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Title:
N- (2 -HYDROXYETHYL) -N-METHYL- 4- (QUINOLIN- 8-YL (1- (THIAZOL-4- YLMETHYL) PIPERIDIN- 4 -YLIDENE) METHYL) BENZAMIDE, THE PROCESS OF MAKING IT AS WELL AS ITS USE FOR THE TREATMENT OF PAIN, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2008/048171
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
N- (2-hydroxyethyl) -N-methyl-4- (quinolin-8-yl (1- (thiazol-4- ylmethyl ) piperidin- 4 -ylidene) methyl ) benzamide, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and/or mixtures thereof, as well as, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, methods of treatment therewith, and processes of making N- (2- hydroxyethyl ) -N-methyl-4- (quinolin-8-yl (1- (thiazol-4- ylmethyl) piperidin-4-ylidene) methyl) benzamide and internediates thereof.

Inventors:
BUI KHANH (US)
DANTZMAN CATHY (US)
ERNST GLEN (US)
HOESCH VALERIE (US)
HUDZIK THOMAS (US)
KING MEGAN MURPHY (US)
LIU JIE (US)
YAN JINGBO (US)
Application Number:
PCT/SE2007/000924
Publication Date:
April 24, 2008
Filing Date:
October 19, 2007
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
ASTRAZENECA AB (SE)
BUI KHANH (US)
DANTZMAN CATHY (US)
ERNST GLEN (US)
HOESCH VALERIE (US)
HUDZIK THOMAS (US)
KING MEGAN MURPHY (US)
LIU JIE (US)
YAN JINGBO (US)
International Classes:
C07D417/14; A61K31/4709; A61P25/04; A61P25/16; A61P25/22; A61P25/24; C07D401/08
Domestic Patent References:
WO2001074806A12001-10-11
WO1999033806A11999-07-08
WO2002094811A12002-11-28
Other References:
WEI Z.Y. ET AL.: "N,N-Diethyl-4-(phenylpiperidin-4-ylidenemethyl)benzamide: A Novel, Exceptionally Selective, Potent gamma Opioid Receptor Agonist with Oral Bioavailability and Its Analogues", J. MED. CHEM., vol. 43, 2000, pages 3895 - 3905, XP002301535
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
ASTRAZENECA AB (Södertälje, SE)
Download PDF:
Claims:

What is claimed is:

1. N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl(l-(thiazol-4- ylmethyl)piperidin-4-ylidene)methyl)benzamide, pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or mixture thereof.

2. N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl(l-(thiazol-4- ylmethyI)piperidin-4-ylidene)methyl)benzamide.

3. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 for use as a medicament.

4. The use of a compound according to claim 1 or 2 in the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of pain, anxiety or depression.

5. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1 or 2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

6. A method for the therapy of pain in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A method for the therapy of anxiety in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 or 2.

8. A method for the therapy of depression in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 or 2.

9. A method for the therapy of Parkinson's disease in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 or 2.

10. A method for the therapy of anxious depression in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 or 2.

11. A process for preparing N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4- ylidene-quinolin-8-yl-methyl)-benzamide comprising: reacting a protected 4-(bromo-{4-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-carbamoyl]- phenyl}-methylene)-piperidine with 8-quinolineboronic acid to form a protected N- (2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4-yUdene-quinolin-8-yl-methyl)-benzamide; and deprotecting said protected N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4- ylidene-quinolin-8-yl-methyl)-benzamide.

12. A process for preparing a protected 4-(bromo-{4-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl- carbamoyl]-phenyl} -methylene)-piperidine comprising: reacting 2-(methylamino)ethanol with a protected 4-[bromo-(4-carboxy- phenyl)-methylene]-piperidine.

13. A process for preparing a protected N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin- 4-ylidene-quinolin-8-yl-methyl)-benzamide comprising: reacting a protected 4-(bromo- {4-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-carbamoyl]- phenyl}-methylene)-piperidine with 8-quinolineboronic acid.

14. The process according to claim 13, further comprising reacting the protected 4- (bromo-{4-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-carbamoyl]-phenyl}-methylene)-piperidine with 8-quinolineboronic acid to form a protected N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4- (piperidin-4-ylidene-quinoIin-8-yl-methyl)-benzamide.

15. The process according to claim 14, further comprising deprotecting said protected N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin-8-yl-methyl)- benzamide to form N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin-8- yl-methyl)-benzamide.

16. The process according to claim 15, further comprising reacting the N-(2- hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin-8-yl-methyl)-benzamide with thiazole-4-carbaldehyde to form N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8- yl( 1 -(thiazol-4-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-ylidene)methyl)benzamide.

17. The process according to claims 11-15, wherein said protected 4-[bromo-(4- carboxy-phenyl)-methylene]-piperidine, said protected 4-(bromo- {4-[(2-hydroxy- ethyl)-methyl-carbamoyl]-phenyl}-methylene)-piperidine, and said protected N-(2- hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin-8-yl-methyl)-benzamide are each independently protected with a tert-Boc group at 1-piperidine position.

18. The process for preparing N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl(l- (thiazol-4-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-ylidene)methyl)benzamide comprising: reacting 2-(methylamino)ethanol with 4-((l-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)piperidin-4- ylidene)bromomethyl)benzoic acid to form tert-butyl 4-((4-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N- methylcarbamoyl)phenyl)bromomethylene)piperidine- 1 -carboxylate; reacting the tert-butyl 4-((4-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N- methylcarbamoyl)phenyl)bromomethy lene)piperidine- 1 -carboxylate with 8- quinolineboronic acid to form tert-butyl 4-((4-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N- methylcarbamoyl)phenyl)(quinolin-8-yl)methylene)piperidine-l-carboxylate; deprotecting the tert-butyl 4-((4-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N- methylcarbamoyl)phenyl)(quinolin-8-yl)methylene)piperidine- 1 -carboxylate to form

N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-((piperidin-4-ylidene)(quinolin-8- yl)methyl)benzamide; and reacting the N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-((piperidin-4-ylidene)(quinohn-8- yl)methyl)benzamide with thiazole-4-carbaldehyde to form the N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-

N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl( 1 -(thiazol-4-ylmethyl)piperidin-4- ylidene)methyl)benzamide.

19. tert-butyl 4-((4-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methylcarbamoyl)phenyl)(quinolin-8- yl)methy lene)piperidine- 1 -carboxylate .

20. N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-((piperidin-4-ylidene)(quinolin-8- yl)methyl)benzamide.

21. The use of a compound according to claim 1 or 2 in the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of pain.

22. The use of a compound according to claim 1 or 2 in the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of anxiety.

23. The use of a compound according to claim 1 or 2 in the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of depression.

24. The use of a compound according to claim 1 or 2 in the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of anxious depression.

A. CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER

IPC: see extra sheet

According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC

B. FIELDS SEARCHED

Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols)

IPC: C07D, A61K, A61P

Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched

SE, DK, FI , NO classes as above

Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used)

EPO-INTERNAL, WPI DATA, PAJ, CHEM ABS DATA, BIOSIS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PUBCHEM, XPTK

C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT

Category* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No.

WO 0174806 Al (ASTRAZENECA AB), 11 October 2001 1-24 (11.10.2001), claims 1,7,12,13,18, table 1: examples # 4,6,8,9, scheme 1-2

WO 9933806 Al (ORTHO-MCNEIL PHARMACEUTICAL, INC.), 1-24 8 July 1999 (08.07.1999), claims 1,8

WO 02094811 Al (ASTRAZENECA AB) , 28 November 2002 1-24 (28.11.2002), claims 1,8,13,14,15, table 1: exempel # 9, scheme 1-4

Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C. See patent family annex.

* Special categories of cited documents: "T" later document published after the international filing date or priority

"A" document defining the general state of the art which is not considered date and not in conflict with the application but cited to understand to be of particular relevance the principle or theory underlying the invention "E" earlier application or patent but published on or after the international filing date "X" document of particular relevance: the claimed invention cannot be considered novel or cannot be considered to involve an inventive "L" document which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or which is step when the document is taken alone cited to establish the publication date of another citation or other special reason (as specified) "Y" document of particular relevance: the claimed invention cannot be

"O" document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other considered to involve an inventive step when the document is means combined with one or more other such documents, such combination being obvious to a person skilled in the art "P" document published prior to the international filing date but later than the priority date claimed "&" document member of the same patent family

Date of the actual completion of the international search Date of mailing of the international search report 4 January 2008

Name and mailing address of the ISA/ Authorized officer Swedish Patent Office Box 5055, S-102 42 STOCKHOLM Anna Sjδlund/Eo Facsimile No. +46 8 666 02 86 Telephone No. + 46 8 782 25 00

Form PCT/IS A/210 (second sheet) (April 2007)

Description:

N- (2-HYDROXYETHYL) -N-METHYL-4- (QUINOLIN-8-YL (1- (THIAZOL-4- YLMETHYL) PIPERIDIN-4-YLIDENE) METHYL) BENZAMIDE, THE PROCESS OF MAKING IT AS WELL AS ITS USE FOR THE TREATMENT OF PAIN, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

The invention is directed to novel compounds, a process for preparing the compounds and intermediates related thereto, use of the compounds and 5 pharmaceutical compositions comprised thereof. The compounds are useful in therapy, and in particular for the treatment of pain, anxiety and depression.

The delta ("6") receptor has been identified as having a role in many bodily functions such as nociciptive, motor, and cardiovascular systems, as well as in emotional regulation. Ligands for the δ receptor may therefore find potential use as 10 analgesics, anxiolytics, and/or as antihypertensive agents. Ligands for the δ receptor have also been shown to possess immunomodulatory activities.

The identification of at least three different populations of opioid receptors (μ, δ and K) is now well established and all three are apparent in both central and peripheral nervous systems of many species including man. Analgesia and antianxiety 15 have been observed in various animal models when one or more of these receptors has been activated. Generally, selective δ receptor ligands have advantages over nonselective opioid receptor ligands for causing less side effects.

Many δ agonist compounds that have been identified in the prior art have many disadvantages in that they suffer from poor pharmacokinetics and are not 20 anxiolytic or analgesic when administered by systemic routes.

PCT Publication WO 01/74806 describes some δ-agonists. However, there is still a need for improved δ-agonists. We have now surprisingly found that certain compounds exhibit one or more improved properties, i.e. improved δ agonist potency, in vivo potency, 25 pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, in vitro stability, in vivo stability, brain penetration, and/or lower toxicity.

Described herein is N-(2-hydroxyethyI)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl(l-(thiazol- 4-yhnethyl)piperidin-4-ylidene)methyl)benzamide.

Further described herein is N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl(l- 30 (thiazol-4-yunethyl)piperidin-4-yIidene)methyl)benzamide, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, prodrugs thereof, solvates thereof, and/or mixtures theτeof.

Still further described herein is tert-butyl 4-((4-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N- methylcarbamoyl)phenyl)(quinolin-8-yl)methylene)piperidine-l -carboxylate.

Even further described herein is N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-((ρiperidin- 4-ylidene)(quinolin-8-yl)methyl)benzamide. Yet even further described herein are processes of making N-(2- hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl(l-(thiazol-4-yhnethy l)piperidin-4- ylidene)methyl)benzamide, tert-butyl 4-((4-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N- methylcarbamoyl)ρhenyl)(quinolin-8-yl)methyIene)piperidine- 1 -carboxylate, and N- (2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-((piperidin-4-ylidene)(quinolin- 8-yl)methyl)benzamide. Yet even further described herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising

-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl(l-(thiazol-4- ylmethyl)piperidin-4- ylidene)methyl)benzamide, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, prodrugs thereof, solvates thereof, and/or mixtures thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Still yet even further described herein is a method for the therapy of pain, depression, anxiety, anxious depression, and/or Parkinsons disease in a warm-blooded animal comprising administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl(l- (thiazol-4-yhnethyl)piperidin-4-ylidene)methyl)benzamide, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, prodrugs thereof, solvates thereof, and/or mixtures thereof.

The features and advantages of the invention may be more readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description. It is to be appreciated that certain features of the invention that are, for clarity reasons, described above and below in the context of separate embodiments, may also be combined to form a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention that are, for brevity reasons, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be combined so as to form sub-combinations thereof.

Unless specifically stated otherwise herein, references made in the singular may also include the plural. For example, "a" and "an" may refer to either one, or one or more.

Embodiments identified herein as exemplary are intended to be illustrative and not limiting.

Unless otherwise indicated, any heteroatom with unsatisfied valences is assumed to have hydrogen atoms sufficient to satisfy the valences. The definitions set forth herein take precedence over definitions set forth in any patent, patent application, and/or patent application publication that may be incorporated herein by reference.

"Warm-blooded animal" includes human.

The term "protected" means the compound referred to as protected is protected with an amino-protecting group. For example, a protected N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N- methyI-4-(piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin-8-yl-methyl)-benzamid e is an N-(2-hydroxy- ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin-8-yl-methyl) -benzamide that has at least one amino group protected by an amino-protecting group.

The term "amino-protecting group" refers to art-recognized moieties capable of attaching to an amino group so as to prevent the amino group from taking place in reactions occurring elsewhere on the molecule containing the amino group. Acceptable amino-protecting groups, include but are not limited to, for example, amino-protecting groups described in "Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis", 2nd edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1991. An amino-protecting group may, for example, be a urethane type protective group (which is also referred to as a carbamate protective group), including but not limited to arylalkyloxycarbonyl groups, such as, for example, benzyloxycarbonyl; and alkoxycarbonyl groups, such as, for example, methoxycarbonyl and tert-butoxycarbonyl. Typically, the amino- protecting group is tert-butoxycarbonyl.

In one aspect, the invention provides N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyI-4- (quinolin-8-yl(l-(thiazol-4-yLmethyl)piperidin-4-ylidene)met hyl)benzamide, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, prodrugs thereof, solvates thereof, and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the compound of the present invention may be selected from N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methy l-4-(quinolin-8-yl( 1 -(thiazol-4-ylmethy l)piperidin- 4-ylidene)methyl)benzamide, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, solvates thereof, and mixtures thereof.

In another embodiment, the compound of the present invention may be selected from N-(2 -hydroxy ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl( I -(thiazol-4-

ylmethyl)piperidin-4-ylidene)methyl)benzamide, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

In a further embodiment, the compound of the present invention may be selected from N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl(l -(thiazol-4- ylmethyl)piperidin-4-ylidene)methyl)benzamide.

It will also be understood that certain compounds of the present invention may exist in solvated, for example hydrated, as well as unsolvated forms. It will further be understood that the present invention encompasses all such solvated forms of the compound. Within the scope of the invention are also salts of the compound. Generally, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of a compound of the present invention may be obtained using standard procedures well known in the art, for example by reacting a sufficiently basic compound, for example an alkyl amine with a suitable acid, for example, HCl or acetic acid, to afford a physiologically acceptable anion. It may also be possible to make a corresponding alkali metal (such as sodium, potassium, or lithium) or an alkaline earth metal (such as a calcium) salt by treating a compound of the present invention having a suitably acidic proton, such as a carboxylic acid or a phenol with one equivalent of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or alkoxide (such as the ethoxide or methoxide), or a suitably basic organic amine (such as choline or meglumine) in an aqueous medium, followed by conventional purification techniques.

In one embodiment, the compound above may be converted to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, particularly, an acid addition salt such as a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, phosphate, acetate, fumarate, maleate, tartrate, citrate, methanesulphonate or/7-toluenesulphonate.

The compounds of the present invention are useful in therapy, especially for the treatment of various pain conditions, such as, for example, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, acute pain, cancer pain, pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, visceral pain etc. This list should however not be interpreted as exhaustive. The compounds of the present invention are useful in treating anxiety, such as, for example, panic disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia, panic disorder with agoraphobia, agoraphobia without history of panic disorder, specific phobia, social

phobia, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, stress related disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder due to a general medical condition.

At least one embodiment of the present invention is useful to treat depression, such as, for example, anxious depression, major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, bipolar depression and/or bipolar mania, bipolar I with or without manic, depressive or mixed episodes, bipolar II, cyclothymiac disorder, mood disorder due to a general medical condition, manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder, and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Compounds of the invention are useful for the treatment of diarrhoea, depression, anxiety and/or stress-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorders, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and obsessive compulsive disorder, urinary incontinence, premature ejaculation, various mental illnesses, cough, lung oedema, various gastro-intestinal disorders, e.g. constipation, functional gastrointestinal disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Functional Dyspepsia, Parkinson's disease and other motor disorders, traumatic brain injury, stroke, cardioprotection following miocardial infarction, spinal injury and drug addiction, including the treatment of alcohol, nicotine, opioid and other drug abuse and for disorders of the sympathetic nervous system for example hypertension. Compounds of the invention are useful as immunomodulators, especially for autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, for skin grafts, organ transplants and similar surgical needs, for collagen diseases, various allergies, for use as anti-tumour agents and anti viral agents.

Compounds of the invention are useful in disease states where degeneration or dysfunction of opioid receptors is present or implicated in that paradigm. This may involve the use of isotopically labelled versions of the compounds of the invention in diagnostic techniques and imaging applications such as positron emission tomography (PET).

Compounds of the invention are useful as an analgesic agent for use during general anaesthesia and monitored anaesthesia care. Combinations of agents with different properties are often used to achieve a balance of effects needed to maintain the anaesthetic state (e.g. amnesia, analgesia, muscle relaxation and sedation).

Included in this combination are inhaled anaesthetics, hypnotics, anxiolytics, neuromuscular blockers and opioids.

Within the scope of the invention is the use of any compound defined above for the manufacture of a medicament. Also within the scope of the invention is the use of any compound of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of pain including, but not limited to: acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, back pain, cancer pain, and visceral pain.

Also within the scope of the invention is the use of any compound of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of anxiety, including, but not limited to: panic disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia, panic disorder with agoraphobia, agoraphobia without history of panic disorder, specific phobia, social phobia, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder due to a general medical condition.

Also within the scope of the invention is the use of any compound of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of depression, such as, for example, major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, bipolar depression and/or bipolar mania, bipolar I with or without manic, depressive or mixed episodes, bipolar II, cyclothymic disorder, mood disorder due to a general medical condition, manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder, or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

Also within the scope of the invention is the use of any compound of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of anxious depression. Also within the scope of the invention is the use of any compound of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of Parkinson's disease.

Also within the scope of the invention is the use of any of the compounds of the present invention, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of any of the conditions discussed above. A further aspect of the invention is a method for the treatment of a subject suffering from any of the conditions discussed above, whereby an effective amount of

a compound of the present invention, is administered to a patient in need of such treatment.

Thus, the invention provides a compound, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as hereinbefore defined for use in therapy. In the context of the present specification, the term "therapy" also includes

"prophylaxis" unless there are specific indications to the contrary. The term "therapeutic" and "therapeutically" should be contrued accordingly. The term "therapy" within the context of the present invention further encompasses to administer an effective amount of a compound of the present invention, to mitigate either a pre-existing disease state, acute or chronic, or a recurring condition. This definition also encompasses prophylactic therapies for prevention of recurring conditions and continued therapy for chronic disorders.

In yet another embodiment a compound in accordance with the present invention, or a pharmaceutical composition or formulation comprising at least one compound of the present invnetion may be administered concurrently, simultaneously, sequentially or separately with at least one other pharmaceutically active compound selected from the following:

(i) antidepressants, including but not limited to, for example, agomelatine, amitriptyline, amoxapine, bupropion, citalopram, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin duloxetine, elzasonan, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, gepirone, imipramine, ipsapirone, maprotiline, nortriptyline, nefazodone, paroxetine, phenelzine, protriptyline, ramelteon, reboxetine, robalzotan, sertraline, sibutramine, thionisoxetine, tranylcypromaine, trazodone, trimipramine, venlafaxine, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof; (ii) atypical antipsychotics, including, but not limited to, for example, quetiapine and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof; (iii) antipsychotics, including, but not limited to, for example, amisulpride, aripiprazole, asenapine, benzisoxidil, bifeprunox, carbamazepine, clozapine, chlorpromazine, debenzapine, divalproex, duloxetine, eszopiclone, haloperidol, iloperidone, lamotrigine, loxapine, mesoridazine, olanzapine, paliperidone, perlapine, perphenazine, phenothiazine, phenylbutylpiperidine, pimozide, prochlorperazine, risperidone, sertindole, sulpiride, suproclone, suriclone, thioridazine, trifluoperazine,

trimetozine, valproate, valproic acid, zopiclone, zotepine, ziprasidone, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof; (iv) anxiolytics including, but not limited to, for example, alnespirone, azapirones.benzodiazepines, barbiturates such as adinazolam, alprazolam, balezepam, bentazepam, bromazepam, brotizolam, buspirone, clonazepam, clorazepate, chlordiazepoxide, cyprazepam, diazepam, diphenhydramine, estazolam, fenobam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, fosazepam, lorazepam, lormetazepam, meprobamate, midazolam, nitrazepam, oxazepam, prazepam, quazepam, reclazepam, tracazolate, trepipam, temazepam, triazolam, uldazepam, zolazepam, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof;

(v) anticonvulsants, including, but not limited to, for example, carbamazepine, valproate, lamotrogine, gabapentin, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof; (vi) Alzheimer's therapies, including, but not limited to, for example, donepezil, memantine, tacrine, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof;

(vii) Parkinson's therapies, including, but not limited to, for example, deprenyl, L- dopa, Requip, Mirapex, MAOB inhibitors (i.e. selegine and rasagiline), comP inhibitors (i.e. Tasmar), A-2 inhibitors, dopamine reuptake inhibitors, NMDA antagonists, Nicotine agonists, Dopamine agonists, and inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof;

(viii) migraine therapies, including, but not limited to, for example, almotriptan, amantadine, bromocriptine, butalbital, cabergoline, dichloralphenazone, eletriptan, frovatriptan, lisuride, naratriptan, pergolide, pramipexole, rizatriptan, ropinirole, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, zomitriptan, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof;

(ix) stroke therapies, including, but not limited to, for example, abciximab, activase, NXY-059, citicoline, crobenetine, desmoteplase,repinotan, traxoprodil, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof;

(x) urinary incontinence therapies, including, but not limited to, for example, darafenacin, falvoxate, oxybutynin, propiverine, robalzotan, solifenacin, tolterodine, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof; (xi) neuropathic pain therapies, including, but not limitedto, for example, gabapentin, lidoderm, pregablin, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof;

(xϋ) nociceptive pain therapies, including, but not limited to, for example, celecoxib, etoricoxib, lumiracoxib, rofecoxib, valdecoxib, diclofenac, loxoprofen, naproxen, paracetamol, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof;

(xiii) insomnia therapies, including, but not limited to, for example, agomelatine, allobarbital, alonimid, amobarbital, benzoctamine, butabarbital, capuride, chloral, cloperidone, clorethate, dexclamol, eszopiclone, ethchlorvynol, etomidate, glutethimide, halazepam, hydroxyzine, mecloqualone, melatonin, mephobarbital, methaqualone, midaflur, nisobamate, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, propofol, ramelteon, roletamide, rriclofos, secobarbital, zaleplon, Zolpidem, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof; and (xiv) mood stabilizers, including, but not limited to, for example, carbamazepine, divalproex, gabapentin, lamotrigine, lithium, olanzapine, quetiapine, valproate, valproic acid, verapamil, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and metabolite(s) thereof.

Such combination products employ the compounds of this invention within the dosage range described herein and the other pharmaceutically active compound or compounds within approved dosage ranges and/or the dosage described in a relevant publication.

In use for therapy in a warm-blooded animal such as a human, the compound of the invention may be administered in the form of a conventional pharmaceutical composition by any route including orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, topically, intranasally, intraperitoneally, intrathoracially, intravenously, epidurally, intrathecally, intracerebroventricularly and by injection into the joints.

In one embodiment of the invention, the route of administration may be orally, intravenously or intramuscularly.

A "therapeutically effective amount" and/or dosage range for compounds of the present invention may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art via known criteria including age, weight ,and response of the individual patient, and interpreted within the context of the disease being treated and/or prevented. Exemplary single or divided dosage amounts for a mammal may be from about 0.05 to about 300 mg/kg/day.

The specific dose level and frequency of dosage for any particular subject, however, may vary and generally depends on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, for example, the bioavailability of the compounds of the present invention in the administered form; metabolic stability and length of action of the specific compounds of the present invention; species, age, body weight, general health, sex, and diet of the subject; mode and time of administration; rate of excretion; drug combination; and severity of the particular condition.; and any other factors normally considered by an attending physician when determining the individual regimen and dosage level that is the most appropriate for a particular patient.

Additionally, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the present invention, solvates thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Particularly, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the present invention, solvates thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for therapy, more particularly for therapy of pain and anxiety.

Further, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the present invention, solvates thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier use in any of the conditions discussed above.

Even further, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the present invention, solvates thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for the therapy of depression.

For preparing pharmaceutical compositions from the compounds of this invention, inert, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be either solid and liquid.

Solid form preparations include powders, tablets, dispersible granules, capsules, cachets, and suppositories.

A solid carrier can be one or more substances, which may also act as diluents, flavoring agents, solubilizers, lubricants, suspending agents, binders, or table disintegrating agents; it can also be an encapsulating material.

In powders, the carrier is a finely divided solid, which is in a mixture with the finely divided compound of the invention, or the active component. In tablets, the active component is mixed with the carrier having the necessary binding properties in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired. For preparing suppository compositions, a low-melting wax such as a mixture of fatty acid glycerides and cocoa butter is first melted and the active ingredient is dispersed therein by, for example, stirring. The molten homogeneous mixture in then poured into convenient sized moulds and allowed to cool and solidify.

Suitable carriers are magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, talc, lactose, sugar, pectin, dextrin, starch, tragacanth, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, a low-melting wax, cocoa butter, and the like.

The term composition is also intended to include the formulation of the active component with encapsulating material as a carrier providing a capsule in which the active component (with or without other carriers) is surrounded by a carrier which is thus in association with it. Similarly, cachets are included.

Tablets, powders, cachets, and capsules can be used as solid dosage forms suitable for oral administration.

Liquid form compositions include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. For example, sterile water or water propylene glycol solutions of the active compounds may be liquid preparations suitable for parenteral administration. Liquid compositions can also be formulated in solution in aqueous polyethylene glycol solution.

Aqueous solutions for oral administration can be prepared by dissolving the active component in water and adding suitable colorants, flavoring agents, stabilizers, and thickening agents as desired. Aqueous suspensions for oral use can be made by dispersing the finely divided active component in water together with a viscous material such as natural synthetic gums, resins, methyl cellulose, sodium

carboxymethyl cellulose, and other suspending agents known to the pharmaceutical formulation art.

Depending on the mode of administration, the pharmaceutical composition will preferably include from 0.05% to 99%w (per cent by weight), more preferably from 0.10 to 50%w, of the compound of the invention, all percentages by weight being based on total composition.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of preparing the compounds of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for preparing N-(2- hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl(l-(thiazol-4-ylmethy l)piperidin-4- ylidene)methyl)benzamide, comprising reacting N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4- (piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin-8-yl-methyl)-benzamide with 4-thiazolecarboxaldehyde in the presence of a reducing agent such as sodium triacetoxyborohydride, or sodium borohydride. In another embodiment, the invention provides a process for preparing N-(2- hydroxy-ethyI)-N-methyI-4-(piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin-8-yl -methyl)-benzamide comprising reacting a protected 4-(bromo-{4-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-rnethyl-carbamoyi]- phenyl}-methylene)-piperidine with 8-quinolineboronic acid to form a protected N- (2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin-8 -yl-methyl)-benzamide and deprotecting said protected N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4- ylidene-quinolin-8-yl-methyl)-benzamide.

In a particular embodiment, said protected 4-(bromo-{4-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)- methyl-carbamoyl]-phenyl}-methylene)-piperidine is protected with a tert-Boc group at 1-piperidine position. In a particular embodiment, said protected N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-

(piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin-8-yl-methyl)-benzamide is protected with a tert-Boc group at 1-piperidine position.

In a further embodiment, the invention provides a process for preparing a protected 4-(bromo- {4-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-carbamoyl]-phenyl} -methylene)- piperidine comprising reacting 2-(methylamino)ethanol with a protected 4-[bromo-(4- carboxy-phenyl)-methylene]-piperidine.

In a particular embodiment, said protected 4-(bromo-{4-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)- methyl-carbamoyl]-phenyl}-methylene)-piρeridine is protected with a tert-Boc group at 1 -piperidine position.

In a particular embodiment, said protected 4-[bromo-(4-carboxy-phenyl)- methylene]-piperidine is protected with a tert-Boc group at 1 -piperidine position.

Another embodiment is directed to a process for preparing a protected N-(2- hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin-8-yl -methyl)-benzamide comprising reacting a protected 4-(bromo-{4-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-carbamoyl]- phenyl}-methylene)-piperidine with 8-quinolineboronic acid. Yet another embodiment, is directed to a process of deprotecting the protected

N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyI-4-(piperidin-4-ylidene-quino lin-8-yI-methyl)- benzamide to form N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4-ylidene-quinoIin -8- yl-methyl)-benzamide.

An even further embodiment is directed to reacting the N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)- N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin-8-yI-methyl)-benzam ide with thiazole-4- carbaldehyde to form N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl(l-(thiazol-4- ylmethyl)piperidin-4-ylidene)methyl)benzamide.

In one embodiment, said protected N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4- (piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin-8-yl-methyl)-benzamide is protected with a tert-Boc group at the 1 -piperidine position.

In another embodiment, said protected 4-(bromo-{4-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)- methyl-carbamoyl]-phenyl}-rnethylene)-piperidine is protected with a tert-Boc group at the 1 -piperidine position.

A still further embodiment is directed to a process for preparing N-(2- hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl( 1 -(thiazol-4-ylmethyl)piperidin-4- ylidene)methyl)benzamide comprising reacting 2-(methylamino)ethanol with 4-((l- (tert-butoxycarbonyl)piperidin-4-ylidene)bromomethyl)benzoic acid to form tert-butyl 4-((4-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methylcarbamoyl)phenyl)bromometh ylene)piperidine- 1-carboxylate; reacting the tert-butyl 4-((4-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N- methylcarbamoyl)phenyl)bromomethylene)piperidine-l-carboxyla te with 8- quinolineboronic acid to form tert-butyl 4-((4-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N- methylcarbamoyl)phenyl)(quinolin-8-yl)methylene)piperidine-l -carboxylate;

deprotecting the tert-butyl 4-((4-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N- methylcarbamoyl)phenyl)(quinoIin-8-yl)methylene)piperidine- 1 -carboxylate to form N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-((piperidin-4-yIidene)(quinoli n-8- yl)methyl)benzamide; and reacting the N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-((piperidin-4- ylidene)(quinolin-8-yl)methyl)benzamide with thiazole-4-carbaldehyde to form the N- (2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl(l-(thiazol-4-ylme thyl)piperidin-4- ylidene)methyl)benzamide.

Another embodiment is directed to tert-butyl 4-((4-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N- methylcarbamoyl)phenyl)(quinolin-8-yl)methylene)piperidine-l -carboxylate. Yet another embodiment is directed to N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-

((piperidin-4-ylidene)(quinolin-8-yl)methyl)benzamide.

In general, the compound of the invention can be prepared in accordance with the following Schemes and the general knowledge of one skilled in the art and/or in accordance with the methods set forth in the Examples that follow. Solvents, temperatures, pressures, and other reaction conditions may readily be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art. Starting materials are commercially available or readily prepared by one skilled in the art. Combinatorial techniques can be employed in the preparation of compounds, for example, where the intermediates possess groups suitable for these techniques. Scheme 1

wherein P is an amino-protecting group.

Stepl

Compounds in accordance with formula III can be obtained by reacting a compound in accordance with formula II, which can be prepared in accordance with the process set forth for compound 5 in WO 2001/074806, with 2-(methylamino)ethanol in the presence of a catalyst, such as, for example, N-methylmorpholine and dimethylaminopyridine; a solvent, such as, for example, DMF and acetonitrile; and an appropriate coupling reagent, such as, for example, <9-(benzotriazol-l -yϊ)-N,N,N',N'- tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate, ν-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-ν'- ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride, and carbonyl diimidazole. Step 2

Compounds in accordance with formula IV can be obtained by coupling a compound in accordance with formula III with 8-quinolineboronic acid in the presence of a catalyst, such as, for example, dihydrogen dichlorobis(di-tert-butyl phosphinito-kP) palladate(2-), palladium(II)acetate, PdC^dppf, and PdCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ; a base, such as for example, potassium carbonate, cesium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide; a solvent, such as, for example, isopropyl alcohol and acetonitrile/water at elevated temperatures; and optionally followed by purification with Si-Thiol, which is commercially available from SiliCycle, Inc, Quebec, Canada in a solvent, such as, for example, tetrahydrofuran. Compounds in accordance with fomula IV may be optionally further crystallized out of solvent. Step 3

Compounds in accordance with formula V can be obtained by treating compounds in accordance with formula IV with an acid, such as, for example hydrochloric acid in the presence of a solvent, such as, for example, dioxane, dichloromethane, methanol/dichloromethane, and ether/dioxane optionally followed by treatment with a base, such as, for example, sodium methoxide in a solvent, such as, for example, methanol. Step 4 Compounds in accordance with formula I can be obtained by reacting a compound in accordance with formula V with 4-thiazolecarboxaldehyde in the presence of an appropriate borohydride reagent, such as, for example, sodium triacetoxyborohydride

in a solvent, such as, for example, dichloroethane, tetrahydrofuran/methanol, and dichloroethane/methanol .

More particularly, the compound of the present invention and intermediates used for the preparation thereof can be prepared according to the synthetic routes as exemplified in the following scheme 2.

Scheme 2

K 2 CO 3 °C

Abbreviations: TBTU = 0-(benzotriazol- 1 -yl)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate POPd = dihydrogen dichlorobis(di-ter/-butyl phosphinito-kP) palladate(2-) νMM = ν-methylmorpholine DCE = dichloroethane

Even more particularly, the compound of the present invention and intermediates used for the preparation thereof can be prepared according to the synthetic routes as exemplified in the following scheme 3.

Scheme 3

Abbreviations:

TBTU = O-(benzotriazol-l-yl)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate

νMM = ν-methylmorpholine ACν = acetonitrile

Pd(OAc) 2 = Palladium (II) acetate

K 2 CO 3 = Potassium carbonate

THF = tetrahydrofuran

DCM = dichloromethane νaOCH 3 = sodium methoxide

MeOH = Methanol

NaBH(O Ac) 3 = Sodium triacetoxyborohydride

DCE = Dichloroethane

BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND PROPERTIES The compounds of the invention are found to be active towards δ receptors in warm-blooded animal, e.g., human. Particularly the compounds of the invention are found to be effective δ receptor ligands. In vitro assays, infra, demonstrate these surprising activities, especially with regard to agonists potency and efficacy as demonstrated in the human δ receptor functional assay. This feature may be related to in vivo activity and may not be linearly correlated with binding affinity. In these in

vitro assays, a compound is tested for their activity toward δ receptors and IC 50 is obtained to determine the selective activity for a particular compound towards δ receptors. In the current context, IC 50 generally refers to the concentration of the compound at which 50% displacement of a standard radioactive δ receptor ligand has been observed.

The activities of the compound towards K and μ receptors are also measured in a similar assay. In vitro models Cell culture Human 293 S cells expressing cloned human K, δ and μ receptors and neomycin resistance are grown in suspension at 37°C and 5% CO 2 in shaker flasks containing calcium-free DMEM10% FBS, 5% BCS, 0.1% Pluronic F-68, and 600 μg/ml geneticin. Membrane preparation Cells are pelleted and resuspended in lysis buffer (50 mM Tris, pH 7.0, 2.5 mM EDTA, with PMSF added just prior to use to 0.1 mM from a 0.1 M stock in ethanol), incubated on ice for 15 min, then homogenized with a polytron for 30 sec. The suspension is spun at lOOOg (max) for 10 min at 4°C. The supernatant is saved on ice and the pellets resuspended and spun as before. The supernatants from both spins are combined and spun at 46,000 g(max) for 30 min. The pellets are resuspended in cold Tris buffer (50 mM Tris/Cl, pH 7.0) and spun again. The final pellets are resuspended in membrane buffer ( 50 mM Tris, 0.32 M sucrose, pH 7.0). Aliquots (1 ml) in polypropylene tubes are frozen in dry ice/ethanol and stored at -70 0 C until use. The protein concentrations are determined by a modified Lowry assay with sodium dodecyl sulfate.

Ligand binding assays

The binding affinities of the compounds toward K, δ or μ receptors are determined by measuring their activities to displace the radioligand binding to the receptors in the membranes using a scintillation proximity assay (SPA) format. The compounds are dissolved in DMSO, 3-fold serial-diluted with DMSO to 11 concentrations and transferred at 2 μl/well onto 96-well white assay plate.

The cell membranes with K, δ or μ receptors are thawed at 37 0 C, cooled on ice, passed 3 times through a 25-gauge needle, and then mixed with the suspension of wheat germ agglutinin-coated PVT SPA beads (PVT-WGA SPA) in binding buffer (50 mM Tris, 3 mM MgCl 2 , 1 mg/ml BSA, pH 7.4, which is stored at 4°C after filtration through a 0.22 m filter). After 30 min on ice, 100 μl of the mixture of membrane and SPA beads are added to each well of the 96-well assay plate containing 2 μl diluted compound.

The radioligands for the binding assay are 125 I Deltorphin II for δ receptor, [ 3 H]- U69593 for k receptor, and [ 125 I]-Enkephalin for μ receptor, respectively. Naloxone is used to define non-specific binding. The binding reaction is initiated by adding 100 μl/well radioligands diluted in Binding Buffer to the assay plate containing compounds, membranes and SPA beads. The final concentrations of the ligands are 40 pM for 125 I Deltorphin II, 0.6 nM for [ 3 H]-U69593 and 0.1 nM for [ I25 I]-Enkephalin. The plates containing binding mixtures are left on a shaker for 60 to 120 min at room temperature. After spinning in a centrifuge at 2000 rpm for 5 min, the radioactivity in each well of the paltes is measured by a Topcount Reader (Perkin- Elmer Instrument). Total (TB) and nonspecific (NS) binding are determined in the absence and presence of 10 μM naloxone respectively. Functional Assays The agonist activities of the compounds are measured by determining the degrees to which the compounds stimulate the binding of GTP[γ] 35 S to the receptor- G-proteins complex in the membranes. The EC50 and E m3x values of compounds are determined from analysis of the concentration-response curves. The compounds are dissolved in DMSO, 3-fold serial-diluted with DMSO to 11 concentrations and transferred at 2 μl/well onto 96-well white assay plate.

The cell membranes with K, δ or μ receptors are thawed at 37°C, cooled on ice, passed 3 times through a 25-gauge needle, and then mixed with the suspension of wheat germ agglutinin-coated PVT SPA beads (PVT-WGA SPA) in GTPγS assay buffer (50 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM MgCl 2 , 1 mM EGTA, 0.2 mM DTT, 1 mg/ml BSA, pH 7.4). After 30 min on ice, 100 μl of the mixture of membrane and SPA beads are added to each well of the 96-well assay plate containing 2 μl diluted compound.

GTP[γ] 35 S is diluted with GTPγS assay buffer to 0.2 nM, mixed with 20 μ M GDP, and 100 μl of the mixture is added each well of the assay plate containing compounds, membranes and SPA beads. After shaking at room temperature for 45 to 60 min, the plates are spin in a centrifuge at 2000 rpm for 5 min, and GTP[γ] 35 S binding activities are determined by measuring the radioactivity in a Topcount Reader (Perkin-Elmer Instrument). Data analysis

The specific binding (SB) was calculated as TB-NS, and the SB in the presence of various test compounds was expressed as percentage of control SB. Values of IC 50 and Hill coefficient (n H ) for ligands in displacing specifically bound radioligand are calculated from Excel Fit. Values of K; were calculated from the Cheng-Prussoff equation. Mean ± S.E.M.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND IN VITRO DRUG METABOLISM AND PHARMACOKINETIC PROPERTIES

It is found that the compound of the invention achieves one or more desirable physical properties and in vitro drug metabolic and pharmacokinetic properties based on the tests using the following assays. Solubility: The thermodynamic solubility of the compound(s) in the present invention was determined by stirring a known amount of the compound at 25 0 C for 24 hours in a 100 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.4. An aliqout of the saturated solution was then taken and its concentration measured by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). LC/MS/MS experiemtal conditions and instrumental parameters are described in detail in the LC/MS/MS section. LogD:

The determination of logD was based on the shake-flask principle. The compound(s) of the present invention was slurried in an octanol-saturated buffer solution and sonicated to promote dissolution. The solution was filtered to remove any insoluble. After an initial sample was taken, the solution volume is adjusted to 10 ml, and a known volume of buffer-saturated octanol is added. The two-phase solution is mixed, then separated by centrifugation. A second sample from the bottom

layer (aqueous layer) was then taken. Both samples, which represented the solution concentrations of the compound before and after addition of octanol, were determined by LC/MS/MS. The determined concentrations were used to calculated the logD value. Metabolic stability:

The in vitro metabolic stability of the compound(s) in the present invention was determined using human liver microsomes as the enzyme source. The compounds (final concentration, 1 uM) are incubated with human liver microsomes and NADPH. At various times, incubations are sampled and analyzed by LC/MS/MS to determine the loss of parent compound. The intrinsic clearance (CLint) was determined based on the first order elimination rate of the parent compound. LC/MS/MS Analysis:

All in vivo samples were quantified by LC/MS/MS using a Micromass Quattro Ultima MS/MS system (Waters, Milford, MA) fitted with a Shimadzu LC-IO HPLC system (Shimadzu Scientific Systems, Columbia, MD) and a CTC-PaI autosampler (Leap Technologies, Carrboro, NC). The specific LC/MS conditions used are summarized below:

MS ionization: Electrospray Other MS settings: QuanOptimize was used for automated MS optimization

Flow rate : 1.5mL/min

Column: Phenomenex Max-RP 30 mm x 2mm, 4u or equivalent.

Column temperature: Room Temperature

Run time: 2min. Gradient: (A) 0.1% formic acid ( 1OmM ammonium formic and 0.02%

(B) 90% ACN/ 10% Methanol

MS/MS condition Gradient method

Time (min) A B

0 100 0

0.3 100 0

1.3 5 95

1.5 5 95

1.6 100 0

2.0 100 0

hERG ASSAY

The compound may be tested for inhibition of the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG)-encoded K+ channel using a planar-array-based, medium-throughput electrophysiology (Ion Works HT). A detailed description of this assay by

Bridelan-Taylor et al. has been published in Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods, 54 (2006), pages 189-199, which is incorporated by reference

TM herein for its disclosure on the Ion Works HT. The results of this test is shown in the table below. Geller-Siefter - Anxiety Model Method

In the conflict test, hungry animals are trained to lever-press for food delivery in a standard operant chamber under two conditions. In the first condition, referred to as the unsuppressed component, food is delivered on average after 17 lever-presses are made (also called a VRl 7 schedule of reinforcement). In the second condition, referred to as the suppressed component and signalled by flashing lights inside the operant chamber, food is also delivered following an average of 17 lever-presses, but electric shock is additionally delivered to the floor of the cage under a separate VRl 7 schedule. Daily sessions consist of 5 alternating presentations of each component type: suppressed (3 min in duration) and unsuppressed (2 min in duration). The number of lever presses emitted in the suppressed component is obviously low relative to the unsuppressed component. Anti-anxiety agents, such as diazepam, increase the number of lever-presses that the animals will make in the suppressed component within some range of doses, without altering the number of lever presses that are made in the unsuppressed component. Certain compounds of the invention profile as an anxiolytic in this procedure.

The following table shows some of the biological data of the compound of the invention measured using one or more of the above described assays.

EXAMPLES

The invention will further be described in more detail by the following Examples which describe methods whereby compounds of the present invention may be prepared, purified, analyzed and biologically tested, and which are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

All temperatures are in degrees Celsius ( 0 C). Unless otherwise stated, operations were carried out at room or ambient temperature (18-25 0 C).

Unless otherwise noted, commercial reagents used in preparing the example compound and intermediates were used as received without additional purification.

Unless otherwise noted, the solvents used in preparing the example compound and intermediates were commercial anhydrous grades and used without further drying or purification.

The following abbreviations are employed herein: aq.: aqueous; CH 2 CI 2 : dichloromethane; DMF: dimethylformamide; EtOAc: ethyl acetate; h: hour(s); HPLC: high performance liquid chromatography; HCl: hydrochloric acid; iPrOH: isopropyl alcohol; K 2 CO 3 : potassium carbonate; MeOH: methanol; NaHCOs: sodium bicarbonate; Na2SO4: sodium sulfate; NH 3 : ammonia; POPd: dihydrogen dichlorobis(di-tert-butyl phosphinito-kP) ρalladate(2-); min.: minutes; MS: mass spectrum; NMR: nuclear magnetic resonance; and TBTU: O-(benzotriazol-l-yl)- N,N,N'N'-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate.

Example 1

N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-(quinolin-8-yl(l-(thiazol-4 -ylmethyl)piperidin-4- ylidene)methyl)benzamide

IA. 4-(Tiromo-{4-r(2-hvdroxy-emylVmethyl-carbamovI1-phenyl|-meth ylene)- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester.

N-Methylmoφholine (6.7 mL, 60.6 mmol) and 4-[bromo-(4-carboxy-phenyl)- methylene]-piperidine-l-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (prepared as for compound 5 in WO2001074806) (20.0 g, 50.5 mmol) in DMF (240 mL) were treated with TBTU (17.8 g, 55.6 mmol) under nitrogen. After stirring for 10 min., 2- (methylamino)ethanol (5.3 mL, 65.7 mmol) was added and the solution stirred for 2 h. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc (350 mL), washed with 2% citric acid, 3% NaHCCb, and brine. The aq. washes were extracted with EtOAc (50 mL). The combined organic phases were dried over Na 2 SO 4 then concentrated in vacuo to a solid. After stirring in hexanes for 5 h, the white solid was collected by filtration and dried under high vacuum to afford 21.O g (92%) of IA. 1 H NMR (500.333 MHz,

CDCl 3 ) δ 7.44 (d, J= 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.32 (d, J= 8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.91 (br s, 2H), 3.74 (br s, 2H), 3.54 (t, J= 5.8 Hz, 3H), 3.34 (t, J= 5.7 Hz, 2H), 3.09 (s, 3H), 3.01 (br s, IH), 2.64 (t, J= 5.9 Hz, 2H), 2.23 (t, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 1.47 (s, 9H). MS ES+ 453.1.

IB. 4-({4-[( ' 2-Hvdroxy-ethyl)-methyl-carbamovn-phenyl)-quinolin-8-yl-meth ylene * )- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester.

Compound IA (4.0 g, 8.8 mmol), 8-quinolineboronic acid (3.0 g, 17.6 mmol), POPd (0.088 g, 0.18 mmol), and K 2 CO 3 (3.6 g, 26.4 mmol) in iPrOH (90 mL) were stirred in a preheated 100 0 C oil bath under nitrogen for 20 h. The reaction was filtered through celite and concentrated. The material was purified by chromatography on silica gel (gradient 2-5% MeOH in CH 2 CI 2 ) to give a yellow solid IB (3.27 g , 74%). 1 H NMR (500.333 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.91 (dd, J= 4.0, 1.6 Hz, IH), 8.13 (dd, J= 8.2, 1.5 Hz, IH), 7.74 (dt, J= 9.5, 3.5 Hz, IH), 7.50 (d, J= 2.5 Hz, 2H), 7.37-7.33 (m, 5H), 3.86 (br s, 2H), 3.68 (br s, 2H), 3.59 (br s, 2H), 3.52-3.43 (m, 3H), 3.34-3.23 (m, 2H), 3.03 (s, 3H), 2.57-2.52 (m, 2H), 2.01 (dd, J= 19.3, 7.6 Hz, 2H), 1.44 (s, 9H). MS ES+ 502.2.

1C. N-(2-Hydroxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-4-(piperidin-4-ylidene-quinolin -8-yl-methyl)- benzamide.

Compound IB (4.7 g, 9.3 mmol) was treated with 4N HCl in dioxane (30 mL). 10 min. later, the mixture was decanted, and the solid was stirred in ether (40 mL) for 2 h. The ether was then decanted and the remaining yellow solid dried under high vacuum to yield 3.7 g 1C (100%). 1 H NMR (300.132 MHz, DMSO, 90 0 C) δ 8.98 (s, IH), 8.47 (d, J= 8.1 Hz, IH), 7.96 (d, J= 6.6 Hz, IH), 7.69-7.57 (m, 3H), 7.38 (d, J= 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.29 (d, J= 8.3 Hz, 2H), 3.53 (t, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.36 (t, /= 5.7 Hz, 2H), 3.23 (t, J= 6.0 Hz, 2H), 3.07 (t, J= 6.0 Hz, 2H), 2.92 (s, 3H), 2.63 (t, J= 6.0 Hz, 2H), 2.15 (t, J= 6.0 Hz, 2H). TOF MS ES+ 402.17.

ID. N-(2-hvdroxyethyl)-N-methyl-4-fquinolin-8-yl( ' l-( ' thiazol-4-ylmethyl)piperidin- 4-ylidene)methyl)benzamide. Compound 1C (3.3 g, 8.3 mmol) and 4-thiazolecarboxaldehyde (1.4 g, 12.4 mmol) in dichloroethane (16 mL) were stirred for 30 min. under nitrogen. Sodium triacetoxyborohydride (5.3 g, 24.9 mmol) was added and the reaction was stirred for 20 h. The mixture was diluted with CH 2 CI 2 (20 mL) and washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO 3 . The organic phase was dried over Na 2 SO 4 and concentrated. Column chromatography (12O g silica gel, eluting with 4% 7N NH 3 /MeOH in CH 2 Cl 2 ) gave 2.01 g ID as a white solid (49%). 1 H NMR (500.333 MHz, CDC13) δ 8.90 (dd, J= 4.1, 1.7 Hz, IH), 8.76 (d, J= 1.9 Hz, IH), 8.11 (dd, J= 8.0, 1.5 Hz, IH), 7.72 (dd, J = 7.3, 2.3 Hz, IH), 7.51-7.46 (m, 2H), 7.37-7.33 (m, 3H), 7.31-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.18 (s, IH), 3.85 (s, br, 2H), 3.76 (s, 2H), 3.67 (br s, 2H), 3.26 (br s, IH), 3.02 (s, 3H), 2.78-2.71 (m, IH), 2.67-2.52 (m, 4H), 2.46-2.37 (m, IH), 2.14-2.04 (m, 2H). TOF MS E+ 499.21.