AU2001237401A1

AU2001237401A1 - 2,4-disubstituted thiazolyl derivatives

Info

Publication number: AU2001237401A1
Application number: AU2001237401A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ludwig Cooymans; Marc De Brabander; Ludo Edmond Josephine Kennis; Christopher Love; Jean Pierre Frans Van Wauwe; Nele Vandermaesen
Original assignee: Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
Current assignee: Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
Priority date: 2000-03-01
Filing date: 2001-02-20
Publication date: 2001-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-20

Description

2,4-DISUBSTITUTED TfflAZOLYL DERIVATIVES

The present invention is concerned with 2,4-dιsubstιtuted thiazolyl deπvatives having proinflammatory cytokine production inhibiting properties and adenosine A₃ receptor blocking properties. The invention further relates to methods for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them. The invention also relates to the use of 2,4-dιsubstιtuted thiazolyl deπvatives for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or the treatment of warm-blooded animals suffeπng from diseases mediated through cytokines or diseases mediated through activation of the adenosine A₃ receptor.

JP 41020220 descπbes 2-(2-substιtuted-4-thιazolyl)benzιmιdazole deπvatives as anthelm tics and insecticides

J. Prakt. Chem., 1976, 318(5), 875-877 descπbes the synthesis of pyπdyl thiazoles. J Indian. Chem. Soc, 1974, 51(5), 566-568 descπbes the synthesis and anti- mflammatory activity of some 2-(2-ammo-4-thιazolyl)benzothιazoles.

Fresenius'Z. Anal. Chem., 1977, 288(4), 285 descπbes the TLC separation of some

2- and 6-[2-amιno(and substituted amιno)-4-thιazolyl]benzothιazoles

Indian J. Chem., 1978, 16B(5), 402-404 descπbes the synthesis and analgesic, anti- inflammatory activity of 4-(2-amιno-4-thιazolyl)ιsothιazoles.

WO 97/03073 descπbes the preparation of thiazolyl tπazolothiazoles as anti-ulcer agents and gastπc acid secretion inhibitors

Indian J. Chem., 1979, 17B(5), 519-521 descπbes the synthesis of 2-arruno-6- benzothιazolyl-2-arylamιnothιazoles Indian J. Chem., 1987, 26B(9), 856-860 descπbes the synthesis and antituberculosis activity of 2-pyrazιnyl-2-arylamιnothιazoles

WO 92/16527 descπbes the synthesis of 6-methyl-2-pyπdyl-2-arylammothιazoles as agrochemical and horticultural fungicides.

J. Heterocycl. Chem., 1970, 7(5), 1137-1141 descπbes the synthesis of pyπdyl substituted 2-ammothιazoles

DE 3406329 descπbes the synthesis of 2-pyπdιnon-2-arylammothιazole deπvatives as inotropic agents

J. Chem. Res., Synop , 1998, 12, 742-743, 3329-3347 descπbes 2-arylamιno thiazole deπvatives as intermediates to synthesize 5-arylazothιazoles Synth. Commun., 1998, 28(13), 2371-2378 descπbes the synthesis of 4-(2-furyI)-2- substituted thiazoles utilizing [hydroxy(tosyloxy)ιodo]benzene Curr. Sci., 1970, 39(18), 417 describes the synthesis of 4-(2'-thienyl) and 4-(2'-furyl)- thiazoles.

DE 4029771 describes the synthesis of N-heteroaryl-2-nitroanilines as pesticides.

WO 99/32466 describes the preparation of substituted benzenesulfonamide derivatives as antagonists of the neuropeptide NPY receptor subtype Y5.

Egypt. J. Chem., 1983, 25(2), 187-189 describes the synthesis of sulfamylanilino substituted thiazoles showing bactericidal and fungicidal activity.

Am. Khim. Zh., 1989, 42(10), 657-659 describes the synthesis of δ-lactones with heterocyclic substituents. Indian J. Chem., Sect. B, 1984, 23B(4), 390-392 describes the synthesis of thiazolylchromones as potential central nervous system agents.

Biol. Zh. Am., 1989, 42(9-10), 956-959 describes the synthesis and activity of unsaturated γ-lactones with thiazole fragments on the growth and development of vegetable crops. WO 99/21555 relates to pyridyl substituted thiazolyl compounds having adenosine A₃ receptor antagonistic activity.

WO 99/64418 concerns aryl pyridinyl thiazoles exhibiting inhibition of the human adenosine A₃ receptor activation and of tumor necrosis factor alpha production.

The compounds of the present invention are distinguishable from the prior art because of their structure, pharmacological activity or potency.

The present invention relates to the use of a compound for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or the treatment of diseases mediated through cytokines, wherein the compound is a compound of formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein Q is C₃_₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indazolyl, or imidazopyridyl, each of said rings optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; azido; amino; mono- or di(Cι.₆alkyl)amino; C₂.₆alkenyl; C_2-6alkynyl; C₃_₆cycloalkyl; Cι- alkyl substituted with hydroxy, Cι_-6alkyloxy, amino, mono-or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino; C_]-6alkyloxy; Cι_-6alkylthio; Cι_-6alkylcarbonyl; C_1-6alkyloxycarbonyl; arylC_1-6alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloC_1-6alkyl; polyhalo-C^alkyloxy; polyhalo-

Cι.₆alkylcarbonyl; _n-; or Q is a radical of formula

wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³ being hydrogen or Cι- alkyl; q is an integer with value 1 to 4; Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or Cι_ alkyl; r is an integer with value 1 to 3; n is an integer with value 1 or 2; R¹ represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula

^•R^2a

(a-1) with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula -CR^2a=N- with CR^2a attached to N of formula (a-1); and

R^2a being hydrogen, Cι_-6alkyl or Cι_-6alkyloxy; L is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to 4 substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or di(Cι_₄alkyl)amino, substituted with hydroxy or

Cι_ alkyloxy or amino or mono-or di(C_1-4alkyl)amino, polyhaloC].₆alkyl, Cι_₆alkyloxy, Cι.₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di(Cι_₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, Cι_-6alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, Cι_-6alkyloxy- C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or or L is Het;

Het is (i) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O; (ii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered ring, which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first πng, only carbon atoms; the latter πng may be unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; (in) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng containing at least two double bonds and at least one heteroatom and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng, which contains, apart from the atoms m common with the first πng, at least one heteroatom; the latter πng may be unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; said bicyclic πng system contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms, each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O; wherein Het being a monocychc πng system may optionally be substituted with up to 4 substituents, and wherein Het being a bicyclic πng system may optionally be substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, ammo, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or dι(C]. alkyl)ammo, Ci ₆alkyl, Cι_-6alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Cι_ alkyloxy or a mo or mono-or Cι_-6alkyloxy, Cι_₆alkyloxycarbonyl, Cι_₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or dι(Cι ₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, Cι.₆alkyl-C(=O)-NH-. C].₆alkyloxy- C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or dι(C, ₄alkyl)amιno-C(=O)-NH-; aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, Cι_₆alkyl, polyhaloCi ₆alkyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, Ci ₆alkylthιo, cyano, nitro, ammo, mono-or dι(C].₆alkyl)amιno.

The present invention also relates to a compound of formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeπc form thereof, wherein Q is C₃ όcycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, pyπdyl, pyπmidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyπdazinyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, mdazolyl, or lmidazopyπdyl, each of said πngs optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy, azido; ammo; mono- or dι(Cι.₆alkyl)amιno; Ci ₆alkyl, C_{2 6}alkenyl, C_2-6alkynyl; C_{3 6}cycloalkyl; Cι_-6alkyl substituted with hydroxy, C_{\ 6}alkyloxy, amino, mono-or Ci ₆alkyloxy; Ci ₆alkylthιo; Cι_-6alkylcarbonyl; Ci ₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylCi.

₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloCι_₆alkyl; polyhalo-C) ₆alkyloxy; polyhalo-

C,.₆alkylcarbonyl; C_1-4alkyl-S(=O)_π- or R'HN-S(=O) _Q-; or Q is a radical of formula

wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³ being hydrogen or C_1-4alkyl; q is an integer with value 1 to 4, Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or C i .₄alkyl ; r is an integer with value 1 to 3, n is an integer with value 1 or 2; R represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula

with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula -CR^2a=N- with CR^2a attached to N of formula (a-1); and

R^2a being hydrogen, Cι_-6alkyl or Ci ₆alkyloxy; L is 3-halophenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, ammo, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or dι(Cι. alkyl)amιno, Ci ₆alkyl, Ci ₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or

Cι- alkyloxy or ammo or mono-or dι(Cι ₄alkyl)amιno, polyhaloC) ₆alkyl, C] ₆alkyloxy, Ci ₆alkyloxycarbonyl, Ci ₆alkylcarbonyloxy, ammocarbonyl, mono-or dι(C] ₆alkyl)amιnocarbonyl, Ci ₆alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, Ci ₆alkyloxy- C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or dι(C alkyl)ammo-C(=O)-NH-; or

Het is (l) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng containing at least two double bonds and containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O; (n) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng containing at least two double bonds and containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered πng, which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first ring, only carbon atoms; the latter ring may be unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; (iii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and at least one heteroatom and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring, which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first ring, at least one heteroatom; the latter ring may be unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; said bicyclic ring system contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms, each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O; wherein Het being a monocyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 4 substituents, and wherein Het being a bicyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or di(C]_-4alkyl)amino, Cι_-6alkyl, Cι_-6alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Cι_-4alkyloxy or amino or mono-or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino, polyhaloCι_-6alkyl, Cι_₆alkyloxy, Cι_-6alkyloxycarbonyl, Cι_-6alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di(C_]-6alkyl)aminocarbonyl, Cι_-6alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, Cι_₆alkyloxy- C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino-C(=O)-NH-; aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, Cι_₆alkyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, cyano, nitro, amino, mono-or di(Cι_₆alkyl)amino. provided that - Het is other than optionally substituted isothiazolyl, 2-pyridyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazinyl and benzoxazinonyl;

- when Q is phenyl substituted with hydroxy or and carboxy or then Het is other than 3-pyridyl or 4-pyridyl;

- when Q is phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 2-furanyl, 5-bromo-2-benzofuranyl, l,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl, 2-benzofuranyl, 5-chloro-2- benzimidazolyl, 2-benzimidazolyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 6-methyl-thiazolo [3,2-b] [l,2,4]triazol-5-yl, 2,6-dimethyl-thiazolo [3,2-b] [l,2,4]triazol-5-yl or 5,6-dihydro- 4,5-dimethyl-2(H)-3-pyranonyl;

- when Q is 2-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 2-benzofuranyl or 3-pyridyl;

- when Q is 4-methoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-furanyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 1 ,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl, 1 ,2-dihydro-6-ethyl-2-oxo- 3-cyano-5-pyridyl, 4-(dimethylamino)-l,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5- pyridyl, l,2-dihydro-4-methoxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl or 3-amino-6- methyl-2(lH)-5-pyridinonyl;

- when Q is 2-methoxy-phenyl then Ηet is other than 2-pyrazinyl, 5-chloro-2- benzimidazolyl, or 3-pyridyl;

- when Q is 4-chloro-phenyl then Ηet is other than 2-furanyl, 2-thienyl, 5-chloro-2- benzimidazolyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl or 5,6-dihydro-4,5-dimethyl-2(Η)-3- pyranonyl;

- when Q is 3-chloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 3-pyridyl or 1,2-dihydro- 6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl;

- when Q is 2-chloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl;

- when Q is 3-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl or 3-pyridyl;

- when Q is 2,3-dichloro-phenyl then Het is other than 3-pyridyl;

- when Q is 2-ethoxy-phenyl or 3-methoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl; - when Q is 4-bromo-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, or 5-chloro-2- benzimidazolyl; when Q is 4-fluoro-phenyl then Het is other than 4-pyridyl;

- when Q is 1-naphthyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, or 3-pyridyl;

- when Q is 4-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-furanyl, 2-thienyl, 3-pyridyl, 2-pyrazinyl or 5,6-dihydro-4,5-dimethyl-2(H)-3-pyranonyl;

- when Q is 4-ethoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl;

- when Q is 2-naphthyl, 2-carboxy-phenyl, 3-carboxy-phenyl, 4-carboxy-phenyl, 4-amino-phenyl or 3-chloro-2,6-dinitro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl; - when Q is 4-benzenesulfonamide then Het is other than 2-furanyl, or 1,2,3,4-tetra- hydro-2,4-dioxo-5-pyrimidinyl;

- when Q is N-methyl-4-benzenesulfonamide then Het is other than 3-thienyl:

- when Q is N-butyl-4-benzenesulfonamide then Het is other than 2-furanyl;

- when Q is 2- pyridyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl; - when Q is 3-pyridyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl or 1,2- dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl;

- when Q is 2,4-dichloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl, or 4-pyridyl; when Q is 4-pyridyl then Het is other than 3-quinolinyl or l,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2- oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl; - when Q is 2,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, 4- methylthiophenyl, or 4-methylsulfmylphenyl then Het is other than l,2-dihydro-6- methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl. The L or Q radical as descπbed above for the compounds of formula (I) or (V) may be attached to the remainder of the molecule of formula (I) or (Y) through any πng carbon or heteroatom as appropπate. For example, when Q is pyπdyl, it may be 2-pyπdyl, 3- pyπdyl or 4-pyπdyl.

Lines drawn into πng systems indicate that the bond may be attached to any suitable πng atom When the πng system is a bicyclic πng system, the bond may be attached to any suitable πng atom of either of the two πngs.

As used hereinabove or hereinafter C_]-4alkyl as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl and the like; as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as the groups defined for and pentyl, hexyl, 2-methylbutyl and the like; C_2-6alkenyl as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radicals having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and having 1 double bond such as ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, 3-methylbutenyl and the like, C_2-6alkynyl as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radicals having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and having 1 tπple bond such as ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, 3-methylbutynyl and the like; C_{3 6}cycloalkyl is geneπc to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl

As used herein before, the term (=O) forms a carbonyl moiety when attached to a carbon atom, a sulfoxide moiety when attached to a sulfur atom and a sulfonyl moiety when two of said terms are attached to a sulfur atom.

The term halo is geneπc to fluoro, chloro, bromo and lodo. As used in the foregoing and hereinafter, polyhaloCi ₆alkyl as a group or part of a group is defined as mono- or polyhalosubstituted Ci ₆alkyl, in particular methyl with one or more fluoro atoms, for example, difluoromethyl or tπfluoromethyl. In case more than one halogen atoms are attached to an alkyl group within the definition of polyhaloCι_₆alkyl, they may be the same or different.

When any vaπable (e.g. R^2a) occurs more than one time m any constituent, each definition is independent. It will be appreciated that some of the compounds of formula (I) or (F) and their N-oxides, addition salts, quaternary amines and stereochemically isomeric forms may contain one or more centers of chirality and exist as stereochemically isomeric forms.

The term "stereochemically isomeric forms" as used hereinbefore or hereinafter defines all the possible stereoisomeric forms which the compounds of formula (I) or (F) and their N-oxides, addition salts, quaternary amines or physiologically functional derivatives may possess. Unless otherwise mentioned or indicated, the chemical designation of compounds denotes the mixture of all possible stereochemically isomeric forms, said mixtures containing all diastereomers and enantiomers of the basic molecular structure as well as each of the individual isomeric forms of formula (I) or (F) and their N-oxides, salts, solvates, quaternary amines substantially free, i.e. associated with less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, in particular less than 2% and most preferably less than 1% of the other isomers. Stereochemically isomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I) or (F) are obviously intended to be embraced within the scope of this invention.

For therapeutic use, salts of the compounds of formula (I) or (F) are those wherein the counterion is pharmaceutically acceptable. However, salts of acids and bases which are non-pharmaceutically acceptable may also find use, for example, in the preparation or purification of a pharmaceutically acceptable compound. All salts, whether pharmaceutically acceptable or not are included within the ambit of the present invention.

The pharmaceutically acceptable acid and base addition salts as mentioned hereinabove or hereinafter are meant to comprise the therapeutically active non-toxic acid and base addition salt forms which the compounds of formula (I) or (F) are able to form. The pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts can conveniently be obtained by treating the base form with such appropriate acid. Appropriate acids comprise, for example, inorganic acids such as hydrohalic acids, e.g. hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric and the like acids; or organic acids such as, for example, acetic, propanoic, hydroxyacetic, lactic, pyruvic, oxalic (i.e. ethanedioic), malonic, succinic (i.e. butanedioic acid), maleic, fumaric, malic, tartaric, citric, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, cyclamic, salicylic, p-aminosalicylic, pamoic and the like acids. Conversely said salt forms can be converted by treatment with an appropriate base into the free base form.

The compounds of formula (I) or (F) containing an acidic proton may also be converted into their non-toxic metal or amine addition salt forms by treatment with appropriate organic and inorganic bases. Appropriate base salt forms comprise, for example, the ammonium salts, the alkali and earth alkaline metal salts, e.g. the lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium salts and the like, salts with organic bases, e.g. primary, secondary and tertiary aliphatic and aromatic amines such as methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, isopropylamine, the four butylamine isomers, dimethylamine, diethylamine, diethanolamine, dipropylamine, diisopropylamine, di-n-butylamine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, quinuclidine, pyridine, quinoline and isoquinoline; the benzathine, N-methyl-D-glucamine, hydrabamine salts, and salts with amino acids such as, for example, arginine, lysine and the like.

Conversely the salt form can be converted by treatment with acid into the free acid form.

The term addition salt as used hereinabove also comprises the solvates which the compounds of formula (I) or (F) as well as the salts thereof, are able to form. Such solvates are for example hydrates, alcoholates and the like.

The term "quaternary amine" as used hereinbefore defines the quaternary ammonium salts which the compounds of formula (I) or (F) are able to form by reaction between a basic nitrogen of a compound of formula (I) or (F) and an appropriate quaternizing agent, such as, for example, an optionally substituted alkylhalide, arylhalide or arylalkylhalide, e.g. methyliodide or benzyliodide. Other reactants with good leaving groups may also be used, such as alkyl trifluoromethanesulfonates, alkyl methanesulfonates, and alkyl p-toluenesulfonates. A quaternary amine has a positively charged nitrogen. Pharmaceutically acceptable counterions include for example chloro, bromo, iodo, trifluoroacetate and acetate. The counterion of choice can be made using ion exchange resin columns.

Some of the compounds of formula (I) or (F) may also exist in their tautomeric form. Such forms although not explicitly indicated in the above formula are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. In particular, the radical Het as defined hereinabove may be a radical of formula

(c-3), (c-4), (c-5), (c-6),

(c-7), (c-8), (c-9), (c-10), with A] , Bi, Ci, D] and Ei, each independently being selected where possible from CH, N, NH, O or S, provided that from 1 up to 4 heteroatoms are present, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino, dialkyl, C_1-6alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Cι- alkyloxy or amino or mono-or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino, polyhaloCi ^alkyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, Ci_-6alkyloxycarbonyl, Cι_-6alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di(Cι_₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C,_-6alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, C,_₆alkyloxy-C(=O)-NH-, H₂N- C(=O)-NH- or mono- or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino-C(=O)-NH-, said substituents being limited to a total of 4, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that two double bonds are present; with A₂, B₂, C₂, D₂, E₂ and F₂, each independently being selected where possible from CH, N, O or S, provided that from 1 up to 4 heteroatoms are present, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or di(Cι- alkyl)amino, Cι_-6alkyl, substituted with hydroxy or Cι_-4alkyloxy or amino or mono-or di(Cι_₄alkyl)amino. polyhaloCi _-6alkyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, Cι_-6alkyloxycarbonyl, Cι_-6alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di(Cι_-6alkyl)aminocarbonyl, Cι_₆alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, Cι.₆alkyloxy-C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or di(C_{] -4}alkyl)amino-

C(=O)-NH-, said substituents being limited to a total of 4, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that at least two double bonds are present; with A₃ and E₃, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and B₃, C₃ and D₃, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, and F₃, G₃, H₃ and I₃, each independently and where possible being selected from CH₂ or CH, provided that from 1 up to 4 heteroatoms are present, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or dι(Cι_-4alkyl)amιno, Cι_₆ lkyl, Cι.₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or C].₄alkyloxy or amino or mono-or dι(C]. alkyl)amιno, polyhaloC].₆alkyl, C]_-6alkyloxy, Cι_₆alkyloxycarbonyl, Ci ₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or dι(Cι_-6alkyl)amιnocarbonyl, Ci ₆alkyl- C(=O)-NH-, Cι.₆alkyloxy-C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or dι(C].₄alkyl)amιno-C(=O)-NH-, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the five-membered πng contains two double bonds, with A₄ and E₄, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and B , C₄ and D₄, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, and F , G₄, and Hi, each independently and where possible being selected from CH₂ or CH, provided that from 1 up to 4 heteroatoms are present, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or dι(Cι alkyl)ammo, Cι_-6alkyl, Ci ₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Ci ₄alkyloxy or ammo or mono-or dι(Cι-₄alkyl)amιno, polyhaloCi ₆alkyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, Ci ₆alkyloxycarbonyl, Ci ₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or dι(Cι ₆alkyl)ammocarbonyl, C) ₆alkyl- C(=O)-NH-, C, ₆alkyloxy-C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or dι(Cι ₄alkyl)amιno-C(=O)-NH-, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the five-membered πng consisting of A₄-B₄-C₄-D -E₄ contains two double bonds; with A₅ and F₅, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and B₅, C₅, D₅ and E₅ each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, O or S, and G₅, H₅, 1₅ and J₅, each independently and where possible being selected from CH₂ or CH, provided that form 1 up to 4 heteroatoms are present, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, ammo, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or dι(Cι ₄alkyl)amιno, Cι.₆alkyl, Cι_-6alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Cι- alkyloxy or amino or mono-or dι(Cι- alkyl)ammo, polyhaloCι_-6alkyl, Ci ₆alkyloxy, Ci alkyloxycarbonyl, Cι_₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or dι(Cι ₆alkyl)amιnocarbonyl, Ci ₆alkyl- C(=O)-NH-, C, ₆alkyloxy-C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or dι(Cι-₄alkyl)amιno-C(=O)-NH-, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the six-membered ring consisting of A₅-B₅-C₅-D₅-E₅-F₅ contains at least two double bonds; with A₆ and F₆, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and B₆, C₆, D₆ and E₆, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, O or S, and G₆, H_ό and 1 , each independently and where possible being selected from CH₂ or CH, provided that from 1 up to 4 heteroatoms are present, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino, Cι_₆alkyl, Cι_-6alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Cι_₄alkyloxy or amino or mono-or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino, polyhaloCι_₆alkyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, Cι_₆alkyloxycarbonyl, Cι_-6alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di(C].₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, Cι_-6alkyl- C(=O)-NH-, C,.₆alkyloxy-C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or di(Cι. alkyl)amino-C(=O)-NH-, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the six-membered ring contains at least two double bonds; with A₇ and E₇, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and B₇, C₇ and D , each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, and F₇, G₇, H₇ and I₇, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, provided that the bicyclic ring contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms with at least one heteroatom in the five-membered ring and at least one heteroatom in the remainder, i.e. F₇-G₇-H₇-I₇, of the fused six- membered ring, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or di(Cι_₄alkyl)amino, Cι_-6alkyl, C]_₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Cι_ alkyloxy or amino or mono-or di(Cι- alkyl)amino, polyhaloCi _-6alkyl, Cι_₆alkyloxy, C].₆alkyloxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di(Cι.6alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C]_₆alkyl- C(=O)-NH-, Cι_-6alkyloxy-C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or di(Cι_₄alkyl)arnino-C(=O)-NH-, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the five-membered ring contains two double bonds; with A₈ and E₈, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and B₈, C , and D_8ι each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, and F_8ι G₈, and H₈, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, provided that the bicyclic ring contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms with at least one heteroatom in the five-membered ring consisting of A₈-B₈-C₈-D₈-E₈ and at least one heteroatom in the remainder, i.e. F₈-G₈- H₈, of the other, fused five-membered ring, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino, Cι_-6alkyl, Ci-βalkyl substituted with hydroxy or Cι_-4alkyloxy or amino or mono-or di(C_]-4alkyl)amino, polyhaloCι_ alkyl, Cι.₆alkyloxy, Cι_₆alkyloxycarbonyl, Cι_-6alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di(Cι_-6alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C].₆alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, Cι_-6alkyloxy-C(=O)-NH-, H₂N- C(=O)-NH- or mono- or di(Cι- alkyl)amino-C(=O)-NH-, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the five-membered ring consisting of A₈-B₈-C₈-D₈-E₈ contains two double bonds; with A₉ and F₉, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and B₉, C₉, D₉ and E_9> each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, O or S, and G₉, H₉, 1₉ and J₉, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, provided that the bicyclic ring contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms with at least one heteroatom in the six-membered ring consisting of A₉-B₉-C₉-D₉-E₉-F₉ and at least one heteroatom in the remainder, i.e. G - H₉-I -J₉, of the other, fused six-membered ring, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino, Cι_-6alkyl, Cι-6alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Cι- alkyloxy or amino or mono-or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino, polyhaloCι_₆aιkyl, Cι_₆alkyloxy, Cι_-6alkyloxycarbonyl, Ci-_όalkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di(Cι.₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, Cι_-6alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, Cι.₆alkyloxy-C(=O)-NH-, H₂N- C(=O)-NH- or mono- or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino-C(=O)-NH-, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the six-membered ring consisting of A₉-B₉-C₉-D₉-E₉-F₉ contains at least two double bonds; with Aio and Fι₀, each independently being selected where possible from C, CH or N, and Bio, n, Din and Eio, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, O or S, and Gio, Hio and Iι₀, each independently and where possible being selected from CH, CH₂, N, NH, O or S, provided that the bicyclic ring contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms with at least one heteroatom in the six- membered ring and at least one heteroatom in the remainder, i.e. Gio-Hio-Iio, of the fused five-membered ring, and wherein each C or N atom, where possible, may optionally be substituted with halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or di(C]- alkyl)amino, Cι_₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Cι_-4alkyloxy or amino or mono-or di(Cι-₄alkyl)amino, polyhaloCι.₆alkyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, Cι.₆alkyloxycarbonyl, Cι_₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di(Cι.₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, Cι_-6alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, C_1-6alkyloxy-C(=O)-NH-, H₂N- C(=O)-NH- or mono- or di(C_1-4alkyl)amino-C(=O)-NH-, said substituents being limited to a total of 6, and wherein each dotted line may represent, where possible, an additional bond, provided that the six-membered ring contains at least two double bonds.

More in particular, the radical Het as defined hereinabove may be a monocyclic hetero- cycle comprising furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, triazolyl, 1-pyridyl, 2-pyridyl, 3- pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyranyl, triazinyl, tetrazolyl, with each monocyclic heterocycle optionally substituted with, where possible, one, two, three or four substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or di(Cι- alkyl)amino, C_1-6alkyl, Cι_-6alkyl substituted with or amino or mono-or di(C]_-4alkyl)amino, polyhaloCι_-6alkyl, C_]-6alkyloxy, Cι- alkyloxycarbonyl, Cι_-6alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di(C_)-6alkyl)aminocarbonyl, Cι.₆alkyl- C(=O)-NH-, Cι_-6alkyloxy-C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or di(Cι_₄alkyl)amino-C(=O)-NH-; or Het may also represent a bicyclic heterocycle comprising benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazinyl, benzoxazinonyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzopyrazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzotriazolyl, naphthalenyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, naphthiridinyl, benzopyranyl, pyrrolopyridyl, thienopyridyl, furopyridyl, isothiazolopyridyl, thiazolopyridyl, isoxazolopyridyl, oxazolopyridyl, pyrazolopyridyl, imidazopyridyl, pyrrolopyrazinyl, thienopyrazinyl, furopyrazinyl, isothiazolopyrazinyl, thiazolopyrazinyl, isoxazolopyrazinyl, oxazolopyrazinyl, pyrazolopyrazinyl, imidazopyrazinyl, pyrrolopyrimidinyl, thienopyrimidinyl, furopyrimidinyl, isothiazolopyrimidinyl, thiazolopyrimidinyl, isoxazolopyrimidinyl. oxazolopyrimidinyl, pyrazolopyrimidinyl, imidazopyrimidinyl, pyrrolopyridazinyl, thienopyridazinyl, furopyridazinyl, isothiazolopyridazinyl, thiazolopyridazinyl, isoxazolopyridazinyl, oxazolopyridazinyl, pyrazolopyridazinyl, imidazopyridazinyl. oxadiazolopyridyl, thiadiazolopyridyl, triazolopyridyl, oxadiazolopyrazinyl, thiadiazolopyrazinyl, triazolopyrazinyl, oxadiazolopyrimidinyl, thiadiazolopyrimidinyl, triazolopyrimidinyl, oxadiazolopyridazinyl, thiadiazolopyridazinyl, triazolopyridazinyl, imidazooxazolyl, imidazothiazolyl, imidazoimidazolyl, isoxazolotriazinyl, isothiazolo- triazinyl, pyrazolotriazinyl, oxazolotriazinyl, thiazolotriazinyl, imidazotriazinyl, oxadiazolotriazinyl, thiadiazolotriazinyl, triazolotriazinyl, with each bicyclic heterocycle optionally substituted with, where possible, up to 6 substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, arruno, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or dι(Cι ₄alkyl)amιno, Cι_-6alkyl, Ci ₆alkyl substituted with or amino or mono-or dι(C_]- alkyl)amιno, polyhaloCι_-6alkyl, Ci ₆alkyloxy, Ci ₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or C,_-6alkyloxy-C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or dι(C alkyl)ammo- C(=O)-NH-

In particular, the present invention relates to the use of a compound for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or the treatment of diseases mediated through cytokines, wherein the compound is a compound of formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeπc form thereof, wherein Q is C_{3 6}cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, pyπdyl, pyπmidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyπdazinyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, mdazolyl, or lmidazopyπdyl, each of said πngs optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano, carboxy; azido; ammo, mono- or dι(Cι.₆alkyl)amιno; Ci ₆alkyl; C_{2 6}alkenyl; C_{2 6}alkynyl; C_{3 6}cycloalkyl; Ci ₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, Ci-βalkyloxy, amino, mono-or

Ci ₆alkyloxy; Cι_₆alkylthιo, ₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylCi ₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloCi ₆alkyl; polyhalo-Ci ₆alkyloxy; polyhaloCi ealkylcarbonyl, C alkyl-S(=O)„- or R¹FLN-S(=O) „-; or Q is a radical of formula

wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR^J, CH₂ or S, with R³ being hydrogen or Ci ₄alkyl; q is an integer with value 1 to 4; Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or Ci ₄alkyl; r is an integer with value 1 to 3; n is an integer with value 1 or 2; R represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula -CR^2a=N- with CR^2a attached to N of formula (a-1); and

R^2a being hydrogen, Cι_₆alkyl or C].₆alkyloxy; L is Het;

Het is (i) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O; (ii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered ring, which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first ring, only carbon atoms; the latter ring may be unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated;

(iii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and at least one heteroatom and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring, which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first ring, at least one heteroatom; the latter ring may be unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; said bicyclic ring system contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms, each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O; wherein Het being a monocyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 4 substituents, and wherein Het being a bicyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or di(Cι_ alkyl)amino, Cι_₆alkyl, Cι_ alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Ci_₄alkyloxy or amino or mono-or di(Cι- alkyl)amino, polyhaloCι_₆alkyl,

C].₆alkyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di(Cι.₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, Cι_₆alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, Cι_₆alkyloxy- C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or di(C,_₄alkyl)amιno-C(=O)-NH-; aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, Cι_-6alkyl, polyhaloCι.₆alkyl, Cι.₆alkyloxy, Cι_-6alkylthio, cyano, nitro, amino, mono-or di(C].₆alkyl)amino; provided that Het is other than optionally substituted isothiazolyl, 2-pyridyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazinyl and benzoxazinonyl.

More in particular, the present invention relates to the use of a compound for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or the treatment of diseases mediated through cytokines, wherein the compound is a compound of formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein

Q is C_3-6cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indazolyl, or imidazopyridyl, each of said rings optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; azido; amino; mono- or di(Cι.₆alkyl)amino; Cι_-6alkyl; C_2- alkenyl; C₂.₆alkynyl; C₃.6cycloalkyl; Cι-₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, Cι_-6alkyloxy, amino, mono-or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino; Cι_₆alkyloxy; Cι_₆alkylthio; Cι_-6alkylcarbonyl; Cι_-6alkyloxycarbonyl; arylC].

₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloCi _-6alkyl; polyhalo-Cι_-6alkyloxy; polyhalo- C,_-6alkylcarbonyl; C_Malkyl-S(=O)„- or R^,HΝ-S(=O) „-; or

Q is a radical of formula

wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³ being hydrogen or Cι- alkyl; q is an integer with value 1 to 4; Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or Cι_-4alkyl; r is an integer with value 1 to 3; n is an integer with value 1 or 2; R¹ represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula -CR^2a=N- with CR^2a attached to N of formula (a-1); and

R^2a being hydrogen, C]_-6alkyl or Cι_-6alkyloxy; L is Het;

(iii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring containing at least two double bonds and at least one heteroatom and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring, which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first ring, at least one heteroatom; the latter ring may be unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; said bicyclic ring system contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms, each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O; wherein Het being a monocyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 4 substituents, and wherein Het being a bicyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or di(Cι. alkyl)amino, Cι- alkyl, Cι- alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Cι_ alkyloxy or amino or mono-or di(Cι. aιkyl)amino,

Ci-₆alkyloxy, C ,.₆al kyl ox y carbonyl, Cι.₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di(C].₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl, Cι_-6alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, Cι_-6alkyloxy- C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or di(C,_₄alkyl)amino-C(=O)-NH-; aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, Ci ₆alkyl, polyhaloCi ₆alkyl, Ci ₆alkyloxy, cyano, mtro, am o, mono-or dι(Cι ₆alkyl)ammo; provided that - Het is other than optionally substituted isothiazolyl, 2-pyπdyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazinyl and benzoxazmonyl.

- when Q is phenyl substituted with hydroxy or Ci ₆alkyloxy and carboxy or C].₆alkyloxycarbonyl then Het is other than 3-pyπdyl or 4-pyπdyl,

- when Q is phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 2-furanyl, 5-bromo-2-benzofuranyl, l,2-dιhydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyπdyl, 2-benzofuranyl, 5-chloro-2- benzimidazolyl, 2-benzιmιdazolyl, 3-pyπdyl, 4-pyπdyl, 6-methyl-thιazolo [3,2-b] [l,2,4]tπazol-5-yl, 2,6-dιmethyl-thιazolo [3,2-b] [l,2,4]tπazol-5-yl or 5,6-dιhydro- 4,5-dιmethyl-2(H)-3-pyranonyl,

- when Q is 2-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 2-benzofuranyl or 3-pyπdyl;

- when Q is 4-methoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-furanyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 3-pyπdyl, 4-pyπdyl, l,2-dιhydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyπdyl, l,2-dιhydro-6-ethyl-2-oxo- 3-cyano-5-pyπdyl, 4-(dιmethylamιno)-l,2-dιhydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5- pyπdyl, l,2-dιhydro-4-methoxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyπdyl or 3-amιno-6- methyl-2(lH)-5-pyπdιnonyl,

- when Q is 2-methoxy-phenyl then Ηet is other than 2-pyrazmyl, 5-chloro-2- benzimidazolyl, or 3-pyπdyl,

- when Q is 4-chloro-phenyl then Ηet is other than 2-furanyl, 2-thienyl, 5-chloro-2- benzimidazolyl, 2-pyrazmyl, 3-pyπdyI, 4-pyπdyl or 5,6-dιhydro-4,5-dιmethyl-2(Η)-3- pyranonyl;

- when Q is 3-chloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 3-pyπdyl or 1,2-dιhydro- 6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyπdyl;

- when Q is 2-chloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl,

- when Q is 3-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl or 3-pyπdyl, - when Q is 2,3-dιchloro-phenyl then Het is other than 3-pyπdyl,

- when Q is 2-ethoxy-phenyl or 3-methoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl;

- when Q is 4-bromo-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, or 5-chloro-2- benzimidazolyl, when Q is 4-fluoro-phenyl then Het is other than 4-pyπdyl, - when Q is 1-naphthyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, or 3-pyπdyl,

- when Q is 4-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-furanyl, 2-thienyl, 3-pyπdyl, 2-pyrazinyl or 5,6-dιhydro-4,5-dιmethyl-2(H)-3-pyranonyl, - when Q is 4-ethoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl;

- when Q is 2-naphthyl, 2-carboxy-phenyl, 3-carboxy-phenyl, 4-carboxy-phenyl, 4-amιno-phenyl or 3-chloro-2,6-dιnιtro-4-tπfluoromethyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl; - when Q is 4-benzenesulfonamιde then Het is other than 2-furanyl, or 1,2,3,4-tetra- hydro-2,4-dιoxo-5-pyπmιdιnyl;

- when Q is N-methyl-4-benzenesulfonamιde then Het is other than 3-thιenyl;

- when Q is N-butyl-4-benzenesulfonamιde then Het is other than 2-furanyl;

- when Q is 2- pyπdyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl; - when Q is 3-pyπdyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 3-pyπdyl, 4-pyπdyl or 1,2- dιhydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyπdyl;

- when Q is 2,4-dιchloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl, or 4-pyπdyl; when Q is 4-pyπdyl then Het is other than 3-quιnolmyl or l,2-dιhydro-6-methyl-2- oxo-3-cyano-5-pyπdyl. - when Q is 2,4-dιmethoxyphenyl, 3,4-dιmethoxyphenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, 4- methylthiophenyl, or 4-methylsulfmylphenyl then Het is other than 1 ,2-dιhydro-6- methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyπdyl.

The present invention also relates to the use of a compound for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or the treatment of diseases mediated through cytokines, wherein the compound is a compound of formula

JC\- a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeπc form thereof, wherein

Q is phenyl, naphthyl, pyπdyl, pyπmidinyl, pyrazinyl or pyπdazinyl, each of said πngs optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; azido; amino; mono- or dι(Cι ₆alkyl)amιno, ₆alkyl; C_2- alkenyl; C _-6alkynyl; C_3-6cycloalkyl, C_{t 6}alkyl substituted with hydroxy, Ci ₆alkyloxy, amino, mono-or dι(C) ₄alkyl)ammo;

Ci ₆alkyloxy, Ci ₆alkylthιo; Ci ₆alkylcarbonyl; Ci ₆alkyloxycarbonyl, arylCi ₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhalo-Ci ₆alkyloxy; polyhaloCi ₆alkylcarbonyl, C,.₄alkyl-S(=O)_n- or R1HN-S(=O) „-; or Q is a radical of formula wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³ being hydrogen or Cι_-4alkyl, q is an integer with value 1 to 4;

Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or Ci ₄alkyl, r is an integer with value 1 to 3; n is an integer with value 1 or 2; R^! represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula

_R2a

N A (a-1) with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula -CR^2a=N- with CR^2a attached to N of formula (a-1); and

R^2a being hydrogen, Cι_₆alkyl or Ci ₆alkyloxy; L is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to 4 substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, ammo, mono or dι(Cι^alkyl)amιno, Ci ₆alkyl, polyhaloCi.₆alkyl or or

L is Het,

Het is (l) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng containing at least two double bonds and containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O; (π) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng containing at least two double bonds and containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered πng, which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first πng, only carbon atoms, the latter πng may be unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; (in) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng containing at least two double bonds and at least one heteroatom and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng, which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first πng, at least one heteroatom; the latter πng may be unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; said bicyclic πng system contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms, each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O; wherein Het being a monocyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 4 substituents, and wherein Het being a bicyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, mono or di(Cι_-4alkyl)amino, Cι_₆alkyl, polyhaloCι_-6alkyl or Cι_₆alkyloxy; aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, Cι_-6alkylthio, cyano, nitro, amino, mono-or di(Cι_-6alkyl)amino.

An interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is Het and Het is defined as hereinabove provided that Het is other than benzimidazolyl; benzofuranyl; thiazolotriazolyl; quinolinyl; pyrazinyl; dioxopyrimidinyl; pyrimidinyl; pyridazinyl; pyranonyl; thienyl; furanyl; a 5 or 6-membered heterocyclic group containing one nitrogen atom such as for example pyridyl.

Also an interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is Het and Het being a monocyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 4 substituents, or Het being a bicyclic ring system may optionally be substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, mono or di(Cι- alkyl)amino, C]. alkyl, polyhaloCi.₆alkyl or C].₆alkyloxy.

A further interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is imidazolyl, imidazothiazolyl, pyrimidinyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, furanyl, 3-pyridyl, 4- pyridyl, pyrazolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, pyrrolopyridyl, imidazopyridyl, imidazopyrazinyl, imidazopyrimidinyl, imidazopyridazinyl, pyrazolopyridyl, with each heterocycle optionally substituted with one, two, three or four substituents selected from halo, amino, Cι_ alkyl, polyhaloC].₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl or Cι.₆alkyl-C(=O)-NH-.

Still another interesting group includes those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, pyrrolopyridyl, imidazopyridyl, imidazopyrazinyl, imidazopyrimidinyl, imidazopyridazinyl, pyrazolopyridyl, with each heterocycle optionally substituted with one, two, three or four substituents selected from halo, amino, or Cι-₆alkyl. Yet a further interesting group compπses those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is lmidazolyl, lmidazothiazolyl, pyπmidinyl, pyrazolyl, indolyl, mdazolyl, pyrrolopyπdyl, lmidazopyπdyl, imidazopyrazinyl, lmidazopyπmidinyl, lmidazo- pyπdazinyl, pyrazolopyπdyl, with each heterocycle optionally substituted with one, two, three or four substituents selected from halo, ammo, Cι_-6alkyl, polyhaloCι_-6alkyl, aminocarbonyl or Ci ₆alkyl-C(=O)-NH-.

Again an interesting group compπses those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is Het and Het is as defined hereinabove provided that Het is other than pyrazolyl, benzofuranyl, 2-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdyl, lmidazopyπdazmyl, indazolyl, pyrazinyl, 4- pyπmidmyl, thiazolyl, lmidazolyl

Also an interesting group compπses those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is Het and Het is as defined hereinabove provided that Het is other than pyrazolyl, benzofuranyl, 2-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdyl, lmidazopyπdazinyl, indazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyπmidinyl, pyπdazinyl, thiazolyl, lmidazolyl, benzimidazolyl, thiazolotπazolyl, quinolinyl, dioxopyπmidinyl, pyranonyl, a 5 or 6-membered heterocyclic group containing one nitrogen atom, thienyl, furanyl.

Again an interesting group compπses those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is Het and Het is indolyl, 3-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdyl, 3-ιmιdazo[l,5-a]pyπdyl, 3-pyπdyl, quinolinyl, lmidazopyπmidinyl, imidazopyrazinyl, lmidazothiazolyl, 5-pyπmιdιnyl, furanyl, thiazolyl, lmidazolyl, pyrrolopyπdyl, pyrazolopyπdyl

A further interesting group compπses those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is Het and Het is mdolyl, 3-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdyl, 3-ιmιdazo[l,5-a]pyπdyl, lmidazopyπmidinyl, imidazopyrazinyl, lmidazothiazolyl, pyrrolopyπdyl, pyrazolopyπdyl

Further preferred compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is Het and Het is 3-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdyl, 3-ιmιdazo[l,5-a]pyπdyl, lmidazothiazolyl, 5- pyπmid yl, substituted 3- or 4-pyπdyl.

Yet further preferred compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is 3-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdyl, 3-ιmιdazo[l,5-a]pyπdyl, lmidazothiazolyl, 3-pyπdyl or pyrrolopyπdyl Also preferred compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is 3- fluorophenyl or 3,5-dιfluorophenyl.

Also preferred are those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is Het and Het is as descπbed hereinabove provided that the atom(s) adjacent to the atom with which Het is linked to the remainder of the molecule of formula (I) and which does (do) not form part of both πngs in case of a bicyclic heterocycle, is (are) other than nitrogen.

Again prefeπed compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein L is 3- halophenyl.

Also an interesting group compπses those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein Q is phenyl, naphthyl, pyπdyl, pyπmidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyπdazinyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, mdazolyl or lmidazopyπdyl, each of said πngs optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; azido; ammo; mono- or dι(C] ₆alkyl)amιno; Ci ₆alkyl; C₂. ₆alkenyl; C_{2 6}alkynyl; C₃.₆cycloalkyl; Cι_-6alkyl substituted with hydroxy, Cι_-6alkyloxy, ammo, mono-or dι(Cι_-4alkyl)amιno; Ci alkyloxy; C_{t 6}alkylcarbonyl; Ci ₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylCι.₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloCι.₆alkyl; polyhaloCi^alkyloxy, polyhaloCi ₆alkylcarbonyl or Ci_₄alkyl-S(=O)_n-; or Q is a radical of formula

wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR , CH₂ or S. with R being hydrogen or Q ₄alkyl, q is an integer with value 1 to 4;

Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or Cι- alkyl; r is an integer with value 1 to 3.

A further interesting group compπses those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein Q is phenyl, naphthyl, pyπdyl, pyπmidinyl, pyrazinyl or pyπdazinyl, each of said πngs optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy, cyano; carboxy; amino; mono- or dι(Cι ₆alkyl)ammo; Cι.₆alkyl; C_{2 6}alkenyl; C_{2 6}alkynyl; C_{3 6}cycloalkyl, C) ₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, Ci ₆alkyloxy, ammo, mono-or dι(Cι_₄alkyl)amιno; Q ₆alkyloxy; Ci ₆alkylthιo; Ci ₆alkylcarbonyl; Cι_-6alkyloxycarbonyl; Ci_-6alkylcarbonylamino; aryloxy; polyhaloCι_-6alkyl; polyhaloCi _-6alkyloxy; Cι_ ₄alkyl-S(=O)_n- or RΗN-S(=O) „-; or Q is a radical of formula

wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR , CH or S, with R being hydrogen or C].₄alkyl; q is an integer with value 1 to 4; Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or C].₄alkyl; r is an integer with value 1 to 3.

Another interesting group comprises those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein Q is 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, naphthalenyl, C₃_₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl, 2,3- dihydro-benzofuranyl, 2,3-dihydro-l,4-benzodioxinyl, benzthiazolyl, indazolyl, benzimidazolyl or imidazopyridyl.

Also particular compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or (F) wherein Q is phenyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, benzthiazolyl or imidazopyridyl, in particular phenyl, each of said rings being optionally substituted with up to three substituents selected from halo, cyano, C].₆alkyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy or polyhaloCι_-6alkyl.

Each of the above-mentioned interesting groups of compounds of formula (I) or (F) describing a particular definition of L may be combined with each of the above- mentioned interesting groups of compounds of formula (I) or (F) describing a particular definition of Q.

Preferred compounds are selected from the group consisting of 2-thiazolamine, 4-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridin-3-yl-N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]; 2-thiazolamine, 4-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridin-3-yl-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]; 2-thiazolamine, 4-(3-pyridinyl)-N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] ; 2-thiazolamine, N-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridin-3-yl; 2-thiazolamine, 4-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridin-3-yl-N-(3-methylphenyl); 2-thiazolamine, 4-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridin-3-yl-N-[3-(methylthio)phenyl]; 2-thiazolamine, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-imidazo[ 1 ,2-a]pyridin-3-yl ; 2-thiazolamine, N-(3-bromophenyl)-4-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridin-3-yl; 2-thiazolamine, N-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-4-imidazo[ 1 ,2-a]pyridin-3-yl ; 2-thiazolamine, N-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-4-(lH-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl); 2-thiazolamine, N-(4-bromophenyl)-4-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridin-3-yl; 2-thiazolamine, N-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-4-imidazo[l,5-a]pyridin-3-yl; 2-thiazolamine, 4-imidazo[2,l-b]thiazol-5-yl-N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]; 2-thiazolamine, N-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-4-imidazo[2,l-b]thiazol-5-yl; 2-thiazolamine, 4-(3-pyridinyl)-N-(3-methyl-4-fluorophenyl); 2-thiazolamine, 4-imidazo[l,2-a]pyridin-3-yl-N-(3-methyl-4-fluorophenyl); the N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts, quaternary amines and stereochemically isomeric forms thereof.

Also preferred compounds are selected from the group consisting of 2-thiazolamine, 4-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-phenyl; 2-thiazolamine, 4-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-[4-methoxyphenyl]; 2-thiazolamine, 4-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]; and 2-thiazolamine, 4-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-[3-pyridyl] ; the N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts, quaternary amines and stereochemically isomeric forms thereof.

In general, the compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (II) or formula (HI) or by reacting an intermediate of formula (II) and (DI), wherein W] represents a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. chloro or bromo, with an intermediate of formula (IV) in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, such as an alcohol, e.g. ethanol, or NN-dimethylformamide.

Compounds of formula (I), wherein L is substituted with amino, said L being represented by NH₂-Lι, and said compounds by formula (I-a), may be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (II), wherein Het is substituted with Ci ₆alkyl- C(=O)-NH-, said Het being represented by d ₆alkyl-C(=O)-NH-Hetι, and said intermediate being represented by formula (Il-a), with an intermediate of formula (IV) in the presence of a suitable acid, such as for example hydrobromic acid and the like, in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as an alcohol, e.g. ethanol and the like, and water

C_r6alkyl C(=0)-NH-L,

(Il-a) (IV) (l-a) Compounds of formula (I), wherein Q is substituted with amino, said Q being represented by Qι-NH₂, and said compounds by formula (I-b), may be prepared by reducing an intermediate of formula (I-b-interm ), wherein Q is substituted with mtro, said Q being represented by Qι-NO₂, in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, e.g. hydrogen, optionally in the presence of a suitable catalyst, e.g. palladium-on-charcoal, and a suitable catalyst poison, e.g. a thiophene solution. A suitable solvent for the above reaction is a reaction-inert solvent, for example, an alcohol, e.g. methanol.

(I b interm ^' (l-b)

Compounds of formula (I) may be converted into each other following art-known functional group transformation reactions, compπsmg those descπbed hereinafter.

The compounds of formula (I) may be converted to the corresponding N-oxide forms following art-known procedures for converting a tπvalent nitrogen into its N-oxide form Said N-oxidation reaction may generally be earned out by reacting the starting mateπal of formula (I) with an appropπate organic or inorganic peroxide Appropπate inorganic peroxides compπse, for example, hydrogen peroxide, alkali metal or earth alkaline metal peroxides, e.g sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide; appropπate organic peroxides may compπse peroxy acids such as, for example, benzenecarboper- oxoic acid or halo substituted benzenecarboperoxoic acid, e.g. 3-chlorobenzenecarbo- peroxoic acid, peroxoalkanoic acids, e.g. peroxoacetic acid, alkylhydroperoxides, e.g. t.butyl hydro-peroxide. Suitable solvents are, for example, water, lower alcohols, e.g ethanol and the like, hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene, ketones, e g. 2-butanone, halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g. dichloromethane, and mixtures of such solvents

Compounds of formula (I), wherein Q is substituted with cyano, said Q being represented by Qi-CN, and said compounds by formula (I-c), may be converted into a compound of formula (I), wherein Q is substituted with carboxy, said Q being represented by Qi-COOH, and said compound by formula (I-d), by reaction with a suitable acid, such as concentrated hydrochloπc acid, in the presence of a suitable reaction-inert solvent, e g water

(l-c) (' ^d>

Compounds of formula (I), wherein L is substituted with Ci ₆alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, said Het being represented by Cι_-6alkyl-C(=O)-NH-Hetι, and said compounds being represented by formula (I-e), may be converted into a compound of formula (I-a), by reaction with a suitable acid, such as for example hydrobromic acid and the like, in the

(l-a) (l-e)

In the following paragraphs, there are descπbed several methods of prepaπng the intermediates m the foregoing preparations A number of intermediates and starting mateπals are commercially available or are known compounds which may be prepared according to conventional reaction procedures generally known in the art

Intermediates of formula (II) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (V) with a suitable leaving group introducing agent of formula (VI), wherein Wi represents the leaving group and R represents the remaining of the agent, such as for example W]-R representing Br₂, in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as a HBr solution, dioxane, acetic acid and the like Q w, — R

L C^ ► _(M)

CH^ (VI)

(V) Altematively, intermediates of formula (II) may also be prepared by Fπedel-Crafts acylation in the presence of a suitable Lewis acid, for example by reacting an intermediate of formula (VII) with an intermediate of formula (VLU), wherein W] and W₂ represent a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. chloro, in the presence of A1C1₃ and in the presence of a suitable solvent, e.g. carbon disulfide. o L + w₂ — c_s „w, ► (ii)

(VII) (VIII)

Intermediates of formula (II) may also be prepared by acylatmg an intermediate of formula (Vll-a), i.e. L having an acidic hydrogen atom, with an intermediate of formula (IX), with Wi as defined hereinabove, in the presence of a suitable base, e.g. lithium dnsopropylamide, and a suitable reaction-inert solvent, e.g. tetrahydrofuran

(VII) (IX)

Intermediates of formula (II) may also be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XI), with Wi as defined hereinabove, with a suitable acid, such as a HBr solution, in the presence of a suitable solvent, e.g water.

(XI) Intermediates of formula (III) may be prepared according to the first reaction procedure descπbed above to prepare an intermediate of formula (D), thus by reacting an intermediate of formula (V) with an intermediate of formula (VI) in the presence of a suitable solvent, e.g. acetic acid, hydrobromic acid or the like.

O II W — R

L— C

CH (III)

(VI)

(V)

Intermediates of formula (V) may be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XII), wherein W, is a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e g. chloro, with an intermediate of formula (XIII) m the presence of NN-dιmethyl-4-pyπdιnamme and a suitable solvent, such as dichloromethane.

Intermediates of formula (XH), wherein W₃ represents chloro, said intermediates being represented by formula (Xll-a), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula

^<XIV) (X"-a)

Intermediates of formula (V), wherein L is Het and Het is an ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyrazιnyl moiety as represented by formula (V-a), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XV) with an intermediate of formula (XVI), wherein W₄ is a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. bromo, in the presence of a suitable reaction-inert solvent, such as an alcohol, e.g. ethanol.

(XV) (^v"a) ' (XVI)

Intermediates of formula (V), wherein L is Het and Het is an ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπmιdmyl moiety as represented by formula (V-b),can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XVII) with an intermediate of formula (XVIII), wherein W₅ represents a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. chloro, in the presence of a suitable reaction-inert solvent, such as methylene chloπde.

Intermediates of formula (XVII) may be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XIX) with an intermediate of formula (XX) in a reaction-inert solvent, such as toluene

(XIX) (XX)

Intermediates of foπnula (IV) may be prepared by hydrolizing an intermediate of formula (XXI) in the presence of a suitable base, such as for example sodium hydroxide, and in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as an alcohol, e.g. ethanol and the like.

Intermediates of formula (XXI) may be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXII) with an intermediate of foπnula (XXDI) in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran.

NH I₂₂--QQ ++ — — ►► < ) — c C— — HHNN—— o C NH— Q ^{(XXI I)} (XXIII) (XXI)

Intermediates of formula (XXD) may be prepared by hydrolyzing an intermediate of formula (XXIV) in the presence of a suitable acid, such as hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid and the like, or mixtures thereof, and in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as for example ethyl acetate, o II

C_r6alkyl— O— C— NH— Q ► NH₂-Q

t (XYXVIIXVΛ) ^{(XXI I)}

Intermediates of formula (XXIV) may be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXV) with phosphorazidic acid diphenyl ester in the presence of a suitable base, such as NN-diethyl-ethanamine, and in the presence of a suitable alcohol such as

C, ₆alkylOH, e.g. ethanol, t-butanol and the like.

_ll °

^{HO C Q} ► C_r6alkyl — O— C — ΝH — Q

^(XXV) (XXIV)

The compounds of the present invention show cytokine production modulating activity, in particular cytokine production inhibitory activity, more in particular proinflammatory cytokine production inhibitory activity. A cytokine is any secreted polypeptide that affects the function of other cells by modulating interactions between cells in the immune or inflammatory response. Examples of cytokines include Interleukm-1 (IL-1) up to Interleukιn-18 (IL-18), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Tumor Necrosis Factor-beta (TNF-β) The present compounds also show inhibitory activity on the production of chemotactic cytokines or chemokines responsible for trafficking and activation of leucocytes A chemokine production inhibited by the compounds of formula (I) or (F) is MCP-1 production (Monocyte Chemotactic Prote 1)

The cytokine production specifically inhibited by the compounds of formula (I) or (F) is TNF-α and/or Interleukm-12 (LL-12) production

TNF-α is pπmaπly produced by monocytes, macrophages, T and B lymphocytes, neutrophils, mast cells, tumour cells, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, astrocytes, microghal cells, smooth muscle cells and others This promflammatory cytokine is established at the pinnacle of proinflammatory cascades, it exerts a key role in the cytokine network with regard to the pathogenesis of many infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases Excessive or unregulated TNF-α production is implicated in mediating or exacerbating a number of diseases including rheumatoid arthπtis, rheumatoid spondy tis, spondyloarthropathies, systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthπtis, gouty arthπtis, juvenile arthπtis and other arthπtic conditions, polychondπtis, sclerodoma, Wegener granulamatosis, dermatomyositis, Steven-Johnson syndrome, idiopatic sprue, endocπne opthalmopathy, Grave's disease, alveohtis, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pπmary bil ary cirrhosis, uveitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and vernal keratoconjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, pemphigus, eosinophi a, Loffler's syndrome, eosinophilic pneumonia, parasitic infestation, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, polyarteπtis nodosa, eosinophilic granuloma, eosinophil-related disorders affecting the airways occasioned by drug-reaction, sepsis, septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, cerebral malaπa, adult respiratory distress syndrome, bronchitis (acute, arachidic, cataπhal, chronic, croupus, phthinoid bronchitis), chronic obstructive airway or pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, pneumoconiosis (alummosιs,anthracosιs, asbestosis, cha cocis, ptilosis, siderosis, si cosis, tobaccosis, byssionosis), tuberculosis, sihcosis, exacerbation of airways hyperreactivity to other drug therapy (e g aspiπn or β-agonist therapy), pulmonary sarcoidosis, bone resorption diseases, meningitis, reperfusion injury, graft versus host reaction, allograft rejections, transplant rejections, fever and myalgias due to infection, such as influenza, cachexia (consequential to, e g bacteπal, viral or parasitic, infection or to depπvation or deteπoration of humoral or other organic function, or secondary to malignancy, malaπal and vermal cachexia, cachexia resulting from dysfunction of the pituitary, thyroid or thymus glands as well as uremic cachexia; cachexia secondary to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)), ADDS, ARC (AIDS related complex), diabetes, cancer, angiogenesis, lymphoma, Kawasaki syndrome, Behcet's syndrome, aphthous ulceration, skin-related disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, burns, dermatitis, keloid formation, scar tissue formation, erythema nodosum leprosum, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, pyresis, asthma (intrinsic, extrinsic, allergic, non-atopic, exercise induced and occupational and bacterial infection induced asthma), wheezy infant syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, pancreatitis, cardiac disease, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, acute liver failure, glomerulonephritis, therapy-associated syndromes comprising Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, and syndromes associated with LL-2 infusion, anti-CD3 antibody infusion, hemodialysis, yellow fever vaccination. TNF-α has also been shown to activate HIV (Human Immune deficiency Virus) replication in monocytes and/or macrophages. Therefore, inhibition of TNF-α production or activity aids in limiting FflV progression. TNF-α also plays a role in other viral infections, such as Hepatitis C, CMV (cytomegalovirus), influenza and herpes virus infections, including herpes simplex virus type-1, heφes simplex virus type-2, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpes virus-6,-7 and -8, pseudorabies and rhinotracheitis.

D-.-12 is produced primarily by monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells in response to bacteria, bacterial products (lipopolysaccharide) and immune signals. The production of LL-12 is regulated by other cytokines and endogenous mediators produced during inflammatory and immunological responses. LL-12 plays a central role in the immune system. Evidence obtained from animal models and human diseases suggests that inappropriate and protracted production of LL-12 and the ability of LL-12 to induce the generation of T helper 1 cell type responses may be instrumental in the development and maintenance of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, collagen induced arthritis, allergic encephalitis, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis, and in the triggering of autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes, or graft versus host diseases or shock. The adverse effects also include anemia (haemolytic, aplastic, pure red cell, idiopatic thrombocytopenia), neutropenia, lymphopenia, hepatosplenomegaly with mononuclear cell infiltration and pulmonary edema with interstitial cell infiltrates. Excessive IL-12 production may accelerate the inflammatory progress of a disease, or the onset of the disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or it may also augment the disease severity. Inhibition of TNF-α and/or IL-12 production by the compounds of formula (I) or (F) might offer an interesting, potentially less toxic alternative to non-specific immunosuppression (e.g. corticosteroids) in the treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The combined modulation of TNF-α and D -12 production may ameliorate the treated disease to a greater extent than mono-therapy. The therapeutic effect of combining the suppression of both the immune and the inflammatory arm of a disease may provide additional clinical benefits. The present compounds are also indicated for use as co-therapeutic agents for use in conjunction with immunosuppressive and/or anti -inflammatory drugs, e.g. as potentiators of the therapeutic activity of said drugs, to reduce required dosaging or thus also potential side effects of said drugs. Immunosuppressive and/or anti -inflammatory drugs include for example cyclopeptide, cyclopeptolide or macrolide immunosuppressive or anti- inflammatory drugs, such as drugs belonging to the cyclosporin class, e.g. cyclosporine A or G, tacrolimus substances, ascomycin, rapamycin, glucocorticosteroid drugs, e.g. budesonide, beclamethasone, fluticasone, mometasone.

The compounds of formula (I) or (F) are useful in preventing or treating cytokine mediated diseases, and as such, inhibit, suppress or antagonize the production or activity of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and/or IL-12.

Disorders mediated through TNF-α and/or LL-12 refers to any and all disorders and disease states in which TNF-α and/or LL-12 play a role, either by the cytokine itself, or by the cytokine causing another cytokine, such as for example LL-1 or LL-6, or a certain mediator to be released.

Due to their cytokine production inhibitory activity, in particular their proinflammatory cytokine production inhibitory activity, more in particular their TNF-α and/or D.,-12 inhibitory activity, the compounds of formula (I) or (F), their N-oxides, pharma- ceutically acceptable addition salts, quaternary amines and stereochemically isomeric forms are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions mediated through cytokines, in particular diseases or conditions related to excessive or unregulated production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and/or IL-12, comprising inflammatory diseases or auto-immune diseases. Diseases or conditions related to an excessive or unregulated production of proinflammatory cytokines comprise rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, spondyloarthropathies, systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, juvenile arthritis and other arthritic conditions, polychondritis, sclerodoma, Wegener granulamatosis, dermatomyositis, Steven-Johnson syndrome, idiopatic sprue, endocrine opthalmopathy, Graves' disease, alveolitis, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, primary billiary cirrhosis, uveitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and vernal keratoconjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, pemphigus, eosinophilia, Loffler's syndrome, eosinophilic pneumonia, parasitic infestation, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, polyarteritis nodosa, eosinophilic granuloma, eosinophil-related disorders affecting the airways occasioned by drug-reaction, sepsis, septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, cerebral malaria, adult respiratory distress syndrome, bronchitis (acute, arachidic, catarrhal, chronic, croupus, phthinoid bronchitis), chronic obstructive airway or pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, tuberculosis, pneumoconiosis (aluminosis,anthracosis, asbestosis, chalicocis, ptilosis, siderosis, sihcosis, tobaccosis, byssionosis), exacerbation of airways hyperreactivity to other drug therapy (e.g. aspirin or β-agonist therapy), silicosis, pulmonary sarcoidosis, bone resorption diseases, meningitis, allergic encephalitis, reperfusion injury, graft versus host reaction, allograft rejections, transplant rejections, fever and myalgias due to infection, such as influenza, cachexia (consequential to, e.g. bacterial, viral or parasitic, infection or to deprivation or deterioration of humoral or other organic function, or secondary to malignancy; malarial and vermal cachexia; cachexia resulting from dysfunction of the pituitary, thyroid or thymus glands as well as uremic cachexia; cachexia secondary to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)), ADDS, ARC (AIDS related complex), diabetes, cancer, angiogenesis, lymphoma, Kawasaki syndrome, Behςet's syndrome, aphthous ulceration, skin-related disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, burns, dermatitis, keloid formation, scar tissue formation, erythema nodosum leprosum, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, pyresis, asthma (intrinsic, extrinsic, allergic, non-atopic, exercise induced and occupational and bacterial infection induced asthma), wheezy infant syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, pancreatitis, cardiac disease, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, acute liver failure, glomerulonephritis, therapy-associated syndromes comprising Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, and syndromes associated with IL-2 infusion, anti-CD3 antibody infusion, hemodialysis, yellow fever vaccination, HIV or other viral infections, such as Hepatitis C, CMV, influenza and heφes virus infections, pseudorabies and rhinotracheitis, angiofollicular lympoid hypeφlasia, anemia (haemolytic, aplastic, pure red cell, idiopatic thrombocytopenia), neutropenia, lymphopenia, hepatosplenomegaly with mononuclear cell infiltration and pulmonary edema with interstitial cell infiltrates; or to prevent these diseases. In particular, the compounds of formula (I) or (F) can be used to treat rheumatoid arthπtis, Crohn's disease, lrπtable bowel disease or colitis.

The cytokine production inhibitory activity of the compounds of formula (I) or (F) such as the inhibition of TNF-α and/or LL-12 production, may be demonstrated in the in vitro test "Inhibition of cytokine production m human whole blood cultures". Suitable in vivo tests are "Determination of cytokine in serum of LPS (hpopolysacchaπde) and antι-CD3 challenged mice", "Inhibition of LPS-galactosamine induced shock in mice", "Inhibition of collagen induced arthπtis in mice".

The compounds of formula (I) or (Y) may also inhibit Interleukιn-6 (LL-6)

The present compounds also have a selective affinity for adenosine A₃ receptors Therefore, they can be used to prevent and/or treat adenosine related diseases such as asthma, allergosis, inflammation, Addison's disease, autoallergic hemolytic anemia, Crohn's disease, psoπasis, rheumatism, diabetes.

The present compounds may also act as intermediates for the preparation of further thiazolyl deπvatives.

In view of the above descπbed pharmacological properties, the compounds of formula (I) or (F) or any subgroup thereof, their N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts, quaternary amines and stereochemically isomeπc forms, may be used as a medicine In particular, the present compounds can be used for the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing diseases mediated through cytokines, more in particular diseases mediated through TNF-α and/or IL-12, such as inflammatory and auto-immune diseases The present compounds can also be used for the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing diseases mediated through activation of the adenosine A₃ receptor

In view of the utility of the compounds of formula (I) or (T), there is provided a method of treating warm-blooded animals, including humans, suffeπng from or a method of preventing warm-blooded animals, including humans, to suffer from diseases mediated through cytokines, m particular mediated through TNF-α and/or LL- 12, such as inflammatory and auto-immune diseases There is also provided a method of treating warm-blooded animals, including humans, suffeπng from or a method of preventing warm-blooded animals, including humans, to suffer from diseases mediated through activation of the adenosine A₃ receptor. Said methods compπse the administration, preferably oral administration, of an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or (F), a N-oxide form, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine or a possible stereoisomeπc form thereof, to warm-blooded animals, including humans.

The present invention also provides compositions for preventing or treating diseases mediated through cytokines or mediated through activation of the adenosine A₃ receptor compπsing a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable earner or diluent

The compounds of the present invention or any subgroup thereof may be formulated into vaπous pharmaceutical forms for administration puφoses. As appropπate compositions there may be cited all compositions usually employed for systemically administeπng drugs. To prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, an effective amount of the particular compound, optionally in addition salt form, as the active ingredient is combined in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable earner, which earner may take a wide vaπety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration These pharmaceutical compositions are desirable m unitary dosage form suitable, particularly, for administration orally, rectally, percutaneously, or by parenteral injection. For example, in prepanng the compositions in oral dosage form, any of the usual pharmaceutical media may be employed such as, for example, water, glycols, oils, alcohols and the like in the case of oral liquid preparations such as suspensions, syrups, elixirs, emulsions and solutions; or solid earners such as starches, sugars, kaolin, diluents, lubπcants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like in the case of powders, pills, capsules, and tablets. Because of their ease in administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit forms, in which case solid pharmaceutical earners are obviously employed. For parenteral compositions, the earner will usually compnse steπle water, at least m large part, though other ingredients, for example, to aid solubility, may be included Injectable solutions, for example, may be prepared in which the earner compπses saline solution, glucose solution or a mixture of saline and glucose solution. Injectable suspensions may also be prepared in which case appropπate liquid earners, suspending agents and the like may be employed Also included are solid form preparations which are intended to be converted, shortly before use, to liquid form preparations. In the compositions suitable for percutaneous administration, the earner optionally compπses a penetration enhancing agent and/or a suitable wetting agent, optionally combined with suitable additives of any nature in minor proportions, which additives do not introduce a significant deleterious effect on the skin. Said additives may facilitate the administration to the skin and/or may be helpful for preparing the desired compositions. These compositions may be administered in various ways, e.g., as a transdermal patch, as a spot-on, as an ointment. The compounds of the present invention may also be administered via inhalation or insufflation by means of methods and formulations employed in the art for administration via this way. Thus, in general the compounds of the present invention may be administered to the lungs in the form of a solution, a suspension or a dry powder. Any system developed for the delivery of solutions, suspensions or dry powders via oral or nasal inhalation or insufflation are suitable for the administration of the present compounds.

To aid solubility of the compounds of formula (I), suitable ingredients, e.g. cyclodextrins, may be included in the compositions. Appropriate cyclodextrins are α-, β-, γ-cyclodextrins or ethers and mixed ethers thereof wherein one or more of the hydroxy groups of the anhydroglucose units of the cyclodextrin are substituted with Cj.galkyl, particularly methyl, ethyl or isopropyl, e.g. randomly methylated β-CD; hydroxyCj.galkyl, particularly hydroxyethyl, hydroxy-propyl or hydroxybutyl; carboxyCι_6alkyl, particularly carboxymethyl or carboxy-ethyl; Ci_6alkylcarbonyl. particularly acetyl. Especially noteworthy as complexants and/or solubilizers are β-CD, randomly methylated β-CD, 2,6-dimethyl-β-CD, 2-hydroxyethyl-β-CD, 2-hydroxyethyl-γ-CD, 2-hydroxypropyl-γ-CD and (2-carboxymethoxy)propyl-β-CD, and in particular 2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD (2-HP-β-CD).

The term mixed ether denotes cyclodextrin derivatives wherein at least two cyclodextrin hydroxy groups are etherified with different groups such as, for example, hydroxy-propyl and hydroxyethyl.

The average molar substitution (M.S.) is used as a measure of the average number of moles of alkoxy units per mole of anhydroglucose. The average substitution degree (D.S.) refers to the average number of substituted hydroxyls per anhydroglucose unit. The M.S. and D.S. value can be determined by various analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). Depending on the technique used, slightly different values may be obtained for one given cyclodextrin derivative. Preferably, as measured by mass spectrometry, the M.S. ranges from 0.125 to 10 and the D.S. ranges from 0.125 to 3. Other suitable compositions for oral or rectal administration compπse particles consisting of a solid dispersion compπsing a compound of foπnula (I) and one or more appropnate pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymers.

The term "a solid dispersion" used hereinafter defines a system in a solid state (as opposed to a liquid or gaseous state) compπsing at least two components, in casu the compound of foπnula (I) and the water-soluble polymer, wherein one component is dispersed more or less evenly throughout the other component or components ( in case additional pharmaceutically acceptable formulating agents, generally known in the art, are included, such as plasticizers, preservatives and the like). When said dispersion of the components is such that the system is chemically and physically uniform or homogenous throughout or consists of one phase as defined in thermo-dynamics, such a solid dispersion will be called "a solid solution". Solid solutions are prefened physical systems because the components therein are usually readily bioavailable to the organisms to which they are administered. This advantage can probably be explained by the ease with which said solid solutions can form liquid solutions when contacted with a liquid medium such as the gastro-mtestinal juices. The ease of dissolution may be attπbuted at least in part to the fact that the energy required for dissolution of the components from a solid solution is less than that required for the dissolution of components from a crystalline or microcrystalline solid phase.

The term "a solid dispersion" also compnses dispersions which are less homogenous throughout than solid solutions. Such dispersions are not chemically and physically uniform throughout or compπse more than one phase. For example, the term "a solid dispersion" also relates to a system having domains or small regions wherein amoφhous, microcrystalline or crystalline compound of formula (I), or amoφhous, microcrystalline or crystalline water-soluble polymer, or both, are dispersed more or less evenly in another phase compπsing water-soluble polymer, or compound of formula (I), or a solid solution compπsmg compound of formula (I) and water-soluble polymer Said domains are regions within the solid dispersion distinctively marked by some physical feature, small in size, and evenly and randomly distnbuted throughout the solid dispersion

Vaπous techniques exist for prepaπng solid dispersions including melt-extrusion, spray-drying and solution-evaporation The solution-evaporation process compπses the following steps : a) dissolving the compound of formula (I) and the water-soluble polymer in an appropπate solvent, optionally at elevated temperatures; b) heating the solution resulting under point a), optionally under vacuum, until the solvent is evaporated. The solution may also be poured onto a large surface so as to form a thin film, and evaporating the solvent therefrom

In the spray-drymg technique, the two components are also dissolved in an appropπate solvent and the resulting solution is then sprayed through the nozzle of a spray dryer followed by evaporating the solvent from the resulting droplets at elevated temperatures.

The preferred technique for prepaπng solid dispersions is the melt-extrusion process compnsmg the following steps : a) mixing a compound of formula (I) and an appropπate water-soluble polymer, b) optionally blending additives with the thus obtained mixture, c) heating and compounding the thus obtained blend until one obtains a homogenous melt, d) forcing the thus obtained melt through one or more nozzles; and e) cooling the melt till it solidifies.

The terms "melt" and "melting" should be inteφreted broadly. These terms not only mean the alteration from a solid state to a liquid state, but can also refer to a transition to a glassy state or a rubbery state, and in which it is possible for one component of the mixture to get embedded more or less homogeneously into the other. In particular cases, one component will melt and the other component(s) will dissolve in the melt thus forming a solution, which upon cooling may form a solid solution having advantageous dissolution properties.

After prepaπng the solid dispersions as descπbed hereinabove, the obtained products can be optionally milled and sieved.

The solid dispersion product may be milled or ground to particles having a particle size of less than 600 μm, preferably less than 400 μm and most preferably less than 125 μm.

The particles prepared as descπbed hereinabove can then be formulated by conventional techniques into pharmaceutical dosage forms such as tablets and capsules. It will be appreciated that a person of skill in the art will be able to optimize the parameters of the solid dispersion preparation techniques described above, such as the most appropriate solvent, the working temperature, the kind of apparatus being used, the rate of spray-drying, the throughput rate in the melt-extruder

The water-soluble polymers in the particles are polymers that have an apparent viscosity, when dissolved at 20°C in an aqueous solution at 2 % (w/v), of 1 to 5000 mPa.s more preferably of 1 to 700 mPa.s, and most prefened of 1 to 100 mPa.s. For example, suitable water-soluble polymers include alkylcelluloses, hydroxyalkyl- celluloses, hydroxyalkyl alkylcelluloses, carboxyalkylcelluloses, alkali metal salts of carboxyalkylcelluloses, carboxyalkylalkylcelluloses, carboxyalkylcellulose esters, starches, pectines, chitin derivates, di-, oligo- and polysaccharides such as trehalose, alginic acid or alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, carrageenans, galactomannans, tragacanth, agar-agar, gummi arabicum, guar gummi and xanthan gummi, polyacrylic acids and the salts thereof, polymethacrylic acids and the salts thereof, methacrylate copolymers, polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylpynolidone, copolymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone with vinyl acetate, combinations of polyvinylalcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxides and copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Preferred water-soluble polymers are hydroxypropyl methylcelluloses.

Also one or more cyclodextrins can be used as water soluble polymer in the preparation of the above-mentioned particles as is disclosed in WO 97/18839. Said cyclodextrins include the pharmaceutically acceptable unsubstituted and substituted cyclodextrins known in the art, more particularly α, β or γ cyclodextrins or the pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof.

Substituted cyclodextrins which can be used to prepare the above described particles include polyethers described in U.S. Patent 3,459,731. Further substituted cyclodextrins are ethers wherein the hydrogen of one or more cyclodextrin hydroxy groups is replaced by Cι_6alkyl, hydroxyCi-6alkyl, carboxy-Ci-6alkyl or Ci-6alkyloxycarbonylCι _6alkyl or mixed ethers thereof. In particular such substituted cyclodextrins are ethers wherein the hydrogen of one or more cyclodextrin hydroxy groups is replaced by Ci-3alkyl, hydroxyC2-4alkyl or carboxyCi-2alkyl or more in particular by methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl, carboxy- methyl or carboxy ethyl. Of particular utility are the β-cyclodextπn ethers, e.g. dimethyl-β-cyclodextnn as descπbed in Drugs of the Future, Vol. 9, No. 8, p. 577-578 by M. Nogradi (1984) and polyethers, e.g hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextnn and hydroxyethyl β-cyclodextπn, being examples. Such an alkyl ether may be a methyl ether with a degree of substitution of about 0 125 to 3, e.g. about 0.3 to 2. Such a hydroxypropyl cyclodextπn may for example be formed from the reaction between β-cyclodextπn an propylene oxide and may have a MS value of about 0.125 to 10, e g about 0.3 to 3.

Another type of substituted cyclodextnns is sulfobutylcyclodextπnes

The ratio of the compound of formula (I) over the water soluble polymer may vary widely For example ratios of 1/100 to 100/1 may be applied. Interesting ratios of the compound of formula (I) over cyclodextπn range from about 1/10 to 10/1 More interesting ratios range from about 1/5 to 5/1.

It may further be convenient to formulate the compounds of formula (I) in the form of nanoparticles which have a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface thereof in an amount sufficient to maintain an effective average particle size of less than 1000 nm Useful surface modifiers are believed to include those which physically adhere to the surface of the compound of formula (I) but do not chemically bond to said compound

Suitable surface modifiers can preferably be selected from known organic and inorganic pharmaceutical excipients Such excipients include vanous polymers, low molecular weight oligomers, natural products and surfactants. Prefened surface modifiers include nonionic and anionic surfactants

Yet another interesting way of formulating the compounds of formula (I) involves a pharmaceutical composition whereby the compounds of formula (I) are incoφorated in hydrophilic polymers and applying this mixture as a coat film over many small beads, thus yielding a composition which can conveniently be manufactured and which is suitable for prepanng pharmaceutical dosage forms for oral administration

Said beads compπse a central, rounded or spheπcal core, a coating film of a hydrophilic polymer and a compound of formula (I) and optionally a seal-coatmg layer Mateπals suitable for use as cores in the beads are manifold, provided that said mateπals are pharmaceutically acceptable and have appropπate dimensions and firmness. Examples of such mateπals are polymers, inorganic substances, organic substances, and sacchaπdes and deπvatives thereof

It is especially advantageous to formulate the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Unit dosage form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active ingredient calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect m association with the required pharmaceutical earner. Examples of such unit dosage forms are tablets (including scored or coated tablets), capsules, pills, powder packets, wafers, suppositoπes, injectable solutions or suspensions and the like, and segregated multiples thereof

The present compounds are orally active compounds, and are preferably orally administered

The exact dosage and frequency of administration depends on the particular compound of formula (I) used, the particular condition being treated, the seventy of the condition being treated, the age, weight, sex, extent of disorder and general physical condition of the particular patient as well as other medication the individual may be taking, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is evident that said effective daily amount may be lowered or increased depending on the response of the treated subject and/or depending on the evaluation of the physician prescπbing the compounds of the instant invention.

The compounds of formula (I) may also be used in combination with other conventional anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agents, such as steroids, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs, TNF- α antibodies, such as for example acetyl salicylic acid, bufexamac, diclofenac potassium, suhndac, diclofenac sodium, ketorolac trometamol, tolmetme, ibuprofen, naproxen, naproxen sodium, tiaprofen acid, flurbiprofen, mefenamic acid, nifluminic acid, meclofenamate, lndomethacin, proglumetacine, ketoprofen, nabumetone, paracetamol, piroxicam, tenoxicam, nimesuhde, fenylbutazon, tramadol, beclomethasone dipropionate, betamethasone, beclamethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, mometasone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylpredmsolone, prednisolone, prednisone, tπamcinolone, celecoxib, rofecoxib, lnfliximab, leflunomide, etanercept, CPH 82, methotrexate, sulfasalazine, antilymphocytory lmmunoglobu nes, antithymocytory lmmunoglobu nes, azathiopnne, cyclosponne, tacrolimus substances, ascomycin, rapamycin, muromonab-CD3.

Thus, the present invention also relates to the combination of a compound of formula (I) and another anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent. Said combination may be used as a medicine. The present invention also relates to a product containing (a) a compound of formula (I), and (b) another anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive compound, as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment of diseases related to an excessive or unregulated cytokine production. The different drugs may be combined in a single preparation together with pharmaceutically acceptable earners

Expenmental part

A. Preparation of the intermediate compounds Example Al

2-Bromo-acetoacetaldehyde (0.1 mol) was added portionwise to pyrazinamine (0.1 mol) in ethanol (200 ml) while stirnng. The reaction mixture was stined and refluxed for one hour, then allowed to cool to room temperature The precipitate was filtered off and dned. Yield: 13.5 g of l-(ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyrazm-3-yl)efhanone (55%) (interm. 1).

Example A2 a) A mixture of 2-pyπmιdmamιne (0.5 mol) and 1,1-dιmethoxy-NN-dιmethyl- methanamme (0.55 mol) in methylbenzene (500 ml) was stined and refluxed for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: ± 75 g of NN-dιmethyl-N-(2-pyπmιdιnyl)methanιmιdamιde (interm. 2). b) A mixture of intermediate (2) (0.066 mol) and l-chloro-2-propanone (0.13 mol) in CH₂C1₂ (500 ml) was stmed and refluxed for 48 hours The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from CH CΝ, filtered off, washed and dned. Yield: 6.9 g of ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπmιdm-3-ylethanone (65 1%) (interm. 3).

Example A3 a) A mixture of 6-(tπfluoromethyl)-3-pyπdιnecarboxyhc acid (0.026 mol) in thionyl chlonde (50 ml) was stined and refluxed for 2 hours. The solvent was evaporated

Yield : 5 2g of 6-(tnfluoromethyl)-3-pyπdιnecarbonyl chlonde (interm. 4) b) A mixture of 2,2-dιmethyl-l,3-dιoxane-4,6-dιone (0.025 mol) in dichloromethane (150ml) was stmed under N₂ flow and cooled to 0°C. N,N-Dιmethyl-4-pyndmamιne (0.055 mol) was dissolved dichloromethane (50 ml) and added dropwise to the first solution at 0°C. This reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes without an ice-bath The mixture was again cooled and intermediate 4 (0.025 mol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (100 ml) and added dropwise to the first solution at 0°C The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 0°C and overnight at room temperature under N₂ flow. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with HCl IN (30 ml) and H₂O (70 ml) and again with H₂O (2x) The separated organic layer was dned, filtered and the solvent was evaporated Yield 6 lg of l-[6- (tπfluoromethyl)-3-pyπdmyl]ethanone ( interm. 5)

Example A4

Reference method: Lip ski et al J.Org.Chem 1984,49,50 A solution of acetyl chlonde (0.072 mol) in dichloromethane (10 ml) was added dropwise to a mixture of 1- (2-methyl-lH-ιmιdazol-4-yl)ethanone (0.024 mol) and N,N-dιethylethanamιne (0 072 mol) m dichloromethane (230 ml). The mixture was st ed for 1 hour N,N- diethylethanamine (0.75 g) was added again. The mixture was washed very shortly with ice water (50 ml) and separated into its layers. The aqueous layer was extracted twice with CΗ₂C1₂ (30 ml). The combined organic layer was dned (MgSO ), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in CH₂C1₂ (100 ml) tnmethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate (0.053 mol) was added. Νa₂CO₃ (80 ml) was added The organic layer was separated, dned (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was puπfied by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 100/0 to 98/2). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield- 3 4g of l-(l,2-dιmethyl-lH-ιmιdazol-5-yl)ethanone (interm 6)

Example A5 a) 6-Chloro-ιrmdazo[l,2-a]pyπdιne (0 1 mol) was dissolved in CS₂ (400 ml) The solution was warmed A1C1₃ (0 3 mol) was added portionwise (exothermic temperature πse to reflux temperature) A solution of chloroacetyl chlonde (0 2 mol) in CS₂ (100 ml) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stmed and refluxed for 4 hours, then stmed overnight at room temperature The mixture was decomposed with ice (200 g) CΗ₃OΗ (100 ml) was added. IN HCl (100 ml) was added and the mixture was stmed for 2 hours. The precipitate was filtered off, nnsed with 2-propanone and dned. Yield- 8.86 g of 2-chloro-l-(6-chloroιrnιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdιn-3-yl)ethanone monohydrochloπde (interm 7) The filtrate was alkalized with Na₂CO₃, then with 50% NaOH This mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x) The separated organic layer was dned, filtered and the solvent evaporated The residue was dissolved m 2-propanone and converted into the hydrochlonc acid salt (1 1) with HCl/2-propanol The precipitate was filtered off and dned Yield 1 81g of intermediate (7) Total yield . 10 67g (40 2%) of intermediate (7) O 01/64674

-47-

b) Reaction under N₂ atmosphere. Tetrahydrofuran (700 ml) was cooled to -70°C. n-Butyllithium 2.5M in hexane (100 ml) was added. A solution of N-(l-methylethyl)- 2-propanamine (0.22 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml) was added dropwise at -70°C, then warmed slowly to -40°C and stirred for 30 minutes at -40°C. The reaction mixture was re-cooled to -70°C. A solution of imidazo[l,5-a]pyridine (0.2 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours, allowing the temperature to rise to ± -30°C. The reaction mixture was re-cooled to -70°C. A solution of N,N-dimethyl-2-chloroacetamide (0.22 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml) was added dropwise. The cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was stined until the temperature reached ± 0°C. The reaction mixture was cooled, decomposed with ice and 2Ν HCl. The layers were separated. The water layer was extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated. Yield: 24 g of 2-chloro-l-(imidazo[l,5-a]pyridin-3-yl)ethanone (62%) (interm. 8). c) Intermediate (1) (0.02 mol) in HBr 48% (90 ml) was stined at 70°C. A solution of Br₂ (0.02 mol) in HBr 48% (10 ml) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stined for one hour at 70°C. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was stined in 2-propanone with a small amount of ethanol, filtered off and dried. Yield: 6.15 g of 2-bromo-l-(imidazo[l,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl)ethanone monohydrobromide (interm. 9). d) l-(lH-indazol-3-yl)ethanone (0.01 mol) was stirred in 1,4-dioxane (100 ml), at room temperature. A solution of Br₂ (0.01 mol) in 1,4-dioxane (20 ml) was added dropwise and the resulting reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from CΗ₃OΗ, filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.73 g of 2-bromo-l-(lH- indazol-3-yl)ethanone (interm. 10). e) Intermediate (3) (0.15 mol) was dissolved in acetic acid (250 ml). A solution of Br₂ (0.3 mol) in acetic acid (40 ml) was added dropwise at room temperature and the resulting reaction mixture was stined for 2 hours at 100°C (steam bath). The reaction mixture was cooled to 0°C, then stined overnight at room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off, washed and dried (in vacuo). Yield: 40.4 g (84.2%, mixture of two major compounds). HPLC separation gave two fraction groups. The solvent of each group was evaporated. Yield: 17 g of 2,2-di bromo- l-(imidazo[l, 2-a]pyrimidin-3- yl)ethanone (interm. 8) and 7.2 g of 2-bromo-l-(imidazo[l,2-a]- pyrimidin-3-yl)ethanone monohydrobromide (interm. 11). f) l-(6-chloroimidazo[l,2-b]pyridazin-3-yl)ethanone (0.005 mol) was dissolved in a solution of hydrobromide 48% (15 ml). The mixture was heated to ± 70 °C. Br₂ (0.005 mol) was added dropwise over 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off, washed, then suspended m 2- propanone. The precipitate was filtered off, washed and dned. Yield: 1.2 g of 2,2- dιbromo-l-(6-chloroιmιdazo[l,2-b]pyπdazιn-3-yl)ethanone (mterm. 12)

Example A6 a) N,N-dιethylethanamιne (2.61 g) was added to a mixture of 6-(tπfluoromethyl)-3- pyndmecarboxy c acid (0.025mol) in t-butanol (100 ml). The mixture was warmed up to 90°C. Phosphorazidic acid, diphenyl ester (0.025 mol) was added dropwise (Ν₂- development). The mixture was stmed at 90°C overnight. The solvent was evaporated. The residue (16.98 g) was punfied by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent CH₂C1₂ 100%) The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 6.3 g (96%) of carbamic acid, (6-tπfluoromethyl-3-pyπdιnyl), 1,1- dimethylefhyl ester (mterm. 13) b) HBr/acetic acid (30ml) was added to a mixture of intermediate 13 (0 02 mol) and ethyl acetate (150 ml) (a precipitate was formed immediately). EtOH was added. More HBr/acetic acid (10 ml) was added. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate. NaOH (1M) was added. The mixture was extracted. The organic layer was separated, dned, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. HCl 1M (100 ml) was added. The solution was stmed at 80°C for 4 hours The solvent was evaporated. NaOH (1M) was added. The mixture was extracted with CH₂C1₂ (3X 100 ml). The combined organic layer was dned, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 2.64g of 6-(tπfluoromethyl)-3-pyπdιnamιne (interm. 14). c) A solution of benzoyl isothiocyanate (0.016 mol) m tetrahydrofuran (50 ml) was added at room temperature to a mixture of intermediate 14 (0.016 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (200 ml) The mixture was stined overnight The solvent was evaporated. The residue was stmed in diisopropyl ether The precipitate was filtered off and dned m vacuo at 40°C Yield. 3.189g (61 3%) of N-[[6-(tπfluoromethyl)-3- pyndιnyl-amιno]thιoxomethyl]benzamιde (interm. 15) d) A mixture of intermediate 15 (0.0098 mol) and NaOH 1M (0 01 mol) in ethanol (150 ml) was stined and refluxed for 30 minutes and then cooled MgS0 was added. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was stmed in diisopropyl ether, stmed and refluxed, cooled, filtered and dned Yield 1 178g (54.3%) of [6-(tπfluoromethyl)-3-pyndιnyl] thiourea (interm 16)

The following intermediates were prepared analogous to one of the above examples (the example number according to which they were prepared is indicated between square brackets after the intermediate number) mterm. 17 [A5d] hydrochlonde (l: l);ιnterm. 20 [A5a]

interm. 18 [A5c]

15 hydrobromide (l: l);ιnterm. 21 [Al]

hydrobromide (l:l);ιnterm. 19 [A5c]

B. Preparation of the final compounds Example BI a) A mixture of 2-chloro-l-(ιmιdazo[2. l-b]thιazol-5-yl)ethanone monohydrochlonde (0 0025 mol), prepared according to A5a), and intermediate 16 (0.0025 mol) in ethanol (50 ml) was stined at 80°C for 10 hours and then cooled. The precipitate was filtered off and dned Yield: 0.54g of 4-(ιmιdazo[2,l-b]thιazol-5-yl)-N-[(6-tπfluoromethyl)-3- pyndιnyl]-2-thιazolamme monohydrochlonde ; mp 242°C (comp. 568). b) A mixture of intermediate (10) (0.001 mol) and (4-chlorophenyl)thιourea (0.001 mol) in ethanol (10 ml) was stmed for 3 hours at ± 70°C, then stmed overnight at room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off and dned Yield 0.33 g of Ν-(4-chloro- phenyl)-4-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyrazιn-3-yl-2-thιazolamιne monohydrobromide (comp. 2). c) A mixture of intermediate (11) (0.005 mol) and 3-pyπdιnylthιourea (0.005 mol) in ethanol (50 ml) was stmed and refluxed for 12 hours, then cooled and the resulting precipitate was filtered off, washed and dned (vacuum) Yield. 0.2 g of N-(4-ιmιdazo- [l,2-a]pyπmιdιn-3-yl-2-thιazolyl)-3-pyπdιnamιne monohydrobromide (10.5%) (comp. 3) d) A mixture of 2-bromo l-(5-methyl-3-pyπdιnyl)ethanone (0 00125 mol) and 2,2- dibromo l-(5-methyl-3-pyπdιnyl)ethanone (0 00125 mol), both prepared according to A5e), and [3-(tπfluoromethyl)-phenyl]thιourea in ethanol (25 ml) was stined and refluxed for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was stmed overnight at room temperature A solid was formed, filtered off, washed and dned (vacuum). Yield : 0.4 g of N-[3- (tnfluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[5-methyl-3-pyπdιnyl]-2-thιazolamιne monohydrobromide (comp. 626).

Example B2 A mixture of N-(3-nιtro-phenyl-4-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdιn-3-yl-2-thιazolamme, (0.003 mol), prepared according to the synthesis procedure described under Bla-2), in methanol (150 ml) was hydrogenated with palladium-on-charcoal 10% (1 g) as a catalyst in the presence of thiophene 4% in dnsopropylether (1 ml). After uptake of hydrogen (3 equivalents), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethanol and converted into the hydrochloπc acid salt (1:2) with HCl/2-propanol. The precipitate was filtered off and dned. Yield: 0.85 g of N-(4- ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdm-3-yl-2-thιazolyl)-l,3-benzenedιamιne dihydrochloπde monohydrate (comp 5)

Example B3 A mixture of compound (6) (see Table 2) (0.0025 mol), prepared according to the synthesis procedure descnbed under Bib), in HCl cone. (10 ml) and water (10 ml) was stmed and refluxed for 1 hour. HCl cone. (10 ml) and water (10 ml) were added again. The mixture was stined and refluxed for 16 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from CH₃OH. The precipitate was filtered off and dned in vacuo at 50°C for 16 hours Yielding- 0.4g of 4-[(4-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyndιn-3-yl-2- thιazolyl)amιno]benzoιc acid monohydrochlonde (38%) (comp. 7).

Example B4

A mixture of compound 634 (0.0014 mol) in water (60 ml) was stined and then a hydrobromide solution 48% (6 ml) was added. The reaction mixture was stined and refluxed for 8 hours. The reaction mixture was stined further for 48 hours at room temperature under N₂ flow. The solvent is evaporated. The residue was crystallized from 2-propanone and CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dned Yield : 0.6 lg of 6-[2-[[2,3-dιchlorophenyl]amιno]-4-thιazolyl]pyπdιnamme monohydrobromide; mp. 236°C (comp 635).

Example B5

A mixture of N-[5-[(l-oxo-2-bromo)ethyl]-2-pyπdιnyl]acetamιde (0.002 mol), prepared according to A5c), and [3-(tπfluoromethyl)phenyl]thιourea (0.002 mol) in ethanol (100 ml) was stined and refluxed for 1 hour. The mixture was cooled and the precipitate was filtered off This precipitate was stmed m water (90 ml) and a hydrobromide solution 48% (10 ml) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred and refluxed overnight, cooled off and washed with CH₂C1₂ (2x). The aqueous layer was evaporated until dry, stined in 2-propanone, filtered off and dried. The precipate was stined in water and the formed precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield 0.25g of 6-[2-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]amino]-4-thiazolyl]pyridinamine monohydrobromide monohydrate; mp. 148°C (comp. 637).

Tables 1 to 12 list the compounds of formula (I) which were prepared according to one of the above described examples.

* — = decomposition

= decomposition

Table 4

= decomposition

decomposition

Table 10

decomposition

Table 11

Table 12

Table 13 lists both the experimental (column heading "Exper") and theoretical (column heading "Theor") elemental analysis values for carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N) and chloor (CI) for the compounds as prepared in the experimental part hereinabove.

Table 13

C. Pharmacological example

Example C.l : in vitro inhibition of TNF-α production in human blood Human whole blood stimulation

Peπpheral blood from healthy male donors was drawn into hepaπmzed syπnges (12.5 U hepaπn/ml). Blood samples were three-fold diluted in RMPI 1640 medium (Life Technologies, Belgium) supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamme, 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin, and 300 μl fractions were distπbuted in 24-well multidisc plates (Nunc, Roskilde, Denmark). Blood samples were preincubated (60 minutes at 37°C) in a humidified 6% CO₂-atmosphere with 100 μl of drug solvent (final concentration 0.02% dimethylsulfoxide in RPMI 1640) or with 100 μl of an appropπate dose of test compound before being stimulated by the addition of 100 μl of hpopolysacchaπde at a final concentration of 100 ng/ml. After 6 hours, cell-free supernatant fluids were collected by centrifugation and stored at -20°C until tested for the presence of TNF-α.

Example C.2 : in vitro inhibition of IL-12 production in human blood Human whole blood stimulation

Peπpheral blood from healthy male donors was drawn into hepaπmzed syπnges (12.5 U hepaπn/ml). Blood samples were three-fold diluted m RMPI 1640 medium (Life Technologies, Belgium) supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin, and 300 μl fractions were distπbuted in 24-well multidisc plates (Nunc, Roskilde, Denmark). Blood samples were preincubated (60 minutes at 37°C) in a humidified 6% CO₂-atmosphere with 100 μl of drug solvent (final concentration 0.02% dimethylsulfoxide in RPMI 1640) or with 100 μl of an appropπate dose of test compound before being stimulated by the addition of 100 μl of hpopolysacchaπde at a final concentration of 100 ng/ml. After 24 hours, cell-free supernatant fluids were collected by centπfugation and stored at -20°C until tested for the presence of IL-12 Example C.3 : cytokine measurements

Cytokine protein concentrations were determined by sandwich ELISA as described in Nan Wauwe et al. (1996, Inflamm Res, 45, 357-363). Murine monoclonals used as capture antibodies to human cytokines were obtained from R&D Systems (Abingdon, United Kingdom) and code named MAB210 and MAB611 for TΝF-α and IL-12 respectively. Biotinylated goat polyclonal antibodies used to detect human cytokines were from R&D Systems (BAF210, BAF219). Cytokine levels were calculated from standard curves using recombinant cytokines supplied by R&D Systems.

Table 14 lists the percentage inhibition of TΝF-α and IL-12 production (column "%inh") at a test dose of 1 x 10^"6 and 1 x 10^"7 M for the compounds of the present invention.

Table 14

Claims

1. Use of a compound for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or the treatment of diseases mediated through cytokines, wherein the compound is a compound of formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeπc form thereof, wherein

Q is C_{3 6}cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, pyπdyl, pyπmidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyπdazinyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indazolyl, or lmidazopyπdyl, each of said πngs optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; azido; amino; mono- or dι(Cι.₆alkyl)amιno; Cι-₆alkyl, C₂.₆alkenyl; C₂-₆alkynyl; C_{3 6}cycloalkyl; substituted with hydroxy, C_]-6alkyloxy, ammo, mono-or dι(Cι alkyl)amιno; Ci ₆alkyloxy; Ci ₆alkylthιo; Cι.₆alkylcarbonyl; Ci ₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylCi.

₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloCi ₆alkyl; polyhalo-Ci ₆alkyloxy; polyhalo- C, ealkylcarbonyl; C alkyl-S(=O)_n- or R'HN-S(=O)_n-; or

Q is a radical of formula

wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³ being hydrogen or q is an integer with value 1 to 4,

Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or C_t.₄alkyl; r is an integer with value 1 to 3; n is an integer with value 1 or 2; R represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula

R^2a being hydrogen, Ci ₆alkyl or Ci ₆alkyloxy, L is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to 4 substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, ammo, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or Cι_-6alkyl, Cj ₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Ciπ_talkyloxy or ammo or mono-or dι(Cι- alkyl)ammo, polyhaloCi ₆alkyl, Ci- alkyloxy, Cι-₆alkyloxycarbonyl, Cj ₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or dι(Cι_-6alkyl)amιnocarbonyl, Ci ₆alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, Ci alkyloxy- C(=O)-MH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or dι(Cι ₄alkyl)ammo-C(=O)-NH-; or

Het is (l) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng containing at least two double bonds and containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O, (ii) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng containing at least two double bonds and containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered πng, which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first πng, only carbon atoms; the latter πng may be unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated, (in) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng containing at least two double bonds and at least one heteroatom and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng, which contains, apart from the atoms in common w ith the first πng, at least one heteroatom; the latter πng may be unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; said bicyclic πng system contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms, each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O; wherein Het being a monocyclic πng system may optionally be substituted with up to 4 substituents, and wherein Het being a bicyclic πng system may optionally be substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy. amino, cyano, carboxyl. mono-or dι(C) alkyl)amιno, Cj ₆alkyl, Cj ₆alkyl substituted w ith hydroxy or Cι_₄alkyloxy or ammo or mono-or dι(Cι alkyl)amιno, polyhaloCi ₆alkyl, Cι_₆alkyloxy, ₆alkyloxycarbonyl, Cj ₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or dι(Cι ₆alkyl)amιnocarbonyl, d ₆alkyl-C(=O)-NH-. Ci ₆alkyloxy-

C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or dι(C, ₄alkyl)ammo-C(=O)-NH-, aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C_]-6alkyl, polyhaloCι- alkyl, d_-6alkyloxy, Ci-βalkylthio, cyano, nitro, ammo, mono-or dι(Cι alkyl)amιno.

2. Use of a compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein L is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to 4 substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, ammo, mono or dι(C] ₄alkyl)ammo, or Ci-βalkyloxy; or L is Het, optionally substituted with up to 4 substituents when Het is a monocyclic πng, or up to 6 substituents when Het is a bicyclic πng, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, ammo, mono or dι(Cι- alkyl)amιno, Cι_-6alkyl, polyhaloCi ₆alkyl or Cι_₆alkyloxy; and wherein aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, Q ₆alkyl, C]- alkyloxy, Cι_6alkylthιo, cyano, nitro, amino, mono-or dι(Cι ₆alkyl)ammo; and wherein Q is phenyl, naphthyl, pyπdyl, pyπmidinyl, pyrazinyl or pyπdazinyl, each of said πngs optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano, carboxy; azido, amino; mono- or Cι.₆alkyl; C₂.₆alkenyl, C₂ ₆alkynyl; C_{3 6}cycloalkyl; d ₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, Cι_-6alkyloxy, ammo, mono-or dι(Cι- alkyl)amιno; Cj ₆alkyloxy; Ci ₆alkylcarbonyl, Ci ₆alkyloxycarbonyl, arylCi-βalkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloCi ₆alkyl; polyhalo-Ci

₆alkyloxy; polyhaloCι.₆alkylcarbonyl; Cι- alkyl-S(=O)_n- or R¹HN-S(=O) _n-; or Q is a radical of formula

wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³ being hydrogen or Ci alkyl, q is an integer with value 1 to 4;

Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or C_{t 4}alkyl, r is an integer with value 1 to 3,

3. Use of a compound as claimed in claim 1 or 2 provided that L is other than optionally substituted phenyl and provided that when L is Het then Het is other than optionally substituted isothiazolyl, 2-pyπdyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxaz yl and benzoxazmonyl

4. Use of a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3 for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or the treatment of diseases mediated through activation of the adenosine A₃ receptor.

5. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the diseases mediated through cytokines are TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha) and IL-12 (Interleukin 12) mediated diseases

6. Use according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 and 5 wherein the diseases are inflammatory or autoimmune diseases

7. Use according to claim 6 wherein the inflammatory or autoimmune diseases are rheumatoid arthπtis, Crohn's disease, untable bowel disease or colitis.

8. A compound of formula

a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amme and a stereochemically isomeπc form thereof, wherein Q is C₃ όCycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, pyπdyl, pyπmidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyπdazinyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indazolyl, or lmidazopyπdyl, each of said πngs optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy, cyano, carboxy; azido; amino, mono- or dι(Cι_₆alkyl)amιno, Cι-₆alkyl, C_{2 6}alkenyl, C_{2 6}alkynyl, C_{3 6}cycloalkyl; Ci ₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, d alkyloxy, amino, mono-or dι(C].₄alkyl)amιno,

Ci ₆alkyloxy; Ci ₆alkylthιo; Ci alkylcarbonyl, Ci ₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylCj ₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloCi ₆alkyl; polyhalo-Cj ₆alkyloxy, polyhalo- Ci-galkylcarbonyl, C, ₄alkyl-S(=O)„- or R^IHΝ-S(=O) „-, or Q is a radical of formula

wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR , CH₂ or S, with R being hydrogen or Ci ₄alkyl, q is an integer with value 1 to 4; Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or Ci alkyl; r is an integer with value 1 to 3; n is an integer with value 1 or 2; R¹ represents hydrogen, or a radical of formula

H*^2a N A (a-1) with A being O, S or a bivalent radical of formula -CR^2a=N- with CR^2a attached to N of formula (a-1); and

R^2a being hydrogen, Cι_₆alkyl or Ci ₆alkyloxy; L is 3-halophenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or dι(d ₄alkyl)amιno, Cι_-6alkyl, Ci ₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Cι_₄alkyloxy or amino or mono-or dι(Cι- alkyl)amιno, polyhaloCi ₆alkyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, C_1-6alkyloxycarbonyl, d ₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or dι(d ₆alkyl)ammocarbonyl, Ci ₆alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, Ci ₆alkyloxy-

C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or dι(C,.₄alkyl)amιno-C(=O)-NH-; or L is Het;

Het is (l) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng containing at least two double bonds and containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O;

(n) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng containing at least two double bonds and containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered πng, which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first πng. only carbon atoms; the latter πng may be unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated, (in) an optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng containing at least two double bonds and at least one heteroatom and being fused through 2 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms or 1 carbon and 1 nitrogen atom with another optionally substituted five- or six-membered heterocyclic πng, which contains, apart from the atoms in common with the first πng, at least one heteroatom; the latter πng may be unsaturated, partially unsaturated or saturated; said bicyclic πng system contains in total from 2 up to 6 heteroatoms, each independently being selected where possible from N, S or O, wherein Het being a monocyclic πng system may optionally be substituted with up to 4 substituents, and wherein Het being a bicyclic πng system may optionally be substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, mono-or dι(Cι ₄alkyl)amιno, Ci ₆alkyl, d.₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy or Cι_ alkyloxy or amino or mono-or dι(Cι. alkyl)amιno, polyhaloCi ₆alkyl, C]. alkyloxy, Ci ₆alkyloxycarbonyl, Ci ₆alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono-or dι(Cj ₆alkyl)amιnocarbonyl, d.₆alkyl-C(=O)-NH-, Cι.₆alkyloxy-

C(=O)-NH-, H₂N-C(=O)-NH- or mono- or dι(C, ₄alkyl)amιno-C(=O)-NH-; aryl is phenyl, optionally substituted with up to five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, Ci ₆alkyl, polyhaloCi ₆alkyl, Cι_₆alkyloxy, Ci ₆alkylthιo, cyano, nitro, ammo, mono-or dι(Cι ₆alkyl)ammo. provided that

- Het is other than optionally substituted isothiazolyl, 2-pyπdyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazinyl and benzoxazinonyl,

- when Q is phenyl substituted with hydroxy or d ₆alkyloxy and carboxy or Cι-₆alkyloxycarbonyl then Het is other than 3-pyπdyl or 4-pyπdyl; - when Q is phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 2-furanyl, 5-bromo-2-benzofuranyl, 1 ,2-dιhydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyπdyl, 2-benzofuranyl, 5-chloro-2- benzimidazolyl, 2-benzιmιdazolyl, 3-pyπdyl, 4-pyπdyl, 6-methyl-thιazolo [3,2-b] [l,2,4]tπazol-5-yl, 2.6-dιmethyl-thιazolo [3,2-b] [l,2,4]tπazol-5-yl or 5,6-dιhydro- 4,5-dιmethyl-2(H)-3-pyranonyl, - when Q is 2-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 2-benzofuranyl or 3-pyπdyl,

- when Q is 4-methoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-furanyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 3-pyπdyl, 4-pyπdyl, l,2-dιhydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyπdyl, l,2-dιhydro-6-ethyl-2-oxo- 3-cyano-5-pyπdyl, 4-(dιmethylamιno)-l,2-dιhydro-6-rnethyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5- pyπdyl, l,2-dιhydro-4-methoxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyπdyl or 3-amιno-6- methyl-2(lH)-5-pyπdmonyl,

- when Q is 4-chloro-phenyl then Ηet is other than 2-furanyl, 2-thienyl, 5-chloro-2- benzimidazolyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 3-pyπdyl, 4-pyπdyl or 5,6-dιhydro-4,5-dιmethyl-2(Η)-3- pyranonyl; - when Q is 3-chloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 3-pyridyl or 1,2-dihydro- 6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl;

- when Q is 2-chloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl;

- when Q is 3-methyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl or 3-pyridyl; - when Q is 2,3-dichloro-phenyl then Het is other than 3-pyridyl;

- when Q is 4-bromo-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, or 5-chloro-2- benzimidazolyl; when Q is 4-fluoro-phenyl then Het is other than 4-pyridyl; - when Q is 1-naphthyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, or 3-pyridyl;

- when Q is 4-ethoxy-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl;

- when Q is 2-naphthyl, 2-carboxy-phenyl, 3-carboxy-phenyl, 4-carboxy-phenyl, 4-amino-phenyl or 3-chloro-2,6-dinitro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl;

- when Q is 4-benzenesulfonamide then Het is other than 2-furanyl, or 1,2,3,4-tetra- hydro-2,4-dioxo-5-pyrimidinyl;

- when Q is N-methyl-4-benzenesulfonamide then Het is other than 3-thienyl; - when Q is N-butyl-4-benzenesulfonamide then Het is other than 2-furanyl;

- when Q is 2- pyridyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl;

- when Q is 3-pyridyl then Het is other than 2-thienyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl or 1,2- dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl;

- when Q is 2,4-dichloro-phenyl then Het is other than 2-pyrazinyl, or 4-pyridyl; when Q is 4-pyridyl then Het is other than 3-quinolinyl or l,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2- oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl;

- when Q is 2,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, 4- methylthiophenyl, or 4-methylsulfinylphenyl then Het is other than l,2-dihydro-6- methyl-2-oxo-3-cyano-5-pyridyl.

9. A compound as claimed in claim 8 wherein L is Het and Het, being a monocyclic ring system, may optionally be substituted with up to 4 substituents, and Het, being a bicyclic ring system, may optionally be substituted with up to 6 substituents, said substituents each independently being selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, mono or di(Ci_ alkyl)amino, Cι_₆alkyl, polyhaloCi-βalkyl or Cι_₆alkyloxy; and wherein Q is phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl or pyridazinyl, each of said rings optionally being substituted with up to three substituents each independently selected from halo; hydroxy; cyano; carboxy; ammo; mono- or dι(Cι_6alkyl)amιno; Ci ₆alkyl; C_{2 6}alkenyl, C_{2 6}alkynyl; C_{3 6}cycloalkyl; Cι_₆alkyl substituted with hydroxy, d ₆alkyloxy, ammo, mono-or dι(Cι_-4alkyl)amιno; Cι-₆alkyloxy; d.₆alkylthιo; Cι_ ₆alkylcarbonyl, Ci ₆alkyloxycarbonyl; arylCι.₆alkyloxy; aryloxy; polyhaloCi -ealkyl; polyhaloCi ₆alkyloxy, polyhaloCι.₆alkylcarbonyl; Cι_-4alky]-S(=O)n- or R1HN-S(=O) _n-; or Q is a radical of formula

wherein X and Y each independently are O, NR³, CH₂ or S, with R³ being hydrogen or C].₄alkyl; q is an integer with value 1 to 4;

Z is O or NR⁴ with R⁴ being hydrogen or C_1-4alkyl; r is an integer with value 1 to 3;

10. A compound as claimed in claim 8 wherein L is lmidazolyl, lmidazothiazolyl, pynmidinyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, furanyl, 3-pyπdyl, 4-pyπdyl, pyrazolyl, indolyl, mdazolyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, pyrrolopyπdyl, lmidazopyπdyl, imidazopyrazinyl, lmidazopyπmidinyl, lmidazopyπdazinyl, pyrazolopyπdyl, with each heterocycle optionally substituted with one, two, three or four substituents selected from halo, amino, Cι_-6alkyl, polyhaloC].₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl or Ci ₆alkyl- C(=O)-NH-

11. A compound as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein L is indolyl, 3-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdyl, 3-ιmιdazo[l,5-a]pyπdyl, 3-pyπdyl, quinolinyl, imidazopyrimidinyl, imidazopyrazinyl, lmidazothiazolyl, 5-pyπmιdmyl, furanyl, thiazolyl, lmidazolyl, pyπolopyπdyl, pyrazolopyπdyl.

12. A compound as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein L is 3-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdyl, 3-ιmιdazo[l,5-a]pyπdyl, lmidazothiazolyl, 3-pyπdyl or pyπolopyπdyl

13 A compound as claimed in claim 8 wherein L is 3-fluorophenyl or 3,5- difluorophenyl

14 A compound as claimed in any one of claims 8, 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein Q is 3-pyπdyl, 4-pyπdyl, naphthalenyl, C_{3 6}cycloalkyl, phenyl, 1,3-benzodιoxolyl, 2,3- dihydro-benzofuranyl, 2,3-dιhydro-l,4-benzodιoxιnyl, benzthiazolyl, dazolyl, benzimidazolyl or lmidazopyπdyl

15 A compound as claimed any one of claims 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 wherein Q is phenyl, 3-pyπdyl, 4-pyπdyl, benzthiazolyl or lmidazopyπdyl, each of said πngs being optionally substituted with up to three substituents selected from halo cyano, Ci ₆alkyl, Ci ₆alkyloxy or polyhaloCi ₆alkyl

16 A compound as claimed in claim 8 wherein the compound is selected from 2-thιazolamιne, 4-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdιn-3-yl-N-[3-(tπfluoromethyl)phenyl], 2-thιazolamιne, 4-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdm-3-yl-N-[4-(tπfluoromethyl)phenyl], 2-thιazolamιne, 4-(3-pyπdmyl)-N-[3-(tπfluoromethyl)phenyl], 2-thιazolamιne, N-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdm-3-yl,

2-thιazolamιne, 4-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdm-3-yl-N-(3-methylphenyl), 2-thιazolamιne, 4-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdιn-3-yl-N-[3-(methylthιo)phenyl], 2-thιazolamιne, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-ιmιdazo[ 1 ,2-a]pyπdm-3-yl , 2-thιazolamme, N-(3-bromophenyl)-4-ιmιdazo[l,2 a]pyπdιn-3-yl, 2-thιazolamιne, N-(2,3-dιchlorophenyl)-4-ιmιdazo[l 2-a]pyπdιn-3-\l,

2-thιazolamιne, N-(2,3-dιchlorophenyl)-4-(lH-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyπdm-3-yl), 2-thιazolamιne, N-(4-bromophenyl)-4-ιmιdazo[l 2-a]pyπdm-3-yl. 2-thιazolamιne, N-(2,3-dιchlorophenyl)-4-ιmιdazo[l,5-a]pyπdιn-3-\l, 2-thιazolamιne, 4-ιmιdazo[2 l-b]thιazol-5-yl-N-[3-(tnfluorornethyπphenyl], 2-thιazolamιne, N-(2,3-dιchlorophenyl)-4-ιmιdazo[2 l-b]thιazol-5-\l,

2-thιazolamιne, 4-(3-pyπdιnyl)-N-(3-methyl-4-fluorophenyl) 2-thιazolamιne, 4-ιmιdazo[l,2-a]pyπdm-3-yl-N-(3 methyl-4-fluorophenyl), a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quaternary amine and stereochemically isomeπc form thereof

17 A compound as claimed in claim 8 or 13 wherein the compound is selected from 2-thιazolamιne, 4-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-phenyl,

2-thιazolamιne, 4-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-[4-methoxyphenyl], 2-thιazolamιne, 4-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-[4-(tπfluoromethyl)phenyl] , and 2-thιazolamιne, 4-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-[3-pyπdyl], a N-oxide, a phaπnaceutically acceptable addition salt a quaternary amine and a stereochemically isomeπc form thereof

18. A compound as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 17 for use as a medicine.

19. A pharmaceutical composition compπsing a pharmaceutically acceptable earner and as active ingredient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 17.

20. A process of prepaπng a composition as claimed in claim 19 charactenzed in that a pharmaceutically acceptable earner is intimately mixed with a therapeutically effective amount of a compound as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 17

21. A process of prepaπng a compound as claimed in claim 8 charactenzed by a) reacting an intermediate of formula (II) or formula (III) or reacting an intermediate of formula (II) and (III) with an intermediate of foπnula (IN)

with L and Q defined as in claim 8 and Wi being a suitable leaving group, in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, b) reacting an intermediate of formula (Il-a) with an intermediate of formula (IV)

(II a) ^(|V> 0-^a) with Q defined as in claim 8, H₂N-Lι being defined as L according to claim 1 provided that L is substituted with NH₂, and Wi being a suitable leaving group, in a suitable reaction-inert solvent and in the presence of a suitable acid; c) reducing an intermediate of formula (I-b-mterm )

(1-b-ιnterm ) C^"b' with L defined as in claim 8, Qι-NH₂ being defined as Q according to claim 8 provided that Q is substituted with NH₂, in a suitable solvent and in the presence of a suitable reducing agent;

and, if desired, converting compounds of formula (I) into each other following art- known transformations, and further, if desired, converting the compounds of formula (I), into a therapeutically active non-toxic acid addition salt by treatment with an acid, or into a therapeutically active non-toxic base addition salt by treatment with a base, or conversely, converting the acid addition salt form into the free base by treatment with alkali, or converting the base addition salt into the free acid by treatment with acid; and, if desired, prepanng stereochemically isomeπc forms, quaternary amines or N-oxide forms thereof

22. A product containing (a) a compound as defined in claim 8, and (b) another anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive compound, as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment of inflammatory or autoimmune diseases

23. A pharmaceutical composition compπsing a pharmaceutically acceptable earner and as active ingredients (a) a compound as defined in claim 8, and (b) another anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive compound