11. 94min Example 5 Preparation of nitro compound (35

Using the procedure described for formation of ester (26), nitro compound (31) was treated with pyrrolidine to give nitro compound (35).

Preparation of aniline (36)

(36) Using the procedure described for preparation of aniline (27), nitro compound (35) was reduced with hydrogen and Pd to give aniline (36).

Preparation of ester (37)

(37) Using the procedure described for preparation of ester (22), aniline (36) was coupled with diphenylurea phenylacetic acid (21) to give ester (37).

Preparation of Compound 5 in Table 1 Using the procedure described for the hydrolysis of ester (22), ester (37) was hydrolysed to give Compound 5.

MS 603. 5 (M+H) + 'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 00 (3H, d), 1. 65 (4H, m), 1. 80 (2H, m), 2. 00 (1H, m), 2. 25 (5H, m), 2. 40 (4H, m), 2. 55 (2H, t), 3. 50 (2H, s), 3. 70 (1H, dd), 3. 85 (1H, dd), 3. 90 (2H, t), 6. 85 (1H, d), 6. 90 (1H, t), 7. 05-7. 20 (5H, m), 7. 25 (1H, d), 7. 45 (2H, d), 7. 70 (1H, d), 8. 80 (1H, s), 9. 90 (2H, brs) HPLC 12. 33 min Example 6 Preparation of nitro compound (38)

(38) Using the procedure described for formation of ester (26), nitro compound (31) was treated with piperidine to give nitro compound (38).

Preparation of aniline (39)

(39) Using the procedure described for preparation of aniline (27), nitro compound (38) was reduced with hydrogen and Pd to give aniline (39).

Preparation of ester (40)

(40) Using the procedure described for preparation of ester (22), aniline (39) was coupled with diphenylurea phenylacetic acid (21) to give ester (40).

Preparation of Compound 6 in Table 1 Using the procedure described for the hydrolysis of ester (22), ester (40) was hydrolysed to give Compound 6.

MS 617. 6 (M+H) + 'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 00 (3H, d), 1. 35 (2H, m), 1. 45 (4H, m), 1. 80 (2H, m), 1. 95 (1H, dd), 2. 15-2. 40 (11H, m), 3. 50 (2H, s), 3. 65 (1H, dd), 3. 90 (3H, m), 6. 85 (1H, d), 6. 90 (1H, t), 7. 05-7. 20 (5H, m), 7. 25 (1H, d), 7. 45 (2H, d), 7. 70 (1H, d), 9. 00 (1H, s), 9. 90 (1H, s), 10. 05 (1H, brs) HPLC 12. 70min Example 7 Preparation of nitro compound (41)

Nitro phenol (30) (lg ; 4. 0mmol), N-Methyl-4-hydroxypiperidine (0. 46g, 4mmol) and triphenylphosphine (1. 13g ; 4. 31mmol) were dissolved in THF (15cm3) and cooled to 0°C. Diethyl azodicarboxylate (0. 7cm3 ; 4. 31mmol) was added dropwise and after the final addition the mixture allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred over night.

The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue taken-up in DCM, washed with 2N aqueous hydrochloric acid, 2N sodium hydroxide, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed (DCM-1% MeOH/DCM) to give the product nitro compound (41) as a viscous yellow oil.

Preparation of aniline (42) Using the procedure described for preparation of aniline (27), nitro compound (41) was reduced with hydrogen and Pd to give aniline (42).

Preparation of ester (43)

Using the procedure described for preparation of ester (22), aniline (42) was coupled with diphenylurea phenylacetic acid (21) to give ester (43).

Preparation of Compound 7 in Table 1 Using the procedure described for the hydrolysis of ester (22), ester (43) was hydrolysed to give Compound 7.

MS 589. 4 (M+H) + 'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 00 (3H, d), 1. 60 (2H, m), 1. 80 (2H, m), 2. 10 (4H, m), 2. 20 (3H, s), 2. 30 (1H, m), 2. 60 (1H, m), 3. 70 (1H, m), 3. 80 (1H, m), 4. 10 (1H, m), 6. 85 (2H, m), 7. 10 (3H, m), 7. 20 (2H, m), 7. 30 (1H, m), 7. 40 (2H, m), 7. 85 (lu, m), 8. 55 (1H, s), 9. 60 (1H, s), 9. 95 (1H, s).

HPLC 11. 93min Example 8 Preparation of nitro compound (44) (44) Using the procedure described for preparation of nitro compound (41), nitrophenol (18) was reacted with 1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-hydroxypiperidine, triphenylphosphine and diethyl azodicarboxylate to give nitro compound (44).

Preparation of aniline (45) Using the procedure described for preparation of aniline (27), nitro compound (44) was reduced with hydrogen and Pd to give aniline (45).

Preparation of ester (46)

(46) Using the procedure described for preparation of ester (22), aniline (45) was coupled with diphenylurea phenylacetic acid (21) to give ester (46).

Preparation of amine (47) Ester (46) (1. 8g ; 2. 67mmol) was dissolved in 90% trifluoroacetic acid (18cm3) and stirred for 3h at room temperature. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate. This caused a fine precipitate to form giving a colloidal mixture which was filtered. The solid collected was washed with water, ethyl acetate and dried in air to give the product (47) as a colourless solid (1. 15g, 75%). MS 575. 2 (M+H) + Preparation of ester (48)

Amine (47) (300mg ; 0. 52mmol) was dissolved in pyridine (5cm3) and acetic anhydride (59ml ; 0. 63mmol) added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue dissolved in DCM, washed with saturated, aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate, dried (MgS04) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in MeOH and passed through and Isolute SCX column to give the product (48) as a colourless foam (198mg, 61%).

'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 55 (2H, m), 1. 80 (2H, m), 1. 95 (5H, m), 2. 25 (3H, s), 3. 30 (2H, m), 3. 50 (2H, s), 3. 60 (3H, s), 3. 70 (2H, m), 3. 90 (2H, t), 4. 35 (1H, m), 6. 90 (2H, d), 7. 05-7. 15 (3H, m), 7. 20 (2H, d), 7. 35 (1H, d), 7. 40 (2H, d), 7. 80 (1H, d), 7. 90 (1H, s), 8. 98 (1H, s), 9. 95 (1H, s).

Preparation of Compound 8 in Table 1 Using the procedure described for the hydrolysis of ester (22), ester (48) was hydrolysed to give Compound 8.

MS 603. 4 (M+H) 'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 55 (2H, m), 1. 80 (2H, m), 1. 90 (2H, m), 2. 00 (3H, s), 2. 25 (3H, s), 2. 40 (2H, t), 3. 30 (2H, m), 3. 50 (2H, s), 3. 65 (2H, m), 3. 95 (2H, t), 4. 35 (1H, m), 6. 90 (2H, m), 7. 10 (3H, m), 7. 20 (2H, d), 7. 35 (3H, m), 7. 80 (1H, d), 7. 90 (1H, s), 9. 00 (1H, s), 10. 00 (1H, s) HPLC 12. 77 min Example 9 Preparation of ester (49) Amine (47) (300mg ; 0. 52mmol) was dissolved in pyridine (5cm3) and methanesulphonyl chloride (63ml ; 0. 63mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue dissolved in DCM, washed with saturated, aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate, dried (MgSO4) and

concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed (5% MeOH/DCM) to give the product (49) as a yellow oil (112mg, 33%).

MS 652. 5 (M+H) + Preparation of Compound 9 in Table 1 Using the procedure described for the hydrolysis of ester (22), ester (49) was hydrolysed to give Compound 9.

LC-MS 3. 90 639. 5 (M+H) + 'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 75 (2H, m), 1. 90 (4H, m), 2. 20 (3H, s), 2. 40 (2H, t), 2. 90 (3H, s), 3. 10 (2H, m), 3. 50 (2H, s), 3. 60 (2H, m), 3. 90 (2H, t), 4. 30 (1H, m), 6. 95 (2H, m), 7. 10 (3H, m), 7. 20 (2H, d), 7. 40 (2H, m), 7. 80 (1H, d), 7. 90 (1H, s), 9. 00 (1H, s), 10. 00 (1H, s) Example 10 Preparation of nitro compound (50) Using the procedure described for nitro compound (41), nitrophenol (30) was reacted with cyclopentanol, triphenylphosphine and diethyl azodicarboxylate to give nitro compound (50).

Preparation of aniline (51) Using the procedure described for preparation of aniline (27), nitro compound (50) was reduced with hydrogen and Pd to give aniline (51).

Preparation of ester (52

Using the procedure described for preparation of ester (22), aniline (51) was coupled with diphenylurea phenylacetic acid (21) to give ester (52).

Preparation of Compound 10 in Table 1 Using the procedure described for the hydrolysis of ester (22), ester (52) was hydrolysed to give Compound 10.

LC-MS 3. 64 560. 5 (M+H) + 'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 00 (3H, d), 1. 55 (2H, m), 1. 70 (6H, m), 2. 15 (1H, dd), 2. 25 (4H, m), 2. 45 (1H, dd), 3. 60 (2H, s), 3. 75 (2H, d), 4. 70 (1H, m), 6. 85 (1H, d), 6. 90 (1H, t), 7. 05 (1H, dd), 7. 10 (2H, m), 7. 20 (2H, d), 7. 30 (1H, d), 7. 40 (2H, d), 7. 65 (1H, d), 7. 70 (1H, s), 8. 95 (1H, s), 9. 90 (1H, s), 12. 15 (1H, brs) Example 11 Preparation of nitro compound (53) Using the procedure described for preparation of nitro compound (41), nitrophenol (30) was reacted with 1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-hydroxypiperidine, triphenylphosphine and diethyl azodicarboxylate to give nitro compound (53).

Preparation of aniline (54)

Using the procedure described for preparation of aniline (27), nitro compound (53) was reduced with hydrogen and Pd to give aniline (54).

Preparation of ester (55) (55) Using the procedure described for preparation of ester (22), aniline (54) was coupled with diphenylurea phenylacetic acid (21) to give ester (55).

Preparation of amine (56) (56) Using the procedure described for preparation of amine (47), ester (55) was treated with trifluoroacetic acid to give amine (56).

Preparation of Compound 11 in Table 1 Using the procedure described for preparation of ester (49), amine (56) was treated with methanesulphonyl chloride in pyridine. This procedure gave rise to a mixture of products, from which Compound 11 was isolated.

MS 575. 7 (M+H) + 'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 00 (3H, d), 1. 60 (2H, m), 1. 85 (2H, m), 2. 10 (1H, dd), 2. 20 (3H, s), 2. 40 (2H, m), 2. 70 (2H, m), 3. 00 (2H, m), 3. 50 (2H, s), 3. 80 (2H, m), 4. 20

(1H, m), 6. 95 (2H, t), 7. 00 (2H, m), 7. 10 (2H, t), 7. 20 (1H, d), 7. 40 (3H, m), 7. 80 (1H, d), 8. 10 (1H, s), 9. 20 (1H, s), 10. 00 (1H, s).

HPLC 11. 65min Example 12 Preparation of nitro compound (57)

(57) A mixture of the carboxylic acid derivative of nitro phenol (18) (300mg), 3-benzyloxypropyl bromide (800mg), DMF (lOmL) and potassium carbonate (334mg) was stirred at 60°C for 24h. The mixture was cooled, treated with water and extracted with EtOAc. The extract was washed with brine, dried and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by flash chromatography using increasingly polar mixtures of EtOAc and hexane as eluant to give (57) as a gum (550mg).

Preparation of ester (58 ?

(58) A mixture of nitro compound (57) (540mg), EtOH (20ml), 10% palladium on carbon catalyst (200mg) and ammonium formate (190mg) was stirred at room temperature for lh. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and the residue was partitioned between water and EtOAc, and the organic phase was dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was treated with DMF (3ml), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (200mg), 1- (3, 3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl carbodiimide

hydrochloride (300mg), 3-methoxy-4- (2-methylphenylureido) phenylacetic acid (CAS No 181519-21-1, 284mg) and N-methylmorpholine (0. 2mL) and the-mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24h. The mixture was treated with EtOAc and washed successively with IN HC1, IN NaOH and brine then dried and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was treated with MeOH (30mL) and concentrated sulphuric acid (0. 2ml) and the mixture was heated at reflux for3h. The cooled mixture was diluted with water and extracted with EtOAC, and the extract was washed with brine, dried and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by flash chromatography using increasingly polar mixtures of EtOAC and hexane as eluent to give ester (58) (380mg).

Preparation of Compound 12 in Table 1 A mixture of the methyl ester (58) (80mg), DMSO (ImL) and 2N NaOH (0. 2mL) was stirred at room temperature for lh. The mixture was acidified with glacial acetic acid, diluted with water and the gummy precipitate was extracted into a mixture of EtOAc and THF. The extract was washed with brine, dried and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was triturated with a mixture of EtOAc and Et20 and the insoluble off white solid collected to give Compound 12 (67mg) 'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 8-2. 0 (4H, m), 2. 2 (3H, s), 2. 35 (2H, t), 3. 5 (2H, s), 3. 6 (2H, t), 3. 9 (5H, m), 4. 0 (2H, t), 4. 45 (2H, s), 6. 8-6. 95 (3H, m), 7. 0 (lH, m), 7. 05-7. 15 (3H, m), 7. 2-7. 3 (6H, m), 7. 75 (lH, d), 8. 0 (lH, d), 8. 45 (lH, s), 8. 55 (lH, s), 9. 9 (lH, s).

MS ES-654 (M-H) Example 13 Preparation of methyl ester (59) A mixture of the ester (58) (0. 28g), EtOH (25ml), THF (25mL) and 10% palladium on carbon catalyst (50mg) was stirred at room temperature under an atmosphere of hydrogen for 24h. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness

under reduced pressure. The residue was triturated with EtOH and the insoluble solid collected to give ester (59) (205mg).

Preparation of Compound 13 in Table 1 A mixture of the methyl ester (59) (50mg), DMSO (ImL) and 2N NaOH (0. 2mL) was stirred at room temperature for lh. The mixture was acidified with glacial acetic acid, diluted with water and the tan precipitate was collected and washed with water to give Compound 13 (41mg).

'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 8-2. 0 (4H, m), 2. 2 (3H, s), 2. 35 (2H, t), 3. 5-3. 6 (4H, m), 3. 9 (5H, m), 3. 95 (2H, t), 4. 45 (2H, s), 6. 8-6. 95 (3H, m), 7. 0 (lH, m), 7. 05-7. 15 (3H, m), 7. 3 (lH, m), 7. 75 (lH, d), 8. 0 (lH, d), 8. 45 (lH, s), 8. 55 (lH, s), 9. 9 (lH, s).

MS ES-564 (M-H) Example 14 Preparation of ester (60) (60) A solution of methanesulphonyl chloride (30mg) in THF (0. 5mL) was added dropwise to a stirred mixture of the alcohol (59) (140mg), NMP (2mL) and triethylamine (0. lmL) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2h. The mixture was treated with sodium thiomethoxide (80mg) and stirred for a further 2h. The stirred mixture was treated with water (lOmL) and EtOAc (5mL) and the insoluble solid collected to give ester (60) (95mg).

Preparation of Compound 14 in Table 1 A mixture of the methyl ester (60) (85mg), DMSO (ImL) and 2N NaOH (0. 5mL) was stirred at room temperature for lh. The mixture was acidified with glacial acetic acid, diluted with water and the pale yellow precipitate was collected and washed with water and EtO to give Compound 14 (68mg).

'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 8-2. 0 (4H, m), 2. 05 (3H, s), 2. 2 (3H, s), 2. 4 (2H, t), 2. 6 (2H, t), 3. 5 (2H, s), 3. 85-4. 0 (7H, m), 6. 8-6. 95 (3H, m), 7. 0 (lH, m), 7. 05-7. 15 (3H, m), 7. 3 (lH, m), 7. 75 (lH, d), 8. 0 (lH, d), 8. 45 (lH, s), 8. 55 (lH, s), 9. 9 (lH, s).

MS ES+ 596 (M+H) Example 15 Preparation of amine (61) (61) Nitro compound (53) (3. 26g, 7. 21 mmol) was dissolved in 4M hydrochloric acid in 1, 4-dioxane (lOcm3) and stirred at room temperature for 6h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue dissolved in DCM, washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under reduced pressure to give the product amine (61) as an oil (2. 97g) MS 353. 6 (M+H) + Preparation of nitro compound (62 Amine (61) (0. 5g, 1. 42 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (5cm3) and diisopropylethylamine (494ml ; 2. 84mmol) added. The mixture was cooled to 0°C and methanesulphonyl chloride (165ml ; 2. 13mmol) added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 7h.

The mixture was washed with 2N aqueous hydrochloric acid, 2N sodium hydroxide, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed (2% MeOH/DCM) to give the product (62) as an oil (454. 8mg, 74%).

MS 431. 5 (M+H) + Preparation of aniline (63)

(63) Using the procedure described for preparation of aniline (27), nitro compound (62) was reduced with hydrogen and Pd to give aniline (63).

Preparation of ester (64) (64) Using the procedure described for preparation of ester (22), aniline (63) was coupled with diphenylurea phenylacetic acid (21) to give ester (64).

Preparation of Compound 15 in Table 1 Using the procedure described for the hydrolysis of ester (22), ester (64) was hydrolysed to give Compound 15.

MS 653. 4 (M+H) + 'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 00 (3H, d), 1. 75 (2H, m), 1. 85 (2H, m), 2. 15 (1H, m), 2. 20 (3H, s), 2. 25 (1H, m), 2. 45 (1H, m), 2. 85 (3H, s), 3. 10 (2H, m), 3. 30 (2H, m), 3. 50 (2H, s), 3. 80 (2H, d), 4. 30 (1H, m), 6. 90 (2H, m), 7. 10 (3H, m), 7. 20 (2H, d), 7. 40 (3H, t), 7. 90 (1H, d), 8. 00 (1H, s), 9. 15 (1H, s), 10. 00 (1H, s).

Example 16 Preparation of nitro compound (65)

(65) Amine (61) (0. 5g, 1. 42mmol), diisopropylethylamine (494ml ; 2. 84mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (catalytic) were dissolved in DCM (5cm3) and cooled to 0°C.

Acetic anhydride (201ml ; 2. 13 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 5h. The mixture was washed with 2N aqueous hydrochloric acid, 2N sodium hydroxide, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in MeOH and washed through an Isolute SCX column to give the product (65) as an oil (475mg, 85%).

MS 395. 6 (M+H) + Preparation of aniline (66) Using the procedure described for preparation of aniline (27), nitro compound (65) was reduced with hydrogen and Pd to give aniline (66).

Preparation of ester (67)

Using the procedure described for preparation of ester (22), aniline (66) was coupled with diphenylurea phenylacetic acid (21) to give ester (67).

Preparation of Compound 16 in Table 1 Using the procedure described for the hydrolysis of ester (22), ester (67) was hydrolysed to give Compound 16.

MS 617. 6 (M+H) + 'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 00 (3H, d), 1. 55 (2H, m), 1. 80 (2H, m), 1. 95 (3H, s), 2. 15 (1H, m), 2. 20 (4H, m), 2. 25 (1H, m), 3. 30 (2H, m), 3. 50 (2H, s), 3. 60 (2H, m), 3. 80 (2H, m), 4. 30 (1H, m), 6. 90 (2H, m), 7. 10 (3H, m), 7. 20 (2H, d), 7. 40 (3H, t), 7. 80 (1H, d), 7. 90 (1H, s), 9. 00 (1H, s), 10. 00 (1H, s).

HPLC 13. 55min Example 17 Preparation of Compound 17 in Table 1 A mixture of Compound 14 (45mg), MeOH (lmL), Oxone (100mg) and water (0. 5mL) was stirred at room temperature for 72h., diluted with water, and the insoluble solid collected. The solid was stirred with a mixture of DMSO (0. 5mL) and 2N NaOH (O. lmL) at room temperature forlh and acidified with glacial acetic acid. The mixture was diluted with water and the light brown precipitate collected and washed with water to give Compound 17 (31mg).

'H NMR (DMSO ; 300MHz) 1. 9 (2H, m), 2. 1 (2H, m), 2. 2 (3H, s), 2. 4 (2H, t), 3. 0 (3H, s), 3. 25 (2H, m), 3. 5 (2H, s), 3. 85-4. 05 (7H, m), 6. 8-6. 95 (3H, m), 7. 0 (lH, m), 7. 05-7. 15 (3H, m), 7. 3 (lH, m), 7. 75 (lH, d), 8. 0 (lH, d), 8. 45 (lH, s), 8. 55 (lH, s), 9. 9 (lH, s).

MS ES+ 628 (M+H)

Example 18 The compounds of the invention or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof may be formulated into tablets together with, for example, lactose Ph. Eur, Croscarmellose sodium, maize starch paste (5% w/v paste) and magnesium stearate for therapeutic or prophylactic use in humans. The tablets may be prepared by conventional procedures well known in the pharmaceutical art and may be film coated with typical coating materials such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

In Vitro and In Vivo Assays The following abbreviations are used. Suitable sources of materials are listed below.

MOLT-4 cells-human T-lymphoblastic leukaemia cells (European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures, Porton Down) Fibronectin-purified from human plasma by gelatin-sepharose affinity chromatography according to the methods described in E. Nengvall, E. Ruoslahti, Int. J. Cancer, 1977, 20, pages 1-5 and J. Forsyth et al, Methods in Enzymology, 1992, 215, pages 311-316).

RPMI 1640-cell culture medium. (Life technologies, Paisley UK).

PBS-Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (Life Technologies).

BSA-Bovine serum albumin, fraction V (ICN, Thame, UK).

CFA-Complete Freund's Adjuvant (Life Technologies).

In the following assays and models references to compound (s) refers to the compounds of formula (I) and (II) according to the present invention.

1. 1 In vitro assay 1. 1. 1 MOLT-4 cell/Fibronectin adhesion assay.

The MOLT-4 cell/fibronectin adhesion assay was used to investigate the interaction of the integrin a4 (3, expressed on the MOLT-4 cell membrane with fibronectin. Polystyrene 96 well plates were coated overnight at 4°C with fibronectin, 100 ul of 10, ug/ml in PBS. Non-specific adhesion sites were blocked by adding 100 u. l BSA, 20 mg/ml. After incubating for 1 h at room temperature, the solutions were aspirated. MOLT-4 cells suspended in serum-free RPMI-1640 medium 2E6 cells/ml (50 pilz and solutions of compound diluted in the same medium (50 u. l) were added to each

well. After incubation for 2 h at 37°C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% (v/v) CO2, non-adherent cells were removed by gentle shaking followed by vacuum aspiration.

Adherent cells were quantified by a colorimetric acid phosphatase assay. To each well was added 100 ul p-nitrophenyl phosphate (6 mg/ml) in 50 mM sodium acetate buffer, pH 5. 0, containing 1% Triton X-100. After incubation for 1 h at 37°C, 50 Al sodium hydroxide (1M) was added to each well and the absorbance 405 nm was measured on a microplate spectrophotometer. Compounds which inhibited adhesion gave a lower absorbance reading. Standard, control and test conditions were assayed in triplicate.

Percentage inhibition was calculated with respect to total (no inhibitor) and non-specific (no fibronectin) standards on each plate. In this assay, it was found that Compound 1 in Table 1 is an inhibitor at 87nm and Compound 2 in Table 1 is an inhibitor at 84nM.

1. 2 In-vivo Inflammation Models Activity of a compound can be tested in the following models.

1. 2. 1 Ovalbumin Delayed type Hypersensitivity in mice Balb/c female mice (20-25g) are immunised on the flank with an 1 : 1 (v/v) emulsion of ovalbumin (2 mg/ml) with CFA. Seven days later the mice are challenged by subplantar injection of 1% heat aggregated ovalbumin in saline (30 1ll) into the right hind foot pad. Swelling of the foot develops over a 24 hour period following which foot pad thickness is measured and compared with the thickness of the contralateral uninjected foot. The percentage increase in foot pad thickness is calculated.

Compounds are dosed orally by gavage to groups of 5 mice at doses ranging from 0. 001 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg. Inhibition of the inflammatory response is calculated comparing vehicle treated animals and compound treated groups.

1. 2. 2. Collagen-induced arthritis in mice DBA/1 male mice are immunised with 0. lml of an emulsion prepared from equal volumes of bovine collagen type II in 0. 05M acetic acid (2 mg/ml) and CFA. This mixture is injected at the base of the tail. Twenty days later compounds are dosed orally by gavage at doses ranging from 0. 001mg/kg/day to 100 mg/kg/day. On the day following the first dose, each animal receives an intra-peritoneal booster injection of 0. lml of collagen type II in acetic acid. The mice are assessed for the incidence and severity of arthritis in all four limbs for up to 28 days. Inhibition of arthritis is calculated by comparing vehicle treated and compound treated mice.