Heterobicyclic metalloprotease inhibitors   

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/440,087, filed May 22, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/734,991, filed Nov. 9, 2005, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/706,465, filed Aug. 8, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/683,470, filed May 20, 2005, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to amide containing heterobicyclic metalloprotease inhibiting compounds, and more particularly to heterobicyclic MMP-13 inhibiting compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and aggrecanases (ADAMTS=a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif) are a family of structurally related zinc-containing enzymes that have been reported to mediate the breakdown of connective tissue in normal physiological processes such as embryonic development, reproduction, and tissue remodelling. Over-expression of MMPs and aggrecanases or an imbalance between extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation has been suggested as factors in inflammatory, malignant and degenerative disease processes. MMPs and aggrecanases are, therefore, targets for therapeutic inhibitors in several inflammatory, malignant and degenerative diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, periodontitis, multiple sclerosis, gingivitis, corneal epidermal and gastric ulceration, atherosclerosis, neointimal proliferation (which leads to restenosis and ischemic heart failure) and tumor metastasis.

The ADAMTSs are a group of proteases that are encoded in 19 ADAMTS genes in humans. The ADAMTSs are extracellular, multidomain enzymes whose functions include collagen processing, cleavage of the matrix proteoglycans, inhibition of angiogenesis and blood coagulation homoeostasis (Biochem. J. 2005, 386, 15-27; Arthritis Res. Ther. 2005, 7, 160-169; Curr. Med. Chem. Anti-Inflammatory Anti-Allergy Agents 2005, 4, 251-264).

The mammalian MMP family has been reported to include at least 20 enzymes, (Chem. Rev. 1999, 99, 2735-2776). Collagenase-3 (MMP-13) is among three collagenases that have been identified. Based on identification of domain structures for individual members of the MMP family, it has been determined that the catalytic domain of the MMPs contains two zinc atoms; one of these zinc atoms performs a catalytic function and is coordinated with three histidines contained within the conserved amino acid sequence of the catalytic domain. MMP-13 is over-expressed in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, breast carcinoma, squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, and vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. The principal substrates of MMP-13 are fibrillar collagens (types I, II, III) and gelatins, proteoglycans, cytokines and other components of ECM (extracellular matrix).

The activation of the MMPs involves the removal of a propeptide, which features an unpaired cysteine residue complexes the catalytic zinc (II) ion. X-ray crystal structures of the complex between MMP-3 catalytic domain and TIMP-1 and MMP-14 catalytic domain and TIMP-2 also reveal ligation of the catalytic zinc (II) ion by the thiol of a cysteine residue. The difficulty in developing effective MMP inhibiting compounds comprises several factors, including choice of selective versus broad-spectrum MMP inhibitors and rendering such compounds bioavailable via an oral route of administration.

MMP-3 (stromelysin-1; transin-1) is another member of the MMP family (Woesner; FASEB J. 1991; 5:2145-2154). Human MMP-3 was initially isolated from cultured human synoviocytes. It is also expressed by chondrocytes and has been localized in OA cartilage and synovial tissues (Case; Am. J. Pathol. 1989 December; 135(6):1055-64).

MMP-3 is produced by basal keratinocytes in a variety of chronic ulcers. MMP-3 mRNA and Protein were detected in basal keratinocytes adjacent to but distal from the wound edge in what probably represents the sites of proliferating epidermis. MMP-3 may this prevent the epidermis from healing (Saarialho-Kere, J. Clin. Invest. 1994 July; 94(1):79-88)).

MMP-3 serum protein levels are significantly elevated in patients with early and long-term rheumatoid arthritis (Yamanaka; Arthritis Rheum. 2000 April; 43(4):852-8) and in osteoarthritis patients (Bramono; Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2004 November; (428):272-85) as well as in other inflammatory diseases like systemic lupus erythematosis and ankylosing spondylitis (Chen, Rheumatology 2006 April; 45(4):414-20).

MMP-3 acts on components of the ECM as aggrecan, fibronectin, gelatine, laminin, elastin, fibrillin and others and on collagens of type III, IV, V, VII, KX, X (Bramono; Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2004 November; (428):272-85). On collagens of type II and IX, MMP-3 exhibits telopeptidase activity (Sandell, Arthritis Res. 2001; 3(2): 107-13; Eyre, Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2004 October; (427 Suppl):S118-22). MMP-3 can activate other MMP family members as MMP-1; MMP-7; MMP-8; MMP-9 and MMP-13 (Close, Ann Rheum Dis 2001 November; 60 Suppl 3:iii62-7).

MMP-3 is involved in the regulation of cytokines and chemokines by releasing TGFβ1 from the ECM, activating TNFα, inactivation of IL-1β and release of IGF (Parks, Nat Rev Immunol. 2004 August; 4(8):617-29). A potential role for MMP-3 in the regulation of macrophate infiltration is based on the ability of the enzyme to converse active MCP species into antagonistic peptides (McQuibban, Blood. 2002 Aug. 15; 100(4): 1160-7).

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a new class of heterobicyclic amide containing pharmaceutical agents which inhibits metalloproteases. In particular, the present invention provides a new class of metalloprotease inhibiting compounds that exhibit potent MMP-13 inhibiting activity and/or activity towards MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-12, ADAMTS-4, and ADAMTS-5.

The present invention provides several new classes of amide containing heterobicyclic metalloprotease compounds, of which some are represented by the following general formulas:

wherein all variables in the preceding Formulas (I) to (VI) are as defined hereinbelow.

The heterobicyclic metalloprotease inhibiting compounds of the present invention may be used in the treatment of metalloprotease mediated diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, cancer (e.g. but not limited to melanoma, gastric carcinoma or non-small cell lung carcinoma), inflammation, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ocular diseases (e.g. but not limited to ocular inflammation, retinopathy of prematurity, macular degeneration with the wet type preferred and corneal neovascularization), neurologic diseases, psychiatric diseases, thrombosis, bacterial infection, Parkinson\'s disease, fatigue, tremor, diabetic retinopathy, vascular diseases of the retina, aging, dementia, cardiomyopathy, renal tubular impairment, diabetes, psychosis, dyskinesia, pigmentary abnormalities, deafness, inflammatory and fibrotic syndromes, intestinal bowel syndrome, allergies, Alzheimers disease, arterial plaque formation, oncology, periodontal, viral infection, stroke, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, reperfusion injury, trauma, chemical exposure or oxidative damage to tissues, chronic wound healing, wound healing, hemorroid, skin beautifying, pain, inflammatory pain, bone pain and joint pain, acne, acute alcoholic hepatitis, acute inflammation, acute pancreatitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, adult respiratory disease, airflow obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness, alcoholic liver disease, allograft rejections, angiogenesis, angiogenic ocular disease, arthritis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis, bronchiolitis obliterans, burn therapy, cardiac and renal reperfusion injury, celiac disease, cerebral and cardiac ischemia, CNS tumors, CNS vasculitis, colds, contusions, cor pulmonae, cough, Crohn\'s disease, chronic bronchitis, chronic inflammation, chronic pancreatitis, chronic sinusitis, crystal induced arthritis, cystic fibrosis, delayed type hypersensitivity reaction, duodenal ulcers, dyspnea, early transplantation rejection, emphysema, encephalitis, endotoxic shock, esophagitis, gastric ulcers, gingivitis, glomerulonephritis, glossitis, gout, graft vs. host reaction, gram negative sepsis, granulocytic ehrlichiosis, hepatitis viruses, herpes, herpes viruses, HIV, hypercapnea, hyperinflation, hyperoxia-induced inflammation, hypoxia, hypersensitivity, hypoxemia, inflammatory bowel disease, interstitial pneumonitis, ischemia reperfusion injury, kaposi\'s sarcoma associated virus, liver fibrosis, lupus, malaria, meningitis, multi-organ dysfunction, necrotizing enterocolitis, osteoporosis, periodontitis, chronic periodontitis, peritonitis associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), pre-term labor, polymyositis, post surgical trauma, pruritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, pulmatory fibrosis, pulmatory hypertension, renal reperfusion injury, respiratory viruses, restinosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, sarcoidosis, septic shock, small airway disease, sprains, strains, subarachnoid hemorrhage, surgical lung volume reduction, thrombosis, toxic shock syndrome, transplant reperfusion injury, traumatic brain injury, ulcerative colitis, vasculitis, ventilation-perfusion mismatching, and wheeze.

In particular, the heterobicyclic metalloprotease inhibiting compounds of the present invention may be used in the treatment of MMP-13 mediated osteoarthritis and may be used for other MMP-13 mediated symptoms, inflammatory, malignant and degenerative diseases characterized by excessive extracellular matrix degradation and/or remodelling, such as cancer, and chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, inflammation, multiple sclerosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pain, such as inflammatory pain, bone pain and joint pain.

The present invention also provides heterobicyclic metalloprotease inhibiting compounds that are useful as active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment or prevention of metalloprotease—especially MMP-13—mediated diseases. The present invention also contemplates use of such compounds in pharmaceutical compositions for oral or parenteral administration, comprising one or more of the heterobicyclic metalloprotease inhibiting compounds disclosed herein.

The present invention further provides methods of inhibiting metalloproteases, by administering formulations, including, but not limited to, oral, rectal, topical, intravenous, parenteral (including, but not limited to, intramuscular, intravenous), ocular (ophthalmic), transdermal, inhalative (including, but not limited to, pulmonary, aerosol inhalation), nasal, sublingual, subcutaneous or intraarticular formulations, comprising the heterobicyclic metalloprotease inhibiting compounds by standard methods known in medical practice, for the treatment of diseases or symptoms arising from or associated with metalloprotease, especially MMP-13, including prophylactic and therapeutic treatment. Although the most suitable route in any given case will depend on the nature and severity of the conditions being treated and on the nature of the active ingredient. The compounds from this invention are conveniently presented in unit dosage form and prepared by any of the methods well-known in the art of pharmacy.

The heterobicyclic metalloprotease inhibiting compounds of the present invention may be used in combination with a disease modifying antirheumatic drug, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a COX-2 selective inhibitor, a COX-1 inhibitor, an immunosuppressive, a steroid, a biological response modifier or other anti-inflammatory agents or therapeutics useful for the treatment of chemokines mediated diseases.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms “alkyl” or “alk”, as used herein alone or as part of another group, denote optionally substituted, straight and branched chain saturated hydrocarbon groups, preferably having 1 to 10 carbons in the normal chain, most preferably lower alkyl groups. Exemplary unsubstituted such groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, heptyl, 4,4-dimethylpentyl, octyl, 2,2,4-trimethylpentyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl and the like. Exemplary substituents may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following groups: halo, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl (e.g., to form a benzyl group), cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, hydroxy or protected hydroxy, carboxyl (—COOH), alkyloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonyl, carbamoyl (NH2—CO—), substituted carbamoyl ((R10)(R11)N—CO—wherein R10 or R11 are as defined below, except that at least one of R10 or R11 is not hydrogen), amino, heterocyclo, mono- or dialkylamino, or thiol (—SH).

The terms “lower alk” or “lower alkyl” as used herein, denote such optionally substituted groups as described above for alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the normal chain.

The term “alkoxy” denotes an alkyl group as described above bonded through an oxygen linkage (—O—).

The term “alkenyl”, as used herein alone or as part of another group, denotes optionally substituted, straight and branched chain hydrocarbon groups containing at least one carbon to carbon double bond in the chain, and preferably having 2 to 10 carbons in the normal chain. Exemplary unsubstituted such groups include ethenyl, propenyl, isobutenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, octenyl, nonenyl, decenyl, and the like. Exemplary substituents may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following groups: halo, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, hydroxy or protected hydroxy, carboxyl (—COOH), alkyloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonyl, carbamoyl (NH2—CO—), substituted carbamoyl ((R10)(R11)N—CO—wherein R10 or R11 are as defined below, except that at least one of R10 or R11 is not hydrogen), amino, heterocyclo, mono- or dialkylamino, or thiol (—SH).

The term “alkynyl”, as used herein alone or as part of another group, denotes optionally substituted, straight and branched chain hydrocarbon groups containing at least one carbon to carbon triple bond in the chain, and preferably having 2 to 10 carbons in the normal chain. Exemplary unsubstituted such groups include, but are not limited to, ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, heptynyl, octynyl, nonynyl, decynyl, and the like. Exemplary substituents may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following groups: halo, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, hydroxy or protected hydroxy, carboxyl (—COOH), alkyloxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonyl, carbamoyl (NH2—CO—), substituted carbamoyl ((R10)(R11)N—CO—wherein R10 or R11 are as defined below, except that at least one of R10 or R11 is not hydrogen), amino, heterocyclo, mono- or dialkylamino, or thiol (—SH).

The term “cycloalkyl”, as used herein alone or as part of another group, denotes optionally substituted, saturated cyclic hydrocarbon ring systems, containing one ring with 3 to 9 carbons. Exemplary unsubstituted such groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclodecyl, and cyclododecyl. Exemplary substituents include, but are not limited to, one or more alkyl groups as described above, or one or more groups described above as alkyl substituents.

The term “bicycloalkyl”, as used herein alone or as part of another group, denotes optionally substituted, saturated cyclic bridged hydrocarbon ring systems, desirably containing 2 or 3 rings and 3 to 9 carbons per ring. Exemplary unsubstituted such groups include, but are not limited to, adamantyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane and cubane. Exemplary substituents include, but are not limited to, one or more alkyl groups as described above, or one or more groups described above as alkyl substituents.

The term “spiroalkyl”, as used herein alone or as part of another group, denotes optionally substituted, saturated hydrocarbon ring systems, wherein two rings of 3 to 9 carbons per ring are bridged via one carbon atom. Exemplary unsubstituted such groups include, but are not limited to, spiro[3.5]nonane, spiro[4.5]decane or spiro[2.5]octane. Exemplary substituents include, but are not limited to, one or more alkyl groups as described above, or one or more groups described above as alkyl substituents.

The term “spiroheteroalkyl”, as used herein alone or as part of another group, denotes optionally substituted, saturated hydrocarbon ring systems, wherein two rings of 3 to 9 carbons per ring are bridged via one carbon atom and at least one carbon atom is replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from N, O and S. The nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized. Exemplary unsubstituted such groups include, but are not limited to, 1,3-diaza-spiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione. Exemplary substituents include, but are not limited to, one or more alkyl groups as described above, or one or more groups described above as alkyl substituents.

The terms “ar” or “aryl”, as used herein alone or as part of another group, denote optionally substituted, homocyclic aromatic groups, preferably containing 1 or 2 rings and 6 to 12 ring carbons. Exemplary unsubstituted such groups include, but are not limited to, phenyl, biphenyl, and naphthyl. Exemplary substituents include, but are not limited to, one or more nitro groups, alkyl groups as described above or groups described above as alkyl substituents.

The term “heterocycle” or “heterocyclic system” denotes a heterocyclyl, heterocyclenyl, or heteroaryl group as described herein, which contains carbon atoms and from 1 to 4 heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S and including any bicyclic or tricyclic group in which any of the above-defined heterocyclic rings is fused to one or more heterocycle, aryl or cycloalkyl groups. The nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized. The heterocyclic ring may be attached to its pendant group at any heteroatom or carbon atom which results in a stable structure. The heterocyclic rings described herein may be substituted on carbon or on a nitrogen atom.

Examples of heterocycles include, but are not limited to, 1H-indazole, 2-pyrrolidonyl, 2H,6H-1,5,2-dithiazinyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, 3H-indolyl, 4-piperidonyl, 4aH-carbazole, 4H-quinolizinyl, 6H-1,2,5-thiadiazinyl, acridinyl, azocinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolinyl, benzoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benztriazolyl, benztetrazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzimidazalonyl, carbazolyl, 4aH-carbazolyl, b-carbolinyl, chromanyl, chromenyl, cinnolinyl, decahydroquinolinyl, 2H,6H-1,5,2-dithiazinyl, dihydrofuro[2,3-b]tetrahydrofuran, furanyl, furazanyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolyl, 1H-indazolyl, indolenyl, indolinyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, isatinoyl, isobenzofuranyl, isochromanyl, isoindazolyl, isoindolinyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, morpholinyl, naphthyridinyl, octahydroisoquinolinyl, oxadiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, oxazolidinyl, oxazolyl, oxazolidinylperimidinyl, oxindolyl, phenanthridinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenarsazinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxathiinyl, phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pteridinyl, piperidonyl, 4-piperidonyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, pyranyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridooxazole, pyridoimidazole, pyridothiazole, pyridinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, 4H-quinolizinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinuclidinyl, carbolinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrazolyl, 6H-1,2,5-thiadiazinyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, thianthrenyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, thienothiazolyl, thienooxazolyl, thienoimidazolyl, thiophenyl, triazinyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,5-triazolyl, 1,3,4-triazolyl, xanthenyl.

Further examples of heterocycles include, but not are not limited to, “heterobicycloalkyl” groups such as 7-oxa-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 7-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, and 1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane.

“Heterocyclenyl” denotes a non-aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic hydrocarbon ring system of about 3 to about 10 atoms, desirably about 4 to about 8 atoms, in which one or more of the carbon atoms in the ring system is/are hetero element(s) other than carbon, for example nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atoms, and which contains at least one carbon-carbon double bond or carbon-nitrogen double bond. Ring sizes of rings of the ring system may include 5 to 6 ring atoms. The designation of the aza, oxa or thia as a prefix before heterocyclenyl define that at least a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom is present respectively as a ring atom. The heterocyclenyl may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents as defined herein. The nitrogen or sulphur atom of the heterocyclenyl may also be optionally oxidized to the corresponding N-oxide, S-oxide or S,S-dioxide. “Heterocyclenyl” as used herein includes by way of example and not limitation those described in Paquette, Leo A.; “Principles of Modern Heterocyclic Chemistry” (W. A. Benjamin, New York, 1968), particularly Chapters 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9; “The Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds, A series of Monographs” (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1950 to present), in particular Volumes 13, 14, 16, 19, and 28; and “J. Am. Chem. Soc.”, 82:5566 (1960), the contents all of which are incorporated by reference herein. Exemplary monocyclic azaheterocyclenyl groups include, but are not limited to, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrohydropyridine, 1,2-dihydropyridyl, 1,4-dihydropyridyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine, 2-pyrrolinyl, 3-pyrrolinyl, 2-imidazolinyl, 2-pyrazolinyl, and the like. Exemplary oxaheterocyclenyl groups include, but are not limited to, 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, dihydrofuranyl, and fluorodihydrofuranyl. An exemplary multicyclic oxaheterocyclenyl group is 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptenyl.

“Heterocyclyl,” or “heterocycloalkyl,” denotes a non-aromatic saturated monocyclic or multicyclic ring system of about 3 to about 10 carbon atoms, desirably 4 to 8 carbon atoms, in which one or more of the carbon atoms in the ring system is/are hetero element(s) other than carbon, for example nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. Ring sizes of rings of the ring system may include 5 to 6 ring atoms. The designation of the aza, oxa or thia as a prefix before heterocyclyl define that at least a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom is present respectively as a ring atom. The heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents which may be the same or different, and are as defined herein. The nitrogen or sulphur atom of the heterocyclyl may also be optionally oxidized to the corresponding N-oxide, S-oxide or S,S-dioxide.

“Heterocyclyl” as used herein includes by way of example and not limitation those described in Paquette, Leo A.; “Principles of Modern Heterocyclic Chemistry” (W. A. Benjamin, New York, 1968), particularly Chapters 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9; “The Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds, A series of Monographs” (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1950 to present), in particular Volumes 13, 14, 16, 19, and 28; and “J. Am. Chem. Soc.”, 82:5566 (1960). Exemplary monocyclic heterocyclyl rings include, but are not limited to, piperidyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, thiazolidinyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, and the like.

“Heteroaryl” denotes an aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic ring system of about 5 to about 10 atoms, in which one or more of the atoms in the ring system is/are hetero element(s) other than carbon, for example nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. Ring sizes of rings of the ring system include 5 to 6 ring atoms. The “heteroaryl” may also be substituted by one or more substituents which may be the same or different, and are as defined herein. The designation of the aza, oxa or thia as a prefix before heteroaryl define that at least a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom is present respectively as a ring atom. A nitrogen atom of a heteroaryl may be optionally oxidized to the corresponding N-oxide. Heteroaryl as used herein includes by way of example and not limitation those described in Paquette, Leo A.; “Principles of Modern Heterocyclic Chemistry” (W. A. Benjamin, New York, 1968), particularly Chapters 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9; “The Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds, A series of Monographs” (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1950 to present), in particular Volumes 13, 14, 16, 19, and 28; and “J. Am. Chem. Soc.”, 82:5566 (1960). Exemplary heteroaryl and substituted heteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to, pyrazinyl, thienyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, furazanyl, pyrrolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, pyridazinyl, quinoxalinyl, phthalazinyl, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl, benzofurazanyl, azaindolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzothienyl, thienopyridyl, thienopyrimidyl, pyrrolopyridyl, imidazopyridyl, benzoazaindole, 1,2,3-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, 1,3,5-triazinyl, benzthiazolyl, dioxolyl, furanyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, indolizinyl, isoxazolyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, oxazinyl, oxiranyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyranyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolidinyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, tetrazinyl, tetrazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, thiatriazolyl, thiazinyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, 5-thioxo-1,2,4-diazolyl, thiomorpholino, thiophenyl, thiopyranyl, triazolyl and triazolonyl.

The phrase “fused” means, that the group, mentioned before “fused” is connected via two adjacent atoms to the ring system mentioned after “fused” to form a bicyclic system. For example, “heterocycloalkyl fused aryl” includes, but is not limited to, 2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine, 4H-benzo[1,4]oxazin-3-one, 3H-Benzooxazol-2-one and 3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[f][1,4]oxazepin-5-one.

The term “amino” denotes the radical —NH2 wherein one or both of the hydrogen atoms may be replaced by an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group. Exemplary amino groups include, but are not limited to, n-butylamino, tert-butylamino, methylpropylamino and ethyldimethylamino.

The term “cycloalkylalkyl” denotes a cycloalkyl-alkyl group wherein a cycloalkyl as described above is bonded through an alkyl, as defined above. Cycloalkylalkyl groups may contain a lower alkyl moiety. Exemplary cycloalkylalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopropylethyl, cyclopentylethyl, cyclohexylpropyl, cyclopropylpropyl, cyclopentylpropyl, and cyclohexylpropyl.

The term “arylalkyl” denotes an aryl group as described above bonded through an alkyl, as defined above.

The term “heteroarylalkyl” denotes a heteroaryl group as described above bonded through an alkyl, as defined above.

The term “heterocyclylalkyl,” or “heterocycloalkylalkyl,” denotes a heterocyclyl group as described above bonded through an alkyl, as defined above.

The terms “halogen”, “halo”, or “hal”, as used herein alone or as part of another group, denote chlorine, bromine, fluorine, and iodine.

The term “haloalkyl” denotes a halo group as described above bonded though an alkyl, as defined above. Fluoroalkyl is an exemplary group.

The term “aminoalkyl” denotes an amino group as defined above bonded through an alkyl, as defined above.

The phrase “bicyclic fused ring system wherein at least one ring is partially saturated” denotes an 8- to 13-membered fused bicyclic ring group in which at least one of the rings is non-aromatic. The ring group has carbon atoms and optionally 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S. Illustrative examples include, but are not limited to, indanyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, tetrahydroquinolyl and benzocycloheptyl.

The phrase “tricyclic fused ring system wherein at least one ring is partially saturated” denotes a 9- to 18-membered fused tricyclic ring group in which at least one of the rings is non-aromatic. The ring group has carbon atoms and optionally 1-7 heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S. Illustrative examples include, but are not limited to, fluorene, 10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene and 2,2a,7,7a-tetrahydro-1H-cyclobuta[a]indene.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to derivatives of the disclosed compounds wherein the parent compound is modified by making acid or base salts thereof. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, mineral or organic acid salts of basic residues such as amines; alkali or organic salts of acidic residues such as carboxylic acids; and the like. Examples therefore may be, but are not limited to, sodium, potassium, choline, lysine, arginine or N-methyl-glucamine salts, and the like.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts include the conventional non-toxic salts or the quaternary ammonium salts of the parent compound formed, for example, from non-toxic inorganic or organic acids. For example, such conventional non-toxic salts include those derived from inorganic acids such as, but not limited to, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, sulfamic, phosphoric, nitric and the like; and the salts prepared from organic acids such as, but not limited to, acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, stearic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, pamoic, maleic, hydroxymaleic, phenylacetic, glutamic, benzoic, salicylic, sulfanilic, 2-acetoxybenzoic, fumaric, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, ethane disulfonic, oxalic, isethionic, and the like.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the present invention can be synthesized from the parent compound which contains a basic or acidic moiety by conventional chemical methods. Generally, such salts can be prepared by reacting the free acid or base forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate base or acid in water or in an organic solvent, or in a mixture of the two. Organic solvents include, but are not limited to, nonaqueous media like ethers, ethyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol, or acetonitrile. Lists of suitable salts are found in Remington\'s Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 1990, p. 1445, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” denotes those compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” denotes media generally accepted in the art for the delivery of biologically active agents to mammals, e.g., humans. Such carriers are generally formulated according to a number of factors well within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art to determine and account for. These include, without limitation: the type and nature of the active agent being formulated; the subject to which the agent-containing composition is to be administered; the intended route of administration of the composition; and, the therapeutic indication being targeted. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include both aqueous and non-aqueous liquid media, as well as a variety of solid and semi-solid dosage forms. Such carriers can include a number of different ingredients and additives in addition to the active agent, such additional ingredients being included in the formulation for a variety of reasons, e.g., stabilization of the active agent, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Non-limiting examples of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are hyaluronic acid and salts thereof, and microspheres (including, but not limited to poly(D,L)-lactide-co-glycolic acid copolymer (PLGA), poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA), poly(caprolactone (PCL) and bovine serum albumin (BSA)). Descriptions of suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, and factors involved in their selection, are found in a variety of readily available sources, e.g., Remington\'s Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 1985, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers particularly suitable for use in conjunction with tablets include, for example, inert diluents, such as celluloses, calcium or sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium or sodium phosphate; disintegrating agents, such as croscarmellose sodium, cross-linked povidone, maize starch, or alginic acid; binding agents, such as povidone, starch, gelatin or acacia; and lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. Tablets may be uncoated or may be coated by known techniques including microencapsulation to delay disintegration and adsorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. For example, a time delay material such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate alone or with a wax may be employed.

Formulations for oral use may be also presented as hard gelatin capsules where the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example celluloses, lactose, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with non-aqueous or oil medium, such as glycerin, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, peanut oil, liquid paraffin or olive oil.

The compositions of the invention may also be formulated as suspensions including a compound of the present invention in admixture with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient suitable for the manufacture of a suspension. In yet another embodiment, pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be formulated as dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of a suspension by the addition of suitable excipients.

Carriers suitable for use in connection with suspensions include suspending agents, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcelluose, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum tragacanth, gum acacia, dispersing or wetting agents such as a naturally occurring phosphatide (e.g., lecithin), a condensation product of an alkylene oxide with a fatty acid (e.g., polyoxyethylene stearate), a condensation product of ethylene oxide with a long chain aliphatic alcohol (e.g., heptadecaethyleneoxycethanol), a condensation product of ethylene oxide with a partial ester derived from a fatty acid and a hexitol anhydride (e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate); and thickening agents, such as carbomer, beeswax, hard paraffin or cetyl alcohol. The suspensions may also contain one or more preservatives such as acetic acid, methyl and/or n-propyl p-hydroxy-benzoate; one or more coloring agents; one or more flavoring agents; and one or more sweetening agents such as sucrose or saccharin.

Cyclodextrins may be added as aqueous solubility enhancers. Preferred cyclodextrins include hydroxypropyl, hydroxyethyl, glucosyl, maltosyl and maltotriosyl derivatives of α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrin. The amount of solubility enhancer employed will depend on the amount of the compound of the present invention in the composition.

The term “formulation” denotes a product comprising the active ingredient(s) and the inert ingredient(s) that make up the carrier, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination, complexation or aggregation of any two or more of the ingredients, or from dissociation of one or more of the ingredients, or from other types of reactions or interactions of one or more of the ingredients. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention encompass any composition made by admixing a compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutical carrier.

The term “N-oxide” denotes compounds that can be obtained in a known manner by reacting a compound of the present invention including a nitrogen atom (such as in a pyridyl group) with hydrogen peroxide or a peracid, such as 3-chloroperoxy-benzoic acid, in an inert solvent, such as dichloromethane, at a temperature between about −10-80° C., desirably about 0° C.

The term “polymorph” denotes a form of a chemical compound in a particular crystalline arrangement. Certain polymorphs may exhibit enhanced thermodynamic stability and may be more suitable than other polymorphic forms for inclusion in pharmaceutical formulations.

The compounds of the invention can contain one or more chiral centers and/or double bonds and, therefore, exist as stereoisomers, such as double-bond isomers (i.e., geometric isomers), enantiomers, or diastereomers. According to the invention, the chemical structures depicted herein, and therefore the compounds of the invention, encompass all of the corresponding enantiomers and stereoisomers, that is, both the stereomerically pure form (e.g., geometrically pure, enantiomerically pure, or diastereomerically pure) and enantiomeric and stereoisomeric mixtures.

The term “racemic mixture” denotes a mixture that is about 50% of one enantiomer and about 50% of the corresponding enantiomer relative to all chiral centers in the molecule. Thus, the invention encompasses all enantiomerically-pure, enantiomerically-enriched, and racemic mixtures of compounds of Formulas (I) through (VI).

Enantiomeric and stereoisomeric mixtures of compounds of the invention can be resolved into their component enantiomers or stereoisomers by well-known methods. Examples include, but are not limited to, the formation of chiral salts and the use of chiral or high performance liquid chromatography “HPLC” and the formation and crystallization of chiral salts. See, e.g., Jacques, J., et al., Enantiomers, Racemates and Resolutions (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1981); Wilen, S. H., et al., Tetrahedron 33:2725 (1977); Eliel, E. L., Stereochemistry of Carbon Compounds (McGraw-Hill, NY, 1962); Wilen, S. H., Tables of Resolving Agents and Optical Resolutions p. 268 (E. L. Eliel, Ed., Univ. of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame, Ind., 1972); Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds, Ernest L. Eliel, Samuel H. Wilen and Lewis N. Manda (1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), and Stereoselective Synthesis A Practical Approach, Mihaly Nogradi (1995 VCH Publishers, Inc., NY, N.Y.). Enantiomers and stereoisomers can also be obtained from stereomerically- or enantiomerically-pure intermediates, reagents, and catalysts by well-known asymmetric synthetic methods.

“Substituted” is intended to indicate that one or more hydrogens on the atom indicated in the expression using “substituted” is replaced with a selection from the indicated group(s), provided that the indicated atom\'s normal valency is not exceeded, and that the substitution results in a stable compound. When a substituent is keto (i.e., ═O) group, then 2 hydrogens on the atom are replaced.

Unless moieties of a compound of the present invention are defined as being unsubstituted, the moieties of the compound may be substituted. In addition to any substituents provided above, the moieties of the compounds of the present invention may be optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from:

C1-C4 alkyl;

C2-C4 alkenyl;

C2-C4 alkynyl;

CF3;

halo;

OH;

O—(C1-C4 alkyl);

OCH2F;

OCHF2;

OCF3;

ONO2;

OC(O)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

OC(O)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

OC(O)NH—(C1-C4 alkyl);

OC(O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)2;

OC(S)NH—(C1-C4 alkyl);

OC(S)N(C1-C4 alkyl)2;

SH;

S—(C1-C4 alkyl);

S(O)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

S(O)2—(C1-C4 alkyl);

SC(O)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

SC(O)O—(C1-C4 alkyl);

NH2;

N(H)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(C1-C4 alkyl)2;

N(H)C(O)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(CH3)C(O)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(H)C(O)—CF3;

N(CH3)C(O)—CF3;

N(H)C(S)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(CH3)C(S)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(H)S(O)2—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(H)C(O)NH2;

N(H)C(O)NH—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(CH3)C(O)NH—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(H)C(O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)2;

N(CH3)C(O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)2;

N(H)S(O)2NH2);

N(H)S(O)2NH—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(CH3)S(O)2NH—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(H)S(O)2N(C1-C4 alkyl)2;

N(CH3)S(O)2N(C1-C4 alkyl)2;

N(H)C(O)O—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(CH3)C(O)O—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(H)S(O)2O—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(CH3)S(O)2O—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(CH3)C(S)NH—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(CH3)C(S)N(C1-C4 alkyl)2;

N(CH3)C(S)O—(C1-C4 alkyl);

N(H)C(S)NH2;

NO2;

CO2H;

CO2—(C1-C4 alkyl);

C(O)N(H)OH;

C(O)N(CH3)OH:

C(O)N(CH3)OH;

C(O)N(CH3)Q-(C1-C4 alkyl);

C(O)N(H)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

C(O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)2;

C(S)N(H)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

C(S)N(C1-C4alkyl)2;

C(NH)N(H)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

C(NH)N(C1-C4 alkyl)2;

C(NCH3)N(H)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

C(NCH3)N(C1-C4 alkyl)2;

C(O)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

C(NH)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

C(NCH3)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

C(NOH)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

C(NOCH3)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

CN;

CHO;

CH2OH;

CH2O—(C1-C4 alkyl);

CH2NH2;

CH2N(H)—(C1-C4 alkyl);

CH2N(C1-C4 alkyl)2;

aryl;

heteroaryl;

cycloalkyl; and

heterocyclyl.

In some cases, a ring substituent may be shown as being connected to the ring by a bond extending from the center of the ring. The number of such substituents present on a ring is indicated in subscript by a number. Moreover, the substituent may be present on any available ring atom, the available ring atom being any ring atom which bears a hydrogen which the ring substituent may replace. For illustrative purposes, if variable RX were defined as being:

this would indicate a cyclohexyl ring bearing five RX substituents. The RX substituents may be bonded to any available ring atom. For example, among the configurations encompassed by this are configurations such as:

These configurations are illustrative and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the amide containing heterobicyclic metalloprotease compounds may be represented by the general Formula (I):

wherein:

R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl, heterobicycloalkyl, spiroalkyl, spiroheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl fused aryl, heterocycloalkyl fused aryl, cycloalkyl fused heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl fused heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, bicycloalkylalkyl, heterobicycloalkylalkyl, spiroalkylalkyl, spiroheteroalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl fused arylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl fused arylalkyl, cycloalkyl fused heteroarylalkyl, and heterocycloalkyl fused heteroarylalkyl,

wherein R1 is optionally substituted one or more times, or

wherein R1 is optionally substituted by one R16 group and optionally substituted by one or more R9 groups;

R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl, wherein alkyl is optionally substituted one or more times or R1 and R2 when taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached complete a 3- to 8-membered ring containing carbon atoms and optionally containing a heteroatom selected from O, S(O)x, or NR50 and which is optionally substituted one or more times;

R3 is NR20R21;

R4 in each occurrence is independently selected from the group consisting of R10, hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, halo, haloalkyl, CF3, (C0-C6)-alkyl-COR10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-OR10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NO2, (C0-C6)-alkyl-CN, (C0-C6)-alkyl-S(O)yOR10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-S(O)yNR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10CONR11SO2R30, (C0-C6)-alkyl-S(O)nR10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-OC(O)R10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-OC(O)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(═NR10)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10C(═NR11)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)OR10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)NR10SO2R1, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)—NR11—CN, O—(C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)NR10R11, S(O)x—(C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)OR10, S(O)x—(C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)NR10—(C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10—C(O)R10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10—C(O)OR10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10—C(O)—NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10—S(O)yNR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10—S(O)yR10, O—(C0-C6)-alkyl-aryl and O—(C0-C6)-alkyl-heteroaryl,

wherein each R4 group is optionally substituted one or more times, or

wherein each R4 group is optionally substituted by one or more R14 groups;

R5 in each occurrence is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, C(O)NR10R11, aryl, arylalkyl, SO2NR10R11 and C(O)OR10, wherein alkyl, aryl and arylalkyl are optionally substituted one or more times;

R9 in each occurrence is independently selected from the group consisting of R10, hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, halo, CHF2, CF3, OR10, SR10, COOR10, CH(CH3)CO2H, (C0-C6)-alkyl-COR10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-OR10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NO2, (C0-C6)-alkyl-CN, (C0-C6)-alkyl-S(O)yOR10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-P(O)2OH, (C0-C6)-alkyl-S(O)yNR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10CONR11SO2R30, (C0-C6)-alkyl-S(O)nR10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-OC(O)R10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-OC(O)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(═NR10)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10C(═NR11)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10C(═N—CN)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(═N—CN)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10C(═N—NO2)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(═N—NO2)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)OR10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)NR10SO2R11, C(O)NR10—(C0-C6)-alkyl-heteroaryl, C(O)NR10—(C0-C6)-alkyl-aryl, S(O)2NR10—(C0-C6)-alkyl-aryl, S(O)2NR10—(C0-C6)-alkyl-heteroaryl, S(O)2NR10-alkyl, S(O)2—(C0-C6)-alkyl-aryl, S(O)2—(C0-C6)-alkyl-heteroaryl, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)—NR11—CN, O—(C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)NR10R11, S(O)n—(C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)OR10, S(O)x—(C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-C(O)NR10—(C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10—C(O)R10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10—C(O)OR10, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10—C(O)—NR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10—S(O)yNR10R11, (C0-C6)-alkyl-NR10—S(O)yR11, O—(C0-C6)-alkyl-aryl and O—(C0-C6)-alkyl-heteroaryl,

wherein each R9 group is optionally substituted, or

wherein each R9 group is optionally substituted by one or more R14 groups;

R10 and R11 in each occurrence are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl, heterobicycloalkyl, spiroalkyl, spiroheteroalkyl, fluoroalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl and aminoalkyl, wherein alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, bicycloalkyl, heterobicycloalkyl, spiroalkyl, spiroheteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, fluoroalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl and aminoalkyl are optionally substituted one or more times, or R10 and R11 when taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached complete a 3- to 8-membered ring containing carbon atoms and optionally containing a heteroatom selected from O, S(O)x, or NR50 and which is optionally substituted one or more times;

R14 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, arylalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocyclylalkyl and halo, wherein alkyl, arylalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl and heterocyclylalkyl are optionally substituted one or more times;

R16 is selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl, heterobicycloalkyl, spiroalkyl, spiroheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl fused aryl, heterocycloalkyl fused aryl, cycloalkyl fused heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl fused heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, bicycloalkylalkyl, heterobicycloalkylalkyl, spiroalkylalkyl, spiroheteroalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl fused arylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl fused arylalkyl, cycloalkyl fused heteroarylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl fused heteroarylalkyl, (i) and (ii):

wherein cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl, heterobicycloalkyl, spiroalkyl, spiroheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl fused aryl, heterocycloalkyl fused aryl, cycloalkyl fused heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl fused heteroaryl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, bicycloalkylalkyl, heterobicycloalkylalkyl, spiroalkylalkyl, spiroheteroalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl fused arylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl fused arylalkyl, cycloalkyl fused heteroarylalkyl, and heterocycloalkyl fused heteroarylalkyl are optionally substituted one or more times;

R20 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl, wherein alkyl is optionally substituted one or more times;

R21 is a bicyclic or tricyclic fused ring system, wherein at least one ring is partially saturated, and

wherein R21 is optionally substituted one or more times, or

wherein R21 is optionally substituted by one or more R9 groups;

R22 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, halo, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, NO2, NR10R11, CN, SR10, SSR10, PO3R10, NR10NR10R11, NR10N═CR10R11, NR10SO2R11, C(O)OR10, C(O)NR10R11, SO2R10, SO2NR10R11 and fluoroalkyl, wherein alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, and fluoroalkyl are optionally substituted one or more times;

R30 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and (C0-C6)-alkyl-aryl, wherein alkyl and aryl are optionally substituted;

R50 in each occurrence is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C(O)R80, C(O)NR80R81, SO2R80 and SO2NR80R81, wherein alkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl are optionally substituted one or more times;

R80 and R81 in each occurrence are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, fluoroalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl and aminoalkyl, wherein alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, fluoroalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl and aminoalkyl are optionally substituted, or R80 and R81 when taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached complete a 3- to 8-membered ring containing carbon atoms and optionally a heteroatom selected from O, S(O)x, —NH, and —N(alkyl) and which is optionally substituted one or more times;

E is selected from the group consisting of a bond, CR10R11, O, NR5, S, S═O, S(═O)2, C(═O), N(R10)(C═O), (C═O)N(R10), N(R10)S(═O)2, S(═O)2N(R10), C═N—OR11, —C(R10R11)C(R10R11)—, —CH2—W1— and

Q is a 5- or 6-membered ring selected from the group consisting of aryl and heteroaryl, wherein aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted one or more times with R4;

D is a member selected from the group consisting of CR22 and N;

U is selected from the group consisting of C(R5R10), NR5, O, S═O and S(═O)2;

W1 is selected from the group consisting of O, NR5, S, S═O, S(═O)2, N(R10)(C═O), N(R10)S(═O)2 and S(═O)2N(R10);

X is selected from the group consisting of a bond and (CR10R11)wE(CR10R11)w;

g and h are independently selected from 0-2;

w is independently selected from 0-4;

x is selected from 0 to 2;

y is selected from 1 and 2; and

N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, formulation, polymorphs, racemic mixtures and stereoisomers thereof.

In another embodiment, compounds of Formula (I) may be selected from Group I(a):

wherein:

R51 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl and haloalkyl, wherein alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl and haloalkyl are optionally substituted one or more times.

In still another embodiment, compounds of Formula (I) may be selected from:

In yet another embodiment, compounds of Formula (I) may be selected from:

In some embodiments, R3 of the compounds of Formula (I) may be selected from Substituent Group 1:

wherein:

R7 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, halo, R4 and NR10R11, wherein alkyl and cycloalkyl are optionally substituted one or more times, or optionally two R7 groups together at the same carbon atom form ═O, ═S or ═NR10;

A and B are independently selected from the group consisting of CR9, CR9R10, NR10, N, O and S(O)x;