The present invention relates to polycyclic compounds, processes for their production, their use as pharmaceuticals and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.

More particularly the present invention provides in a first aspect a compound of formula I

wherein either X is -N= and Y is -O-; or X is -O- and Y is -N=; or X is CH and Y is O;

R ₁ is substituted biphenylyl, 4-phenoxy-phenyl or 4-(phenyl-C _1-4 alkoxy)-phenyl wherein at least one of the phenyl groups is monosubstituted; phenyl substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, nitrile, C _1-8 alkyl, haloC _1-8 alkyl, C _1-8 alkoxy, haloC _1-8 alkoxy,

C _1-8 alkoxy-C _1-8 alkoxy, C _1-8 alkyl-C _1-8 alkoxy, C _1-8 alkyl-haloC _1-8 alkoxy, haloC _1-8 alkyl-C _1-8 alkoxy, haloC^alkyl-haloCi-βalkoxy, haloC _1-β alkoxy— C _1-8 alkoxy, Ci-8alkoxy-haloC _1-8 alkoxy, haloC^

₈ alkoxy--haloC _1-8 alkoxy _l C _1-8 alkoxy-C _1-8 alkyl, haloC _1-8 alkoxy-C _1-8 alkyI, C^alkoxy-haloC^alkyl, haloC^alkoxy-haloC^alkyl, C _2-6 alkenyloxy, C^alkynyloxy, C^cycloalkyl, C^cycloalkyl-Ci.

₄ alkyl, Cs-βCycloalkyl-C^alkoxy, C^cycloalkyl-oxy, phenyl-C _1-4 alkoxy and heterocyclic-C^

₄ alkoxy; or substituted 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl;

R ₂ is C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, OH, NH ₂ , C _1-4 alkoxy or C^alkylcarbonyloxy; amino; carboxy; sulfamoyl; carbamoyl; or HN-CO-C _1-4 alkyl; or

R ₂ is R ₃ -R ₄ -COOH or R ₃ -R ₄ -CONR ₅ R ₆ wherein R ₃ is SO ₂ -NH; SO ₂ -N(C _1-4 alkyl); CO-NH; CO-N(C _1-4 alkyl); CH ₂ -O; NH-CO; or N(C _1-

₄ alkyl)CO; and R ₄ is C _1-6 alkylene optionally interrupted by O, S or C=CH ₂ or optionally substituted phenylene or C _3-6 cycloalkylene; and each of R ₅ and R ₆ , independently, is hydrogen or C _1-6 alkyl or R ₅ and R ₆ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound form a heterocyclic residue, and ring A may optionally be substituted, provided that when Y is O, X is -N= or -CH= and R ₂ is SO ₂ NH-R ₄ -COOH wherein R ₄ is branched C^alkylene, then

i. R ₁ is other than phenyi either moπosubstituted by halogen, C _1-8 aikyl, C _1-8 3!kGxy, haioC,.

₈ alkyl or haloC _1-8 alkoxy, or disubstituted by one or two substituents selected from halogen,

C _1-8 alkyl and C _1-β alkoxy; or ii. R ₁ is other than monosubstituted thienyl or furyl or a physiologically hydrolysable derivative thereof, a salt, hydrate and/or solvate thereof.

Halogen may be fluorine, chlorine or bromine, preferably fluorine or chlorine. Alkyl or alkoxy as a group or present in a group may be straight or branched. C _1-6 alkylene may be straight or branched.

HaloC _1-8 alkyl or haloC _1-8 alkoxy as a group or a moiety present in a group may be C _1-8 alkyl or C ₁ ^aIkOXy substituted by 1 to 5 halogen, e.g. CF ₃ or CF ₃ -CH ₂ -O-. C^alkyl-haloC^alkoxy may be haloC _1-8 alkoxy further substituted by C^alkyl, e.g. in position 1. The same may apply to the other groups.

When R ₁ is substituted biphenylyl, 4-phenoxy-phenyl or 4-(phenyl-C ₁ . ₄ alkoxy)-phenyl, either one and/or both phenyl moieties may be substituted, e.g. mono- or di-substituted e.g. by halogen, C _1-8 alkyl, C ₁ ^aIkOXy, haloC _1-8 alkyl, haloC _1-8 alkoxy or nitrite. Preferably at least one phenyl moiety of the biphenylyl, 4-phenoxy-phenyl or 4-(phenyl-C ₁ . ₄ alkoxy)-phenyl is monosubstituted, e.g. as indicated above. Alternatively each phenyl moiety of the biphenylyl, 4-phenoxy-phenyl or 4-(phenyl-C _1-4 alkoxy)-phenyl is monosubstituted, e.g. as indicated above, e.g. by haloC _1-8 alkyl, and optionally as substituted on the second phenyl moiety either halogen, C _1-8 alkyl or C ₁ ^aIkOXy, haloC^alkyl or haloC _1-8 alkoxy.

When R ₁ is substituted phenyl, it may be mono- or di-substituted. When R ₁ is disubstituted phenyl, one substituent may preferably be haloC _1-8 alkyl or haloC _1-8 alkoxy and the second substitutent as indicated above.

Examples of a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl as R ₁ include e.g. thienyl, furyl or pyridyl. Preferred is thienyl. When R ₁ is substituted heteroaryl, it is mono- or disubstituted, preferably disubstituted. The substituent(s) may be e.g. halogen, haloC^alkyl, e.g. CF ₃ , C ₁ ^aIkOXy, haloC _1-8 alkoxy, C^alkyl, haloC _1-8 alkyl, C^cycloalkyl-d^alkoxy, Cs-eCycloalkyl-C^alkyl and/or phenyl optionally substituted by halogen, C^alkyl or C _1-4 alkoxy,

By heterocyclic residue as formed by NR ₅ R ₆ is meant a three to eight, preferably five to eight, membered saturated, unsaturated or aromatic heterocyclic ring comprising 1 or 2 heteroatoms, preferably selected from N, O and S, and optionally substituted.

When R ₂ is C _1-6 aikyl optionaiiy substituted by haiogen, OH, Un ₂ , C^aikoxy or C _{1- 4} alkylcarbonyloxy, the substituent is preferably on the last carbon atom, i.e. the ω-position.

When R ₄ is optionally substituted phenylene or C^cycloalkylene, it may be 1 ,4-phenylene. or C-j-ecycloalkylene, e.g. cyclohexylene, optionally substituted by halogen.

Ring A may optionally be substituted, e.g. by halogen, C _1-4 alkyl, haloC^alkyl, C _1-4 alkoxy, haloC^alkoxy or nitrile.

The following significances are preferred independently, collectively or in any combination or sub-combination: i) Ri is biphenylyl, 4-phenoxy-phenyl or 4-(phenyl-C _1-4 alkoxy)-phenyl wherein at least one of the phenyl groups bears a haloC _1-4 alkyl or haloC _1-8 alkoxy, e.g.

CF ₃ ; ii) Ri is phenyl substituted by haloC^alkyl or haloCi-oalkoxy, e.g. CF ₃ , and by a second substituent as indicated above; iii) Ri is thienyl disubstituted by haloCi^alkyl or haloC _1-8 alkoxy, e.g. CF ₃ , and phenyl; iv) R ₂ is SO ₂ NH ₂ ; v) R ₂ is C _1-6 alkyl ω-substituted by NH ₂ , wherein R ₂ is branched or straight Ci- ₆ alkyl, e.g. C _1-4 alkyl; preferably R ₂ is CH ₂ -NH ₂ ; vi) R ₂ is R ₃ -R ₄ -COOH; vii) R ₂ is R ₃ -R ₄ -CONR ₅ R ₆ ; viii) R ₃ is SO ₂ -NH; SO ₂ -N(C _1-4 alkyl); NH-CO; or N(C _1-4 alkyl)CO; ix) R ₄ is branched or linear C _1-6 alkylene optionally interrupted by O; preferably

R ₄ is linear C _1-6 alkylene; x) Each of R ₅ and R ₆ independently is H or Ci _-2 alkyl; xi) Ring A is unsubstituted.

The compounds of formula I may exist in free form or in salt form, e.g. addition salts with e.g. organic or inorganic acids, for example, hydrochloric acid or acetic acid, or salts obtainable when R ₂ is or comprises COOH, with a base, e.g. alkali salts such as sodium or potassium, or substituted or unsubstituted ammonium salts.

It will be appreciated that the compounds of formula I may exist in the form of optical isomers, racemates or diastereoisomers. For example, R ₄ may comprise an asymmetric carbon atom when R ₄ is branched alkylene. It is to be understood that the present invention

- A -

embraces all enantiomers and conformers and their mixtures. Similar considerations apply in relation to starting materials exhibiting asymmetric carbon atoms as mentioned above.

By a physiologically hydrolysable derivative of a compound of formula I is meant a compound which is hydrolysable under physiological conditions to yield a compound of formula I and a by-product which is itself physiologically acceptable, e.g. an ester which is hydrolyzed to yield a compound of formula I and a non-toxic alcohol at the desired dosage levels.

The present invention also includes a process for the production of a compound of formula I, which process comprises a) for the production of a compound of formula I wherein X is -N= and Y is O and R ₂ is as defined above, reacting a compound of formula Il

wherein ring A and R ₂ are as defined above with a compound of formula III

wherein R ₁ is as defined above or a functional derivative thereof, e.g. an activated ester, acyl chloride or anhydride; or b) for the production of a compound of formula I wherein X is -N= and Y is O and R ₂ is R ₃ - R ₄ -COOH or R ₃ -R ₄ -CONR ₅ R ₆ wherein R ₃ is NH-CO or N(C ₁ ^aIKyI)CO and R ₄ , R ₅ and R ₆ is as defined above, reacting a compound of formula IV

IV

wherein R ₁ and ring A are as defined above and R' ₂ is NhI ₂ or with an acylating agent or by following a Sandmeyer reaction;or c) for the production of a compound of formula I wherein Y is -N= and X is O, cyclizing in the presence of e.g. Burgess reagent, a compound of formula V

wherein R ₁ , R ₂ and ring A are as defined above; or d) for the production of a compound of formula I wherein Y is O and X is CH, reacting a compound of formula Vl

wherein Ri is as defined above, with a compound of formula VII

wherein R ₂ is as defined above; or e) converting a compound of formula I into another compound of formula I, and recovering the resulting compound of formula I in free form or in form of a salt, and, where required converting the compound of formula I obtained in free form into the desired salt form or vice versa.

The process steps a) to e) may be performed according to methods known in the art, or as disclosed below in the Examples.

Examples of conversion of a compound of formula I into another compound of formula I may include e.g. i) for the production of a compound of formula I wherein Ri is substituted biphenylyl, 4- phenoxy-phenyl or 4-(phenyl-Ci- ₄ alkoxy)-phenyl wherein at least one of the phenyl groups is monosubstituted, converting a compound of formula I wherein R ₁ is other than substituted biphenylyl, 4-phenoxy-phenyl or 4-(phenyl-C _1-4 alkoxy)-phenyl wherein at least

one of the phenyi groups is monosubstituieci, into a compound of formula i wherein R ₁ is substituted biphenylyl, 4-phenoxy-phenyl or 4-(phenyl-C _1-4 alkoxy)-phenyl wherein at least one of the phenyl groups is monosubstituted. ii) for the production of a compound of formula I wherein R ₂ is R ₃ -R ₄ -COOH, hydrolyzing a compound of formula I wherein the COOH present in R ₂ is in form of a physiologically hydrolysable ester, e.g. a methyl ester. iii) for the production of a compound of formula I wherein R ₂ is R ₃ -R ₄ -CONR ₅ R ₆ , converting a compound of formula I wherein R ₂ is R ₃ -R ₄ -COOH into an activated ester and reacting the activated ester with the desired amine to introduce the desired R ₅ and R ₆ groups.

The compound of formula Il used as starting material may be obtained by reacting a compound of formula VIII

wherein R ₂ and ring A are as defined above, with hydroxylamine. The compound of formula IV may be produced by reacting a compound of formula IX

R ₁ -COOH IX wherein R ₁ is as defined above, or a functional derivative thereof, e.g. an activated ester, acyl chloride or anhydride, with a compound of formula X

wherein R' ₂ is as defined above.

Compounds of formula V may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula III with a compound of formula Xl

wherein R ₂ and ring A are as defined above.

Insofar as the production of the starting materials is not particularly described, the compounds are either known or may be prepared analogously to methods known in the art or as disclosed hereinafter.

The following Examples are illustrative of the invention. EDC means 1-ethyl-3-(3- dimethylaminorpopyl)-carbodiimide.

Example 1 : 4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]- benzenesulfonamide

a) 2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid.

To a solution of .4-chloro-3-trif!uoromethyl benzoic acid (1 eq) in THF there is added under inert atmosphere the corresponding boronic acid (1.5 eq), X-Phos (0.05 eq), KF (3 eq) and finally Pd(OAc) ₂ (0.05 eq), the reaction mixture is then stirred at 9O ⁰ C for 15 hours. The reaction mixture is concentrated to dryness and purified using flash chromatography to afford the title compound. b) N-Hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine.

To a solution of 4-sulfamido benzonitrile (1 eq) in THF there is added at -25 ⁰ C (ice / methanol bath) a solution of hydroxylamine in water (20 eq). The reaction mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate and washed with water, the organic layer is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. N-Hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine is isolated by precipitation using ethyl acetate / hexanes mixture. c) The title compound is prepared as follows:

To a solution of the compound of step a) (i eq) in dioxane there is added under inerl atmosphere EDC (1.3 eq) and HOBt (1.3 eq), the reaction mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then the N-hydroxy-sulfamoyl-benzamidine of step b) (1.3 eq) is added to the reaction mixture and stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature, followed by stirring overnight at 95 ⁰ C. The reaction mixture is then concentrated to dryness and purified using flash chromatography to afford 4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol- 3-yl]-benzenesulfonamide (m/z = 446 (M+H) ⁺ ).

Example 2: N-{4-r5-(2-Trifluorornethvl-biphenvl-4-vlH1 ,2,41oxadiazol-3-vπ-Phenvl)- succinamic acid

a) 2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid.

To a solution of 4-chloro-3-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid (1 eq) in THF there is added under inert atmosphere the corresponding boronic acid (1.5 eq), X-Phos (0.05 eq), KF (3 eq) and finally Pd(OAc) ₂ (0.05 eq), the reaction mixture is then stirred at 90°C for 15 hours. The reaction mixture is concentrated to dryness and purified using flash chromatography to afford the title compound. b) N 4-Amino-N-hydroxy-benzamidine.

To a solution of 4-amino benzonitrile (1 eq) in THF there is added at -25 ⁰ C (ice / methanol bath) a solution of hydroxylamine in water (20 eq). The reaction mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate and washed with water, the organic layer is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. 4-Amino-N-hydroxy-benzamidine is isolated by precipitation using ethyl acetate / hexanes mixture. c) 4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-phenylamine: To a solution of the compound of step a) (1 eq) in dioxane there is added under inert atmosphere EDC (1.3 eq) and HOBt (1.3 eq), the reaction mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then the N-hydroxy-benzamidine of step b) (1.3 eq) is added to the reaction mixture and stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature, followed by stirring overnight at 95 ⁰ C. The reaction mixture is then concentrated to dryness and purified using

flash chromatography to afford 4-[5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl ]- phenylamine. g) To a solution of 4-[5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-phenylamine (1 eq) in acetonitrile there is added under inert atmosphere succinic anhydride (1.1 eq), and the reaction mixture is stirred at 9O ⁰ C for 16 hours. The reaction mixture is then concentrated to dryness and the desired product isolated by filtration after precipitation using a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexanes m/z = 480 (M-H) ^" .

Example 3: 4-r5-(4-Phenoxv-3-trifluoromethvl-phenylH1 ,2.41oxadiazol-3-vn- benzenesulfonamide

To a solution of 4-[5-(4-Fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-benzene- sulfonamide obtained by following a procedure as described in Example 1 (1 eq) in DMF there is added at O ⁰ C (ice / water bath) under inert atmosphere phenol (3 eq) and NaH (3 eq). The reaction mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture is quenched carefully using a solution of 2N HCI and extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, the organic layer is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The desired product is isolated by precipitation using ethyl acetate / hexanes mixture or by reverse preparative HPLC (m/z = 460 (M-H) ^" ).

Example 4: N-(4-f5-(4-Phenoxv-3-trifluoromethvl-phenvl)-π .2.41oxadiazol-3-vn-phenvl)- succinamic acid

The procedure of Example 3 is repeated but using,as starting material, N-{4-[5-(4-fluoro-3- trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-phenyl}-succi namic acid to afford the title compound (m/z = 498.4 (M+H) ⁺ ).

By following the procedure as described in Examples 1 to 4 and using the appropriate starting materials, the compounds of formula X ₁

wherein R ₁ , R ₃ and R ₄ are as defined in Table 1 below, are obtained.

TABLE 1

By following the procedure as described in Examples 1 to 4 and using the appropriate starting materials, the compounds of formula X ₂

wherein R ₁ and R ₂ are as defined in Table 2 below, are obtained.

TABLE 2

Example 175: The compound of Example 175 is prepared by repeating the procedure of Example 1 but using, as starting material, [4-(N- hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-benzyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (available after N-protection with BOC ₂ O in dioxane/water/NaOH from commercial 4-aminomethyl-benzonitrile hydrochloride) and subsequent formation of the N- hydroxy amidine with hydroxylamine 50% in water and THF as solvent) to afford the title compound after removal of the Boc-protecting group with TFA/water (95/5; 5 min., room temperature).

Example 176: The compound is prepared as disclosed for the compound of Example 175 but using, as starting material, 4-(1-amino-1 -methyl- ethyl)-benzonitrile.

Example 177: To a solution of {4-[5-(4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yϊ]- benzyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester obtained by following a procedure as described in Example 1 and Example 175 (1 eq) in DMF there is added at O ⁰ C (ice / water bath) under inert atmosphere NaH (3 eq) and after 30 minutes trifluoroethanol (5 eq) and. The reaction mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture is quenched carefully with acetic acid (95%) and concentrated. After that the residue is dissolved in methylene chloride, washed with water, the organic layer is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated. The desired product is obtained after purification on silica gel (cyclo- hexane/ethyle acetate 4/1 as mobile phase) and subsequent deprotection (according to Example 175).

Example 179: 4-F5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenvl-4-vlH1.3.41oxadiazol-2-vn- benzenesulfonamide

4-Hydrazinocarbonyl-benzenesulfonamide.

To a solution of 4-sulfonamido benzoic acid (1 eq) in THF there is added under inert atmosphere Et ₃ N (1.3 eq) and sulfonyl chloride (1.1 eq). The reaction mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The temperature is decreased to O ⁰ C (ice / water bath) and hydrazine in solution in methanol (30 eq) is slowly added to the reaction mixture, the resulting mixture is stirred from O ⁰ C to room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is quenched with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The desired product is isolated by precipitation using ethyl acetate / Hexanes mixture.

To a solution of 4-phenyl-3-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid (described previously) (1 eq) in THF there is added under inert atmosphere Et ₃ N (1.3 eq) and sulfonyl chloride (1.1 eq), the reaction mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The reaction mixture is

quenched with water and extracted with ethyl acstate. The organic layer is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. 4-[N'-(2-Trifluoromethyl- biphenyl-4-carbonyl)-hydrazinocarbonyl]-benzenesulfonamide is isolated using flash chromatography.

To a solution of 4-[N42-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-carbonyl)-hydrazinocarbony l]- benzenesulfonamide (1 eq) in acetonitrile is added under inert atmosphere Et ₃ N (1.3 eq) and the Burgess reagent (1.5 eq). The reaction mixture is then stirred under reflux for 10 hours. The reaction mixture is concentrated to dryness and purified using flash chromatography (ethyl acetate / hexanes) to afford the desired 4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)- [1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-benzenesulfonamide (m/z = 444 (M-H) ^" ).

By following the procedure as described in Example 179 and using the appropriate starting materials, the compounds of formula X ₃

wherein Ri and R ₂ are as defined in Table 3 below, are obtained.

TABLE 3

Example 183: 4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-phenylamine

2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid

nrtir* Λ P on\ DH-O ΔrΛ_ dicyclohexylphosphino-2,4,6-triisopropylbiphenyl is dissolved in THF and is refluxed for 90 minutes. After cooling the reaction mixture is filtered through Hyflo Super Cel ^® and concentrated. The crude residue is purified on silica gel using diethylether/c-hexane as mobile phase.

5-(4-Nitro-phenyl)-3-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazole

2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (1 eq) is dissolved in POCI ₃ and A- nitrobenzhydrazide (1 eq) is added. After 3 hours at reflux another equivalent of 4- nitrobenzhydrazide is added and kept for additional 3 hours at reflux. After removal of POCI ₃ under reduced pressure the residue is dissolved in ethyl acetate and extracted with saturated NaHCO ₃ solution. The organic layer is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ and title product is used for the next step without further purification.

4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-phenylamine

5-(4-Nitro-phenyl)-3-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazole is dissolved in methanol/ethyl acetate 1/1 and hydrogenated at room temperature under normal pressure with Pd/C _10% as catalyst for 16 hours. After filtration through Hyflo Super Cel ^® the reaction mixture is concentrated and purified on silica gel (methylene chloride -> methylene chloride/methanol 95/5 as mobile phase). ESI-MS (ESI ): 380 (M - 1 H)-

Example 184: N-{4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1,3,4]oxadiazol-2 -yl]-phenyl}- succinamic acid

4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-phenylamine (1 eq) is dissolved in methylene chloride and 4-methylmorphoIine (2 eq) and succinic anhydride (2 eq) is added.

After 16 hours at room temperature pure title product is obtained after silica gel column chromatography (methylene chloride -> methylene chloride/methanol 90/10 as mobile phase).

ESI-MS (ESI ): (M - 1 H) ^" : 480 (M - 1H) ^"

Example 185: {4-[5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-pheny l}-methanol

4-Ethynyl-2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl

To a solution of 4-bromo-2-trifluoroaniline (1 eq) in benzene there is added under inert atmosphere n-pentylnitrite (1 eq) at 5O ⁰ C. After one hour refluxing a second equivalent of n- pentylnitrite is added. After additional two hours of refluxing the reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure. The dark residue is purified on

siϋca ge! using c-hβxaπe -^ c-hexane/ethy! acetate 9/1 as mobile phase (pals orange oi!) to afford 4-bromo-2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl.

4-Bromo-2-trifIuoromethyl-biphenyl (1 eq) is dissolved in toluene/triethylamine (4/1) under argon gas and CuI (0.33 eq) and Pd(Ph ₃ P) ₂ CI ₂ (0.42 eq) are added and kept at 60°C for 20 minutes. After that trimethylsilylacetylene (11.6 eq) is added dropwise to the reaction mixture. After 18 hours at 6O ⁰ C the reaction mixture is cooled down to room temperature, filtered through Hyflo Super Cel ^® and 3 times extracted with saturated aqueous NH ₄ CI solution. The organic layer is dried with Na ₂ SO ₄ , concentrated and purified over silica gel using c-hexane as eluant yielding a pale brown liquid, trimethyl-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4- ylethynyl)-silane.

Trimethyl-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-ylethynyl)-silane is dissolved in methanol/1 N NaOH (4/1) and kept at room temperature for 1 hour. After removal of methanol under reduced pressure the residue is dissolved in methylene chloride and extracted with diluted aqueous HCI solution. The organic phase is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated. 4-Ethynyl- 2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl is obtained as a pale brown liquid.

4-bromo-benzaldehyde oxime

To a solution of 4-bromobenzaldehyde (1 eq) in ethanol is added at room temperature K ₂ CO ₃ (1.1 eq) and hydroxylamine hydrochloride (1 eq). After 18 hours at room temperature the reaction mixture is filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crystalline residue is dissolved in methylene chloride and extracted with diluted aqueous HCI solution. The aqueous solution is extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic phases are dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated. The crystalline pale brown residue (4-bromobenzaldehyde oxime) is used for isoxazole formation without any further purification.

3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-is oxazole

aqueous solution of NaOCI is added at 0 ⁰ C. After that a solution of 4-bromo-benzaldehyde oxime (1.1 eq) (b) is added and then stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The reaction mixture is diluted with methylene chloride and 3 times extracted with water. The organic layer is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated. After recrystallization from methanol pure 3- (4-bromo-phenyl)-5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazo le (pale brown crystals) is obtained. {4-[5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-pheny l}-methanol

The title compound is obtained using in the procedure of 3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-5-(2- trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazole using 4-hydroxymethyl-benzaldehyde oxime instead of 4-bromo-benzaldehyde oxime. ESI-MS (ESI ⁺ ): 396 (M + 1H) ⁺

Example 186: 4-[5-(2-triflouromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-benzyl amine

To a solution of the endproduct of Example 185 {4-[5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)- isoxazol-3-yl]-phenyl}-methanol (1 eq) in methylene chloride/CCI ₄ 1/4 sodium azide (1.2 eq) and triphenylphosphine (2.1 eq) are added. After 6 hours at reflux the reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, quenched with water and 3 times extracted with methylene chloride. The raw material (azide) is purified on silica gel with methylene chloride as mobile phase. The purified intermediate (azide) is dissolved in methanol and hydrogenated under normal pressure with Pd/C _10% as catalyst until all starting material disappeared. After that the reaction mixture is filtered through Hyflo Super Cel ^® , concentrated and purified on silica

ge! using methylene chlcride/methancl/acetic acid _50% 9/1/0.125 as eluent to afford the title compound (acetate salt) as pale yellow lyophilisate. ESI-MS (ESI ⁺ ): 395 (M + 1H) ⁺

Example 187: {4-[5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-benze nesulfonyl-amino}- propionic acid

4-Ethynyl-2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl

To a solution of 4-bromo-2-trifluoroaniline (1 eq) in benzene there is added under inert atmosphere n-pentylnitrite (1 eq) at 5O ⁰ C. After one hour refluxing a second equivalent of n- pentylnitrite is added. After additional two hours of refluxing the reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure. The dark residue is purified on silica gel using c-hexane -> c-hexane/ethyl acetate 9/1 as mobile phase (pale orange oil) to afford 4-bromo-2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl.

4-Bromo-2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl (1 eq) is dissolved in toluene/triethylamine (4/1) under argon gas and CuI (0.33 eq) and Pd(Ph ₃ P) ₂ CI ₂ (0.42 eq) are added and kept at 60 ⁰ C for 20 minutes. After that trimethylsilylacetylene (11.6 eq) is added dropwise to the reaction mixture. After 18 hours at 6O ⁰ C the reaction mixture is cooled down to room temperature, filtered through Hyflo Super Cel ^® and 3 times extracted with saturated aqueous NH ₄ CI solution. The organic layer is dried with Na ₂ SO ₄ , concentrated and purified over silica gel using c-hexane as eluent yielding a pale brown liquid (trimethyl-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4- ylethynyl)-silane).

Trimethyl-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-ylethynyl)-silane is dissolved in methanol/1 N NaOH (4/1 ) and kept at room temperature for 1 hour. After removal of methanol under reduced

pressure the residue is dissolved in methylene chloride and extracted with diluted aqueous HCI solution. The organic phase is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated. A pale brown liquid is obtained.

3-[4-(Hydroxyimino-methyl)-benzenesulfonylamino]-propioni c acid methylester

To a solution of 4-cyano-benzenesulfonyl chloride (1 eq) in dry pyridine is added at room temperature H-β-Ala-OMe (1 eq). After 1 hour at room temperature the reaction mixtures is concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue is dissolved in ethyl acetate and extracted with diluted aqueous HCI solution. The organic phase is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated. The honey like pale brown residue (3-(4-cyano-benzenesulfonylamino)- propionic acid methyl ester) is used for step b) without any further purification.

3-(4-Cyano-benzenesulfonylamino)-propionic acid methyl ester (1 eq) is dissolved in formic acid (75%) and Ra-Ni (FLUKA 83440; 4 eq) is added. After 3 hours at 100 ⁰ C the reaction mixture is filtered through Hyflo Super Cel ^® and the catalyst/Hyflo Super Cel ^® is washed 2 times with ethanol (with caution -> flammable). The resulting solution is concentrated and is used for step 3) without any further purification.

Hydroxylamine hydrochloride (1.25 eq) is dissolved in water and NaHCO ₃ (1.9 eq) is added. After 30 minutes at room temperature endproduct of step 2) dissolved in methanol is added. After 2 hours at room temperature the reaction mixture is concentrated and the residue is 3 times extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated. After purification (flash chromatography; silica gel; methylene chloride/methanol 95/5 as mobile phase) pure title compound is isolated.

3-{4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-yl]- enzene-sulfonylamino}-propionic acid

To a solution of 4-ethynyl-2-trifluoromethyl-biphe nyl (1 ep) in methylene chloride a 10% aqueous solution of NaOCI is added at 0°C. After that a solution of 3-[4-(hydroxyimino- methyl)-benzenesulfonylamino]-propionic acid methyl ester (1.1 eq) is added and then stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The reaction mixture is diluted with methylene chloride and 3 times extracted with water. The combined organic layers are dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated.

The resulting ester is saponified as follows:

LiOH (1.6 eq) is dissolved in methanol/water (1/1) and the ester (1 eq) is added. After 4 hours at 50 ⁰ C methanol is removed under reduced pressure, the pH is adjusted to ~3 with

1N HCI and the reaction mixture is 3 times extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers are dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered, concentrated and purified on silica gel

(methylene chloride/methanol 95/5 as mobile phase).

ESI-MS (ESI ): 515 (M - 1H)-

Example 188: 4-f5-(2-Trifluoromethvl-biphenvl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-vπ-phenvl amine.

3-(4-Nitro-phenyl)-5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-is oxazole

The title compound is obtained using in the procedure of 3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-5-(2- trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazole using 4-nitro-benzaldehyde oxime instead of 4- bromo-benzaldehyde oxime. ESI-MS (ESI ⁺ ): 411 (M + 1 H) ⁺

4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-phe nylamine

3-(4-Niιro-ρhenyi)-5-(2-trifluorornethy!-biρh6ny!-4-y!)-i 5Cxazc!β is dissolved in methaπcl/ethy! acetate 1/1 and hydrogenated at room temperature under normal pressure with Pd/C _10% as catalyst for 16 hours. After filtration through Hyflo Super Cel ^® the reaction mixture is concentrated and purified on silica gel (methylene chloride -> methylene chloride/methanol 95/5 as mobile phase). 4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-phenyl amine is isolated as a brown oil. ESI-MS (ESI ⁺ ): 381 (M + 1H) ⁺

Example 189: N-(4-f5-(2-Trifluoromethvl-biphenvl-4-vl)-isoxazol-3-vn-phen vl)-succinamic acid

4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-phe nylamine is dissolved in methylene chloride and 4-methylmorpholine (2 eq) and succinic anhydride (2 eq) is added. After 16 hours at room temperature pure title product is obtained after silica gel column chromatography (methylene chloride -> methylene chloride/methanol 90/10 as mobile phase).

ESI-MS (ESI ): (M - 1H) ^" : 479 (M - 1H) ^"

Example 190: fff)-2-f4-r5-(2-Trifluoromethvl-biphenvl-4-vl)-isoxazol-3-vl l-benzene- sulfonylamino}-propionic acid

4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-ben zenesulfonyl chloride.

[5-(2-TrifluCrcrMSthy!-biphsny!-4-y!)-!SOX3zo!-3-y!]-ph8ny!a ! ^r r!ine (1 eq) is dissolved in acetonitrile and after addition of HCI (cone. 37%) and an aqueous solution of NaNO ₂ (1.5 eq) the reaction mixture is kept at 8 ⁰ C for 30 minutes. To this reaction a saturated solution of SO ₂ in glacial acetic acid (1 ml) and subsequently a solution of CuCI ₂ in water (0.5 eq) is added. After 3 hours at room temperature the precipitate is filtered off, dissolved in methylene chloride and dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ . After removal of the solvent the title compound is obtained as grey crystals. ESI-MS (ESI ⁺ ): 364 (M + 1H) ⁺

4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-ben zenesulfonyl chloride (1 eq) is dissolved in THF and H-DAIa-OH (3 eq), triethylamine (1 eq) and 1N NaOH (2 eq) is added. After 18 hours at room temperature the reaction is diluted with water and the pH is adjusted with 1 N HCI to ~ 3. After extraction with methylene chloride (3 times) the organic layer is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated. The residue is purified on silica gel (methylene chloride/methanol/acetic acidso _% 9/1/0.125 as mobile phase). ESI-MS (ESI ⁺ ): 517 (M + 1H) ⁺

Example 191 : ^S)-2-(4-f5-(2-Trifluoromethvl-biphenvl-4-vl)-isoxazol-3-vn- benzene- sulfonylamino}-propionic acid

4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-ben zenesulfonyl chloride (1 eq) is dissolved in THF and H-AIa-OH (3 eq), triethylamine (1 eq) and 1 N NaOH (2 eq) is added. After 18 hours at room temperature the reaction is diluted with water and the pH is adjusted with 1 N HCI to ~ 3. After extraction with methylene chloride (3 times) the organic layer is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated. The residue is purified on silica gel (methylene chloride/methanol/acetic acid ₅ o _% 9/1/0.125 as mobile phase). ESI-MS (ESI ⁺ ): 517 (M + 1H) ⁺

Example 192: 4-{5-r4-(2.2.2-Trifluoro-ethoxv)-3-trifluoromethvl-phenvn-is oxazol-3-vl)- benzenesulfonamide

(4-Fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenylethynyl)-trimethyl-sila ne

The compound is synthesized according to the procedure given in: J.Org.Chem. 46(11);

1981 , pp2283

4-ethynyl-1 -fluoro-2-trifluoromethy l-benzene

Endproduct of step 1) is reacted as given in J.Org.Chem. 46(11); 1981, pp2283

4-[5-(4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-b enzenesulfonamide Title compound is synthesized according to example 183 c).

4-{5-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl ]-isoxazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfon-amide 4-[5-(4-Fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-benz enesulfonamide (1 eq.) is dissolved in DMF and after addition of NaH (2 eq.; FLUKA 62863) 2,2,2-trifIuoro-ethanol is added after 30 minutes at room temperature. After 3 hours at room temperature the reaction mixture is concentrated and the title copmound is isolated after treatment with diethylether as pale yellow solid. ESI-MS (ESI ): 465 (M - 1H) ^"

Example 193: 2-Ethyl-4-[5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-ylH1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]- benzenesulfonamide

4-Bromo-2-ethyl-benzenesulfonamide.

To a solution of 4-bromo-2-ethyl-benzenesulfonyl chloride (4.4g, 0.015 mole) in dioxane (60ml) was added a solution of concentrated NH ₄ OH (6ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. Solvent was removed under reduce pressure, and the resulting oil dissolved in ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, extracted,

dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ and concentrated. The dssircd product (4g) was isolated after crystallization using a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexanes.

4-Cyano-2-ethyl-benzenesulfonamide.

To a solution of 4-bromo-2-ethyl-benzenesulfonamide (1.Og, 0.004 mole) in NMP (30ml) was added CuCN (3.6g, 0.04mole), the reaction mixture was stirred at 14O ⁰ C for 3 days. After allowing the reaction mixture to cool down, ethyl acetate and water were then added, the organic layer was washed with water, extracted, dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ and concentrated. Purification using Flash column followed by crystallization yield the desired product (160mg).

3-Ethyl-N-hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine.

To a solution of 4-Cyano-2-ethyl-benzenesulfonamide (160mg, 0.0007 mole) in THF (6ml) was added a solution of hydroxyl amine (50% in water) (6ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, extracted, dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ and concentrated. The desired product (140mg) was isolated after crystallization using a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexanes.

2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid.

To a solution of 4-chloro-3-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid (5g, 0.02mole) in THF (200ml) was added under inert atmosphere phenyl boronic acid (5.3g, 0.04mole), X-Phos (1g, 0.002mol), KF (4g, 0.06mole) and finally Pd(OAc) ₂ (240mg, 0.001), the reaction mixture is then stirred at 90 ⁰ C for 15 hours. The reaction mixture is concentrated to dryness and purified using flash chromatography to afford the title compound (5g,).

2-Ethyl-4-[5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1,2,4]oxa diazol-3-yl]-benzenesulfonamide. To a solution of 2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid. (50mg, 0.0002mole) in DMF (2ml) was added under inert atmosphere EDC (40mg, 0.0002mole), HOBt (30mg, 0.0002mol), the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes, then was added 3-ethyl-N-hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine (50mg, 0.0002mole) in solution in DMF (1ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at 9O ⁰ C for15 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness and purify using flash chromatography to afford the title compound (60mg). ESI-MS (ESI ⁺ ): 474 (M + 1H) ⁺

Example 194: 2-Ethyl-4-[5-(2'-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1, 2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]- benzenesulfonamide

The compound is obtained using in the procedure of Example 193 using 2'-fluoro-2- trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid instead of 2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid.

ESI-MS (ESI ): 478 (M - 1H)-

Example 195: 2-Ethyl-4-[5-(4-phenyl-5-trifluoromethyl-thiophen-2-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]- benzenesulfonamide

The compound is obtained using in the procedure of Example 193 using 4-phenyl-5- trifluoromethyl-thiophene-2-carboxylic acid instead of 2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid.

ESI-MS (ESI ): 478 (M - 1 H) ^"

Example 196: 4-[5-(4-Cyclohexyl-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-[1,2,4]oxadiazo l-3-yl]-2-ethyl- benzenesulfonamide

The compound is obtained using in the procedure of Example 193 using 4-cyclohexyl-3- trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid instead of 2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid. ESI-MS (ESI ⁺ ): 480 (M + 1H) ⁺

Example 197: 3-(4-f5-(2-Trifluoromethvl-biphenyl-4-vπ-isoxazol-3-vll-ben zenesulfonvl- aminoj-propionamide

1 ) {4-[5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-benze nesulfonyl-amino}-propionic acid is prepared as described in Example 187, starting from 4-Ethynyl-2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl.

2) 3-{4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-isoxazol-3-yl]-ben zenesulfonylamino}-propionic acid (1 eq) is dissolved in DMF and subsequently N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'- ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDCHCI; 1.5 eq), hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt; 1.3 eq), NH ₄ OH _25% in water (1.2 eq) and diisopropylethylamine (1.5 eq) are added. After 16 hours at room temperature the reaction mixture is concentrated and purified on silica gel (methylene chloride/methanol 95/5 -> methylene chloride/methanol/acetic acid ₅ o _% 90/10/0.125 as mobile phase) resulting in pure title compound. ESI-MS (ESI ): 514 (M - 1H)- ESI-MS (ESI ⁺ ): 516 (M + 1H) ⁺

Example 198: N-{4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1,3 _f 4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-henyl}- succinamide

1 ) 5-(4-Nitro-phenyl)-3-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazole

This compound is prepared as disclosed in Example 183, starting from 2-trifluoromethyl- biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid.

2) 4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl ]-phenylamine

This compound is prepared as disclosed in Example 184 using the compound of step 1).

3) N-{4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-phenyl}-succinamic acid Endproduct (1 eq) of step 2) is dissolved in methylene chloride and 4-methylmorpholine (2 eq) and succinic anhydride (2 eq) are added. After 16 hours at room temperature pure title

produc-t is obtained after silica gel column chromatography (methylene chloride -^ methylene chloride/methanol 90/10 as mobile phase). ESI-MS (ESI ): (M - 1H) : 480 (M - 1H) ^'

4) N-{4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-henyl}-succinamide

The title compound is obtained using the same procedure as given for Example 197 in the last step (2)).

ESI-MS (ESI ): 479 (M - 1H)-

ESI-MS (ESI ⁺ ): 481 (M + 1H) ⁺

Example 199: N-(4-f5-(2-Trifluoromethvl-biphenvl-4-vl)-ri .2.41oxadiazol-3-vπ-phenvl)- succinamide

a) 2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid: it is prepared as disclosed in Example 1a). b) N 4-Amino-N-hydroxy-benzamidine: it is prepared as disclosed in Example 1b). c) 4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-phenylamine: it is prepared as disclosed in Example 2f). d) N^-JS^-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyM-ylHi ^^loxadiazol-S-yll-phenyll-succinamic acid: it is prepared as disclosed in Example 2g). e) N-{4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-phenyl}-succinamide

To a solution of N-{4-[5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-phenyl}- succinamic acid (1 eq) in THF is added under inert atmosphere EDC (1.3 eq) and HOBt (1.3 eq), the reaction mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then a solution of ammonium hydroxide (10 eq) is added to the reaction mixture and stirred for 4 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture is then concentrated to dryness and purified using flash chromatography to afford N-{4-[5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]- phenylj-succinamide m/z = 479 (M-H) ^' .

Example 200: N-Methvl-N'-(4-r5-(2-trifluoromethvl-biphenvl-4-vl)-f 1.2.41oxadiazol-3-vn- phenyl}-succinamide

The title compound is synthesized in a similar way as disclosed in Example 199e) using a solution of methylamine in methanol instead of ammonium hydroxide in the last step, m/z = 493 (M-H) ^" ..

Example 201: N.N-Dimethvl-N'-(4-f5-(2-trifluoromethvl-biphenvl-4-vl)-π .2.4loxadiazol-3-vn- phenyl}-succinamide

The title compound is synthesized in the similar way as in above Example 199e) using a solution of dimethylamine in methanol instead of ammonium hydroxide in the last step m/z = 507 (M-H) ^" .

Example 202: 3-{4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]- benzenesulfonylamino}-propionamide

4-[5-(2-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-ylH1.3,4]oxadiazol-2-y l]-phenylamine (1 eq) is dissolved in acetonitrile and after addition of HCI (0.55 ml; cone. 37%) and an aqueous solution of NaNO ₂ (1 5 eq) the reaction mixture is kept at 8 ⁰ C for 30 minutes. To this reaction a saturated solution of SO ₂ in glacial acetic acid (1 ml) and subsequently a solution of CuCI ₂ in water (0.5 eq) is added. After 3 hours at room temperature the precipitate is filtered off,

HiccnlwoH in me»th\/lono HijnriHo anri rlriorl nypr Ng _^ SO- Δftpr rpmπvaj nf thp solvent thβ tit!* ¹ * compound is used for the next step without any further purification. ESI-MS (ESI ⁺ ): 465 (M + 1H) ⁺

4-[5-(2-Trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-benzenesulfonyl chloride (1 eq) is dissolved in THF and H-BAIa-NH ₂ (3 eq), triethylamine (1 eq) and 1 N NaOH (2 eq) are added. After 18 hours at room temperature the reaction is diluted with water and the pH is adjusted with 1 N HCI to ~ 3. After extraction with methylene chloride (3 times) the organic layer is dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , filtered and concentrated. The residue is purified on silica gel (methylene chloride/methanol 8/2 as mobile phase). ESI-MS (ESI ⁺ ): 517 (M + 1H) ⁺

The compounds of formula I in free form or in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form, exhibit valuable pharmacological properties, e.g. as S1P1 receptor agonists, e.g. as indicated in vitro and in vivo tests and are therefore indicated for therapy.

A. In vitro

The compounds of formula I have binding affinity to individual human S1P receptors as determined in following assays:

A. In vitro: GPCR activation assay measuring GTP Tv- ³⁵ Sl binding to membranes prepared from CHO cells expressing human EDG receptors

S1 P ₁ (EDG-1 ) GTP [γ- ³⁵ S] binding assay: Homogenized membranes are prepared from CHO cell clones stably expressing a human EDG-1 N-terminal c-myc tag. Cells are grown in suspension in two 850 cm ² roller bottles for three or fours days before harvesting. The cells are centrifuged down, washed once with cold PBS, and resuspended in ≤20 ml of Buffer A (20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 0 mM EDTA, EDTA-free complete protease inhibitor cocktail [1 tablet/25 ml]). The cell suspension is homogenized on ice, using a Polytron homogenizer at 30000 rpm at three intervals of 15 seconds each. The homogenate is first centrifuged at 2000 rpm on a tabletop low speed centrifuge for 10 minutes. The supernatant, after passing through a cell strainer, is then re-centrifuged at 50,000 x g for 25 minutes at 4°C. The pellet is resuspended into buffer B (15% glycerol, 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 0.1 mM EDTA, EDTA- free complete protease inhibitor cocktail [1 tablet/10 ml]). Protein concentration of the preparation is determined using the BCA Protein Assay kit (Pierce) using BSA as standard. The membranes are aliquoted and kept frozen at -80 ⁰ C.

Solutions of test compounds ranging from 1OmM to 0.01 nM are prepared in DMSO. S1 P is diluted in 4% BSA solution as positive controls. The desired amount of membrane

preparation is diluted with ice-ccld assay buffer (20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 100 rπM NaC!, 10 mM MgCI ₂ , 0.1% Fatty acid-free BSA, 5 μM GDP) and vortexed well. 2 μl or less of compound is distributed into each well of a round-bottom 96-well polystyrene assay plate, followed by addition of 100 Dl of diluted membranes (3-10 μg/well) and kept on ice until the addition of hot GTPγS. [ ³⁵ S]-GTPyS is diluted 1:1000 (v/v) with cold assay buffer and 100 μl is added into each well. The reaction is carried out at room temperature for 90 minutes before the membranes are harvested onto Perkin-Elmer Unifilter ^® GF/B-96 filter plate using a Packard Filtermate Harvester. After several washes with wash buffer (20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 100 mM NaCI, 10 mM MgCI ₂₎ , and a rinse with 95% ethanol, the filter is dried in a 37 ^' C oven for 30 minutes. MicroScint-20 is added and the plate sealed for scintillation counting on TopCount. EC ₅₀ values are obtained by fitting the GTP [γ- ³⁵ S] binding curves (raw data) with the dose response curve-fitting tool of GraphPad Prism. Six or twelve different concentrations are used to generate a concentration response curve (using three data points per concentration).

S1 P3.-5.-6 and -8 GTP [7- ³⁵ S] binding assays are carried out in a comparable manner to the S1P1 GTP [γ- ³⁵ S] binding assay using membranes from CHO cells stably expressing c- terminal c-myc tagged or untagged receptors. For each membrane preparation, titration experiments are first run with S1 P control to determine the optimal amount of membranes to be added per assay well.

Compounds of formula I are tested according to the above assay and show binding affinity to to S1P receptors, e.g. S1P1 receptors with an EC ₅₀ < 1μM. More particularly, compounds of formula I exhibit selectivity for the S1P1 receptor. For example, Compounds of Examples 45, 54, 145, 194 and 196 have an EC ₅₀ < 1 nM in the above S1 P1 receptor binding assay and are at least 20 fold selective for S1P1 receptor compared to S1P3 receptor, and at least 20 fold selective for S1 P1 receptor compared to S1P8 receptor.

B. In vitro: FLIPR calcium flux assay

Compounds of formula I are tested for agonist activity on S1P1 , S1P3, S1P5, and S1P6 with a FLIPR calcium flux assay. Briefly, CHO cells expressing an S1P receptor are maintained in F-12K medium (ATCC), containing 5% FBS, with 500 μg/ml of G418. Prior to the assay, the cells are plated in 384 black clear bottom plates at the density of 10,000 cells/well/25 μl in the medium of F-12K containing 1% FBS. The second day, the cells are washed three times (25 μl/each) with washing buffer. About 25 μl of dye are added to each well and incubated for 1 hour at 37 ⁰ C and 5% CO ₂ . The cells are then washed four times with washing buffer

(25 μ!/each). The calcium flux is assayed after adding 25 μ! of SEW2871 (published by Rosen et al., used as reference) solution to each well of cells. The same assay is performed with cells expressing each of the different S1P receptors. Titration in the FLIPR calcium flux assay is recorded over a 3-minute interval, and quantitated as maximal peak height percentage response relative to S1P-1 activation. The compounds of formula I are active in this assay at a concentration of from 10 ^~12 and 3.10 ^"5 nM.

C. In vivo: Screening Assays for measurement of blood lymphocyte depletion

Measurement of circulating lymphocytes: Compounds to be tested are dissolved in DMSO/PEG200 and further diluted with deionized water. Rats (Lewis strain, female, 6-12 weeks old) are administered 1 mg/kg of compound to be tested in 4 ml/kg vehicle (max. 2% DMSO/max. 2% PEG200/water) via per os application. DMSO/PEG200/water and FTY720 (0.3 mg/kg) are included as negative and positive controls, respectively. Blood is collected from the sublingual vein 2, 6, 24 and 48 hours after administration under short isoflurane anesthesia. Whole blood samples are subjected to hematology analysis. Peripheral lymphocyte counts are determined using an automated analyzer. Subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes are stained by fluorochrome-conjugated specific antibodies and analyzed using a fluorescent activating cell sorter (Facscalibur). Two rats are used to assess the lymphocyte depletion activity of each compound screened. The result is an ED ₅₀ , which is defined as the effective dose required to display 50 % of blood lymphocyte depletion. Compounds of formula I are tested according to the above assay and have an ED ₅₀ of less than 10 mg/kg.

The compounds of formula I are, therefore, useful in the treatment and/or prevention of diseases or disorders mediated by lymphocytes interactions, e.g. in transplantation, such as acute or chronic rejection of cell, tissue or organ allo- or xenografts or delayed graft function, graft versus host disease, autoimmune diseases, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, hashimoto's thyroidis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, diabetes type I or Il and the disorders associated therewith, vasculitis, pernicious anemia, Sjoegren syndrome, uveitis, psoriasis, Graves ophthalmopathy, alopecia areata and others, allergic diseases, e.g. allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis, allergic contact dermatitis, inflammatory diseases optionally with underlying aberrant reactions, e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, intrinsic asthma, inflammatory lung injury, inflammatory liver injury, inflammatory glomerular injury,

atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, irritant contact dermatitis and further eczematous dermatitises, seborrhoeic dermatitis, cutaneous manifestations of immunologically-mediated disorders, inflammatory eye disease, keratoconjunctivitis, myocarditis or hepatitis, e.g. acute or chronic hepatitis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, e.g. myocardial infarction, stroke, gut ischemia, renal failure or hemorrhage shock, traumatic shock, cancer, e.g. breast cancer, T cell lymphomas or T cell leukemias, nephrotic syndrome, infectious diseases, e.g. toxic shock (e.g. superantigen induced), septic shock, adult respiratory distress syndrome or viral infections, e.g. AIDS, viral hepatitis, e.g. hepatitis B or C, chronic bacterial infection, or neurodegenerative diseases, e.g. Alzheimer disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or senile dementia. Examples of cell, tissue or solid organ transplants include e.g. pancreatic islets, stem cells, bone marrow, corneal tissue, neuronal tissue, heart, lung, combined heart-lung, kidney, liver, bowel, pancreas, trachea or oesophagus. For the above uses the required dosage will of course vary depending on the mode of administration, the particular condition to be treated and the effect desired.

In general, satisfactory results are indicated to be obtained systemically at daily dosages of from about 0.03 to 5.0 mg/kg per body weight. An indicated daily dosage in the larger mammal, e.g. humans, is in the range from about 0.5 mg to about 500 mg, conveniently administered, for example, in divided doses up to four times a day or in retard form. Suitable unit dosage forms for oral administration comprise from ca. 0.1 to 50 mg active ingredient.

The compounds of formula I may be administered by any conventional route, in particular enterally, e.g. orally, e.g. in the form of tablets or capsules, or parenterally, e.g. in the form of injectable solutions or suspensions, topically, e.g. in the form of lotions, gels, ointments or creams, or in a nasal or a suppository form. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I in free form or in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form in association with at least one pharmaceutical acceptable carrier or diluent may be manufactured in conventional manner by mixing with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

The compounds of formula I may be administered in free form or in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form e.g. as indicated above. Such salts may be prepared in conventional manner and exhibit the same order of activity as the free compounds.

In accordance with the foregoing the present invention further provides: 1.1 A method for preventing or treating disorders or diseases mediated by lymphocytes, e.g. such as indicated above, in a subject in need of such treatment, which method

cornprises administering to said subject an effective amount of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

1.2 A method for preventing or treating acute or chronic transplant rejection or T-cell mediated inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, e.g. as indicated above, in a subject in need of such treatment, which method comprises administering to said subject an effective amount of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

2. A compound of formula I, in free form or in a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form for use as a pharmaceutical, e.g. in any of the methods as indicated under 1.1 or 1.2 above.

3. A pharmaceutical composition, e.g. for use in any of the methods as in 1.1 or 1.2 above comprising a compound of formula I in free form or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier therefore.

4. A compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for use in any of the method as in 1.1 or 1.2 above.

The compounds of formula I may be administered as the sole active ingredient or in conjunction with, e.g. as an adjuvant to, other drugs e.g. immunosuppressive or immunomodulating agents or other anti-inflammatory agents, e.g. for the treatment or prevention of allo- or xenograft acute or chronic rejection or inflammatory or autoimmune disorders, or a chemotherapeutic agent, e.g a malignant cell anti-proliferative agent. For example, the compounds of formula I may be used in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor, e.g. cyclosporin A or FK 506; a mTOR inhibitor, e.g. rapamycin, 40-O-(2- hydroxyethyO-rapamycin, CCI779, ABT578, AP23573, biolimus-7 or biolimus-9; an ascomycin having immuno-suppressive properties, e.g. ABT-281 , ASM981 , etc.; corticosteroids; cyclophosphamide; azathioprene; methotrexate; leflunomide; mizoribine; mycophenolic acid or salt; mycophenolate mofetil; 15-deoxyspergualine or an immunosuppressive homologue, analogue or derivative thereof; a PKC inhibitor, e.g. as disclosed in WO 02/38561 or WO 03/82859, e.g. the compound of Example 56 or 70; a JAK3 kinase inhibitor, e.g. N-benzyl-3,4-dihydroxy-benzylidene-cyanoacetamide α-cyano- (3,4-dihydroxy)-]N-benzylcinnamamide (Tyrphostin AG 490), prodigiosin 25-C (PNU156804), [4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline] (WHI-P131 ), [4-(3'-bromo-4'-

Mydroxy!phsny!)-3iT!ino-6,7-d!methox^'quin3zo!ip.8] (WHI-PI 54), ^-(S'.S'-dibromo-^ ¹ - hydroxylphenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline] WHI-P97, KRX-211, 3-{(3R,4R)-4-methyl- 3-[methyl-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-amino]-piperidin -1 -yl}-3-oxo-propionitrile, in free form or in a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form, e.g. mono-citrate (also called CP- 690,550), or a compound as disclosed in WO 04/052359 or WO 05/066156; immunosuppressive monoclonal antibodies, e.g., monoclonal antibodies to leukocyte receptors, e.g., MHC, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD7, CD8, CD25, CD28, CD40, CD45, CD52, CD58, CD80, CD86 or their ligands; other immunomodulatory compounds, e.g. a recombinant binding molecule having at least a portion of the extracellular domain of CTLA4 or a mutant thereof, e.g. an at least extracellular portion of CTLA4 or a mutant thereof joined to a non- CTLA4 protein sequence, e.g. CTLA4lg (for ex. designated ATCC 68629) or a mutant thereof, e.g. LEA29Y; adhesion molecule inhibitors, e.g. LFA-1 antagonists, ICAM-1 or -3 antagonists, VCAM-4 antagonists or VLA-4 antagonists; or a chemotherapeutic agent, e.g. paclitaxel, gemcitabine, cisplatinum, doxorubicin or 5-fluorouracil; or an anti-infectious agent.

Where the compounds of formula I are administered in conjunction with other immunosuppressive / immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, chemotherapeutic or anti- infectious therapy, dosages of the co-administered immunosuppressant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, chemotherapeutic or anti-infectious compound will of course vary depending on the type of co-drug employed, e.g. whether it is a steroid or a calcineurin inhibitor, on the specific drug employed, on the condition being treated and so forth. In accordance with the foregoing the present invention provides in a yet further aspect:

5. A method as defined above comprising co-administration, e.g. concomitantly or in sequence, of a therapeutically effective non-toxic amount of a compound of formula I and at least a second drug substance, e.g. an immunosuppressant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory or chemotherapeutic drug, e.g. as indicated above.

6. A pharmaceutical combination, e.g. a kit, comprising a) a first agent which is a compound of formula I as disclosed herein, in free form or in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form, and b) at least one co-agent, e.g. an immunosuppressant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, chemotherapeutic or anti-infectious agent. The kit may comprise instructions for its administration.

The terms "co-administration" or "combined administration" or the like as utilized herein are meant to encompass administration of the selected therapeutic agents to a single patient,

snd are intended to include treatment regimens in which the βgents ΘΓΘ not necβssarilv administered by the same route of administration or at the same time.

The term "pharmaceutical combination" as used herein means a product that results from the mixing or combining of more than one active ingredient and includes both fixed and non- fixed combinations of the active ingredients. The term "fixed combination" means that the active ingredients, e.g. a compound of formula I and a co-agent, are both administered to a patient simultaneously in the form of a single entity or dosage. The term "non-fixed combination" means that the active ingredients, e.g. a compound of formula I and a co- agent, are both administered to a patient as separate entities either simultaneously, concurrently or sequentially with no specific time limits, wherein such administration provides therapeutically effective levels of the 2 compounds in the body of the patient. The latter also applies to cocktail therapy, e.g. the administration of 3 or more active ingredients.