Title of Invention	NOVEL INHIBITORS OF GLUTAMINYL CYCLASE
Abstract	The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), combinations and uses thereof for disease therapy, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or polymorph thereof, including all tautomers and stereoisomers thereof wherein R represents heteroaryl; -carbocyclyl-het- eroaryl; -alkenylheteroaryl or -alkylheteroaryl; R2 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl and hydroxy; aryl; -aryl-heteroaryl; -heteroaryl-aryl; -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; or heterocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, oxo and hydroxy; R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalky]; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2, -alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl(heteroaryl)2; -alkyl (heteroaryl) (aryl); -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heterocyclyl, -alkyI-C(O)-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5 -heterocyclyl or -alkyl(heterocyclyl)2 in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxy and oxo; -heteroaryl; or -hydroxyalkylaryl; R4 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; R5 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; and X represents O or S.

Title of Invention

NOVEL INHIBITORS OF GLUTAMINYL CYCLASE

Abstract

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), combinations and uses thereof for disease therapy, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or polymorph thereof, including all tautomers and stereoisomers thereof wherein R represents heteroaryl; -carbocyclyl-het- eroaryl; -alkenylheteroaryl or -alkylheteroaryl; R2 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl and hydroxy; aryl; -aryl-heteroaryl; -heteroaryl-aryl; -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; or heterocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, oxo and hydroxy; R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalky]; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2, -alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl(heteroaryl)2; -alkyl (heteroaryl) (aryl); -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heterocyclyl, -alkyI-C(O)-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5 -heterocyclyl or -alkyl(heterocyclyl)2 in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxy and oxo; -heteroaryl; or -hydroxyalkylaryl; R4 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; R5 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; and X represents O or S.

Full Text	Novel Inhibitors of Glutaminyl Cyclase Field of the invention The invention relates to glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5) that catalyzes the intramolecular cyclization of N-terminal glutamine residues into pyroglutamic acid (5-oxo-prolyl, pGlu) under liberation of ammonia and the intramolecular cyclization of N-terminal glutamate residues into pyroglutamic acid under liberation of water. Background of the invention Glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5) catalyzes the intramolecular cyclization of N-terminal glutamine residues into pyroglutamic acid (pGlu) liberating ammonia. A QC was first isolated by Messer from the latex of the troplcal plant Carica papaya in 1963 (Messer, M. 1963 Nature 4874, 1299). 24 years later, a corresponding enzymatic activity was discovered in animal pituitary (Busby, W. H. J. et al. 1987 J Biol Chem 262, 8532-8536; Fischer, W. H. and Spiess, J. 1987 Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 84, 3628-3632). For the mammalian QC, the conversion of Gin into pGlu by QC could be shown for the precursors of TRH and GnRH (Busby, W. H. J. et al. 1987 J Biol Chem 262, 8532-8536; Fischer, W. H. and Spiess, J. 1987 Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 84, 3628-3632). In addition, initial localization experiments of QC revealed a co-localization with its putative products of catalysis in bovine pituitary, further improving the suggested function in peptide hormone synthesis (Bockers, T. M. et al. 1995 J Neuroendocrinol 7, 445- 453). In contrast, the physiological function of the plant QC is less clear. In the case of the enzyme from C. papaya, a role in the plant defense against pathogenic microorganisms was suggested (El Moussaoui, A. et al.2001 Cell Mol Life Sci 58, 556-570). Putative QCs from other plants were identified by sequence comparisons recently (Dahl, S. W. et al.2000 Protein Expr Purif 20, 27-36). The physiological function of these enzymes, however, is still ambiguous. The QCs known from plants and animals show a strict specificity for L-Glutamine in the N- terminal position of the substrates and their kinetic behavior was found to obey the Michaelis- Menten equation (Pohl, T. et al. 1991 Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 88, 10059-10063; Consalvo, A. P. et al. 1988 Anal Biochem 175, 131-138; Gololobov, M. Y. et al. 1996 Biol Chem Hoppe Seyler 377, 395-398). A comparison of the primary structures of the QCs from C. papaya and that of the highly conserved QC from mammals, however, did not reveal any sequence homology (Dahl, S. W. et al. 2000 Protein Expr Purif 20, 27-36). Whereas the plant QCs appear to belong to a new enzyme family (Dahl, S. W. et al. 2000 Protein Expr Purif 20, 27-36), the mammalian QCs were found to have a pronounced sequence homology to bacterial aminopeptidases (Bateman, R. C. et al. 2001 Biochemistry 40, 11246-11250), leading to the conclusion that the QCs from plants and animals have different evolutionary origins. Recently, it was shown that recombinant human QC as well as QC-activity from brain extracts catalyze both, the N-terminal glutaminyl as well as glutamate cyclization. Most striking is the finding, that cyclase-catalyzed Glu1-conversion is favored around pH 6.0 while Gln1-conversion to pGlu-derivatives occurs with a pH-optimum of around 8.0. Since the formation of pGlu-A(3- related peptides can be suppressed by inhibition of recombinant human QC and QC-activity from pig pituitary extracts, the enzyme QC is a target in drug development for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. First inhibitors of QC are described in WO 2004/098625, WO 2004/098591, WO 2005/039548 and WO 2005/075436. EP 02 011 349.4 discloses polynucleotides encoding insect glutaminyl cyclase, as well as polypeptides encoded thereby and their use in methods of screening for agents that reduce glutaminyl cyclase activity. Such agents are useful as pesticides. Definitions The terms "Ki" or "Ki" and "KD" are binding constants, which describe the binding of an inhibitor to and the subsequent release from an enzyme. Another measure is the "IC50" value, which reflects the inhibitor concentration, which at a given substrate concentration results in 50 % enzyme activity. The term "DP IV-inhibitor" or "dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor" is generally known to a person skilled in the art and means enzyme inhibitors, which inhibit the catalytic activity of DP IV or DP IV-like enzymes. "DP IV-activity" is defined as the catalytic activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) and DP IV- like enzymes. These enzymes are post-proline (to a lesser extent post-alanine, post-serine or post-glycine) cleaving serine proteases found in various tissues of the body of a mammal including kidney, liver, and intestine, where they remove dipeptides from the N-terminus of biologically active peptides with a high specificity when proline or alanine form the residues that are adjacent to the N-terminal amino acid in their sequence. The term "PEP-inhibitor" or "prolyl endopeptidase inhibitor" is generally known to a person skilled in the art and means enzyme inhibitors, which inhibit the catalytic activity of prolyl endopeptidase (PEP, prolyl oligopeptidase, POP). "PEP-activity" is defined as the catalytic activity of an endoprotease that is capable to hydrolyze post proline bonds in peptides or proteins were the proline is in amino acid position 3 or higher counted from the N-terminus of a peptide or protein substrate. The term "QC" as used herein comprises glutaminyl cyclase (QC) and QC-like enzymes. QC and QC-like enzymes have identical or similar enzymatic activity, further defined as QC activity. In this regard, QC-like enzymes can fundamentally differ in their molecular structure from QC. Examples of QC-like enzymes are the glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase-like proteins (QPCTLs) from human (GenBank NM_017659), mouse (GenBank BC058181), Macaca fascicularis (GenBank AB168255), Macaca mulatta (GenBank XM_001110995), Canisfamiliaris (GenBank XM_541552), Rattus norvegicus (GenBank XM_001066591), Mus musculus (GenBank BC058181) and Bos taurus (GenBank BT026254). The term "QC activity" as used herein is defined as intramolecular cyclization of N-terminal glutamine residues into pyroglutamic acid (pGlu) or of N-terminal L-homoglutamine or L-(3- homoglutamine to a cyclic pyro-homoglutamine derivative under liberation of ammonia. See therefore schemes 1 and 2. The term "EC" as used herein comprises the activity of QC and QC-like enzymes as glutamate cyclase (EC), further defined as EC activity. The term "EC activity" as used herein is defined as intramolecular cyclization of N-terminal glutamate residues into pyroglutamic acid (pGlu) by QC. See therefore scheme 3. Scheme 3: N-terminal cyclization of uncharged glutamyl peptides by QC (EC) The term "QC-inhibitor" "glutaminyl cyclase inhibitor" is generally known to a person skilled in the art and means enzyme inhibitors, which inhibit the catalytic activity of glutaminyl cyclase (QC) or its glutamyl cyclase (EC) activity. Potency of QC inhibition In light of the correlation with QC inhibition, in preferred embodiments, the subject method and medical use utilize an agent with an IC5o for QC inhibition of 10 uM or less, more preferably of 1 uM or less, even more preferably of 0.1 uM or less or 0.01 uM or less, or most preferably 0.001 uM or less. Indeed, inhibitors with K; values in the lower micromolar, preferably the nanomolar and even more preferably the plcomolar range are contemplated. Thus, while the active agents are described herein, for convenience, as "QC inhibitors", it will be understood that such nomenclature is not intending to limit the subject of the invention to a particular mechanism of action. Molecular weight of QC inhibitors In general, the QC inhibitors of the subject method or medical use will be small molecules, e.g., with molecular weights of 500 g/mole or less, 400 g/mole or less, preferably of 350 g/mole or less, and even more preferably of 300 g/mole or less and even of 250 g/mole or less. The term "subject" as used herein, refers to an animal, preferably a mammal, most preferably a human, who has been the object of treatment, observation or experiment. The term "therapeutically effective amount" as used herein, means that amount of active compound or pharmaceutical agent that elicits the biological or medicinal response in a tissue system, animal or human being sought by a researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician, which includes alleviation of the symptoms of the disease or disorder being treated. As used herein, the term "pharmaceutically acceptable" embraces both human and veterinary use: for example the term "pharmaceutically acceptable" embraces a veterinarily acceptable compound or a compound acceptable in human medicine and health care. Throughout the description and the claims the expression "alkyl", unless specifically limited, denotes a C1-12 alkyl group, suitably a C1-8 alkyl group, suitably a C1-6 alkyl group, e.g. C1-4 alkyl group. Alkyl groups may be straight chain or branched. Suitable alkyl groups include, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl (e.g. n-propyl and isopropyl), butyl (e.g n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec- butyl and tert-butyl), pentyl (e.g. n-pentyl), hexyl (e.g. n-hexyl), heptyl (e.g. n-heptyl) and octyl (e.g. n-octyl). The expression "alk", for example in the expressions "alkoxy", "haloalkyl", "hydroxyalkyl" and "thioalkyl" should be interpreted in accordance with the definition of "alkyl". Exemplary alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy (e.g. n-propoxy), butoxy (e.g. n- butoxy), pentoxy (e.g. n-pentoxy), hexoxy (e.g. n-hexoxy), heptoxy (e.g. n-heptoxy) and octoxy (e.g. n-octoxy). Exemplary thioalkyl groups include methylthio-. Exemplary haloalkyl groups include CF3-. The expression "alkenyl", unless specifically limited, denotes a C2-12 alkenyl group, suitably a C2-6 alkenyl group, e.g. a C2-4 alkenyl group, which contains at least one double bond at any desired location and which does not contain any triple bonds. Alkenyl groups may be straight chain or branched. Exemplary alkenyl groups including one double bond include vinyl (i.e. ethenyl), propenyl and butenyl. Exemplary alkenyl groups including two double bonds include pentadienyl, e.g. (1E, 3E)-pentadienyl. The expression "alkynyl", unless specifically limited, denotes a C2-12 alkynyl group, suitably a C2-6 alkynyl group, e.g. a C2-4 alkynyl group, which contains at least one triple bond at any desired location and may or may not also contain one or more double bonds. Alkynyl groups may be straight chain or branched. Exemplary alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl and butynyl. The expression "cycloalkyl", unless specifically limited, denotes a C3-10 cycloalkyl group (i.e. 3 to 10 ring carbon atoms), more suitably a C3-8 cycloalkyl group, e.g. a C3-6 cycloalkyl group. Exemplary cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and cyclooctyl. A most suitable number of ring carbon atoms is three to six. The expression "cycloalkenyl", unless specifically limited, denotes a C5-10 cycloalkenyl group (i.e. 5 to 10 ring carbon atoms), more suitably a C5-8 cycloalkenyl group e.g. a C5-6 cycloalkenyl group. Exemplary cycloalkenyl groups include cyclopropenyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl and cyclooctenyl. A most suitable number of ring carbon atoms is five to six. The expression "carbocyclyl", unless specifically limited, denotes any ring system in which all the ring atoms are carbon and which contains between three and twelve ring carbon atoms, suitably between three and ten carbon atoms and more suitably between three and eight carbon atoms. Carbocyclyl groups may be saturated or partially unsaturated, but do not include aromatic rings. Examples of carbocylic groups include monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic ring systems, in particular monocyclic and bicyclic ring systems. Other carbocylclyl groups include bridged ring systems (e.g. bicyclo[2.2.1]heptenyl). A specific example of a carbocyclyl group is a cycloalkyl group. A further example of a carbocyclyl group is a cycloalkenyl group. The expression "heterocyclyl", unless specifically limited, refers to a carbocyclyl group wherein one or more (e.g. 1, 2 or 3) ring atoms are replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, S and O. A specific example of a heterocyclyl group is a cycloalkyl group (e.g. cyclopentyl or more particularly cyclohexyl) wherein one or more (e.g. 1, 2 or 3, particularly 1 or 2, especially 1) ring atoms are replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, S or O. Exemplary heterocyclyl groups containing one hetero atom include pyrrolidine, tetrahydrofuran and piperidine, and exemplary heterocyclyl groups containing two hetero atoms include morpholine and piperazine. A further specific example of a heterocyclyl group is a cycloalkenyl group (e.g. a cyclohexenyl group) wherein one or more (e.g. 1, 2 or 3, particularly 1 or 2, especially 1) ring atoms are replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, S and O. An example of such a group is dihydropyranyl (e.g. 3,4- dihydro-2H-pyran-2-yl-). A further example is azepine. The expression "aryl", unless specifically limited, denotes a C6-12 aryl group, suitably a C6-10 aryl group, more suitably a C6-8 aryl group. Aryl groups will contain at least one aromatic ring (e.g. one, two or three rings), but may also comprise partially or fully unsaturated rings. An example of a typlcal aryl group with one aromatic ring is phenyl. Examples of aromatic groups with two aromatic rings include naphthyl. Examples of aryl groups which contain partially or fully unsaturated rings include pentalene, indene and indane. The expression "heteroaryl", unless specifically limited, denotes an aryl residue, wherein one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4, suitably 1, 2 or 3) ring atoms are replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, S and O, or else a 5-membered aromatic ring containing one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4, suitably 1, 2 or 3) ring atoms selected from N, S and O. Exemplary monocyclic heteroaryl groups include pyridine (e.g. pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl or pyridin-4-yl), pyrimidine, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, oxazole, pyrazole, imidazole (e.g. imidazol-1-yl, imidazol-2-yl or imidazol-4-yl), thiazole, isoxazole, pyrazole (e.g. pyrazol-3-yl), triazole (e.g. 1,2,3-triazole or 1,2,4-triazole), tetrazole, pyridazine, pyrazine and isothiazole. Exemplary bicyclic heteroaryl groups include quinoline, benzothiophene, indole (eg. 1H-indol-6- yl), benzimidazole, indazole, purine, chromene, benzodioxolane, benzodioxane (e.g. 2,3- dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl) and benzodioxepine. The aforementioned aryl and heteroaryl groups may, where appropriate, optionally be substituted by one or more (e.g. 1, 2 or 3, suitably 1 or 2) monovalent or multivalent functional groups. Suitable substituent groups include alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, -thioalkyl (e.g. -thiomethyl), -SO2alkyl (e.g. SO2Me), alkoxy- (e.g. OMe), cycloalkyl, -SO2cycloalkyl, alkenyloxy-, alkynyloxy-, -C(O)-alkyl (e.g. COMe), alkoxyalkyl-, nitro, halogen (e.g. fluoro, chloro and bromo), cyano, hydroxy!, oxo, -C(O)OH, -C(O)Oa!kyl (e.g. -C(O)OMe), -NH2, -NHalkyl (e.g. -NHMe), -N(alkyl)2 (e.g. dimethylamino-), -C(O)N(alkyl)2, -C(O)NH2 and -C(O)NH(alkyl). More typlcally, substituents will be selected from alkyl (e.g. Me), fluoroalkyl (e.g. CF3), alkoxy (e.g. OMe), halogen and hydroxy. Further suitable substituents include -SOalkyl (e.g. SOMe) and -SOcycloalkyl. Another suitable substituent for a heteroaryl group is -C(NH)NH2. Examples of substituted aryl groups therefore include fluorophenyl- (e.g. 4-fluoro-phenyl- or 3- fluoro-phenyl-), pentafluoro-phenyl-, 4-hydroxyphenyl-, 3-nitro-phenyl-, 4-(trifluoromethyl)- phenyl- and 4-anilinyl- groups. Exemplary substituted monocyclic heteroaryl groups include methylfuranyl-. Exemplary substituted bicyclic heteroaryl groups include chromen-4-one, chromen-2-one and methylbenzothiophenyl. The expression "-alkylaryl", unless specifically limited, denotes an aryl residue which is connected via an alkylene moiety e.g.a C1-4alkylene moiety. Examples of -alkylaryl include: -methylaryl and -ethylaryl (e.g. 1-arylethyl- or 2-arylethyl-); or phenylalkyh which may be optionally substituted. Specific examples of -alkylaryl functions include: phenylmethyl- (i.e. benzyl), phenylethyl- (e.g. 2-phenylethyl- or 1-phenyl-ethyl-), p-tolyl-methyl-, (p-tolyl)-ethyi-, (m- tolyl)-methyl- (m-tolyl)-ethyl-, (o-tolyl)-methyl-, (o-tolyl)-ethyl-, 2-(4-ethyl-phenyl)-eth-1-yl- (2,3- dimethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (2,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (2,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (2,6- dimethyl-phenyl)-methyl- (3,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (3,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (2,4,6- trimethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (2,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (2,5- dimethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (3,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (3,5-dimethyl- phenyl)-ethyl-, (2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (2-ethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (3-ethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (4-ethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (2-ethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (3-ethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (4-ethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, 2-fluoro-benzyl, (1 -methyl-2-fluoro-phen-6-yl)-methyl-, (1 -methyl-2-fluoro-phen-4-yl)-methyl-, (1 - methyl-2-fluoro-phen-6-yl)-ethyl-, (1-methyl-2-fluoro-phen-4-yl)-ethyl-, 1 H-indenyl-methyl-, 2H- indenyl-methyl-, 1 H-indenyl-ethyl-, 2H-indenyl-ethyl-, indanyl-methyl-, indan-1-on-2-yl-methyl-, indan-1-on-2-yl-ethyl-, tetralinyl-methyl-, tetralinyl-ethyl-, fluorenyi-methyl-, fluorenyl-ethyl-, dihydronaphthalinyl-methyl-, dihydronaphthalinyl-ethyl-, or (4-cyclohexyl)-phenyl-methyl-, (4- cyclohexyl)-phenyl-ethyk The expression "-alkylheteroaryl", unless specifically limited, denotes a heteroaryl residue which is connected via an alkylene moiety e.g.a C1-4alkylene moiety. Examples of -alkylheteroaryl include -methylheteroaryl and -ethylheteroaryi (e.g. 1-heteroarylethyl- and 2-heteroarylethy!-). Specific examples of -alkylheteroaryl groups include pyridinylmethyl-, N-methyl-pyrrol-2-methyl- N-methyl-pyrrol-2-ethyl-, N-methyl-pyrrol-3-methyl-, N-methyl-pyrrol-3-ethyl-, 2-methyl-pyrrol-1 - methyl-, 2-methyl-pyrrol-1-ethyl-, 3-methyl-pyrrol-1 -methyl-, 3-methyl-pyrrol-1-ethyl-, 4-pyridino- methyl-, 4-pyridino-ethyl-, 2-(thiazol-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-ethyl-indol-1-methyl-, 2-ethyl-indol-1-ethyl-, 3- ethyl-indol-1-methyl-, 3-ethyl-indol-1-ethyl-, 4-methyl-pyridin-2-methyl- 4-methyl-pyridin-2-yl- ethyl-, 4-methyl-pyridin-3-methyl-, 4-methyl-pyridin-3-ethyl-. The expression "-alkyl(aryl)2", unless specifically limited, denotes an alkyl group (e.g.a C1-4 alkyl group) which is substituted by two aryl residues (e.g. monocyclic aryl), for example diphenylmethyl-. The term "halogen" or "halo" comprises fluorine (F), chlorine (CI) and bromine (Br). The term "amino" refers to a group having amine functionality for example primary amine (-NH2), secondary amine (e.g. -NHalkyl, for example -NHMe) or tertiary amine (e.g. -N(alkyl)2, for example -NMe2, -NEt2). Stereoisomers: All possible stereoisomers of the claimed compounds are included in the present invention. Where the compounds according to this invention have at least one chiral center, they may accordingly exist as enantiomers. Where the compounds possess two or more chiral centers, y may additionally exist as diastereomers. It is to be understood that all such isomers and mixtures thereof are encompassed within the scope of the present invention. Preparation and isolation of stereoisomers: Where the processes for the preparation of the compounds according to the invention give rise to a mixture of stereoisomers, these isomers may be separated by conventional techniques such as preparative chromatography. The compounds may be prepared in racemic form, or individual enantiomers may be prepared either by enantiospecific synthesis or by resolution. The compounds may, for example, be resolved into their components enantiomers by standard techniques, such as the formation of diastereomeric pairs by salt formation with an optically active acid, such as (-)-di-p-toluoyl-d-tartaric acid and/or (+)-di-p-toluoyl-l-tartaric acid followed by fractional crystallization and regeneration of the free base. The compounds may also be resolved by formation of diastereomeric esters or amides, followed by chromatographic separation and removal of the chiral auxiliary. Alternatively, the compounds may be resolved using a chiral HPLC column. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts: In view of the close relationship between the free compounds and the compounds in the form of their salts or solvates, whenever a compound is referred to in this context, a corresponding salt or solvate is also intended, provided such is possible or appropriate under the circumstances. Salts and solvates of the compounds of formula (I) and physiologically functional derivatives thereof which are suitable for use in medicine are those wherein the counter-ion or associated solvent is Pharmaceutically acceptable. However, salts and solvates having non- pharmaceutically acceptable counter-ions or associated solvents are within the scope of the present invention, for example, for use as intermediates in the preparation of other compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates. Suitable salts according to the invention include those formed with both organic and inorganic acids or bases. Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include those formed from hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulphuric, nitric, citric, tartaric, phosphoric, lactic, pyruvic, acetic, trifluoroacetic, triphenylacetic, sulphamic, sulphanilic, succinic, oxalic, fumaric, maleic, malic, mandelic, glutamic, aspartic, oxaloacetic, methanesulphonic, ethanesulphonic, arylsulphonic (for example p-toluenesulphonic, benzenesulphonic, naphthalenesulphonic or naphthalenedisulphonic), salicylic, glutaric, gluconic, tricarballylic, cinnamic, substituted cinnamic (for example, phenyl, methyl, methoxy or halo substituted cinnamic, including 4-methyl and 4-methoxycinnamic acid), ascorbic, oleic, naphthoic, hydroxynaphthoic (for example 1- or 3- hydroxy-2-naphthoic), naphthaleneacrylic (for example naphthalene-2-acrylic), benzoic, 4-methoxybenzoic, 2- or 4-hydroxybenzoic, 4-chlorobenzoic, 4-phenylbenzoic, benzeneacrylic (for example 1,4-benzenediacrylic), isethionic acids, perchloric, propionic, glycolic, hydroxyethanesulfonic, pamoic, cyclohexanesulfamic, salicylic, saccharinic and trifluoroacetic acid. Pharmaceutically acceptable base salts include ammonium salts, alkali metal salts such as those of sodium and potassium, alkaline earth metal salts such as those of calcium and magnesium and salts with organic bases such as dicyclohexylamine and A/-methyl-D- glucamine. All pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt forms of the compounds of the present invention are intended to be embraced by the scope of this invention. Polymorph crystal forms: Furthermore, some of the crystalline forms of the compounds may exist as polymorphs and as such are intended to be included in the present invention. In addition, some of the compounds may form solvates with water (i.e. hydrates) or common organic solvents, and such solvates are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of this invention. The compounds, including their salts, can also be obtained in the form of their hydrates, or include other solvents used for their crystallization. Prodrugs: The present invention further includes within its scope prodrugs of the compounds of this invention. In general, such prodrugs will be functional derivatives of the compounds which are readily convertible in vivo into the desired therapeutically active compound. Thus, in these cases, the methods of treatment of the present invention, the term "administering" shall encompass the treatment of the various disorders described with prodrug versions of one or more of the claimed compounds, but which converts to the above specified compound in vivo after administration to the subject. Conventional procedures for the selection and preparation of suitable prodrug derivatives are described, for example, in "Design of Prodrugs", ed. H. Bundgaard, Elsevier, 1985. Protective Groups: During any of the processes for preparation of the compounds of the present invention, it may be necessary and/or desirable to protect sensitive or reactive groups on any of the molecules concerned. This may be achieved by means of conventional protecting groups, such as those described in Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, ed. J.F.W. McOmie, Plenum Press, 1973; and T.W. Greene & P.G.M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons, 1991, fully incorporated herein by reference. The protecting groups may be removed at a convenient subsequent stage using methods known from the art. As used herein, the term "composition" is intended to encompass a product comprising the claimed compounds in the therapeutically effective amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combinations of the claimed compounds. Carriers and Additives for galenic formulations: Thus, for liquid oral preparations, such as for example, suspensions, elixirs and solutions, suitable carriers and additives may advantageously include water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, coloring agents and the like; for solid oral preparations such as, for example, powders, capsules, gelcaps and tablets, suitable carriers and additives include starches, sugars, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like. Carriers, which can be added to the mixture, include necessary and inert pharmaceutical excipients, including, but not limited to, suitable binders, suspending agents, lubricants, flavorants, sweeteners, preservatives, coatings, disintegrating agents, dyes and coloring agents. Soluble polymers as targetable drug carriers can include polyvinylpyrrolidone, pyran copolymer, polyhydroxypropylmethacrylamidephenol, polyhydroxyethylaspartamide-phenol, or polyethyleneoxidepolyllysine substituted with palmitoyl residue. Furthermore, the compounds of the present invention may be coupled to a class of biodegradable polymers useful in achieving controlled release of a drug, for example, polyactic acid, polyepsilon caprolactone, polyhydroxy butyeric acid, polyorthoesters, polyacetals, polydihydropyrans, polycyanoacrylates and cross- linked or amphipathic block copolymers of hydrogels. Suitable binders include, without limitation, starch, gelatin, natural sugars such as glucose or betalactose, corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, tragacanth or sodium oleate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride and the like. Disintegrators include, without limitation, starch, methyl cellulose, agar, bentonite, xanthan gum and the like. Summary of the invention According to the invention there are provided compounds of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or polymorph thereof, including all tautomers and stereoisomers thereof wherein: R1 represents heteroaryl; -carbocyclyl-heteroaryl; -alkenylheteroaryl or -alkylheteroaryl; R2 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl and hydroxy; aryl; -aryl- heteroaryl; -heteroaryl-aryl; -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; or heterocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, oxo and hydroxy; R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl(heteroaryl)2; -alkyl(heteroaryl)(aryl); -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5-heterocyclyl or -alkyl(heterocyclyl)2 in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxy and oxo; -heteroaryl; or -hydroxyalkylaryl; R4 represents H or C1-3alkyl; R5 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; and X represents O or S. The compounds of the present invention act as inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5) and QC-like enzymes. Detailed description of the invention According to the invention there are provided compounds of formula (I), (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or polymorph thereof, including all tautomers and stereoisomers thereof wherein: R1 represents heteroaryl, -carbocyclyl-heteroaryl, -alkenylheteroaryl or -alkylheteroaryl; R2 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl and hydroxy; aryl; -aryl- heteroaryl; -heteroaryl-aryl; -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; or heterocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, oxo and hydroxy; R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl(heteroaryl)2; -alkyl(heteroaryl)(aryl); -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5-heterocyclyl or -alkyl(heterocyclyl)2 in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxy and oxo; -heteroaryl; or-hydroxyalkylaryl; R4 represents H or C1-3alkyl; R5 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; and X represents O or S. Suitably the following compounds are excluded from the scope of formula (I): which is disclosed by CAS under reference 606098-17-3: which is disclosed by CAS under reference 401476-59-3; and which is disclosed in Chemische Berichte, 1964, p2276-2281 (Ivar Ugi et al) and Anqewandte Chemie International Edition, 1962, p8-21 (Ivar Ugi et al), no mention being made of any medical use. When R1 represents heteroaryl, examples include monocyclic (e.g. 5 and 6 membered) and bicyclic (e.g. 9 and 10 membered, particularly 9 membered) heteroaryl rings, especially rings containing nitrogen atoms (e.g. 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms). A suitable bicyclic heteroaryl ring is a 9- membered heteroaryl ring containing 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms, especially a benzene ring fused to a 5-membered ring containing one or two nitrogen atoms (e.g. 1H-benzoimidazolyl). Most suitably the point of attachment is through a benzene ring, e.g. the group is 1H-benzoimidazol- 5-yl. Aforementioned heteroaryl groups may either be unsubstituted (which is more typlcal) or may suitably be substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 or 2) substituents selected from alkyl (e.g. C1-4 alkyl such as Me), alkoxy- (e.g. C1-4 alkoxy- such as OMe) and halogen (e.g. F). When R1 represents -carbocyclyl-heteroaryl, examples of carbocycyl include cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclohexyl) and cycloalkenyl (e.g. cyclohexenyl), examples of heteroaryl groups include monocyclic (e.g. 5 or 6 membered, particularly 5 membered) rings especially rings containing nitrogen atoms e.g. 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms. Aforementioned heteroaryl groups may either be unsubstituted (which is more typlcal) or may suitably be substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 or 2) substituents selected from alkyl (e.g. C1-4 alkyl such as Me), alkoxy- (e.g. C1-4 alkoxy- such as OMe) and halogen (e.g. F). A suitable heteroaryl group is imidazol-1-yl. An exemplary -carbocyclyl-heteroaryl group is 3-imidazol-1-yl-cyclohexyl-. When R1 represents -alkenylheteroaryl for example C2-6 alkenyheteroaryl, examples of alkenyl include C2-6 alkenyl, especially C2-4 alkenyl, in particular propenyl and examples of heteroaryl groups include monocyclic (e.g. 5 or 6 membered, particularly 5 membered) rings especially rings containing nitrogen atoms e.g. 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms. Aforementioned heteroaryl groups may either suitably be unsubstituted (which is more typlcal) or may be substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 or 2) substituents selected from alkyl (e.g. C1-4alkyl such as Me), alkoxy- (e.g. C1-4 alkoxy- such as OMe) and halogen (e.g. F). A suitable heteroaryl group is imidazolyl, particularly imidazol-1-yl. An exemplary -alkenylheteroaryl group is 3-imidazol-1-yl-prop-2-enyl- When R1 represents -alkylheteroaryl, for example C1-6 alkylheteroaryl, examples of alkyl include C1-6 alkyl, especially C2-4 alkyl, in particular propyl, and examples of heteroaryl groups include monocyclic (e.g. 5 or 6 membered, particularly 5 membered) rings especially rings containing nitrogen atoms e.g. 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms. Aforementioned heteroaryl groups may either be unsubstituted (which is most typlcal) or may suitably be substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 or 2) substituents selected from alkyl (e.g. C1-4 alkyl such as Me), alkoxy- (e.g. C1-4 alkoxy- such as OMe) and halogen (e.g. F). A suitable heteroaryl group is imidazol-1-yl. A particularly suitable -alkylheteroaryl group is 3-imidazol-1-yl-propyk In one embodiment, -alkylheteroaryl is not -CH2-furan-2-yl. Particular examples of R1 heteroaryl groups include a 5-membered ring containing 2 or 3 nitrogen atoms, which ring may optionally be substituted (e.g. in particular by one or two groups, such as methyl or-C(NH)NH2), for example: Other examples of R1 heteroaryl groups include a 9-membered bicyclic ring containing 2 nitrogen atoms, which ring may optionally be substituted, for example: Clearly, the heteroaryl groups shown above may also be present as part of a larger R1 function such as -carbocyclyl-heteroaryl, -alkenylheteroaryl or -alkylheteroaryl. When R2 represents unsubstituted alkyl (e.g. C1-8alkyl such as C1-6alkyl), examples include methyl, ethyl, propyl (e.g. n-propyl, iso-propyl), butyl (e.g. n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl), pentyl (e.g. n-pentyl), 2,4,4-trimethyl-pentyl and hexyl (e.g. n-hexyl). When R2 represents alkyl (e.g. C1-8alkyl such as C1-6alkyl), substituted by hydroxy, examples include hydroxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl-, 2-hydroxyethyl-, 1-hydroxypropyl-, 2-hydroxypropyl- and 3-hydroxypropyl-. When R2 represents unsubstituted carbocyclyl, examples of cycloalkyl include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl and examples of cycloalkenyl include cyclohexenyl (e.g. cyclohex-1 -enyl, cyclohex-2-enyl). When R2 represents substituted carbocyclyl, examples include methylcyclohexenyl (e.g. 2- methylcyclohex-2-enyl, 2-methylcyclohex-3-enyl, 3-methylcyclohex-2-enyl, 3-methylcyclohex-3- enyl), dimethylcyclohexenyl (e.g. 2,3-dimethyl-cyclohex-3-enyl, 2,4-dimethyl-cyclohex-3-enyl, 2,5-dimethyl-cyclohex-3-enyl, 3,4-dimethyl-cyclohex-3-enyl), methylcyclohexanyl (e.g. 2- methylcyclohexanyl, 3-methylcyclohexanyl, 4-methylcyclohexanyl), hydroxycyclohexanyl (e.g. 2- hydroxycyclohexanyl, 3-hydroxycyclohexanyl, 4-hydroxycyclohexanyl), 2-hydroxy-3-methyl- cyclohexanyl, 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-cyclohexanyl. When R2 represents aryl, bicyclic examples include naphthalen-2-yl. When R2 represents aryl, monocyclic examples include unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl, particularly 3-cyano-phenyl-, 2,3-difluoro-phenyl-, 2,4-dimethyl-phenyl-, 2-chloro- phenyl-, 2-ethyl-phenyl-, 2-fluoro-phenyl-, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-phenyl-, 2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl-, 3,5-dibromo-phenyl-, 3,5-difluoro-phenyl-, 3-bromo-phenyl-, 3-chloro-2,6-difluoro-phenyl-, 3- fluoro-phenyl-, 4-bromo-phenyl-, 4-chloro-3-fluoro-phenyl-, 4-chloro-phenyl-, 4-dimethylamino- phenyl-, 4-fluoro-phenyl-, 4-fluoro-3-chloro-phenyl-, 4-hydroxy-phenyl-, 4-methylsulfanyl- phenyl-, m-tolyl, o-tolyl, phenyl-, p-tolyl, 2-fluoro-6-methoxy-phenyl-, 3-hydroxy-phenyl- When R2 represents -aryl-heteroaryl, examples include -(monocyclic aryl)-(monocyclic heteroaryl) such as 2-thiophenyl-phenyl-, 3-thiophenyl-phenyl-, 4-thiophenyl-phenyl-, 2-methyl- 4-thiophenyl-phenyl-, 2-furanyl-phenyl-, 3-furanyl-phenyl-, 4-furanyl-phenyl-, 2-methyl-4-furanyl- phenyl-, 2-pyrrolyl-phenyl, 3-pyrrolyl-phenyl-, 4-pyrrolyl-phenyl-, 2-methyl-4-pyrrolyl-phenyl-, 4- pyridinyl-phenyl-. When R2 represents -heteroaryl-aryl, examples include -(monocyclic heteroaryl)-(monocyclic aryl) such as 5-phenyl-furan-2-yl-, 5-phenyl-pyrrol-2-yl-, 5-phenyl-thiophen-2-yl-, 6-phenyl- pyridin-2-yl-, 6-phenyl-pyridin-3-yl-, 5-phenyl-pyridin-2-yl-, 5-phenyl-pyridin-3-yl-,5-tolyl-furan-2- yl-, 5-tolyl-pyrrol-2-yl-, 5-tolyl-thiophen-2-yl-, 6-tolyl-pyridin-2-yl-, 6-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl-, 5-tolyl- pyridin-2-yl-, 5-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl-. When R2 represents -aryl-heterocyclyl, examples include 4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-phenyl-, (2-methyl)-(4- pyrrolidin-1 -yl)-phenyl-, (3-methyl)-(4-pyrrolidin-1 -yl)-phenyl-. When R2 represents heteroaryl, bicyclic examples include 1 H-indol-5-yl, 2,3-dihydro-benzo-1,4- dioxin-6-yl, 5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl, 6-methyl-1 H-indol-3-yl-, 6-bromo-benzo-[1,3]-dioxol-5-yl, 6- fluoro-1 H-indol-3-yl, benzo-1,3-diox-5-yl, benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazol-5-yl, benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl, quinolin-4-yl, quinolin-8-yl, 4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl, 6-methyl-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl- When R2 represents heteroaryl, monocyclic examples include 2H-pyrrol-2-yl-, 4-bromo- thiophen-2-yl-, 6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl-, furan-2-yl-, thiophen-3-yl-. When R2 represents heterocyclyl, examples of unsubstituted heterocyclyl include 3,4-dihydro- 2H-pyran-2-yl, tetrahydrofuran-2-yl-, tetrahydrofuran-3-yl- and examples of substituted heterocyclyl include heterocyclyl substituted by methyl e.g. 5-methyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl-, 5- methyl-tetrahydrofuran-3-yl-. When R3 represents alkyl (e.g.C1-6alkyl), examples include methyl, ethyl, propyl (e.g. n-propyl, iso-propyl), butyl (e.g. n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl), 1,1,2-trimethyl-propyl, 1,1,3,3- tetramethyl-butyl, pentyl (e.g. n-pentyl) and hexyl (e.g. n-hexyl), heptyl (e.g. n-heptyl). When R3 represents substituted alkyl (e.g.C1-6alkyl), examples include methoxy-methyl-, 1- methoxy-ethyl-, 2-methoxy-ethyl-, 1-methoxy-propyl-, 2-methoxy-propyl-, 3-methoxy-propyl-, ethoxy-methyl-, 1-ethoxy-ethyl-, 2-ethoxy-ethyl-, 1-ethoxy-propyl-, 2-ethoxy-propyl-, 3-ethoxy- propyl-, aminomethyl-, 1-aminoethyl-, 2-aminoethyl-, 1-aminopropyl-, 2-aminopropyl-, 3- aminopropyl-, 3-methylaminopropyl-, 3-dimethylaminopropyl-, 3-ethylaminopropyl-, 3- diethylaminopropyl-, -CH2C(O)OMe, -CH2C(O)OEt, -CH2C(O)OMe, -CHCH3C(O)OMe. When R3 represents carbocyclyl, examples of cycloalkyl include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl. Specific examples include cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl. In one embodiment, specific examples include cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl. In another embodiment, specific examples include cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl and cycloheptyl. When R3 represents carbocyclyl, examples of cycloalkenyl include cyclohexenyl (e.g. cyclohex-1-enyl, cyclohex-2-enyl). When R3 represents substituted carbocyclyl, examples include alkylcarbocyclyl- (e.g. 2-methyl- cyclopropyl-, 2-methyl-cyclohexyl-, 3-methyl-cyclohexyl-, 4-methyl-cyclohexyl-, 2-methyl- cyclohexen-2-yl, 2-methyl-cyclohexen-3-yl, 3-methyl-cyclohexen-2-yl, 4-methyl-cyclohexen-2- yl), haloalkylcarbocyclyl- (e.g. 2-CF3-cyclohexyl-), alkoxycarbocyclyl (e.g. 2-methoxy- cyclopropyl-, 2-methoxycyclohexyl-, 3-methoxycyclohexyl-, 4-methoxycyclohexyl-, 4- methoxycyclohexen-2-yl), aminocarbocyclyl (e.g. 2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl-, 3- (dimethylamino)cyclohexyl-, 4-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl, 4-(dimethylamino)cyclohexen-2-yl) hydroxycarbocyclyl- (e.g. 2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl-, 3-hydroxy-cyclohexyl- and 4-hydroxy- cyclohexyl-, 2-hydroxycyclohexen-3-yl), and -carbocyclyl-C(O)Oalkyl such as -carbocyclyl- C(O)OC1-4alkyl (e.g. 3-(carboxylic acid methyl ester)cyclohexyl, 2-(carboxylic acid ethyl ester)cyclohexyl). When R3 represents -alkyl-aryl, examples include -C1-4alkyl-aryl such as benzyl, -methyl-tolyl, 1- phenyl-ethyl-, 2-phenyl-ethyl-, 1-tolyl-ethyl-, 2-tolyl-ethyl-, 1-phenyl-propyl-, 2-phenyl-propyl-, 3- phenyl-propyl-, 1-tolyl-propyl-, 2-tolyl-propyl-, 3-tolyl-propyl-, 3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl, 1-(3,4,5- trimethoxyphenyl)-ethyl-, 2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-ethyl-, 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-propyl-, 2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-propyl-, 3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-propyl-, 4-chloro-benzyl-, 4- chloro-3-methyl-benzyl-, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)- propyl, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-propyl, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propyl. When R3 represents -alkyl(aryl)2, examples include -C1-4alkyl-(aryl)2 such as diphenylmethyl-, ditolylmethyl-, 1,2-diphenyl-ethyl-, 1 -phenyl-2-tolyl-ethyl-, 2,2-diphenyl-ethyl-, 1,2-diphenyl- propyl-, 1,3-diphenyl-propyl-, 2,3-diphenyl-propyl-, 3,3-diphenyl-propyl-, 1,2-ditolyl-ethyl-, 2,2- ditolyl-ethyl-, 1,2-ditolyl-propyl-, 1,3-ditolyl-propyl-, 2,3-ditolyl-propyl-, 3,3-ditolyl-propyl-, 3- phenyl-3-tolyl-propyl-. When R3 represents -alkyl-heteroaryl (e.g. -C1-4alkyl-heteroaryl), bicyclic examples include 1H- indol-5-ylmethyl-, 1 H-indol-5-ylethyl-, 2-(1 H-indol-3-yl)-methyl-, 2-(1 H-indol-3-yl)-ethyl-, benzotriazol-1 -ylmethyl-, benzotriazol-1 -ylethyl-. When R3 represents -alkyl-heteroaryl (e.g.-C1-4alkyl-heteroaryl), monocyclic examples include pyridin-2-yl-methyl-, pyridin-3-yl-methyl-, pyridin-2-yl-ethyl-, pyridin-3-yl-ethyl-, 2-thiophen-2-yl- methyl-, 2-thiophen-2-yl-ethyl-, 2-furan-2-yl-methyl-, 2-furan-2-yl-ethyl. When R3 represents -alkyl(heteroaryl)2, (e.g.-C1-4alkyl-(heteroaryl)2) examples include (dipyridin- 2-yl)-methyl-, 1,1-(dipyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2,2-(dipyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, 1,1-(dipyridin-2-yl)-propyl-, 2,2-(dipyridin-2-yl)-propyl-, 3,3-(dipyridin-2-yl)-propyI-, (dipyrrol-2-yl)-methyl-, 1,1 -(dipyrrol-2-yI)- ethyl-, 2,2-(dipyrrol-2-yl)-ethyl-, (difuran-2-yl)-methyl-, 1,1-(difuran-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2,2-(difuran-2-yl)- ethyl-, (dithiophen-2-yl)-methyl-, 1,1-(dipyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2,2-(dipyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, (dithiophen- 2-yl)-methyl-, 1,1-(dithiophen-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2,2-(dithiophen-2-yl)-ethyk When R3 represents -alkyl(heteroaryl)(aryl) (e.g.-Ci-4alkyl-(heteroaryl)(aryl)), examples include 1 -phenyl-1 -(pyridin-2-yl)-methyl-, 1 -phenyl-1 -(pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, 1 -tolyl-1 -(pyridin-2-yl)-methyl-, 1 -tolyl-1 -(pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-tolyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, 1 - phenyl-1 -(furan-2-yl)-methyl-, 1 -phenyl-1 -(furan-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-phenyl-2-(furan-2-yl)-ethyl-, 1 - tolyl-1 -(furan-2-yl)-methyl-, 1 -tolyl-1 -(furan-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-tolyl-2-(furan-2-yl)-ethyl-, 1 -phenyl-1 - (thiophen-2-yl)-methyl-, 1 -phenyl-1 -(thiophen-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-phenyl-2-(thiophen-2-y!)-ethyl-, 1 - tolyl-1-(thiophen-2-yl)-methyl-, 1 -tolyl-1 -(thiophen -2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-tolyl-2-(thiophen -2-yl)-ethyl-. When R3 represents -alkyl-heterocyclyl (e.g. -C1-4alkylheterocyclyl), examples include 2- (morpholin-4-yl)-ethyl-, 3-(2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-propyl-, 3-(morpholin-4-yl)-propyl- and (tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-methyl- Examples of -alkyl-heterocyclyl in which heterocyclyl is substituted include 2-(2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl-. When R3 represents -alkyl(heterocycyl)2 (e.g. -C1-4alkyl(heterocyclyl))2, examples include -methyl(pyrrolidin-2-yl)2, -methyl(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)2, -methyl(piperidin-2-yl)2, -ethyl(pyrrolidin- 2-yl)2, -ethyl(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)2 and -ethyl(piperidin-2-yl)2. Examples of -alkyl-(heterocyclyl)2 in which heterocyclyl is substituted include -ethyl-(4-Me-pyrrolidin-2-yl)2. When R3 represents -aryl-O-aryl, examples include 4-phenoxy-phenyl, 4-tolyl-phenyl, 4-(3,5- dimethylphenoxy)phenyl-, 4-(4-fluorophenoxy)-phenyl-, 4-(2,4,6-trifluorophenoxy)phenyl-, 4- (3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenyl-. When R3 represents aryl, examples include monocyclic aryl such as substituted or unsubstituted phenyl e.g. 3-cyano-phenyl-, 4-fluoro-phenyl-, 2,4-difluoro-phenyl-, 2,5-difluoro-phenyl-, 2,6- difluoro-phenyl-, 3,5-difluoro-phenyl-, 4-chloro-phenyl-, 2,4-dichloro-phenyl-, 2,5-dichloro- phenyl-, 2,6-dichloro-phenyl-, 3,5-dichloro-phenyl-, 2-bromo-phenyl-, 4-bromo-phenyl-, tolyl, 2- ethyl-phenyl-, 2-trifluoromethyl-phenyk Further examples of aryl include bicyclic aryl e.g. indanyl (e.g. indan-1-yl and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthen-1-yl). When R3 represents -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl (e.g.-C1-4alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl) which heterocyclyl may optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxy and oxo, examples include 2-(piperidin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-, 2-(1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-, 2-(3,4-dihydro-1 H-isoquinolin-2-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-, 2-(thiomorpholin-4-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-, (3,4- dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-, 2-(1-piperidin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-. Examples of -alkyl- C(O)-heterocyclyl in which heterocyclyl is substituted include 2-(4-Me-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo- ethyl-, 2-(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-, 2-(4-hydroxy-piperidin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl- and 2- (4-methyl-1,4-diazepan-1 -yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-. When R3 represents -alkyl-C(O)NR5-heterocyclyl (e.g. -C1-4alkylC(O)NR5-heterocyclyl), examples include -CH2-C(O)NH-(piperidin-1-yl). Examples of -alkyl-C(O)NR5-heterocyclyl, in which heterocyclyl is substituted include-CH2-C(O)NH-(4-Me-piperazin-1-yl). When R3 represents heteroaryl, bicyclic examples include 4-hydroxy-piperidin-1-yl-, 2,3-dihydro- benzo-1,4-dioxin-6-yl-. Monocyclic examples include pyridinyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl and thiophenyl. When R3 represents heteroaryl, monocyclic examples include thiophen-2-yl-, furan-2-yl-, pyrrol- 2-yl-, pyridin-2-y-l, pyridin-3-yl-, pyridin-4-yl-, 5-methyl-thiophen-2-yl-, 5-methyl-furan-2-yl-, 5- methyl-pyrrol-2-yl-, 6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl-, 4-methyl-pyridin-2-yl-, 2-methyl-pyridin-3-yl-, 2- methyl-pyridin-4-yl-. When R3 represents heterocyclyl, examples include piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, morpholinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl. Examples of substituted heterocyclyl include 4-Me-piperazin-1-yl, 2,2- dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl and 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl. When R3 represents -hydroxyalkylaryl, examples include -C1-4hydroxyalkylaryl such as 1- hydroxy-1-phenyl-methyl-, 1-hydroxy-1-phenyl-ethyl-, 2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethyl-, 1-hydroxy-1- phenyl-propyl-, 2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-propyl-, 3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-propyl-, 1-hydroxy-2-phenyl- ethyl-, 2-hydroxy-1-phenyl-ethyl-, 1-hydroxy-2-phenyl-propyl-, 1-hydroxy-3-phenyl-propyl-, 2- hydroxy-3-phenyl-propyl-, 2-hydroxy-1-phenyl-propyl-, 3-hydroxy-1 -phenyl-propyl-, 3-hydroxy-2- phenyl-propyl-. When R4 represents C1-3alkyl, examples include methyl, ethyl or propyl (e.g. n-propyl). When R5 represents C1-3 alkyl, examples include methyl, ethyl or propyl (e.g. n-propyl). Suitably, R1 represents heteroaryl or -alkylheteroaryl especially heteroaryl. More suitably, R1 represents bicyclic heteroaryl, especially 9-membered bicyclic heteroaryl. More suitably, R1 represents a phenyl ring fused with a 5 membered heteroaryl ring containing one or more (e.g. one or two, suitably one) nitrogen atoms. Suitably R1 represents unsubstituted heteroaryl. In particular, R1 suitably represents 1H-benzoimidazolyl, especially 1 H-benzoimidazol-5-yl. Suitably R2 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl (e.g. cycloalkenyl) which may optionally be substituted by alkyl; aryl (bicyclic or monocyclic); -aryl- heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl (bicyclic or monocyclic); or heterocyclyl. More suitably R2 represents alkyl, which is substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl (e.g. cycloalkenyl) which may optionally be substituted by alkyl; aryl (bicyclic or monocyclic); -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl (bicyclic or monocyclic); or heterocyclyl. More suitably, R2 represents aryl (bicyclic or monocyclic), heteroaryl (bicyclic or monocyclic), -aryl-heterocyclyl or cycloalkenyl which may optionally be substituted by alkyl (e.g. methyl). More suitably R2 represents aryl (e.g. monocyclic aryl) or heteroaryl (e.g. bicyclic heteroaryl). Most suitably R2 represents optionally substituted phenyl, e.g. phenyl substituted by one or more (e.g. 1-3, for example 1) substituent selected from alkyl, fluoroalkyl, alkoxy, halogen and hydroxy. Especially suitably R2 represents phenyl substituted by halogen. Suitably R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy, -C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which may be optionally substituted by hydroxy; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heteroaryl, -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5-heterocyclyl or -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxyl and oxo;. or -hydroxyalkylaryl. In one embodiment R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy, -C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which is substituted by hydroxy; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl- heteroaryl; -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; -aryl; heteroaryl; -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5-heterocyclyl or -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxyl and oxo; or -hydroxyalkylaryl. More suitably, R3 represents alkyl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl-heterocyclyl; -alkyl-C(O)- heterocyclyl; carbocyclyl (e.g. cycloalkyl), which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; -aryl; heteroaryl (monocyclic and bicyclic). In one embodiment R3 represents alkyl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl- aryl; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl-heterocyclyl; -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl; carbocyclyl (e.g. cycloalkyl), which is substituted by hydroxy; -aryl; heteroaryl (monocyclic and bicyclic). Most suitably R3 represents -aIkyI heteroaryl or -alkylaryl, e.g. -C1-3alkylheteroaryl or C1-3alkylaryl, in which heteroaryl or aryl are monocyclic or bicyclic but are preferably monocyclic. A particularly suitably R3 group is benzyl. Suitably R4 represents hydrogen or methyl, especially hydrogen. Suitably R5 represents hydrogen or methyl, especially hydrogen. Suitably, X represents O. E/Z-Conformers There are two tautomeric forms of the imidazilidone (-thione) structure. Accordingly, the present invention includes both forms, the E and Z-form of the molecules. Processes The present invention further provides a process for preparation of compounds of formula (I) or a protected derivative thereof (a) wherein X represents oxygen, comprises reaction of a compound of formula (II) or a protected derivative thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as defined above, with a compound of formula (III) or a protected derivative thereof wherein R3 is as defined above, and a cyanate (e.g. potassium cyanate) in the presence of an acid catalyst (e.g. pyridinehydrochloride); or (b) wherein X represents sulphur, comprises reaction of a compound of formula (II) or a protected derivative thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as defined above, with a compound of formula (III) or a protected derivative thereof wherein R3 is as defined above, and a thiocyanate (e.g. potassium thiocyanate) in the presence of an acid catalyst (e.g. pyridinehydrochloride). The reagents (i.e. (II) plus (III) together with the cyanate/thiocyanate and the acid catalyst) are typlcally combined in a polar protic organic solvent (e.g. an alcohol such as methanol). Compounds of formula (II) or a protected derivative thereof may be prepared by reaction of a compound of formula (IV), or a protected derivative thereof, wherein R2 is as defined above, with a compound of formula (V) or a protected derivative thereof, wherein R1 is as defined above under suitable imine-forming reaction conditions. Suitable conditions include combining the reagents in a polar protic solvent at ambient or elevated temperature. In a suitable method of preparing compounds of formula (I), compounds of formula (II) are prepared in situ and are not isolated before further reaction with (III). Compounds of formula (III), (IV) and (V) are either known or may be prepared by conventional methods known per se. Therapeutic uses Physiological substrates of QC (EC) in mammals are, e.g. amyloid beta-peptides (3-40), (3-42), (11-40 and (11-42), ABri, ADan, Gastrin, Neurotensin, FPP, CCL 2, CCL 7, CCL 8, CCL 16, CCL 18, Fractalkine, Orexin A, [Gln3]-glucagori(3-29), [Gln5]-substance P(5-11) and the peptide QYNAD. For further details see table 1. The compounds and/or combinations according to the present invention and pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one inhibitor of QC (EC) are useful for the treatment of conditions that can be treated by modulation of QC activity. Table 1: Amino acid sequences of physiological active peptides with an N-terminal glutamine residue, which are prone to be cyclized to final pGlu Glutamate is found in positions 3, 11 and 22 of the amyloid β-peptide. Among them the mutation from glutamic acid (E) to glutamine (Q) in position 22 (corresponding to amyloid precursor protein APP 693, Swissprot P05067) has been described as the so called Dutch type cerebroarterial amyloidosis mutation. The β-amyloid peptides with a pyroglutamic acid residue in position 3, 11 and/or 22 have been described to be more cytotoxic and hydrophobic than the amyloid β-peptides 1-40(42/43) (Saido T.C. 2000 Medical Hypotheses 54(3): 427-429). The multiple N-termina! variations, e.g. Abeta(3-40), Abeta(3-42), Abeta(11-40) and Abeta (11- 42) can be generated by the β-secretase enzyme β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme (BACE) at different sites (Huse J.T. et al. 2002 J. Biol. Chem. 277 (18): 16278-16284), and/or by aminopeptidase or dipeptidylaminopeptidase processing from the full lenght peptides Abeta(1-40) and Abeta(1-42). In all cases, cyclization of the then N-terminal occuring glutamic acid residue is catalyzed by QC. Transepithelial transducing cells, particularly the gastrin (G) cell, co-ordinate gastric acid secretion with the arrival of food in the stomach. Recent work showed that multiple active products are generated from the gastrin precursor, and that there are multiple control points in gastrin biosynthesis. Biosynthetic precursors and intermediates (progastrin and Gly-gastrins) are putative growth factors; their products, the amidated gastrins, regulate epithelial cell proliferation, the differentiation of acid-producing parietal cells and histamine-secreting enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells, and the expression of genes associated with histamine synthesis and storage in ECL cells, as well as acutely stimulating acid secretion. Gastrin also stimulates the production of members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, which in turn inhibit parietal cell function but stimulate the growth of surface epithelial cells. Plasma gastrin concentrations are elevated in subjects with Helicobacter pylori, who are known to have increased risk of duodenal ulcer disease and gastric cancer (Dockray, G.J. 1999 J Physiol 15 315-324). The peptide hormone gastrin, released from antral G cells, is known to stimulate the synthesis and release of histamine from ECL cells in the oxyntic mucosa via CCK-2 receptors. The mobilized histamine induces acid secretion by binding to the H(2) receptors located on parietal cells. Recent studies suggest that gastrin, in both its fully amidated and less processed forms (progastrin and glycine-extended gastrin), is also a growth factor for the gastrointestinal tract. It has been established that the major trophic effect of amidated gastrin is for the oxyntic mucosa of stomach, where it causes increased proliferation of gastric stem cells and ECL cells, resulting in increased parietal and ECL cell mass. On the other hand, the major trophic target of the less processed gastrin (e.g. glycine-extended gastrin) appears to be the colonic mucosa (Koh, T.J. and Chen, D. 2000 Regul Pept 9337-44). Neurotensin (NT) is a neuropeptide implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia that specifically modulates neurotransmitter systems previously demonstrated to be misregulated in this disorder. Clinical studies in which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) NT concentrations have been measured revealed a subset of schizophrenic patients with decreased CSF NT concentrations that are restored by effective antipsychotic drug treatment. Considerable evidence also exists concordant with the involvement of NT systems in the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs. The behavioral and biochemical effects of centrally administered NT remarkably resemble those of systemically administered antipsychotic drugs, and antipsychotic drugs increase NT neurotransmission. This concatenation of findings led to the hypothesis that NT functions as an endogenous antipsychotic. Moreover, typlcal and atyplcal antipsychotic drugs differentially alter NT neurotransmission in nigrostriatal and mesolimbic dopamine terminal regions, and these effects are predictive of side effect liability and efficacy, respectively (Binder, E. B. et al. 2001 Biol Psychiatry 50 856-872). Fertilization promoting peptide (FPP), a tripeptide related to thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH), is found in seminal plasma. Recent evidence obtained in vitro and in vivo showed that FPP plays an important role in regulating sperm fertility. Specifically, FPP initially stimulates nonfertilizing (uncapacitated) spermatozoa to "switch on" and become fertile more quickly, but then arrests capacitation so that spermatozoa do not undergo spontaneous acrosome loss and therefore do not lose fertilizing potential. These responses are mimicked, and indeed augmented, by adenosine, known to regulate the adenylyl cyclase (AC)/cAMP signal transduction pathway. Both FPP and adenosine have been shown to stimulate cAMP production in uncapacitated cells but inhibit it in capacitated cells, with FPP receptors somehow interacting with adenosine receptors and G proteins to achieve regulation of AC. These events affect the tyrosine phosphorylation state of various proteins, some being important in the initial "switching on," others possibly being involved in the acrosome reaction itself. Calcitonin and angiotensin II, also found in seminal plasma, have similar effects in vitro on uncapacitated spermatozoa and can augment responses to FPP. These molecules have similar effects in vivo, affecting fertility by stimulating and then maintaining fertilizing potential. Either reductions in the availability of FPP, adenosine, calcitonin, and angiotensin II or defects in their receptors contribute to male infertility (Fraser, L.R. and Adeoya-Osiguwa, S. A. 2001 Vitam Horm 63, 1- 28). CCL2, CCL7, CCL8, CCL16, CCL18 and fractalkine play an important role in pathophysiological conditions, such as suppression of proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells, neoplasia, inflammatory host responses, cancer, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, vasculitis, humoral and cell-mediated immunity responses, leukocyte adhesion and migration processes at the endothelium, inflammatory bowel disease, restenosis, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertention, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, nephrosclerosis, ventricular remodeling, heart failure, arteriopathy after organ transplantations and failure of vein grafts. Several cytotoxic T lymphocyte peptide-based vaccines against hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency virus and melanoma were recently studied in clinical trials. One interesting melanoma vaccine candidate alone or in combination with other tumor antigens, is the decapeptide ELA. This peptide is a Melan-A/MART-1 antigen immunodominant peptide analog, with an N-terminal glutamic acid. It has been reported that the amino group and gamma- carboxylic group of glutamic acids, as well as the amino group and gamma-carboxamide group of glutamines, condense easily to form pyroglutamic derivatives. To overcome this stability problem, several peptides of pharmaceutical interest have been developed with a pyroglutamic acid instead of N-terminal glutamine or glutamic acid, without loss of pharmacological properties. Unfortunately compared with ELA, the pyroglutamic acid derivative (PyrELA) and also the N-terminal acetyl-capped derivative (AcELA) failed to elicit cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity. Despite the apparent minor modifications introduced in PyrELA and AcELA, these two derivatives probably have lower affinity than ELA for the specific class I major histocompatibility complex. Consequently, in order to conserve full activity of ELA, the formation of PyrELA must be avoided (Beck A. et al. 2001, J Pept Res 57(6):528-38.). Orexin A is a neuropeptide that plays a significant role in the regulation of food intake and sleep-wakefulness, possibly by coordinating the complex behavioral and physiologic responses of these complementary homeostatic functions. It plays also a role in the homeostatic regulation of energy metabolism, autonomic function, hormonal balance and the regulation of body fluids. Recently, increased levels of the pentapeptide QYNAD were identified in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barre syndrome compared to healthy individuals (Brinkmeier H. et al. 2000, Nature Medicine 6, 808-811). There is a big controversy in the literature about the mechanism of action of the pentapeptide Gln-Tyr-Asn- Ala-Asp (QYNAD), especially its efficacy to interact with and block sodium channels resulting in the promotion of axonal dysfunction, which are involved in inflammatory autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system. But recently, it could be demonstrated that not QYNAD, but its cyclized, pyroglutamated form, pEYNAD, is the active form, which blocks sodium channels resulting in the promotion of axonal dysfunction. Sodium channels are expressed at high density in myelinated axons and play an obligatory role in conducting action potentials along axons within the mammalian brain and spinal cord. Therefore, it is speculated that they are involved in several aspects of the pathophysiology of inflammatory autoimmune diseases, especially multiple sclerosis, the Guillain-Barre syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinizing polyradiculoneuropathy. Furthermore, QYNAD is a substrate of the enzyme glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5), which is also present in the brain of mammals, especially in human brain. Glutaminyl cyclase catalyzes effectively the formation of pEYNAD from its precursor QYNAD. Accordingly, the present invention provides the use of the compounds of formula (I) for the preperation of a medicament for the prevention or alleviation or treatment of a disease selected from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Familial British Dementia, Familial Danish Dementia, Down Syndrome, Huntington's disease, Kennedy's disease, ulcer disease, duodenal cancer with or w/o Helicobacter pylori infections, colorectal cancer, Zolliger-Ellison syndrome, gastric cancer with or without Helicobacter pylori infections, pathogenic psychotic conditions, schizophrenia, infertility, neoplasia, inflammatory host responses, cancer, malign metastasis, melanoma, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, impaired humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, leukocyte adhesion and migration processes in the endothelium, impaired food intake, impaired sleep-wakefulness, impaired homeostatic regulation of energy metabolism, impaired autonomic function, impaired hormonal balance or impaired regulation of body fluids, multiple sclerosis, the Guillain-Barre syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinizing polyradiculoneuropathy. Furthermore, by administration of a compound according to the present invention to a mammal it can be possible to stimulate the proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells. In addition, the administration of a QC inhibitor according to the present invention can lead to suppression of male fertility. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides the use of inhibitors of QC (EC) activity in combination with other agents, especially for the treatment of neuronal diseases, artherosclerosis and multiple sclerosis. The present invention also provides a method of treatment of the aforementioned diseases comprising the administration of a therapeutically active amount of at least one compound of formula (I) to a mammal, preferably a human. Most preferably, said method and corresponding uses are for the treatment of a disease selected from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Familial British Dementia, Familial Danish Dementia, Down Syndrome, Parkinson disease and Chorea Huntington, comprising the administration of a therapeutically active amount of at least one compound of formula (I) to a mammal, preferably a human. Even preferably, the present invention provides a method of treatment and corresponding uses for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or atherosclerosis. Even preferably, the present invention provides a method of treatment and corresponding uses for the treatment of pancreatitis and restenosis. Pharmaceutical combinations In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a composition, preferably a pharmaceutical composition, comprising at least one QC inhibitor optionally in combination with at least one other agent selected from the group consisting of nootroplc agents, neuroprotectants, antiparkinsonian drugs, amyloid protein deposition inhibitors, beta amyloid synthesis inhibitors, antidepressants, anxiolytic drugs, antipsychotic drugs and anti-multiple sclerosis drugs. Most preferably, said QC inhibitor is a compound of of formula (I) of the present invention. More specifically, the aforementioned other agent is selected from the group consisting PEP- inhibitors, LiCI, inhibitors of dipeptidyl aminopeptidases, preferably inhibitors of DP IV or DP IV- like enzymes; acetylcholinesterase (ACE) inhibitors, PIMT enhancers, inhibitors of beta secretases, inhibitors of gamma secretases, inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase, inhibitors of Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4), TNFalpha inhibitors, muscarinic M1 receptor antagonists, NMDA receptor antagonists, sigma-1 receptor inhibitors, histamine H3 antagonists, immunomodulatory agents, immunosuppressive agents or an agent selected from the group consisting of antegren (natalizumab), Neurelan (fampridine-SR), campath (alemtuzumab), IR 208, NBI 5788/MSP 771 (tiplimotide), paclitaxel, Anergix.MS (AG 284), SH636, Differin (CD 271, adapalene), BAY 361677 (interleukin-4), matrix-metalloproteinase-inhibitors (e.g. BB 76163), interferon-tau (trophoblastin) and SAIK-MS. Further, the aforementioned other agent may be selected from the group consisting of beta- amyloid antibodies, cysteine protease inhibitors and MCP-1 antagonists. Furthermore, the other agent may be, for example, an anti-anxiety drug or antidepressant selected from the group consisting of (a) Benzodiazepines, e.g. alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, fludiazepam, loflazepate, lorazepam, methaqualone, oxazepam, prazepam, tranxene, (b) Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI's), e.g. citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, escitalopram, sertraline, paroxetine, (c) Tricyclic antidepressants, e.g. amitryptiline, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine (d) Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, (e) Azapirones, e.g. buspirone, tandopsirone, (f) Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI's), e.g. venlafaxine, duloxetine, (g) Mirtazapine, (h) Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRI's), e.g. reboxetine, (i) Bupropione, (j) Nefazodone, (k) beta-blockers, (I) NPY-receptor ligands: NPY agonists or antagonists. In a further embodiment, the other agent may be, for example, an anti-multiple sclerosis drug selected from the group consisting of a) dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors, e.g. SC-12267, teriflunomide, MNA-715, HMR- 1279 (syn. to HMR-1715, MNA-279), b) autoimmune suppressant, e.g. laquinimod, c) paclitaxel, d) antibodies, e.g. AGT-1, anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM- CSF) monoclonal antibody, Nogo receptor modulators, ABT-874, alemtuzumab (CAMPATH), anti-OX40 antibody, CNTO-1275, DN-1921, natalizumab (syn. to AN- 100226, Antegren, VLA-4 Mab), daclizumab (syn. to Zenepax, Ro-34-7375, SMART anti-Tac), J-695, priliximab (syn. to Centara, CEN-000029, cM-T412), MRA, Dantes, anti-IL-12-antibody, e) peptide nucleic acid (PNA) preparations, e.g. reticulose, f) interferon alpha, e.g. Alfaferone, human alpha interferon (syn. to Omniferon, Alpha Leukoferon), g) interferon beta, e.g. Frone, interferon beta-1a like Avonex, Betron (Rebif), interferon beta analogs, interferon beta-transferrin fusion protein, recombinant interferon beta-1b like Betaseron, h) interferon tau, i) peptides, e.g. AT-008, AnergiX.MS, Immunokine (alpha-lmmunokine-NNS03), cyclic peptides like ZD-7349, j) therapeutic enzymes, e.g. soluble CD8 (sCD8), k) multiple sclerosis-specific autoantigen-encoding plasmid and cytokine-encoding plasmid, e.g. BHT-3009; I) inhibitor of TNF-alpha, e.g. BLX-1002, thalidomide, SH-636, m) TNF antagonists, e.g. solimastat, lenercept (syn. to RO-45-2081, Tenefuse), onercept (STNFR1), CC-1069, n) TNF alpha, e.g. etanercept (syn. to Enbrel, TNR-001) o) CD28 antagonists, e.g. abatacept, p) Lck tyrosine kinase inhibitors, q) cathepsin K inhibitors, r) analogs of the neuron-targeting membrane transporter protein taurine and the plant- derived calpain inhibitor leupeptin, e.g. Neurodur, s) chemokine receptor-1 (CCR1) antagonist, e.g. BX-471, t) CCR2 antagonists, u) AMPA receptor antagonists, e.g. ER-167288-01 and ER-099487, E-2007, talampanel, v) potassium channel blockers, e.g. fampridine, w) tosyl-proline-phenylalanine small-molecule antagonists of the VLA-4A/CAM interaction, e.g. TBC-3342, x) cell adhesion molecule inhibitors, e.g. TBC-772, y) antisense oligonucleotides, e.g. EN-101, z) antagonists of free immunoglobulin light chain (IgLC) binding to mast cell receptors, e.g. F-991, aa)apoptosis inducing antigenes, e.g. Apogen MS, bb)alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, e.g. tizanidine (syn. to Zanaflex, Ternelin, Sirdalvo, Sirdalud, Mionidine), cc) copolymer of L-tyrosine, L-lysine, L-glutamic acid and L-alanine, e.g. glatiramer acetate (syn. to Copaxone, COP-1, copolymer-1), dd)topoisomerase II modulators, e.g. mitoxantrone hydrochloride, ee) adenosine deaminase inhibitor, e.g. cladribine (syn. to Leustatin, Mylinax, RWJ-26251), ff) interlaukin-10, e.g. ilodecakin (syn. to Tenovil, Sch-52000, CSIF), gg)interleukin-12 antagonists, e.g. lisofylline (syn. to CT-1501R, LSF, lysofylline), hh)Ethanaminum, e.g. SRI-62-834A(syn. to CRC-8605, NSC-614383), ii) immunomodulators, e.g. SAIK-MS, PNU-156804, alpha-fetoprotein peptide (AFP), IPDS, jj) retinoid receptor agonists, e.g. adapalene (syn. to Differin, CD-271), kk) TGF-beta, e.g. GDF-1 (growth and differentiation factor 1), II) TGF-beta-2, e.g. BetaKine, mm) MMP inhibitors, e.g. glycomed, nn) phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors, e.g. RPR-122818, oo) purine nucleoside phosphorylase inhibitors, e.g. 9-(3-pyridylmethyl)-9-deazaguanine, peldesine (syn. to BCX-34, TO-200), pp) alpha-4/beta-1 integrin antagonists, e.g. ISIS-104278, qq) antisense alpha4 integrin (CD49d), e.g. ISIS-17044, ISIS-27104, rr) cytokine-inducing agents, e.g. nucleosides, ICN-17261, ss) cytokine inhibitors, tt) heat shock protein vaccines, e.g. HSPPC-96, uu)neuregulin growth factors, e.g. GGF-2 (syn. to neuregulin, glial growth factor 2), vv) cathepsin S - inhibitors, ww) bropirimine analogs, e.g. PNU-56169, PNU-63693, xx) Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 inhibitors, e.g. benzimidazoles like MCP-1 inhibitors, LKS-1456, PD-064036, PD-064126, PD-084486, PD-172084, PD-172386. Further, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions e.g. for parenteral, enteral or oral administration, comprising at least one QC inhibitor of formula (I) optionally in combination with at least one of the other aforementioned agents. These combinations provide a particularly beneficial effect. Such combinations are therefore shown to be effective and useful for the treatment of the aforementioned diseases. Accordingly, the invention provides a method for the treatment of these conditions. The method comprises either co-administration of at least one QC inhibitor of formula (I) and at least one of the other agents or the sequential administration thereof. Co-administration includes administration of a formulation, which comprises at least one QC inhibitor of formula (I) and at least one of the other agents or the essentially simultaneous administration of separate formulations of each agent. F.xamples of suitable PIMT enhancers are 10-aminoaliphatyl-dibenz[b, f] oxepines described in WO 98/15647 and WO 03/057204, respectively. Further useful according to the present invention are modulators of PIMT activity described in WO 2004/039773. Inhibitors of beta secretase and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in WO03/059346, WO2006/099352, WO2006/078576, WO2006/060109, WO2006/057983, WO2006/057945, WO2006/055434, WO2006/044497, WO2006/034296, WO2006/034277, WO2006/029850, WO2006/026204, WO2006/014944, WO2006/014762, WO2006/002004, US 7,109,217, WO2005/113484, WO2005/103043, WO2005/103020, WO2005/065195, WO2005/051914, WO2005/044830, WO2005/032471, WO2005/018545, WO2005/004803, WO2005/004802, WO2004/062625, WO2004/043916, WO2004/013098, WO03/099202, WO03/043987, WO03/039454, US 6,562,783, WO02/098849 and WO02/096897. Suitable examples of beta secretase inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are WY- 25105 (Wyeth); Posiphen, (+)-phenserine (TorreyPines / NIH); LSN-2434074, LY-2070275, LY- 2070273, LY-2070102 (Eli Lilly & Co.); PNU-159775A, PNU-178025A, PNU-17820A, PNU- 33312, PNU-38773, PNU-90530 (Elan / Pfizer); KMI-370, KMI-358, kmi-008 (Kyoto University); OM-99-2, OM-003 (Athenagen Inc.); AZ-12304146 (AstraZeneca / Astex); GW-840736X (GlaxoSmithKline plc.) and DNP-004089 (De Novo Pharmaceuticals Ltd.). Inhibitors of gamma secretase and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in WO2005/008250, WO2006/004880, US 7,122,675, US 7,030,239, US 6,992,081, US 6,982,264, WO2005/097768, WO2005/028440, WO2004/101562, US 6,756,511, US 6,683,091, WO03/066592, WO03/014075, WO03/013527, WO02/36555, WO01/53255, US 7,109,217, US 7,101,895, US 7,049,296, US 7,034,182, US 6,984,626, WO2005/040126, WO2005/030731, WO2005/014553, US 6,890,956, EP 1334085, EP 1263774, WO2004/101538, WO2004/00958, WO2004/089911, WO2004/073630, WO2004/069826, WO2004/039370, WO2004/031139, WO2004/031137, US 6,713,276, US 6,686,449, WO03/091278, US 6,649,196, US 6,448,229, WO01/77144 and WO01/66564. Suitable gamma secretase inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are GSI-953, WAY-GSI-A, WAY-GSI-B (Wyeth); MK-0752, MRK-560, L-852505, L-685-458, L-852631, L- 852646 (Merck & Co. Inc.); LY-450139, LY-411575, AN-37124 (Eli Lilly & Co.); BMS-299897, BMS-433796 (Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.); E-2012 (Eisai Co. Ltd.); EHT-0206, EHT-206 (ExonHit Therapeutics SA); and NGX-555 (TorreyPines Therapeutics Inc.). Suitable beta amyloid synthesis inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are for example Bisnorcymserine (Axonyx Inc.); (R)-flurbiprofen (MCP-7869; Flurizan) (Myriad Genetics); nitroflurbiprofen (NicOx); BGC-20-0406 (Sankyo Co. Ltd.) and BGC-20-0466 (BTG plc). Suitable amyloid protein deposition inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are for example SP-233 (Samaritan Pharmaceuticals); AZD-103 (Ellipsis Neurotherapeutics Inc.); AAB- 001 (Bapineuzumab), AAB-002, ACC-001 (Elan Corp plc); Colostrinin (ReGen Therapeutics plc); AdPEDI-(amyloid-beta1-6)11) (Vaxin Inc.); MPI-127585, MPI-423948 (Mayo Foundation); SP-08 (Georgetown University); ACU-5A5 (Acumen / Merck); Transthyretin (State University of New York); PTI-777, DP-74, DP 68, Exebryl (ProteoTech Inc.); m266 (Eli Lilly & Co.); EGb-761 (Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH); SPI-014 (Satori Pharmaceuticals Inc.); ALS-633, ALS-499 (Advanced Life Sciences Inc.); AGT-160 (ArmaGen Technologies Inc.); TAK-070 (Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.); CHF-5022, CHF-5074, CHF-5096 and CHF-5105 (Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA.). Suitable PDE-4 inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are for example Doxofylline (Instituto Biologico Chemioterapica ABC SpA.); idudilast eye drops, tipelukast, ibudilast (Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.); theophylline (Elan Corp.); cilomilast (GlaxoSmithKline plc); Atopik (Barrier Therapeutics Inc.); tofimilast, CI-1044, PD-189659, CP-220629, PDE 4d inhibitor BHN (Pfizer Inc.); arofylline, LAS-37779 (Almirall Prodesfarma SA.); roflumilast, hydroxypumafentrine (Altana AG), tetomilast (Otska Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.); CC-10004 (Celgene Corp.); HT-0712, IPL-4088 (Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd.); MEM-1414, MEM-1917 (Memory Pharmaceuticals Corp.); oglemilast, GRC-4039 (Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.); AWD-12-281, ELB-353, ELB- 526 (Elbion AG); EHT-0202 (ExonHit Therapeutics SA.); ND-1251 (Neuro3d SA.); 4AZA-PDE4 (4 AZA Bioscience NV.); AVE-8112 (Sanofi-Aventis); CR-3465 (Rottapharm SpA.); GP-0203, NCS-613 (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); KF-19514 (Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co. Ltd.); ONO-6126 (Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.); OS-0217 (Dainippon Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.); IBFB-130011, IBFB-150007, IBFB-130020, IBFB-140301 (IBFB Pharma GmbH); IC-485 (ICOS Corp.); RBx-14016 and RBx-11082 (Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.). A preferred PDE-4-inhibitor is Rolipram. MAO inhibitors and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in WO2006/091988, WO2005/007614, WO2004/089351, WO01/26656, WO01/12176, WO99/57120, W099/57119, W099/13878, WO98/40102, WO98/01157, WO96/20946, WO94/07890 and W092/21333. Suitable MAO-inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are for example Linezolid (Pharmacia Corp.); RWJ-416457 (RW Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute); budipine (Altana AG); GPX-325 (BioResearch Ireland); isocarboxazid; phenelzine; tranylcypromine; indantadol (Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA.); moclobemide (Roche Holding AG); SL-25.1131 (Sanofi- Synthelabo); CX-1370 (Burroughs Wellcome Co.); CX-157 (Krenitsky Pharmaceuticals Inc.); desoxypeganine (HF Arzneimittelforschung GmbH & Co. KG); bifemelane (Mitsubishi-Tokyo Pharmaceuticals Inc.); RS-1636 (Sankyo Co. Ltd.); esuprone (BASF AG); rasagiline (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.); ladostigil (Hebrew University of Jerusalem); safinamide (Pfizer) and NW-1048 (Newron Pharmaceuticals SpA.). Suitable histamine H3 antagonists for the purpose of the present invention are, e.g. A-331440, A-349821 (Abbott Laboratories); 3874-H1 (Aventis Pharma); UCL-2173 (Berlin Free University), UCL-1470 (BioProjet, Societe Civile de Recherche); DWP-302 (Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co Ltd); GSK-189254A, GSK-207040A (GlaxoSmithKline Inc.); cipralisant, GT-2203 (Gliatech Inc.); 1S,2S)-2-(2-Aminoethyl)-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)cyclopropane (Hokkaido University); JNJ-5207852 (Johnson & Johnson); NNC-0038-0000-1049 (Novo Nordisk A/S); and Sch-79687 (Schering- Plough). PEP inhibitors and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in JP 01042465, JP 03031298, JP 04208299, WO 00/71144, US 5,847,155; JP 09040693, JP 10077300, JP 05331072, JP 05015314, WO 95/15310, WO 93/00361, EP 0556482, JP 06234693, JP 01068396, EP 0709373, US 5,965,556, US 5,756,763, US 6,121,311, JP 63264454, JP 64000069, JP 63162672, EP 0268190, EP 0277588, EP 0275482, US 4,977,180, US 5,091,406, US 4,983,624, US 5,112,847, US 5,100,904, US 5,254,550, US 5,262,431, US 5,340,832, US 4,956,380, EP 0303434, JP 03056486, JP 01143897, JP 1226880, EP 0280956, US 4,857,537, EP 0461677, EP 0345428, JP 02275858, US 5,506,256, JP 06192298, EP 0618193, JP 03255080, EP 0468469, US 5,118,811, JP 05025125, WO 9313065, JP 05201970, WO 9412474, EP 0670309, EP 0451547, JP 06339390, US 5,073,549, US 4,999,349, EP 0268281, US 4,743,616, EP 0232849, EP 0224272, JP 62114978, JP 62114957, US 4,757,083, US 4,810,721, US 5,198,458, US 4,826,870, EP 0201742, EP 0201741, US 4,873,342, EP 0172458, JP 61037764, EP 0201743, US 4,772,587, EP 0372484, US 5,028,604, WO 91/18877, JP 04009367, JP 04235162, US 5,407,950, WO 95/01352, JP 01250370, JP 02207070, US 5,221,752, EP 0468339, JP 04211648, WO 99/46272, WO 2006/058720 and PCT/EP2006/061428. Suitable prolyl endopeptidase inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are, e.g. Fmoc- Ala-Pyrr-CN, Z-Phe-Pro-Benzothiazole (Probiodrug), Z-321 (Zeria Pharmaceutical Co Ltd.); ONO-1603 (Ono Pharmaceutical Co Ltd); JTP-4819 (Japan Tobacco Inc.) and S-17092 (Servier). Suitable examples of beta-amyloid antibodies are ACU-5A5, huC091 (Acumen/Merck); PF- 4360365, RI-1014, RI-1219, RI-409, RN-1219 (Rinat Neuroscience Corp (Pfizer Inc)); the nanobody therapeutics of Ablynx/Boehringer Ingelheim; beta-amyloid-specific humanized monoclonal antibodies of Intellect Neurosciences/IBL; m266, m266.2 (Eli Lilly & Co.); AAB-02 (Elan); bapineuzumab (Elan); BAN-2401 (Bioarctic Neuroscience AB); ABP-102 (Abiogen Pharma SpA); BA-27, BC-05 (Takeda); R-1450 (Roche); ESBA-212 (ESBATech AG); AZD- 3102 (AstraZeneca) and beta-amyloid antibodies of Mindset BioPharmaceuticals Inc. Suitable cysteine protease inhibitors are inhibitors of cathepsin B. Inhibitors of cathepsin B and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in WO 2006/060473, WO 2006/042103, WO 2006/039807, WO 2006/021413, WO 2006/021409, WO 2005/097103, WO 2005/007199, WO2004/084830, WO 2004/078908, WO 2004/026851, WO 2002/094881, WO 2002/027418, WO 2002/021509, WO 1998/046559, WO 1996/021655. MCP-1 antagonists may, e.g. be selected from anti-MCP-1 antibodies, preferably monoclonal or humanized monoclonal antibodies, MCP-1 expression inhibitors, CCR2-antagonists, TNF-alpha inhibitors, VCAM-1 gene expression inhibitors and anti-C5a monoclonal antibodies. MCP-1 antagonists and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in WO02/070509, WO02/081463, WO02/060900, US2006/670364, US2006/677365, WO2006/097624, US2006/316449, WO2004/056727, WO03/053368, WO00/198289, WO00/157226, WO00/046195, WO00/046196, WO00/046199, WO00/046198, WO00/046197, WO99/046991, WO99/007351, WO98/006703, WO97/012615, WO2005/105133, WO03/037376, WO2006/125202, WO2006/085961, WO2004/024921, WO2006/074265. Suitable MCP-1 antagonists are, for instance, C-243 (Telik Inc.); NOX-E36 (Noxxon Pharma AG); AP-761 (Actimis Pharmaceuticals Inc.); ABN-912, NIBR-177 (Novartis AG); CC-11006 (Celgene Corp.); SSR-150106 (Sanofi-Aventis); MLN-1202 (Millenium Pharmaceuticals Inc.); AGI-1067, AGIX-4207, AGI-1096 (AtherioGenics Inc.); PRS-211095, PRS-211092 (Pharmos Corp.); anti-C5a monoclonal antibodies, e.g. neutrazumab (G2 Therapies Ltd.); AZD-6942 (AstraZeneca plc); 2-mercaptoimidazoles (Johnson & Johnson); TEI-E00526, TEI-6122 (Deltagen); RS-504393 (Roche Holding AG); SB-282241, SB-380732, ADR-7 (GlaxoSmithKline); anti-MCP-1 monoclonal antibodies(Johnson & Johnson). Combinations of QC-inhibitors with MCP-1 antagonists may be useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases in general, including neurodegenerative diseases. Combinations of QC-inhibitors with MCP-1 antagonists are preferred for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Other suitable compounds that can be used according to the present invention in combination with QC-inhibitors are NPY, a NPY mimetic or a NPY agonist or antagonist or a ligand of the NPY receptors. Preferred according to the present invention are antagonists of the NPY receptors. Suitable ligands or antagonists of the NPY receptors are 3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-1h-benz[e]indol- 2-yl amine-derived compounds as disclosed in WO 00/68197. NPY receptor antagonists which may be mentioned include those disclosed in European patent applications EP 0 614 911, EP 0 747 357, EP 0 747 356 and EP 0 747 378; international patent applications WO 94/17035, WO 97/19911, WO 97/19913, WO 96/12489, WO 97/19914, WO 96/22305, WO 96/40660, WO 96/12490, WO 97/09308, WO 97/20820, WO 97/20821, WO 97/20822, WO 97/20823, WO 97/19682, WO 97/25041, WO 97/34843, WO 97/46250, WO 98/03492, WO 98/03493, WO 98/03494 and WO 98/07420; WO 00/30674, US patents Nos. 5,552,411, 5,663,192 and 5,567,714; 6,114,336, Japanese patent application JP 09157253; international patent applications WO 94/00486, WO 93/12139, WO 95/00161 and WO 99/15498; US Patent No. 5,328,899; German patent application DE 393 97 97; European patent applications EP 355 794 and EP 355 793; and Japanese patent applications JP 06116284 and JP 07267988. Preferred NPY antagonists include those compounds that are specifically disclosed in these patent documents. More preferred compounds include amino acid and non- peptide-based NPY antagonists. Amino acid and non-peptide-based NPY antagonists which may be mentioned include those disclosed in European patent applications EP 0 614 911, EP 0 747 357, EP 0 747 356 and EP 0 747 378; international patent applications WO 94/17035, WO 97/19911, WO 97/19913, WO 96/12489, WO 97/19914, WO 96/22305, WO 96/40660, WO 96/12490, WO 97/09308, WO 97/20820, WO 97/20821, WO 97/20822, WO 97/20823, WO 97/19682, WO 97/25041, WO 97/34843, WO 97/46250, WO 98/03492, WO 98/03493, WO 98/03494, WO 98/07420 and WO 99/15498 ; US patents Nos. 5,552,411, 5,663,192 and 5,567,714; and Japanese patent application JP 09157253. Preferred amino acid and non- peptide-based NPY antagonists include those compounds that are specifically disclosed in these patent documents. Particularly preferred compounds include amino acid-based NPY antagonists. Amino acid- based compounds, which may be mentioned include those disclosed in international patent applications WO 94/17035, WO 97/19911, WO 97/19913, WO 97/19914 or, preferably, WO 99/15498. Preferred amino acid-based NPY antagonists include those that are specifically disclosed in these patent documents, for example BIBP3226 and, especially, (R)-N2- (diphenylacetyl)-(R)-N-[1-(4-hydroxy- phenyl) ethyl] arginine amide (Example 4 of international patent application WO 99/15498). M1 receptor agonists and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in WO2004/087158, W091/10664. Suitable M1 receptor antagonists for the purpose of the present invention are for example CDD- 0102 (Cognitive Pharmaceuticals); Cevimeline (Evoxac) (Snow Brand Milk Products Co. Ltd.); NGX-267 (TorreyPines Therapeutics); sabcomeline (GlaxoSmithKline); alvameline (H Lundbeck A/S); LY-593093 (Eli Lilly & Co.); VRTX-3 (Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.); WAY-132983 (Wyeth) and CI-101 / (PD-151832) (Pfizer Inc.). Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in WO2006/071274, WO2006/070394, WO2006/040688, WO2005/092009, WO2005/079789, WO2005/039580, WO2005/027975, WO2004/084884, WO2004/037234, WO2004/032929, WO03/101458, WO03/091220, WO03/082820, WO03/020289, WO02/32412, WO01/85145, WO01/78728, WO01/66096, WO00/02549, WO01/00215, WO00/15205, WO00/23057, WO00/33840, WO00/30446, WO00/23057, WO00/15205, WO00/09483, WO00/07600, WO00/02549, W099/47131, WO99/07359, WO98/30243, W097/38993, W097/13754, W094/29255, WO94/20476, W094/19356, WO93/03034 and W092/19238. Suitable acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are for example Donepezil (Eisai Co. Ltd.); rivastigmine (Novartis AG); (-)-phenserine (TorreyPines Therapeutics); ladostigil (Hebrew University of Jerusalem); huperzine A (Mayo Foundation); galantamine (Johnson & Johnson); Memoquin (Universita di Bologna); SP-004 (Samaritan Pharmaceuticals Inc.); BGC-20-1259 (Sankyo Co. Ltd.); physostigmine (Forest Laboratories Inc.); NP-0361 (Neuropharma SA); ZT-1 (Debiopharm); tacrine (Warner-Lambert Co.); metrifonate (Bayer Corp.) and INM-176 (Whanln). NMDA receptor antagonists and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in WO2006/094674, WO2006/058236, WO2006/058059, WO2006/010965, WO2005/000216, WO2005/102390, WO2005/079779, WO2005/079756, WO2005/072705, WO2005/070429, WO2005/055996, WO2005/035522, WO2005/009421, WO2005/000216, WO2004/092189, WO2004/039371, WO2004/028522, WO2004/009062, WO03/010159, WO02/072542, WO02/34718, WO01/98262, WO01/94321, WO01/92204, WO01/81295, WO01/32640, WO01/10833, WO01/10831, WO00/56711, WO00/29023, WO00/00197, W099/53922, W099/48891, W099/45963, WO99/01416, WO99/07413, WO99/01416, WO98/50075, WO98/50044, WO98/10757, WO98/05337, W097/32873, W097/23216, W097/23215, W097/23214, W096/14318, WO96/08485, W095/31986, W095/26352, WO95/26350, W095/26349, W095/26342, W095/12594, WO95/02602, WO95/02601, WO94/20109, W094/13641, WO94/09016 and W093/25534. Suitable NMDA receptor antagonists for the purpose of the present invention are for example Memantine (Merz & Co. GmbH); topiramate (Johnson & Johnson); AVP-923 (Neurodex) (Center for Neurologic Study); EN-3231 (Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc.); neramexane (MRZ- 2/579) (Merz and Forest); CNS-5161 (CeNeS Pharmaceuticals Inc.); dexanabinol (HU-211; Sinnabidol; PA-50211) (Pharmos); EpiCept NP-1 (Dalhousie University); indantadol (V-3381; CNP-3381) (Vernalis); perzinfotel (EAA-090, WAY-126090, EAA-129) (Wyeth); RGH-896 (Gedeon Richter Ltd.); traxoprodil (CP-101606), besonprodil (PD-196860, CI-1041) (Pfizer Inc.); CGX-1007 (Cognetix Inc.); delucemine (NPS-1506) (NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc.); EVT-101 (Roche Holding AG); acamprosate (Synchroneuron LLC); CR-3991, CR-2249, CR-3394 (Rottapharm SpA.); AV-101 (4-CI-kynurenine (4-CI-KYN)), 7-chloro-kynurenic acid (7-CI-KYNA) (VistaGen); NPS-1407 (NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc.); YT-1006 (Yaupon Therapeutics Inc.); ED- 1812 (Sosei R&D Ltd.); himantane (hydrochloride N-2-(adamantly)-hexamethylen-imine) (RAMS); Lancicemine (AR-R-15896) (AstraZeneca); EVT-102, Ro-25-6981 and Ro-63-1908 (Hoffmann-La Roche AG / Evotec). DP IV-inhibitors and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in US6,011,155; US6,107,317; US6,110,949; US6,124,305; US6,172,081; W099/61431, W099/67278, W099/67279, DE19834591, WO97/40832, WO95/15309, W098/19998, WO00/07617, WO99/38501, W099/46272, WO99/38501, WO01/68603, WO01/40180, WO01/81337, WO01/81304, WO01/55105, WO02/02560, WO01/34594, WO02/38541, WO02/083128, WO03/072556, WO03/002593, WO03/000250, WO03/000180, WO03/000181, EP1258476, WO03/002553, WO03/002531, WO03/002530, WO03/004496, WO03/004498, WO03/024942, WO03/024965, WO03/033524, WO03/035057, WO03/035067, WO03/037327, WO03/040174, WO03/045977, WO03/055881, WO03/057144, WO03/057666, WO03/068748, WO03/068757, WO03/082817, WO03/101449, WO03/101958, WO03/104229, WO03/74500, WO2004/007446, WO2004/007468, WO2004/018467, WO2004/018468, WO2004/018469, WO2004/026822, WO2004/032836, WO2004/033455, WO2004/037169, WO2004/041795, WO2004/043940, WO2004/048352, WO2004/050022, WO2004/052850, WO2004/058266, WO2004/064778, WO2004/069162, WO2004/071454, WO2004/076433, WO2004/076434, WO2004/087053, WO2004/089362, WO2004/099185, WO2004/103276, WO2004/103993, WO2004/108730, WO2004/110436, WO2004/111041, WO2004/112701, WO2005/000846, WO2005/000848, WO2005/011581, WO2005/016911, WO2005/023762, WO2005/025554, WO2005/026148, WO2005/030751, WO2005/033106, WO2005/037828, WO2005/040095, WO2005/044195, WO2005/047297, WO2005/051950, WO2005/056003, WO2005/056013, WO2005/058849, WO2005/075426, WO2005/082348, WO2005/085246, WO2005/087235, WO2005/095339, WO2005/095343, WO2005/095381, WO2005/108382, WO2005/113510, WO2005/116014, WO2005/116029, WO2005/118555, WO2005/120494, WO2005/121089, WO2005/121131, WO2005/123685, WO2006/995613; WO2006/009886; WO2006/013104; WO2006/017292; WO2006/019965; WO2006/020017; WO2006/023750; WO2006/039325; WO2006/041976; WO2006/047248; WO2006/058064; WO2006/058628; WO2006/066747; WO2006/066770 and WO2006/068978. Suitable DP IV-inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are for example Sitagliptin, des-fluoro-sitagliptin (Merck & Co. Inc.); vildagliptin, DPP-728, SDZ-272-070 (Novartis) ; ABT- 279, ABT-341 (Abbott Laboratories); denagliptin, TA-6666 (GlaxoSmithKline plc); SYR-322 (Takeda San Diego Inc.); talabostat (Point Therapeutics Inc.); Ro-0730699, R-1499, R-1438 (Roche Holding AG); FE-999011 (Ferring Pharmaceuticals); TS-021 (Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.); GRC-8200 (Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.); ALS-2-0426 (Alantos Pharmaceuticals Holding Inc.); ARI-2243 (Arisaph Pharmaceuticals Inc.); SSR-162369 (Sanofi-Synthelabo); MP- 513 (Mitsubishi Pharma Corp.); DP-893, CP-867534-01 (Pfizer Inc.); TSL-225, TMC-2A (Tanabe Seiyaku Co. Ltd.); PHX-1149 (Phenomenix Corp.); saxagliptin (Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.); PSN-9301 ((OSI) Prosidion), S-40755 (Servier); KRP-104 (ActivX Biosciences Inc.); sulphostin (Zaidan Hojin); KR-62436 (Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology); P32/98 (Probiodrug AG); Bl-A, Bl-B (Boehringer Ingelheim Corp.); SK-0403 (Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho Co. Ltd.); and NNC-72-2138 (Novo Nordisk A/S). Other preferred DP IV-inhibitors are (i) dipeptide-like compounds, disclosed in WO 99/61431, e.g. N-valyl prolyl, O-benzoyl hydroxylamine, alanyl pyrrolidine, isoleucyl thiazolidine like L-allo-isoleucyl thiazolidine, L-threo- isoleucyl pyrrolidine and salts thereof, especially the fumaric salts, and L-allo-isoleucyl pyrrolidine and salts thereof; (ii) peptide structures, disclosed in WO 03/002593, e.g. tripeptides; (iii) peptidylketones, disclosed in WO 03/033524; (vi) substituted aminoketones, disclosed in WO 03/040174; (v) topically active DP IV-inhibitors, disclosed in WO 01/14318; (vi) prodrugs of DP IV-inhibitors, disclosed in WO 99/67278 and WO 99/67279; and (v) glutaminyl based DP IV-inhibitors, disclosed in WO 03/072556 and WO 2004/099134. Most preferably the QC inhibitor is combined with one or more compounds selected from the following group: PF-4360365, m266, bapineuzumab, R-1450, Posiphen, (+)-phenserine, MK-0752, LY-450139, E-2012, (R)-flurbiprofen, AZD-103, AAB-001 (Bapineuzumab), Tramiprosate, EGb-761, TAK- 070, Doxofylline, theophylline, cilomilast, tofimilast, roflumilast, tetomilast, tipelukast, ibudilast, HT-0712, MEM-1414, oglemilast, Linezolid, budipine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, indantadol, moclobemide, rasagiline, ladostigil, safinamide, ABT-239, ABT- 834, GSK-189254A, Ciproxifan, JNJ-17216498, Fmoc-Ala-Pyrr-CN, Z-Phe-Pro-Benzothiazole, Z-321, ONO-1603, JTP-4819, S-17092, BIBP3226; (R)-N2-(diphenylacetyl)-(R)-N-[1-(4- hydroxyphenyl) ethyl] arginine amide, Cevimeline, sabcomeline, (PD-151832), Donepezil, rivastigmine, (-)-phenserine, ladostigil, galantamine, tacrine, metrifonate, Memantine, topiramate, AVP-923, EN-3231, neramexane, valsartan, benazepril, enalapril, hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine, diltiazem, isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine, nitrendipine, verapamil, amlodipine, acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, carteolol, carvedilol, esmolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, timolol, PLAVIX® (clopidogrel bisulfate), PLETAL® (cilostazol), aspirin, ZETIA® (ezetimibe) and KT6-971, statins, atorvastatin, pitavastatin or simvastatin; dexamethasone, cladribine, rapamycin, vincristine, taxol, aliskiren, C-243, ABN-912, SSR- 150106, MLN-1202 and betaferon. In particular, the following combinations are considered: a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with Atorvastatin for the treatment and/or prevention of artherosclerosis a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with immunosuppressive agents, preferably rapamycin for the prevention and/or treatment of restenosis a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with immunosuppressive agents, preferably paclitaxel for the prevention and/or treatment of restenosis a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with AChE inhibitors, preferably Donepezil, for the prevention and/or treatment of Alzheimer's disease a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with interferones, preferably Aronex, for the prevention and/or treatment of multiple sclerosis a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with interferones, preferably betaferon, for the prevention and/or treatment of multiple sclerosis a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with interferones, preferably Rebif, for the prevention and/or treatment of multiple sclerosis a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with Copaxone, for the prevention and/or treatment of multiple sclerosis. Such a combination therapy is in particular useful for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimers Disease, Familial British Dementia, Familial Danish Dementia and neurodegeneration in Down syndrome as well as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, restenosis and pancreatitis. Such combination therapies might result in a better therapeutic effect (less plaque formation, less proliferation as well as less inflammation, a stimulus for proliferation) than would occur with either agent alone. Pharmaceutical compositions To prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, at least one compound of formula (I) optionally in combination with at least one of the other aforementioned agents can be used as the active ingredient(s). The active ingredient(s) is intimately admixed with a pharmaceutical carrier according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques, which carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending of the form of preparation desired for administration, e.g., oral or parenteral such as intramuscular. In preparing the compositions in oral dosage form, any of the usual pharmaceutical media may be employed. Thus, for liquid oral preparations, such as for example, suspensions, elixirs and solutions, suitable carriers and additives include water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, coloring agents and the like; for solid oral preparations such as, for example, powders, capsules, gelcaps and tablets, suitable carriers and additives include starches, sugars, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like. Because of their ease in administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit form, in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. If desired, tablets may be sugar coated or enteric coated by standard techniques. For parenterals, the carrier will usually comprise sterile water, though other ingredients, for example, for purposes such as aiding solubility or for preservation, may be included. Injectable suspensions may also prepared, in which case appropriate liquid carriers, suspending agents and the like may be employed. The pharmaceutical compositions herein will contain, per dosage unit, e.g., tablet, capsule, powder, injection, teaspoonful and the like, an amount of the active ingredient(s) necessary to deliver an effective dose as described above. The pharmaceutical compositions herein will contain, per dosage unit, e.g., tablet, capsule, powder, injection, suppository, teaspoonful and the like, from about 0.03 mg to 100 mg/kg (preferred 0.1 - 30 mg/kg) and may be given at a dosage of from about 0.1 - 300 mg/kg per day (preferred 1 - 50 mg/kg per day) of each active ingredient or combination thereof. The dosages, however, may be varied depending upon the requirement of the patients, the severity of the condition being treated and the compound being employed. The use of either daily administration or post- periodic dosing may be employed. Preferably these compositions are in unit dosage forms from such as tablets, pills, capsules, powders, granules, sterile parenteral solutions or suspensions, metered aerosol or liquid sprays, drops, ampoules, autoinjector devices or suppositories; for oral parenteral, intranasal, sublingual or rectal administration, or for administration by inhalation or insufflation. Alternatively, the composition may be presented in a form suitable for once-weekly or once-monthly administration; for example, an insoluble salt of the active compound, such as the decanoate salt, may be adapted to provide a depot preparation for intramuscular injection. For preparing solid compositions such as tablets, the principal active ingredient is mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier, e.g. conventional tableting ingredients such as corn starch, lactose, sucrose, sorbitol, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, dicalcium phosphate or gums, and other pharmaceutical diluents, e.g. water, to form a solid preformulation composition containing a homogeneous mixture of a compound of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. When referring to these preformulation compositions as homogeneous, it is meant that the active ingredient is dispersed evenly throughout the composition so that the composition may be readily subdivided into equally effective dosage forms such as tablets, pills and capsules. This solid preformulation composition is then subdivided into unit dosage forms of the type described above containing from 0.1 to about 500 mg of each active ingredient or combinations thereof of the present invention. The tablets or pills of the compositions of the present invention can be coated or otherwise compounded to provide a dosage form affording the advantage of prolonged action. For example, the tablet or pill can comprise an inner dosage and an outer dosage component, the latter being in the form of an envelope over the former. The two components can be separated by an enteric layer which serves to resist disintegration in the stomach and permits the inner component to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety of material can be used for such enteric layers or coatings, such materials including a number of polymeric acids with such materials as shellac, cetyl alcohol and cellulose acetate. This liquid forms in which the compositions of the present invention may be incorporated for administration orally or by injection include, aqueous solutions, suitably flavoured syrups, aqueous or oil suspensions, and flavoured emulsions with edible oils such as cottonseed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil or peanut oil, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles. Suitable dispersing or suspending agents for aqueous suspensions, include synthetic and natural gums such as tragacanth, acacia, alginate, dextran, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone or gelatin. The pharmaceutical composition may contain between about 0.01 mg and 100 mg, preferably about 5 to 50 mg, of each compound, and may be constituted into any form suitable for the mode of administration selected. Carriers include necessary and inert pharmaceutical excipients, including, but not limited to, binders, suspending agents, lubricants, flavorants, sweeteners, preservatives, dyes, and coatings. Compositions suitable for oral administration include solid forms, such as pills, tablets, caplets, capsules (each including immediate release, timed release and sustained release formulations), granules, and powders, and liquid forms, such as solutions, syrups, elixirs, emulsions, and suspensions. Forms useful for parenteral administration include sterile solutions, emulsions and suspensions. Advantageously, compounds of the present invention may be administered in a single daily dose, or the total daily dosage may be administered in divided doses of two, three or four times daily. Furthermore, compounds for the present invention can be administered in intranasal form via topical use of suitable intranasal vehicles, or via transdermal skin patches well known to those of ordinary skill in that art. To be administered in the form of transdermal delivery system, the dosage administration will, of course, be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the dosage regimen. For instance, for oral administration in the form of a tablet or capsule, the active drug component can be combined with an oral, non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier such as ethanol, glycerol, water and the like. Moreover, when desired or necessary, suitable binders; lubricants, disintegrating agents and coloring agents can also be incorporated into the mixture. Suitable binders include, without limitation, starch, gelatin, natural sugars such as glucose or betalactose, corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, tragacanth or sodium oleate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride and the like. Disintegrators include, without limitation, starch, methyl cellulose, agar, bentonite, xanthan gum and the like. The liquid forms in suitable flavored suspending or dispersing agents such as the synthetic and natural gums, for example, tragacanth, acacia, methyl-cellulose and the like. For parenteral administration, sterile suspensions and solutions are desired. Isotonic preparations which generally contain suitable preservatives are employed when intravenous administration is desired. The compounds or combinations of the present invention can also be administered in the form of liposome delivery systems, such as small unilamellar vesicles, large unilamellar vesicles, and multilamellar vesicles. Liposomes can be formed from a variety of phospholipids, such as cholesterol, stearylamine or phosphatidylcholines. Compounds or combinations of the present invention may also be delivered by the use of monoclonal antibodies as individual carriers to which the compound molecules are coupled. The compounds of the present invention may also be coupled with soluble polymers as targetable drug carriers. Such polymers can include polyvinylpyrrolidone, pyran copolymer, polyhydroxypropylmethacrylamidephenol, poiyhydroxyethylaspartamid-ephenol, or polyethyl eneoxidepolyllysine substituted with palmitoyl residue. Furthermore, the compounds of the present invention may be coupled to a class of biodegradable polymers useful in achieving controlled release of a drug, for example, polyactic acid, polyepsilon caprolactone, polyhydroxy butyeric acid, polyorthoesters, polyacetals, polydihydropyrans, polycyanoacrylates and cross- linked or amphipathic block copolymers of hydrogels. Compounds or combinations of this invention may be administered in any of the foregoing compositions and according to dosage regimens established in the art whenever treatment of the addressed disorders is required. The daily dosage of the products may be varied over a wide range from 0.01 to 1.000 mg per mammal per day. For oral administration, the compositions are preferably provided in the form of tablets containing, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 25.0, 50.0, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 500 milligrams of each active ingredient or combinations thereof for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to the patient to be treated. An effective amount of the drug is ordinarily supplied at a dosage level of from about 0.1 mg/kg to about 300 mg/kg of body weight per day. Preferably, the range is from about 1 to about 50 mg/kg of body weight per day. The compounds or combinations may be administered on a regimen of 1 to 4 times per day. Optimal dosages to be administered may be readily determined by those skilled in the art, and will vary with the particular compound used, the mode of administration, the strength of the preparation, the mode of administration, and the advancement of disease condition. In addition, factors associated with the particular patient being treated, including patient age, weight, diet and time of administration, will result in the need to adjust dosages. In a further aspect, the invention also provides a process for preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of formula (I) optionally in combination with at least one of the other aforementioned agents and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compositions are preferably in a unit dosage form in an amount appropriate for the relevant daily dosage. Suitable dosages, including especially unit dosages, of the the compounds of the present invention include the known dosages including unit doses for these compounds as described or referred to in reference text such as the British and US Pharmacopoeias, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Mack Publishing Co.), Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia (London, The Pharmaceutical Press) (for example see the 31st Edition page 341 and pages cited therein) or the above mentioned publications. Synthesis of the examples Synthesis scheme 1: The compounds were synthesized according the general synthesis scheme 1 and their identity was confirmed by mass spectrometry. Scheme 1 Amine (II), 50 ul 0.2M, in methanol (dry) was dispensed on 96-well plates. Aldehydes (III), 50 ul 0.2M in methanol (dry) was then added. The well plates were stacked for 30 minutes at room temperature. Subsequently isocyanide (IV), 50 ul 0.2 M, in methanol (dry) and 50 ul 0.4M mixture of Kaliumcyanate or Kaliumthiocyanate (V) and Pyridinehydrochloride (VI) was added. The well plates were sealed and stacked for 48 hours at room temperature. After completion, the solvent was evaporated. All compounds were immediately tested regarding their activity as hQC inhibitors. IC5o values were found to be in the range of 0.01 to 50 uM when tested directly following synthesis (i.e. without purification). Detailed synthesis description Certain compounds of the invention were prepared by preparative synthesis following essentially the route used for the parallel synthesis. General workup The appropriate amine (II) (1 mmol) and aldehyde (II) (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (V) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (VI) (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally the appropriate isocyanide (IV) (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. The purity of the compounds was determined by HPLC-MS. The IC50 value against hQC was measured using the fluorescent assay. Purification and characterisation The resulting crude reaction products were purified in an automatic process using a semi- preparative HPLC-MS with mass-triggered sampling of the desired peak: Purification via semi-preparative HPLC-MS Instrumentation: 2 x Varian PrepStar SD-1 1x Dionex P580 Pump 1 Channel(MakeUP I) 1x Dionex AXP-MS (MakeUP II) 1x Dionex MSQ 1x Dionex UVD 340V - Prep Flow Cell Gilson 215 Liquid Handler Column: SunFire Prep C18 OBD 5 urn 19x50mm Method: Column Flow: 30 ml/min Solvent A: methanol, 0,3% acetic acid Solvent B: water, 0,3 % acetic acid Time table for gradient: Detection: UV 254nm, Mass Spectrometer Detector (API-ES, positive) Compound vesication The compound verification via analytical HPLC-MS was done after purification using the following instrumentation, column and method: Analytical method for compound purity Instrumentation: Agilent MSD 1100 Column: YMCODS-A 2.1x50, 3um Method: Column Flow: 0.600 ml/min Solvent A: acetonitrile,0.5% acetic acid Solvent B: 90% water, 10% acetonitrile, 0,5 % acetic acid Time table for gradient: Detection: UV 254nm, Mass Spectrometer Detector (API-ES, positive) Compound 43: 5-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-1 -(3-imidazol-1 -yl-propyl)-4-(2-thiophen-2-yl ■ ethylimino)-imida2olidin-2-one 3-lmidazol-1-yl-propylamine (1 mrnol) and 2-Chlorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 2-(2-lsocyano-ethyl)- 10 thiophene (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. molecular weight (g/mol): 427.96 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.6 IC50 hQC(nM): 858 Compound 52: 5-(2,3-Difluoro-phenyl)-1 -(3-imidazol-1 -yl-propyl)-4-(2-(1 H-indol-3-yl)- ethylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one 5 3-lmidazol-1-yl-propylamine (1 mmol) and 2,3-Difluorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3-(2-lsocyano-ethyl)-1 H- indole (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. 10 molecular weight (g/mol): 462.51 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.75 IC50 hQC(nM): 626 Compound 55: 5-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-1 -(3-imidazol-1 -yl-propyl)-4-2-(1 H-indol-3-yl)- 15 ethylimino-imidazolidin-2-one 3-lmidazol-1-yl-propylamine (1 mmol) and 2-Chlorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3-(2-lsocyano-ethyl)-1H- indole (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. molecular weight (g/mol): 460.97 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.78 IC50 hQC(nM): 482 Compound 61: 5-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-1 -(3-imidazol-1 -yl-propyl)-4-(2-(1 H-indol-3-yl)- ethylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one 3-lmidazol-1-yl-propylamine (1 mrnol) and 2-Fluorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3-(2-lsocyano-ethyl)-1 H- indole (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. molecular weight (g/mol): 444.52 RT-UV254nm(min): 2.70 ICso hQC(nM): 452 Compound 138: 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4-1,2,2- trimethyl-propylimino-imidazolidin-2-one 1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 2-Trifluoromethyl-benzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3-lsocyano-2,2- dimethyl-butane (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. molecular weight (g/mol): 443.48 RT - UV254nm (min): 3.05 IC50 hQC(nM): 1225 Compound 162: 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-4-benzylimino-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)- 15 imidazolidin-2-one 1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 4-Chlorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally Benzylisocyanide (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. molecular weight (g/mol): 415.89 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.87 IC50 hQC(nM): 19.5 Compound 168: 5-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-1 -(1 H-benzoimidazol-5-yl)-4-(3-(2-oxo- pyrrolidin-1-yl)-propylimino)-imldazolidin-2-one 1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and Benzo[1,3]dioxole-5-carbaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 1-(3-lsocyano-propyl)- pyrrolidin-2-one (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. molecular weight (g/mol): 460.50 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.40 IC50 hQC(nM): 27.4 Compound 183 1 -(1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(3-chloro-2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-4-(1,2,3,4- tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-ylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one 1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 rnmol) and 3-Chloro-2,6-difluorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2immol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 1 -lsocyano-1,2,3,4- tetrahydro-naphthalene (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. molecular weight (g/mol): 491.93 RT - UV254nm (min): 3.00 IC5o hQC(nM): 80.8 Compound 199 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(4-bromo-phenyl)-4-(cyclohexylimino)- imidazolidin-2-one 1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 4-Bromobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3- Isocyano-cyclohexane (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. Yield: 0.290 g (64 %); mp: 205°C, 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-D6): 1.05-1.12 (m, 3 H, CH2), 1.22-1.28 (m, 3 H, CH2), 1.52- 1.74 (m, 4 H, CH2), 1.86-1.89 (m, 1 H, CH2), 4.40 (s, br., 1 H, NH), 5.98 (s, 1 H, CH-N), 7.24 (d, 3J=8.6 Hz, 2 H, Ar), 7.36 (d, 3J=6.6 Hz, 1 H, Benzimid), 7.48 (d, 3J=8.6 Hz, 2 H, Ar), 7.64 (s, br., 1 H, NH), 8.04 (d, 3J=7.6 Hz, 1 H, imidazole), 8.08 (s, 1 H, imidazole), 12.31 (s, br., 1 H, NH). MS m/z 452.3 (M+H)+, HPLC (254 nm): rt 2.95 min (100 %) molecular weight (g/mol): 452.36 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.95 IC50 hQC(nM): 23.5 Compound 211 1 -(1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4-cyclopentylimino- imidazolidin-2-one 1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 4-Chlorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3- Isocyano-cyclopentane (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. molecular weight (g/mol): 393.88 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.81 IC50 hQC(nM): 37.7 Compound 216 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-4-benzylimino-5-(4-bromo-phenyl)- imidazolidin-2-one 1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 4-Bromobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3- Benzylisocyanide (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. Yield: 0.230 g (50 %);; mp: 244°C, 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-D6): 4.46 (t, 3J=5.1 Hz, 2 H, CH2), 6.18 (s, 1 H, CH-N), 7.17 (m, 8 H, Ar), 7.39 (d, 3J=8.7 Hz, 1 H, Benzimid), 7.48 (dd, 3J=6.6 Hz, 4J=1.9 Hz, 2 H, Ar), 7.67 (s, br., 1 H, NH), 8.08 (s, 1 H, Benzimid), 8.67 (t, 1 H, Ar), 12.36 (s, br., 1 H, NH). . MS m/z 460.3 (M+H)+, HPLC (254 nm): rt 2.86 min (100 %) molecular weight (g/mol): 460.34 IC50 hQC (nM): 22 Compound 220 1 -(1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(3-chloro-2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-4- (cyclohexylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one 1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 rmmol) and 3-Chloro-2,6-difluorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2immol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally Isocyano-cyclohexane (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. molecular weight (g/mol): 443.89 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.88 IC50 hQC(nM): 98.4 Compound 226: 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-4-(cyclopentylimino)-5-(1H-indol-5-yl)- imidazolidin-2-one 1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 1H-lndole-5-carbaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally Isocyano-cyclopentane (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. Yield: 0.107 g (27 %); mp: 210°C, 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-D6): 1.20-1.25 (m, 1 H, CH2), 1.38-1.56 (m, 5 H, CH2), 1.70- 1.79 (m, 1 H, CH2), 1.82-1.90 (m, 1 H, CH2), 4.08-4.14 (m, 1 H, CH2-CH), 5.91 (s, 1 H, CH-N), 6.33-6.36 (m, 1 H, Ar), 6.85 (dd, 3J=8.3 Hz, 4J=1.7 Hz, 1 H, Ar), 7.24-7.33 (m, 4 H, 3 H Ar, 1 H Benzimid), 7.52 (s, 1 H, Benzimid), 7.63 (s, 1 H, Benzimid), 7.86 (m, 1 H, NH), 8.06 (s, 1 H, Benzimid), 11.05 (s, 1 H, NH), MS m/z 399.4 (M+H)+, HPLC (254 nm): rt 2.56 min (100 %), calc: C: 69.33, H: 5.57, N: 21.09, found.: C: 63.34, H: 6.16, N: 19.04 corresponds to C23H22N6O + 2.0 H2O molecular weight (g/mol): 398.47 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.56 IC50 hQC (nM): 34.5 Compound 254 1 -(1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(2,4-dimethyl-cyclohex-3-enyl)-4- (isopropylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one 1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 2,4-Dimethyl-cyclohex-3-ene carbaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 2-lsocyano- propane (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. molecular weight (g/mol): 365.48 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.77 IC50 hQC(nM): 997 Compound 274 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(3-chloro-2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-4-(1,2,2- trimethyl-propylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one 1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 3-Chloro-2,6-difluorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3-lsocyano-2,2- dimethyl-butane (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. molecular weight (g/mol): 445.90 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.95 IC50 hQC(nM): 101 Compound 331 1 -(1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(4-bromo-phenyl)-4-[2,3-dihydro- benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylimino]-imidazolidin-2-one 1 H-Benzoitnidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 4-Bromobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 6-lsocyano-2,3-dihydro- benzo[1,4]dioxine (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. molecular weight (g/mol): 504.35 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.92 IC50 hQC (nM): 66.8 Compound 333 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(4-bromo-phenyl)-4-((S)-indan-1- ylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one 1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 4-Bromobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3- (S)-l-lsocyano-indan (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. molecular weight (g/mol): 486.38 RT - UV254nm (min): 3.00 ICso hQC (nM): 28.2 Examples of the invention Example 1: Assays for glutaminyl cyclase activity Fluorometric assays All measurements were performed with a BioAssay Reader HTS-7000Plus for microplates (Perkin Elmer) at 30 °C. QC activity was evaluated fluorometrically using H-Gln-βNA. The samples consisted of 0.2 mM fluorogenic substrate, 0.25 U pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase (Unizyme, Hersholm, Denmark) in 0.2 M Tris/HCI, pH 8.0 containing 20 mM EDTA and an appropriately diluted aliquot of QC in a final volume of 250 ul. Excitation/emission wavelengths were 320/410 nm. The assay reactions were initiated by addition of glutaminyl cyclase. QC activity was determined from a standard curve of P-naphthylamine under assay conditions. One unit is defined as the amount of QC catalyzing the formation of 1 μmol pGlu-βNA from H-Gln- βNA per minute under the described conditions. In a second fluorometric assay, QC was activity was determined using H-Gln-AMC as substrate. Reactions were carried out at 30°C utilizing the NOVOStar reader for microplates (BMG labtechnologies). The samples consisted of varying concentrations of the fluorogenic substrate, 0.1 U pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase (Qiagen) in 0.05 M Tris/HCI, pH 8.0 containing 5 mM EDTA and an appropriately diluted aliquot of QC in a final volume of 250 ul. Excitation/emission wavelengths were 380/460 nm. The assay reactions were initiated by addition of glutaminyl cyclase. QC activity was determined from a standard curve of 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin under assay conditions. The kinetic data were evaluated using GraFit sofware. Spectrophotometric assay of QC This novel assay was used to determine the kinetic parameters for most of the QC substrates. QC activity was analyzed spectrophotometrically using a continuous method, that was derived by adapting a previous discontinuous assay (Bateman, R. C. J. 1989 J Neurosci Methods 30, 23-28) utilizing glutamate dehydrogenase as auxiliary enzyme. Samples consisted of the respective QC substrate, 0.3 mM NADH, 14 mM α-Ketoglutaric acid and 30 U/ml glutamate dehydrogenase in a final volume of 250 μl- Reactions were started by addition of QC and persued by monitoring of the decrease in absorbance at 340 nm for 8-15 min. The initial velocities were evaluated and the enzymatic activity was determined from a standard curve of ammonia under assay conditions. All samples were measured at 30°C, using either the SPECTRAFIuor Plus or the Sunrise (both from TECAN) reader for microplates. Kinetic data was evaluated using GraFit software. Inhibitor assay For inhibitor testing, the sample composition was the same as described above, except of the putative inhibitory compound added. For a rapid test of QC-inhibition, samples contained 4 mM of the respective inhibitor and a substrate concentration at 1 KM. For detailed investigations of the inhibition and determination of Krvalues, influence of the inhibitor on the auxiliary enzymes was investigated first. In every case, there was no influence on either enzyme detected, thus enabling the reliable determination of the QC inhibition. The inhibitory constant was evaluated by fitting the set of progress curves to the general equation for competitive inhibition using GraFit software. Example 2: MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry was carried out using the Hewlett-Packard G2025 LD-TOF System with a linear time of flight analyzer. The instrument was equipped with a 337 nm nitrogen laser, a potential acceleration source (5 kV) and a 1.0 m flight tube. Detector operation was in the positive-ion mode and signals are recorded and filtered using LeCroy 9350M digital storage oscilloscope linked to a personal computer. Samples (5 ul) were mixed with equal volumes of the matrix solution. For matrix solution DHAP/DAHC was used, prepared by solving 30 mg 2',6'-dihydroxyacetophenone (Aldrich) and 44 mg diammonium hydrogen citrate (Fluka) in 1 ml acetonitrile/0.1% TFA in water (1/1, v/v). A small volume (= 1 ul) of the matrix-analyte-mixture is transferred to a probe tip and immediately evaporated in a vacuum chamber (Hewlett-Packard G2024A sample prep accessory) to ensure rapid and homogeneous sample crystallization. For long-term testing of Glu1-cyclization, AP-derived peptides were incubated in 100ul 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.2 or 0.1 M Bis-Tris buffer, pH 6.5 at 30°C. Peptides were applied in 0.5 mM [A(3(3-11)a] or 0.15 mM [Aβ(3-21)a] concentrations, and 0.2 U QC is added all 24 hours. In case of [Aβ(3-21)a, the assays contained 1 % DMSO. At different times, samples are removed from the assay tube, peptides extracted using ZipTips (Millipore) according to the manufacturer's recommendations, mixed with matrix solution (1:1 v/v) and subsequently the mass spectra recorded. Negative controls either contain no QC or heat deactivated enzyme. For the inhibitor studies the sample composition was the same as described above, with exception of the inhibitory compound added (5 mM or 2 mM of a test compound of formula (I)). The first QC inhibitors were disclosed in WO 2004/098591 and WO 2005/075436. There are no other potent QC inhibitors known in the art. The same holds true for combinations and compositions for the treatment of neuronal diseases comprising QC inhibitors. Compounds and combinations of the invention may have the advantage that they are, for example, more potent, more selective, have fewer side-effects, have better formulation and stability properties, have better pharmacokinetic properties, be more bioavailable, be able to cross blood brain barrier and are more effective in the brain of mammals, are more compatible or effective in combination with other drugs or be more readily synthesized than other compounds of the prior art. Throughout the specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word 'comprise', and variations such as 'comprises' and 'comprising', will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer, step, group of integers or group of steps but not to the exclusion of any other integer, step, group of integers or group of steps. All patents and patent applications mentioned throughout the specification of the present invention are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference. The invention embraces all combinations of preferred and more preferred groups and embodiments of groups recited above. Claims 1. A compound of formula (I), or a Pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or polymorph thereof, including all tautomers and stereoisomers thereof wherein R1 represents heteroaryl; -carbocyclyl-heteroaryl; -alkenylheteroaryl or - alkylheteroaryl; R2 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl and hydroxy; aryl; -aryl-heteroaryl; -heteroaryl-aryl; -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; or heterocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, oxo and hydroxy; R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-heteroaryl; - alkyl(heteroaryl)2; -alkyl(heteroaryl)(aryl); -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)- heterocyclyl, -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5-heterocyclyl or -alkyl(heterocyclyl)2 in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxy and oxo; -heteroaryl; or -hydroxyalkylaryl; R4 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; R5 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; and X represents O or S. 2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the compounds are excluded from the definition of formula (I). 3. A compound according to claims 1 or claim 2, wherein R1 represents -alkylheteroaryl. 4 A compound according to claim 3, wherein R1 represents -C2-4alkylheteroaryl. 5. A compound according to claim 3 wherein R1 represents 3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl. 6. A compound according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein R1 represents -heteroaryl. 7. A compound according to claim 6 wherein R1 represents -heteroaryl which is bicyclic. 8. A compound according to claim 7, wherein R1 represents 1H-benzoimidazol-5-yl. 9. A compound according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein R2 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl which may optionally be substituted by alkyl; aryl; -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; orheterocyclyl. 10. A compound according to claim 9, wherein R2 represents alkyl, which is substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl which may optionally be substituted by alkyl; aryl; -aryl- heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; or heterocyclyl. 11. A compound according to claim 10, wherein R2 represents aryl, heteroaryl, -aryl- heterocyclyl, or cycloalkenyl which may optionally be substituted by alkyl. 12. A compound according to claim 11, wherein R2 represents aryl or heteroaryl. 13. A compound according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy, -C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which may be optionally substituted by hydroxy; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heteroaryl, -alkyl- heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5-heterocyclyl or -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxyl and oxo; or -hydroxyalkylaryl. 14. A compound according to claim 13, wherein R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy, - C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which is substituted by hydroxy; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; - alkyl-heteroaryl; -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heteroaryl, -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5- heterocyclyl or -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxyl and oxo; or -hydroxyalkylaryl;. 15. A compound according to claim 13, wherein R3 represents alkyl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl- aryl; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl-heterocyclyl; -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; -aryl; heteroaryl. 16. A compound according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein R4 represents H. 17. A compound according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein R5 represents H. 18. A compound according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein X represents S. 19. A compound according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein X represents O. 20. A compound as defined in examples 1-345 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of any one thereof. 21. A compound as defined in example 116, 129, 151, 155, 159,162, 163, 168, 170, 171, 173, 177, 186, 196, 199,211,213,216,218,219,220,224,226,228,230,235,238, 241,242,254, 274, 289, 301, 303, 305, 314, 318, 321, 326, 327, 331, 333, 336, 338 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of any one thereof. 22. A compound according to claims 1 to 21 for use as a medicament. 23. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 22 optionally in combination with one or more therapeutically acceptable diluents or carriers. 24. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 23, which comprises additionally at least one compound, selected from the group consisting of neuroprotectants, antiparkinsonian drugs, amyloid protein deposition inhibitors, beta amyloid synthesis inhibitors, antidepressants, anxiolytic drugs, antipsychotic drugs and anti-multiple sclerosis drugs. 25. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 23 or 24, which comprises additionally at least one compound, selected from the group consisting of PEP-inhibitors, LiCI, inhibitors of dipeptidyl aminopeptidases, preferably inhibitors of DP IV or DP IV-like enzymes, acetylcholinesterase (ACE) inhibitors, PIMT enhancers, inhibitors of beta secretases, inhibitors of gamma secretases, inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase, inhibitors of Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4), TNFalpha inhibitors, muscarinic M1 receptor antagonists, NMDA receptor antagonists, sigma-1 receptor inhibitors, histamine H3 antagonists, immunomodulatory agents, immunosuppressive agents, beta-amyloid antibodies, cysteine protease inhibitors, MCP-1 antagonists or an agent selected from the group consisting of antegren (natalizumab), Neurelan (fampridine- SR), campath (alemtuzumab), IR 208, NBI 5788/MSP 771 (tiplimotide), paclitaxel, Anergix.MS (AG 284), SH636, Differin (CD 271, adapalene), BAY 361677 (interleukin-4), matrix-metalloproteinase-inhibitors (e.g. BB 76163), interferon-tau (trophoblastin) and SAIK-MS. 26. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 23 to 25 for use in the treatment of a disease selected from the group consisting of Kennedy's disease, duodenal cancer with or w/o Helicobacter pylori infections, colorectal cancer, Zolliger-Ellison syndrome, gastric cancer with or without Helicobacter pylori infections, pathogenic psychotic conditions, schizophrenia, infertility, neoplasia, inflammatory host responses, cancer, malign metastasis, melanoma, psoriasis, impaired humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, leukocyte adhesion and migration processes in the endothelium, impaired food intake, impaired sleep-wakefulness, impaired homeostatic regulation of energy metabolism, impaired autonomic function, impaired hormonal balance or impaired regulation of body fluids, multiple sclerosis, the Guillain-Barre syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinizing polyradiculoneuropathy. 27. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 23 to 25 for use in the treatment of a disease selected from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Familial British Dementia, Familial Danish Dementia, Down Syndrome and Huntington's disease. 28. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 23 to 25 for use in the treatment of a disease selected from rheumatoid arthritis or atherosclerosis. 29. A method of treatment or prevention of a disease selected from the group consisting of Kennedy's disease, ulcer disease, duodenal cancer with or w/o Helicobacter pylori infections, colorectal cancer, Zolliger-Ellison syndrome, gastric cancer with or without Helicobacter pylori infections, pathogenic psychotic conditions, schizophrenia, infertility, neoplasia, inflammatory host responses, cancer, malign metastasis, melanoma, psoriasis, impaired humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, leukocyte adhesion and migration processes in the endothelium, impaired food intake, impaired sleep-wakefulness, impaired homeostatic regulation of energy metabolism, impaired autonomic function, impaired hormonal balance or impaired regulation of body fluids, multiple sclerosis, the Guillain-Barre syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinizing polyradiculoneuropathy, which comprises administering to a subject an effective amount of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 23 to 25. 30. A method of treatment or prevention of a disease selected from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Familial British Dementia, Familial Danish Dementia, Down Syndrome and Huntington's disease, which comprises administering to a subject an effective amount of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 23 to 25. 31. A method of treatment or prevention of a disease selected from rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, pancreatitis or restenosis, which comprises administering to a subject an effective amount of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 23 to 25. 32. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease selected from the group consisting of Kennedy's disease, ulcer disease, duodenal cancer with or w/o Helicobacter pylori infections, colorectal cancer, Zolliger-Ellison syndrome, gastric cancer with or without Helicobacter pylori infections, pathogenic psychotic conditions, schizophrenia, infertility, neoplasia, inflammatory host responses, cancer, malign metastasis, melanoma, psoriasis, impaired humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, leukocyte adhesion and migration processes in the endothelium, impaired food intake, impaired sleep-wakefulness, impaired homeostatic regulation of energy metabolism, impaired autonomic function, impaired hormonal balance or impaired regulation of body fluids, multiple sclerosis, the Guillain-Barre syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinizing polyradiculoneuropathy. 33. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease selected from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Familial British Dementia, Familial Danish Dementia, Down Syndrome and Huntington's disease. 34. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease selected from rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, pancreatitis or restenosis. 35. A process for preparation of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or a protected derivative thereof (a) wherein X represents O, which comprises reaction of a compound of formula (II) or a protected derivative thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as defined in any one of claims 1 to 21, with a compound of formula (III) or a protected derivative thereof wherein R3 in any one of claims 1 to 21, and a cyanate in the presence of an acid catalyst; or (b) wherein X represents sulphur, comprises reaction of a compound of formula (II) or a protected derivative thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as defined in any one of claims 1 to 21, with a compound of formula (III) or a protected derivative thereof wherein R3 is as defined in any one of claims 1 to 21, and a thiocyanate in the presence of an acid catalyst. The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), combinations and uses thereof for disease therapy, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or polymorph thereof, including all tautomers and stereoisomers thereof wherein R represents heteroaryl; -carbocyclyl-het- eroaryl; -alkenylheteroaryl or -alkylheteroaryl; R2 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl and hydroxy; aryl; -aryl-heteroaryl; -heteroaryl-aryl; -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; or heterocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, oxo and hydroxy; R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalky]; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2, -alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl(heteroaryl)2; -alkyl (heteroaryl) (aryl); -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heterocyclyl, -alkyI-C(O)-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5 -heterocyclyl or -alkyl(heterocyclyl)2 in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxy and oxo; -heteroaryl; or -hydroxyalkylaryl; R4 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; R5 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; and X represents O or S.

Full Text

Novel Inhibitors of Glutaminyl Cyclase
Field of the invention
The invention relates to glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5) that catalyzes the intramolecular
cyclization of N-terminal glutamine residues into pyroglutamic acid (5-oxo-prolyl, pGlu*) under
liberation of ammonia and the intramolecular cyclization of N-terminal glutamate residues into
pyroglutamic acid under liberation of water.
Background of the invention
Glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5) catalyzes the intramolecular cyclization of N-terminal
glutamine residues into pyroglutamic acid (pGlu*) liberating ammonia. A QC was first isolated by
Messer from the latex of the troplcal plant Carica papaya in 1963 (Messer, M. 1963 Nature
4874, 1299). 24 years later, a corresponding enzymatic activity was discovered in animal
pituitary (Busby, W. H. J. et al. 1987 J Biol Chem 262, 8532-8536; Fischer, W. H. and Spiess, J.
1987 Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 84, 3628-3632). For the mammalian QC, the conversion of Gin
into pGlu by QC could be shown for the precursors of TRH and GnRH (Busby, W. H. J. et al.
1987 J Biol Chem 262, 8532-8536; Fischer, W. H. and Spiess, J. 1987 Proc Natl Acad Sci U S
A 84, 3628-3632). In addition, initial localization experiments of QC revealed a co-localization
with its putative products of catalysis in bovine pituitary, further improving the suggested
function in peptide hormone synthesis (Bockers, T. M. et al. 1995 J Neuroendocrinol 7, 445-
453). In contrast, the physiological function of the plant QC is less clear. In the case of the
enzyme from C. papaya, a role in the plant defense against pathogenic microorganisms was
suggested (El Moussaoui, A. et al.2001 Cell Mol Life Sci 58, 556-570). Putative QCs from other
plants were identified by sequence comparisons recently (Dahl, S. W. et al.2000 Protein Expr
Purif 20, 27-36). The physiological function of these enzymes, however, is still ambiguous.
The QCs known from plants and animals show a strict specificity for L-Glutamine in the N-
terminal position of the substrates and their kinetic behavior was found to obey the Michaelis-
Menten equation (Pohl, T. et al. 1991 Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 88, 10059-10063; Consalvo, A.
P. et al. 1988 Anal Biochem 175, 131-138; Gololobov, M. Y. et al. 1996 Biol Chem Hoppe
Seyler 377, 395-398). A comparison of the primary structures of the QCs from C. papaya and
that of the highly conserved QC from mammals, however, did not reveal any sequence
homology (Dahl, S. W. et al. 2000 Protein Expr Purif 20, 27-36). Whereas the plant QCs appear
to belong to a new enzyme family (Dahl, S. W. et al. 2000 Protein Expr Purif 20, 27-36), the
mammalian QCs were found to have a pronounced sequence homology to bacterial
aminopeptidases (Bateman, R. C. et al. 2001 Biochemistry 40, 11246-11250), leading to the
conclusion that the QCs from plants and animals have different evolutionary origins.

Recently, it was shown that recombinant human QC as well as QC-activity from brain extracts
catalyze both, the N-terminal glutaminyl as well as glutamate cyclization. Most striking is the
finding, that cyclase-catalyzed Glu1-conversion is favored around pH 6.0 while Gln1-conversion
to pGlu-derivatives occurs with a pH-optimum of around 8.0. Since the formation of pGlu-A(3- related peptides can be suppressed by inhibition of recombinant human QC and QC-activity
from pig pituitary extracts, the enzyme QC is a target in drug development for treatment of
Alzheimer's disease.
First inhibitors of QC are described in WO 2004/098625, WO 2004/098591, WO 2005/039548 and WO 2005/075436.
EP 02 011 349.4 discloses polynucleotides encoding insect glutaminyl cyclase, as well as
polypeptides encoded thereby and their use in methods of screening for agents that reduce
glutaminyl cyclase activity. Such agents are useful as pesticides.

Definitions
The terms "Ki" or "Ki" and "KD" are binding constants, which describe the binding of an inhibitor
to and the subsequent release from an enzyme. Another measure is the "IC50" value, which reflects the inhibitor concentration, which at a given substrate concentration results in 50 %
enzyme activity.
The term "DP IV-inhibitor" or "dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor" is generally known to a person
skilled in the art and means enzyme inhibitors, which inhibit the catalytic activity of DP IV or DP IV-like enzymes.
"DP IV-activity" is defined as the catalytic activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) and DP IV-
like enzymes. These enzymes are post-proline (to a lesser extent post-alanine, post-serine or
post-glycine) cleaving serine proteases found in various tissues of the body of a mammal including kidney, liver, and intestine, where they remove dipeptides from the N-terminus of
biologically active peptides with a high specificity when proline or alanine form the residues that
are adjacent to the N-terminal amino acid in their sequence.
The term "PEP-inhibitor" or "prolyl endopeptidase inhibitor" is generally known to a person skilled in the art and means enzyme inhibitors, which inhibit the catalytic activity of prolyl
endopeptidase (PEP, prolyl oligopeptidase, POP).

"PEP-activity" is defined as the catalytic activity of an endoprotease that is capable to hydrolyze
post proline bonds in peptides or proteins were the proline is in amino acid position 3 or higher
counted from the N-terminus of a peptide or protein substrate.
The term "QC" as used herein comprises glutaminyl cyclase (QC) and QC-like enzymes. QC
and QC-like enzymes have identical or similar enzymatic activity, further defined as QC activity.
In this regard, QC-like enzymes can fundamentally differ in their molecular structure from QC.
Examples of QC-like enzymes are the glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase-like proteins
(QPCTLs) from human (GenBank NM_017659), mouse (GenBank BC058181), Macaca
fascicularis (GenBank AB168255), Macaca mulatta (GenBank XM_001110995), Canisfamiliaris
(GenBank XM_541552), Rattus norvegicus (GenBank XM_001066591), Mus musculus
(GenBank BC058181) and Bos taurus (GenBank BT026254).
The term "QC activity" as used herein is defined as intramolecular cyclization of N-terminal
glutamine residues into pyroglutamic acid (pGlu*) or of N-terminal L-homoglutamine or L-(3-
homoglutamine to a cyclic pyro-homoglutamine derivative under liberation of ammonia. See
therefore schemes 1 and 2.

The term "EC" as used herein comprises the activity of QC and QC-like enzymes as glutamate
cyclase (EC), further defined as EC activity.
The term "EC activity" as used herein is defined as intramolecular cyclization of N-terminal
glutamate residues into pyroglutamic acid (pGlu*) by QC. See therefore scheme 3.
Scheme 3: N-terminal cyclization of uncharged glutamyl peptides by QC (EC)

The term "QC-inhibitor" "glutaminyl cyclase inhibitor" is generally known to a person skilled in
the art and means enzyme inhibitors, which inhibit the catalytic activity of glutaminyl cyclase
(QC) or its glutamyl cyclase (EC) activity.
Potency of QC inhibition
In light of the correlation with QC inhibition, in preferred embodiments, the subject method and
medical use utilize an agent with an IC5o for QC inhibition of 10 uM or less, more preferably of 1
uM or less, even more preferably of 0.1 uM or less or 0.01 uM or less, or most preferably 0.001
uM or less. Indeed, inhibitors with K; values in the lower micromolar, preferably the nanomolar
and even more preferably the plcomolar range are contemplated. Thus, while the active agents
are described herein, for convenience, as "QC inhibitors", it will be understood that such
nomenclature is not intending to limit the subject of the invention to a particular mechanism of
action.
Molecular weight of QC inhibitors
In general, the QC inhibitors of the subject method or medical use will be small molecules, e.g.,
with molecular weights of 500 g/mole or less, 400 g/mole or less, preferably of 350 g/mole or
less, and even more preferably of 300 g/mole or less and even of 250 g/mole or less.
The term "subject" as used herein, refers to an animal, preferably a mammal, most preferably a
human, who has been the object of treatment, observation or experiment.

The term "therapeutically effective amount" as used herein, means that amount of active
compound or pharmaceutical agent that elicits the biological or medicinal response in a tissue
system, animal or human being sought by a researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician, which includes alleviation of the symptoms of the disease or disorder being treated.
As used herein, the term "pharmaceutically acceptable" embraces both human and veterinary
use: for example the term "pharmaceutically acceptable" embraces a veterinarily acceptable
compound or a compound acceptable in human medicine and health care.

Throughout the description and the claims the expression "alkyl", unless specifically limited,
denotes a C1-12 alkyl group, suitably a C1-8 alkyl group, suitably a C1-6 alkyl group, e.g. C1-4 alkyl
group. Alkyl groups may be straight chain or branched. Suitable alkyl groups include, for
example, methyl, ethyl, propyl (e.g. n-propyl and isopropyl), butyl (e.g n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-
butyl and tert-butyl), pentyl (e.g. n-pentyl), hexyl (e.g. n-hexyl), heptyl (e.g. n-heptyl) and octyl
(e.g. n-octyl). The expression "alk", for example in the expressions "alkoxy", "haloalkyl",
"hydroxyalkyl" and "thioalkyl" should be interpreted in accordance with the definition of "alkyl".
Exemplary alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy (e.g. n-propoxy), butoxy (e.g. n-
butoxy), pentoxy (e.g. n-pentoxy), hexoxy (e.g. n-hexoxy), heptoxy (e.g. n-heptoxy) and octoxy
(e.g. n-octoxy). Exemplary thioalkyl groups include methylthio-. Exemplary haloalkyl groups
include CF3-.
The expression "alkenyl", unless specifically limited, denotes a C2-12 alkenyl group, suitably a
C2-6 alkenyl group, e.g. a C2-4 alkenyl group, which contains at least one double bond at any desired location and which does not contain any triple bonds. Alkenyl groups may be straight
chain or branched. Exemplary alkenyl groups including one double bond include vinyl (i.e.
ethenyl), propenyl and butenyl. Exemplary alkenyl groups including two double bonds include
pentadienyl, e.g. (1E, 3E)-pentadienyl.
The expression "alkynyl", unless specifically limited, denotes a C2-12 alkynyl group, suitably a
C2-6 alkynyl group, e.g. a C2-4 alkynyl group, which contains at least one triple bond at any
desired location and may or may not also contain one or more double bonds. Alkynyl groups
may be straight chain or branched. Exemplary alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl and
butynyl.

The expression "cycloalkyl", unless specifically limited, denotes a C3-10 cycloalkyl group (i.e. 3 to
10 ring carbon atoms), more suitably a C3-8 cycloalkyl group, e.g. a C3-6 cycloalkyl group.

Exemplary cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl
and cyclooctyl. A most suitable number of ring carbon atoms is three to six.
The expression "cycloalkenyl", unless specifically limited, denotes a C5-10 cycloalkenyl group (i.e. 5 to 10 ring carbon atoms), more suitably a C5-8 cycloalkenyl group e.g. a C5-6 cycloalkenyl
group. Exemplary cycloalkenyl groups include cyclopropenyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl and
cyclooctenyl. A most suitable number of ring carbon atoms is five to six.
The expression "carbocyclyl", unless specifically limited, denotes any ring system in which all the ring atoms are carbon and which contains between three and twelve ring carbon atoms,
suitably between three and ten carbon atoms and more suitably between three and eight carbon
atoms. Carbocyclyl groups may be saturated or partially unsaturated, but do not include
aromatic rings. Examples of carbocylic groups include monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic ring
systems, in particular monocyclic and bicyclic ring systems. Other carbocylclyl groups include bridged ring systems (e.g. bicyclo[2.2.1]heptenyl). A specific example of a carbocyclyl group is
a cycloalkyl group. A further example of a carbocyclyl group is a cycloalkenyl group.
The expression "heterocyclyl", unless specifically limited, refers to a carbocyclyl group wherein
one or more (e.g. 1, 2 or 3) ring atoms are replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, S and O.
A specific example of a heterocyclyl group is a cycloalkyl group (e.g. cyclopentyl or more
particularly cyclohexyl) wherein one or more (e.g. 1, 2 or 3, particularly 1 or 2, especially 1) ring
atoms are replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, S or O. Exemplary heterocyclyl groups
containing one hetero atom include pyrrolidine, tetrahydrofuran and piperidine, and exemplary
heterocyclyl groups containing two hetero atoms include morpholine and piperazine. A further
specific example of a heterocyclyl group is a cycloalkenyl group (e.g. a cyclohexenyl group)
wherein one or more (e.g. 1, 2 or 3, particularly 1 or 2, especially 1) ring atoms are replaced by
heteroatoms selected from N, S and O. An example of such a group is dihydropyranyl (e.g. 3,4-
dihydro-2H-pyran-2-yl-). A further example is azepine.
The expression "aryl", unless specifically limited, denotes a C6-12 aryl group, suitably a C6-10 aryl
group, more suitably a C6-8 aryl group. Aryl groups will contain at least one aromatic ring (e.g.
one, two or three rings), but may also comprise partially or fully unsaturated rings. An example
of a typlcal aryl group with one aromatic ring is phenyl. Examples of aromatic groups with two
aromatic rings include naphthyl. Examples of aryl groups which contain partially or fully
unsaturated rings include pentalene, indene and indane.

The expression "heteroaryl", unless specifically limited, denotes an aryl residue, wherein one or
more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4, suitably 1, 2 or 3) ring atoms are replaced by heteroatoms selected from
N, S and O, or else a 5-membered aromatic ring containing one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4,
suitably 1, 2 or 3) ring atoms selected from N, S and O. Exemplary monocyclic heteroaryl
groups include pyridine (e.g. pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl or pyridin-4-yl), pyrimidine, pyrrole, furan,
thiophene, oxazole, pyrazole, imidazole (e.g. imidazol-1-yl, imidazol-2-yl or imidazol-4-yl),
thiazole, isoxazole, pyrazole (e.g. pyrazol-3-yl), triazole (e.g. 1,2,3-triazole or 1,2,4-triazole),
tetrazole, pyridazine, pyrazine and isothiazole.
Exemplary bicyclic heteroaryl groups include quinoline, benzothiophene, indole (eg. 1H-indol-6-
yl), benzimidazole, indazole, purine, chromene, benzodioxolane, benzodioxane (e.g. 2,3-
dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl) and benzodioxepine.
The aforementioned aryl and heteroaryl groups may, where appropriate, optionally be
substituted by one or more (e.g. 1, 2 or 3, suitably 1 or 2) monovalent or multivalent functional
groups. Suitable substituent groups include alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, -thioalkyl (e.g.
-thiomethyl), -SO2alkyl (e.g. SO2Me), alkoxy- (e.g. OMe), cycloalkyl, -SO2cycloalkyl, alkenyloxy-,
alkynyloxy-, -C(O)-alkyl (e.g. COMe), alkoxyalkyl-, nitro, halogen (e.g. fluoro, chloro and bromo),
cyano, hydroxy!, oxo, -C(O)OH, -C(O)Oa!kyl (e.g. -C(O)OMe), -NH2, -NHalkyl (e.g. -NHMe),
-N(alkyl)2 (e.g. dimethylamino-), -C(O)N(alkyl)2, -C(O)NH2 and -C(O)NH(alkyl). More typlcally,
substituents will be selected from alkyl (e.g. Me), fluoroalkyl (e.g. CF3), alkoxy (e.g. OMe),
halogen and hydroxy. Further suitable substituents include -SOalkyl (e.g. SOMe) and
-SOcycloalkyl. Another suitable substituent for a heteroaryl group is -C(NH)NH2.
Examples of substituted aryl groups therefore include fluorophenyl- (e.g. 4-fluoro-phenyl- or 3- fluoro-phenyl-), pentafluoro-phenyl-, 4-hydroxyphenyl-, 3-nitro-phenyl-, 4-(trifluoromethyl)-
phenyl- and 4-anilinyl- groups. Exemplary substituted monocyclic heteroaryl groups include
methylfuranyl-.
Exemplary substituted bicyclic heteroaryl groups include chromen-4-one, chromen-2-one and
methylbenzothiophenyl.

The expression "-alkylaryl", unless specifically limited, denotes an aryl residue which is
connected via an alkylene moiety e.g.a C1-4alkylene moiety. Examples of -alkylaryl include:
-methylaryl and -ethylaryl (e.g. 1-arylethyl- or 2-arylethyl-); or phenylalkyh which may be
optionally substituted. Specific examples of -alkylaryl functions include: phenylmethyl- (i.e. benzyl), phenylethyl- (e.g. 2-phenylethyl- or 1-phenyl-ethyl-), p-tolyl-methyl-, (p-tolyl)-ethyi-, (m-
tolyl)-methyl- (m-tolyl)-ethyl-, (o-tolyl)-methyl-, (o-tolyl)-ethyl-, 2-(4-ethyl-phenyl)-eth-1-yl- (2,3-
dimethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (2,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (2,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (2,6-

dimethyl-phenyl)-methyl- (3,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (3,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (2,4,6-
trimethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (2,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (2,5-
dimethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (3,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (3,5-dimethyl-
phenyl)-ethyl-, (2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (2-ethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (3-ethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (4-ethyl-phenyl)-methyl-, (2-ethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (3-ethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-, (4-ethyl-phenyl)-ethyl-,
2-fluoro-benzyl, (1 -methyl-2-fluoro-phen-6-yl)-methyl-, (1 -methyl-2-fluoro-phen-4-yl)-methyl-, (1 -
methyl-2-fluoro-phen-6-yl)-ethyl-, (1-methyl-2-fluoro-phen-4-yl)-ethyl-, 1 H-indenyl-methyl-, 2H-
indenyl-methyl-, 1 H-indenyl-ethyl-, 2H-indenyl-ethyl-, indanyl-methyl-, indan-1-on-2-yl-methyl-,
indan-1-on-2-yl-ethyl-, tetralinyl-methyl-, tetralinyl-ethyl-, fluorenyi-methyl-, fluorenyl-ethyl-, dihydronaphthalinyl-methyl-, dihydronaphthalinyl-ethyl-, or (4-cyclohexyl)-phenyl-methyl-, (4-
cyclohexyl)-phenyl-ethyk
The expression "-alkylheteroaryl", unless specifically limited, denotes a heteroaryl residue which
is connected via an alkylene moiety e.g.a C1-4alkylene moiety. Examples of -alkylheteroaryl
include -methylheteroaryl and -ethylheteroaryi (e.g. 1-heteroarylethyl- and 2-heteroarylethy!-).
Specific examples of -alkylheteroaryl groups include pyridinylmethyl-, N-methyl-pyrrol-2-methyl-
N-methyl-pyrrol-2-ethyl-, N-methyl-pyrrol-3-methyl-, N-methyl-pyrrol-3-ethyl-, 2-methyl-pyrrol-1 -
methyl-, 2-methyl-pyrrol-1-ethyl-, 3-methyl-pyrrol-1 -methyl-, 3-methyl-pyrrol-1-ethyl-, 4-pyridino-
methyl-, 4-pyridino-ethyl-, 2-(thiazol-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-ethyl-indol-1-methyl-, 2-ethyl-indol-1-ethyl-, 3-
ethyl-indol-1-methyl-, 3-ethyl-indol-1-ethyl-, 4-methyl-pyridin-2-methyl- 4-methyl-pyridin-2-yl-
ethyl-, 4-methyl-pyridin-3-methyl-, 4-methyl-pyridin-3-ethyl-.
The expression "-alkyl(aryl)2", unless specifically limited, denotes an alkyl group (e.g.a C1-4 alkyl
group) which is substituted by two aryl residues (e.g. monocyclic aryl), for example diphenylmethyl-.
The term "halogen" or "halo" comprises fluorine (F), chlorine (CI) and bromine (Br).
The term "amino" refers to a group having amine functionality for example primary amine (-NH2), secondary amine (e.g. -NHalkyl, for example -NHMe) or tertiary amine (e.g. -N(alkyl)2,
for example -NMe2, -NEt2).
Stereoisomers:
All possible stereoisomers of the claimed compounds are included in the present invention.

Where the compounds according to this invention have at least one chiral center, they may
accordingly exist as enantiomers. Where the compounds possess two or more chiral centers,

y may additionally exist as diastereomers. It is to be understood that all such isomers and
mixtures thereof are encompassed within the scope of the present invention.
Preparation and isolation of stereoisomers:
Where the processes for the preparation of the compounds according to the invention give rise
to a mixture of stereoisomers, these isomers may be separated by conventional techniques
such as preparative chromatography. The compounds may be prepared in racemic form, or
individual enantiomers may be prepared either by enantiospecific synthesis or by resolution.
The compounds may, for example, be resolved into their components enantiomers by standard
techniques, such as the formation of diastereomeric pairs by salt formation with an optically
active acid, such as (-)-di-p-toluoyl-d-tartaric acid and/or (+)-di-p-toluoyl-l-tartaric acid followed
by fractional crystallization and regeneration of the free base. The compounds may also be
resolved by formation of diastereomeric esters or amides, followed by chromatographic
separation and removal of the chiral auxiliary. Alternatively, the compounds may be resolved
using a chiral HPLC column.
Pharmaceutically acceptable salts:
In view of the close relationship between the free compounds and the compounds in the form of
their salts or solvates, whenever a compound is referred to in this context, a corresponding salt
or solvate is also intended, provided such is possible or appropriate under the circumstances.
Salts and solvates of the compounds of formula (I) and physiologically functional derivatives
thereof which are suitable for use in medicine are those wherein the counter-ion or associated
solvent is Pharmaceutically acceptable. However, salts and solvates having non-
pharmaceutically acceptable counter-ions or associated solvents are within the scope of the
present invention, for example, for use as intermediates in the preparation of other compounds
and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates.
Suitable salts according to the invention include those formed with both organic and inorganic
acids or bases. Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include those formed from
hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulphuric, nitric, citric, tartaric, phosphoric, lactic, pyruvic, acetic,
trifluoroacetic, triphenylacetic, sulphamic, sulphanilic, succinic, oxalic, fumaric, maleic, malic,
mandelic, glutamic, aspartic, oxaloacetic, methanesulphonic, ethanesulphonic, arylsulphonic
(for example p-toluenesulphonic, benzenesulphonic, naphthalenesulphonic or
naphthalenedisulphonic), salicylic, glutaric, gluconic, tricarballylic, cinnamic, substituted
cinnamic (for example, phenyl, methyl, methoxy or halo substituted cinnamic, including 4-methyl
and 4-methoxycinnamic acid), ascorbic, oleic, naphthoic, hydroxynaphthoic (for example 1- or 3-
hydroxy-2-naphthoic), naphthaleneacrylic (for example naphthalene-2-acrylic), benzoic,

4-methoxybenzoic, 2- or 4-hydroxybenzoic, 4-chlorobenzoic, 4-phenylbenzoic, benzeneacrylic
(for example 1,4-benzenediacrylic), isethionic acids, perchloric, propionic, glycolic,
hydroxyethanesulfonic, pamoic, cyclohexanesulfamic, salicylic, saccharinic and trifluoroacetic
acid. Pharmaceutically acceptable base salts include ammonium salts, alkali metal salts such as
those of sodium and potassium, alkaline earth metal salts such as those of calcium and
magnesium and salts with organic bases such as dicyclohexylamine and A/-methyl-D-
glucamine.
All pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt forms of the compounds of the present
invention are intended to be embraced by the scope of this invention.
Polymorph crystal forms:
Furthermore, some of the crystalline forms of the compounds may exist as polymorphs and as
such are intended to be included in the present invention. In addition, some of the compounds
may form solvates with water (i.e. hydrates) or common organic solvents, and such solvates are
also intended to be encompassed within the scope of this invention. The compounds, including
their salts, can also be obtained in the form of their hydrates, or include other solvents used for
their crystallization.
Prodrugs:
The present invention further includes within its scope prodrugs of the compounds of this
invention. In general, such prodrugs will be functional derivatives of the compounds which are
readily convertible in vivo into the desired therapeutically active compound. Thus, in these
cases, the methods of treatment of the present invention, the term "administering" shall
encompass the treatment of the various disorders described with prodrug versions of one or
more of the claimed compounds, but which converts to the above specified compound in vivo
after administration to the subject. Conventional procedures for the selection and preparation of
suitable prodrug derivatives are described, for example, in "Design of Prodrugs", ed. H.
Bundgaard, Elsevier, 1985.
Protective Groups:
During any of the processes for preparation of the compounds of the present invention, it may
be necessary and/or desirable to protect sensitive or reactive groups on any of the molecules
concerned. This may be achieved by means of conventional protecting groups, such as those
described in Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, ed. J.F.W. McOmie, Plenum Press, 1973;
and T.W. Greene & P.G.M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons,
1991, fully incorporated herein by reference. The protecting groups may be removed at a
convenient subsequent stage using methods known from the art.

As used herein, the term "composition" is intended to encompass a product comprising the
claimed compounds in the therapeutically effective amounts, as well as any product which
results, directly or indirectly, from combinations of the claimed compounds.
Carriers and Additives for galenic formulations:
Thus, for liquid oral preparations, such as for example, suspensions, elixirs and solutions,
suitable carriers and additives may advantageously include water, glycols, oils, alcohols,
flavoring agents, preservatives, coloring agents and the like; for solid oral preparations such as,
for example, powders, capsules, gelcaps and tablets, suitable carriers and additives include
starches, sugars, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the
like.
Carriers, which can be added to the mixture, include necessary and inert pharmaceutical
excipients, including, but not limited to, suitable binders, suspending agents, lubricants,
flavorants, sweeteners, preservatives, coatings, disintegrating agents, dyes and coloring
agents.
Soluble polymers as targetable drug carriers can include polyvinylpyrrolidone, pyran copolymer,
polyhydroxypropylmethacrylamidephenol, polyhydroxyethylaspartamide-phenol, or
polyethyleneoxidepolyllysine substituted with palmitoyl residue. Furthermore, the compounds of
the present invention may be coupled to a class of biodegradable polymers useful in achieving
controlled release of a drug, for example, polyactic acid, polyepsilon caprolactone, polyhydroxy
butyeric acid, polyorthoesters, polyacetals, polydihydropyrans, polycyanoacrylates and cross-
linked or amphipathic block copolymers of hydrogels.
Suitable binders include, without limitation, starch, gelatin, natural sugars such as glucose or
betalactose, corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, tragacanth or sodium
oleate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium
chloride and the like.
Disintegrators include, without limitation, starch, methyl cellulose, agar, bentonite, xanthan gum
and the like.
Summary of the invention
According to the invention there are provided compounds of formula (I),

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or polymorph thereof, including all tautomers and
stereoisomers thereof wherein:
R1 represents heteroaryl; -carbocyclyl-heteroaryl; -alkenylheteroaryl or -alkylheteroaryl;
R2 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl, which may
optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl and hydroxy; aryl; -aryl-
heteroaryl; -heteroaryl-aryl; -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; or heterocyclyl, which may
optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, oxo and hydroxy;
R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from
alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by
one or more groups selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl;
-alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl(heteroaryl)2; -alkyl(heteroaryl)(aryl); -aryl-O-aryl;
aryl; heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5-heterocyclyl or
-alkyl(heterocyclyl)2 in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or
more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxy and oxo; -heteroaryl; or -hydroxyalkylaryl;
R4 represents H or C1-3alkyl;
R5 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; and
X represents O or S.
The compounds of the present invention act as inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5)
and QC-like enzymes.
Detailed description of the invention
According to the invention there are provided compounds of formula (I),

(I)
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or polymorph thereof, including all tautomers and
stereoisomers thereof wherein:
R1 represents heteroaryl, -carbocyclyl-heteroaryl, -alkenylheteroaryl or -alkylheteroaryl;
R2 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl, which may
optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl and hydroxy; aryl; -aryl-
heteroaryl; -heteroaryl-aryl; -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; or heterocyclyl, which may
optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, oxo and hydroxy;
R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from
alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by
one or more groups selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl;
-alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl(heteroaryl)2; -alkyl(heteroaryl)(aryl); -aryl-O-aryl;
aryl; heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5-heterocyclyl or
-alkyl(heterocyclyl)2 in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or
more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxy and oxo; -heteroaryl; or-hydroxyalkylaryl;
R4 represents H or C1-3alkyl;
R5 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; and
X represents O or S.
Suitably the following compounds are excluded from the scope of formula (I):

which is disclosed by CAS under reference 606098-17-3:

which is disclosed by CAS under reference 401476-59-3; and

which is disclosed in Chemische Berichte, 1964, p2276-2281 (Ivar Ugi et al) and Anqewandte
Chemie International Edition, 1962, p8-21 (Ivar Ugi et al), no mention being made of any
medical use.
When R1 represents heteroaryl, examples include monocyclic (e.g. 5 and 6 membered) and
bicyclic (e.g. 9 and 10 membered, particularly 9 membered) heteroaryl rings, especially rings

containing nitrogen atoms (e.g. 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms). A suitable bicyclic heteroaryl ring is a 9-
membered heteroaryl ring containing 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms, especially a benzene ring fused to
a 5-membered ring containing one or two nitrogen atoms (e.g. 1H-benzoimidazolyl). Most
suitably the point of attachment is through a benzene ring, e.g. the group is 1H-benzoimidazol-
5-yl. Aforementioned heteroaryl groups may either be unsubstituted (which is more typlcal) or
may suitably be substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 or 2) substituents selected from alkyl (e.g.
C1-4 alkyl such as Me), alkoxy- (e.g. C1-4 alkoxy- such as OMe) and halogen (e.g. F).
When R1 represents -carbocyclyl-heteroaryl, examples of carbocycyl include cycloalkyl (e.g.
cyclohexyl) and cycloalkenyl (e.g. cyclohexenyl), examples of heteroaryl groups include
monocyclic (e.g. 5 or 6 membered, particularly 5 membered) rings especially rings containing
nitrogen atoms e.g. 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms. Aforementioned heteroaryl groups may either be
unsubstituted (which is more typlcal) or may suitably be substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 or 2)
substituents selected from alkyl (e.g. C1-4 alkyl such as Me), alkoxy- (e.g. C1-4 alkoxy- such as
OMe) and halogen (e.g. F). A suitable heteroaryl group is imidazol-1-yl. An exemplary
-carbocyclyl-heteroaryl group is 3-imidazol-1-yl-cyclohexyl-.
When R1 represents -alkenylheteroaryl for example C2-6 alkenyheteroaryl, examples of alkenyl
include C2-6 alkenyl, especially C2-4 alkenyl, in particular propenyl and examples of heteroaryl
groups include monocyclic (e.g. 5 or 6 membered, particularly 5 membered) rings especially
rings containing nitrogen atoms e.g. 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms. Aforementioned heteroaryl groups
may either suitably be unsubstituted (which is more typlcal) or may be substituted by one or
more (e.g. 1 or 2) substituents selected from alkyl (e.g. C1-4alkyl such as Me), alkoxy- (e.g. C1-4
alkoxy- such as OMe) and halogen (e.g. F). A suitable heteroaryl group is imidazolyl,
particularly imidazol-1-yl. An exemplary -alkenylheteroaryl group is 3-imidazol-1-yl-prop-2-enyl-
When R1 represents -alkylheteroaryl, for example C1-6 alkylheteroaryl, examples of alkyl include
C1-6 alkyl, especially C2-4 alkyl, in particular propyl, and examples of heteroaryl groups include
monocyclic (e.g. 5 or 6 membered, particularly 5 membered) rings especially rings containing
nitrogen atoms e.g. 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms. Aforementioned heteroaryl groups may either be
unsubstituted (which is most typlcal) or may suitably be substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 or 2)
substituents selected from alkyl (e.g. C1-4 alkyl such as Me), alkoxy- (e.g. C1-4 alkoxy- such as
OMe) and halogen (e.g. F). A suitable heteroaryl group is imidazol-1-yl. A particularly suitable
-alkylheteroaryl group is 3-imidazol-1-yl-propyk In one embodiment, -alkylheteroaryl is not
-CH2-furan-2-yl.

Particular examples of R1 heteroaryl groups include a 5-membered ring containing 2 or 3
nitrogen atoms, which ring may optionally be substituted (e.g. in particular by one or two groups,
such as methyl or-C(NH)NH2), for example:

Other examples of R1 heteroaryl groups include a 9-membered bicyclic ring containing 2
nitrogen atoms, which ring may optionally be substituted, for example:

Clearly, the heteroaryl groups shown above may also be present as part of a larger R1 function
such as -carbocyclyl-heteroaryl, -alkenylheteroaryl or -alkylheteroaryl.
When R2 represents unsubstituted alkyl (e.g. C1-8alkyl such as C1-6alkyl), examples include
methyl, ethyl, propyl (e.g. n-propyl, iso-propyl), butyl (e.g. n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl),
pentyl (e.g. n-pentyl), 2,4,4-trimethyl-pentyl and hexyl (e.g. n-hexyl).
When R2 represents alkyl (e.g. C1-8alkyl such as C1-6alkyl), substituted by hydroxy, examples
include hydroxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl-, 2-hydroxyethyl-, 1-hydroxypropyl-, 2-hydroxypropyl-
and 3-hydroxypropyl-.
When R2 represents unsubstituted carbocyclyl, examples of cycloalkyl include cyclopropyl,
cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl and examples of cycloalkenyl include cyclohexenyl (e.g.
cyclohex-1 -enyl, cyclohex-2-enyl).

When R2 represents substituted carbocyclyl, examples include methylcyclohexenyl (e.g. 2-
methylcyclohex-2-enyl, 2-methylcyclohex-3-enyl, 3-methylcyclohex-2-enyl, 3-methylcyclohex-3-
enyl), dimethylcyclohexenyl (e.g. 2,3-dimethyl-cyclohex-3-enyl, 2,4-dimethyl-cyclohex-3-enyl,
2,5-dimethyl-cyclohex-3-enyl, 3,4-dimethyl-cyclohex-3-enyl), methylcyclohexanyl (e.g. 2-
methylcyclohexanyl, 3-methylcyclohexanyl, 4-methylcyclohexanyl), hydroxycyclohexanyl (e.g. 2-
hydroxycyclohexanyl, 3-hydroxycyclohexanyl, 4-hydroxycyclohexanyl), 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-
cyclohexanyl, 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-cyclohexanyl.
When R2 represents aryl, bicyclic examples include naphthalen-2-yl.
When R2 represents aryl, monocyclic examples include unsubstituted phenyl or substituted
phenyl, particularly 3-cyano-phenyl-, 2,3-difluoro-phenyl-, 2,4-dimethyl-phenyl-, 2-chloro-
phenyl-, 2-ethyl-phenyl-, 2-fluoro-phenyl-, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-phenyl-, 2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl-,
3,5-dibromo-phenyl-, 3,5-difluoro-phenyl-, 3-bromo-phenyl-, 3-chloro-2,6-difluoro-phenyl-, 3-
fluoro-phenyl-, 4-bromo-phenyl-, 4-chloro-3-fluoro-phenyl-, 4-chloro-phenyl-, 4-dimethylamino-
phenyl-, 4-fluoro-phenyl-, 4-fluoro-3-chloro-phenyl-, 4-hydroxy-phenyl-, 4-methylsulfanyl-
phenyl-, m-tolyl, o-tolyl, phenyl-, p-tolyl, 2-fluoro-6-methoxy-phenyl-, 3-hydroxy-phenyl-
When R2 represents -aryl-heteroaryl, examples include -(monocyclic aryl)-(monocyclic
heteroaryl) such as 2-thiophenyl-phenyl-, 3-thiophenyl-phenyl-, 4-thiophenyl-phenyl-, 2-methyl-
4-thiophenyl-phenyl-, 2-furanyl-phenyl-, 3-furanyl-phenyl-, 4-furanyl-phenyl-, 2-methyl-4-furanyl-
phenyl-, 2-pyrrolyl-phenyl, 3-pyrrolyl-phenyl-, 4-pyrrolyl-phenyl-, 2-methyl-4-pyrrolyl-phenyl-, 4-
pyridinyl-phenyl-.
When R2 represents -heteroaryl-aryl, examples include -(monocyclic heteroaryl)-(monocyclic
aryl) such as 5-phenyl-furan-2-yl-, 5-phenyl-pyrrol-2-yl-, 5-phenyl-thiophen-2-yl-, 6-phenyl-
pyridin-2-yl-, 6-phenyl-pyridin-3-yl-, 5-phenyl-pyridin-2-yl-, 5-phenyl-pyridin-3-yl-,5-tolyl-furan-2-
yl-, 5-tolyl-pyrrol-2-yl-, 5-tolyl-thiophen-2-yl-, 6-tolyl-pyridin-2-yl-, 6-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl-, 5-tolyl-
pyridin-2-yl-, 5-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl-.
When R2 represents -aryl-heterocyclyl, examples include 4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-phenyl-, (2-methyl)-(4-
pyrrolidin-1 -yl)-phenyl-, (3-methyl)-(4-pyrrolidin-1 -yl)-phenyl-.
When R2 represents heteroaryl, bicyclic examples include 1 H-indol-5-yl, 2,3-dihydro-benzo-1,4-
dioxin-6-yl, 5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl, 6-methyl-1 H-indol-3-yl-, 6-bromo-benzo-[1,3]-dioxol-5-yl, 6-
fluoro-1 H-indol-3-yl, benzo-1,3-diox-5-yl, benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazol-5-yl, benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl,
quinolin-4-yl, quinolin-8-yl, 4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl, 6-methyl-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl-

When R2 represents heteroaryl, monocyclic examples include 2H-pyrrol-2-yl-, 4-bromo-
thiophen-2-yl-, 6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl-, furan-2-yl-, thiophen-3-yl-.
When R2 represents heterocyclyl, examples of unsubstituted heterocyclyl include 3,4-dihydro-
2H-pyran-2-yl, tetrahydrofuran-2-yl-, tetrahydrofuran-3-yl- and examples of substituted
heterocyclyl include heterocyclyl substituted by methyl e.g. 5-methyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl-, 5-
methyl-tetrahydrofuran-3-yl-.
When R3 represents alkyl (e.g.C1-6alkyl), examples include methyl, ethyl, propyl (e.g. n-propyl,
iso-propyl), butyl (e.g. n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl), 1,1,2-trimethyl-propyl, 1,1,3,3-
tetramethyl-butyl, pentyl (e.g. n-pentyl) and hexyl (e.g. n-hexyl), heptyl (e.g. n-heptyl).
When R3 represents substituted alkyl (e.g.C1-6alkyl), examples include methoxy-methyl-, 1-
methoxy-ethyl-, 2-methoxy-ethyl-, 1-methoxy-propyl-, 2-methoxy-propyl-, 3-methoxy-propyl-,
ethoxy-methyl-, 1-ethoxy-ethyl-, 2-ethoxy-ethyl-, 1-ethoxy-propyl-, 2-ethoxy-propyl-, 3-ethoxy-
propyl-, aminomethyl-, 1-aminoethyl-, 2-aminoethyl-, 1-aminopropyl-, 2-aminopropyl-, 3-
aminopropyl-, 3-methylaminopropyl-, 3-dimethylaminopropyl-, 3-ethylaminopropyl-, 3-
diethylaminopropyl-, -CH2C(O)OMe, -CH2C(O)OEt, -CH2C(O)OMe, -CHCH3C(O)OMe.
When R3 represents carbocyclyl, examples of cycloalkyl include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,
cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl. Specific examples include cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl,
cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl. In one embodiment, specific examples include cyclopentyl,
cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl. In another embodiment, specific examples include cyclopropyl,
cyclopentyl and cycloheptyl. When R3 represents carbocyclyl, examples of cycloalkenyl include
cyclohexenyl (e.g. cyclohex-1-enyl, cyclohex-2-enyl).
When R3 represents substituted carbocyclyl, examples include alkylcarbocyclyl- (e.g. 2-methyl-
cyclopropyl-, 2-methyl-cyclohexyl-, 3-methyl-cyclohexyl-, 4-methyl-cyclohexyl-, 2-methyl-
cyclohexen-2-yl, 2-methyl-cyclohexen-3-yl, 3-methyl-cyclohexen-2-yl, 4-methyl-cyclohexen-2-
yl), haloalkylcarbocyclyl- (e.g. 2-CF3-cyclohexyl-), alkoxycarbocyclyl (e.g. 2-methoxy-
cyclopropyl-, 2-methoxycyclohexyl-, 3-methoxycyclohexyl-, 4-methoxycyclohexyl-, 4-
methoxycyclohexen-2-yl), aminocarbocyclyl (e.g. 2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl-, 3-
(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl-, 4-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl, 4-(dimethylamino)cyclohexen-2-yl)
hydroxycarbocyclyl- (e.g. 2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl-, 3-hydroxy-cyclohexyl- and 4-hydroxy-
cyclohexyl-, 2-hydroxycyclohexen-3-yl), and -carbocyclyl-C(O)Oalkyl such as -carbocyclyl-

C(O)OC1-4alkyl (e.g. 3-(carboxylic acid methyl ester)cyclohexyl, 2-(carboxylic acid ethyl
ester)cyclohexyl).
When R3 represents -alkyl-aryl, examples include -C1-4alkyl-aryl such as benzyl, -methyl-tolyl, 1-
phenyl-ethyl-, 2-phenyl-ethyl-, 1-tolyl-ethyl-, 2-tolyl-ethyl-, 1-phenyl-propyl-, 2-phenyl-propyl-, 3-
phenyl-propyl-, 1-tolyl-propyl-, 2-tolyl-propyl-, 3-tolyl-propyl-, 3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl, 1-(3,4,5-
trimethoxyphenyl)-ethyl-, 2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-ethyl-, 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-propyl-,
2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-propyl-, 3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-propyl-, 4-chloro-benzyl-, 4-
chloro-3-methyl-benzyl-, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-
propyl, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-propyl, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propyl.
When R3 represents -alkyl(aryl)2, examples include -C1-4alkyl-(aryl)2 such as diphenylmethyl-,
ditolylmethyl-, 1,2-diphenyl-ethyl-, 1 -phenyl-2-tolyl-ethyl-, 2,2-diphenyl-ethyl-, 1,2-diphenyl-
propyl-, 1,3-diphenyl-propyl-, 2,3-diphenyl-propyl-, 3,3-diphenyl-propyl-, 1,2-ditolyl-ethyl-, 2,2-
ditolyl-ethyl-, 1,2-ditolyl-propyl-, 1,3-ditolyl-propyl-, 2,3-ditolyl-propyl-, 3,3-ditolyl-propyl-, 3-
phenyl-3-tolyl-propyl-.
When R3 represents -alkyl-heteroaryl (e.g. -C1-4alkyl-heteroaryl), bicyclic examples include 1H-
indol-5-ylmethyl-, 1 H-indol-5-ylethyl-, 2-(1 H-indol-3-yl)-methyl-, 2-(1 H-indol-3-yl)-ethyl-,
benzotriazol-1 -ylmethyl-, benzotriazol-1 -ylethyl-.
When R3 represents -alkyl-heteroaryl (e.g.-C1-4alkyl-heteroaryl), monocyclic examples include
pyridin-2-yl-methyl-, pyridin-3-yl-methyl-, pyridin-2-yl-ethyl-, pyridin-3-yl-ethyl-, 2-thiophen-2-yl-
methyl-, 2-thiophen-2-yl-ethyl-, 2-furan-2-yl-methyl-, 2-furan-2-yl-ethyl.
When R3 represents -alkyl(heteroaryl)2, (e.g.-C1-4alkyl-(heteroaryl)2) examples include (dipyridin-
2-yl)-methyl-, 1,1-(dipyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2,2-(dipyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, 1,1-(dipyridin-2-yl)-propyl-,
2,2-(dipyridin-2-yl)-propyl-, 3,3-(dipyridin-2-yl)-propyI-, (dipyrrol-2-yl)-methyl-, 1,1 -(dipyrrol-2-yI)-
ethyl-, 2,2-(dipyrrol-2-yl)-ethyl-, (difuran-2-yl)-methyl-, 1,1-(difuran-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2,2-(difuran-2-yl)-
ethyl-, (dithiophen-2-yl)-methyl-, 1,1-(dipyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2,2-(dipyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, (dithiophen-
2-yl)-methyl-, 1,1-(dithiophen-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2,2-(dithiophen-2-yl)-ethyk
When R3 represents -alkyl(heteroaryl)(aryl) (e.g.-Ci-4alkyl-(heteroaryl)(aryl)), examples include
1 -phenyl-1 -(pyridin-2-yl)-methyl-, 1 -phenyl-1 -(pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-,
1 -tolyl-1 -(pyridin-2-yl)-methyl-, 1 -tolyl-1 -(pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-tolyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl-, 1 -
phenyl-1 -(furan-2-yl)-methyl-, 1 -phenyl-1 -(furan-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-phenyl-2-(furan-2-yl)-ethyl-, 1 -
tolyl-1 -(furan-2-yl)-methyl-, 1 -tolyl-1 -(furan-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-tolyl-2-(furan-2-yl)-ethyl-, 1 -phenyl-1 -

(thiophen-2-yl)-methyl-, 1 -phenyl-1 -(thiophen-2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-phenyl-2-(thiophen-2-y!)-ethyl-, 1 -
tolyl-1-(thiophen-2-yl)-methyl-, 1 -tolyl-1 -(thiophen -2-yl)-ethyl-, 2-tolyl-2-(thiophen -2-yl)-ethyl-.
When R3 represents -alkyl-heterocyclyl (e.g. -C1-4alkylheterocyclyl), examples include 2-
(morpholin-4-yl)-ethyl-, 3-(2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-propyl-, 3-(morpholin-4-yl)-propyl- and
(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-methyl- Examples of -alkyl-heterocyclyl in which heterocyclyl is
substituted include 2-(2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl-.
When R3 represents -alkyl(heterocycyl)2 (e.g. -C1-4alkyl(heterocyclyl))2, examples include
-methyl(pyrrolidin-2-yl)2, -methyl(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)2, -methyl(piperidin-2-yl)2, -ethyl(pyrrolidin-
2-yl)2, -ethyl(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)2 and -ethyl(piperidin-2-yl)2. Examples of -alkyl-(heterocyclyl)2
in which heterocyclyl is substituted include -ethyl-(4-Me-pyrrolidin-2-yl)2.
When R3 represents -aryl-O-aryl, examples include 4-phenoxy-phenyl, 4-tolyl-phenyl, 4-(3,5-
dimethylphenoxy)phenyl-, 4-(4-fluorophenoxy)-phenyl-, 4-(2,4,6-trifluorophenoxy)phenyl-, 4-
(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenyl-.
When R3 represents aryl, examples include monocyclic aryl such as substituted or unsubstituted
phenyl e.g. 3-cyano-phenyl-, 4-fluoro-phenyl-, 2,4-difluoro-phenyl-, 2,5-difluoro-phenyl-, 2,6-
difluoro-phenyl-, 3,5-difluoro-phenyl-, 4-chloro-phenyl-, 2,4-dichloro-phenyl-, 2,5-dichloro-
phenyl-, 2,6-dichloro-phenyl-, 3,5-dichloro-phenyl-, 2-bromo-phenyl-, 4-bromo-phenyl-, tolyl, 2-
ethyl-phenyl-, 2-trifluoromethyl-phenyk Further examples of aryl include bicyclic aryl e.g.
indanyl (e.g. indan-1-yl and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthen-1-yl).
When R3 represents -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl (e.g.-C1-4alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl) which
heterocyclyl may optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxy and
oxo, examples include 2-(piperidin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-, 2-(1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-,
2-(3,4-dihydro-1 H-isoquinolin-2-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-, 2-(thiomorpholin-4-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-, (3,4-
dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-, 2-(1-piperidin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-. Examples of -alkyl-
C(O)-heterocyclyl in which heterocyclyl is substituted include 2-(4-Me-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-
ethyl-, 2-(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-, 2-(4-hydroxy-piperidin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl- and 2-
(4-methyl-1,4-diazepan-1 -yl)-2-oxo-ethyl-.
When R3 represents -alkyl-C(O)NR5-heterocyclyl (e.g. -C1-4alkylC(O)NR5-heterocyclyl),
examples include -CH2-C(O)NH-(piperidin-1-yl). Examples of -alkyl-C(O)NR5-heterocyclyl, in
which heterocyclyl is substituted include-CH2-C(O)NH-(4-Me-piperazin-1-yl).

When R3 represents heteroaryl, bicyclic examples include 4-hydroxy-piperidin-1-yl-, 2,3-dihydro-
benzo-1,4-dioxin-6-yl-. Monocyclic examples include pyridinyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl and thiophenyl.
When R3 represents heteroaryl, monocyclic examples include thiophen-2-yl-, furan-2-yl-, pyrrol-
2-yl-, pyridin-2-y-l, pyridin-3-yl-, pyridin-4-yl-, 5-methyl-thiophen-2-yl-, 5-methyl-furan-2-yl-, 5-
methyl-pyrrol-2-yl-, 6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl-, 4-methyl-pyridin-2-yl-, 2-methyl-pyridin-3-yl-, 2-
methyl-pyridin-4-yl-.
When R3 represents heterocyclyl, examples include piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, morpholinyl,
tetrahydrofuranyl. Examples of substituted heterocyclyl include 4-Me-piperazin-1-yl, 2,2-
dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl and 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl.
When R3 represents -hydroxyalkylaryl, examples include -C1-4hydroxyalkylaryl such as 1-
hydroxy-1-phenyl-methyl-, 1-hydroxy-1-phenyl-ethyl-, 2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-ethyl-, 1-hydroxy-1-
phenyl-propyl-, 2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-propyl-, 3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-propyl-, 1-hydroxy-2-phenyl-
ethyl-, 2-hydroxy-1-phenyl-ethyl-, 1-hydroxy-2-phenyl-propyl-, 1-hydroxy-3-phenyl-propyl-, 2-
hydroxy-3-phenyl-propyl-, 2-hydroxy-1-phenyl-propyl-, 3-hydroxy-1 -phenyl-propyl-, 3-hydroxy-2-
phenyl-propyl-.
When R4 represents C1-3alkyl, examples include methyl, ethyl or propyl (e.g. n-propyl).
When R5 represents C1-3 alkyl, examples include methyl, ethyl or propyl (e.g. n-propyl).
Suitably, R1 represents heteroaryl or -alkylheteroaryl especially heteroaryl. More suitably, R1
represents bicyclic heteroaryl, especially 9-membered bicyclic heteroaryl. More suitably, R1
represents a phenyl ring fused with a 5 membered heteroaryl ring containing one or more (e.g.
one or two, suitably one) nitrogen atoms. Suitably R1 represents unsubstituted heteroaryl. In
particular, R1 suitably represents 1H-benzoimidazolyl, especially 1 H-benzoimidazol-5-yl.
Suitably R2 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl (e.g.
cycloalkenyl) which may optionally be substituted by alkyl; aryl (bicyclic or monocyclic); -aryl-
heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl (bicyclic or monocyclic); or heterocyclyl. More suitably R2 represents
alkyl, which is substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl (e.g. cycloalkenyl) which may optionally be
substituted by alkyl; aryl (bicyclic or monocyclic); -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl (bicyclic or
monocyclic); or heterocyclyl. More suitably, R2 represents aryl (bicyclic or monocyclic),
heteroaryl (bicyclic or monocyclic), -aryl-heterocyclyl or cycloalkenyl which may optionally be
substituted by alkyl (e.g. methyl). More suitably R2 represents aryl (e.g. monocyclic aryl) or

heteroaryl (e.g. bicyclic heteroaryl). Most suitably R2 represents optionally substituted phenyl,
e.g. phenyl substituted by one or more (e.g. 1-3, for example 1) substituent selected from alkyl,
fluoroalkyl, alkoxy, halogen and hydroxy. Especially suitably R2 represents phenyl substituted
by halogen.
Suitably R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups
selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy, -C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which may be optionally
substituted by hydroxy; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heteroaryl,
-alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5-heterocyclyl or -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl in any of which
groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl,
hydroxyl and oxo;. or -hydroxyalkylaryl. In one embodiment R3 represents alkyl, which may
optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy,
-C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which is substituted by hydroxy; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-
heteroaryl; -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; -aryl; heteroaryl; -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5-heterocyclyl or
-alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by
one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxyl and oxo; or -hydroxyalkylaryl. More suitably,
R3 represents alkyl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl-heterocyclyl; -alkyl-C(O)-
heterocyclyl; carbocyclyl (e.g. cycloalkyl), which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; -aryl;
heteroaryl (monocyclic and bicyclic). In one embodiment R3 represents alkyl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-
aryl; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl-heterocyclyl; -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl; carbocyclyl (e.g. cycloalkyl),
which is substituted by hydroxy; -aryl; heteroaryl (monocyclic and bicyclic). Most suitably R3
represents -aIkyI heteroaryl or -alkylaryl, e.g. -C1-3alkylheteroaryl or C1-3alkylaryl, in which
heteroaryl or aryl are monocyclic or bicyclic but are preferably monocyclic. A particularly
suitably R3 group is benzyl.
Suitably R4 represents hydrogen or methyl, especially hydrogen.
Suitably R5 represents hydrogen or methyl, especially hydrogen.
Suitably, X represents O.
E/Z-Conformers
There are two tautomeric forms of the imidazilidone (-thione) structure. Accordingly, the present
invention includes both forms, the E and Z-form of the molecules.

Processes
The present invention further provides a process for preparation of compounds of formula (I) or
a protected derivative thereof
(a) wherein X represents oxygen, comprises reaction of a compound of formula (II)

or a protected derivative thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as defined above,
with a compound of formula (III)

or a protected derivative thereof wherein R3 is as defined above, and a cyanate
(e.g. potassium cyanate) in the presence of an acid catalyst (e.g.
pyridinehydrochloride); or
(b) wherein X represents sulphur, comprises reaction of a compound of formula (II) or
a protected derivative thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as defined above, with a
compound of formula (III) or a protected derivative thereof wherein R3 is as
defined above, and a thiocyanate (e.g. potassium thiocyanate) in the presence of
an acid catalyst (e.g. pyridinehydrochloride).
The reagents (i.e. (II) plus (III) together with the cyanate/thiocyanate and the acid catalyst) are
typlcally combined in a polar protic organic solvent (e.g. an alcohol such as methanol).
Compounds of formula (II) or a protected derivative thereof may be prepared by reaction of a
compound of formula (IV),

or a protected derivative thereof, wherein R2 is as defined above, with a compound of formula
(V)

or a protected derivative thereof, wherein R1 is as defined above under suitable imine-forming
reaction conditions. Suitable conditions include combining the reagents in a polar protic solvent
at ambient or elevated temperature.
In a suitable method of preparing compounds of formula (I), compounds of formula (II) are
prepared in situ and are not isolated before further reaction with (III).
Compounds of formula (III), (IV) and (V) are either known or may be prepared by conventional
methods known per se.
Therapeutic uses
Physiological substrates of QC (EC) in mammals are, e.g. amyloid beta-peptides (3-40), (3-42),
(11-40 and (11-42), ABri, ADan, Gastrin, Neurotensin, FPP, CCL 2, CCL 7, CCL 8, CCL 16,
CCL 18, Fractalkine, Orexin A, [Gln3]-glucagori(3-29), [Gln5]-substance P(5-11) and the peptide
QYNAD. For further details see table 1. The compounds and/or combinations according to the
present invention and pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one inhibitor of QC (EC)
are useful for the treatment of conditions that can be treated by modulation of QC activity.

Table 1: Amino acid sequences of physiological active peptides with an N-terminal
glutamine residue, which are prone to be cyclized to final pGlu

Glutamate is found in positions 3, 11 and 22 of the amyloid β-peptide. Among them the mutation
from glutamic acid (E) to glutamine (Q) in position 22 (corresponding to amyloid precursor
protein APP 693, Swissprot P05067) has been described as the so called Dutch type
cerebroarterial amyloidosis mutation.
The β-amyloid peptides with a pyroglutamic acid residue in position 3, 11 and/or 22 have been
described to be more cytotoxic and hydrophobic than the amyloid β-peptides 1-40(42/43) (Saido
T.C. 2000 Medical Hypotheses 54(3): 427-429).
The multiple N-termina! variations, e.g. Abeta(3-40), Abeta(3-42), Abeta(11-40) and Abeta (11-
42) can be generated by the β-secretase enzyme β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving

enzyme (BACE) at different sites (Huse J.T. et al. 2002 J. Biol. Chem. 277 (18): 16278-16284),
and/or by aminopeptidase or dipeptidylaminopeptidase processing from the full lenght peptides
Abeta(1-40) and Abeta(1-42). In all cases, cyclization of the then N-terminal occuring glutamic
acid residue is catalyzed by QC.
Transepithelial transducing cells, particularly the gastrin (G) cell, co-ordinate gastric acid
secretion with the arrival of food in the stomach. Recent work showed that multiple active
products are generated from the gastrin precursor, and that there are multiple control points in
gastrin biosynthesis. Biosynthetic precursors and intermediates (progastrin and Gly-gastrins)
are putative growth factors; their products, the amidated gastrins, regulate epithelial cell
proliferation, the differentiation of acid-producing parietal cells and histamine-secreting
enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells, and the expression of genes associated with histamine
synthesis and storage in ECL cells, as well as acutely stimulating acid secretion. Gastrin also
stimulates the production of members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, which in turn
inhibit parietal cell function but stimulate the growth of surface epithelial cells. Plasma gastrin
concentrations are elevated in subjects with Helicobacter pylori, who are known to have
increased risk of duodenal ulcer disease and gastric cancer (Dockray, G.J. 1999 J Physiol 15
315-324).
The peptide hormone gastrin, released from antral G cells, is known to stimulate the synthesis
and release of histamine from ECL cells in the oxyntic mucosa via CCK-2 receptors. The
mobilized histamine induces acid secretion by binding to the H(2) receptors located on parietal
cells. Recent studies suggest that gastrin, in both its fully amidated and less processed forms
(progastrin and glycine-extended gastrin), is also a growth factor for the gastrointestinal tract. It
has been established that the major trophic effect of amidated gastrin is for the oxyntic mucosa
of stomach, where it causes increased proliferation of gastric stem cells and ECL cells, resulting
in increased parietal and ECL cell mass. On the other hand, the major trophic target of the less
processed gastrin (e.g. glycine-extended gastrin) appears to be the colonic mucosa (Koh, T.J.
and Chen, D. 2000 Regul Pept 9337-44).
Neurotensin (NT) is a neuropeptide implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia that
specifically modulates neurotransmitter systems previously demonstrated to be misregulated in
this disorder. Clinical studies in which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) NT concentrations have been
measured revealed a subset of schizophrenic patients with decreased CSF NT concentrations
that are restored by effective antipsychotic drug treatment. Considerable evidence also exists
concordant with the involvement of NT systems in the mechanism of action of antipsychotic
drugs. The behavioral and biochemical effects of centrally administered NT remarkably

resemble those of systemically administered antipsychotic drugs, and antipsychotic drugs
increase NT neurotransmission. This concatenation of findings led to the hypothesis that NT
functions as an endogenous antipsychotic. Moreover, typlcal and atyplcal antipsychotic drugs
differentially alter NT neurotransmission in nigrostriatal and mesolimbic dopamine terminal
regions, and these effects are predictive of side effect liability and efficacy, respectively (Binder,
E. B. et al. 2001 Biol Psychiatry 50 856-872).
Fertilization promoting peptide (FPP), a tripeptide related to thyrotrophin releasing hormone
(TRH), is found in seminal plasma. Recent evidence obtained in vitro and in vivo showed that
FPP plays an important role in regulating sperm fertility. Specifically, FPP initially stimulates
nonfertilizing (uncapacitated) spermatozoa to "switch on" and become fertile more quickly, but
then arrests capacitation so that spermatozoa do not undergo spontaneous acrosome loss and
therefore do not lose fertilizing potential. These responses are mimicked, and indeed
augmented, by adenosine, known to regulate the adenylyl cyclase (AC)/cAMP signal
transduction pathway. Both FPP and adenosine have been shown to stimulate cAMP
production in uncapacitated cells but inhibit it in capacitated cells, with FPP receptors somehow
interacting with adenosine receptors and G proteins to achieve regulation of AC. These events
affect the tyrosine phosphorylation state of various proteins, some being important in the initial
"switching on," others possibly being involved in the acrosome reaction itself. Calcitonin and
angiotensin II, also found in seminal plasma, have similar effects in vitro on uncapacitated
spermatozoa and can augment responses to FPP. These molecules have similar effects in vivo,
affecting fertility by stimulating and then maintaining fertilizing potential. Either reductions in the
availability of FPP, adenosine, calcitonin, and angiotensin II or defects in their receptors
contribute to male infertility (Fraser, L.R. and Adeoya-Osiguwa, S. A. 2001 Vitam Horm 63, 1-
28).
CCL2, CCL7, CCL8, CCL16, CCL18 and fractalkine play an important role in pathophysiological
conditions, such as suppression of proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells, neoplasia,
inflammatory host responses, cancer, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, vasculitis,
humoral and cell-mediated immunity responses, leukocyte adhesion and migration processes at
the endothelium, inflammatory bowel disease, restenosis, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary
hypertention, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, nephrosclerosis, ventricular remodeling, heart failure,
arteriopathy after organ transplantations and failure of vein grafts.
Several cytotoxic T lymphocyte peptide-based vaccines against hepatitis B, human
immunodeficiency virus and melanoma were recently studied in clinical trials. One interesting
melanoma vaccine candidate alone or in combination with other tumor antigens, is the

decapeptide ELA. This peptide is a Melan-A/MART-1 antigen immunodominant peptide analog,
with an N-terminal glutamic acid. It has been reported that the amino group and gamma-
carboxylic group of glutamic acids, as well as the amino group and gamma-carboxamide group
of glutamines, condense easily to form pyroglutamic derivatives. To overcome this stability
problem, several peptides of pharmaceutical interest have been developed with a pyroglutamic
acid instead of N-terminal glutamine or glutamic acid, without loss of pharmacological
properties. Unfortunately compared with ELA, the pyroglutamic acid derivative (PyrELA) and
also the N-terminal acetyl-capped derivative (AcELA) failed to elicit cytotoxic T lymphocyte
(CTL) activity. Despite the apparent minor modifications introduced in PyrELA and AcELA,
these two derivatives probably have lower affinity than ELA for the specific class I major
histocompatibility complex. Consequently, in order to conserve full activity of ELA, the formation
of PyrELA must be avoided (Beck A. et al. 2001, J Pept Res 57(6):528-38.).
Orexin A is a neuropeptide that plays a significant role in the regulation of food intake and
sleep-wakefulness, possibly by coordinating the complex behavioral and physiologic responses
of these complementary homeostatic functions. It plays also a role in the homeostatic regulation
of energy metabolism, autonomic function, hormonal balance and the regulation of body fluids.
Recently, increased levels of the pentapeptide QYNAD were identified in the cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF) of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barre syndrome compared to
healthy individuals (Brinkmeier H. et al. 2000, Nature Medicine 6, 808-811). There is a big
controversy in the literature about the mechanism of action of the pentapeptide Gln-Tyr-Asn-
Ala-Asp (QYNAD), especially its efficacy to interact with and block sodium channels resulting in
the promotion of axonal dysfunction, which are involved in inflammatory autoimmune diseases
of the central nervous system. But recently, it could be demonstrated that not QYNAD, but its
cyclized, pyroglutamated form, pEYNAD, is the active form, which blocks sodium channels
resulting in the promotion of axonal dysfunction. Sodium channels are expressed at high density
in myelinated axons and play an obligatory role in conducting action potentials along axons
within the mammalian brain and spinal cord. Therefore, it is speculated that they are involved in
several aspects of the pathophysiology of inflammatory autoimmune diseases, especially
multiple sclerosis, the Guillain-Barre syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinizing
polyradiculoneuropathy.
Furthermore, QYNAD is a substrate of the enzyme glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5), which
is also present in the brain of mammals, especially in human brain. Glutaminyl cyclase
catalyzes effectively the formation of pEYNAD from its precursor QYNAD.

Accordingly, the present invention provides the use of the compounds of formula (I) for the
preperation of a medicament for the prevention or alleviation or treatment of a disease selected
from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Familial British
Dementia, Familial Danish Dementia, Down Syndrome, Huntington's disease, Kennedy's
disease, ulcer disease, duodenal cancer with or w/o Helicobacter pylori infections, colorectal
cancer, Zolliger-Ellison syndrome, gastric cancer with or without Helicobacter pylori infections,
pathogenic psychotic conditions, schizophrenia, infertility, neoplasia, inflammatory host
responses, cancer, malign metastasis, melanoma, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis,
atherosclerosis, impaired humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, leukocyte adhesion
and migration processes in the endothelium, impaired food intake, impaired sleep-wakefulness,
impaired homeostatic regulation of energy metabolism, impaired autonomic function, impaired
hormonal balance or impaired regulation of body fluids, multiple sclerosis, the Guillain-Barre
syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinizing polyradiculoneuropathy.
Furthermore, by administration of a compound according to the present invention to a mammal
it can be possible to stimulate the proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells.
In addition, the administration of a QC inhibitor according to the present invention can lead to
suppression of male fertility.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides the use of inhibitors of QC (EC)
activity in combination with other agents, especially for the treatment of neuronal diseases,
artherosclerosis and multiple sclerosis.
The present invention also provides a method of treatment of the aforementioned diseases
comprising the administration of a therapeutically active amount of at least one compound of
formula (I) to a mammal, preferably a human.
Most preferably, said method and corresponding uses are for the treatment of a disease
selected from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Familial
British Dementia, Familial Danish Dementia, Down Syndrome, Parkinson disease and Chorea
Huntington, comprising the administration of a therapeutically active amount of at least one
compound of formula (I) to a mammal, preferably a human.
Even preferably, the present invention provides a method of treatment and corresponding uses
for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or atherosclerosis.

Even preferably, the present invention provides a method of treatment and corresponding uses
for the treatment of pancreatitis and restenosis.
Pharmaceutical combinations
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a composition, preferably a
pharmaceutical composition, comprising at least one QC inhibitor optionally in combination with
at least one other agent selected from the group consisting of nootroplc agents,
neuroprotectants, antiparkinsonian drugs, amyloid protein deposition inhibitors, beta amyloid
synthesis inhibitors, antidepressants, anxiolytic drugs, antipsychotic drugs and anti-multiple
sclerosis drugs.
Most preferably, said QC inhibitor is a compound of of formula (I) of the present invention.
More specifically, the aforementioned other agent is selected from the group consisting PEP-
inhibitors, LiCI, inhibitors of dipeptidyl aminopeptidases, preferably inhibitors of DP IV or DP IV-
like enzymes; acetylcholinesterase (ACE) inhibitors, PIMT enhancers, inhibitors of beta
secretases, inhibitors of gamma secretases, inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase, inhibitors of
Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4), TNFalpha inhibitors, muscarinic M1 receptor antagonists, NMDA
receptor antagonists, sigma-1 receptor inhibitors, histamine H3 antagonists, immunomodulatory
agents, immunosuppressive agents or an agent selected from the group consisting of antegren
(natalizumab), Neurelan (fampridine-SR), campath (alemtuzumab), IR 208, NBI 5788/MSP 771
(tiplimotide), paclitaxel, Anergix.MS (AG 284), SH636, Differin (CD 271, adapalene), BAY
361677 (interleukin-4), matrix-metalloproteinase-inhibitors (e.g. BB 76163), interferon-tau
(trophoblastin) and SAIK-MS.
Further, the aforementioned other agent may be selected from the group consisting of beta-
amyloid antibodies, cysteine protease inhibitors and MCP-1 antagonists.
Furthermore, the other agent may be, for example, an anti-anxiety drug or antidepressant
selected from the group consisting of
(a) Benzodiazepines, e.g. alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clobazam, clonazepam,
clorazepate, diazepam, fludiazepam, loflazepate, lorazepam, methaqualone,
oxazepam, prazepam, tranxene,
(b) Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI's), e.g. citalopram, fluoxetine,
fluvoxamine, escitalopram, sertraline, paroxetine,
(c) Tricyclic antidepressants, e.g. amitryptiline, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin,
imipramine

(d) Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors,
(e) Azapirones, e.g. buspirone, tandopsirone,
(f) Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI's), e.g. venlafaxine, duloxetine,
(g) Mirtazapine,
(h) Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRI's), e.g. reboxetine,
(i) Bupropione,
(j) Nefazodone,
(k) beta-blockers,
(I) NPY-receptor ligands: NPY agonists or antagonists.
In a further embodiment, the other agent may be, for example, an anti-multiple sclerosis drug
selected from the group consisting of
a) dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors, e.g. SC-12267, teriflunomide, MNA-715, HMR-
1279 (syn. to HMR-1715, MNA-279),
b) autoimmune suppressant, e.g. laquinimod,
c) paclitaxel,
d) antibodies, e.g. AGT-1, anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-
CSF) monoclonal antibody, Nogo receptor modulators, ABT-874, alemtuzumab
(CAMPATH), anti-OX40 antibody, CNTO-1275, DN-1921, natalizumab (syn. to AN-
100226, Antegren, VLA-4 Mab), daclizumab (syn. to Zenepax, Ro-34-7375, SMART
anti-Tac), J-695, priliximab (syn. to Centara, CEN-000029, cM-T412), MRA, Dantes,
anti-IL-12-antibody,
e) peptide nucleic acid (PNA) preparations, e.g. reticulose,
f) interferon alpha, e.g. Alfaferone, human alpha interferon (syn. to Omniferon, Alpha
Leukoferon),
g) interferon beta, e.g. Frone, interferon beta-1a like Avonex, Betron (Rebif), interferon beta
analogs, interferon beta-transferrin fusion protein, recombinant interferon beta-1b like
Betaseron,
h) interferon tau,
i) peptides, e.g. AT-008, AnergiX.MS, Immunokine (alpha-lmmunokine-NNS03), cyclic
peptides like ZD-7349,
j) therapeutic enzymes, e.g. soluble CD8 (sCD8),
k) multiple sclerosis-specific autoantigen-encoding plasmid and cytokine-encoding plasmid,
e.g. BHT-3009;
I) inhibitor of TNF-alpha, e.g. BLX-1002, thalidomide, SH-636,
m) TNF antagonists, e.g. solimastat, lenercept (syn. to RO-45-2081, Tenefuse), onercept
(STNFR1), CC-1069,

n) TNF alpha, e.g. etanercept (syn. to Enbrel, TNR-001)
o) CD28 antagonists, e.g. abatacept,
p) Lck tyrosine kinase inhibitors,
q) cathepsin K inhibitors,
r) analogs of the neuron-targeting membrane transporter protein taurine and the plant-
derived calpain inhibitor leupeptin, e.g. Neurodur,
s) chemokine receptor-1 (CCR1) antagonist, e.g. BX-471,
t) CCR2 antagonists,
u) AMPA receptor antagonists, e.g. ER-167288-01 and ER-099487, E-2007, talampanel,
v) potassium channel blockers, e.g. fampridine,
w) tosyl-proline-phenylalanine small-molecule antagonists of the VLA-4A/CAM interaction,
e.g. TBC-3342,
x) cell adhesion molecule inhibitors, e.g. TBC-772,
y) antisense oligonucleotides, e.g. EN-101,
z) antagonists of free immunoglobulin light chain (IgLC) binding to mast cell receptors, e.g.
F-991,
aa)apoptosis inducing antigenes, e.g. Apogen MS,
bb)alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, e.g. tizanidine (syn. to Zanaflex, Ternelin, Sirdalvo,
Sirdalud, Mionidine),
cc) copolymer of L-tyrosine, L-lysine, L-glutamic acid and L-alanine, e.g. glatiramer acetate
(syn. to Copaxone, COP-1, copolymer-1),
dd)topoisomerase II modulators, e.g. mitoxantrone hydrochloride,
ee) adenosine deaminase inhibitor, e.g. cladribine (syn. to Leustatin, Mylinax, RWJ-26251),
ff) interlaukin-10, e.g. ilodecakin (syn. to Tenovil, Sch-52000, CSIF),
gg)interleukin-12 antagonists, e.g. lisofylline (syn. to CT-1501R, LSF, lysofylline),
hh)Ethanaminum, e.g. SRI-62-834A(syn. to CRC-8605, NSC-614383),
ii) immunomodulators, e.g. SAIK-MS, PNU-156804, alpha-fetoprotein peptide (AFP), IPDS,
jj) retinoid receptor agonists, e.g. adapalene (syn. to Differin, CD-271),
kk) TGF-beta, e.g. GDF-1 (growth and differentiation factor 1),
II) TGF-beta-2, e.g. BetaKine,
mm) MMP inhibitors, e.g. glycomed,
nn) phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors, e.g. RPR-122818,
oo) purine nucleoside phosphorylase inhibitors, e.g. 9-(3-pyridylmethyl)-9-deazaguanine,
peldesine (syn. to BCX-34, TO-200),
pp) alpha-4/beta-1 integrin antagonists, e.g. ISIS-104278,
qq) antisense alpha4 integrin (CD49d), e.g. ISIS-17044, ISIS-27104,
rr) cytokine-inducing agents, e.g. nucleosides, ICN-17261,

ss) cytokine inhibitors,
tt) heat shock protein vaccines, e.g. HSPPC-96,
uu)neuregulin growth factors, e.g. GGF-2 (syn. to neuregulin, glial growth factor 2),
vv) cathepsin S - inhibitors,
ww) bropirimine analogs, e.g. PNU-56169, PNU-63693,
xx) Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 inhibitors, e.g. benzimidazoles like MCP-1
inhibitors, LKS-1456, PD-064036, PD-064126, PD-084486, PD-172084, PD-172386.
Further, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions e.g. for parenteral, enteral
or oral administration, comprising at least one QC inhibitor of formula (I) optionally in
combination with at least one of the other aforementioned agents.
These combinations provide a particularly beneficial effect. Such combinations are therefore
shown to be effective and useful for the treatment of the aforementioned diseases. Accordingly,
the invention provides a method for the treatment of these conditions.
The method comprises either co-administration of at least one QC inhibitor of formula (I) and at
least one of the other agents or the sequential administration thereof.
Co-administration includes administration of a formulation, which comprises at least one QC
inhibitor of formula (I) and at least one of the other agents or the essentially simultaneous
administration of separate formulations of each agent.
F.xamples of suitable PIMT enhancers are 10-aminoaliphatyl-dibenz[b, f] oxepines described in
WO 98/15647 and WO 03/057204, respectively. Further useful according to the present
invention are modulators of PIMT activity described in WO 2004/039773.
Inhibitors of beta secretase and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in
WO03/059346, WO2006/099352, WO2006/078576, WO2006/060109, WO2006/057983,
WO2006/057945, WO2006/055434, WO2006/044497, WO2006/034296, WO2006/034277,
WO2006/029850, WO2006/026204, WO2006/014944, WO2006/014762, WO2006/002004, US
7,109,217, WO2005/113484, WO2005/103043, WO2005/103020, WO2005/065195,
WO2005/051914, WO2005/044830, WO2005/032471, WO2005/018545, WO2005/004803,
WO2005/004802, WO2004/062625, WO2004/043916, WO2004/013098, WO03/099202,
WO03/043987, WO03/039454, US 6,562,783, WO02/098849 and WO02/096897.

Suitable examples of beta secretase inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are WY-
25105 (Wyeth); Posiphen, (+)-phenserine (TorreyPines / NIH); LSN-2434074, LY-2070275, LY-
2070273, LY-2070102 (Eli Lilly & Co.); PNU-159775A, PNU-178025A, PNU-17820A, PNU-
33312, PNU-38773, PNU-90530 (Elan / Pfizer); KMI-370, KMI-358, kmi-008 (Kyoto University);
OM-99-2, OM-003 (Athenagen Inc.); AZ-12304146 (AstraZeneca / Astex); GW-840736X
(GlaxoSmithKline plc.) and DNP-004089 (De Novo Pharmaceuticals Ltd.).
Inhibitors of gamma secretase and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g.
in WO2005/008250, WO2006/004880, US 7,122,675, US 7,030,239, US 6,992,081, US
6,982,264, WO2005/097768, WO2005/028440, WO2004/101562, US 6,756,511, US 6,683,091,
WO03/066592, WO03/014075, WO03/013527, WO02/36555, WO01/53255, US 7,109,217, US
7,101,895, US 7,049,296, US 7,034,182, US 6,984,626, WO2005/040126, WO2005/030731,
WO2005/014553, US 6,890,956, EP 1334085, EP 1263774, WO2004/101538, WO2004/00958,
WO2004/089911, WO2004/073630, WO2004/069826, WO2004/039370, WO2004/031139,
WO2004/031137, US 6,713,276, US 6,686,449, WO03/091278, US 6,649,196, US 6,448,229,
WO01/77144 and WO01/66564.
Suitable gamma secretase inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are GSI-953,
WAY-GSI-A, WAY-GSI-B (Wyeth); MK-0752, MRK-560, L-852505, L-685-458, L-852631, L-
852646 (Merck & Co. Inc.); LY-450139, LY-411575, AN-37124 (Eli Lilly & Co.); BMS-299897,
BMS-433796 (Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.); E-2012 (Eisai Co. Ltd.); EHT-0206, EHT-206
(ExonHit Therapeutics SA); and NGX-555 (TorreyPines Therapeutics Inc.).
Suitable beta amyloid synthesis inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are for
example Bisnorcymserine (Axonyx Inc.); (R)-flurbiprofen (MCP-7869; Flurizan) (Myriad
Genetics); nitroflurbiprofen (NicOx); BGC-20-0406 (Sankyo Co. Ltd.) and BGC-20-0466 (BTG
plc).
Suitable amyloid protein deposition inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are for
example SP-233 (Samaritan Pharmaceuticals); AZD-103 (Ellipsis Neurotherapeutics Inc.); AAB-
001 (Bapineuzumab), AAB-002, ACC-001 (Elan Corp plc); Colostrinin (ReGen Therapeutics
plc); AdPEDI-(amyloid-beta1-6)11) (Vaxin Inc.); MPI-127585, MPI-423948 (Mayo Foundation);
SP-08 (Georgetown University); ACU-5A5 (Acumen / Merck); Transthyretin (State University of
New York); PTI-777, DP-74, DP 68, Exebryl (ProteoTech Inc.); m266 (Eli Lilly & Co.); EGb-761
(Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH); SPI-014 (Satori Pharmaceuticals Inc.); ALS-633, ALS-499
(Advanced Life Sciences Inc.); AGT-160 (ArmaGen Technologies Inc.); TAK-070 (Takeda

Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.); CHF-5022, CHF-5074, CHF-5096 and CHF-5105 (Chiesi
Farmaceutici SpA.).
Suitable PDE-4 inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are for example Doxofylline
(Instituto Biologico Chemioterapica ABC SpA.); idudilast eye drops, tipelukast, ibudilast (Kyorin
Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.); theophylline (Elan Corp.); cilomilast (GlaxoSmithKline plc); Atopik
(Barrier Therapeutics Inc.); tofimilast, CI-1044, PD-189659, CP-220629, PDE 4d inhibitor BHN
(Pfizer Inc.); arofylline, LAS-37779 (Almirall Prodesfarma SA.); roflumilast, hydroxypumafentrine
(Altana AG), tetomilast (Otska Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.); CC-10004 (Celgene Corp.); HT-0712,
IPL-4088 (Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd.); MEM-1414, MEM-1917 (Memory Pharmaceuticals
Corp.); oglemilast, GRC-4039 (Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.); AWD-12-281, ELB-353, ELB-
526 (Elbion AG); EHT-0202 (ExonHit Therapeutics SA.); ND-1251 (Neuro3d SA.); 4AZA-PDE4
(4 AZA Bioscience NV.); AVE-8112 (Sanofi-Aventis); CR-3465 (Rottapharm SpA.); GP-0203,
NCS-613 (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); KF-19514 (Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co.
Ltd.); ONO-6126 (Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.); OS-0217 (Dainippon Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.);
IBFB-130011, IBFB-150007, IBFB-130020, IBFB-140301 (IBFB Pharma GmbH); IC-485 (ICOS
Corp.); RBx-14016 and RBx-11082 (Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.).
A preferred PDE-4-inhibitor is Rolipram.
MAO inhibitors and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in
WO2006/091988, WO2005/007614, WO2004/089351, WO01/26656, WO01/12176,
WO99/57120, W099/57119, W099/13878, WO98/40102, WO98/01157, WO96/20946,
WO94/07890 and W092/21333.
Suitable MAO-inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are for example Linezolid
(Pharmacia Corp.); RWJ-416457 (RW Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute); budipine
(Altana AG); GPX-325 (BioResearch Ireland); isocarboxazid; phenelzine; tranylcypromine;
indantadol (Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA.); moclobemide (Roche Holding AG); SL-25.1131 (Sanofi-
Synthelabo); CX-1370 (Burroughs Wellcome Co.); CX-157 (Krenitsky Pharmaceuticals Inc.);
desoxypeganine (HF Arzneimittelforschung GmbH & Co. KG); bifemelane (Mitsubishi-Tokyo
Pharmaceuticals Inc.); RS-1636 (Sankyo Co. Ltd.); esuprone (BASF AG); rasagiline (Teva
Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.); ladostigil (Hebrew University of Jerusalem); safinamide (Pfizer)
and NW-1048 (Newron Pharmaceuticals SpA.).
Suitable histamine H3 antagonists for the purpose of the present invention are, e.g. A-331440,
A-349821 (Abbott Laboratories); 3874-H1 (Aventis Pharma); UCL-2173 (Berlin Free University),
UCL-1470 (BioProjet, Societe Civile de Recherche); DWP-302 (Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co

Ltd); GSK-189254A, GSK-207040A (GlaxoSmithKline Inc.); cipralisant, GT-2203 (Gliatech Inc.);
1S,2S)-2-(2-Aminoethyl)-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)cyclopropane (Hokkaido University); JNJ-5207852
(Johnson & Johnson); NNC-0038-0000-1049 (Novo Nordisk A/S); and Sch-79687 (Schering-
Plough).
PEP inhibitors and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in JP 01042465,
JP 03031298, JP 04208299, WO 00/71144, US 5,847,155; JP 09040693, JP 10077300, JP
05331072, JP 05015314, WO 95/15310, WO 93/00361, EP 0556482, JP 06234693, JP
01068396, EP 0709373, US 5,965,556, US 5,756,763, US 6,121,311, JP 63264454, JP
64000069, JP 63162672, EP 0268190, EP 0277588, EP 0275482, US 4,977,180, US
5,091,406, US 4,983,624, US 5,112,847, US 5,100,904, US 5,254,550, US 5,262,431, US
5,340,832, US 4,956,380, EP 0303434, JP 03056486, JP 01143897, JP 1226880, EP 0280956,
US 4,857,537, EP 0461677, EP 0345428, JP 02275858, US 5,506,256, JP 06192298, EP
0618193, JP 03255080, EP 0468469, US 5,118,811, JP 05025125, WO 9313065, JP
05201970, WO 9412474, EP 0670309, EP 0451547, JP 06339390, US 5,073,549, US
4,999,349, EP 0268281, US 4,743,616, EP 0232849, EP 0224272, JP 62114978, JP 62114957,
US 4,757,083, US 4,810,721, US 5,198,458, US 4,826,870, EP 0201742, EP 0201741, US
4,873,342, EP 0172458, JP 61037764, EP 0201743, US 4,772,587, EP 0372484, US
5,028,604, WO 91/18877, JP 04009367, JP 04235162, US 5,407,950, WO 95/01352, JP
01250370, JP 02207070, US 5,221,752, EP 0468339, JP 04211648, WO 99/46272, WO
2006/058720 and PCT/EP2006/061428.
Suitable prolyl endopeptidase inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are, e.g. Fmoc-
Ala-Pyrr-CN, Z-Phe-Pro-Benzothiazole (Probiodrug), Z-321 (Zeria Pharmaceutical Co Ltd.);
ONO-1603 (Ono Pharmaceutical Co Ltd); JTP-4819 (Japan Tobacco Inc.) and S-17092
(Servier).
Suitable examples of beta-amyloid antibodies are ACU-5A5, huC091 (Acumen/Merck); PF-
4360365, RI-1014, RI-1219, RI-409, RN-1219 (Rinat Neuroscience Corp (Pfizer Inc)); the
nanobody therapeutics of Ablynx/Boehringer Ingelheim; beta-amyloid-specific humanized
monoclonal antibodies of Intellect Neurosciences/IBL; m266, m266.2 (Eli Lilly & Co.); AAB-02
(Elan); bapineuzumab (Elan); BAN-2401 (Bioarctic Neuroscience AB); ABP-102 (Abiogen
Pharma SpA); BA-27, BC-05 (Takeda); R-1450 (Roche); ESBA-212 (ESBATech AG); AZD-
3102 (AstraZeneca) and beta-amyloid antibodies of Mindset BioPharmaceuticals Inc.
Suitable cysteine protease inhibitors are inhibitors of cathepsin B. Inhibitors of cathepsin B and
compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in WO 2006/060473, WO

2006/042103, WO 2006/039807, WO 2006/021413, WO 2006/021409, WO 2005/097103, WO
2005/007199, WO2004/084830, WO 2004/078908, WO 2004/026851, WO 2002/094881, WO
2002/027418, WO 2002/021509, WO 1998/046559, WO 1996/021655.
MCP-1 antagonists may, e.g. be selected from anti-MCP-1 antibodies, preferably monoclonal or
humanized monoclonal antibodies, MCP-1 expression inhibitors, CCR2-antagonists, TNF-alpha
inhibitors, VCAM-1 gene expression inhibitors and anti-C5a monoclonal antibodies.
MCP-1 antagonists and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in
WO02/070509, WO02/081463, WO02/060900, US2006/670364, US2006/677365,
WO2006/097624, US2006/316449, WO2004/056727, WO03/053368, WO00/198289,
WO00/157226, WO00/046195, WO00/046196, WO00/046199, WO00/046198, WO00/046197,
WO99/046991, WO99/007351, WO98/006703, WO97/012615, WO2005/105133,
WO03/037376, WO2006/125202, WO2006/085961, WO2004/024921, WO2006/074265.
Suitable MCP-1 antagonists are, for instance, C-243 (Telik Inc.); NOX-E36 (Noxxon Pharma
AG); AP-761 (Actimis Pharmaceuticals Inc.); ABN-912, NIBR-177 (Novartis AG); CC-11006
(Celgene Corp.); SSR-150106 (Sanofi-Aventis); MLN-1202 (Millenium Pharmaceuticals Inc.);
AGI-1067, AGIX-4207, AGI-1096 (AtherioGenics Inc.); PRS-211095, PRS-211092 (Pharmos
Corp.); anti-C5a monoclonal antibodies, e.g. neutrazumab (G2 Therapies Ltd.); AZD-6942
(AstraZeneca plc); 2-mercaptoimidazoles (Johnson & Johnson); TEI-E00526, TEI-6122
(Deltagen); RS-504393 (Roche Holding AG); SB-282241, SB-380732, ADR-7
(GlaxoSmithKline); anti-MCP-1 monoclonal antibodies(Johnson & Johnson).
Combinations of QC-inhibitors with MCP-1 antagonists may be useful for the treatment of
inflammatory diseases in general, including neurodegenerative diseases.
Combinations of QC-inhibitors with MCP-1 antagonists are preferred for the treatment of
Alzheimer's disease.
Other suitable compounds that can be used according to the present invention in combination
with QC-inhibitors are NPY, a NPY mimetic or a NPY agonist or antagonist or a ligand of the
NPY receptors.
Preferred according to the present invention are antagonists of the NPY receptors.

Suitable ligands or antagonists of the NPY receptors are 3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-1h-benz[e]indol-
2-yl amine-derived compounds as disclosed in WO 00/68197.
NPY receptor antagonists which may be mentioned include those disclosed in European patent
applications EP 0 614 911, EP 0 747 357, EP 0 747 356 and EP 0 747 378; international patent
applications WO 94/17035, WO 97/19911, WO 97/19913, WO 96/12489, WO 97/19914, WO
96/22305, WO 96/40660, WO 96/12490, WO 97/09308, WO 97/20820, WO 97/20821, WO
97/20822, WO 97/20823, WO 97/19682, WO 97/25041, WO 97/34843, WO 97/46250, WO
98/03492, WO 98/03493, WO 98/03494 and WO 98/07420; WO 00/30674, US patents Nos.
5,552,411, 5,663,192 and 5,567,714; 6,114,336, Japanese patent application JP 09157253;
international patent applications WO 94/00486, WO 93/12139, WO 95/00161 and WO
99/15498; US Patent No. 5,328,899; German patent application DE 393 97 97; European patent
applications EP 355 794 and EP 355 793; and Japanese patent applications JP 06116284 and
JP 07267988. Preferred NPY antagonists include those compounds that are specifically
disclosed in these patent documents. More preferred compounds include amino acid and non-
peptide-based NPY antagonists. Amino acid and non-peptide-based NPY antagonists which
may be mentioned include those disclosed in European patent applications EP 0 614 911, EP 0
747 357, EP 0 747 356 and EP 0 747 378; international patent applications WO 94/17035, WO
97/19911, WO 97/19913, WO 96/12489, WO 97/19914, WO 96/22305, WO 96/40660, WO
96/12490, WO 97/09308, WO 97/20820, WO 97/20821, WO 97/20822, WO 97/20823, WO
97/19682, WO 97/25041, WO 97/34843, WO 97/46250, WO 98/03492, WO 98/03493, WO
98/03494, WO 98/07420 and WO 99/15498 ; US patents Nos. 5,552,411, 5,663,192 and
5,567,714; and Japanese patent application JP 09157253. Preferred amino acid and non-
peptide-based NPY antagonists include those compounds that are specifically disclosed in
these patent documents.
Particularly preferred compounds include amino acid-based NPY antagonists. Amino acid-
based compounds, which may be mentioned include those disclosed in international patent
applications WO 94/17035, WO 97/19911, WO 97/19913, WO 97/19914 or, preferably, WO
99/15498. Preferred amino acid-based NPY antagonists include those that are specifically
disclosed in these patent documents, for example BIBP3226 and, especially, (R)-N2-
(diphenylacetyl)-(R)-N-[1-(4-hydroxy- phenyl) ethyl] arginine amide (Example 4 of international
patent application WO 99/15498).
M1 receptor agonists and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in
WO2004/087158, W091/10664.

Suitable M1 receptor antagonists for the purpose of the present invention are for example CDD-
0102 (Cognitive Pharmaceuticals); Cevimeline (Evoxac) (Snow Brand Milk Products Co. Ltd.);
NGX-267 (TorreyPines Therapeutics); sabcomeline (GlaxoSmithKline); alvameline (H Lundbeck
A/S); LY-593093 (Eli Lilly & Co.); VRTX-3 (Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.); WAY-132983 (Wyeth)
and CI-101 / (PD-151832) (Pfizer Inc.).
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g.
in WO2006/071274, WO2006/070394, WO2006/040688, WO2005/092009, WO2005/079789,
WO2005/039580, WO2005/027975, WO2004/084884, WO2004/037234, WO2004/032929,
WO03/101458, WO03/091220, WO03/082820, WO03/020289, WO02/32412, WO01/85145,
WO01/78728, WO01/66096, WO00/02549, WO01/00215, WO00/15205, WO00/23057,
WO00/33840, WO00/30446, WO00/23057, WO00/15205, WO00/09483, WO00/07600,
WO00/02549, W099/47131, WO99/07359, WO98/30243, W097/38993, W097/13754,
W094/29255, WO94/20476, W094/19356, WO93/03034 and W092/19238.
Suitable acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are for example
Donepezil (Eisai Co. Ltd.); rivastigmine (Novartis AG); (-)-phenserine (TorreyPines
Therapeutics); ladostigil (Hebrew University of Jerusalem); huperzine A (Mayo Foundation);
galantamine (Johnson & Johnson); Memoquin (Universita di Bologna); SP-004 (Samaritan
Pharmaceuticals Inc.); BGC-20-1259 (Sankyo Co. Ltd.); physostigmine (Forest Laboratories
Inc.); NP-0361 (Neuropharma SA); ZT-1 (Debiopharm); tacrine (Warner-Lambert Co.);
metrifonate (Bayer Corp.) and INM-176 (Whanln).
NMDA receptor antagonists and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in
WO2006/094674, WO2006/058236, WO2006/058059, WO2006/010965, WO2005/000216,
WO2005/102390, WO2005/079779, WO2005/079756, WO2005/072705, WO2005/070429,
WO2005/055996, WO2005/035522, WO2005/009421, WO2005/000216, WO2004/092189,
WO2004/039371, WO2004/028522, WO2004/009062, WO03/010159, WO02/072542,
WO02/34718, WO01/98262, WO01/94321, WO01/92204, WO01/81295, WO01/32640,
WO01/10833, WO01/10831, WO00/56711, WO00/29023, WO00/00197, W099/53922,
W099/48891, W099/45963, WO99/01416, WO99/07413, WO99/01416, WO98/50075,
WO98/50044, WO98/10757, WO98/05337, W097/32873, W097/23216, W097/23215,
W097/23214, W096/14318, WO96/08485, W095/31986, W095/26352, WO95/26350,
W095/26349, W095/26342, W095/12594, WO95/02602, WO95/02601, WO94/20109,
W094/13641, WO94/09016 and W093/25534.

Suitable NMDA receptor antagonists for the purpose of the present invention are for example
Memantine (Merz & Co. GmbH); topiramate (Johnson & Johnson); AVP-923 (Neurodex) (Center
for Neurologic Study); EN-3231 (Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc.); neramexane (MRZ-
2/579) (Merz and Forest); CNS-5161 (CeNeS Pharmaceuticals Inc.); dexanabinol (HU-211;
Sinnabidol; PA-50211) (Pharmos); EpiCept NP-1 (Dalhousie University); indantadol (V-3381;
CNP-3381) (Vernalis); perzinfotel (EAA-090, WAY-126090, EAA-129) (Wyeth); RGH-896
(Gedeon Richter Ltd.); traxoprodil (CP-101606), besonprodil (PD-196860, CI-1041) (Pfizer Inc.);
CGX-1007 (Cognetix Inc.); delucemine (NPS-1506) (NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc.); EVT-101
(Roche Holding AG); acamprosate (Synchroneuron LLC); CR-3991, CR-2249, CR-3394
(Rottapharm SpA.); AV-101 (4-CI-kynurenine (4-CI-KYN)), 7-chloro-kynurenic acid (7-CI-KYNA)
(VistaGen); NPS-1407 (NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc.); YT-1006 (Yaupon Therapeutics Inc.); ED-
1812 (Sosei R&D Ltd.); himantane (hydrochloride N-2-(adamantly)-hexamethylen-imine)
(RAMS); Lancicemine (AR-R-15896) (AstraZeneca); EVT-102, Ro-25-6981 and Ro-63-1908
(Hoffmann-La Roche AG / Evotec).
DP IV-inhibitors and compositions containing such inhibitors are described, e.g. in
US6,011,155; US6,107,317; US6,110,949; US6,124,305; US6,172,081; W099/61431,
W099/67278, W099/67279, DE19834591, WO97/40832, WO95/15309, W098/19998,
WO00/07617, WO99/38501, W099/46272, WO99/38501, WO01/68603, WO01/40180,
WO01/81337, WO01/81304, WO01/55105, WO02/02560, WO01/34594, WO02/38541,
WO02/083128, WO03/072556, WO03/002593, WO03/000250, WO03/000180, WO03/000181,
EP1258476, WO03/002553, WO03/002531, WO03/002530, WO03/004496, WO03/004498,
WO03/024942, WO03/024965, WO03/033524, WO03/035057, WO03/035067, WO03/037327,
WO03/040174, WO03/045977, WO03/055881, WO03/057144, WO03/057666, WO03/068748,
WO03/068757, WO03/082817, WO03/101449, WO03/101958, WO03/104229, WO03/74500,
WO2004/007446, WO2004/007468, WO2004/018467, WO2004/018468, WO2004/018469,
WO2004/026822, WO2004/032836, WO2004/033455, WO2004/037169, WO2004/041795,
WO2004/043940, WO2004/048352, WO2004/050022, WO2004/052850, WO2004/058266,
WO2004/064778, WO2004/069162, WO2004/071454, WO2004/076433, WO2004/076434,
WO2004/087053, WO2004/089362, WO2004/099185, WO2004/103276, WO2004/103993,
WO2004/108730, WO2004/110436, WO2004/111041, WO2004/112701, WO2005/000846,
WO2005/000848, WO2005/011581, WO2005/016911, WO2005/023762, WO2005/025554,
WO2005/026148, WO2005/030751, WO2005/033106, WO2005/037828, WO2005/040095,
WO2005/044195, WO2005/047297, WO2005/051950, WO2005/056003, WO2005/056013,
WO2005/058849, WO2005/075426, WO2005/082348, WO2005/085246, WO2005/087235,
WO2005/095339, WO2005/095343, WO2005/095381, WO2005/108382, WO2005/113510,
WO2005/116014, WO2005/116029, WO2005/118555, WO2005/120494, WO2005/121089,

WO2005/121131, WO2005/123685, WO2006/995613; WO2006/009886; WO2006/013104;
WO2006/017292; WO2006/019965; WO2006/020017; WO2006/023750; WO2006/039325;
WO2006/041976; WO2006/047248; WO2006/058064; WO2006/058628; WO2006/066747;
WO2006/066770 and WO2006/068978.
Suitable DP IV-inhibitors for the purpose of the present invention are for example Sitagliptin,
des-fluoro-sitagliptin (Merck & Co. Inc.); vildagliptin, DPP-728, SDZ-272-070 (Novartis) ; ABT-
279, ABT-341 (Abbott Laboratories); denagliptin, TA-6666 (GlaxoSmithKline plc); SYR-322
(Takeda San Diego Inc.); talabostat (Point Therapeutics Inc.); Ro-0730699, R-1499, R-1438
(Roche Holding AG); FE-999011 (Ferring Pharmaceuticals); TS-021 (Taisho Pharmaceutical
Co. Ltd.); GRC-8200 (Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.); ALS-2-0426 (Alantos Pharmaceuticals
Holding Inc.); ARI-2243 (Arisaph Pharmaceuticals Inc.); SSR-162369 (Sanofi-Synthelabo); MP-
513 (Mitsubishi Pharma Corp.); DP-893, CP-867534-01 (Pfizer Inc.); TSL-225, TMC-2A
(Tanabe Seiyaku Co. Ltd.); PHX-1149 (Phenomenix Corp.); saxagliptin (Bristol-Myers Squibb
Co.); PSN-9301 ((OSI) Prosidion), S-40755 (Servier); KRP-104 (ActivX Biosciences Inc.);
sulphostin (Zaidan Hojin); KR-62436 (Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology);
P32/98 (Probiodrug AG); Bl-A, Bl-B (Boehringer Ingelheim Corp.); SK-0403 (Sanwa Kagaku
Kenkyusho Co. Ltd.); and NNC-72-2138 (Novo Nordisk A/S).
Other preferred DP IV-inhibitors are
(i) dipeptide-like compounds, disclosed in WO 99/61431, e.g. N-valyl prolyl, O-benzoyl
hydroxylamine, alanyl pyrrolidine, isoleucyl thiazolidine like L-allo-isoleucyl thiazolidine, L-threo-
isoleucyl pyrrolidine and salts thereof, especially the fumaric salts, and L-allo-isoleucyl
pyrrolidine and salts thereof;
(ii) peptide structures, disclosed in WO 03/002593, e.g. tripeptides;
(iii) peptidylketones, disclosed in WO 03/033524;
(vi) substituted aminoketones, disclosed in WO 03/040174;
(v) topically active DP IV-inhibitors, disclosed in WO 01/14318;
(vi) prodrugs of DP IV-inhibitors, disclosed in WO 99/67278 and WO 99/67279; and
(v) glutaminyl based DP IV-inhibitors, disclosed in WO 03/072556 and WO 2004/099134.
Most preferably the QC inhibitor is combined with one or more compounds selected from the
following group:
PF-4360365, m266, bapineuzumab, R-1450, Posiphen, (+)-phenserine, MK-0752, LY-450139,
E-2012, (R)-flurbiprofen, AZD-103, AAB-001 (Bapineuzumab), Tramiprosate, EGb-761, TAK-
070, Doxofylline, theophylline, cilomilast, tofimilast, roflumilast, tetomilast, tipelukast, ibudilast,
HT-0712, MEM-1414, oglemilast, Linezolid, budipine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine,

tranylcypromine, indantadol, moclobemide, rasagiline, ladostigil, safinamide, ABT-239, ABT-
834, GSK-189254A, Ciproxifan, JNJ-17216498, Fmoc-Ala-Pyrr-CN, Z-Phe-Pro-Benzothiazole,
Z-321, ONO-1603, JTP-4819, S-17092, BIBP3226; (R)-N2-(diphenylacetyl)-(R)-N-[1-(4-
hydroxyphenyl) ethyl] arginine amide, Cevimeline, sabcomeline, (PD-151832), Donepezil,
rivastigmine, (-)-phenserine, ladostigil, galantamine, tacrine, metrifonate, Memantine,
topiramate, AVP-923, EN-3231, neramexane, valsartan, benazepril, enalapril,
hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine, diltiazem, isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine,
nisoldipine, nitrendipine, verapamil, amlodipine, acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol,
carteolol, carvedilol, esmolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, penbutolol, pindolol,
propranolol, sotalol, timolol, PLAVIX® (clopidogrel bisulfate), PLETAL® (cilostazol), aspirin,
ZETIA® (ezetimibe) and KT6-971, statins, atorvastatin, pitavastatin or simvastatin;
dexamethasone, cladribine, rapamycin, vincristine, taxol, aliskiren, C-243, ABN-912, SSR-
150106, MLN-1202 and betaferon.
In particular, the following combinations are considered:
a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with
Atorvastatin for the treatment and/or prevention of artherosclerosis
a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with
immunosuppressive agents, preferably rapamycin for the prevention and/or treatment
of restenosis
a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with
immunosuppressive agents, preferably paclitaxel for the prevention and/or treatment
of restenosis
a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with AChE
inhibitors, preferably Donepezil, for the prevention and/or treatment of Alzheimer's
disease
a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with
interferones, preferably Aronex, for the prevention and/or treatment of multiple
sclerosis
a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with
interferones, preferably betaferon, for the prevention and/or treatment of multiple
sclerosis
a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with
interferones, preferably Rebif, for the prevention and/or treatment of multiple sclerosis
a QC inhibitor, in particular a QC inhibitor of formula (I), in combination with
Copaxone, for the prevention and/or treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Such a combination therapy is in particular useful for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment,
Alzheimers Disease, Familial British Dementia, Familial Danish Dementia and
neurodegeneration in Down syndrome as well as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis,
restenosis and pancreatitis.
Such combination therapies might result in a better therapeutic effect (less plaque formation,
less proliferation as well as less inflammation, a stimulus for proliferation) than would occur with
either agent alone.
Pharmaceutical compositions
To prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, at least one compound of formula
(I) optionally in combination with at least one of the other aforementioned agents can be used
as the active ingredient(s). The active ingredient(s) is intimately admixed with a pharmaceutical
carrier according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques, which carrier may
take a wide variety of forms depending of the form of preparation desired for administration,
e.g., oral or parenteral such as intramuscular. In preparing the compositions in oral dosage
form, any of the usual pharmaceutical media may be employed. Thus, for liquid oral
preparations, such as for example, suspensions, elixirs and solutions, suitable carriers and
additives include water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, coloring agents
and the like; for solid oral preparations such as, for example, powders, capsules, gelcaps and
tablets, suitable carriers and additives include starches, sugars, diluents, granulating agents,
lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like. Because of their ease in administration,
tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit form, in which case
solid pharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. If desired, tablets may be sugar coated or
enteric coated by standard techniques. For parenterals, the carrier will usually comprise sterile
water, though other ingredients, for example, for purposes such as aiding solubility or for
preservation, may be included.
Injectable suspensions may also prepared, in which case appropriate liquid carriers, suspending
agents and the like may be employed. The pharmaceutical compositions herein will contain, per
dosage unit, e.g., tablet, capsule, powder, injection, teaspoonful and the like, an amount of the
active ingredient(s) necessary to deliver an effective dose as described above. The
pharmaceutical compositions herein will contain, per dosage unit, e.g., tablet, capsule, powder,
injection, suppository, teaspoonful and the like, from about 0.03 mg to 100 mg/kg (preferred 0.1
- 30 mg/kg) and may be given at a dosage of from about 0.1 - 300 mg/kg per day (preferred 1
- 50 mg/kg per day) of each active ingredient or combination thereof. The dosages, however,

may be varied depending upon the requirement of the patients, the severity of the condition
being treated and the compound being employed. The use of either daily administration or post-
periodic dosing may be employed.
Preferably these compositions are in unit dosage forms from such as tablets, pills, capsules,
powders, granules, sterile parenteral solutions or suspensions, metered aerosol or liquid sprays,
drops, ampoules, autoinjector devices or suppositories; for oral parenteral, intranasal, sublingual
or rectal administration, or for administration by inhalation or insufflation. Alternatively, the
composition may be presented in a form suitable for once-weekly or once-monthly
administration; for example, an insoluble salt of the active compound, such as the decanoate
salt, may be adapted to provide a depot preparation for intramuscular injection. For preparing
solid compositions such as tablets, the principal active ingredient is mixed with a pharmaceutical
carrier, e.g. conventional tableting ingredients such as corn starch, lactose, sucrose, sorbitol,
talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, dicalcium phosphate or gums, and other pharmaceutical
diluents, e.g. water, to form a solid preformulation composition containing a homogeneous
mixture of a compound of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
When referring to these preformulation compositions as homogeneous, it is meant that the
active ingredient is dispersed evenly throughout the composition so that the composition may
be readily subdivided into equally effective dosage forms such as tablets, pills and capsules.
This solid preformulation composition is then subdivided into unit dosage forms of the type
described above containing from 0.1 to about 500 mg of each active ingredient or combinations
thereof of the present invention.
The tablets or pills of the compositions of the present invention can be coated or otherwise
compounded to provide a dosage form affording the advantage of prolonged action. For
example, the tablet or pill can comprise an inner dosage and an outer dosage component, the
latter being in the form of an envelope over the former. The two components can be separated
by an enteric layer which serves to resist disintegration in the stomach and permits the inner
component to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety of material
can be used for such enteric layers or coatings, such materials including a number of polymeric
acids with such materials as shellac, cetyl alcohol and cellulose acetate.
This liquid forms in which the compositions of the present invention may be incorporated for
administration orally or by injection include, aqueous solutions, suitably flavoured syrups,
aqueous or oil suspensions, and flavoured emulsions with edible oils such as cottonseed oil,
sesame oil, coconut oil or peanut oil, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles.
Suitable dispersing or suspending agents for aqueous suspensions, include synthetic and

natural gums such as tragacanth, acacia, alginate, dextran, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,
methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone or gelatin.
The pharmaceutical composition may contain between about 0.01 mg and 100 mg, preferably
about 5 to 50 mg, of each compound, and may be constituted into any form suitable for the
mode of administration selected. Carriers include necessary and inert pharmaceutical
excipients, including, but not limited to, binders, suspending agents, lubricants, flavorants,
sweeteners, preservatives, dyes, and coatings. Compositions suitable for oral administration
include solid forms, such as pills, tablets, caplets, capsules (each including immediate release,
timed release and sustained release formulations), granules, and powders, and liquid forms,
such as solutions, syrups, elixirs, emulsions, and suspensions. Forms useful for parenteral
administration include sterile solutions, emulsions and suspensions.
Advantageously, compounds of the present invention may be administered in a single daily
dose, or the total daily dosage may be administered in divided doses of two, three or four times
daily. Furthermore, compounds for the present invention can be administered in intranasal form
via topical use of suitable intranasal vehicles, or via transdermal skin patches well known to
those of ordinary skill in that art. To be administered in the form of transdermal delivery system,
the dosage administration will, of course, be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the
dosage regimen.
For instance, for oral administration in the form of a tablet or capsule, the active drug
component can be combined with an oral, non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier
such as ethanol, glycerol, water and the like. Moreover, when desired or necessary, suitable
binders; lubricants, disintegrating agents and coloring agents can also be incorporated into the
mixture. Suitable binders include, without limitation, starch, gelatin, natural sugars such as
glucose or betalactose, corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia,
tragacanth or sodium oleate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodium
acetate, sodium chloride and the like. Disintegrators include, without limitation, starch, methyl
cellulose, agar, bentonite, xanthan gum and the like.
The liquid forms in suitable flavored suspending or dispersing agents such as the synthetic and
natural gums, for example, tragacanth, acacia, methyl-cellulose and the like. For parenteral
administration, sterile suspensions and solutions are desired. Isotonic preparations which
generally contain suitable preservatives are employed when intravenous administration is
desired.

The compounds or combinations of the present invention can also be administered in the form
of liposome delivery systems, such as small unilamellar vesicles, large unilamellar vesicles, and
multilamellar vesicles. Liposomes can be formed from a variety of phospholipids, such as
cholesterol, stearylamine or phosphatidylcholines.
Compounds or combinations of the present invention may also be delivered by the use of
monoclonal antibodies as individual carriers to which the compound molecules are coupled. The
compounds of the present invention may also be coupled with soluble polymers as targetable
drug carriers. Such polymers can include polyvinylpyrrolidone, pyran copolymer,
polyhydroxypropylmethacrylamidephenol, poiyhydroxyethylaspartamid-ephenol, or polyethyl
eneoxidepolyllysine substituted with palmitoyl residue. Furthermore, the compounds of the
present invention may be coupled to a class of biodegradable polymers useful in achieving
controlled release of a drug, for example, polyactic acid, polyepsilon caprolactone, polyhydroxy
butyeric acid, polyorthoesters, polyacetals, polydihydropyrans, polycyanoacrylates and cross-
linked or amphipathic block copolymers of hydrogels.
Compounds or combinations of this invention may be administered in any of the foregoing
compositions and according to dosage regimens established in the art whenever treatment of
the addressed disorders is required.
The daily dosage of the products may be varied over a wide range from 0.01 to 1.000 mg per
mammal per day. For oral administration, the compositions are preferably provided in the form
of tablets containing, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 25.0, 50.0, 100, 150, 200,
250 and 500 milligrams of each active ingredient or combinations thereof for the symptomatic
adjustment of the dosage to the patient to be treated. An effective amount of the drug is
ordinarily supplied at a dosage level of from about 0.1 mg/kg to about 300 mg/kg of body weight
per day. Preferably, the range is from about 1 to about 50 mg/kg of body weight per day. The
compounds or combinations may be administered on a regimen of 1 to 4 times per day.
Optimal dosages to be administered may be readily determined by those skilled in the art, and
will vary with the particular compound used, the mode of administration, the strength of the
preparation, the mode of administration, and the advancement of disease condition. In addition,
factors associated with the particular patient being treated, including patient age, weight, diet
and time of administration, will result in the need to adjust dosages.

In a further aspect, the invention also provides a process for preparing a pharmaceutical
composition comprising at least one compound of formula (I) optionally in combination with at
least one of the other aforementioned agents and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
The compositions are preferably in a unit dosage form in an amount appropriate for the relevant
daily dosage.
Suitable dosages, including especially unit dosages, of the the compounds of the present
invention include the known dosages including unit doses for these compounds as described or
referred to in reference text such as the British and US Pharmacopoeias, Remington's
Pharmaceutical Sciences (Mack Publishing Co.), Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia
(London, The Pharmaceutical Press) (for example see the 31st Edition page 341 and pages
cited therein) or the above mentioned publications.

Synthesis of the examples
Synthesis scheme 1:
The compounds were synthesized according the general synthesis scheme 1 and their identity
was confirmed by mass spectrometry.
Scheme 1

Amine (II), 50 ul 0.2M, in methanol (dry) was dispensed on 96-well plates. Aldehydes (III), 50 ul
0.2M in methanol (dry) was then added. The well plates were stacked for 30 minutes at room
temperature. Subsequently isocyanide (IV), 50 ul 0.2 M, in methanol (dry) and 50 ul 0.4M
mixture of Kaliumcyanate or Kaliumthiocyanate (V) and Pyridinehydrochloride (VI) was added.
The well plates were sealed and stacked for 48 hours at room temperature. After completion,
the solvent was evaporated.
All compounds were immediately tested regarding their activity as hQC inhibitors. IC5o values
were found to be in the range of 0.01 to 50 uM when tested directly following synthesis (i.e.
without purification).
Detailed synthesis description
Certain compounds of the invention were prepared by preparative synthesis following
essentially the route used for the parallel synthesis.

General workup
The appropriate amine (II) (1 mmol) and aldehyde (II) (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2
ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (V) (2mmol) and
Pyridinehydrochloride (VI) (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally the appropriate
isocyanide (IV) (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After
evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
The purity of the compounds was determined by HPLC-MS. The IC50 value against hQC was
measured using the fluorescent assay.
Purification and characterisation
The resulting crude reaction products were purified in an automatic process using a semi-
preparative HPLC-MS with mass-triggered sampling of the desired peak:
Purification via semi-preparative HPLC-MS
Instrumentation:
2 x Varian PrepStar SD-1
1x Dionex P580 Pump 1 Channel(MakeUP I)
1x Dionex AXP-MS (MakeUP II)
1x Dionex MSQ
1x Dionex UVD 340V - Prep Flow Cell
Gilson 215 Liquid Handler
Column:
SunFire Prep C18 OBD 5 urn 19x50mm
Method:
Column Flow: 30 ml/min
Solvent A: methanol, 0,3% acetic acid
Solvent B: water, 0,3 % acetic acid

Time table for gradient:

Detection:
UV 254nm, Mass Spectrometer Detector (API-ES, positive)
Compound vesication
The compound verification via analytical HPLC-MS was done after purification using the
following instrumentation, column and method:
Analytical method for compound purity
Instrumentation:
Agilent MSD 1100
Column:
YMCODS-A 2.1x50, 3um
Method:
Column Flow: 0.600 ml/min
Solvent A: acetonitrile,0.5% acetic acid
Solvent B: 90% water, 10% acetonitrile, 0,5 % acetic acid
Time table for gradient:

Detection:
UV 254nm, Mass Spectrometer Detector (API-ES, positive)
Compound 43: 5-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-1 -(3-imidazol-1 -yl-propyl)-4-(2-thiophen-2-yl ■
ethylimino)-imida2olidin-2-one

3-lmidazol-1-yl-propylamine (1 mrnol) and 2-Chlorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in
methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and
Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 2-(2-lsocyano-ethyl)-
10 thiophene (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After
evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
molecular weight (g/mol): 427.96
RT - UV254nm (min): 2.6
IC50 hQC(nM): 858

Compound 52: 5-(2,3-Difluoro-phenyl)-1 -(3-imidazol-1 -yl-propyl)-4-(2-(1 H-indol-3-yl)-
ethylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one

5 3-lmidazol-1-yl-propylamine (1 mmol) and 2,3-Difluorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in
methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and
Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3-(2-lsocyano-ethyl)-1 H-
indole (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After
evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
10 molecular weight (g/mol): 462.51
RT - UV254nm (min): 2.75
IC50 hQC(nM): 626
Compound 55: 5-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-1 -(3-imidazol-1 -yl-propyl)-4-2-(1 H-indol-3-yl)-
15 ethylimino-imidazolidin-2-one

3-lmidazol-1-yl-propylamine (1 mmol) and 2-Chlorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in
methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and

Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3-(2-lsocyano-ethyl)-1H-
indole (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After
evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
molecular weight (g/mol): 460.97
RT - UV254nm (min): 2.78
IC50 hQC(nM): 482
Compound 61: 5-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-1 -(3-imidazol-1 -yl-propyl)-4-(2-(1 H-indol-3-yl)-
ethylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one

3-lmidazol-1-yl-propylamine (1 mrnol) and 2-Fluorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in
methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and
Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3-(2-lsocyano-ethyl)-1 H-
indole (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
molecular weight (g/mol): 444.52
RT-UV254nm(min): 2.70
ICso hQC(nM): 452

Compound 138: 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4-1,2,2-
trimethyl-propylimino-imidazolidin-2-one

1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 2-Trifluoromethyl-benzaldehyde (1 mmol) were
combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol)
and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3-lsocyano-2,2-
dimethyl-butane (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After
evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
molecular weight (g/mol): 443.48
RT - UV254nm (min): 3.05
IC50 hQC(nM): 1225
Compound 162: 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-4-benzylimino-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-
15 imidazolidin-2-one

1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 4-Chlorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in
methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and
Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally Benzylisocyanide (1mmol)

is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of the solvent
the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
molecular weight (g/mol): 415.89
RT - UV254nm (min): 2.87
IC50 hQC(nM): 19.5
Compound 168: 5-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-1 -(1 H-benzoimidazol-5-yl)-4-(3-(2-oxo-
pyrrolidin-1-yl)-propylimino)-imldazolidin-2-one

1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and Benzo[1,3]dioxole-5-carbaldehyde (1 mmol) were
combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol)
and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 1-(3-lsocyano-propyl)-
pyrrolidin-2-one (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After
evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
molecular weight (g/mol): 460.50
RT - UV254nm (min): 2.40
IC50 hQC(nM): 27.4

Compound 183 1 -(1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(3-chloro-2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-4-(1,2,3,4-
tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-ylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one

1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 rnmol) and 3-Chloro-2,6-difluorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2immol)
and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 1 -lsocyano-1,2,3,4-
tetrahydro-naphthalene (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for
48h. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
molecular weight (g/mol): 491.93 RT - UV254nm (min): 3.00
IC5o hQC(nM): 80.8
Compound 199 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(4-bromo-phenyl)-4-(cyclohexylimino)-
imidazolidin-2-one

1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 4-Bromobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in
methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and
Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3- Isocyano-cyclohexane

(1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of
the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. Yield: 0.290 g (64 %); mp:
205°C, 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-D6): 1.05-1.12 (m, 3 H, CH2), 1.22-1.28 (m, 3 H, CH2), 1.52-
1.74 (m, 4 H, CH2), 1.86-1.89 (m, 1 H, CH2), 4.40 (s, br., 1 H, NH), 5.98 (s, 1 H, CH-N), 7.24 (d,
3J=8.6 Hz, 2 H, Ar), 7.36 (d, 3J=6.6 Hz, 1 H, Benzimid), 7.48 (d, 3J=8.6 Hz, 2 H, Ar), 7.64 (s, br.,
1 H, NH), 8.04 (d, 3J=7.6 Hz, 1 H, imidazole), 8.08 (s, 1 H, imidazole), 12.31 (s, br., 1 H, NH).
MS m/z 452.3 (M+H)+, HPLC (254 nm): rt 2.95 min (100 %)
molecular weight (g/mol): 452.36
RT - UV254nm (min): 2.95
IC50 hQC(nM): 23.5
Compound 211 1 -(1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4-cyclopentylimino-
imidazolidin-2-one

1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 4-Chlorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and
Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3- Isocyano-cyclopentane
(1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of
the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
molecular weight (g/mol): 393.88 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.81
IC50 hQC(nM): 37.7

Compound 216 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-4-benzylimino-5-(4-bromo-phenyl)-
imidazolidin-2-one

1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 4-Bromobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and
Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3- Benzylisocyanide
(1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of
the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. Yield: 0.230 g (50 %);; mp:
244°C, 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-D6): 4.46 (t, 3J=5.1 Hz, 2 H, CH2), 6.18 (s, 1 H, CH-N), 7.17 (m, 8 H, Ar), 7.39 (d, 3J=8.7 Hz, 1 H, Benzimid), 7.48 (dd, 3J=6.6 Hz, 4J=1.9 Hz, 2 H, Ar), 7.67
(s, br., 1 H, NH), 8.08 (s, 1 H, Benzimid), 8.67 (t, 1 H, Ar), 12.36 (s, br., 1 H, NH).
. MS m/z 460.3 (M+H)+, HPLC (254 nm): rt 2.86 min (100 %)
molecular weight (g/mol): 460.34
IC50 hQC (nM): 22

Compound 220 1 -(1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(3-chloro-2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-4-
(cyclohexylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one

1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 rmmol) and 3-Chloro-2,6-difluorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were
combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2immol)
and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally Isocyano-cyclohexane
(1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of
the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
molecular weight (g/mol): 443.89
RT - UV254nm (min): 2.88
IC50 hQC(nM): 98.4
Compound 226: 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-4-(cyclopentylimino)-5-(1H-indol-5-yl)-
imidazolidin-2-one

1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 1H-lndole-5-carbaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined
in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and
Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally Isocyano-cyclopentane
(1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of
the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods. Yield: 0.107 g (27 %); mp:
210°C, 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-D6): 1.20-1.25 (m, 1 H, CH2), 1.38-1.56 (m, 5 H, CH2), 1.70-
1.79 (m, 1 H, CH2), 1.82-1.90 (m, 1 H, CH2), 4.08-4.14 (m, 1 H, CH2-CH), 5.91 (s, 1 H, CH-N),
6.33-6.36 (m, 1 H, Ar), 6.85 (dd, 3J=8.3 Hz, 4J=1.7 Hz, 1 H, Ar), 7.24-7.33 (m, 4 H, 3 H Ar, 1 H
Benzimid), 7.52 (s, 1 H, Benzimid), 7.63 (s, 1 H, Benzimid), 7.86 (m, 1 H, NH), 8.06 (s, 1 H,
Benzimid), 11.05 (s, 1 H, NH), MS m/z 399.4 (M+H)+, HPLC (254 nm): rt 2.56 min (100 %), calc:
C: 69.33, H: 5.57, N: 21.09, found.: C: 63.34, H: 6.16, N: 19.04 corresponds to C23H22N6O + 2.0
H2O
molecular weight (g/mol): 398.47

RT - UV254nm (min): 2.56
IC50 hQC (nM): 34.5
Compound 254 1 -(1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(2,4-dimethyl-cyclohex-3-enyl)-4-
(isopropylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one

1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 2,4-Dimethyl-cyclohex-3-ene carbaldehyde (1 mmol)
were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN)
(2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 2-lsocyano- propane (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After
evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
molecular weight (g/mol): 365.48
RT - UV254nm (min): 2.77
IC50 hQC(nM): 997

Compound 274 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(3-chloro-2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-4-(1,2,2-
trimethyl-propylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one

1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 3-Chloro-2,6-difluorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol)
and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3-lsocyano-2,2-
dimethyl-butane (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After
evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
molecular weight (g/mol): 445.90 RT - UV254nm (min): 2.95
IC50 hQC(nM): 101
Compound 331 1 -(1 H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(4-bromo-phenyl)-4-[2,3-dihydro-
benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylimino]-imidazolidin-2-one

1 H-Benzoitnidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 4-Bromobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in
methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and
Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 6-lsocyano-2,3-dihydro-
benzo[1,4]dioxine (1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After
evaporation of the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
molecular weight (g/mol): 504.35
RT - UV254nm (min): 2.92
IC50 hQC (nM): 66.8
Compound 333 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-(4-bromo-phenyl)-4-((S)-indan-1-
ylimino)-imidazolidin-2-one

1H-Benzoimidazol-5-ylamine (1 mmol) and 4-Bromobenzaldehyde (1 mmol) were combined in
methanol (2 ml, dry). After 2 hours 2ml of a solution of KOCN (KSCN) (2mmol) and Pyridinehydrochloride (2mmol) in MeOH is added was added. Finally 3- (S)-l-lsocyano-indan
(1mmol) is added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 48h. After evaporation of
the solvent the residue was purified with chromatographic methods.
molecular weight (g/mol): 486.38
RT - UV254nm (min): 3.00
ICso hQC (nM): 28.2

Examples of the invention
Example 1: Assays for glutaminyl cyclase activity
Fluorometric assays
All measurements were performed with a BioAssay Reader HTS-7000Plus for microplates
(Perkin Elmer) at 30 °C. QC activity was evaluated fluorometrically using H-Gln-βNA. The
samples consisted of 0.2 mM fluorogenic substrate, 0.25 U pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase
(Unizyme, Hersholm, Denmark) in 0.2 M Tris/HCI, pH 8.0 containing 20 mM EDTA and an
appropriately diluted aliquot of QC in a final volume of 250 ul. Excitation/emission wavelengths
were 320/410 nm. The assay reactions were initiated by addition of glutaminyl cyclase. QC
activity was determined from a standard curve of P-naphthylamine under assay conditions. One
unit is defined as the amount of QC catalyzing the formation of 1 μmol pGlu-βNA from H-Gln-
βNA per minute under the described conditions.
In a second fluorometric assay, QC was activity was determined using H-Gln-AMC as substrate.
Reactions were carried out at 30°C utilizing the NOVOStar reader for microplates (BMG
labtechnologies). The samples consisted of varying concentrations of the fluorogenic substrate,
0.1 U pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase (Qiagen) in 0.05 M Tris/HCI, pH 8.0 containing 5 mM EDTA
and an appropriately diluted aliquot of QC in a final volume of 250 ul. Excitation/emission
wavelengths were 380/460 nm. The assay reactions were initiated by addition of glutaminyl
cyclase. QC activity was determined from a standard curve of 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin under
assay conditions. The kinetic data were evaluated using GraFit sofware.
Spectrophotometric assay of QC
This novel assay was used to determine the kinetic parameters for most of the QC substrates.
QC activity was analyzed spectrophotometrically using a continuous method, that was derived
by adapting a previous discontinuous assay (Bateman, R. C. J. 1989 J Neurosci Methods 30,
23-28) utilizing glutamate dehydrogenase as auxiliary enzyme. Samples consisted of the
respective QC substrate, 0.3 mM NADH, 14 mM α-Ketoglutaric acid and 30 U/ml glutamate
dehydrogenase in a final volume of 250 μl- Reactions were started by addition of QC and
persued by monitoring of the decrease in absorbance at 340 nm for 8-15 min.
The initial velocities were evaluated and the enzymatic activity was determined from a standard
curve of ammonia under assay conditions. All samples were measured at 30°C, using either the

SPECTRAFIuor Plus or the Sunrise (both from TECAN) reader for microplates. Kinetic data was
evaluated using GraFit software.
Inhibitor assay
For inhibitor testing, the sample composition was the same as described above, except of the
putative inhibitory compound added. For a rapid test of QC-inhibition, samples contained 4 mM
of the respective inhibitor and a substrate concentration at 1 KM. For detailed investigations of
the inhibition and determination of Krvalues, influence of the inhibitor on the auxiliary enzymes
was investigated first. In every case, there was no influence on either enzyme detected, thus
enabling the reliable determination of the QC inhibition. The inhibitory constant was evaluated
by fitting the set of progress curves to the general equation for competitive inhibition using
GraFit software.
Example 2: MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry was carried out using the
Hewlett-Packard G2025 LD-TOF System with a linear time of flight analyzer. The instrument
was equipped with a 337 nm nitrogen laser, a potential acceleration source (5 kV) and a 1.0 m
flight tube. Detector operation was in the positive-ion mode and signals are recorded and
filtered using LeCroy 9350M digital storage oscilloscope linked to a personal computer.
Samples (5 ul) were mixed with equal volumes of the matrix solution. For matrix solution
DHAP/DAHC was used, prepared by solving 30 mg 2',6'-dihydroxyacetophenone (Aldrich) and
44 mg diammonium hydrogen citrate (Fluka) in 1 ml acetonitrile/0.1% TFA in water (1/1, v/v). A
small volume (= 1 ul) of the matrix-analyte-mixture is transferred to a probe tip and immediately
evaporated in a vacuum chamber (Hewlett-Packard G2024A sample prep accessory) to ensure
rapid and homogeneous sample crystallization.
For long-term testing of Glu1-cyclization, AP-derived peptides were incubated in 100ul 0.1 M
sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.2 or 0.1 M Bis-Tris buffer, pH 6.5 at 30°C. Peptides were applied in
0.5 mM [A(3(3-11)a] or 0.15 mM [Aβ(3-21)a] concentrations, and 0.2 U QC is added all 24 hours.
In case of [Aβ(3-21)a, the assays contained 1 % DMSO. At different times, samples are removed
from the assay tube, peptides extracted using ZipTips (Millipore) according to the
manufacturer's recommendations, mixed with matrix solution (1:1 v/v) and subsequently the
mass spectra recorded. Negative controls either contain no QC or heat deactivated enzyme. For
the inhibitor studies the sample composition was the same as described above, with exception
of the inhibitory compound added (5 mM or 2 mM of a test compound of formula (I)).

The first QC inhibitors were disclosed in WO 2004/098591 and WO 2005/075436. There are no
other potent QC inhibitors known in the art. The same holds true for combinations and
compositions for the treatment of neuronal diseases comprising QC inhibitors. Compounds and
combinations of the invention may have the advantage that they are, for example, more potent,
more selective, have fewer side-effects, have better formulation and stability properties, have
better pharmacokinetic properties, be more bioavailable, be able to cross blood brain barrier
and are more effective in the brain of mammals, are more compatible or effective in combination
with other drugs or be more readily synthesized than other compounds of the prior art.
Throughout the specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise,
the word 'comprise', and variations such as 'comprises' and 'comprising', will be understood to
imply the inclusion of a stated integer, step, group of integers or group of steps but not to the
exclusion of any other integer, step, group of integers or group of steps.
All patents and patent applications mentioned throughout the specification of the present
invention are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference.
The invention embraces all combinations of preferred and more preferred groups and
embodiments of groups recited above.

Claims
1. A compound of formula (I),

or a Pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or polymorph thereof, including all
tautomers and stereoisomers thereof wherein
R1 represents heteroaryl; -carbocyclyl-heteroaryl; -alkenylheteroaryl or -
alkylheteroaryl;
R2 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl,
which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl and
hydroxy; aryl; -aryl-heteroaryl; -heteroaryl-aryl; -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; or
heterocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected
from alkyl, oxo and hydroxy;
R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally be substituted by one of more groups
selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which may
optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy,
amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -
alkyl(heteroaryl)2; -alkyl(heteroaryl)(aryl); -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-
heterocyclyl, -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5-heterocyclyl or -alkyl(heterocyclyl)2
in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more
groups selected from alkyl, hydroxy and oxo; -heteroaryl; or -hydroxyalkylaryl;
R4 represents H or C1-3 alkyl;
R5 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; and
X represents O or S.
2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the compounds

are excluded from the definition of formula (I).
3. A compound according to claims 1 or claim 2, wherein R1 represents -alkylheteroaryl.
4 A compound according to claim 3, wherein R1 represents -C2-4alkylheteroaryl.
5. A compound according to claim 3 wherein R1 represents 3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl.
6. A compound according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein R1 represents -heteroaryl.
7. A compound according to claim 6 wherein R1 represents -heteroaryl which is bicyclic.
8. A compound according to claim 7, wherein R1 represents 1H-benzoimidazol-5-yl.

9. A compound according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein R2 represents alkyl, which
may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl which may optionally be
substituted by alkyl; aryl; -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; orheterocyclyl.
10. A compound according to claim 9, wherein R2 represents alkyl, which is substituted
by hydroxy; carbocyclyl which may optionally be substituted by alkyl; aryl; -aryl-
heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; or heterocyclyl.
11. A compound according to claim 10, wherein R2 represents aryl, heteroaryl, -aryl-
heterocyclyl, or cycloalkenyl which may optionally be substituted by alkyl.
12. A compound according to claim 11, wherein R2 represents aryl or heteroaryl.
13. A compound according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein R3 represents alkyl, which
may optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine,
hydroxy, -C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which may be optionally substituted by hydroxy;
-alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heteroaryl, -alkyl-
heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5-heterocyclyl or -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl in any of which
groups heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more groups selected
from alkyl, hydroxyl and oxo; or -hydroxyalkylaryl.
14. A compound according to claim 13, wherein R3 represents alkyl, which may optionally
be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine, hydroxy, -
C(O)Oalkyl; carbocyclyl, which is substituted by hydroxy; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -
alkyl-heteroaryl; -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heteroaryl, -alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5-
heterocyclyl or -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be
optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxyl and oxo; or
-hydroxyalkylaryl;.
15. A compound according to claim 13, wherein R3 represents alkyl; -alkyl(aryl)2; -alkyl-
aryl; -alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl-heterocyclyl; -alkyl-C(O)-heterocyclyl; carbocyclyl, which
may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; -aryl; heteroaryl.
16. A compound according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein R4 represents H.
17. A compound according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein R5 represents H.
18. A compound according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein X represents S.
19. A compound according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein X represents O.
20. A compound as defined in examples 1-345 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or
solvate of any one thereof.
21. A compound as defined in example 116, 129, 151, 155, 159,162, 163, 168, 170, 171,
173, 177, 186, 196, 199,211,213,216,218,219,220,224,226,228,230,235,238,
241,242,254, 274, 289, 301, 303, 305, 314, 318, 321, 326, 327, 331, 333, 336, 338
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of any one thereof.

22. A compound according to claims 1 to 21 for use as a medicament.
23. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to any one of
claims 1 to 22 optionally in combination with one or more therapeutically acceptable
diluents or carriers.
24. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 23, which comprises additionally at least
one compound, selected from the group consisting of neuroprotectants,
antiparkinsonian drugs, amyloid protein deposition inhibitors, beta amyloid synthesis
inhibitors, antidepressants, anxiolytic drugs, antipsychotic drugs and anti-multiple
sclerosis drugs.
25. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 23 or 24, which comprises additionally at
least one compound, selected from the group consisting of PEP-inhibitors, LiCI,
inhibitors of dipeptidyl aminopeptidases, preferably inhibitors of DP IV or DP IV-like
enzymes, acetylcholinesterase (ACE) inhibitors, PIMT enhancers, inhibitors of beta
secretases, inhibitors of gamma secretases, inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase,
inhibitors of Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4), TNFalpha inhibitors, muscarinic M1
receptor antagonists, NMDA receptor antagonists, sigma-1 receptor inhibitors,
histamine H3 antagonists, immunomodulatory agents, immunosuppressive agents,
beta-amyloid antibodies, cysteine protease inhibitors, MCP-1 antagonists or an agent
selected from the group consisting of antegren (natalizumab), Neurelan (fampridine-
SR), campath (alemtuzumab), IR 208, NBI 5788/MSP 771 (tiplimotide), paclitaxel,
Anergix.MS (AG 284), SH636, Differin (CD 271, adapalene), BAY 361677
(interleukin-4), matrix-metalloproteinase-inhibitors (e.g. BB 76163), interferon-tau
(trophoblastin) and SAIK-MS.
26. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or a pharmaceutical composition
according to any one of claims 23 to 25 for use in the treatment of a disease selected
from the group consisting of Kennedy's disease, duodenal cancer with or w/o
Helicobacter pylori infections, colorectal cancer, Zolliger-Ellison syndrome, gastric
cancer with or without Helicobacter pylori infections, pathogenic psychotic conditions,
schizophrenia, infertility, neoplasia, inflammatory host responses, cancer, malign
metastasis, melanoma, psoriasis, impaired humoral and cell-mediated immune
responses, leukocyte adhesion and migration processes in the endothelium, impaired
food intake, impaired sleep-wakefulness, impaired homeostatic regulation of energy
metabolism, impaired autonomic function, impaired hormonal balance or impaired
regulation of body fluids, multiple sclerosis, the Guillain-Barre syndrome and chronic
inflammatory demyelinizing polyradiculoneuropathy.
27. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or a pharmaceutical composition

according to any one of claims 23 to 25 for use in the treatment of a disease selected
from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Familial
British Dementia, Familial Danish Dementia, Down Syndrome and Huntington's
disease.
28. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or a pharmaceutical composition
according to any one of claims 23 to 25 for use in the treatment of a disease selected
from rheumatoid arthritis or atherosclerosis.
29. A method of treatment or prevention of a disease selected from the group consisting
of Kennedy's disease, ulcer disease, duodenal cancer with or w/o Helicobacter pylori
infections, colorectal cancer, Zolliger-Ellison syndrome, gastric cancer with or without
Helicobacter pylori infections, pathogenic psychotic conditions, schizophrenia,
infertility, neoplasia, inflammatory host responses, cancer, malign metastasis,
melanoma, psoriasis, impaired humoral and cell-mediated immune responses,
leukocyte adhesion and migration processes in the endothelium, impaired food
intake, impaired sleep-wakefulness, impaired homeostatic regulation of energy
metabolism, impaired autonomic function, impaired hormonal balance or impaired
regulation of body fluids, multiple sclerosis, the Guillain-Barre syndrome and chronic
inflammatory demyelinizing polyradiculoneuropathy, which comprises administering
to a subject an effective amount of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to
21 or a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 23 to 25.
30. A method of treatment or prevention of a disease selected from the group consisting
of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Familial British Dementia, Familial
Danish Dementia, Down Syndrome and Huntington's disease, which comprises
administering to a subject an effective amount of a compound according to any one
of claims 1 to 21 or a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 23
to 25.
31. A method of treatment or prevention of a disease selected from rheumatoid arthritis,
atherosclerosis, pancreatitis or restenosis, which comprises administering to a
subject an effective amount of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or
a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 23 to 25.
32. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 in the manufacture of a
medicament for the treatment of a disease selected from the group consisting of
Kennedy's disease, ulcer disease, duodenal cancer with or w/o Helicobacter pylori
infections, colorectal cancer, Zolliger-Ellison syndrome, gastric cancer with or without
Helicobacter pylori infections, pathogenic psychotic conditions, schizophrenia,
infertility, neoplasia, inflammatory host responses, cancer, malign metastasis,

melanoma, psoriasis, impaired humoral and cell-mediated immune responses,
leukocyte adhesion and migration processes in the endothelium, impaired food
intake, impaired sleep-wakefulness, impaired homeostatic regulation of energy
metabolism, impaired autonomic function, impaired hormonal balance or impaired
regulation of body fluids, multiple sclerosis, the Guillain-Barre syndrome and chronic
inflammatory demyelinizing polyradiculoneuropathy.
33. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 in the manufacture of a
medicament for the treatment of a disease selected from the group consisting of mild
cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Familial British Dementia, Familial Danish
Dementia, Down Syndrome and Huntington's disease.
34. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 in the manufacture of a
medicament for the treatment of a disease selected from rheumatoid arthritis,
atherosclerosis, pancreatitis or restenosis.
35. A process for preparation of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or a
protected derivative thereof
(a) wherein X represents O, which comprises reaction of a compound of formula (II)

or a protected derivative thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as defined in any one of
claims 1 to 21, with a compound of formula (III)

or a protected derivative thereof wherein R3 in any one of claims 1 to 21, and a
cyanate in the presence of an acid catalyst; or
(b) wherein X represents sulphur, comprises reaction of a compound of formula (II) or
a protected derivative thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as defined in any one of
claims 1 to 21, with a compound of formula (III) or a protected derivative thereof
wherein R3 is as defined in any one of claims 1 to 21, and a thiocyanate in the
presence of an acid catalyst.

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I),
combinations and uses thereof for disease therapy, or a pharmaceutically
acceptable salt, solvate or polymorph thereof, including all tautomers and
stereoisomers thereof wherein R represents heteroaryl; -carbocyclyl-het-
eroaryl; -alkenylheteroaryl or -alkylheteroaryl; R2 represents alkyl, which
may optionally be substituted by hydroxy; carbocyclyl, which may optionally
be substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl and hydroxy;
aryl; -aryl-heteroaryl; -heteroaryl-aryl; -aryl-heterocyclyl; H; heteroaryl; or
heterocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted by one or more groups
selected from alkyl, oxo and hydroxy; R3 represents alkyl, which may
optionally be substituted by one of more groups selected from alkoxy, amine,
hydroxy and -C(O)Oalky]; carbocyclyl, which may optionally be substituted
by one or more groups selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amine, hydroxy and -C(O)Oalkyl; -alkyl-aryl; -alkyl(aryl)2,
-alkyl-heteroaryl; -alkyl(heteroaryl)2; -alkyl (heteroaryl) (aryl); -aryl-O-aryl; aryl; heterocyclyl, -alkyI-C(O)-heterocyclyl,
-alkyl-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-C(O)-NR5 -heterocyclyl or -alkyl(heterocyclyl)2 in any of which groups heterocyclyl may be optionally
substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, hydroxy and oxo; -heteroaryl; or -hydroxyalkylaryl; R4 represents H or C1-3
alkyl; R5 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; and X represents O or S.

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Patent Number

268496

Indian Patent Application Number

1411/KOLNP/2009

PG Journal Number

36/2015

Publication Date

04-Sep-2015

Grant Date

31-Aug-2015

Date of Filing

16-Apr-2009

Name of Patentee

PROBIODRUG AG

Applicant Address

WEINBERGWEG 22, 06120 HALLE / SAALE, GERMANY

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	THORMANN, MICHAEL	ORIGENIS GMBH, AM KLOPFERSPITZ 19A, 82152 MARTINSRIED, GERMANY
2	TREML, ANDREAS	ORIGENIS GMBH, AM KLOPFERSPITZ 19A, 82152 MARTINSRIED, GERMANY
3	HEISER, ULRICH	FRANZ-SCHUBERT-STRASSE 5, 06108 HALLE / SAALE, GERMANY
4	BUCHHOLZ, MIRKO	BRANDENBURGER STRASSE 6, 06114 HALLE / SAALE, GERMANY
5	ALMSTETTER, MICHAEL	ORIGENIS GMBH, AM KLOPFERSPITZ 19A, 82152 MARTINSRIED, GERMANY

PCT International Classification Number

C07D 401/14

PCT International Application Number

PCT/EP2007/062034

PCT International Filing date

2007-11-08

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	60/864,988	2006-11-09	U.S.A.