AU2013231140A1 - Polycyclic agents for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infections - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The present invention relates to polycyclic antiviral compounds, and salts thereof, methods for their preparation and compositions containing them, and the use of compounds and composition in the treatment of viral infections.

Description

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 POLYCYCLIC AGENTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS INFECTIONS 5 Field of the invention The present invention relates to antiviral compounds, methods for their preparation and compositions containing them, and the use of the compounds and composition in the treatment of viral infections. In particular, the invention relates to the use of compounds 10 of formula I for the prevention and/or treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection and disease. Background Art 15 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute upper and lower respiratory tract infection in adults, young children and infants. Serological evidence indicates that in the western world approximately 95% of all children have been infected with RSV by the age of two and 100% of children have been exposed by the time they reach adulthood (see Black, C.P., 2003, Resp. Care 48:209-31 for a recent review of the 20 biology and management of RSV). In most cases the RSV infections will only cause minor upper respiratory illness with symptoms resembling that of the common cold. However, severe infection with the virus may result in bronchiolitis or pneumonia which may result in hospitalization or death. In a given year, around 91,000 infants are hospitalized with RSV infection in the United States. Infants who have been born 25 prematurely or have a pre-existing lung disease are a high risk of severe infection and complications. These infections are responsible for 40 to 50% of hospitalizations for pediatric bronchiolitis and 25% of hospitalizations for pediatric pneumonia. Since the immune response to RSV infection is not protective, RSV infections reoccur throughout adulthood. In adults and older children, RSV infection has been associated with upper 30 respiratory infection, tracheobronchitis, and otitis media. However, RSV in the institutionalized elderly can be more serious and is characterized by severe pneumonia and WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -2 mortality rates of up to 20 and 78%, respectively. Adults with a previous history of heart or lung conditions are at a high risk for RSV infection. The infection has been linked to exacerbation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Significant mortality has been observed in immunocompromised patients, particularly those undergoing bone 5 marrow transplantation. (Evans, A.S., eds., 1989, Viral Infections of Humans. Epidemiology and Control, 3 rd ed., Plenum Medical Book, New York at pages 525-544; Falsey, A.R., 1991, Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 12:602-608; and Garvie et al., 1980, Br. Med. J. 281:1253-1254; Hertz et al., 1989, Medicine 68:269-281). 10 RSV is a member of the order Mononegavirales, which consists of the non-segmented negative strand RNA viruses in the Families Paramyxoviridae, Rhabdoviridae and Filoviridae. RSV of humans (often also termed RSV or HRSV) is a member of the Pneumovirus genus of the sub-family Pneumovirinae within the Family Paramyxoviridae. Based on genetic and antigenic variations in the structural proteins, RSV is classified into 15 two subgroups, A and B (Mufson, M. et al., J. Gen. Virol. 66:2111-2124). Other members of the Pneumovirus genus include viruses such as bovine RSV (BRSV), ovine RSV (ORSV) and pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) amongst others. The sub-family Pneumovirinae also includes the genus Metapneumovirus which contains the recently identified and important human pathogen human metapneumovirus (hMPV). 20 hMPV causes respiratory illness ranging from mild upper respiratory symptoms to severe lower respiratory disease such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia (van den Hoogen, B et al., 2001, Nat. Med. 7:719-724). Depending on the patient population sampled, between 5 and 15% of respiratory infections in young children may be attributable to hMPV infection 25 (van den Hoogen, B. et al., 2003, J. Infect. Dis. 188:1571-1577). hMPV is also associated with 12 to 50% of otitis media in children (van den Hoogen, et al., 2004, Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. 23:S25-S32). In the Netherlands, 55% of tested individuals were seropositive for hMPV by age 2, and almost all individuals 5 years and older were seropositive (van den Hoogen, et al., Virology 295:119-132). 30 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -3 In addition to the genome features described above, Family characteristics include a lipid envelope containing one or more glycoprotein species considered to be associated with attachment and entry of the host cell. Entry is considered to require a process by which the viral envelope fuses with the membrane of the host cell. Fusion of infected cells with, 5 for example, their neighbours, can also result in the formation of fused multinucleate cells known as syncytia in some cases. The fusion process is believed to be glycoprotein mediated and is a feature shared with diverse enveloped viruses in other taxonomic groups. In the case of the Paramyxoviridae viruses of all genera characteristically express a fusion glycoprotein (F) which mediates membrane fusion. 10 While a RSV licensed vaccine is not yet available, some success has been achieved in the area of prevention for infants at high risk of serious lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV, as well as a reduction of LRI. In particular, there are two immunoglobulin-based therapies approved to protect high-risk infants from serious LRI: RSV-IGIV (RSV 15 immunoglobulin intravenous, also known as RespiGamTM) and palivizumab (SYNAGIS*). RSV-IGIV (RespiGam, Massachusetts Public Health Biological Laboratories and MedImmune Inc, Gaithersburg, MD) was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration in January 1996 for prevention of severe RSV lower respiratory tract disease in infants and children younger than 24 months with CLD or a history of preterm 20 birth (535 weeks' gestation). In June 1998, the Food and Drug Administration licensed palivizumab (MedImmune, Gaithersburg, MD) for administration as a monthly intramuscular injection for the prevention of serious respiratory disease caused by RSV in infants and children with a history of preterm birth (535 weeks' gestation) or CLD. 25 The only drug currently approved for the treatment of severe RSV is the antiviral medication, Virazole, also known as Ribavirin currently licensed for therapy of RSV pneumonia and bronchiolitis (Hall et al, 1983, N. Engl. J. Med., 308: 1443 ; Hall et al., 1985, JAMA, 254:3047. This agent has a broad spectrum antiviral with virustatic effects, and acts by inhibiting RSV replication. Unfortunately, the agent is toxic so that 30 administration of the agent is confined to a hospital setting (Black, C.P., 2003, Resp. Care 48(3):209-31). Its administration is further. complicated by the need to follow a strict WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -4 procedural process when administering the agent in order to minimise the likelihood of certain adverse affects. The agent has a number of adverse effects including sudden deterioration of respiratory function (bronchiospasm). The efficacy of Virazole has remained controversial and thus there is a real need to find an alternative agent for the 5 treatment of RSV infection. Summary of the Invention This invention provides compounds useful for the prevention and/or treatment of RSV 10 infection and disease, of formula I and salts thereof A D -B C D N

R

1 R 2 Formula I 15 wherein:

R

1 is selected from C 1

-

1 2 alkyl, C 2 -1 2 alkenyl, C 2

..

12 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )nC 3

-

7 cycloalkyl,

-(CH

2 )nC 4

.

7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )n aryl, -(CH 2 )n arylCi- 1 2 alkyl, -(CH 2 )n arylC2- 1 2 alkenyl, 20 (CH 2 )narylC 2 -1 2 alkynyl, and -(CH 2 )n heterocyclyl; n is 0-6 and said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted;

R

2 is selected from H, 0, -CH 2

R

3 , -C(=Y)R 3 , -C(=Y)OR 3 , -C(=Y)N(R 4

)R

3 , C(=Y)CH 2

N(R

4

)R

3 , -C(=Y)CH 2

SR

3 and -S(0),R 5 , where R 3 is selected from hydrogen, 25 C 1

..

12 alkyl, C 2 -1 2 alkenyl, C2- 1 2 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )mC 3

..

7 cycloalkyl, -(CH 2 )mC 4

..

7 cycloalkenyl,

-(CH

2 )m aryl, -(CH 2 )m arylC- 1 2 alkyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC212 alkenyl, -(CH 2 )m aryC2-12 alkynyl and -(CH 2 )m heterocyclyl; and when R 2 is -CH 2

R

3 , or -C(=Y)R 3 , R 3 may also be selected from -S-R 5 and -0-R 5 ; m is 0-6; R 4 is hydrogen or C 1

-

6 alkyl; R 5 is C 1

-

6 alkyl, C 2

-

6 alkenyl, WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429

C

2

-

6 alkynyl, C 3

.

7 cycloalkyl, C 4

.

7 cycloalkenyl, benzyl, aryl or heterocyclyl; w is 0, 1 or 2, and the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted; 5 X and Y are independently selected from 0, S and NR 6 , where R 6 is independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy and lower alkoxy; A together with the atoms to which it is attached, forms an optionally substituted aromatic ring; 10 B-C together with the atoms to which they are attached, forms an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 ring atoms; D represents a bivalent linking group of from one to three atoms in length, 15 and provided that when A together with the atoms to which it is attached forms an unsubstituted phenyl ring, X is 0, D is -CH 2 -, B-C represents -CH 2

CH

2 -, and R 1 is unsubstituted phenyl, then R2 is not H. 20 The invention also provides the use of compounds, and their salts, in the manufacture of medicaments for the prevention and/or treatment of RSV infections. Although the invention has been described with reference to treating RSV, and in particularly human RSV, it will be appreciated that the invention may also be useful in the 25 treatment of other viruses of the sub-family Pneumovirinae, more particularly, the genera Pneumovirus and Metapneumovirus, more particularly animal and human strains of RSV and metapneumovirus. Accordingly, the invention also provides the use of compounds of formula Ia and salts 30 thereof WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -6 A \C R1R2 Formula Ia 5 wherein:

R

1 is selected from C 1

-

12 alkyl, C 2

..

12 alkenyl, C 2

-

1 2 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )nC 3

..

7 cycloalkyl,

-(CH

2 )nC 4

..

7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )n aryl, -(CH 2 )n arylCI-1 2 alkyl, -(CH 2 )n arylC 2 -1 2 alkenyl, (CH 2 )arylC 2

-

12 alkynyl, and -(CH 2 )n heterocyclyl; n is 0-6 and said alkyl, alkenyl, 10 alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted;

R

2 is selected from H, 0, -CH 2

R

3 , -C(=-Y)R 3 , -C(=Y)OR 3 , -C(=Y)N(R 4

)R

3 , C(=Y)CH 2 N(R4)R 3 , -C(=Y)CH 2

SR

3 and -S(0),R 5 , where R 3 is selected from hydrogen,

C

1

-

12 alkyl, C 2

-

12 alkenyl, C 2

..

12 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )mC 3

.

7 cycloalkyl, -(CH 2 )mC 4

.

7 cycloalkenyl, 15 -(CH 2 )m aryl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 1

..

12 alkyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2

-

12 alkenyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2

-

1 2 alkynyl and -(CH 2 )m heterocyclyl; and when R 2 is -CH 2

R

3 , or -C(=Y)R 3 , R 3 may also be selected from -S-R 5 and -0-R5; m is 0-6; R4 is hydrogen or C 1

.

6 alkyl; R 5 is C 1

..

6 alkyl, C 2 6 alkenyl,

C

2

--

6 alkynyl, C 3

.

7 cycloalkyl, C 4

..

7 cycloalkenyl, benzyl, aryl or heterocyclyl; w is 0, 1 or 2, and the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are 20 optionally substituted; X and Y are independently selected from 0, S and NR, where R 6 is independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy and lower alkoxy; 25 A together with the atoms to which it is attached, forms an optionally substituted aromatic ring; WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -7 B-C together with the atoms to which they are attached, forms an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 ring atoms; D represents a bivalent linking group of from one to three atoms in length, 5 in the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of RSV infections. The invention also provides a method of treating a RSV infection in a subject in need thereof, including the step of administering a compound of formula Ia or a 10 pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to said subject. Description of Preferred Embodiments As used herein the term "aromatic" refers to aryl rings or ring systems and aromatic 15 heterocyclic rings or ring systems, as known as heteroaryl or heteroaromatic rings. As used herein the term "aryl" refers to carbocyclic (non-heterocyclic) aromatic rings or ring systems. The aromatic rings may be mono-, bi-cyclic or tri-cyclic ring systems. The aromatic rings or ring systems are generally composed of 5 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples 20 of suitable aryl groups include but are not limited to phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, and the like. Preferred aryl groups include phenyl, naphthyl, indenyl, azulenyl, fluorenyl or anthracenyl. 25 The term "heterocyclic" or "heterocyclyl" as used herein refers to mono or bicyclic rings or ring systems that include one or more heteroatoms selected from N, S and 0. The rings or ring systems generally include 1 to 9 carbon atoms in addition to the heteroatom(s) and may be saturated, unsaturated or aromatic (including pseudoaromatic). The term 30 "pseudoaromatic" refers to a ring system which is not strictly aromatic, but which is stabilized by means of delocalization of electrons and behaves in a similar manner to WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -8 aromatic rings. Aromatic includes pseudoaromatic ring systems, such as furyl, thienyl and pyrrolyl rings. Examples of 5-membered monocyclic heterocycles include furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, H 5 pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, (including 1,2,3 and 1,2,4 oxadiazolyls) thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, furazanyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, triazolyl (including 1,2,3 and 1,3, 4 triazolyls), tetrazolyl, thiadiazolyl (including 1,2,3 and 1,3,4 thiadiazolyls). Examples of 6-membered monocyclic heterocycles include pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyranyl, pyrazinyl, 10 piperidinyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, morpholinyl, 1,4-dithianyl, thiomorpholinyl, piperazinyl, 1,3,5 trithianyl and triazinyl. The heterocycles may be optionally substituted with a broad range of substituents, and preferably with C 1

.

6 alkyl, C 1

.

6 alkoxy, C 2

-

6 alkenyl, C 2

-

6 alkynyl, halo, hydroxy, mercapto, trifluoromethyl, amino, cyano or mono or di(CI.

6 alkyl) amino. 15 The heterocycle may be fused to a carbocyclic ring such as phenyl, naphthyl, indenyl, azulenyl, fluorenyl, and anthracenyl. Examples of 8, 9 and 10-membered bicyclic heterocycles include 1H thieno[2,3 c]pyrazolyl, thieno[2,3-b]furyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, 20 benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indazolyl, isoquinolinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, uridinyl, purinyl, cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, benzotriazinyl, naphthyridinyl, pteridinyl and the like. These heterocycles may be optionally substituted, for example with C 1

.

6 alkyl, C 1 6alkoxy, C 2

-

6 alkenyl, C2- 6 alkynyl, halo, hydroxy, mercapto, trifluoromethyl, amino, cyano 25 or mono or di(CI.

6 alkyl) amino. In an embodiment the heterocyclic radicals include (optionally substituted) isoxazoles, isothiazoles, 1,3,4-oxadiazoles, 1,3,4-thiadiazoles, 1,2,4-oxadiazoles, 1,2,4-thiadiazoles, oxazoles, thiazoles, pyridines, pyridazines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, 1,2,4-triazines, 1,3,5 30 triazines, benzoxazoles, benzothiazoles, benzisoxazoles, benzisothiazoles, quinolines and quinoxalines. These heterocycles can be optionally substituted with, by example, C 1

.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -9 6alkyl, C1-- 6 alkoxy, C 2

.

6 alkenyl, C 2

-

6 alkynyl, halo, hydroxy, mercapto, trifluoromethyl, amino, cyano or mono or di(CI 6 alkyl) amino. In a further embodiment the heterocyclic radicals include furyl, thienyl, pyridyl, oxazolyl, 5 thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, furazanyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,3,4-triazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, benzo[b]furanyl, benzo[b]thiophenyl and benzoisoxazolyl. Examples of unsaturated 5-membered heterocyclic rings include oxazole, thiazole, 10 imidazole, 1,2,3-triazole, isoxazole, isothiazole, pyrazole, furan, thiophene and pyrrole. Examples of unsaturated 6-membered heterocyclic rings include pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine and 1,2,4-triazine. In an embodiment the heterocyclic ring is an aromatic ring. Heteroaryl and 15 heteroaromatic are used herein to refer to this subset of heterocyclic rings. Heteroaryl rings include furyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-one, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, 1,3,5-triazinyl, 1H thieno[2,3-c]pyrazolyl, thieno[2,3-b]furyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, 3H-indolyl, 20 indolinyl, benzo[b]furanyl, benzo[b)thiophenyl, 1H-indazolyl, benzimidazolyl, tetrazolyl, uridinyl, and cytosinyl. In a further embodiment the heteroaryl or heteroaromatic is selected from isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, furazanyl, triazolyl, pyridyl, 25 pyrimidinyl, furyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, thienyl and aryl fused heteroaromatic rings such as benzfuranyl, benzothiophenyl and benzoisoxazolyl. In another embodiment, the heterocyclic ring is a non-aromatic ring selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidine, imidazoline, 2-imidazolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, pyrrolin-2 30 one, tetrahydrofuran, 1,3-dioxolane, piperidine, tetrahydropyran, oxazoline, 1,3-dioxane, 1,4-piperazine, morpholine and thiomorpholine.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -10 The heterocyclic ring containing the linker group B-C may be selected from the above described heterocyclic rings provided the ring meets the requirement of containing at least two nitrogen atoms and excludes aromatic ring systems. 5 Unless otherwise defined, the term "optionally substituted" as used herein means that a group may include one or more substituents that do not reduce the binding activity of the compound of formulae I and Ia. In some instances the substituent may be selected to improve binding or alter other properties of the molecule. The group may be substituted 10 with one or more substituents selected from halogens, C 1

.

6 alkyl, C 2

-

6 alkenyl, C 2

-

6 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )pC 3

.

7 cycloalkyl, -(CH 2 )pC 4

.

7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )p aryl, -(CH 2 )p heterocyclyl, -C 6

H

4 S(O)tC 1 6 alkyl, -C(Ph) 3 , -(CH 2 )pZ, -COZ, -CN, -OR, -O-(CH 2

)

1 4-R, 0-(CH 2

)

1

.

6 -OR, -OCOR, -COR, -COOR, -OCONR'R", -C(O)NR'R", -NR'R", -NRCOR', -NRCONR'R", -NRC(=S)NR'R", -NRSO 2 R', -NRCOOR', -C(=NR)NR'R", -CRNOR', 15 -C(=NOH)NR'R", -CONR'R", -C(=NCN)-NR'R", -C(=NR)NR'R", -C(=NR')SR", -NR'C(=NCN)SR", -CONRSO 2 R', -C(=S)NR'R", -S(O)tR, -SO 2 NR'R", -SO 2 NRCOR', -OS(0) 2 R, -PO(OR) 2 and -NO 2 ; where p is 0-6, t is 0-2, Z is an N-linked amino acid selected from the group consisting of alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, pipecolic acid, a-amino-butyric acid, a-amino-propanoic acid, and 20 iminodiacetic acid, Z being linked through a nitrogen atom of said N-linked amino acid to the carbon atom, and each R, R' and R" is independently selected from H, C 1

.

6 alkyl, C 2 alkenyl, C 2

-

6 alkynyl, C 3

.

7 cycloalkyl, C 4

.

7 cycloalkenyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, C 1 alkylaryl and C 1

.

6 alkylheterocyclyl, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, C 1

-

6 alkylaryl or C 1

.

6 alkylheterocyclyl, may be optionally substituted 25 with one to six of same or different selected from halogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, -CO 2 H, CF 3 , CN, phenyl, NHl 2 and -NO 2 ; or when R' and R" are attached to the same nitrogen atom, they may, together with the atom to which they are attached, form a 5 to 7 membered nitrogen containing heterocyclic ring. 30 When the optional substituent is or contains an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclyl group, the group may itself be optionally substituted WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 11 with one to six of the same or different halogen atoms, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halo-C- 6 alkyl (including -CF 3 ), phenyl, benzyl, -CN, -C(=0)-C 1

..

6 alkyl, mercapto, -NH 2 , mono or di (lower alkyl) amino or -NO 2 . 5 In relation to nitrogen containing heterocyclic rings, unless otherwise defined optionally substituted includes pyridinium salts and the N-oxide form of suitable ring nitrogens. In relation to non-aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic compounds, unless otherwise defined such compounds may also be optionally substituted with one or two =0 groups, 10 instead of or in addition to the above described optional substituents. Examples of optional substituents include halogens, Cia alkyl, C 2

.

4 alkenyl, C 2

.

4 alkynyl,

C

1 4 alkoxy, Cia haloalkyl, -CF 3 , -OH, phenyl, -NH 2 , -NHC 1 i 4 alkyl, -N(Ci- 4

)

2 , -CN, mercapto, C 1

.

4 alkylcarbonyl and C 1

-

4 alkoxycarbonyl. 15 As used herein the term "C 1

-

1 2 alkyl" refers to straight chain or branched saturated hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms. Examples of such alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, see-butyl or tert-butyl. Similarly "C 1

-

6 alkyl" or "lower alkyl" refers to such groups having from 1 to 6 carbon 20 atoms. As used herein the term "C 3

-

7 cycloalkyl" refers to non-aromatic, saturated cyclic groups having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms. Examples include cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. 25 As used herein the term "alkoxy" refers to a straight or branched alkyl group covalently bound via an 0 linkage and the terms "C 1

..

6 alkoxy" and "lower alkoxy" refer to such groups containing from one to six carbon atoms, such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, t-butoxy and the like. 30 As used herein the term "C 2

..

12 alkenyl" refers to groups formed from C 2

.

1 2 straight chain or branched non-cyclic hydrocarbon containing one or more double bonds. Examples of C 2

-

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -12 12 alkenyl include allyl, 1-methylvinyl, butenyl, iso-butenyl, 1, 3-butadienyl, 3-methyl-2 butenyl, 1,3-butadienyl, 1,4-pentadienyl, 1-pentenyl, 1-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 1,3 hexadienyl, 1,4-hexadienyl and 1, 3, 5-hexatrienyl. 5 As used herein the term "C 4

.

7 cycloalkenyl" refers to non aromatic carbocycles having 4 to 7 carbon atoms and having one or more double carbon bonds. Examples include cyclopentenyl, 1-methyl-cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, 1,3-cyclopentadienyl, 1,3 cyclohexadienyl and 1,4-cyclohexadienyl. 10 As used herein the term "C 2

.

12 alkynyl" refers to C 2

.

1 2 straight or branched non-cyclic hydrocarbon containing one or more triple bonds, for instance, one or two triple bonds. Examples include 2-propynyl and 2- or 3-butynyl. The term "aryl C 1

.-

12 alkyl" refers to carbocyclic aromatic rings or ring systems as 15 previously described and substituted by a C1-12 alkyl group, also as previously described. Likewise the terms "aryl C 2

-

12 alkenyl" and "aryl C 2

-

12 alkynyl" refer to carbocyclic aromatic rings or ring systems as previously described and substituted by a C 2

..

1 2 alkenyl or C 2 .. 1 2 alkynyl group, as previously described. 20 The aryl group and the alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group may be optionally substituted. In an embodiment the aryl group is not optionally substituted. In another embodiment the alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group is optionally substituted. In a further embodiment the substituent is selected from halogen, -CN, -NR'R", -COR, 25 COOR, or -CONR'R". R, R' and R" may be independently selected from hydrogen or lower alkyl. As used herein the term "halo" or "halogen" refers to fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo groups. 30 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 13 As used herein a "halo alkyl" group has one or more of the hydrogen atoms on an alkyl group replaced with halogens. An example includes -CF 3 . In an embodiment compounds of the invention include those compounds where A is a 5 bivalent link of 3 or 4 atoms selected from C, N, 0 and S. In that arrangement A and the atoms to which they are attached together form an aromatic ring having five or six ring atoms. When the linking atoms are all carbon, the ring formed is a carbocyclic aromatic ring or ring system. When the linking atoms include one or more of N, 0 or S then the ring formed is an aromatic heterocyclic ring. Examples include where the substructure 10 AJI is: 15 1041 N' N - N N N " H H \ or NJ - WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -14 In another embodiment ring A is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl ring, such as a phenyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl or pyrazinyl ring, and in a further embodiment selected from a phenyl or pyridyl ring. The optionally substituents include N-oxides of the ring nitrogen atoms. 5 The aromatic rings may be optionally substituted, for instance, by no more than 3 substituents. In an embodiment the aromatic rings may have 1 to 3 substituents selected from halo, lower alkyl, halogenated forms of lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, nitro, amino, loweralkylamino, carboxy, carboxamido, phenyl and benzyl. N-oxide forms of the 10 nitrogen atoms of nitrogen containing rings are also contemplated. When A is a pyridyl ring, the ring nitrogen may be in an N-oxide form, or the ring may be in the form of a pyridinium salt. In an embodiment ring A is an unsubstituted phenyl ring. 15 In another embodiment ring A is an unsubstituted pyridyl ring. In respect of the heterocyclic ring formed by B-C, it will be understood that this ring can not be selected from all of the heterocyclic rings discussed earlier in relation to the 20 meaning of the term due to the atoms to which B-C are attached. This ring is limited to monocyclic, non-aromatic heterocyclic rings that include at least two nitrogen atoms. The ring may include additional hetero atoms and may be partially unsaturated. In another embodiment B-C represents a bivalent link of 1 to 3 atoms. The link B-C 25 together with the atoms to which it is attached forms a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring. Examples include where the substructure: N B C R, R2 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -15 is: 0 N) 'N-N ''N0 ,'N O 'N "\S N N N N N

R

1

R

2

R

1

R

2

R

1

R

2

R

1

R

2

R

1

R

2 NN N N NH 4 ) NN N '' N R1 \ R2 R1 \ R2 R1 \ R2 R1 \ R2 H R1N R N R1 N oR1N R2 R2 R2 R 2 In a further embodiment, B-C represents -CH 2

-(CH

2 )z-, where z is 1-4, such as 1, 2 or 3. 5 In yet a further embodiment z is 1 or 2. The atoms forming the link B-C may be optionally substituted, for instance, by no more than 3 substituents. A broad range of substituents are possible and include halo, lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, phenyl and benzyl. 10 In another embodiment B-C represents -CH 2

CH

2 -. In an embodiment fused ring A and the ring containing the bivalent link B-C are optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from halogen 15 and C 1

-

6 alkyl. In a further embodiment fused ring A and the ring containing the bivalent link B-C are not substituted. The bivalent linking D group together with the atoms to which it is attached can form a 6, 7, or 8 membered non-aromatic heterocyclic ring with a -C(-=X)-N< moiety as represented 20 by the following substructure: WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -16 x N Examples include: N'N' N R, RV RWR R 1 1 1 R ' N", 0't1 i - , R, RN RV~ ~ Rv RI V R 1 ' RIV R 1 1 55 N N' N A RV Rx IN R, Nx

R

1 - I1 %

XRV

1 R" R 1 1 1 RVR1 N" N" S RV X RIIR xR 1 1 1 RIV R 1 1 1 5 Accordingly posbeDgopNnld C"I~~ 4 ~ S,-() WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -17 CRIRw-, -CRrRw-CRIRw-CR![IRw-, -O-CR!rRw-CR.IRw-, -NR -CRuiRv-CRinR , S-CRrlRw-CRrRNv-, -CRTI=CRuI-CRuiRv-, and -C(=X)-CRRNv-CRIRIv-; wherein each RuI and Rv are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, 5 C 1

.

2 alkyl, C 2

..

12 alkenyl, C 2

-

12 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )nC 3

..

7 cycloalkyl, -(CH 2 )nC 4

..

7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )n aryl, -(CH 2 )n arylC 1 2 alkyl, -(CH 2 )n arylC 2

-

12 alkenyl, (CH 2 )narylC 2

.

12 alkynyl, and -(CH 2 )n heterocyclyl, or R" and R7 together with the atom to which they are attached represent a 3 to 7 membered cycloalkyl or heterocyclic ring; n is 0-6 and said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, 10 cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted; Rv is selected, from 0, -CH 2

R

3 , -C(=Y)R 3 , -C(=Y)OR 3 , -C(=Y)N(R 4

)R

3 , C(=Y)CH 2 N(R4)R 3 , -C(=Y)CH 2

SR

3 and -S(O),R 5 , where R 3 is selected from hydrogen, CI- 1 2 alkyl, C 2

..

1 2 alkenyl, C 2

-

12 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )mC 3

-

7 cycloalkyl, 15 -(CH 2 )mC 4

.

7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )m aryl, -(CH 2 )m arylC1..2 alkyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2 12 alkenyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2

-

12 alkynyl and -(CH 2 )m heterocyclyl; and when R is CH 2

R

3 , or -C(=Y)R 3 , R 3 may also be selected from -S-R 5 and -0-Rs; m is 0-6; R4 is hydrogen or C 1

-

6 alkyl; R 5 is C 1

.

6 alkyl, C 2

-

6 alkenyl, C 2 6 alkynyl, C 3

.

7 cycloalkyl,

C

4

-

7 cycloalkenyl, benzyl, aryl or heterocyclyl; w is 0, 1 or 2, and the alkyl, 20 alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted; and X and Y are independently selected from 0, S and NR 6 , where R 6 is independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy, and lower alkoxy. 25 It will be appreciated that where D represents, for example, the bivalent linking group -0 CRI"R'v- both of the following substructures are contemplated: WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -18 x x N N -- , and OII R1I ROV In an embodiment, the bivalent linking D group together with the atoms to which it is attached form a 6 membered non-aromatic heterocyclic ring. 5 In a further embodiment D represents -CRIIR'v-, -0-, -NRV-, -S-, or -C(=X)-. In yet a further embodiment D represents -CR.RV-, wherein: (i) at least one of R11 and RV represents hydrogen and the other may be selected from 10 halogen, hydroxyl, optionally substituted CI 1 2 alkyl, and optionally substituted aryl; (ii) Ru 1 r and R are the same and represent C1.

3 alkyl; or (iii) R"' and RV together with the atom to which they are attached represent a 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 membered cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl ring. 15 In another embodiment D represents -CRuIRw-, wherein: (i) R"' and RW are both H; (ii) R" and RV are both CH 3 ; or (iii) R!' and RV together with the atom to which they are attached represent a 3 20 membered cycloalkyl ring or a symmetrical 6-membered heterocyclic ring. In another embodiment X in the compounds of formula I and Ia is O. In a further embodiment of the invention fused ring A, the ring containing the bivalent 25 link B-C and the bivalent linking group D are all unsubstituted groups.

R

1 may be an optionally substituted aryl, alkyl or heterocyclyl. In an embodiment Ri is an optionally substituted aryl or heterocyclyl group, such as a phenyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl or WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -19 pyridyl ring. R 1 may also be a -C 1

.

6 alkylphenyl group. The rings of R 1 may be optional substituted with halo, hydroxy, nitro, -NR'R" (where R' and R" are independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl and -C(O)R, where R is C 1 .- 6 alkyl, phenyl or heterocyclyl), C 1 . 1 2 alkyl, phenyl and -O-Ra, where Ra is -CI.1 2 alkyl, -C 3

..

7 cycloalkyl, -Ci-1 2 alkylC 3 . 5 7 cycloalkyl, phenyl or -CI-1 2 alkylphenyl; and the CI-1 2 alkyl, phenyl or Ra group may be optionally substituted with halo, -CN, -NR'R", -CO 2 R or -CONR'R", where R, R' and R" are independently selected from hydrogen or lower alkyl. In a further embodiment, the ring is phenyl and is optionally substituted in the para or 4-position. 10 R 1 may be -phenyl substituted with C 1

.

10 alkyl chain, where the alkyl chain is substituted with halo, -CN, -NR'R", -CO 2 R or -CONR'R", where R, R' and R" are independently selected from hydrogen or lower alkyl. In an embodiment the alkyl chain is in the 4 position of the phenyl ring, and substituents are attached to the carbon at the free end of the alkyl group. 15

R

1 may be phenyl optionally substituted with a substituent selected from halo, -C1.

6 alkyl, CI-6alkylhalo, -C 1

.

6 alkylCN, -OC1.

6 alkyl, -OCi- 6 alkylhalo, -OCI..

6 alkylCO 2

NH

2 , -OC 1 . 6 alkylCN, -OCI- 6 alkylC 3

.

7 cycloalkyl, -OC1- 6 alkylC 6 H5, -OCI- 6 alkylOCH 3 , -OC 6

H

5 ,.

-OC

6

H

4 halo, -CF 3 , -OCF 3 , -NR'R" (where R' and R" are independently selected from 20 hydrogen, -C(O)CI.

6 alkyl, -C(O)C 6

H

5 , -C(O)CH=CHCO 2 H, -C(O)CI.

6 alkylCO 2 H, -C(O)C1..

6 alkylCO 2

CH

3 , -C(O)C1.

6 alkylC 6

H

5 , -C(O)C 1

-

6 alkylC 6

H

4

CH

3 , -C(O)C 1 . 6 alkylC 6

H

4 0CH 3 and -C(O)C1.

6 alkylC 6

H

4 halo), -CO 2 H, -CO 2 C1.

6 alkyl, -NO 2 , -OH, -C 6

H

5 ,

-C

6

H

4

CI..

6 alkyl, -C 6

H

4 halo and -OC(O)CI.

6 alkyl. 25 In a further embodiment R 1 is optionally substituted phenyl where the substituents are each independently selected from halo, hydroxy or alkoxy; cycloalkyl; or optionally substituted pyridyl or an N-oxide thereof where the substituents are each independently selected from halo. 30 In a further embodiment R 1 is optionally substituted phenyl where the substituents are each independently selected from chloro, hydroxy or methoxy; lower cycloalkyl; or WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -20 optionally substituted pyridyl or an N-oxide thereof where the substituents are each independently selected from chloro. In yet a further embodiment R, is phenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4 5 hydroxyphenyl, 5-chloro-2-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl or 4-pyridyl N-oxide. In another embodiment R, is unsubstituted phenyl or halophenyl. In a further embodiment

R

1 is 4-chlorophenyl. 10 In a further embodiment R 2 is not hydrogen. In yet a further embodiment the compounds are represented by formula Ia. In another embodiment, when R 2 is -CH 2

-R

3 , R3 is -(CH 2 )m aryl or -(CH 2 )m heterocyclyl, 15 where m is 0 to 3. R 3 may be benzyl (m=l). The ring atoms may by optionally substituted with a broad range of substituents. Preferred substituents are selected from halo, lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy and phenyl. In another embodiment, when R2 is -C(=Y)CH 2

N(R

4

)R

3 or -C(=Y)CH 2

SR

3 , R 3 is -(CH 2 )m 20 aryl or -(CH 2 )m heterocyclyl where m is 0 to 3. The heterocycyl may itself be substituted with an oxo group, hydroxy or lower alkyl. In yet another embodiment, when R2 is -CON(R 4

)R

3 , R 4 is hydrogen and R 3 is -(CH 2 )m aryl or -(CH 2 )m heteroaryl. In another embodiment m is 0 to 2, and preferably 0 or 1. The 25 aryl and heteroaryl ring atoms may be optionally substituted with a broad range of substituents. In the above embodiment the substituents may include halo, lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy and phenyl. In another embodiment R 2 is -C(=Y)-R 3 , when Y is 0. In another embodiment R 3 is 30 (CH 2 )m aryl or -(CH 2 )m heteroaryl, when m is 0 to 3. In another embodiment R3 is an optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heterocycle (m==0), and more WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -21 preferably an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered monocyclic heterocycle or an optionally substituted 9 or 10 membered bicyclic heterocycle or an optionally substituted aryl group. 5 In the above embodiments R 3 may be phenyl, naphthyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, H pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, (including 1,2,3 and 1,2,4 oxadiazolyls) thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, furazanyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, triazolyl (including 1,2,3 and 1,3,4 triazolyls), tetrazolyl, thiadiazolyl (including 1,2,3 and 1,3,4 thiadiazolyls), pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, 10 pyridazinyl, pyranyl, pyrazinyl, piperidinyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, morpholinyl, 1,4-dithianyl, thiomorpholinyl, piperazinyl, 1,3,5-trithianyl, triazinyl, 1H thieno[2,3-clpyrazolyl, thieno[2,3-b]furyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indazolyl, isoquinolinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, uridinyl, purinyl, cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, 15 quinoxalinyl, benzotriazinyl, naphthyridinyl or pteridinyl. The heterocyclic ring may be fused to a carbocyclic ring such as phenyl, naphthyl, indenyl, azulenyl, fluorenyl, and anthracenyl. 20 The aryl or heterocyclic may be optionally substituted with a broad range of substituents, and preferably with C 1

.

6 alkyl, C 1

.

6 alkoxy, C 2

.

6 alkenyl, C 2

..

6 alkynyl, halo, hydroxy, mercapto, trifluoromethyl, amino, nitro, cyano and mono or di(CI.

6 alkyl) amino. The substituents also include phenyl, benzyl and heterocyclyl. 25 In an embodiment R3 is selected from phenyl, furyl, thienyl, pyridyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, furazanyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,3,4-triazolyl, 1,2,3 thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, benzo[b]furanyl, benzo[b]thiophenyl and benzoisoxazolyl (which may be optionally substituted). 30 In an embodiment R 2 is -CH 2

R

3 , -C(=O)R 3 , -C(=O)N(R 4

)R

5 or -S0 2

R

6 ; where WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 22 a. R 3 is optionally substituted alkyl where the substituents are independently selected from -COOH, -SCH 2 CONHaryl, -NHSO 2 aryl, heteroaryl and aryl, each optionally independently substituted with halo or alkoxy; optionally substituted phenyl where the substituents are independently selected from halo; 5 optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl where the subsituents are independently selected from halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryloxy, and heteroaryl optionally substituted with alkyl or haloalkyl; or optionally substituted alkenyl where the substituents are independently selected from heteroaryl; 10 b. R 4 is H; c. R 5 is cycloalkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkyl or aralkyl; and d. R 6 is heteroaryl. In a futher embodiment R2 is -CH 2

R

3 , -C(=O)R 3 , -C(=O)N(R 4

)R

5 or -S0 2

R

6 ; where 15 a. R3 is optionally substituted methyl, ethyl, or propyl, where the substituents are independently selected from -COOH, -SCH 2 CONH-3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, NHSO 2 -4-fluorophenyl, pyridyloxy, benzisoxazolyl, pyridyl, furyl, 4 fluorophenyl, or 4-methoxyphenyl; optionally substituted phenyl where the substituents are independently selected from methoxy, F and Cl; optionally 20 substituted thiazolyl, pyridyl, furyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, 1,2,3 thiadiazolyl, or pyrazolyl where the subsituents are independently selected from pyridyloxy, cyclopropyl, Me, CF 3 , phenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, F, Cl, Br, 5

CF

3 -3-methyl-l-pyrazolyl; or 2-furylethen-1-yl; b. R 4 is H; 25 c. R5 is 2-pheneth-1-yl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, 2-furylmethyl, methyl, or 4 methylbenzyl; and d. R 6 is pyridyl. In another embodiment of the invention R2 is -COR 3 , fused ring A is an optionally 30 substituted phenyl or optionally substituted pyridyl ring (including N-oxides and pyridinium salts thereof), and D is -CRIRv-.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 23 In yet another embodiment, when the invention relates to compounds of formula I or formula Ia per se, R 1 is an optionally substituted phenyl, X is 0, A together with the atoms to which it is attached forms an optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted pyridyl ring (including N-oxides and pyridinium salts thereof), B-C is -CH 2

CH

2 -, D is 5 CH 2 - and R 2 is -C(O)optionally substituted aryl or -C(O)optionally substituted heterocyclyl. It will be appreciated that compounds of formulae I and Ia and some derivatives thereof may have at least one asymmetric centre, and therefore are capable of existing in more 10 than one stereoisomeric form. The invention extends to each of these forms individually and to mixtures thereof, including racemates. The isomers may be separated by conventional chromatographic methods or using a resolving agent. Alternatively the individual isomers may be prepared by asymmetric synthesis using chiral intermediates. 15 For instance, it will be appreciated that the compounds of the present invention will be chiral by virtue of the non-equivalent substituent pattern around the C-atom which bears the R 1 substituent. Accordingly, the compounds of the present invention may be presented as mixtures of enantiomers, for instance, enantiomerically enriched mixtures or racemic mixtures. Preferably, however, the compounds of the present invention are 20 "enantiomerically pure." As used herein with reference to an enantiomer the term "enantiomerically pure" means that the enantiomer is substantially free of its enantiomeric pair. Enantiomeric purity is generally expressed in terms of enantiomeric excess or % e.e. For a pair of enantiomers 25 [(+) and (-)] wherein the mixture of the two is given as the mole or weight fractions F(+y and F(.) (wherein F(+) + F(..) =1) the enantiomeric excess is defined as IF(+) - F(... Accordingly, the percentage e.e, is expressed by 100 x IF(+)- F(-). As used herein the term "enantiomerically pure" refers to an enantiomer having a % e.e. of greater than 70%. Preferably the enantiomerically pure enantiomer has a % e.e. of greater than 80%, more 30 preferably greater than 90%, and most preferably greater than 95%.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -24 The preferred stereoisomer of compounds of formula I which contains a stereogenic centre at the point of attachment of R 1 is depicted by the structure below. D C R2

R

1

R

2 5 It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the absolute configuration (R or S) designation depends on the priority sequence of each group attached to the stereogenic centre according to the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog system. 10 Where the compound has at least one carbon-carbon double bond, it may occur in Z- and E- forms and all isomeric forms of the compounds are included in the present invention. The salts of the compounds of formulae I and Ia are preferably pharmaceutically acceptable, but it will be appreciated that non-pharmaceutically acceptable salts also fall 15 within the scope of the present invention, since these are useful as intermediates in the preparation of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. It will be appreciated that pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives of the compounds of formulae I and Ia and the salts thereof, are also within the scope and spirit of the 20 invention. Such derivatives includes pharmaceutically acceptable esters, prodrugs, solvates and hydrates of the compounds or their salts. Pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives may include any solvate, hydrate or any other compound or prodrug which, upon administration to a subject, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) a compound of formula I or an antivirally active metabolite or residue thereof. 25 The pharmaceutically acceptable salts include acid addition salts, base addition salts, salts of pharmaceutically acceptable esters and the salts of quaternary amines and pyridiniums. The acid addition salts are formed from a compound of the invention and a WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 25 pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acid including but not limited to hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, phosphoric, methanesulfonic, toluenesulphonic, benzenesulphonic, acetic, propionic, ascorbic, citric, malonic, fumaric, maleic, lactic, salicyclic, sulfamic, or tartartic acids. The counter ion of quarternary amines and 5 pyridiniums include chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, phosphate, methansulfonate, citrate, acetate, malonate, fumarate, sulfamate, and tartate. The base addition salts include but are not limited to salts such as sodium, potassium, calcium, lithium, magnesium, ammonium and alkylammonium. Also, basic nitrogen-containing groups may be quaternised with such agents as lower alkyl halides, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, and 10 butyl chlorides, bromides and iodides; dialkyl sulfates like dimethyl and diethyl sulfate; and others. The salts may be made in a known manner, for example by treating the compound with an appropriate acid or base in the presence of a suitable solvent. The compounds of the invention may be in crystalline form either as the free compounds 15 or as solvates (e.g. hydrates) and it is intended that both forms are within the scope of the present invention. Methods of solvation are generally known within the art. The term "solvate" is a complex of variable stoichiometry formed by a solute (in this invention, a compound of the invention) and a solvent. Such solvents preferably do not 20 interfere with the biological activity of the solute. Solvents may be, by way of example, water, ethanol or acetic acid. Methods of solvation are generally known within the art. The term "pro-drug" is used in its broadest sense and encompasses those derivatives that are converted in vivo to the compounds of the invention. Such derivatives would readily 25 occur to those skilled in the art, and include, for example, compounds where a free hydroxy group is converted into an ester derivative or a ring nitrogen atom is converted to an N-oxide. Examples of ester derivatives include alkyl esters, phosphate esters and those formed from amino acids, preferably valine. Any compound that is a prodrug of a compound of the invention is within the scope and spirit of the invention. Conventional 30 procedures for the preparation of suitable prodrugs according to the invention are described in text books, such as "Design of Prodrugs" Ed. H. Bundgaard, Elsevier, 1985.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 26 The term "pharmaceutically acceptable ester" includes biologically acceptable esters of compound of the invention such as sulphonic, phosphonic and carboxylic acid derivatives. 5 Thus, in another aspect of the invention, there is provided a prodrug or pharmaceutically acceptable ester of a compound of formula I or Ia. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition that comprises a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the aforementioned anti 10 RSV compounds of formulae I and Ia, including pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Unless otherwise specified the terms "treatment" or "treating", in the context of a method or use of the invention, includes both therapeutic and prophylactic treatments. 15 In further aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a compound of formula I or Ia, or salt thereof for the treatment (therapeutic or prophylactic) of RSV infections. 20 Without wanting to be bound by theory it is believed that the compounds of the present invention exhibit favourable anti-RSV activity by inhibiting the RSV virus's fusion process. In a further form of the invention there is provided a process for the production of 25 compounds of formulae I and Ia. These compounds may be prepared using the procedure outlined in the following methods. Scheme I depicts a general process for manufacture of compounds of formula III. Compounds of formula III are within the scope of the compounds of formula Ia where R2 30 is H and serve as useful synthetic intermediates. Compounds of formula III may be prepared via appropriate starting materials of formula II.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 27 OH A X + H 2

N-B-C-NH

2 , A -- B C Dxylene D RDO R H Formula 11 Formula III Scheme 1 5 In general, one equivalent of an appropriate keto-acid of formula II is reacted with approximately 3 equivalents of an appropriate diamine of the general formula H 2

N-B-C

NH

2 . The mixture is heated under reflux in an inert solvent, such as 1,2-dichloroethane, toluene or xylenes in a flask that may be fitted with a Dean-Stark apparatus for 3-24 h. A catalyst, such as an acid tosylate, can be used. After this time the reaction is allowed to 10 cool and the product filtered and recrystallised from an appropriate solvent. If no precipitate forms the solvent is evaporated and the residue recrystallised or purified using flash chromatography or preparative HPLC. Methods for the preparation of 2-(2'-oxo-2'-aryl)benzoic acids of formula II have been 15 described by Guion T. S. et al., 1996, Synthetic Communications, 26:1753-1762, by Epsztajn, J. et al., Synth. Communications, 1992, 22:1239-1247, by Bruggink A. et al., Tetrahedron, 1975, 31:2607-2619 and by Ames, D. E. et al., 1976, J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. 1, 1073-1078. 20 In a further aspect of the invention, new methods have been developed for the preparation of certain compounds of formula II and are described herein. Scheme 2 illustrates an example of a sequence that is useful for the manufacture of keto-acids of formula II (where X=O and D is -CH 2 -). Generally, an appropriate aromatic o-halocarboxylic acid is suspended in tert-butanol or another suitable solvent with approximately 1.5 equivalents 25 of an appropriate p-diketone. To this mixture is added approximately 0.25 equivalents of copper, copper (I) bromide or copper (I) iodide or both. The suspension is then treated with approximately 1.6 equivalents of potassium tert-butoxide or sodium ethoxide, sealed in a pressure-resistant vessel and heated in a microwave reactor with stirring at around WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -28 180*C for approximately 1 hour. Alternatively, a solvent with a sufficiently high boiling point (such as NN-dimethylacetamide) may be used and the mixture is heated at reflux in an open vessel until the substrate has been substantially converted. The resulting mixture is diluted with water, neutralised with aqueous NH 4 Cl and extracted with a suitable 5 organic solvent. The organic extracts are dried and concentrated and the residue may be purified by flash chromatography. The lactone intermediate is then hydrolysed by treatment with dilute aqueous hydroxide solution using acetonitrile as a co-solvent. OH KOtBu A + CuBr/Cul MeCN A0 + iA R tBuOH A & o MeCN Hl1800C R' O 200 psi 0 OH A 0 R' 10 Scheme 2 Other compounds of formula II may be prepared by substitution of an a-methylene ketone. A suitable keto-acid of formula II (where X=O and D is -[CH 2 ]n-) and a catalytic amount of 18-crown-6 are suspended in THF and cooled to -78*C. The selected alkyl 15 halide or dihalide (approximately 3 equivalents) and then potassium t-butoxide are added. The mixture is stirred and allowed to warm to room temperature. When the reaction is complete, the mixture is cooled again and quenched with a saturated solution of ammonium chloride and diluted with a small amount of water. The organic layer is separated and washed with brine, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated. The residue may be 20 purified by recrystallisation or by flash chromatography. This method is an adaptation of procedures described in J. Org. Chem. 1991, 56:7188-7190. Other compounds of formula I may be obtained by acylating compounds of formula III as illustrated in Scheme 3.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -29 A NB C acid chloride A N-B \ D N pyridine D 1 N RI H R 2 Formula UI Formula I Scheme 3 5 In one method, two equivalents of diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine are added to one equivalent of a compound of formula III in THF at 0 0 C. An acid chloride, or other acylating agent, is added to the mixture and the reaction monitored by HPLC. When the reaction is complete the reaction is quenched with water and the product extracted into a 10 suitable organic solvent and worked up according to standard methods. Similar acylation may also be carried out by reacting one equivalent of the compound of formula III with one equivalent of the appropriate acid chloride in xylene at 120*C for 1-24h. The reaction is then allowed to cool and the product isolated. Alternatively, compounds of formula III may be treated with approximately 2.2 equivalents of an appropriate acid chloride or 15 anhydride in pyridine at approximately -5*C. The mixture is allowed to warm to room temperature and after stirring for 2-24h the product is isolated by standard methods. Acylation may also be achieved by treating the appropriate compound of formula III with the appropriate carboxylic acid (3 equivalents), TFFH (3.3 equivalents) and DIEA (3.3 equivalents) in DMF and heating to 45*C for approximately 14 days. After this time the 20 product is isolated by standard methods. N-alkylated and N-sulfonylated compounds of formula I are best obtained using suitable N-substituted diamines. These may be prepared by known methods for example that are described by Kruse L. I., et al., J. Med. Chem. 1990, 33, 781-789. The appropriate keto 25 acid (2 equivalents) and N-substituted diamine (1 equivalent) in chlorobenzene, toluene or xylene are placed in a flask equipped with a stirrer and Dean-Stark water separator and heated at reflux until no further water is seen to separate (1 - 8 h) (Scheme 4). The solvent is then removed and the residue can be purified using standard methods.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 30 OH A X R 2 \ N-B-C-NH2, NB \ H AC D xylene D N'I R14<O R 1

R

2 Formula II Formula I Scheme 4 5 To prepare compounds of formula I where R2 is a urea or thiourea, one equivalent of the appropriate compound of formula III is reacted with one equivalent of the appropriate isocyanate or isothiocyanate in an inert solvent such as THF or xylene at a temperature ranging from 20-120*C for 1-24 h. The reaction is then allowed to cool and the product is 10 filtered, washed and either recrystallised from an appropriate solvent or purified using chromatography. Other compounds of formula I can be prepared by the addition, removal or modification of existing substituents. This could be achieved by using standard techniques for functional 15 group inter-conversion that are well known in the industry, such as those described in "Comprehensive organic transformations: a guide to functional group preparations" by Larock R. C., New York, VCH Publishers, Inc. 1989. Examples of functional group inter-conversions are: -C(O)NR'R' from -CO 2

CH

3 by 20 heating with or without catalytic metal cyanide, e.g. NaCN, and HNRR' in CH 3 0H; OC(O)R from -OH with e.g., ClC(O)R in pyridine; -NC(S)NR'R" from -NHR with an alkylisothiocyanate or thiocyanic acid; -NRC(O)OR' from -NHR with alkyl chloroformate; -NRC(O)NR'Rh from -NHR by treatment with an isocyanate, e.g. HN=C=O or RN=C=O; -NRC(O)R' from -NHR by treatment with CIC(O)R' in pyridine; 25 C(=-NR)NR'R" from -C(NR'R")SR with H 3 NR*OAc by heating in alcohol; -C(NR'R")SR from -C(S)NR'R" with R-I in an inert solvent, e.g. acetone; -C(S)NR'R" (where R' or R" is not hydrogen) from -C(S)NH 2 with HNR'R"; -C(=NCN)-NR'R" from -C(=NR'R")-SR WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 31 with NH 2 CN by heating in anhydrous alcohol, alternatively from -C(=NH)-NR'R" by treatment with BrCN and NaOEt in EtOH; -NR-C(=NCN)SR from -NHR' by treatment with (RS) 2 C=NCN; -NR"SO 2 R from -NHR' by treatment with CISO 2 R by heating in pyridine; -NR'C(S)R from -NR'C(O)R by treatment with Lawesson's reagent [2,4-bis(4 5 methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2,4-dithiadiphosphetane-2,4-disulfide];

-NRSO

2

CF

3 from -NHR with triflic anhydride and base, -CH(NH 2 )CHO from -CH(NH 2 )C(O)OR' with Na(Hg) and HCI/EtOH; -CH 2 C(O)OH from -C(0)OH by treatment with SOCl 2 then CH 2

N

2 then

H

2 0/Ag 2 O; -C(O)OH from -CH 2

C(O)OCH

3 by treatment with PhMgX/HX then acetic anhydride then Cr0 3 ; R-OC(O)R' from RC(O)R' by R"CO 3 H; -CCH 2 OH from -C(O)OR' 10 with Na / R'OH; -CHCH 2 from -CH 2

CH

2 OH by the Chugaev reaction; -NH 2 from C(O)OH by the Curtius reaction; -NH 2 from -C(O)NHOH with TsCl/base then H 2 0; CHC(O)CHR from -CHCHOHCHR by using the Dess-Martin Periodinane regent or Cr0 3 / aqH 2

SO

4 / acetone; -C 6

H

5 CHO from -C 6

H

5

CH

3 with CrO 2 Cl 2 ; -CHO from -CN with SnCl 2 / HCl; -CN from -C(O)NHR with PCl 5 ; -CH 2 R from -C(O)R with N 2

H

4 / KOH. 15 During the reactions a number of the moieties may need to be protected. Suitable protecting groups are well known in industry and have been described in many references such as Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Greene, T. W. and Wuts, P.G.M. , Wiley Interscience, New York, 1999 or Protecting Groups, Kocienski, P.J., Thieme, Stuttgart, 20 1994. The abbreviations that may be used herein, included in Schemes 1 to 4, and the experimental section are as follows unless indicated otherwise: 25 DCM: dichloromethane DIEA: diisopropylethylamine DMF: dimethylformamide Et: ethyl EtOAc: ethyl acetate 30 Me: methyl MeOH: methyl alcohol WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -32 MS: mass spectrometry NMR: nuclear magnetic resonance Ph: phenyl HPLC: high performance liquid chromatography 5 TEA: triethylamine TFA: Trifluoroacetic acid TFFH: Fluoro-N,N,N",N"-tetramethylformamidinium hexafluorophosphate THF: tetrahydrofuran TsCl: Tosyl chloride 10 TsOH: Toluenesulphonic acid The invention also pertains to therapeutic compositions for the prevention and/or treatment of RSV, containing at least one compound of formula I or Ia including pharmaceutical acceptable salts or prodrugs. 15 It is contemplated that the compositions of the invention may further contain or be administered with one or more other compounds having anti-viral activity in respect of RSV, such as Virazole@, or other agents such as RespiGamTM or Synagis@. 20 It is contemplated that the compositions of the invention may further contain or be administered in combination with other drugs to treat symptoms of the disease, such as for example anti-inflammatory medicaments, such as diclofenac, diflunisal, etodolac, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, ketorolac, mefanamic acid, meloxicam, nabumetone, naproxen, oxaprozin, piroxicam, salsalate, sulindac, tolmetin. 25 It is contemplated that the compositions of the invention may further contain or be administered with other drugs to treat symptoms of the disease, such as for example, steroids such as short-acting beta-agonists: albuterol, levalbuterol, bitolterol, pirbuterol, terbutaline, ipratropium bromide, prednisone, prednisolone, and methylprednisolone; 30 long-acting beta-agonists, such as salmeterol or formoterol; leukotriene modifiers, such as monoleukast, zafirlukast, and zileuton; theophyllines; nedocromils, and cromolyns.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 33 The term "composition" is intended to include the formulation of an active ingredient with conventional carriers and excipients, and also with encapsulating materials as the carrier, to give a capsule in which the active ingredient (with or without other carriers) is 5 surrounded by the encapsulation carrier. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the route of administration and the nature of the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier will depend on the nature of the condition and the animal to be treated. It is believed that the choice of a particular carrier 10 or delivery system, and route of administration could be readily determined by a person skilled in the art. In the preparation of any formulation containing the compounds care can be taken to ensure that the activity of the compound is not destroyed in the process and that the compound is able to reach its site of action without being destroyed. In some circumstances it may be necessary to protect the compound by means known in the art, 15 such as, for example, micro encapsulation. Similarly the route of administration chosen can be such that the compound reaches its site of action. The pharmaceutical compositions or formulations include those suitable for oral, rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal and sub-lingual), vaginal or parenteral (including 20 intramuscular, sub-cutaneous and intravenous) administration or in a form suitable for administration by inhalation or insufflation. It is envisaged that the compositions may be provided in a form suitable for oral or nasal administration or by inhalation or insufflation. The compounds of the invention, together with a conventional adjuvant, carrier, or diluent, 25 may thus be placed into the form of pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosages thereof, and in such form may be employed as solids, such as tablets or filled capsules, or liquids such as solutions, suspensions, emulsions, elixirs, or capsules filled with the same, all for oral use, in the form of suppositories for rectal administration; or in the form of sterile injectable solutions for parenteral (including subcutaneous) use. 30 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -- 34 Such pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosage forms thereof may comprise conventional ingredients in conventional proportions, with or without additional active compounds or principles, and such unit dosage forms may contain any suitable effective amount of the active ingredient commensurate with the intended daily dosage range to be 5 employed. Formulations containing ten (10) milligrams of active ingredient or, more broadly, 0.1 to one hundred (100) milligrams, per tablet, are accordingly suitable representative unit dosage forms. The compounds of the present invention can be administrated in a wide variety of oral and 10 parenteral dosage forms. It will be understood to those skilled in the art that the following dosage forms may comprise, as the active component, either a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of the invention. For preparing pharmaceutical compositions from the compounds of the present invention, 15 pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be either solid or liquid. Solid form preparations may include powders, tablets, pills, capsules, cachets, suppositories, and dispensable granules. A solid carrier can be one or more substances which may also act as diluents, flavouring agents, solubilisers, lubricants, suspending agents, binders, preservatives, tablet disintegrating agents, or an encapsulating material. 20 For example, in powders, the carrier is a finely divided solid that is in a mixture with the finely divided active component. For example, in tablets, the active component is mixed with the carrier having the 25 necessary binding capacity in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired. The powders and tablets preferably contain from five or ten to about seventy percent of the active compound. Suitable carriers may be magnesium carbonate, magnesium 30 stearate, talc, sugar, lactose, pectin, dextrin, starch, gelatin, tragacanth, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, a low melting wax, cocoa butter, and the like. The term WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -35 "preparation" is intended to include the formulation of the active compound with encapsulating material as carrier providing a capsule in which the active component, with or without carriers, is surrounded by a carrier, which is thus in association with it. Similarly, cachets and lozenges are included. Tablets, powders, capsules, pills, cachets, 5 and lozenges can be used as solid forms suitable for oral administration. For preparing suppositories, a low melting wax, such as admixture of fatty acid glycerides or cocoa butter, is first melted and the active component is dispersed homogeneously therein, as by stirring. The molten homogenous mixture is then poured into convenient 10 sized moulds, allowed to cool, and thereby to solidify. Formulations suitable for vaginal administration may be presented as pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or sprays containing in addition to the active ingredient such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate. 15 Liquid form preparations include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions, for example, water or water-propylene glycol solutions. For example, parenteral injection liquid preparations can be formulated as solutions in aqueous polyethylene glycol solution. 20 Sterile liquid form compositions include sterile solutions, suspensions, emulsions, syrups and elixirs. The active ingredient can be dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as sterile water, sterile organic solvent or a mixture of both. The compositions according to the present invention may thus be formulated for parenteral 25 administration (e.g. by injection, for example bolus injection or continuous infusion) and may be presented in unit dose form in ampoules, pre-filled syringes, small volume infusion or in multi-dose containers with an added preservative. The compositions may take such forms as suspensions, solutions, or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulation agents such as suspending, stabilising and/or dispersing agents. 30 Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form, obtained by aseptic isolation WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -36 of sterile solid or by lyophilisation from solution, for constitution with a suitable vehicle, eg. sterile, pyrogen-free water, before use. Pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use include sterile injectable solutions or 5 dispersions, and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions. They can be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and may be preserved against oxidation and the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi. 10 Those skilled in the art may readily determine appropriate formulations for the compounds of the present invention using conventional approaches. Identification of preferred pH ranges and suitable excipients, for example antioxidants, is routine in the art. Buffer systems are routinely used to provide pH values of a desired range and include carboxylic acid buffers for example acetate, citrate, lactate and succinate. A variety of antioxidants 15 are available for such formulations including phenolic compounds such as BHT or vitamin E, reducing agents such as methionine or sulphite, and metal chelators such as EDTA. The solvent or dispersion medium for the injectable solution or dispersion may contain any of the conventional solvent or carrier systems for the compounds, and may contain, 20 for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), suitable mixtures thereof, and vegetable oils. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. The prevention of the action of microorganisms can be brought about where 25 necessary by the inclusion of various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal and the like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include agents to adjust osmolality, for example, sugars or sodium chloride. Preferably, the formulation for injection will be isotonic with blood. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by the use in the 30 compositions of agents delaying absorption, for example, aluminium monostearate and gelatin. Pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use may be delivered by any WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 37 appropriate route including intravenous, intramuscular, intracerebral, intrathecal, epidural injection or infusion. Sterile injectable solutions are prepared by incorporating the active compounds in the 5 required amount in the appropriate solvent with various other ingredients such as these enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the various sterilised active ingredient into a sterile vehicle which contains the basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable 10 solutions, preferred methods of preparation are vacuum drying or freeze-drying of a previously sterile-filtered solution of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredients. When the active ingredients are suitably protected they may be orally administered, for 15 example, with an inert diluent or with an assimilable edible carrier, or it may be enclosed in hard or soft shell gelatin capsule, or it may be compressed into tablets, or it may be incorporated directly with the food of the diet. For oral therapeutic administration, the active compound may be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of ingestible tablets, buccal tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, wafers, and the like. 20 Such compositions and preparations preferably contain at least 1% by weight of active compound. The percentage of the compositions and preparations may, of course, be varied and may conveniently be between about 5 to about 80% of the weight of the unit. The amount of active compound in therapeutically useful compositions can be sufficient that a suitable dosage will be obtained. 25 The tablets, troches, pills, capsules and the like may also contain the components as listed hereafter: a binder such as gum, acacia, corn starch or gelatin; excipients such as dicalcium phosphate; a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid and the like; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate; and a sweetening agent such a 30 sucrose, lactose or saccharin may be added or a flavouring agent such as peppermint, oil WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -38 of wintergreen, or cherry flavouring. When the dosage unit form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier. Various other materials may be present as coatings or to otherwise modify the physical 5 form of the dosage unit. For instance, tablets, pills, or capsules may be coated with shellac, sugar or both. A syrup or elixir may contain the active compound, sucrose as a sweetening agent, methyl and propylparabens as preservatives, a dye and flavouring such as cherry or orange flavour. Any material used in preparing any dosage unit form can be pharmaceutically pure and substantially non-toxic in the amounts employed. In addition, 10 the active compound(s) may be incorporated into sustained-release preparations and formulations, including those that allow specific delivery of the active peptide to specific regions of the gut. Aqueous solutions suitable for oral use can be prepared by dissolving the active 15 component in water and adding suitable colorants, flavours, stabilising and thickening agents, as desired. Aqueous suspensions suitable for oral use can be made by dispersing the finely divided active component in water with viscous material, such as natural or synthetic gums, resins, 20 methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, or other well known suspending agents. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents include any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents and the like. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutical active 25 substances is well known in the art. Except in so far as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active ingredient, use thereof in the therapeutic compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active ingredients can also be incorporated into the compositions. 30 Also included are solid form preparations that are intended to be converted, shortly before use, to liquid form preparations for oral administration. Such liquid forms include WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -39 solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. These preparations may contain, in addition to the active component, colorants, flavours, stabilisers, buffers, artificial and natural sweeteners, dispersants, thickeners, solubilising agents, and the like. 5 For topical administration to the epidermis the compounds according to the invention may be formulated as ointments, creams or lotions, or as a transdermal patch. Ointments and creams may, for example, be formulated with an aqueous or oily base with the addition of suitable thickening and/or gelling agents. Lotions may be formulated with an aqueous or oily base and will in general also contain one or more emulsifying agents, stabilising 10 agents, dispersing agents, suspending agents, thickening agents, or colouring agents. Formulations suitable for topical administration in the mouth include lozenges comprising active agent in a flavoured base, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising the active ingredient in an inert base such as gelatin and glycerin or sucrose 15 and acacia; and mouthwashes comprising the active ingredient in a suitable liquid carrier. Solutions or suspensions are applied directly to the nasal cavity by conventional means, for example with a dropper, pipette or spray. The formulations may be provided in single or multidose form. In the latter case of a dropper or pipette, this may be achieved by the 20 patient administering an appropriate, predetermined volume of the solution or suspension. In the case of a spray, this may be achieved for example by means of a metering atomising spray pump. To improve nasal delivery and retention the compounds according to the invention may be encapsulated with cyclodextrins, or formulated with other agents expected to enhance delivery and retention in the nasal mucosa. 25 Administration to the respiratory tract may also be achieved by means of an aerosol formulation in which the active ingredient is provided in a pressurised pack with a suitable propellant such as a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) for example dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, or dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide, or other suitable gas. 30 The aerosol may conveniently also contain a surfactant such as lecithin. The dose of drug may be controlled by provision of a metered valve.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 40 Alternatively the active ingredients may be provided in the form of a dry powder, for example a powder mix of the compound in a suitable powder base such as lactose, starch, starch derivatives such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone 5 (PVP). Conveniently the powder carrier will form a gel in the nasal cavity. The powder composition may be presented in unit dose form for example in capsules or cartridges of, e.g., gelatin, or blister packs from which the powder may be administered by means of an inhaler. 10 In formulations intended for administration to the respiratory tract, including intranasal formulations, the compound will generally have a small particle size for example of the order of 5 to 10 microns or less. Such a particle size may be obtained by means known in the art, for example by micronisation. 15 When desired, formulations adapted to give sustained release of the active ingredient may be employed. The pharmaceutical preparations are preferably in unit dosage forms. In such form, the preparation is subdivided into unit doses containing appropriate quantities of the active 20 component. The unit dosage form can be a packaged preparation, the package containing discrete quantities of preparation, such as packeted tablets, capsules, and powders in vials or ampoules. Also, the unit dosage form can be a capsule, tablet, cachet, or lozenge itself, or it can be the appropriate number of any of these in packaged form. 25 It is especially advantageous to formulate parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the subjects to be treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. The 30 specification for the dosage unit forms of the invention are dictated by and directly dependent on (a) the unique characteristics of the active material and the particular WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -41 therapeutic effect to be achieved, and (b) the limitations inherent in the art of compounding such an active material for the treatment of disease in living subjects having a diseased condition in which bodily health is impaired. 5 The invention also includes the compounds of formula I, Ia, II, in the absence of carrier where the compounds are in unit dosage form. The amount of compound of formula I administered may be in the range from about 10 mg to 2000 mg per day, depending on the activity of the compound and the disease to be 10 treated. Liquids or powders for intranasal administration, tablets or capsules for oral administration and liquids for intravenous administration are the preferred compositions. 15 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and 20 any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or 25 information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", 30 will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -42 Experimental Synthetic procedures 5 1 H NMR spectra were recorded on either a Bruker Avance DRX 400, AC 200 or AM 300 spectrometer. Spectra were recorded in CDC 3 , d6-acetone, CD 3 0D or d 6 -DMSO using the residual solvent peak as a reference. Chemical shifts are reported on the 5 scale in parts per million (ppm) using the following conventions to assign the multiplicity: s (singlet), d (doublet), t (triplet), q (quartet) m (multiplet) and prefixed b (broad). Mass 10 spectra (ESI) were recorded on a Finnigan LCQ Advantage spectrometer. Flash chromatography was performed on 4 0-63 pm silica gel 60 (Merck No. 9385). Preparative HPLC was carried out using a Gilson 322 pump with a Gilson 215 liquid handler and a HP1100 PDA detector. Unless stated otherwise, HPLC systems employed Phenomenex C8(2) columns using water containing 0.1% TFA and either acetonitrile or acetonitrile 15 containing 0.06% TFA. Method A One equivalent of an appropriate keto-acid of formula II or its ester analogue is reacted 20 with approximately 3 equivalents of an appropriate diamine of the general formula H 2

N

B-C-NH

2 . The mixture is heated under reflux in an inert solvent, such as 1,2 dichloroethane, toluene or xylene, in a flask that may be fitted with a Dean-Stark apparatus for 1-24 h or until no more water is being collected in the trap. A catalyst, such as an acid tosylate, can be used. After this time the reaction is allowed to cool and the 25 product filtered and recrystallised from an appropriate solvent. If no precipitate forms the solvent is evaporated in vacuo and the residue recrystallised or purified using flash chromatography or preparative HPLC. This method for forming compounds of formula III is an adaptation of procedures 30 described in US 4,058,529, Sulkowski, T.S., et al., 1967, J. Org. Chem., 32:2180-2184 and Houlihan, W.J., et al., 1975, J. Med. Chem., 18:182-185.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -43 10a-(4-Chlorophenyll-2,3,10,10a-tetrahydro-1 H-imidazo[1,2-blisocuinolin-5-one 0 N H C , 5 The isoquinolinone derivative above was prepared by Method A using ethylenediamine and 2-(benzoylmethyl)benzoic acid. 1H NMR (300 MHz, d6-acetone) 8 2.58-2.70 (m, 1H), 3.27-3.36 (m, 1H), 3.43-3.52 (m, 1H), 3.46 (d, 1HI, J 15.4 Hz), 3.53 (d, 1H, J 15.3 Hz), 3.68-3.79 (m, 1H), 7.05-7.10 (m, 10 1H), 7.24 (d, 2H, J 8.8 Hz), 7.29-7.34 (m, 2H), 7.32 (d, 2H, J 8.8 Hz), 7.93-7.97 (m, 1H). ESI-MS m/z calculated [M+H]+: 299.0; found: 298.9. 9 a-(4-Chlorophenvl)-2.3.9,9a-tetrahvdro-1H-1, 3 a,8-triazacyclopentafblnaphthalen-4-one 0 N N H 15 CI The polyaza-tetrahydronaphthalenone derivative above was prepared by Method A using ethylenediamine and 2

-[

2 -(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-nicotinic acid. 20 'H NMR (300 MHz, d6-acetone) 8 3.33-3.79 (m, 6H), 7.26-7.36 (m, 5H), 8.21 (dd, 1H), 8.48 (dd, 1H).

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -44 ESI-MS m/z calculated [M+H]*: 300.0; found:299.9. Method B 5 Two equivalents of diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine are added to one equivalent of a compound of formula III in THF or other suitable inert solvent at 0*C. An isocyanate, isothiocyanate, acid chloride or other acylating agent is added to the mixture and the reaction monitored by HPLC. When complete, the reaction is quenched with water and the product extracted into EtOAc. The EtOAc is subsequently washed with solutions of 10 1:1 sat. NH4Cl(aq/water, 1:1 sat. Na2CO3(aq/water and sat. Na2CO3(aq). The EtOAc is dried (Na 2

SO

4 or MgSO 4 ), the solvent evaporated in vacuo and the residue either crystallised or purified by flash chromatography or by preparative HPLC. N-2-1 Oa-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-2,3,10.10a-tetrahydro-5H-imidazo[ l.2-blisoquinolin 15 1-yll-2-oxoethyl - 4 -fluorobenzenesulfonamide 0 N N F 0 HF CI The amide above was prepared by Method B using 4-(fluorobenzenesulfonylamino)acetyl chloride and triethylamine in dichloromethane and purified by flash chromatography. 20 'H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 6 3.39 (d, IH, J 15 Hz), 3.54-3.62 (m, IH), 3.66-3.89 (m, 4H), 4.44 (d, IH, J 16 Hz), 4.44-4.53 (m, 1H), 5.48-5.51 (m, 1H), 7.13-7.33 (m, 8H), 7.37-7.42 (m, 1H), 7.86-7.91 (m, 2H), 7.97 (dd, 1H, J7.5 Hz, 1.3 Hz). 25 ESI-MS m/z calculated [M+H]*: 514.0; found: 514.0.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -45 Method C One equivalent of the appropriate compound of formula III is allowed to react with one equivalent of the appropriate acid chloride or alternative acylating agent in a suitable inert 5 solvent, such as toluene, in the presence of a non-nucleophilic base, such as triethylamine, at elevated temperature until the reaction is substantially complete. An acyl transfer reagent, such as NN-dimethyl-4-aminopyridine, may also be added to the reaction mixture. The mixture is then allowed to cool and the product filtered and recrystallised from an appropriate solvent. If no precipitate is formed the reaction is purified using flash 10 chromatography or preparative HPLC. 4-Fl0a-(4-Chlorophenvl)-5-oxo-2,310,10 a-tetrahydro-5H-imidazo[l,2-blisoquinolin-1 yll-4-oxobutyric acid 0 N N / 0 OH C1 15 The amide above was prepared by Method C using succinic anhydride and triethylamine with NN-dimethyl-4-aminopyridine in toluene at reflux for 3 days and purified by flash chromatography. 'H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 8 2.57-2.60 (in, 211), 2.64-2.67 (in, 2H), 3.55 (d, 1H, J 16 20 Hz), 3.76-3.84 (in, 2H), 3.96-4.06 (in, 1H), 4.43-4.52 (in, 1H), 4.60 (d, 111, J 16 Hz), 7.12 7.20 (in, 3H), 7.28-7.40 (m, 4H), 7.96 (dd, 11, J7.6 Hz, 1.2 Hz). ESI-MS m/z calculated [M+H]*: 399.0; found: 399.0. 25 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -46 Method D N-substituted diamines may be prepared according to methods that will be well known to persons skilled in the art. One such procedure is outlined in Kruse L.I., et al., 1990, J. 5 Med. Chem., 33:781-789. An appropriate compound of Formula II (2 equivalents) and N-substituted diamine of formula H 2

N-B-C-NHR

3 (1 equivalent) in toluene, xylene or other suitable inert solvent are placed in a flask equipped with a stirrer and Dean-Stark apparatus. The mixture is 10 heated to reflux until no further water is separating (typically 1-24 h). The solvent is then distilled off and the residue cooled. The residue is purified using flash chromatography or preparative HPLC. 10a'-(4'-Chlorophenyl)-1'-(4'-fluorobenzyl)-2',3',10',10a'-tetrahydro-l'H 15 spiro[cyclopropane-(1, 1 0'-imidazo I .2-blisoquinolinf5lone)1 0 N F C N ~ CI The amide above was prepared by Method D using N-(4-fluorobenzyl)ethylenediamine in xylenes at reflux for 21 h and purified by flash chromatography. 20 'H NMR (300 MHz, CDCI3) 6 0.42-0.49 (in, IH), 1.56-1.64 (m 1H), 1.76-1.82 (m, 1H), 1.92-1.99 (m, 1H), 2.36 (d, 1H, J 14 Hz), 2.55-2.65 (m, 1H), 3.19-3.25 (in, 1H), 3.71 (d, 1H, J 14 Hz), 3.83-3.93 (in, lH), 4.12-4.19 (in, 1H), 6.97-7.05 (in, 3H), 7.13-7.21 (m, 5H), 7.25-7.35 (m, 3H), 7.84 (dd, lH, J 7.6 Hz, 1.3 Hz). 25 ESI-MS m/z calculated [M+H]*: 433.0; found: 433.1.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -47 Method E One equivalent of the appropriate compound of formula III is reacted with one equivalent of the appropriate isocyanate or isothiocyanate in THF or xylene at a temperature ranging 5 from 20-120 0 C for 1 - 48h. The reaction is then allowed to cool and the product filtered, washed and recrystallised from an appropriate solvent. If no precipitate forms then the product may be purified using flash chromatography or preparative HPLC. Method F 10 The appropriate isocyanate, isothiocyanate, sulfonyl chloride, acid chloride, anhydride or alternative acylating agent (2.2eq) is added directly for liquids or as a solution in pyridine (-IM) for solids to a solution of the appropriate compound of formula III (0.1mmol) in pyridine (500pL) at -5*C. The reaction is stirred and allowed to warm to room 15 temperature for 2-24 h. The reaction is subsequently diluted with water and extracted three times with CH 2 C1 2 or other suitable organic solvent. The combined organic extracts are washed with IN NaOH (3x) and 10% HCl (3x). In the case of basic products the acid wash is omitted and in the case of acidic products the basic wash is omitted. For neutral or basic products the crude purity may be improved by stirring the combined CH 2 C1 2 20 extract in the presence of a polymer-supported base (such as MP-carbonate resin, Argonaut Technologies Inc.) for 0.5-12h. The CH 2 Cl 2 extracts are dried (MgSO 4 ) and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The crude products are subsequently purified by flash chromatography. 25 10a-(4-Chlorophenyl)-l -(pyridine-3-carbonyl)-2,3,10,1Oa-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[1,2 blisoquinolin-5-one WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -48 0 N C1 The acylated isoquinolinone derivative above was prepared by Method F using nicotinoyl chloride and 1Oa-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3,10,10a-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[1,2-b]isoquinolin-5 5 one. 'H NMR (300 MHz, d6-acetone) 8 3.78-3.88 (m, 3H), 3.97-4.09 (m, 1H), 4.28-4.38 (m, 1H), 4.72 (d, 1H, J 16.0Hz), 7.29 (d, 2H, J8.9Hz), 7.31-7.38 (m, 1H), 7.41-7.52 (m, 3H), 7.58 (d, 2H, J8.9Hz), 7.87-7.91 (m, 1H), 7.92 (ddd, 1H, J 1.7Hz, J2.2Hz, J7.9Hz), 8.67 10 (dd, 1H, J 1.7Hz, J4.9Hz), 8.73 (dd, 1H, JO.9Hz, J2.2Hz). ESI-MS m/z calculated [M+H]+: 404.0; found: 404.1. 1Oa-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-(2-pyridin-2-vl-acetyl)-2,3,10,10a-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[1,2 15 blisoquinolin-5-one N N /O N~ C1 The acylated isoquinolinone derivative above was prepared by Method F. Pyridin-2-yl acetic acid was pre-activated by treatment with one equivalent of O-benzotriazole 20 N,N,N'N'-tetrainethyl-uronium-hexafluoro-phosphate in a DMF/pyridine solution. After 10 minutes, this solution was added to 10a-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3,10,10a-tetrahydro-1IH imidazo[1, 2 -b]isoquinolin-5-one.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -49 'H NMR (300 MHz, CD 2 Cl 2 ) S 3.57 (d, 1H, J 16.0 Hz), 3.73-3.96 (m, 4H), 4.04-4.12 (m, 1H), 4.37-4.45 (m, 1H), 4.63 (d, 1H, J 16.0 Hz), 7.16-7.46 (m, 9H), 7.68 (ddd, 1H, J7.7 Hz, 7.7 Hz, 1.8 Hz), 7.92 (dd, 1H, J7.7 Hz, 1.8 Hz), 8.52 (d, 1H, J4.9 Hz). 5 ESI-MS m/z calculated [M+H]*: 418.0; found: 418.0. Method G 10 This method is an adaptation of the method described by Copdret, C. et al., J. Org. Chem., 1998, 63, 1740-1741. 30% Hydrogen peroxide (10eq) is added to a solution of either an appropriate compound of formula I or formula III (1 eq) and trioxorhenium 2.5mol% in

CH

2 Cl 2 (4x volume of hydrogen peroxide solution) at ambient temperature. The mixture is stirred overnight after which time the mixture is diluted with water and stirred for a 15 further 30 minutes. After this time the CH 2

C

2 is separated and the aqueous layer extracted further with CH 2 Cl 2 (2x). The combined extracts are dried and the solvent evaporated in vacuo to yield the desired product, which may be purified by crystallisation or chromatography as required. 20 9a-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-(firan-3-carbonyl)-8-oxv-2,3,9,9a-tetrahydro-1H-1,3a,8-triaza cyclopenta[blnaphthalen-4-one 0 N* N N O I ~ 0 CI The oxygenated derivative above was prepared by Method G from 10a-(4-chlorophenyl) 2,3,10,10a-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[1,2-b]isoquinolin-5-one. 25 'H NMR (300 MHz, d6-acetone) 8 3.38 (d, 1H, J 17.8 Hz), 3.93-4.02 (m, 1H), 4.24-4.35 (m, 2H), 4.37-4.56 (m, 1H), 5.46 (d, 1H, J 17.8 Hz), 6.76-6.77 (m, 1H), 7.26 (d, 2H, J 8.7 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 50 Hz), 7.35-7.39 (m, 1H), 7.41 (d, 2H, J 8.7 Hz), 7.59-7.61 (m, 1H), 7.64 (d, 1H, J7.9 Hz), 8.07-8.08 (m, 1H), 8.33 (d, IH, J6.5 Hz). ESI-MS m/z calculated [M+H] 4 : 410.0; found: 410.0. 5 Method H An appropriate aromatic o-halocarboxylic acid is suspended in tert-butanol or another suitable solvent with approximately 1.5 equivalents of an appropriate p-diketone. To this 10 mixture is added approximately 0.25 equivalents of copper, copper (I) bromide or copper (I) iodide. The suspension is then treated with approximately 1.6 equivalents of potassium tert-butoxide or sodium ethoxide, sealed in a pressure-resistant vessel and heated in a microwave reactor with stirring at around 180*C for approximately 1 hour. Alternatively, a solvent with a sufficiently high boiling point (such as NN-dimethylacetamide) may be 15 used and the mixture is heated at reflux in an open vessel until the substrate has been substantially converted. The resulting mixture is diluted with water, neutralised with aqueous NH 4 CI and extracted with a suitable organic solvent. The organic extracts are dried and concentrated and the residue may be purified by flash chromatography. The lactone intermediate is then hydrolysed by treatment with dilute aqueous hydroxide 20 solution using acetonitrile as a co-solvent. 3

-[

2

-(

4 -Chlorophenvl)-2-oxoethyll-isonicotinic acid 0 OH C1 0 N 25 3

-[

2

-(

4 -Chlorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-isonicotinic acid (above) was prepared by Method H using 3 -chloro-isonicotinic acid and 1,3-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-propane-1,3-dione.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 51 'H NMR (300 MHz, d6-DMSO) 6 4.74 (s, 2H), 7.62 (d, 2H, J 8.7Hz), 7.72 (d, 1H, J 5.0Hz), 8.06 (d, 2H, J8.7Hz), 8.51 (s, 1H), 8.57 (d, 1H, J5.0Hz). ESI-MS m/z calculated [M+H]*: 276.0; found: 276.1 5 Method I An appropriate aromatic carboxylic acid derivative is treated with aluminium chloride (1-3 equivalents) and an excess of a suitable aromatic nucleophile. The mixture is cooled or 10 heated (typically 0 - 90 'C) if necessary and allowed to react until the carboxylic acid derivative is substantially consumed. The reaction mixture is poured into ice and dilute HCL. If a solid precipitates, it may be filtered off and washed. If no solid precipitates, the mixture is extracted into ethyl acetate or dichloromethane, dried with MgSO 4 and concentrated. The product may be further purified by recrystallisation from a suitable 15 solvent or by chromatography. In some cases the product cyclises to form a lactone, which may be hydrolysed by treatment with dilute aqueous hydroxide solution using acetonitrile as a co-solvent. 2

-[

2

-(

4 -Chlorophenyl)-2-oxoethyll-benzoic acid 0 OH 0 z 20 C1 2

-[

2

-(

4 -Chlorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-benzoic acid (above) was prepared by method I using homophthalic anhydride and chlorobenzene. In this case, it was found to be advantageous to heat the reaction to 85 *C for 4 hours. The product was isolated by flash chromatography. 25 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 52 'H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 4.66 (s, 2H), 7.26 (d, 1H, J7.1 Hz), 7.41 (dd, 1H, J7.6 Hz, J 7.6 Hz) , 7.45 (d, 2H, 18.5 Hz), 7.55 (dd, 1H, J7.4 Hz, J7.5 Hz), 7.96 (d, 211, J8.5 Hz), 8.12 (d, 2H, J7.8 Hz) 5 Method J A mixture of an appropriate 2-methyl aromatic carboxylic acid in THF is treated with approximately 2 to 4 equivalents of lithium diisopropylamide at a temperature between -78 *C and 0 *C. The mixture is stirred for around 1 hour while the temperature is 10 increased to 0 *C. The mixture is then cooled to -78 *C and a solution of approximately 1.2 equivalents of an appropriate ester, amide, Weinreb amide or suitable alternative electrophile is then added. The reaction is allowed to warm to 0 'C with stirring for 2 to 4 hours and then allowed to warm to room temperature before being poured into dilute aqueous HCl. The crude product is collected by filtration and purified by recrystallisation 15 or flash chromatography. If no precipitate forms the solution is extracted with a suitable organic solvent and the organic extracts are dried and concentrated. The residue may be purified by recrystallisation or flash chromatography. The method is an adaptation of procedures described in Guion, T. S., et al., 1996, Synth. 20 Communications, 26:1753-1762 and Epsztajn, J., et al., 1992, Synth. Communications, 22:1239-1247. 2

-[

2

-(

4 -Chlorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl3-fluorobenzoic acid 0 OH F 0 ci 25 The keto-acid above was prepared by Method J using 3-fluoro-2-methylbenzoic acid and methyl 4 -chlorobenzoate.

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -53 'H NMR (300 MHz, d6-acetone) S 4.76 (s, 2H), 7.33 (m, 1H), 7.43 (m, 1H), 7.47 (d, 2H, J 8.5 Hz), 7.93 (d, 1H, J7.7 Hz), 7.98 (d, 2H, J8.5 Hz). Method K 5 A compound of formula II (where X=O and D is -[CH 2 ]n-) and a catalytic amount of 18 crown-6 are suspended in THF and cooled to -78*C. The selected alkyl halide or dihalide (approximately 3 equivalents) and then potassium t-butoxide are added. The mixture is stirred and allowed to warm to room temperature. When the reaction is complete, the 10 mixture is cooled again and quenched with a saturated solution of ammonium chloride and diluted with a small amount of water. The organic layer is separated and washed with brine, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated. The residue may be purified by recrystallisation or flash chromatography. 15 This method is an adaptation of procedures described in J. Org. Chem. 1991, 56:7188 7190. 2-[2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-I 1 -dimethyl-2-oxo-ethyll-benzoic acid methyl ester 0 0 CI 20 The keto-ester above was prepared according to Method K from 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2 oxoethyl]-benzoic acid and 3.1 equivalents of methyl iodide. ESI-MS m/z calculated [M+H]*: 317.0; found: 317.0 25 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 54 Method L An appropriate 2-formyl substituted aromatic carboxylic acid and an appropriate a methylene ketone are dissolved or suspended in ethanol. The mixture is cooled to 0 'C and 5 the temperature is maintained below 5 *C while an aqueous solution containing approximately 1.2 equivalents of 1 M sodium hydroxide is added dropwise. The stirred solution is allowed to warm to ambient temperature. The solution is acidified with H 2

SO

4 , heated to 60 *C for 30 minutes and then filtered. The keto-lactone thus obtained is suspended in ethanol and hydrolysed using aqueous sodium hydroxide. The crude enone 10 solution is then treated with hydrogen in the presence of palladium on charcoal until reduction of the alkene is complete. The reaction mixture is acidified, extracted into ethyl acetate, dried (MgSO 4 ) and concentrated. 2-[3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-oxo-propyll-benzoic acid O HO 0 15 C1 The keto-acid above was prepared by Method L from 2-formylbenzoic acid and 1-(4 chlorophenyl)-ethanone. 'H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 3.15-3.50 (m, 4H), 7.15-7.62 (in, 5H, overlapping CHC1 3 ), 20 7.74-7.83 (in, 1H), 7.87-7.98 (m, 2H) ESI-MS m/z calculated for [M+H]*: 289.0; found: 288.9 Method M 25 An appropriate compound of Formula I that contains an oxidisable alkylene group is dissolved or suspended in dichloromethane and treated with potassium permanganate (5 equivalents) and a catalytic amount of 18-crown-6 in dichloromethane and the mixture is stirred at ambient temperature. After allowing time to react (typically 2 - 48 hours), the WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -55 mixture is washed with an equal volume of water approximately six times. The organic layer is then dried (MgSO4) and concentrated. The residue may be purified by flash chromatography. Alternatively, the substrate is dissolved or suspended in acetic acid and treated with chromium (VI) oxide. After allowing time to react (typically 2 - 48 hours), 5 the mixture is diluted with ethyl acetate and washed several times with water. The organic layer is then dried (MgSO 4 ) and concentrated. The crude product may be purified by flash chromatography. 1 a'-(4'-Chlorophenyll '-(4' -methoxybenzoyl)-2',3',10',10a'-tetrahydro-1'H 10 spirofcyclopropane-(1,10'-imidazo 1 2-blisoguinolin51 one) o Ns

NK

N CI The isoquinolinone derivative above was prepared by Method M from 10a'-(4' chlorophenyl)-l'-(4'-methoxybenzyl)-2',3',10',10a'-tetrahydro-1'H-spiro[cyclopropane (1,10'-imidazo[1,2-b]isoquinolin[5]one)] using potassium permanganate in 15 dichloromethane and was purified by flash chromatography. 'H NMR (300 MHz, d6-acetone) S 0.62 (ddd, 1H, J 10.1, 7.4, 4.5 Hz), 1.61 (ddd, 1H, J 10.1, 6.6, 4.5 Hz), 2.10-2.19 (in, 2H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.94-4.14 (in, 3H), 4.36-4.41 (in, lH), 6.97 (d, 2H, J8.8 Hz), 7.15 (d, 2H, J8.8 Hz), 7.26 (td, 1H, J7.7, 1.1 Hz), 7.36 (d, 1H, J 20 7.7 Hz), 7.41 (d, 2H, J8.8 Hz), 7.53 (t, 1H, J7.7 Hz), 7.59 (d, 2H, J8.8 Hz), 7.77 (dd, 1H, J7.7, 1.1 Hz). ESI-MS m/z calculated [M+H]*: 459.0; found: 459.0 25 10a-(4-Chloronhenvl)-101Oa-dihydro-1H-imidazof 1.2-blisoguinoline-2,3,5-trione WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -56 O O N O N H C N The isoquinolinone derivative above was prepared by method M from lOa-(4 chlorophenyl)-2,3,10,10a-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[1,2-b]isoquinolin-5-one using chromium (VI) oxide in acetic acid. 5 'H NMR (300 MHz, d6-acetone) 8 4.04 (d, 1H, J 15.7 Hz), 4.31 (d, 1H, J 15.7 Hz), 7.37 (d, 2H, J8.9 Hz) 7.39-7.44 (in, lH), 7.48-7.53 (in, 1H), 7.51 (d, 2H, J8.8 Hz), 7.60 (ddd, 1H, J7.5 Hz, 7.4 Hz, 1.1 Hz), 7.98 (dd, 1H, J7.8, 1.1 Hz). 10 ESI-MS m/z calculated [M+H]*: 327.0; found: 326.9 Method N A selected carbonyl compound is dissolved in toluene or suitable inert solvent and treated 15 with Lawesson's reagent (approximately 1.1 equivalents). The mixture is heated to reflux for 24 - 72 h . The cooled mixture is then washed several times with water and the organic phase is dried (MgSO 4 ) and concentrated. The residue may be purified by flash chromatography. 20 1Oa-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2,3,1010a-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[l,2-blisoquinoline-5-thione S N H

CI

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 57 The above thioamide was prepared by Method N from 1Oa-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3,10,1Oa tetrahydro-1H-imidazo 1,2-blisoquinolin-5-one IH NMR (300 MHz, d6-acetone) S 2.68-2.75 (m, 1H), 3.38-3.42 (m, 1H), 3.55 (br s, 2H), 5 3.71 (br s, 1H), 3.87 (dd, 111, J 13.5, 7.7 Hz), 4.05 (ddd, 111, J 13.5, 9.7, 8.3 Hz), 7.04 (d, 1H, J7.1 Hz), 7.22-7.33 (m, 6H), 8.42 (d, 1HI, J7.5 Hz). ESI-MS m/z calculated [M+H]*: 315.0; found: 315.0 10 Method 0 Selected compounds of the invention may be separated into single stereoisomers by HPLC using chromatographic columns with a chiral stationary phase. For example, the following racemic compounds were separated into enantiomers under the conditions 15 detailed below. Column: Chiralcel OD-H Column 250 x 4.6mm Detector wavelength: 254nm 20 Separation of Compound 1-019 Mobile Phase A: Ethanol Flow Rate: 0.7mL/min Isocratic Elution: 100% Mobile Phase A Run Time: 30mins 25 Column Temperature: 30*C Injection Volume: 20pl Separation of Compounds 1-008, 1-036 & 1-043 Mobile Phase A: Hexane 30 Mobile Phase B: Ethanol Flow Rate: 0.7mL/min Run Time: 42mins Post Run time: 5mins Column Temperature: 30 0 C 35 Injection Volume: 20pd WO 20081037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -58 Gradient Timetable: Time (min) % Mobile Phase B 0 2 30 98 40 98 42 2 5 Separation of Compounds 1-006, 1-005, 1-029, 1-031, 1-032. 2-02 & 2-06 Mobile Phase A: Hexane Mobile Phase B: Ethanol Flow Rate: 0.7mL/min 10 Isocratic Elution: 70% Mobile Phase A, 30% Mobile Phase B Run Time: 33mins Column Temperature: 30-C Injection Volume: 20g1 15 Table 1: Separation of Enantiomers Using Chiralcel OD-H Column (elution conditions described above) Compound Retention Time of Enantiomer A Retention Time of Enantiomer B Number (min) (min) 1-019 9.3 12.66 1-008 30.4 34.5 1-006 15.7 18.0 1-005 13.4 17.9 2-02 8.2 13.4 1-029- 13.0 19.7 1-031 20.6 23.9 1-032 - 13.2 15.4 1-036 24.9 28.0 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -59 Compound Retention Time of Enantiomer A Retention Time of Enantiomer B Number (min) (min) 1-043 22.6 25.3 2-06 7.1 10.3 It will be understood that compounds of Formula I that are obtained by the above processes may, where appropriate, be elaborated into additional compounds of Formula I using techniques known in the art. 5 The above described methods were used to make the compounds in Table 2 and Table 3 below. All compounds shown have been prepared. The compounds have been characterised by mass spectrometry and the observed molecular ion for each is indicated in the tables. 10 Table 2: Prepared compounds of formula I Observed' Compound no. Structure m/z Synthesis ([M+H]) methods) 1-001 N F 387.0 H,A,F 0 N~ -N 1-002 Cg N 453.1 H,A,F \O 0 N 1-003 N 370.1 H,A,F 0 0 1 N 1-004 C N 0 359.1 H,A,F

O

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -60 Observed Synthesis Compound no. Structure m/z method(s) ([M+H]*) ____ 0 N 1-005 F 421.1 1,A,F 0 Cl 0 NK> 1-006 393.1 1,A,F ~ 0 CI 0 K N 1-007 N F 422.1 1,A,F C / -N CI 0

N

1-008 C N 404.1 IA,F Cl 0 lN N 1-009 N NF 422.1 H,A,F ~ 0 CI 0

N

1-010 N 394.1 H,A,F ~ 0 CI 0 1-011 N F 423.1 H,A,F Cl 0 NN~ 1-012 N 405.2 H,A,F

CI

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -61 Observed Synthesis Compound no. Structure m/z methods) 0 N' 1-013 N F 422.1 HA,F 0 CI 0

N

1-014 N N 405.2 H,A,F CI N , 0 1-016 N 359.1 1,A,F x / o~ 0 K N 1-017 N 419.0 I,A,F 0 CI 0 N-) 1-018 438.0 1,A,F CI 0 N 1-019 N 443.0 I,A,F O Cl

N

1-020 \ q 438.0 I,A,F C

CI

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -62 O bserved Compound no. Structure m/z Synthesis [M+H + method(s) 0 I N 1-021 487.0 J,A,F 1 Br Cl 0 N F 1-022 C 422.0 IA,F 0N CC 0 N 1-023 438.0 I,A,F /1V C11 0 N 1-024 419.0 1,A,F \ 0 CI 0 N 1-025 -394.1 ,A,F Cf 0 1-026 438.0 1,A,F C' N 1-028 N i 411.0 1,A,F C N

CI

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -63 Observed Synthesis Compound no. Structure m/z method(s) ([M+H])) IN > 1-029 CH 475.0 1,A,F / N C F FF 1-030 422.0 1,A,F \ 0 cI 0 1-031 C 409.0 1,A,F CI 0 K

N

1-032 N 0 393.0 1,A,F ~ 0 CI 0 K

N

1-033 - N 487.0 1,A, F \0 IN CII 01 1-034 S424.0 1,A,F CI 0 1-035 N H 475.0 I,A,F 0 1-03 N' 3 1-3 "L%1N 424.9 1,A,F

CI

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -64 Observed Synthesis Compound no. Structure m/z + method(s) ([M+H)) 0 N- HaG 1-037 421.0 1,A,F 0 CH, Cl 0

N

1-038 A 8 486.0 I,A,F cl N-' 1-039 C N N 484.0 I,A,F N HC cI 0 1-040 s 492.0 I,A,F 0 N Cl 0 N 1-041 N 407.1 I,A,F CI 0 q N) 1-042 N 418.1 1,A,F Cl CI 1-043 N N 0O 394.1 H,A,F N C 0 1-044 438.0 I,A,F Cl WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 65 Observed Synthesis Compound no. Structure mlz method(s) ___________________([M+Hf)

|N

1-045 N Cl 477.9 1,A,F CC CH 0 1-046 N .F 417.1 1,A,F N 0 HC, 1-047 N 389.0 I,A,F J N- 0 0 0, 1-048 N 410.0 H,A,F,G

,CH

3 1-049 400.2 1,A,F 0 1-050 N 428.0 I,A,F 0 1-051 - 446.0 1,A,F 1-052 -N H 432.0 1,A,F Cl WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 66 ObservedSytei Compound no. Structure mlZ Sythedss (1M+H)mehds 1-053 0"-~ 405.1 I,K,D C' 0 1-0546.~~ 416.1 I,I(,D CI 0 1-056 433.1 l,K,D / F Cl 0 K N 1-0570 445.0 ,K,D, / \ WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -67 Observed Synthesis Compound no. Structure mlz method(s) ([M+H) O'CHa

N

1-061 N\ 459.0 I,K,D,M Cl 0 1-062 390.0 J,A,F 1-063 N N F41. JF

H

3

C

1-064 F 419.0 J,AF HaC 1-063 443.0 J,A,F 0

HC

0 1-064 N N I 418.0 J,A,F 0

H

3 C 0 K N> 1-065 443.0 J,A,F 0 1-067 " N 418.0 I,A,F 0

-

N N N 1-068 -435.1 I,A,F cl WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -68 Observed Synthesis Compound no. Structure m/z method(s) ([M+H]) 1-069 447.0 1,A,F CI 0 Hd S N) 1-070 - F 436.9 1,A,N,F CI N> 1 1N 411.0 J,A,F /' 0 Cl 0 N - N 1-072 440.1 J,A,F / 0 Cl 0 KN> 1-073 F N F 439.1 J,A,F / 0 CI 0 N 1-074 F N 422.1 JA,F 0 CI 0 K N> 1-076 F N 450.0 J,A,F / 0

CI

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -69 Observed Synthesis Compound no. Structure m/z method(s) ([M+Hf) N'> 1-077 N< -C, 355.0 IA,F 0 cI 0 1-078 s440.0 I,A,F N 1-078 Ny .S 454.0 I,A,B C 1-083 N 452.0 ,A,B SF 0 F CI 0 N N 1-081 N H 418.0 I,A,F CI 0 1-081 F N Y 4 . 410 J,A,F 0 C 0 N- N N 1-0832 N FC 422.0 J,A, F 0 CI 0 N 1-084 F -N F 439.1 JA,F 0

C

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 70 Observed Synthesis Compound no. Structure m/z + methods) ([M+Hf) 0 1-085 F N o 411.0 J,A,F 0 CI 0

N

NN N 1-086 N 412.0 J,A,F F 0 cI 0 N N-> ,CH, 1-087 N N 493.0 J,A,F " F F C1 N 1-088 , 412.0 JA,F F 0 Cl 0 1-089 599.0 1,A,F 0IAC OH c1

N

1-090 369.0 I,A,F IO CH, CI 1-091 566.0 I,A,F I-IC 0 1-092 'J.486.:0 IA,F 0- /Oo cI WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -71 compound nlo. Structure mlz e Synthesis [M+H + method(s) 1-093 N 335.1 J,AF 0 N 1-094 N N 429.1 J A,F 0 0 0 1-9 N 464.0 J,A,F \0 ci 1-06 /1J~ 450.0 J,A, F 01 0 1-097 N .f-N 447.0 JAF 0

N

1-98N -N433.3 J,A,F 0 1-099 N 0. A N CI 0 1-100 N N -395.0 H,A,F 0

CI

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -72 O-b -se rv e d S y t e i Compound no. Structure mz Synthesis -- QM+Hf) methods) 1-101 410.0 H,A,F 0 Cf 1-102 N 0 394.0 H,A,F CI 0 1-103 N 1-103 444.0 H,A,F 0 CI Cc 0 N NN

NK

1-104 N N P\ 487.9 H,A,F 0 Br cI 0cH NN 1-105 N N N 439.0 H,A,F 0 cI 0 CH 1-106 N N 4 .0 ,A F 0 CI 0 N 1-0 '-'_.C 394.0 J,A,F \0

CI

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 73 Observed Synthesis Compound no. Structure m/z methods) ([M+H]*) 0 N N N 1-108 N 405.0 J,A,F C0 0 N N- N 1-109 N / 422.0 J,A,F /0 Cl 0 1-110 -N N 430 ,, N 1-110 N N 423.0 J,A,F OF Cl 0 <N N> 0 1-111N N N N 395.0 JA,F N 1-112 N N N 406.0 J,A,F 0 C 0 N N 1-113 N 423.0 JA,F CI 0 Nl WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -74 Observed Synthesis Compound no. Structure m/z methods) ([M+H])) 0 K N> 1-114 N ON378.1 JA,F F 0 N 0 N--> N 1-115 'F N / 389.1 J,A,F F /0 N 0 1-116 F 407.1 J,A,F F F N 0 1-118 NF --- F 423.12 J,A,F N 1-117 N N F 406.1 J,A,F -F F 0 NN 0 NN 0 F CI F F WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 75 Compound no. Structure mlz Synthesis ([M+H1") method(s) 0 K N> 1-120 N N43. JA, \I0 N /-s49. , 0 1-121 N N -8481.0 J,A,F \/0 - CI CI CI 0 K N-> 1-122 N N /0 448.1 J,A,F CI NN C IN 0 K-- NF FF 1-124 (N N / ~ 461 J~ CII 0 1-125 K N> 1-12 N 47 J,A,F N

CI

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 76 Compound no. Structure m/z Synthesis QtcteM+ method(s) 0 1-126 N 424.1 JA,F /C / CI 0 1-127 N 487.1 J,A,F 0 F CI 0

N

Ni N 1-128 448.1 J,A,F 4. NJ 1-129 N N 459.1 J,AF ci 0 0 1-130 N> 1-30420.1 J,A,F /0 CI 0 1-131 N N420.RJA,] 0 0 40. \o, ci WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 77 Obs e Synthesis Compound no. Structure Obsere ythedss M+H +mehds 0 1 N\ 1-132 N N 419.1 J,A,F 0 N -N 1-133 N ON 435.1 J,A,F CI 0 K N) 1-134 N N b 425. J,A,F C 0 N 1-134 N N H 423.0 J,A,F 0 Cl 0 N~ 1-136 N N 357.0 J,A,F Cl 0 K

N

1-1 7 >N 447.1 J,A,F

CI

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -78 Observed Compound no. Structure m z Synthesis M+H + method(s) 0 KN 1-138

-

413.0 J,A,C CI 0 0 1-139 F04. J,AF,G O 1-140 N 419.1 J,A,F 0 rN 0 0 1-1401 N 434.1 ,A,F N_ N C0 0 1-141 N M -a H 3.1 IA,F

C

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -79 Compound no. Structure med Synthesis M+H + method(s) 1-143 N F 465.0 HA,F CI F 0 1-144 N 451.0 H,A,F

-

1-14 N \ CH47. H,A,F Cl 0 1-146 N N H 44.0 H,A,F S/0 Cl 0 N N> 1-4 N 43.0 H,A,F 0 1-147 48. NAI 00

CF

3 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -80 Observed Synthesis Compound no. Structure m/z method(s) (M+Hf 0 N 1-149 N N 485.1 H,A,F

H

3 C1 0 N N 1-150 -- S 487.0 H,A,F CIN 0

N

N N 1-151 N) 501.1 H,A,F 0) ci Na HaC 0 N.,C 1-152 N N 426.0 H,A,F \/ S-N C 0 N 1 N N O H 567.1 H,A,F 1-153 i / 0 HN,(:O CI

CH

3 0 jNN 1-154 N N 356.0 H,A,F \/O CH,

CI

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 81 Table 3: Prepared compounds of formula III Compound Observed m/z Synthesis no. Structure ([M+H]*) method(s) 0 N " 2-01 265.0 H,A H H N N 2-02 298.9 ,A C1 0 2-03 300.0 H,A CI N N 2-04 300.0 H,A CI 2-05 N 300.0 H,A HC 2-06 C325.0 I,K,A C1 0 NN 2-07 H 295.9 J,A WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 82 Compound Structure Observed m/z Synthesis no. ([M+H]*) method(s) NN) 2-08

.

314.8 IA,N C 0 2-09 317.0 J,A N 2-10 I 317.0 J,A 2-11 327.0 1,K,A C 2-12 N 295.0 ,A 22

N

2-11 327.0 IJ,A Ci 0 N? 2-12 - H 295.0 J,A

CI

WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 83 Compound Structure Observed m/z Synthesis no. ([M+H]*) method(s) 0 2-16 N 284.1 J,A F N 0 2-17 N 294.0 J,A 0 2-18 7 313.0 L,A CI 2-19 - 1 326.9 L,A,M ' 0 2-20 300.9 J,A CI Biological data 5 Method P: RSV Antiviral Assay Protocol Compounds of the invention were tested for their antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus. Cytopathic effect (CPE) assays were performed essentially as described in the literature (see for example Watanabe et al, 1994, J. Virological Methods, 48:257). 10 Serial dilutions of the test compounds were made in 96 well plates. HEp2 cells (1.0 x 104 cells/well) were infected with RSV at a low multiplicity of infection (e.g. RSV A2 at an moi of -0.01) and added to plates to assess antiviral activity. Uninfected HEp2 cells were used to assess compound cytotoxicity. Assays were incubated for 5 days at 37 0 C in a 5% WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 84 CO 2 atmosphere. The extent of CPE was determined via metabolism of the vital dye 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiaxol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). MTT (1mg/ml) was added to each well and plates incubated for 2 hours incubation at 37'C. Wells were aspirated, iso-propanol (200pL) was added and absorbance values read at 540/690nm. 5 Compound concentrations that inhibited CPE by 50% (EC 5 0) and developed cytotoxicity

(CC

5 o) were calculated using non-linear regression analysis. Representative data for compounds of the invention against RSV A2 are shown in Tables 4 and 5 where EC 50 values lie in the ranges A: < 0.25[tM, B: 0.25-1.OpM, C: 1.0-5.0sM 10 and D: >5.0 gM. Table 4: RSV A2 Antiviral Data for Compounds of Table 2 Cpd No. Activity Cpd No. Activity Range Range 1-001 B 1-029 B 1-002 B 1-043 A 1-003 B 1-066 C 1-005 D 1-069 B 1-006 A 1-071 A 1-007 C 1-073 B 1-008 C 1-077 C 1-010 B 1-079 B 1-014 C 1-083 B 1-015 B 1-087 A 1-019 B 1-101 A WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 85 Cpd No. Activity Cpd No. Activity Range Range 1-025 C 1-109 C Table 4: RSV A2 Antiviral Data for Compounds of Table 1 Cpd No. Activity Range Cpd No. Activity Range 1-019a D 1-019b B 1-008a D 1-008b C 1-006a D 1-006b A 1-029a D 1-029b B 1-031a D 1-031b B 1-036a D 1-036b A 1-043a D 1-043b A 5 Method Q: RSV Fusion Assay Selected compounds of the invention can be tested for their ability to inhibit the essential 10 fusion processes of the respiratory syncytial virus. Generation of RSV-F constructs Single-stranded synthetic DNA oligonucleotides encoding the portions of RSV A2 F 15 glycoprotein incorporating optimal codons and without potential poly(A) addition or splice sites were generated synthetically (Mason et al, W00242326). A membrane anchored full-length F was generated essentially according to the method described therein and in Morton et al. 20 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 86 Syncytium formation assay Fusion activity of the RSV-F constructs was measured in 293 cells essentially according to the method described in Morton et al, 2003, Virology, 311:275. For example: cells in six 5 well plates at approximately 80% confluency were transfected by adding plasmid DNA (2 pg/well) carrying the constructs of interest in CaPO 4 solution for 4 hours. After glycerol shock and wash, the transfected cells were trypsinized and 1.5 x 104 cells/well added to 96-well plates containing half-log serial dilutions of the test compound. Syncytium formation was evaluated by visual inspection and quantified at 48 hours post-transfection 10 by addition of 20 pL of CellTiter 96 One Solution (Promega) followed by incubation for 4 hours at 37*C. The colour reaction was then stopped by addition of 25 pL 10% SDS to each well and absorbance values read at 540/690nm. The compound concentration that reduced absorbance relative to untreated control cultures by 50% (EC 5 o) was calculated using non-linear regression analysis. 15 Method R: RSV Cotton Rat Model The cotton rat model was performed essentially as described in the literature (Wyde et al, 2003, Antiviral Res., 60:221). Briefly, cotton rats weighing 50-100 g were lightly 20 anesthetized with isoflurane and dosed orally with 100 mg/kg/day of compound or vehicle control. Viral infection followed 2 hours post-treatment in similarly anesthetized rats by intranasal instillation with approximately 1000 TCID 50 of RSV A2 per animal. Four days after virus inoculation, each cotton rat was sacrificed and their lungs removed and RSV titres determined by plaque assay. 25 Method S: RSV Balb/c Mouse Model The mouse model was performed essentially as described by Cianci et al, 2004, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy., 48:413). Briefly, eight week old female Balb/c 30 mice were weighed, anesthetized intraperitoneally with AvertinTm and compound or vehicle administered orally 6 hours preinfection. Mice were inoculated intranasally with WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 87 approximately 10000 TCID 5 0 RSV A2 per animal. Three days after virus inoculation, each mouse was sacrificed and their lungs removed and RSV titres determined by plaque assay.

Claims (44)

1. A compound of formula I or salt thereof N-B\ A /C a D' N/ 5 R2 Formula I wherein: 10 R 1 is selected from C 1 - 1 2 alkyl, C2- 1 2 alkenyl, C 2 - 1 2 alkynyl, -(CH 2 ),C 3 - 7 cycloalkyl, -(CH 2 )nC 4 .. 7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )n aryl, -(CH 2 )n arylC 1 - 12 alkyl, -(CH 2 ). arylC 2 - 12 alkenyl, -(CH 2 )narylC 2 - 1 2 alkynyl, and -(CH 2 )n heterocyclyl; n is 0-6 and said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are 15 optionally substituted; R2 is selected from H, 0, -CH 2 R 3 , -C(=Y)R 3 , -C(=Y)OR 3 , -C(=Y)N(R 4 )R 3 , C(=Y)CH 2 N(R4)R 3 , -C(=Y)CH 2 SR 3 and -S(O),Rs, where R 3 is selected from hydrogen, C 1 .. 1 2 alkyl, C 2 - 12 alkenyl, C 2 - 12 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )mC 3 - 7 cycloalkyl, 20 -(CH 2 )mC 4 - 7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )m aryl, -(CH 2 )m arylCI- 12 alkyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2 - 1 2 alkenyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2 - 1 2 alkynyl and -(CH 2 )m heterocyclyl; and when R 2 is CH 2 R 3 , or -C(=Y)R 3 , R 3 may also be selected from -S-Rs and -O-R5; m is 0-6; R 4 is hydrogen or C 1 . 6 alkyl; R 5 is C 1 . 6 alkyl, C 2 - 6 alkenyl, C 2 - 6 alkynyl, C 3 . 7 cycloalkyl, C 4 - 7 cycloalkenyl, benzyl, aryl or heterocyclyl; w is 0, 1 or 2, and the alkyl, alkenyl, 25 alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted; WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 89 X and Y are independently selected from 0, S and NR 6 , where R 6 is independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy and lower alkoxy; A together with the atoms to which it is attached, forms an optionally substituted 5 aromatic ring; B-C together with the atoms to which they are attached, forms an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 ring atoms; 10 D represents a bivalent linking group of from one to three atoms in length, and provided that when A together with the atoms to which it is attached forms an unsubstituted phenyl ring, X is 0, D is -CH 2 -, B-C represents -CH 2 CH 2 -, and R 1 is unsubstituted phenyl, then R 2 is not H. 15

2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein ring A is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl ring.

3. A compound according to claim 2 wherein ring A is an optionally substituted 20 heteroaryl ring.

4. A compound according to claim 2 wherein ring A is an optionally substituted phenyl. 25

5. A compound according to claim 3 wherein ring A is an optionally substituted pyridyl ring.

6. A compound according to any one of claims I to 5 wherein B-C represents a bivalent linking group of 1 to 3 atoms. 30 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 90

7. A compound according to claim 6 where B-C represents -CH 2 -(CH 2 )z-, wherein Z is 1 or 2 and the B-C linking group is optionally substituted with a group selected from halo, lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, phenyl or benzyl. 5

8. A compound according to claim 7 wherein B-C represents -CH 2 CH 2 -.

9. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 8 where D represents a bivalent link selected from -CRIIRw-, -0-, -NRv-, -S-, -C(=X)-, -CRRRNCR'Rw-, -0 CRr..RV-, -NRv-CR1RV-, -S-CRuIR!V-, -CR"=CRr"-, -C(=X)-CRIIRN-, 10 CR1Rw-CR!IRw-CRIIRw-, -O-CR"'RN-CRuIRN-, -NR-CRiIRV-CRR...-, -S CRIrRIV-CRIlRIv-, -CR"II=CRurI-CR"IRv-, and -C(=X)-CRuIIR'v-CRI"RN-; wherein each R"I and RN are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, C 1 . 12 alkyl, C 2 - 1 2 alkenyl, C 2 . 12 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )nC 3 .7 cycloalkyl, 15 -(CH 2 )nC 4 . 7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )n aryl, -(CH 2 )n arylC1- 1 2 alkyl, -(CH 2 )n arylC 2 ..12 alkenyl, -(CH 2 )naryC 2 -1 2 alkynyl, and -(CH 2 )n heterocyclyl, or R"1 and RN together with the atom to which they are attached represent a 3 to 8 membered cycloalkyl or heterocyclic ring; n is 0-6 and said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted; 20 R is selected from 0, -CH 2 R 3 , -C(=Y)R 3 , -C(=Y)OR 3 , -C(=Y)N(R 4 )R 3 , C(=Y)CH 2 N(R 4 )R 3 , -C(=Y)CH 2 SR 3 and -S(0),R 5 , where R 3 is selected from hydrogen, C 1 - 1 2 alkyl, C 2 - 12 alkenyl, C 2 - 12 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )mC 3 . 7 cycloalkyl, -(CH 2 )mC 4 .. 7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )m aryl, -(CH 2 )m arylCI-1 2 alkyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2 .. 25 12 alkenyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2 - 12 alkynyl and -(CH 2 )m heterocyclyl; and when R is CH 2 R 3 , or -C(=Y)R 3 , R 3 may also be selected from -S-R 5 and -0-R 5 ; m is 0-6; R 4 is hydrogen or C 1 . 6 alkyl; R 5 is C 1 . 6 alkyl, C 2 - 6 alkenyl, C 2 - 6 alkynyl, C 3 .. 7 cycloalkyl, C 4 . 7 cycloalkenyl, benzyl, aryl or heterocyclyl; w is 0, 1 or 2, and the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are 30 optionally substituted; and WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -91 X and Y are independently selected from 0, S and NR 6 , where R 6 is independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy, and lower alkoxy.

10. A compound according to claim 9 wherein the bivalent linking D group together 5 with the atoms to which it is attached form a 6 membered non-aromatic heterocyclic ring.

11. A compound according to claim 10 where D represents -CRRRN-, -0-, -NRv-, -S-, or -C(=X)-, wherein R!", RN, R and X are as defined in claim 9. 10

12. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 8 where D represents -- CR"IRV-, wherein at least one of R'I and RN represents hydrogen and the other may be selected from halogen, hydroxyl, optionally substituted C 1 - 12 alkyl, and optionally substituted aryl; R.. and RN are the same and represent C 1 . 3 alkyl; or R' and RN 15 together with the atom to which they are attached represent a 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 membered cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl ring.

13. A compound according to claim 12 where D represents -CRIRIv-, wherein R"i and RN both represent H or CH 3 . 20

14. A compound according to any one of claims I to 8 wherein D represents -CH 2 -.

15. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein R 1 represents an optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted alkyl or optionally substituted 25 heterocyclyl.

16. A compound according to claim 15 wherein R 1 represents an optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted thienyl, optionally substituted pyrrolyl or optionally substituted pyridyl. 30 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -92

17. A compound according to claim 16 wherein R, represents an optionally substituted phenyl ring.

18. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein R, is optionally 5 substituted phenyl where the substituents are each independently selected from halo, hydroxy or alkoxy; cycloalkyl; or optionally substituted pyridyl or an N-oxide thereof where the substituents are each independently selected from halo.

19. A compound according to claim 18, wherein Ri is optionally substituted phenyl 10 where the substituents are each independently selected from chloro, hydroxy or methoxy; lower cycloalkyl; or optionally substituted pyridyl or an N-oxide thereof where the substituents are each independently selected from chloro.

20. A compound according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein R, is phenyl, 4 15 chlorophenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, 5-chloro-2-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl or 4-pyridyl N-oxide.

21. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein R 2 is selected from 0, -CH 2 R 3 , -C(:=Y)R 3 , -C(=Y)OR 3 , -C(=Y)N(R 4 )R 3 , -C(=Y)CH 2 N(R 4 )R 3 , 20 -C(=Y)CH2SR 3 and -S(0),R 5 , where R 3 is selected from hydrogen, C 1 .. 2 alkyl, C 2 12 alkenyl, C 2 . 12 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )mC 3 7 cycloalkyl, -(CH 2 )mC 4 . 7 cycloalkenyl, (CH 2 )m aryl, -(CH 2 )m arylCI. 1 2 alkyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2 . 12 alkenyl, -(CH 2 )m aryC 2 . 12 alkynyl and -(CH 2 )m heterocyclyl; and when R 2 is -CH 2 R 3 , or -C(=Y)R 3 , R 3 may also be selected from -S-R 5 and -0-R 5 ; m is 0-6; R 4 is hydrogen or C. 6 alkyl; R 5 is 25 C 1 . 6 alkyl, C 2 - 6 alkenyl, C 2 - 6 alkynyl, C 3 . 7 cycloalkyl, C 4 . 7 cycloalkenyl, benzyl, aryl or heterocyclyl; w is 0, 1 or 2, and the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted.

22. A compound according to any one of claims I to 20 where R 2 is -CH 2 -R 3 , wherein 30 R 3 is -(CH 2 )m optionally substituted aryl or -(CH 2 )m optionally substituted heterocyclyl and m is 0 to 3. WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 93

23. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 20 where R2 is C(=Y)CH 2 N(R4)R 3 or -C(=Y)CH 2 SR 3 , wherein R3 is -(CH 2 )m optionally substituted aryl or -(CH 2 )m optionally substituted heterocyclyl, m is 0 to 3, Y is 0 5 and R4 is H or lower alkyl.

24. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 20 where R2 is -CON(R 4 )R 3 , wherein R4 is H, R3 is -(CH 2 )m optionally substituted aryl or -(CH 2 )m optionally substituted heteroaryl and m is 0 to 2. 10

25. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 20 where R 2 is -C(=Y)R 3 , wherein Y is 0 or S, R3 is -(CH 2 )m optionally substituted aryl or -(CH 2 )m optionally substituted hateroaryl, and m is 0 to 3. 15

26. A compound according to claim 25 wherein Y is 0, m is 0, and R 3 is an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered monocyclic heterocycle, an optionally substituted 9 or 10 membered bicyclic heterocycle or an optionally substituted aryl group.

27. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein R 2 is -CH 2 R 3 , C(=0)R 3 , -C(=O)N(R 4 )R 5 or -SO 2 R 6 ; where 20 a. R 3 is optionally substituted alkyl where the substituents are independently selected from -COOH, -SCH 2 CONHaryl, -NHS0 2 aryl, heteroaryl and aryl, each optionally independently substituted with halo or alkoxy; optionally substituted phenyl where the substituents are independently selected from halo; optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl 25 where the subsituents are independently selected from halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryloxy, and heteroaryl optionally substituted with alkyl or haloalkyl; or optionally substituted alkenyl where the substituents are independently selected from heteroaryl; b. R 4 is H; 30 c. Rs is cycloalkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkyl or aralkyl; and WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -94 d. R 6 is heteroaryl.

28. A compound according to any one of claims I to 20, wherein R 2 is -CH 2 R 3 , C(=O)R 3 , -C(=O)N(R 4 )R 5 or -SO 2 R 6 ; where a. R 3 is optionally substituted methyl, ethyl, or propyl, where the substituents 5 are independently selected from -COOH, -SCH 2 CONH-3,4 dimethoxyphenyl, -NHS02-4-fluorophenyl, pyridyloxy, benzisoxazolyl, pyridyl, furyl, 4-fluorophenyl, or 4-methoxyphenyl; optionally substituted phenyl where the substituents are independently selected from methoxy, F and Cl; optionally substituted thiazolyl, pyridyl, furyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl, 10 isothiazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, or pyrazolyl where the subsituents are independently selected from pyridyloxy, cyclopropyl, Me, CF 3 , phenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, F, Cl, Br, 5-CF 3 -3-methyl-1-pyrazolyl; or 2-furylethen- 1 yl; b. R4 is H; 15 c. R 5 is 2-pheneth-1-yl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, 2-furylmethyl, methyl, or 4 methylbenzyl; and d. R 6 is pyridyl.

29. A compound according to claim 26 wherein R 3 is selected from phenyl, furyl, 20 thienyl, pyridyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, furazanyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1, 3 ,4-triazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, benzo[b]furanyl, benzo[b]thiophenyl and benzoisoxazolyl (all of which may be optionally substituted). 25

30. A compound according to claim 1 where R 2 is -COR 3 , fused ring A is an optionally substituted phenyl or an optionally substituted pyridyl ring, D is -CRmIR'-, R 3 is selected from phenyl, furyl, thienyl, pyridyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, furazanyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,3,4-triazolyl, 1,2,3 thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, benzo[b]furanyl, 30 benzo[b]thiophenyl and benzoisoxazolyl (all of which may be optionally WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 95 substituted) and R!" and RN are both H or CH 3 , or R"1 and RN together with the atom to which they are attached represent a 3, 4, 5 or 6-membered cycloalkyl ring or a symmetrical 6-membered heterocyclic ring. 5

31. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein X is 0.

32. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R, is an optionally substituted phenyl, X is 0, A together with the atoms to which it is attached forms an optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted pyridyl ring, B-C is -CH 2 CH 2 -, D is 10 CH 2 - and R 2 is -C(0)optionally substituted aryl or -C(0)optionally substituted heterocyclyl.

33. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein ring A is an unsubstituted phenyl ring. 15

34. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein ring A is an unsubstituted pyridyl ring.

35. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula Ia or salt thereof 20 --- B AC RIN R12 Formula Ia 25 wherein: R 1 is selected from C 1 . 2 alkyl, C 2 - 12 alkenyl, C 2 - 12 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )nC 3 - 7 cycloalkyl, -(CH 2 )nC 4 - 7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )a aryl, -(CH 2 ),, arylC.. 12 alkyl, -(CH 2 ), arylC 2 - 12 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 96 alkenyl, -(CH 2 )naryC 2 -1 2 alkynyl, and -(CH 2 )n heterocyclyl; n is 0-6 and said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted; 5 R 2 is selected from H, 0, -CH 2 R 3 , -C(=Y)R 3 , -C(=Y)OR 3 , -C(=Y)N(R 4 )R 3 , C(=Y)CH 2 N(R 4 )R 3 , -C(=Y)CH 2 SR 3 and -S(O),Rs, where R 3 is selected from hydrogen, C 1 .. 1 2 alkyl, C 2 .. 12 alkenyl, C 2 - 12 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )mC 3 . 7 cycloalkyl, -(CH 2 )mC 4 . 7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )m aryl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 1 - 1 2 alkyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2 - 12 alkenyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2 - 12 alkynyl and -(CH 2 )m heterocyclyl; and when R2 is 10 CH 2 R 3 , or -C(=Y)R 3 , R 3 may also be selected from -S-R 5 and -0-R5; m is 0-6; R4 is hydrogen or C 1 - 6 alkyl; R5 is C 1 - 6 alkyl, C 2 - 6 alkenyl, C 2 - 6 alkynyl, C 3 - 7 cycloalkyl, C 4 . 7 cycloalkenyl, benzyl, aryl or heterocyclyl; w is 0, 1 or 2, and the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted; 15 X and Y are independently selected from 0, S and NR, where R6 is independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy and lower alkoxy; A together with the atoms to which it is attached, forms an optionally substituted 20 aromatic ring; B-C together with the atoms to which they are attached, forms an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 ring atoms; and 25 D represents a bivalent linking group of from one to three atoms in length, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, carrier or diluent.

36. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 35 further comprising one or 30 more anti-viral actives, selected from Virazole, RespiGam and Synagis. WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 97

37. Use of a compound of formula Ia or salt thereof tN-B\ A /C D I N R1R2 5 Formula Ia wherein: R 1 is selected from C1-1 2 alkyl, C 2 - 12 alkenyl, C 2 - 1 2 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )nC 3 - 7 cycloalkyl, 10 -(CH 2 )nC 4 . 7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )n aryl, -(CH 2 )n arylCI.. 1 2 alkyl, -(CH 2 )n arylC 2 .. 12 alkenyl, -(CH 2 )narylC 2 - 12 alkynyl, and -(CH 2 )n heterocyclyl; n is 0-6 and said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted; 15 R 2 is selected from H, 0, -CH 2 R 3 , -C(=Y)R 3 , -C(=Y)OR 3 , -C(=Y)N(R 4 )R 3 , C(=Y)CH 2 N(R 4 )R 3 , -C(=Y)CH 2 SR 3 and -S(O),R 5 , where R 3 is selected from hydrogen, C 1 - 1 2 alkyl, C 2 - 1 2 alkenyl, C 2 - 1 2 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )mC 3 - 7 cycloalkyl, -(CH 2 )mC 4 . 7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )m aryl, -(CH 2 )m arylCI-1 2 alkyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2 - 1 2 alkenyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2 - 1 2 alkynyl and -(CH 2 )m heterocyclyl; and when R 2 is 20 CH 2 R 3 , or -C(=Y)R 3 , R 3 may also be selected from -S-R 5 and -0-R 5 ; m is 0-6; R 4 is hydrogen or C 1 . 6 alkyl; R 5 is C 1 . 6 alkyl, C 2 . 6 alkenyl, C 2 - 6 alkynyl, C 3 - 7 cycloalkyl, C 4 .. 7 cycloalkenyl, benzyl, aryl or heterocyclyl; w is 0, 1 or 2, and the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted; 25 X and Y are independently selected from 0, S and NR 6 , where R 6 is independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy and lower alkoxy; WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 98 A together with the atoms to which it is attached, forms an optionally substituted aromatic ring; B-C together with the atoms to which they are attached, forms an optionally 5 substituted heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 ring atoms; and D represents a bivalent linking group of from one to three atoms in length, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of RSV infections. 10

38. Use according to claim 37 wherein the medicament further comprises one or more anti-viral actives selected from Virazole, RespiGam and Synagis.

39. Use according to claim 37 or claim 38 for the treatment of human RSV. 15

40. A method of treating a RSV infection in a subject in need thereof, including the step of administering to said subject a compound of formula Ia or a pharmaceutically salt thereof, D N 20 R 2 Formula Ia wherein: 25 R 1 is selected from C1 2 alkyl, C 2 - 12 alkenyl, C 2 - 12 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )nC 3 . 7 cycloalkyl, -(CH 2 )nC 4 - 7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )n aryl, -(CH 2 )n arylC 1 . 2 alkyl, -(CH 2 )n aryC 2 . 12 alkenyl, -(CH2)narylC2- 2 alkynyl, and -(CH 2 )n heterocyclyl; n is 0-6 and said alkyl, WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 99 alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted; R 2 is selected from H, 0, -CH 2 R 3 , -C(=Y)R 3 , -C(=Y)OR 3 , -C(=Y)N(R 4 )R 3 , 5 C(=Y)CH 2 N(R4)R 3 , -C(=Y)CH 2 SR 3 and -S(0),R 5 , where R 3 is selected from hydrogen, C 1 - 1 2 alkyl, C 2 . 1 2 alkenyl, C 2 - 12 alkynyl, -(CH 2 )mC 3 -7 cycloalkyl, -(CH2)mC 4 .7 cycloalkenyl, -(CH 2 )m aryl, -(CH 2 )m arylCI-12 alkyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC2 12 alkenyl, -(CH 2 )m arylC 2 .. 12 alkynyl and -(CH 2 )m heterocyclyl; and when R 2 is CH 2 R 3 , or -C(=Y)R 3 , R 3 may also be selected from -S-R 5 and -0-R 5 ; m is 0-6; R4 is 10 hydrogen or C 1 . 6 alkyl; R 5 is C 1 . 6 alkyl, C 2 - 6 alkenyl, C 2 - 6 alkynyl, C 3 . 7 cycloalkyl, C 4 .. 7 cycloalkenyl, benzyl, aryl or heterocyclyl; w is 0, 1 or 2, and the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups are optionally substituted; 15 X and Y are independently selected from 0, S and NR 6 , where R 6 is independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy and lower alkoxy; A together with the atoms to which it is attached, forms an optionally substituted aromatic ring; 20 B-C together with the atoms to which they are attached, forms an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 ring atoms; and D represents a bivalent linking group of from one to three atoms in length. 25

41. A method according to claim 40 wherein the compound of formula Ia or a pharmaceutically salt thereof is administered to said subject in combination with one or more anti-viral actives selected from Virazole, RespiGam and Synagis. 30

42. A method according to claim 40 or claim 41 wherein the RSV infection is a human RSV infection and the subject is human. WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -100

43. A compound of formula la as defined in claim 37 for use in treating a RSV infection. 5

44. A compound selected from the group consisting of: 0 0 N F. N>~ 0 \l0 0 0 . N'> ~N N' 00 00 C1 CI 0 0 N N C1 C1 0 N N - 0\I0 Ci C 0 0 N N> N 0 0 CI C 0 0 N -N~> N -N,/= 0 /N C1 CI WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU20071001429 N N w N 0 K N>' I" N> 0 CI NI C 0 0 N s - CIN 0 0 ~~ N~0 / N 2 Br o 0 N N' I N') N N 0N 0 CH0 S N ~ 0 F F 0 Nl:N 0 CH 3 C _ CI FF CI WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -102 0 1 /0 cl 0 0 H 0 N> ' CHCI CI 0 SI 0 ~ cl Cl 0 0 -0 N. ('/0~ - M 3 N' n 00 K ' N 0 \I0 cl 0 cli WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 103 0N 0 IN4N 1NJ Q0, N-JO 0 O0 NN-- n - N N, N_ CI NN 0 N N~ OCH N % NA N 0 C 3 N l F>/ C-NO WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 104. Q F N NXF N N 0 HC- HC- 0 0 N-~ 0 0 N- F p Sl 'F KP N> - / 0 0 F -F~3 0 - 0 0 0 / F N F F c c 00 c l c l WO 2008/037011 PCTIAU2007/001429 - 105 0N> N R,> "N 1 0C 0i 0 NII N /00 ci ci 0 N N F0 N - 0 0 Co N 0 0\CH Fl F 00 N N' F F 0 a l c 0 0 N - N N N ( NN - N-N 0 0 WO 2008/037011 PCTIAU2007/001429 -106 N F r N F I -N~N 0 N r\ N r,_ CI cl 0 0 N- N 0 \/ N 0 cl CI 0 'NN N 0 N NN 0 l 0 Br 0 ci 0 H N- N- N NN N ".. N cl ci 0 0 N NN 0 N. 0 0 ci ci WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 107 0 0 N N> N F N N 0 - F 0 0 NN / o N 2>N - N- N 0 0 o 0 0 \0 F 0 ci N 0 0 N N- N F F N F N NN 0 0 N -iN N- NN N /=N N c I 0 0 N N N N /0 -N\0N F CIF F WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 - 108 0 0 N N>I N-> N N N-S. N N /0 ci 0 0 N FFN- F FF N 'rs F N Ni 0 NN/0 -NN N cI cI 0 N H 'N N N N-N N 0/ 0 0 00 N- N N FN N \IO F c l / P 0 0 0 N N N N N 0 0 N N N c I cI WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -109 0 K- N N N N N " N1 0 0 N N H N N 0 0 N-N. CI 0 00 F N NrN "N+ 0 o 0 - \ / 0 ~-~CH, 0_-N C 0 WO 2008/037011 PCT/AU2007/001429 -110 00 N N N Fl cl 0 0 NN K N H N cl ci 0 0 ' N\ N N. NN N -- ~ CH 3 N -N \ Q 0 Nlc CF 3 (N N% N N> N-N o 0 'N NN - N N N 0 0 N N ,Y H NN I \/0 CH 3 or a salt thereof.