WO1997020820A1

WO1997020820A1 - Heteroaryl compounds

Info

Publication number: WO1997020820A1
Application number: PCT/EP1996/005055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heinrich RÜEGER; Tibur Schmidlin; Pascal Rigollier; Yasuchika Yamaguchi; Marina Tintelnot-Blomley; Walter Schilling; Leoluca Criscione
Original assignee: Novartis Ag
Priority date: 1995-12-01
Filing date: 1996-11-18
Publication date: 1997-06-12
Also published as: ZA9610023B; AU7626496A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of treatment of disorders and diseases associated with NPY receptor subtype Y5 comprising administering to a warm-blooded animal, including man, in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) in which the variables are as defined and relates to new compounds of formula (I) or a salt thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions, and to the manufacture of new compounds of formula (I) and salts thereof.

Description

Heteroaryl Compounds

Background of the Invention

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a member of the pancreatic polypeptide family of peptides and is one of the most abundant and widely distributed peptides at the central and peripheral nervous system. NPY acts as a neurotransmitter playing an important role in the regulation of various diseases. Intensive evaluations lead to the finding that multiple NPY receptors are existing being responsible for different physiological and pharmacological activities. Recently, a new NPY receptor subtype has been characterized and cloned, designated as Y5 receptor. It has been demonstrated that the pharmacological function associated with Y5 relates, for example, to obesity and eating disorders. Accordingly, the provision of compounds which act as antagonists of this receptor subtype represents a promisable approach in the regulation of diseases or disorders, such as obesity and eating/food intake disorders.

Summary of the Invention

The invention relates to a method of treatment of disorders and diseases associated with NPY receptor subtype Y5, to pharmaceutical compositions and to new compounds having Y5 antagonistic properties.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention relates to a method of treatment and prophylaxis of disorders and diseases associated with NPY receptor subtype Y5 comprising administering to a warm-blooded animal, including man, in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I)

in which alk represents a single bond or lower alkylene; the integer n is 0 or 1 ;

R_T represents (i) hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl, C₃-C_θ-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or lower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, by lower alkoxy, by amino, by substituted amino, by carboxy, by lower alkoxycarbonyl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxycarbonyl, by carbamoyl, or by N-substituted carbamoyl;

(n) ammo or substituted amino;

(iii) hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkenyloxy, lower alkynyloxy, hydroxy-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkoxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl-oxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkoxycarbonyl-oxy, aminocarbonyl-oxy, or N-substituted aminocarbonyl-oxy; (iv) carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, or (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl; (v) carbamoyl or N-substituted carbamoyl;

(vi) a group selected from -CH(OH)-R, -CO-R, -NR₀₁-CO-O-R, -NR₀₁-CO-R, -NR₀ι-CO-NR₀-- R, -NR01-SO₂-R, -NR01-SO2-NR01-R, -SO2-R, -SO2-NR0--R, or -SO₂-NR₀ι-CO-R, [R and R01 being as defined below, or the group -N(R)(R₀ι) represents ammo which is di-substituted by lower alkylene {which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n or NR₀ or which may be condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring}]; or

(vii) an element of formula -Xι(X2)(Xs) wherein, (a) if X is -CH-, X₂ together with Xs represent a structural element of formula -Xr(CO)_p-(CH₂)₀-, -(CH₂)_q-X₄-(CO)_p-(CH₂)_r-, or -(CH₂)_s-X₄-CO-(CH₂)_t-; or, (b) if X1 is -N-, X together with X₃ represent a structural element of formula -CO-(CH₂)_u-; [X₄ being -CH₂-, -N(R₀ι)- or -O-; the integer o is 3-5; the integer p is 0 or 1 ; the integer q is 1or 2; the integer r is 1 ; the integer s is 1 or 2; the integer t is 1 or 2, the integer u is 3-5; with the proviso that, if the integer p is 0, X₄ is different from -CH₂-;];

R₂ and R₃, independently of one another, represent (i) hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl- lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl; or (II) lower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of' halogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, hydroxy-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, ammo, substituted ammo, carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, N-substituted carbamoyl, and -S(O)_n-R;

R₂ and R₃ together represent lower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n, NRo or which may be condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring];

X represents N or CH; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, as well as the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of (i) halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, lower alkoxy, lower alkenyloxy, lower alkynyloxy, oxy-lower alkylene-oxy, hydroxy, lower alkanoyloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyloxy, lower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aroyl, nitro, cyano;

(ii) lower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, amino, substituted amino, carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl;

(iii) lower alkoxy which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyI, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, amino, substituted amino, carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl; (iv) amino, substituted amino;

(v) carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl; (vi) carbamoyl and N-substituted carbamoyl; wherein, in each case, the substituted amino group of substituted amino, of N- substituted carbamoyl, and of N-substituted aminocarbonyl-oxy is (i) mono-substituted or, independently of one another, di-substituted by lower alkyl, by C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, by C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or is (ii) di-substituted by lower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_r or NRo or which may be condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring], or is (iii) mono-substituted or, in the second line, independently of one another, di- substituted by -CO-(O)_v-R and the integer v is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, the integer n is 0, 1 or 2; wherein, in each case, Ro represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkinyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, lower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aroyl, -SO₂-R, or lower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, or by lower alkoxy; wherein in each case R01 represents hydrogen or lower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C_β- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkyl, or lower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, or by lower alkoxy; or a pharmaceutically accetable salt thereof; and relates to new compounds of formula (I) or a salt thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions, and to the manufacture of new compounds of formula (I) and salts thereof.

The compounds (I) can be present as salts, in particular pharmaceutically acceptable salts. If the compounds (I) have, for example, at least one basic centre, they can form acid addition salts. These are formed, for example, with strong inorganic acids, such as mineral acids, for example sulfuric acid, a phosphoric acid or a hydrohalic acid, with strong organic carboxylic acids, such as CrC -alkanecarboxylic acids which are unsubstituted or substituted, for example, by halogen, for example acetic acid, such as saturated or unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, for example oxalic, malonic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, phthalic or terephthalic acid, such as hydroxycarboxylic acids, for example ascorbic, glycolic, lactic, malic, tartaric or citric acid, such as amino acids, for example aspartic or glutamic acid, or such as benzoic acid, or with organic sulfonic acids, such as C C -alkane- or arylsulfonic acids which are unsubstituted or substituted, for example by halogen, for example methane- or p-toluenesulfonic acid. Corresponding acid addition salts can also be formed having, if desired, an additionally present basic centre. The compounds (I) having at least one acid group (for example COOH) can also form salts with bases. Suitable salts with bases are, for example, metal salts, such as alkaii metal or alkaline earth metal salts, for example sodium, potassium or magnesium salts, or salts with ammonia or an organic amine, such as morphoiine, thiomorpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, a mono-, di- or tπ-lower alkylamine, for example ethyl-, tert-butyl-, diethyl-, dnsopropyl-, tnethyl-, tnbutyl- or dimethylpropylamine, or a mono-, di- or tnhydroxy lower alkylamine, for example mono-, di- or tπethanolamine Corresponding internal salts may furthermore be formed, if a compound of formula comprises e g both a carboxy and an ammo group. Salts which are unsuitable for pharmaceutical uses but which can be employed, for example, for the isolation or purification of free compounds (I) or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, are also included

(Carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl in (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl or aryloxy, respectively, represents, for example, phenyl, biphenylyl, naphthyl or an appropriate 5- or 6-membered and monocyclic radical or an appropriate bicyclic heteroaryl radical which, in each case, have up to four identical or different hetero atoms, such as nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atoms, preferably one, two, three or four nitrogen atoms, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom. Appropriate 5-membered heteroaryl radicals are, for example, monoaza-, diaza-, tnaza-, tetraaza-, monooxa- or monothia-cyclic aryl radicals, such as pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, tnazolyl, tetrazolyl, furyl and thienyi, while suitable appropriate 6-membered radicals are in particular pyridyl Appropriate bicyclic heterocyclic aryls are, for example, mdolyl, indazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothiophenyl, benzimidazolyl, quinol yl, isoqumolinyl, or qu azolinyl Appropriate aromatic radicals, including ring A, are radicals which may be monosubstituted or polysubstituted, for example di- or tπsubstituted, for example by identical or different radicals, for example selected from the group as given above Preferred substituents of corresponding aryl radicals (including of ring A) are, for example, halogen, lower alkyl, halo- lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, oxy-lower alkylene-oxy, hydroxy, hydroxy-lower alkoxy, and lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy

(Carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aroyl is in particular benzoyl, naphthoyl, furoyl, thenoyl, or pyndoyl

(Carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyl in (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyloxy or (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyl is in particular phenyl-lower alkanoyl, naphthyl-lower alkanoyl, or pyπdyl-lower alkanoyl, (Carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl is in particular phenyl-, naphthyl- or pyridyl- lower alkyl.

(Carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxycarbonyl is in particular phenyl-, naphthyl- or pyridyl-lower alkoxy.

Lower alkyl which substituted by halogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, or amino is in particular halo-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, phenyloxy-, naphthyloxy- or pyridyloxy- lower alkyl, phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, or N- or N,N- substituted amino-lower alkyl.

An amino group which is mono-substituted by lower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl- lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl is in particular lower alkylamino, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-amino, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-loweralkyl-amino, phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-amino, phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-lower alkylamino.

An amino group which is, independently of one another, di-substituted by lower alkyl, C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl, C₃-C₃-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, or (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl is in particular di-lower alkylamino, di-C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-amino, di-(C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl)-amino, di-(phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl)- amino, di-(phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-lower alkyl)-amino, lower alkyl-C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-amino, lower alkyl-(C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl)-amino, lower alkyl-(phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl)-amino, lower alkyl-(phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-lower alkyl)-amino.

Lower alkyl which is substituted by carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, carbamoyl in which the amino group is mono-substituted or, independently of one another, di-substituted by lower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, and carbamoyl in which the am o group is di-substituted by lower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n, NR₀, the integer n being 0, 1 or 2 and R₀ being hydrogen, lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, lower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aroyl, -SO₃H, -SO₂-R and R being lower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, or (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkyl] is in particular carboxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-carbonyl-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl-lower alkyl, (phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl)-lower alkoxycarbonyl-lower alkyl, carbamoyl-lower alkyl, or N- or N, N-substituted carbamoyl-lower alkyl.

Lower alkoxy which substituted by halogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, or amino is in particular halo-lower alkoxy, hydroxy-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, phenyloxy-, naphthyioxy- or pyridyloxy-lower alkyl, phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-lower alkoxy, amino- lower alkoxy, or corresponding N- or N,N- substituted amino-lower alkoxy.

Lower alkoxy which is substituted by carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, carbamoyl in which the amino group is mono-substituted or, independently of one another, di-substituted by lower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, and carbamoyl in which the amino group is di-substituted by lower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n, NR₀, the integer n being 0, 1 or 2 and R₀ being hydrogen, lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, lower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aroyl, -SO₃H, -SO₂-R and R being lower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, or (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkyl] is in particular carboxy-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl-lower alkoxy, (phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl)- lower alkoxycarbonyl-lower alkoxy, carbamoyl-lower alkoxy, or corresponding N- or N,N- substituted carbamoyl-lower alkoxy.

Substituted lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, respectively, is mono- or poly-substituted, e.g. di- or tri-substituted. The group of formula -N(R₂)(R₃) in which R₂ and R₃ together represent lower alkylene which is condensedat two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring represents, for example, lower alkylene-phenylene-lower alkylene-amino, such as 3,4-dihydro-1 H-isoquinolin-2-yl.

The general definitions used above and below, unless defined differently, have the following meanings:

The expression "lower" means that corresponding groups and compounds, in each case, in particular comprise not more than 7, preferably not more than 4, carbon atoms.

Halogen is in particular halogen of atomic number not more than 35, such as fluorine, chlorine or bromine, and also includes iodine.

Lower alkyl is in particular C1-C7- alkyl, for example methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, and also includes corresponding pentyl, hexyl and heptyl radicals. CrC₄-alkyl is preferred.

Lower alkenyl is in particular C₃-C₇-alkenyl and is, for example, 2-propenyl or 1-, 2- or 3-butenyl. C₃-C₅-alkenyl is preferred.

Lower alkynyl is in particular C₃-C₇-alkynyl and is preferably propargyl.

Lower alkoxy is in particular Cι-C₇-alkoxy and is, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, n- propyloxy, isopropyloxy, n-butyloxy, isobutyloxy, sec-butyloxy, tert-butyloxy and also includes corresponding pentyloxy, hexyloxy and heptyloxy radicals. C C₄- alkoxy is preferred.

Lower alkenyloxy is in particular C₃-Cτ-alkenyloxy, preferably allyloxycarbonyl, while lower alkynyloxy is in particular C3-C₅-alkynyloxy, such as propargyloxy.

Oxy-lower alkylene-oxy is in particular oxy-d-₄-alkyiene-oxy, preferably oxy- methylene-oxy or oxy-ethylene-oxy. Lower alkanoyloxy is in particular C₂-Cτ-alkanoyloxy, such as acetyloxy, propionyloxy, butyryloxy, isobutyryloxy or pivaioyloxy. C₂-C₅-alkanoyloxy is preferred.

Lower alkanoyl is in particular C₂-C₇-alkanoyl, such as acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl or pivaloyl. C₂-C₅-alkanoyl is preferred.

NaphthoyI is 1 - or 2-naphthoyl, furoyi 2- or 3-furoyl, thenoyi 2- or 3-thenyl, and pyridoyi 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridoyl.

C₃-C₈-Cycloalkyl is, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl. Cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl are preferred.

C₃-C₈-Cycloalkyl-lower alkyl is in particular C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-Cι-C₄-alkyl, in particular C₃-C₆- cycloalkyl-Cι-C₂-alkyl. Preferred is cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl or cyclohexylmethyl.

C₃-C₈-Cycloalkoxy is, for example, cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy and cycloheptyloxy. Cyclopentyloxy and cyclohexyloxy are preferred.

C₃-C₈-Cycloalkyl-lower alkoxy is in particular C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-Cι-C₄-alkoxy, in particular C₃- C₆-cycloalkyl-Cι-C₂-alkoxy. Preferred is cyclopropylmethoxy, cyclopentylmethoxy or cyclohexylmethoxy.

Lower alkylene is in particular Cι-C -alkylene, in particular d-Cs-alkylene, and is straight-chain or branched and is in particular methylene, ethyiene, propylene and butylene and also 1 ,2-propylene, 2-methyl-1 ,3-propylene, 3-methyl-1 ,5-pentylene and 2,2-dιmethyl-1 ,3-propylene. C₃-C₅-alkylene is preferred. In case of alkτ or alk₂, respectively, lower alkylene preferably is -(CH₂)_P- the integer p being 1-3. Lower alkylene in an substituted ammo group preferably is 1 ,2-ethylene, 1 ,3- propylene, 1 ,4-butylene, 1 ,5-pentylene, 1 ,6-hexylene, 2-methyl-1 ,3-propylene, or 2-methyl-butylene, or 3-methyl-1 ,5-pentylene Amino which di-substituted by lower alkylene is in particular C₃-Cτ-alkyleneamino, preferably 1-azidino, 1 -pyrrolidino or 1-piperidino.

Amino which di-substituted by lower alkylene which is interrupted by O, S(O)_n or NR₀ is in particular morpholino, thiomorpholino or the mono- or di-oxide thereof, or 4-R₀-piperazino.

Lower alkanesulfonyl is in particular Cι-C₄-alkoxy-CrC₅-alkoxycarbonyl, preferably ethoxyethoxycarbonyl, methoxyethoxycarbonyl and isopropyloxyethoxycarbonyi.

Lower alkoxycarbonyl is in particular C₂-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl and is, for example, methoxy-, ethoxy-, propyloxy- or pivaloyloxy-carbonyl. C₂-C₅-alkoxycarbonyl is preferred.

Lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl is in particular C₁-C4-alkoxy-C₂-Cs- alkoxycarbonyl and is, for example, methoxy- or ethoxy-ethoxy-alkoxycarbonyl.

Hydroxy-lower alkyl is in particular hydroxy-Cι-C₄-alkyl, such as hydroxymethyl, 2- hydroxyethyl or 3-hydroxypropyl.

Hydroxy-lower alkoxy is in particular hydroxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, such as hydroxymethyl, 2- hydroxyethyl or 3-hydroxy propyl. Furthermore, hydroxy-lower alkyl may exhibit two hydroxy groups, such as 3-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-propyl.

Lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy is in particular Cι-C₄-alkoxy-C rC -alkoxy and is, for example, 2- methoxyethoxy, 2-ethoxyethoxy, 2-n-propyloxyethoxy or ethoxymethoxy.

Amino which di-substituted by lower alkylene and is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring is in particular C₂-C₆-cyc!oa!kylenemino which is is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring. Preferred is indolin-1 -yl or 1 ,2,3,4- tetrahydro-quinolin-1 -yl. Halo-lower alkyl is in particular halo-Cι-C₄-alkyl, such as trifluoromethyl, 1 ,1 ,2- trιfluoro-2-chloroethyl or chloromethyl.

Halo-lower alkoxy is in particular halo-C--C₄-alkoxy, such as trifluoromethoxy, 1 ,1 ,2-trιfluoro- 2-chloroethoxy or chloromethoxy

Phenyloxy-, naphthyloxy- or pyridyloxy-lower alkyl is in particular phenyloxy-, naphthyloxy- or pyπdyloxy-CrOralkyl, such as phenoxy-methyl, 2-phenoxy-ethyl, 1- or 2-naphthyloxy- methyl, or 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyloxy-methyl.

Phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-lower alkyl is in particular phenyl-, naphthyl- or pyrιdyl-Cι-C₄-alkyl, such as phenyl-methyl, 2-phenyl-ethyl, 1- or 2-naphthyl-methyl, or 2-, 3-, or 4-pyrιdyl-methyl.

Phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-lower alkoxy is in particular phenyl-, naphthyl- or pyridyl-Cι-C₄-alkoxy, such as phenyl-methoxy, 2-phenyl-ethoxy, 1 - or 2-naphthyl- methoxy, or 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl-methoxy.

Naphthyl is in particular 1 - or 2-naphthyl; furyl 2- or 3-furyl; thienyi 2- or 3-thienyl; pyridyl 2-, 3- or 4-pyrιdyl, mdolyl, indazolyl e.g. 6-1 (H)-ιndazolyl, benzofuryl e.g. 2-, 3- or 5- benzofuranyl, benzothienyl e.g. 2-, 3-, or 5-benzothιenyl, benzimidazolyl e.g. 1 -, 2- or 5- benzimidazolyl, quinolmyl e.g. 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-,7-, or 8-quιnolιnyl, isoquinolinyl e.g. 1 -, 3-, 4-, or 6-ιsoquιnolyl, or quinazolinyl e.g. 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-quιnazolιnyl.

Amino-lower alkyl is in particular amino-C-i-Cralkyl, preferably amιno-C₁-C₄-alkyl, such as aminomethyl, 2-amιnoethyl or 3-aminopropyl

Lower alkylamino is in particular CrC₇alkylamιno and is, for example, methyl-, ethyl-, n-propyl- and isopropyl-amino. CrC₄alkylamιno is preferred.

C₃-C₈-Cycloalkyl-amιno is in particular C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-amιno and is, for example, cyclopropyl-, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl-amino. C₃-C₈-Cycloalkyl-lower alkylamino is in particular C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-CrCr alkylamino and is, for example, cyclopropylmethyl-amino or cyclohexylmethyl- amino. C₃-C₈-Cycloalkyl-Cι-C₄-alkylamino is preferred.

Phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-lower alkyl-amino is in particular phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-Cι-C₄-alkyl-amino, preferably benzyl-amino, 2-phenethyl- amino, 1- or 2-naphthylmethyl-amino, or 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridylmethyl-amino.

Di-lower alkylamino is in particular di-C C₄-alkylamino, such as dimethyl-, diethyl-, di-n- propyl-, methylpropyl-, methylethyl-, methylbutyl-amino and dibutyla ino.

Di-C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-amino is in particular di-C₃-C₆-cycloalkylamino, preferably cyclopropylamino, cyclopentyla ino or cyclohexylamino.

Di-(C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl)-amino is in particular di-(C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-CrC₄-alkyl)-amino, preferably cyclopropylmethyl-amino, cyclopentylmethyl-amino or cyclohexylmethyl-amino.

Di-(phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-lower alkyl)-amino is in particular di-(phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-Cι-C₄- alkyl)-amino, preferably di-benzyl-amino, di-(2- phenethyl)-amino, di-(1 - or 2-naphthylmethyl)-amino, or di-(2-, 3-, or 4-pyridylmethyl)-amino.

Lower alkyl-C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-amino is in particular C₁-C₄-alkyl-C₃-C₆-cycloalkyi-amino, preferably methyl-cyclopropyl-amino, methyl-cyclopentyl-amino or methyl-cyclohexyl-amino.

Lower alkyl-(C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl)-amino is in particular C C₄-alkyl-(C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl- C -C₄-alkyl)amino, preferably methyl-cyclopropylmethyl-amino, methyl-cyclopentylmethyl- amino or methyl-cyclohexylmethyl-amino.

Lower alkyl-(phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl)-amino is in particular C--C₄-alkyl- (phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl)- amino, such as (m)ethyl-phenyl-amino.

Lower alkyl-(phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-lower alkyl)-amino is in particular C₁-C₄-alkyl-(phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl-Cι-C₄-aikyl)-amino, such as (m)ethyl-benzyl-amino or (m)ethyl-(2-phenethyl)-amino. Carboxy-lower alkyl is in particular

such as carboxy-methyl, 2-carboxy- ethyl, or 3-carboxy-propyl.

Lower alkoxy-carbonyl-lower alkyl is in particular C₂-C₅-alkoxycarbonyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, such as (m)ethoxycarbonyl-methyl, 2-(m)ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl or 2-pivaloyl-ethyl.

Lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl-lower alkyl is in particular

alkoxycarbonyl-Cι-C₄-alkyl, such as 2-methoxy-ethoxycarbonyl-methyl or 2-(2-ethoxy- ethoxycarbonyl)-ethyl.

(Phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl) -lower alkoxycarbonyl-lower alkyl is in particular (phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl)-C₂-C₅-alkoxycarbonyl-C C -alkyl, such as benzyloxycarbonyl-methyl or 2-(2-phenethyloxy-carbonyl)-ethyl.

Carbamoyl-lower alkyl is in particular carbamoyl-d-C^alkyl, such as carbamoyl-methyl, 2- carbamoyl-ethyl or 3-carbamoyl-propyl.

Amino-lower alkoxy is in particular amino-CrC^alkoxy, such as aminomethoxy, 2- aminoethoxy, or 3-amino-propoxy.

Carboxy-lower alkoxy is in particular carboxy-CrC₄-alkoxy, such as carboxy-methoxy, 2- carboxy-ethoxy, or 3-carboxy-propyloxy.

Lower alkoxy-carbonyl-lower alkoxy is in particular C₂-C₅-alkoxycarbonyl-Ci-C₄-alkoxy, such as (m)ethoxycarbonyl-methoxy, 2-methoxycarbonyl-ethyl, or 2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl)-ethyl.

Lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl-lower alkoxy is in particular C₁-C -alkoxy-C₂-C₅- alkoxycarbonyl-CrC₄-alkoxy, such as (m)ethoxymethoxycarbonyl-methoxy, 2-ethoxy- methoxycarbonyl-ethyl, or 2-[(2-ethoxy-ethoxycarbonyl)]-ethyi.

(Phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl)-lower alkoxycarbonyl-lower alkoxy is in particular (phenyl-, naphthyl-, furyl-, thienyi-, or pyridyl)-C₂-C₅-alkoxycarbonyl-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, such as benzyloxycarbonyl-methoxy, phenethyloxycarbonyl-methoxy, 2- (benzyloxycarboπyl)-ethoxy, or 2-(2-phenethyloxycarbonyl)-ethoxy.

Carbamoyl-lower alkoxy is in particular carbamoyl-Cι-C₄-alkoxy, such as carbamoyl- methoxy, 2-carbamoyl-ethoxy, or 3-carbamoyl-propyloxy.

Obesity, for example, is a wide-spread phenomena which e.g. causes a variety of pathological symptoms or influences the overall state of health. Also associated therewith are considerable socio-economic investments and a heavy financial burden for managed health care organisations. The problem to be solved is to present an approach to systemically treat obesity or related diseases or disorders. Surprisingly, it has been manifested that the modulation of the NPY receptor subtype Y5 leads to a control of the eating behavior.

Extensive pharmacological investigations have shown that the compounds (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, for example, are useful as antagonists of the neuropeptide Y5 receptor subtype.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a member of the pancreatic polypeptide family with wide-spread distribution throughout the mammalian nervous system. NPY and its relatives (peptide YY or PYY, and pancreatic polypeptide or PP) elicit a broad range of physiological effects through activation of at least five G protein-coupled receptor subtypes known as Y1 , Y2, Y3, Y4 (or PP), and the "atypical Y1 ". The role of NPY as the most powerful stimulant of feeding behavior yet described is thought to occur primarily through activation of the hypothalamic "atypical Y1 " receptor. This receptor is unique in that its classification is based solely on feeding behavior data, rather than radio gand binding data, unlike the Y1 , Y2, Y3, and Y4 (or PP) receptors, each of which are described previously in both radioligand binding and functional assays. ¹²⁵I-PYY- based expression cloning technique may be used to isolate a rat hypothalamic cDNA encoding an "atypical Y1 " receptor referred to herein as the Y5 subtype. Y5 homolog may be isolated and characterized of from human hippocampus Protein sequence analysis reveals that the Y5 receptor belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. Both the human and rat homolog display < 42% identity in transmembrane domains with the previously cloned "Y-type" receptors. Rat brain localization studies using in situ hybridization techniques verify the existence of Y5 receptor mRNA in rat hypothalamus Pharmacological evaluation reveals the following similarities between the Y5 and the "atypical Y1 " receptor. 1 ) Peptides bind to the Y5 receptor with a rank order of potency identical to that described for the feeding response: NPY ³ NPY₂.-)₆ = PYY = [Leu³¹, Pro^NPY » NPY₁₃^. 2) The Y5 receptor is negatively coupled to cAMP accumulation, as has been proposed for the "atypical Y1 " receptor. 3) Peptides activate the Y5 receptor with a rank order of potency identical to that described for the feeding response. 4) The reported feeding "modulator" [D-Trp^NPY binds selectively to the Y5 receptor and subsequently activated the receptor. 5) Both the Y5 and the "atypical Y1 " receptors are sensitive to deletions or modifications in the midregion of NPY and related peptide ligands.

The peptide neurotransmitter neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36 amino acid member of the pancreatic polypeptide family with widespread distribution throughout the mammalian nervous system. NPY is considered to be the most powerful stimulant of feeding behavior yet described (Clark, J.T., Kalra, P.S., Crowley, W.R., and Kalra, S.P. (1984). Neuropeptide Y and human pancreatic polypeptide stimulate feeding behavior in rats. Endocrinology 115: 427-429, 1984; Levine, A.S., and Morley, J.E. (1984). Neuropeptide Y: A potent inducer of consummately behavior in rats. Peptides 5: 1025-1029; Stanley, B.G. , and Leibowitz, S.F.; (1984) Neuropeptide Y: Stimulation of feeding and drinking by injection into the paraventricular nucleus. Life Sci. 35: 2635-2642). Direct injection into the hypothalamus of satiated rats, for example, can increase food intake up to 10-fold over a 4-hour period (Stanley, B.G., Magdalin, W., Seirafi, A., Nguyen, M.M., and Leibowitz, S.F. (1992). Evidence for neuropeptide Y mediation of eating produced by food deprivation and for a variant of the Y-, receptor mediating this peptide's effect. Peptides 13: 581-587). The role of NPY in normal and abnormal eating behavior, and the ability to interfere with NPY-dependent pathways as a means to appetite and weight control, are areas of great interest in pharmacological and pharmaceutical research (Sahu and Kalra, 1993; Dryden, S., Frankish, H., Wang, Q., and Williams, G. (1994). Neuropeptide Y and energy balance: one way ahead for the treatment of obesity? Eur. J. Gin. Invest. 24: 293-308). Any credible means of studying or controlling NPY-dependent feeding behavior, however, must necessarily be highly specific as NPY can act through at least 5 pharmacologically defined receptor subtypes to elicit a wide variety of physiological functions (Dumont, Y., J.-C. artel, A. Fournier, S. St-Pierre, and R. Quirion. (1992). Neuropeptide Y and neuropeptide Y receptor subtypes in brain and peripheral tissues. Progress in Neurobiology 38: 125-167) . It is therefore vital that knowledge of the molecular biology and structural diversity of the individual receptor subtypes be understood as part of a rational drug design approach to develop subtype selective compounds. A brief review of NPY receptor pharmacology is summarized below and also in Table 1.

TABLE 1 : Pharmacologically defined receptors for NPY and related pancreatic polypeptides.

Rank orders of affinity for key peptides (NPY, PYY, PP, [Leu³¹, Pro³⁴] NPY, NPY_{2 S6}, and NPY₁₃₃₆) are based on previously reported binding and functional data (Schwartz, T.W., J. Fuhlendorff, LLKjems, M.S. Kristensen, M. Vervelde, M. O'Hare, J.L Krstenansky, and B. Bjornholm. (1990). Signal epitopes in the three-dimensional structure of neuropeptide Y. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Scj. 611 : 35-47; Wahlestedt, C, Karoum, F., Jaskiw, G., Wyatt, R.J., Larhammar, D., Ekman, R., and Reis, D.J. (1991). Cocaine-induced reduction of brain neuropeptide Y synthesis dependent on medial prefrontal cortex. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 88: 2978-2082; Dumont, Y., J.-C. Martel, A. Fournier, S. St-Pierre, and R. Quirion. (1992). Neuropeptide Y and neuropeptide Y receptor subtypes in brain and peripheral tissues. Progress in Neurobiology 38: 125-167; Wahlestedt, C, and D.J. Reis. (1993). Neuropeptide Y-Related Peptides and Their Receptors-Are the Receptors Potential Therapeutic Targets? Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Tox. 32: 309-352). Missing peptides in the series reflect a lack of published information.

TABLE 1

NPY Receptor Pharmacology

NPY receptor pharmacology has historically been based on structure/activity relationships within the pancreatic polypeptide family. The entire family includes the namesake pancreatic polypeptide (PP), synthesized primarily by endocrine cells in the pancreas; peptide YY (PYY), synthesized primarily by endocrine cells in the gut; and NPY, synthesized primarily in neurons (Michel, M.C. (1991). Receptors for neuropeptide Y: multiple subtypes and multiple second messengers. Trends Pharmacol.: 12: 389-394; Dumont et al. , 1992; Wahlestedt and Reis, 1993). All pancreatic polypeptide family members share a compact structure involving a "PP-fold" and a conserved C-terminal hexapeptide ending in Tyr³⁶ (or Y³⁶ in the singie letter code). The striking conservation of Y³⁶ has prompted the reference to the pancreatic polypeptides' receptors as "Y-type" receptors (Wahlestedt, C, L. Edvinsson, E. Ekblad, and R. Hakanson. Effects of neuropeptide Y at sympathetic neuroeffector junctions: Existence of Yi and Y₂ receptors. In: Neuronal messengers in vascular function, Fernstrom Symp. No 10., pp. 231-242. Eds A. Nobin and OH. Owman. Elsevier: Amsterdam (1987)), all of which are proposed to function as seven transmembrane-spanning G protein-coupled receptors (Dumont et al., 1992).

The Y1 receptor recognizes NPY = PYY » PP (Grundemar et al., 1992). The receptor requires both the N- and the C-terminal regions of the peptides for optimal recognition. Exchange of Gin³⁴ in NPY or PYY with the analogous residue from PP (Pro³⁴), however, is well-tolerated. The Y1 receptor has been cloned from a variety of species including human, rat and mouse (Larhammar, D., A.G. Blomqvist, F. Yee, E. Jazin, H. Yoo, and C. Wahlestedt. (1992). Cloning and functional expression of a human neuropeptide Y/peptide YY receptor of the Y1 type. J. Biol. Chem. 267: 10935-10938; Herzog, H., Y.J. Hort, H.J. Ball, G. Hayes, J. Shine, and L. Selbie. (1992). Cloned human neuropeptide Y receptor couples to two different second messenger systems. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 5794-5798; Eva, C, Oberto, A., Sprengel, R. and E. Genazzani. (1992). The murine NPY-1 receptor gene: structure and delineation of tissue specific expression. FEBS left. 314: 285-288; Eva, O, Keinanen, K., Monyer, H., Seeburg, P., and Sprengel, R. (1990). Molecular cloning of a novel G protein- coupled receptor that may belong to the neuropeptide receptor family. FEBS Lett. 271 , 80-84). The Y2 receptor recognizes PYY ~ NPY » PP and is relatively tolerant of N-terminal deletion (Grundemar, L. and Rl Hakanson (1994). Neuropeptide Y effector systems: perspectives for drug development. Trends. Pharmacol. 15:153-159). The receptor has a strict requirement for structure in the C-terminus (Arg³³-Gln³ -Arg³⁵-Tyr³⁶-NH₂); exchange of Gin³⁴ with Pro³⁴, as in PP, is not well tolerated. The Y2 receptor has recently been cloned. The Y3 receptor is characterized by a strong preference for NPY over PYY and PP (Wahlestedt, C, Karoum, F., Jaskiw, G., Wyatt, R.J., Larhammar, D., Ekman, R., and Reis, D.J. (1991). Cocaine-induced reduction of brain neuropeptide Y synthesis dependent on medial prefronta! cortex. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 88: 2978-2082). [Pro³⁴] NPY is reasonably well tolerated even though PP, which also contains Pro³⁴, does not bind well to the Y3 receptor. This receptor (Y3) has not yet been cloned. The Y4 receptor binds PP > PYY > NPY. Like the Y1 , the Y4 requires both the N- and the C-terminal regions of the peptides for optimal recognition. The "atypical Y1 " or "feeding" receptor is defined exclusively by injection of several pancreatic polypeptide analogs into the paraveπtricular nucleus of the rat hypothalamus which stimulates feeding behavior with the following rank order: NPY₂.-3₆ > NPY ~ PYY - [Leu³¹,Pro³ ]NPY > NPY₁₃.₃₆ (Kalra, S.P., Dube, M.G., Fournier, A., and Kalra, P.S. (1991). Structure-function analysis of stimulation of food intake by neuropeptide Y: Effects of receptor agonists. Physiology & Behavior 50: 5-9; Stanley, B.G., Magdalin, W., Seirafi, A., Nguyen, M.M., and Leibowitz, S.F. (1992). Evidence for neuropeptide Y mediation of eating produced by food deprivation and for a variant of the Y-, receptor mediating this peptide's effect. Peptides 13: 581 - 587). The profile is similar to that of a Y1 -like receptor except for the anomalous ability of NPY^ to stimulate food intake with potency equivalent or better than that of NPY. A subsequent report by Balasubramaniam, A., Sheriff, S., Johnson, M.E., Prabhakaran, M., Huang, Y., Fischer, J.E., and Chance, W . (1994). [D-Trp^Neuropeptide Y: A competitive antagonist of NPY in rat hypothalamus. J. Med. Chem. 37: 311 -815 showed that feeding can be regulated by [D-Trp³²]NPY. While this peptide is presented as an NPY antagonist, the published data at least in part support a stimulatory effect of [D-Trp³²]NPY on feeding. [D- Trp³²]NPY thereby represents another diagnostic tool for receptor identification.

This plasmid (pcEXV-hY5) was deposited on November 4, 1994 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 12301 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20852, U.S.A. under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty for the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorgansims for the Purposes of Patent Procedure and was accorded ATCC Accession No. 75943. The plasmid which comprises the regulatory elements necessary for expression of DNA in a mammalian cell operatively linked to the DNA encoding the rat Y5 receptor as to permit expression thereof has been designated as pcEXV-rY5 (ATCC Accession No. 75944).

This plasmid (pcEXV-rY5) was deposited on November 4, 1994 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 12301 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20852, U.S.A. under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty for the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorgansims for the Purposes of Patent Procedure and was accorded ATCC Accession No. CRL 75944.

A method for determining whether a ligand can specifically bind to a Y5 receptor comprises contacting a cell transfected with and expressing DNA encoding the Y5 receptor with the ligand under conditions permitting binding of iigands to such receptor, detecting the presence of any such ligand specifically bound to the Y5 receptor, and thereby determining whether the ligand specifically binds to the Y5 receptor.

A method for determining whether a ligand is a Y5 receptor antagonist comprises contacting a ceil transfected with and expressing DNA encoding a Y5 receptor with the ligand in the presence of a known Y5 receptor agonist, such as PYY or NPY, under conditions permitting the activation of a functional Y5 receptor response, detecting a decrease in Y5 receptor activity, and thereby determining whether the ligand is a Y5 receptor antagonist.

In an embodiment of the above-described methods, the cell is non-neuronal in origin. In a further embodiment, the non-neuronal cell is a COS-7 cell, 293 human embryonic kidney cell, NIH-3T3 cell or L-M(TK-) cell.

The cell lines are transfected with a vector which is adapted for expression in a mammalian cell which comprises the regulatory elements necessary for expression of the DNA in the mammalian cell operatively linked to the DNA encoding the mammalian Y5 receptor as to permit expression thereof.

For example, such plasmid which comprises the regulatory elements necessary for expression of DNA in a mammalian ceil operatively linked to the DNA encoding the human Y5 receptor as to permit expression thereof designated pcEXV-hY5 (ATCC Accession No. 75943).

Experimental Details

MATERIALS AND METHODS

cDNA Cloning

Total RNA was prepared by a modification of the guanidine thiocyanate method (Kingston, 1987), from 5 grams of rat hypothalamus (Rockland, Gilbertsville, PA). Poly A⁺RNA was purified with a FastTrack kit (Invitrogen Corp., San Diego, CA). Double stranded (ds) cDNA was synthesized from 7 mg of poly A⁺ RNA according to Gubler and Hoffman (Gubler, U abd B.J. Hoffman. (1983). A simple and very efficient method for generating cDNA libraries. Gene. 25, 263-269), except that ligase was omitted in the second strand cDNA synthesis. The resulting DS cDNA was ligated to Bstxl/EcoRI adaptors (Invitrogen Corp.), the excess of adaptors was removed by chromatography on Sephacryl 500 HR (Pharmacia®-LKB) and the ds-cDNA size selected on a Gen-Pak Fax HPLC column (Millipore Corp., Milford, MA). High molecular weight fractions were ligated in pEXJ.BS (A cDNA cloning expression vector derived from pcEXV-3; Okayama, H. and P. Berg (1983). A cDNA cloning vector that permits expression of cDNA inserts in mammalian cells. Mol. Cell. Biol. 3: 280-289; Miller, J. and Germain, R.N. (1986). Efficient cell surface expression of class II MHC molecules in the absence of associated invariant chain. J. Exp. Med. 164: 1478-1489) cut by Bstxl as described by Aruffo and Seed (Aruffo, A. and Seed, B. (1987). Molecular cloning of a CD28 cDNA by a high efficiency COS cell expression system. PNAS. 84, 8573-8577). The ligated DNA was eiectroporated in E.Coli MC 1061 F⁺ (Gene Pulser, Biorad). A total of 3.4 x 10⁶ independent clones with an insert mean size of 2.7 kb could be generated. The library was plated on Petri dishes (Ampicillin selection) in pools of 6.9 to 8.2 x 10³ independent clones. After 18 hours amplification, the bacteria from each pool were scraped, resuspended in 4 ml of LB media and 1.5 ml processed for plasmid purification with a QIAprep-8 plasmid kit (Qiagen Inc, Chatsworth, CA). 1 ml aliquots of each bacterial pool were stored at -85°C in 20% glycerol. Isolation of a cDNA clone encoding an atypical rat hypothalamic NPY5 receptor

DNA from pools of » 7500 independent clones was transfected into COS-7 cells by a modification of the DEAE-dextran procedure (Warden, D. and H.V. Thorne. (1968). Infectivity of polyoma virus DNA for mouse embryo cells in presence of diethylaminoethyl-dextran. J. Gen. Virol. 3, 371 ). COS-7 cells were grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, 100 U/ml of penicillin, 100 mg/ml of streptomycin, 2 mM L-glutamine (DMEM-C) at 37°C in 5% CO₂. The cells were seeded one day before transfection at a density of 30,000 cells/cm² on Lab-Tek chamber slides (1 chamber, Permanox slide from Nunc Inc., Naperville, IL). On the next day, cells were washed twice with PBS, 735 ml of transfection cocktail was added containing 1/10 of the DNA from each pool and DEAE-dextran (500 mg/ml) in Opti-MEM I serum free media (Gιbco®BRL LifeTechnologies Inc. Grand Island, NY). After a 30 mm. incubation at 37°C, 3 ml of chloroquine (80 mM in DMEM-C) was added and the cells incubated a further 2.5 hours at 37°C. The media was aspirated from each chamber and 2 ml of 10% DMSO in DMEM-C added After 2.5 mm. incubation at room temperature, the media was aspirated, each chamber washed once with 2 ml PBS, the cells incubated 48 hours in DMEM-C and the binding assay was performed on the slides After one wash with PBS, positive pools were identified by incubating the cells with 1 nM (3x10⁶ cpm per slide) of porcine [¹²⁵I]-PYY (NEN; SA=2200 Ci/mmole) in 20 mM Hepes-NaOH pH 7.4, CaCI2 1 .26 mM, MgSO4 0.81 mM, KH₂PO₄ 0.44 mM, KCL 5.4, NaCl 10 mM, .1 % BSA, 0.1 % bacitracin for 1 hour at room temperature. After six washes (three seconds each) in binding buffer without ligand, the monolayers were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in PBS for five minutes, washed twice for two minutes in PBS, dehydrated in ethanol baths for two minutes each (70, 80, 95, 100%) and air dried. The slides were then dipped in 100% photoemulsion (Kodak® type NTB2) at 42°C and exposed in the dark for 48 hours at 4°c in light proof boxes containing drierite. Slides were developed for three minutes in Kodak® D19 developer (32 g/l of water), rinsed in water, fixed in Kodak® fixer for 5 minutes, rinsed in water, air dried and mounted with Aqua-Mount (Lerner Laboratories, Pittsburgh, PA). Slides were screened at 25x total magnification. A single clone, CG-18, was isolated by SIB selection as described (Mc Cormick 1987). DS-DNA was sequeπced with a Sequenase kit (US Biochemical, Cleveland, OH) according to the manufacturer. Nucleotide and peptide sequence analysis were performed with GCG programs (Genetics Computer group, Madison, Wl). Isolation of the human Y5 homolog

Using rat oligonucleotide primers in TM 3 (sense primer, position 484-509 in SEQ ID NO:1) and in TM 6 (antisense primer; position 1219-1243 in SEQ ID NO 1), a human hippocampal cDNA library has been screened using the polymerase chain reaction 1 μl (4 x 10⁶ bacteria) of each of 450 amplified pools containing each »5000 independent clones and representing a total of 2.2 x 10⁶ was subjected directly to 40 cycles of PCR and the resulting products analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis One of three positive pools was analyzed further and by sib selection a single cDNA clone was isolated and characterized. This cDNA turned out to be full length and in the correct orientation for expression DS- DNA was sequenced with a sequenase kit (US Biochemical, Cleveland, OH) according to the manufacturer

Cell Culture

COS-7 cells were grown on 150 mm plates in D-MEM with supplements (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium with 10% bovine calf serum, 4 mM glutamine, 100 units/ml penicillιn/100 mg/ml streptomycin) at 37°C, 5% CO₂ Stock plates of COS-7 cells were trypsmized and split 1 :6 every 3-4 days. Human embryonic kidney 293 celis were grown on 150 mm plates in D-MEM with supplements (minimal essential medium) with Hanks' salts and supplements (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium with 10% bovine calf serum, 4 mM glutamine, 100 units/ml penιcιllιn/100 mg/ml streptomycin) at 37 °C, 5% CO₂. Stock plates of 293 cells were trypsmized and split 1 :6 every 3-4 days. Mouse fibroblast LMT(k)- cells were grown on 150 mm plates in D-MEM with supplements (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium with 10% bovine calf serum, 4 mM glutamine, 100 units/ml penιcιllιn/100 mg/ml streptomycin) at 37 °C, 5% CO₂ Stock plates of COS-7 cells were trypsmized and split 1 :10 every 3-4 days

Stable Transfection

Human Y5 and rat Y5 receptors were co-transfected with a G-418 resistant gene into mouse fibroblast LMT(k)- cells by a calcium phosphate transfection method (Cullen, B (1987) Use of eurkaryotic expression technology in the functional analysis of cloned genes Methods Enzymol. 152: 685-704). Stably transfected cells were selected with G-418.

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

cDNA Cloning

In order to clone a rat hypothalamic "atypical" NPY receptor subtype, applicants used an expression cloning strategy in COS-7 cells (Gearing et al, 1989; Kluxen, F.W , Bruns, C. and Lubbert H. (1992). Expression cloning of a rat brain somatostatm receptor cDNA. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 4618-4622; Kieffer, B , Befort, K , Gaveπaux-Ruff, C. and Hirth, C.G. (1992) The δ-opioid receptor: Isolation of a cDNA by expression cloning and pharmacological characterization. Proc. natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 12048-12052) This strategy was chosen for its extreme sensitivity since it allows detection of a single "receptor positive" cell by direct microscopic autoradiography. Since the "atypical" receptor has only been described in feeding behavior studies involving injection of NPY and NPY related ligaπds in rat hypothalamus (see introduction), applicants first examined its binding profile by running competitive displacement studies of ¹²⁵I-PYY and ^{1 5}I-PYY_{3 36} on membranes prepared from rat hypothalamus. The competitive displacement data indicate¹ 1 ) Human PP is able to displace 20% of the bound ¹²⁵I-PYY with an IC₅₀ of 1 1 nM (Fig. 1 and Table 2) As can be seen in table 5, this value does not fit with the isolated rat Y1 , Y2 and Y4 clones and could therefore correspond to another NPY/PYY receptor subtype. 2) [Leu₃ι, Pro₃₄] NPY (a Y1 specific ligand) is able to displace with high affinity (IC₅₀ of 0.38) 27% of the bound ¹²⁵l- PYY_{3 3}e ligand (a Y2 specific ligand) (Fig. 2 and table 2) These data provide the first evidence based on a binding assay that rat hypothalamic membranes could carry an NPY receptor subtype with a mixed Y1/Y2 pharmacology (referred to as the "atypical" subtype) which fits with the pharmacology defined in feeding behavior studies

TABLE 2 Pharmacological profile of the rat hypothalamus

Binding data reflect competitive displacement of ^{1 5}I- PYY and ¹²⁵I-PYY_{3 36} from rat hypothalamic membranes Peptides were tested at concentrations ranging from 0 001 nM to 100 nM unless noted The IC50 value corresponding to 50% displacement, and the percentage of displacement relative to that produced by 300 nM human NPY, were determined by nonlinear regression analysis. Data shown are representative of at least two independent experiments. TABLE 2

Based on the above data, a rat hypothalamic cDNA library of 3 x 1 0⁶ independent recombinants with a 2.7 kb average insert size was fractionated into 450 pools of »7500 independent clones. All pools were tested in a binding assay with ¹²⁵I-PYY as described (Y2 patent). Seven pools gave rise to positive cells in the screening assay (# 81 , 92, 147, 246, 254, 290, 312). Since Y1 , Y2, Y4 and Y5 receptor subtypes (by PCR or binding analysis) are expressed in rat hypothalamus, applicants analyzed the DNA of positive pools by PCR with rat Y1 , Y2 and Y4 specific primers. Pools # 147, 246, 254 and 312 turned out to contain cDNAs encoding a Y1 receptor, pool # 290 turned out to encode a Y2 subtype, but pools # 81 and 92 were negative by PCR analysis for Y1 , Y2 and Y4 and therefore likely contained a cDNA encoding a new rat hypothalamic NPY receptor (Y5). Pools # 81 and 92 later turned out to contain an identical NPY receptor cDNA. Pool 92 was subjected to sib selection as described until a single clone was isolated (designated CG-18).

The isolated clone carries a 2.8 kb cDNA. This cDNA contains an open reading frame between nucleotides 779 and 2146 that encodes a 456 amino acid protein. The long 5' untranslated region could be involved in the regulation of translation efficiency or mRNA stability. The flanking sequence around the putative initiation codon does not conform to the Kozak consensus sequence for optimal translation initiation (Kozak, M. (1989). The scanning model for translation: an update. J. Cell Biol. 108, 229-241 ; Kozak, M. (1991 ). Structural features in eukaryotic mRNAs that modulate the initiation of translation. J. Biol. Chem. 266, 19867-19870). The hydrophobicity plot displayed seven hydrophobic, putative membrane spanning regions which makes the rat hypothalamic Y5 receptor a member of the G-protein coupled superfamily. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences are shown in SEQ ID NOS: 1 and 2, respectively.

Localization studies show that the Y5 mRNA is present in several areas of the rat hippocampus. Assuming a comparable localization in human brain, applicants screened a human hippocampal cDNA library with rat oligonucleotide primers which were shown to yield a DNA band of the expected size in a PCR reaction run on human hippocampal cDNA. Using this PCR screening strategy (Gerald et al, 1994, submitted for publication), three positive pools were identified. One of these pools was analyzed further, and an isolated clone was purified by sib selection. The isolated clone (CG-19) turned out to contain a full length cDNA cloned in the correct orientation for functional expression (see below). The human Y5 nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences are shown in SEQ ID NOS 3 and 4, respectively. When compared to the rat Y5 receptor the human sequence shows 84.1 % nucleotide identity and 87.2% amino acid identity. The rat protein sequence is one amino acid longer at the very end of both amino and carboxy tails of the receptor when compared to the rat. Both pharmacological profiles and functional characteristics of the rat and human Y5 receptor subtype homologs may be expected to match closely.

When the human and rat Y5 receptor sequences were compared to other NPY receptor subtypes or to other human G protein-coupled receptor subtypes, both overall and transmembrane domain identities are very low, showing that the Y5 receptor genes are not closely related to any other previously characterized cDNAs.

The compounds according to the present invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts have proven to exhibit pronounced and selective affinity to the Y5 receptor subtype (shown in Y5 binding test) and in vitro and in vivo antagonistic properties. These properties are shown in vitro by their ability to inhibit NPY-induced calcium increase in stable transfected cells expressing the Y5 receptor and in vivo by their ability to inhibit food intake induced by mtracerebroventricular application of NPY or 24 h food deprivation in conscious rats.

Binding experiments

The selective affinity of the compounds according to the present invention to the Y5 receptor is detected in a Y5 binding assay using LM(tk-)-h-NPY5-7 cells which stably express the human NPY Y5 receptor or HEK-293 cells stably expressing the rat NPY Y5 receptor.

The following buffers are used for the preparation of membranes and for binding assay: a) buffer 1 (homogenisation buffer, pH 7.7 at 4°C) contains Tπs-HCI [FLUKA, Buchs, Switzerland] (20 mM) and ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA) [FLUKA, Buchs, Switzerland] (5 mM); b) buffer 2 (suspension buffer, pH: 7.4 at room temperature) contains N-2-hydroxyethyipιperazιne-N'-2-ethanesulfonιc acid (HEPES) [Boehrmger Mannheim, Germany] (20 mM), NaCl (10 mM), CaCI₂ (1.26 mM), MgSO₄ (0.81 mM) and KH₂PO₄ (0.22 mM); buffer 3 (binding buffer, pH 7.4 at room temperature) contains HEPES (20 mM), NaCl (10 mM), CaCI₂ (1 .26 mM), MgSO₄ (0.81 mM), KH₂PO₄ (0.22 mM) and 1 mg/ml bovine serum albumin [FLUKA].

Cells are washed in phosphate buffered saline and harvested using a rubber policeman. The cells are homogenised using a Polytron homogeniser (3 bursts of 8 seconds) in ice- cold hypotonic buffer (buffer 1 , pH 7.7 at 4°C ). The homogenate is centrifuged at 32,000 x g for 20 mm at 4°C. The pellets are resuspended in the same buffer and recentπfuged. The final pellets are suspended in buffer 2. Protein concentration is measured by the method of Bradford using the Pierce reagent [PIERCE, Rockford, USA], with bovine serum albumin as standard The crude membrane preparation is aliquoted, flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C. Before use, 0.1 % (1 mg/ml) bovine serum albumin is added. ^{'l 25}l-[Pro³⁴]hPYY (60 pM, Anawa, Wangen, Switzerland) dissolved in buffer 3 is used as radioligand. All test compounds are dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 10^"2 M and diluted to 10"³ M in buffer 3 Subsequent dilutions are in buffer 3 plus 10% DMSO Incubations are performed in Millipore Multiscreen FC filter plates [Millipore, Bedford, USA] The filters in each well are pretreated with 2% polyethyleneimiπe for 30 mm and rinsed once with 300 microL buffer 3 before use. The following are pipetted into each well 20 microL buffer 3, 25 microL ¹²⁵!-[Pro³⁴]hPYY [SAXON, Hannover, Germany] (600 pM), 25 microL test compound (or binding buffer for the controls), 180 microL crude membrane suspension (approximately 5 microg protein) Incubations are performed at room temperature for 2h Non-specific binding is defined as the binding remaining in the presence of 1 microM [Pro³⁴]hPYY. The incubations are terminated by rapid filtration and washing four times with 300microL phosphate buffered saline. The filters are removed from the wells, placed into plastic tubes and assayed for radioactivity in a gamma counter [Gammamaster, WALLAC, Finland].

The IC50 values of the compounds according to this invention at the human Y5 receptor range especially between about 0.1 nM and about 10 microM.

Measurements of calcium transient

For the determination of in vitro antagonistic properties of the compounds according to the present invention, stably transfected LM(tk-)-hY5-7 cells are used in which a NPY-induced calcium transient is measured as described below. Cells are harvested in a medium containing EDTA (0.5 mM) and phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Cells are then washed in phosphate buffered saline solution and loaded for 90 min at room temperature and pH 7.4 with 10 microM FLUO-AM (fluoro-3-acetoxy methylester, supplemented with pluronic acid as suggested by the manufacturer, Molecular Probes Inc., Eugene, Oregon, USA) in a cell culture buffer of the following composition (NaCl 120 mM, MgCI₂ 1 mM , KCl 5.4 mM, NaH₄PO₄ 0.33 mM, glucose 1 1 mM, taurine 5 mM, pyruvate 2 mM, glutamine 1.5 mM HEPES 10 mM, insulin 10 U/l, BSA 0.1% at for 90 min at room temperature. After centrifugation the cells are resuspended in the cell culture buffer at a concentration of 3-4 million ceils/ml and supplemented with 200 microM sulfinpyrazone.

Calcium transients are measured at room temperature in a millititer plate using a Cytofluor 2350 (Millipore) with wavelength settings at 485 nm for excitation and 530 nm for emission. 180 microL of cells suspension are preincubated in the presence of various amounts of compounds dissolved in 2 microL DMSO in triplicates ( or 2 microL DMSO for the controls) for 5 min and then NPY is added at a final concentration of 100 nM. The compound concentrations giving 50% inhibition of the maximum of the Ca transients are then calculated.

In this cell system, NPY induces Ca transients with an EC50 of 50 nM. The data are analyzed using a Microsoft Excel software. The concentrations which cause a 50% inhibition of the initial control values are given as IC50 values. The IC50 values are determined for the compounds according to the present invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The property of the compounds according to the present invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts to inhibit NPY-induced increase intracellular calcium indicates their antagonistic properties with IC50 values ranging especially between about 0.1 nM and about 10 microM. Representatives are, for example, the final products of working examples 1 and 2, for which following IC50 values [μM/L] were determined: 0.008 (Ex. 1 ); 0.01 (Ex. 2).

Measurements of NPY-induced food intake in conscious rats

In addition this antagonistic property of the Y5 receptor subtype is also observed in-vivo in conscious rats by their ability to inhibit NPY-induced food intake. For these determinations food intake is measured in normal satiated rats after intracerebroventricular application (i.c.v.) of neuropeptide Y [BACHEM, Feinchemikalien, Bubeπdorf, Switzerland] in the presence or absence of the compounds according to the present invention. Male Sprague- Dawiey rats weighing 180-220 g are used for all experiments. They are individually housed in stainless steel cages and maintained on a 1 1 :13 h light-dark schedule (lights off at 1800 h) under controlled temperature (21-23 °C) at all times. Water and food (NAFAG lab chow pellets) [NAFAG, Gossau, Switzerland] are available ad libitum.

Under pentobarbital [ VETERINARIA AB, Zurich, Switzerland] anesthesia, all rats are implanted with a stainless steel guide cannula targeted at the right lateral ventricle. Stereotaxic coordinates, with the incisor bar set -2.0 mm below interaural line, are : -0.8 mm anterior and +1.3 mm lateral to bregma. The guide cannula is placed on the dura. Injection cannuias extended the guide cannulas -3.8 mm ventrally to the skull surface. Animals are allowed at least 4 days of recovery postoperatively before being used in the experiments. Cannula placement is checked postoperatively by testing all rats for their drinking response to a 50 ng intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of angiotensin II . Only rats which drink at least 2.5 ml of water within 30 min after angiotensin If injection are used in the feeding studies. Injections are made in the morning 2 hours after light onset. Peptides are injected in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) [FLUKA, Buchs, Switzerland] in a volume of 5 μl. The ACSF contains NaCl 124 mM, KCl 3.75 mM, CaCI₂ 2.5 mM, MgSO₄ 2.0 mM, KH₄PO₄ 0.22 mM, NaHCO₃ 26 mM and glucose 10 mM. NPY (300 pmole) is administered by the intracerebroventricular route 10-60 minutes after administration of compounds or vehicle DMSO/water (10%,v/v) or cremophor/water (20%, v/v) [SIGMA, Buchs, Switzerland]. Food intake is measured by placing preweighed pellets into the cages at the time of NPY injection. Pellets are removed from the cage subsequently at each time point indicated in the figures and replaced with a new set of preweighed pellets.

All results are presented as means ±SEM. Statistical analysis is performed by analysis of variance using Student-Newman-Keuls test

The compounds according to the present invention inhibit NPY-induced food intake in rats in a range especially of about 0.01 to about 100 mg/kg after oral, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous or intravenous administration

Measurements of food intake in 24 hours food deprived rats

Based on the observation that food deprivation induces an increase in the hypothalamic NPY levels, it is assumed that NPY mediates food intake induced by food deprivation. Thus, the compounds according to the present invention are also tested in rats after 24 hours food deprivation. These experiments are conducted with male Sprague-Dawley (CIBA-GEIGY AG, Sisseln, Switzerland] rats weighing between 220 and 250 g The animals are housed in individual cages for the duration of the study and allowed free access to normal food together with tap water. The animals are maintained in room with a 12 h light/dark cycle (8 a m to 8.00 p.m. light) at 24°C and monitored humidity After placement into the individual cages the rats undergo a 2-4 days equilibration period, during which they are habituated to their new environment and to eating a powdered or pellet diet [NAFAG , Gossau, Switzerland]. At the end of the equilibration period, food is removed from the animals for 24 hours starting at 8.00 a.m. At the end of the fasting period the animals are injected intrapeπtoneally, intravenously or orally either with the compounds according to the present invention or an equivalent volume of vehicle DMSO/water (10%, v/v) or cremophor/water (20%, v/v) and 10-60 mm later the food is returned to them Food intake at various time periods is monitored over the following 24 hour period Inhibition of food intake by the compounds according to the present invention is given in percentage of the respective control vehicle-treated rats

The compounds according to the present invention inhibit food intake in this food deprived rat model in a range especially of about 0 01 to about 100 mg/kg after oral, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous or intravenous administration Representatives are, for example, the final products of working examples 3 and 4, for which an inhibition oτ food intake of 58% or 55%, respectively, versus the respective control vehicle-treated animals after i.p. application of 30 mg/kg was determined.

Measurements of food intake in obese Zucker rats

The antiobesity efficacy of the compounds according to the present invention can also be shown in Zucker obese rats, an art-known animal model of obesity, These studies are conducted with male Zucker fatty rats (fa/fa) [HARLAN CPB, Austerlitz, NL] weighing between 480 and 500 g. Animals are individually housed in metabolism cages for the duration of the study and allowed free access to powdered food together with tap water. The animals are maintained in a room with a 12 hour light/dark cycle (8 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. light) at 24°C and monitored humidity. After placement into the metabolism cages the rats undergo a 6 day equilibration period, during which they are habituated to their new environment and to eating a powdered diet. At the end of the equilibration period, food intake during the light and dark phases is determined. After a 3 day control period, the animals are treated with the compounds according to the present invention or vehicle DMSO/water (10%, v/v) or cremophor/water (20%, v/v).

The compounds according to the present invention inhibit food intake in Zucker obese rats in a range especially of about 0.01 to about 100 mg/kg after oral, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous or intravenous administration.

The above experiments clearly demonstrate that the Y5 receptor subtype is the primary mediator of NPY-induced feeding and that corresponding antagonists can be used for the treatment of obesity and related disorders [Nature, Vol. 382, 168-171 (1996)].

The compounds according to the present invention can inhibit food intake induced either by intracerebroventricular application of NPY or by food deprivation or as well as spontaneous eating in the Zucker obese rat. Thus, the compounds according to the present invention can especially be used for the prophylaxis and treatment of disorders or diseases associated with the Y5 receptor subtype, especially in the treatment of disorders or disease states in which the NPY-Y5 receptor subtype is involved, preferably, in the treatment of diseases caused by eating disorders, such as obesity, bulimia nervosa, diabetes, dyspilipidimia, and hypertension, furthermore in the treatment of memory loss, epileptic seizures, migraine, sleep disturbance, and pain and additionally in the treatment of sexual/reproductive disorders, depression, anxiety, cerebral hemorrhage, shock, congestive heart failure, nasal congestion and diarrhea.

The compounds according to the present invention act as antagonists of neuropeptide Y (NPY) binding at the Y5 receptor subtype. By virtue of their Y5 receptor antagonistic property, the compounds of the formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts can therefore be used, for example, as pharmaceutical active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions which are employed, for example, for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with NPY Y5 receptor subtype, especially in the treatment of disorders or disease states in which the NPY-Y5 receptor subtype is involved, preferably, in the treatment of diseases caused by eating disorders, such as obesity, bulimia nervosa, diabetes, dyspilipidimia, and hypertension, furthermore in the treatment of memory loss, epileptic seizures, migraine, sleep disturbance, and pain, and additionally in the treatment of sexual/reproductive disorders, depression, anxiety, cerebral hemorrhage, shock, congestive heart failure, nasal congestion and diarrhea.

The invention relates to the use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as described hereinbefore and hereinafter for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases or disorders associated with NPY Y5 receptor subtype, especially in the treatment of disorders or disease states in which the NPY-Y5 receptor subtype is involved, preferably, in the treatment of diseases caused by eating disorders, such as obesity, bulimia nervosa, diabetes, dyspilipidimia, and hypertension, furthermore in the treatment of memory loss, epileptic seizures, migraine, sleep disturbance, and pain, and additionally in the treatment of sexual/reproductive disorders, depression, anxiety, cerebral hemorrhage, shock, congestive heart failure, nasal congestion and diarrhea.

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as described hereinbefore and hereinafter for the treatment of diseases or disorders associated with NPY Y5 receptor subtype, preferably, in the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases caused by eating disorders, such as obesity, bulimia nervosa, diabetes, dyspilipidimia, and hypertension, furthermore in the treatment of memory loss, epileptic seizures, migraine, sleep disturbance, and pain, and additionally in the treatment of sexual/reproductive disorders, depression, anxiety, cerebral hemorrhage, shock, congestive heart failure, nasal congestion and diarrhea.

The invention relates especially to a method of treatment and prophylaxis of disorders and diseases associated with NPY receptor subtype Y5 comprising administering to a warm¬ blooded animal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in which alk represents a single bond or lower alkylene;

R, represents (i) hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, lower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or lower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by lower alkoxy, by substituted amino, by lower alkoxycarbonyl, or by N-substituted carbamoyl; (ii) substituted amino;

(iii) hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkoxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl-oxy, or N-substituted aminocarbonyl- oxy;

(iv) lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, or (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl; (v) N-substituted carbamoyl;

(vi) a group selected from -CH(OH)-R, -CO-R, -NR0₁-CO-O-R, -NR₀₁-CO-R, -NR₀₁-CO-NR R, -NR₀₁-SO₂-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-NR₀ι-R, -SO₂-R, -SO₂-NR₀ι- , or -SO₂-NR₀₁-CO-R, [R being as defined below and R₀ι being as defined above, or the group -N(R)(R₀-) represents amino which is di-substituted by lower alkylene {which may be interrupted by O, S(O)„ or NR₀} or which is di-substituted by lower alkylene which is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring]; or

(vii) an element of formula -Xι(X₂)(Xs) wherein, (a) if X-, is -CH-, X₂ together with Xs represent a structural element of formula -X₄-(CO)_p-(CH₂)₀-,

or -(CH₂)s-X₄-CO-(CH₂),-; or, (b) if X-, is -N-, X₂ together with X₃ represent a structural element of formula -CO-(CH₂)_u-; being -CH₂-, -N(R₀ι)- or -O-; the integer o is 3-5; the integer p is 0 or 1 ; the integer q is 1or 2; the integer r is 1 ; the integer s is 1 or 2; the integer t is 1 or 2; the integer u is 3-5; with the proviso that, if the integer p is 0, 4 is different from -CH₂-;];

R₂ and R₃ , independently of one another, represent (i) hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl; or (ii) lower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, N- substituted carbamoyl, and -S(O)_π-R;

R₂ and R₃ together represent lower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n, or NRo] or represent lower alkylene which is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring;

X represents N or CH; and the integer n is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, as well as the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of (i) halogen, lower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, lower alkoxy, lower alkenyloxy, oxy-lower alkylene-oxy, hydroxy, lower alkanoyloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyloxy, lower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyl, nitro, cyano;

(ii) lower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower aikoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl;

(iii) lower alkoxy which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, amino, substituted amino, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl;

(iv) amino, substituted amino;

(v) carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl; (vi) carbamoyl and N-substituted carbamoyl; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, is derived and selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenylyl, naphthyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furyl, thienyi, pyridyl, indolyl, indazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothiophenyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, or quinazolinyl; wherein, in each case, the substituted amino group of substituted amino, of N- substituted carbamoyl, and of N-substituted aminocarbonyl-oxy is (i) mono-substituted or, independently of one another, di-substituted by lower alkyl, by C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, by C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or is (ii) di-substituted by lower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n or NRo] or is di-substituted by lower alkylene which is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring, or is (iii) mono-substituted or, in the second line, independently of one another, di-substituted by -CO-(O)_v-R and the integer v is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, the integer n is 0, 1 or 2; wherein, in each case, Ro represents hydrogen or lower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R₀ι represents hydrogen or lower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or lower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, or by lower alkoxy.

R-, represents (i) hydrogen, halogen.nitro, cyano, lower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, or lower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by lower alkoxy, by substituted amino, by lower alkoxycarbonyl, or by substituted carbamoyl; (ii) substituted amino;

(iii) hydroxy, lower alkoxy, C₃-C_β-cycloalkoxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy, or lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy;

(vi) a group selected from -CH(OH)-R, -CO-R, -NR₀₁-CO-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-R, -NR₀₁-SO₂-NR₀ι- R, -SO₂-R, -SO₂-NR₀₁-R, or -SO₂-NR₀ι-CO-R, [R and R-, being as defined below, or the group -N(R)(R₀ι) represents amino which is di-substituted by lower alkylene {which may be interrupted by O or NR₀} or which is di-substituted by lower alkylene which is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring]; or

(vii) an element of formula -Xι(X₂)(Xs) wherein, (a) if X-, is -CH-, X₂ together with X₃ represent a structural element of formula -X4-(CO)_p-(CH₂)o-, -(CH₂)_q-X₄-(CO)_p-(CH₂)_r-, or -(CH₂)_s-X₄-CO-(CH₂)t-; or, (b) if X₁ is -N-, X₂ together with X3 represent a structural element of formula -CO-(CH₂)_u-; [X₄ being -CH₂-, -N(R₀ι)- or -O-; the integer o is 3-5; the integer p is 0 or 1 ; the integer q is 1 or 2; the integer r is 1 ; the integer s is 1 or 2; the integer t is 1 or 2; the integer u is 3-5; with the proviso that, if the integer p is 0, , is different from -CH₂-;];

R₂ and R₃ , independently of one another, represent (i) hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, or (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyi;

(ii) lower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: lower alkoxy, substituted amino, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, and substituted carbamoyl;

R₂ and R₃ together represent lower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n, or NR₀];

X represents N or CH; and the integer n is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, as well as the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of (i) halogen, lower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkenyloxy, oxy-lower alkylene-oxy, hydroxy, lower alkanoyloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyloxy, lower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyl, nitro, cyano;

(ii) lower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, substituted amino, carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl;

(iii) lower alkoxy which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, amino, substituted amino, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl; (iv) substituted amino;

(v) lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl;

(vi) carbamoyl and N-substituted carbamoyl; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, is derived from phenyl, naphthyl or pyridyl; wherein, in each case, the substituted amino group of substituted amino, of N- substituted carbamoyl, and of N-substituted aminocarbonyl-oxy is (i) mono-substituted or, independently of one another, di-substituted by lower alkyl, by C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, by C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or is (ii) di-substituted by lower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n or NRo] or is di-substituted by lower alkylene which is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring, or is (iii) mono-substituted or, in the second line, independently of one another, di-substituted by -CO-(O)_v-R and the integer v is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, the integer n is 0, 1 or 2; wherein, in each case, R₀ represents hydrogen or lower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R₀ι represents hydrogen or lower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or lower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, or by lower alkoxy.

The invention relates especially to a method of treatment and prophylaxis of disorders and diseases associated with NPY receptor subtype Y5 comprising administering to a warm¬ blooded animal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in which alk represents a single bond or lower alkylene; Ri represents (i) hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, lower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, or phenyl; (ii) amino which is mono-substituted by lower alkyl, phenyl or pyridyl, or which is disubstituted by lower alkyl or by C₂-C₆-alkylene;

(iii) hydroxy or lower alkoxy which is unsubstituted or substituted by C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl or by phenyl;

(iv) a group selected from -CH(OH)-R, -CO-R, -NR₀₁-CO-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-NR₀ι- R, -SO₂-R, or -SO₂-NRoι-R, [R being lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or naphthyl, R₀ι being hydrogen or lower alkyl, or the group -N(R)(R₀ι) represents ammo which is mono-substituted by lower alkyl, by hydroxy-lower alkyl, or by naphthyl, or which is di- substituted by lower alkyl or by C₂-C₆-alkylene {which may be interrupted by O or NR₀, Ro being hydrogen or lower alkyl}];

R₂ represents hydrogen or phenyl which is unsubstituted or is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, cyano, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, and oxy-lower alkylene-oxy;

R₃ represents hydrogen;

X represents N or CH; and the integer n is 0 or 1 ; wherein any aryl moiety, if not designated otherwise, and the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, lower alkyl, halo-alkyl, lower alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxy-lower alkoxy, and lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy.

The invention relates especially to a method of treatment of and prophylaxis disorders and diseases associated with NPY receptor subtype Y5 comprising administering to a warm¬ blooded animal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in which alk represents a single bond or lower alkylene;

Ri represents (i) hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, lower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, or phenyl;

(ii) ammo which is mono-substituted by lower alkyl, phenyl or pyridyl, or which is disubstituted by lower alkyl or by C₂-C₆-alkylene;

(iii) hydroxy or lower alkoxy which is unsubstituted or substituted by C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, or by phenyl;

(iv) a group selected from -NR₀₁-CO-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-R, -NR₀₁-SO₂-NR₀ι-R, -SO₂-R, or -SO₂- NRorR, [R being lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or naphthyl, R₀ being hydrogen or lower alkyl, or the group -N(R)(R₀ι) represents ammo which is mono-substituted by lower alkyl, by hydroxy-lower alkyl, or by naphthyl, or which is di-substituted by lower alkyl or by C₂-C₆-alkylene {which may be interrupted by O or NR₀, R₀ being hydrogen or lower alkyl}];

R₂ represents hydrogen or phenyl which is unsubstituted or is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, and oxy-lower alkylene-oxy, R₃ represents hydrogen;

X represents N or CH; and the integer n is 0 or 1 ; wherein any aryl moiety, if not designated otherwise, and the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, hydroxy, and hydroxy-lower alkoxy.

R, represents hydrogen, amino which is disubstituted by by C₂-C₆-alkylene, especially pentylene, or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, especially methoxy; or a group selected from -NH-SO₂-R , -SO₂- R, or -SO₂-NH-R, [R being C C₄-alkyl, or naphthyl, or the group -NH(R) represents amino which is mono-substituted by CrC₄-alkyl, by hydroxy-Cι-C₄-alkyl, or by naphthyl, or which is di-substituted by C--C₄-alkyl or by C₂-C_e-alkylene {which may be interrupted by O or NR₀, R₀ being hydrogen or d-C₄-alkyl}]; and, in each case,

R₂ represents hydrogen or phenyl which is unsubstituted or is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, cyano, C C -alkyl, CrC₄-alkoxy, and oxy- Cι-C₄-alkylene-oxy; and

R₃ represents hydrogen;

X represents N or CH; and the integer n is 0 or 1 ; wherein the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by Cι-C₄-alkoxy.

The invention relates especially to a method of treatment of and prophylaxis disorders and diseases associated with NPY receptor subtype Y5 comprising administering to a warm¬ blooded animal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in which alk represents -(CH₂)_n- and the integer n is 1 -3; Ri represents the group of formula NH-SO₂-R and R is naphthyl; R₂ and R₃ each are hydrogen; X is N or CH; and the ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by Cι-C₄-alkoxy, especially methoxy.

The invention relates especially to a method of treatment of and prophylaxis disorders and diseases associated with NPY receptor subtype Y5 comprising administering to a warm¬ blooded animal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in which alk represents -(CH₂)₀- and the integer o is 1 or 2; R_T represents the group of formula NH- SO₂-R and R is naphthyl; R₂ and R₃ each are hydrogen; X is CH; the integer n is 1 ;and the ring A is unsubstituted.

The invention likewise relates to a new compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof as described hereinbefore or hereinafter.

The invention relates especially to a new compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof, e.g. in which alk represents a single bond or lower alkylene; the integer n is 0 or 1 ,

R_T represents (vi) a group selected from -CH(OH)-R, -CO-R, -NR0₁-CO-O-R, -NR₀₁-CO-R, -NR₀ι-CO-NR₀r R, -NR_D1-SO₂-R, -NR₀,-SO2-NRoi-R, -SO₂-R, -SO₂-NR₀ι-R, or -SO₂-NR₀₁-CO-R, [R and R, being as defined below, or the group -N(R)(R₀ι) represents ammo which is di-substituted by lower alkylene {which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_π or NR₀ or which may be condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring}]; or

(vii) an element of formula -Xι(X₂)(Xs) wherein, (a) if X₁ is -CH-, X₂ together with Xs represent a structural element of formula -X4-(CO)_p-(CH2)₀-. -(CH2)q-X4-(CO)_p-(CH₂)_r-, or -(CH₂)_s-X₄-CO-(CH₂)_t-; or, (b) if X, is -N-, X₂ together with X₃ represent a structural element of formula -CO-(CH₂)_u-; [X₄ being -CH -, -N(R₀ι)- or -O-, tne integer 0 is 3-5; the integer p is 0 or 1 , the integer q is 1or 2, the integer r is 1 ; the integer s is 1 or 2; the integer t is 1 or 2; the integer u is 3-5; with the proviso that, if the integer p is 0, X₄ is different from -CH₂-;];

R₂ and R₃, independently of one another, represent (i) hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, iower alkynyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C_β-cycloalkyl- lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl; or (II) Iower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, hydroxy-lower alkoxy, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, am o, substituted amino, carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, N-substituted carbamoyl, and -S(O)_n-R;

R and R₃ together represent Iower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)„, NRo or which may be condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring];

X represents N or CH; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, as well as the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of (i) halogen, Iower alkyl, lower alkenyl, Iower alkynyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, Iower alkoxy, Iower alkenyloxy, Iower alkynyloxy, oxy-lower alkylene-oxy, hydroxy, Iower alkanoyloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyloxy, Iower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aroyl, nitro, cyano;

(ii) Iower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, amino, substituted amino, carboxy, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl;

(iii) Iower alkoxy which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycioalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, amino, substituted amino, carboxy, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl; (iv) amino, substituted amino;

(v) carboxy, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-iower alkoxy-carbonyl; (vi) carbamoyl and N-substituted carbamoyl; wherein, in each case, the substituted amino group of substituted am o, N- substituted carbamoyl, andof N-substituted aminocarbonyl-oxy is (i) mono-substituted or, independently of one another, di-substituted by Iower alkyl, by C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, by C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or is (ii) di-substituted by Iower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n or NRo or which may be condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring] , or is (iii) mono-substituted or, in the second line, independently of one another, di- substituted by -CO-(O)_v-R and the integer v is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, the integer n is 0, 1 or 2; wherein, in each case, R₀ represents hydrogen, Iower alkyl, Iower alkenyl, Iower alkinyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, iower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aroyl, -SO₂-R, or Iower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, or by Iower alkoxy; wherein, in each case, Rm represents hydrogen or Iower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R represents hydrogen, Iower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkyl, or Iower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, or by Iower alkoxy; or a salt thereof; and the use of compounds of formula (I) or a salt thereof,

The invention relates especially to a new compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof in which alk represents a single bond or Iower alkylene;

Ri represents (vi) a group selected from -CH(OH)-R, -CO-R, -NRorCO-O-R, -NR_o CO-R, -NR,-CO-NR₀₁- R, -NRorSO₂-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-NRoι-R, -SO₂-R, -SO₂-NR₀ι-R, or -SO₂-NR₀ι-CO-R, [R and R-, being as defined below, or the group -N(R)(R₀ι) represents amino which is di-substituted by Iower alkylene {which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n or NR₀} or which is di-substituted by Iower alkylene which is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring]; or (vii) an element of formula -Xι(X₂)(Xs) wherein, (a) if X- is -CH-, X₂ together with Xs represent a structural element of formula -X4-(CO)p-(CH₂)₀-, ^■(Cr\₂)_q'X₄-(CO)_p-(CH₂)r, or -(CH₂)_s-X₄-CO-(CH₂)_t-; or, (b) if Xi is -N-, X₂ together with X₃ represent a structural element of formula -CO-(CH₂)_u-; being -CH₂-, -N(R₀ι)- or -O-; the integer o is 3-5; the integer p is 0 or 1 ; the integer q is 1or 2; the integer r is 1 ; the integer s is 1 or 2; the integer t is 1 or 2; the integer u is 3-5; with the proviso that, if the integer p is 0, X₄ is different from -CH₂-;];

R₂ and R₃ , independently of one another, represent (i) hydrogen, Iower alkyl, Iower alkenyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl; or (ii) Iower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, substituted carbamoyl, and -S(O)_n-R; R₂ and R₃ together represent lower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n, or NRo] or represent Iower alkylene which is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring;

X represents N or CH; and the integer n is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, as well as the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of (i) halogen, Iower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C_θ-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, Iower alkoxy, Iower alkenyloxy, oxy-lower alkylene-oxy, hydroxy, Iower alkanoyloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyloxy, Iower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyl, nitro, cyano;

(ii) Iower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, carboxy, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl;

(iii) Iower alkoxy which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloal yl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, amino, substituted amino, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl;

(iv) amino, substituted amino;

(v) carboxy, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl; (vi) carbamoyl and N-substituted carbamoyl; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, is derived and selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenylyl, naphthyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furyl, thienyi, pyridyl, indolyl, indazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothiophenyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, or quinazolinyl; wherein, in each case, the amino group of substituted amino, of N-substituted carbamoyl, and of N-substituted aminocarbonyl-oxy is (i) mono-substituted or, independently of one another, di-substituted by lower alkyl, by C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, by C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or is (ii) di-substituted by Iower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_π or NRo] or is di-substituted by Iower alkylene which is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring, or is (iii) mono-substituted or, in the second line, independently of one another, di-substituted by -CO-(O)_v-R and the integer v is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, the integer n is 0, 1 or 2; wherein, in each case, R₀ represents hydrogen or Iower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R₀ι represents hydrogen or Iower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R represents hydrogen, Iower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or Iower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, or by Iower alkoxy.

The invention relates especially to a new compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof in which alk represents a single bond or Cι-C₃-alkyiene;

R_T represents (iv) a group selected from -NR₀ι-CO-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-NR₀₁-R, -SO₂-R, or -SO₂- NR01-R, [R being Iower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or naphthyl, R₀₁ being hydrogen or Iower alkyl, or the group -N(R)(R₀ι) represents amino which is mono-substituted by Iower alkyl, by hydroxy-lower alkyl, or by naphthyl, or which is di-substituted by Iower alkyl or by C₂-C₆-alkylene {which may be interrupted by O or NR₀, R₀ being hydrogen or Iower alkyl}];

R₂ represents hydrogen or phenyl which is unsubstituted or is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, cyano, Iower alkyl, Iower alkoxy, and oxy-lower alkylene-oxy;

R₃ represents hydrogen;

X represents N or CH; wherein the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, Iower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, iower alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxy-lower alkoxy, and Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy.

The invention relates especially to a new compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof in which alk represents a single bond or C-,-C₃-alkylene; R_T represents a group selected from -NR₀r CO-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-R, -NRo -SO₂-NR₀ι-R, -SO₂-R, or -SO₂-NR₀₁-R, [R being Iower alkyl, halo- lower alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or naphthyl, R₀, being hydrogen or Iower alkyl; or the group - N(R)(R₀<) represents amino which is mono-substituted by Iower alkyl, by hydroxy-lower alkyl, or by naphthyl, or which is di-substituted by Iower alkyl or by C₂-C₆-alkylene {which may be interrupted by O or NR₀, R₀ being hydrogen or Iower alkyl}];

R₃ represents hydrogen;

The invention relates especially to a new compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof in which alk represents a single bond or Cι-C₃-alkylene;

R_T represents (iv) a group selected from -NH-SO₂-R , -SO₂-R, or -SO₂-NH-R, [R being Cι-C₄-alkyl, or naphthyl, or the group -NH(R) represents amino which is mono-substituted by Cι-C₄-alkyl, by hydroxy-Cι-C₄-alkyl, or by naphthyl, or which is di-substituted by Cι-C₄-alkyl or by C₂-C₆-alkyiene {which may be interrupted by O or NR₀, R₀ being hydrogen or CrC₄- alkyl}]; and, in each case,

R₂ represents hydrogen or phenyl which is unsubstituted or is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, cyano, CrC₄-alkyl, CrC₄-alkoxy, and oxy- C--C₄-alkylene-oxy; and

R₃ represents hydrogen;

X represents N or CH; wherein the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by C,-C₄-alkoxy.

The invention relates especially to a new compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof in which alk represents a single bond or d- or C₂-alkylene; and R-, represents -SO₂-R or -SO₂-

NH-R and R being naphthyl, especially 1 - or 2-naphthyl; and, in each case,

R₂ represents hydrogen or phenyl which is unsubstituted or is substituted by Iower alkoxy;

R₃ represents hydrogen; and X represents CH; wherein the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by C,-C₄-alkoxy, especially, methoxy, preferably in position 8 of the quinazoline ring.

The invention relates especially to a new compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof in which alk represents methylene; and Rt represents -SO₂-NH-R and R being naphthyl, especially 1 - or 2-naphthyl; and, in each case,

R₃ represents hydrogen; and

X represents CH; wherein the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by Cι-C -alkoxy, especially, methoxy, preferably in position 8 of the quinazoline ring.

The invention relates especially to a new compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof in which alk represents methylene; and Ri represents -SO₂-NH-R and R being naphthyl, especially 1- or 2-naphthyl; and, in each case,

R₂ represents hydrogen;

R₃ represents hydrogen; and

X represents CH; wherein the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by CrO_t-alkoxy, especially, methoxy, preferably in position 8 of the quinazoline ring.

The invention relates in particular to the novel compounds shown in the examples and to the modes of preparation described therein.

The invention relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds according to the invention. The preparation of new compounds of the formula (I) and their salts comprises, for example, (a) reacting a compound of formula (lla) or a salt thereof - 47

in which Z 1 represents a leaving group, with a compound of formula (lib) or a salt or tautomer thereof

or a salt thereof; or

(b) reacting a compound of formula (Ilia) or a salt thereof

in which Z₂ is a leaving group, with a compound of formula HN(R₂)(R₃) (1Mb) or a salt thereof, and, if desired, converting a compound (I) obtainable according to the process or in another manner, in free form or in salt form, into another compound (I), separating a mixture of isomers obtainable according to the process and isolating the desired isomer and/or converting a free compound (I) obtainable according to the process into a salt or converting a salt of a compound (I) obtainable according to the process into the free compound (I) or into another salt.

The reactions described above and below in the variants are carried out in a manner known per se, for example in the absence or, customarily, in the presence of a suitable solvent or diluent or a mixture thereof, the reaction, as required, being carried out with cooling, at room temperature or with warming, for example in a temperature range from about -80°C up to the boiling point of the reaction medium, preferably from about -10° to about +200°C, and, if necessary, in a closed vessel, under pressure, in an inert gas atmosphere and/or under anhydrous conditions. The person skilled in the pertinent art is especially referred to the methods as outlined in the working examples based upon which the person skilled in the art is enabled to carry out the manufacture of the compounds of formula (I)

Salts of starting materials which have at least one basic centre, for example of the formula 11 lb, are appropriate acid addition salts, while salts of starting materials which have an acidic group, for example of the formula (lib), are present as salts with bases, in each case as mentioned above in connection with corresponding salts of the formula (I).

A leaving group Zi or Z₂, respectively, is, for example, reactive esterrfied hydroxy, or is R'-S(O)_p- [the integer u being 0, 1 or 2 and R' being Iower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl or aryl, such as methyl, trifluoromethyl or p-toluyl], or is Iower alkoxy Reactive esterrfied hydroxyl Z4 is in particular hydroxyl esterified with a strong inorganic acid or organic sulfonic acid, for example halogen, such as chlorine, bromine or iodine, sulfonyloxy, such as hydroxysulfonyloxy, halosulfonyloxy, for example fluorosulfonyloxy, C^C^alkane-sulfonyloxy which is unsubstituted or substituted, for example by halogen, for example methane- or tπfluoromethanesulfonyloxy, C₈-C^ycloalkanesulfonyloxy, for example cyclohexanesulfonyloxy, or benzenesulfonyloxy which is unsubstituted or substituted, for example by C^C^Ikyl or halogen, for example p-bromobenzene- or p-toluenesulfonyloxy. Preferred T or Z₂ is chloro, bromo or lodo, methanesulfonyloxy or tπfluoromethanesulfonyloxy, or p-toluenesulfonyloxy, or methylthio or methoxy

The reactions of process variants (a) and (b) are carried out, if necessary, in the presence of a base Suitable bases are, for example, alkaii metal hydroxides, hydrides, amides, alkanolates, carbonates, triphenylmethylides, di-lower alkylamides, aminoalkylamides or Iower alkylsilylamides, naphthaleneamines, Iower alkylamines, basic heterocycles, ammonium hydroxides, and carbocyclic amines. Examples which may be mentioned are sodium hydroxide, sodium hydride, sodium amide, sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium tert- butoxide, potassium carbonate, lithium triphenylmethylide, lithium diisopropylamide, potassium 3-(aminopropyl)amide, potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, dimethylaminonaphthalene, di- or triethylamine, or ethyldiisopropylamine, N-methylpiperidine, pyridine, benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide, 1 ,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) and 1 ,8-diaza- bicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU).

The starting material of fomulae (lla), (lib), (Ilia), and (lllb) is essentially known or is accessible analogously to preparation processes known per se.

The starting material of formula (lib) in which R₂ represents N-acylated or N- alkylated amino, such as a group of formula -NRrCO-O-R, -NR^CO-R, -NR CO- NRrR, -NR₁-SO₂-R,-NR SO₂-NR₁-R, or N-substituted amino, is accessible, for example, by N-acylating or by N-alkylating, respectively, a, preferably N- protected, compound of the formula NH(R₁)-alk₁-X-alk₂-Z₃ (lie) in which Z₃ represents a group which is convertable to R₂, such as amino, carboxy, or hydroxy. Conventional protecting groups may be used, for example, t- butoxycarbonyl which will be splitt off after the N-acylation or the N-alkylation, respectively. The starting material of formula (lib) in which R₂ represents carbamoyl or N-substituted carbamoyl, or esterified carboxy, can be manufactured starting from a compound of formula (lie) in which Z₃ represents carboxy. The esterification or amidation can be carried out in a manner known per se. Starting fom a compound of formula (lie) in which Z₃ is hydroxy, corresponding etherified or esterified derivatices are accessible using etherification or esterifaction methods known in the art.

The starting material of formula (Ilia) is accessible, for example, by selectively converting the 4-Z₂-group into a group which is desactivated, for example, by selectively hydrolyzing a compound of formula (Mic)

or a salt thereof to form a corresponding 4-hydroxy-compound which is in the next step reacted with a compound of formula (lib) to introduce the corresponding side chain into position 2 of the quinazolin ring. Reactivation of the 4-position, for example, by reaction with a halogenating agent, such as POCI₃, leads to corresponding compounds of formula (Ilia).

A compound according to the invention which is obtainable by the process can be converted into another compound according to the invention in a manner known per se

A compound according to the invention containing hydroxyl can be etherified by methods known per se. The etherification can be carried out, for example, using an alcohol, such as a substituted or unsubstituted Iower alkanol, or a reactive ester thereof. Suitable reactive esters of the desired alcohols are, for example, those with strong inorganic or organic acids, such as corresponding halides, sulfates, Iower alkanesulfonates or substituted or unsubstituted benzenesulfonates, for example chlorides, bromides, iodides, methane-, benzene- or p-toluenesulfonates. The etherification can be carried out, for example, in the presence of a base, an alkali metal hydride, hydroxide or carbonate, or of an amine. Conversely, corresponding ethers, such as Iower alkoxy compounds, can be cleaved, for example, by means of strong acids, such as mineral acids, for example the hydrohalic acids hydrobromic or hydriodic acid, which may advantageously be present in the form of pyridinium halides, or by means of Lewis acids, for example halides of elements of mam group III or the corresponding sub-groups. These reactions can be carried out, if necessary, with cooling or warming, for example in a temperature range from about -20° to about 100°C, in the presence or absence of a solvent or diluent, under inert gas and/or under pressure and, if appropriate, in a closed vessel.

Compounds according to the invention containing hydroxymethyl groups can be prepared, for example, starting from compounds containing corresponding carboxyl or esterified carboxyl, corresponding compounds being reduced in a manner known per se, for example by reduction with a hydride which, if desired, may be complex, such as a hydride formed from an element of the 1 st and 3rd main groups of the periodic table of the elements, for example borohydride or aiuminohydride, for example lithium borohydride, lithium aluminium hydride, diisobutylaluminium hydride (an additional reduction step using alkali metal cyanoborohydride, such as sodium cyanoborohydride, may be necessary), and also diborane.

If an aromatic structural component is substituted by (Iower) alkylthio (in S(O)_n -R n is 0), this can be oxidised in a customary manner to corresponding (Iower) alkanesulfinyl or -sulfonyl. Suitable oxidising agents for the oxidation to the suifoxide step are, for example, inorganic peracids, such as peracids of mineral acids, for example periodic acid or persulfuric acid, organic peracids, such as appropriate percarboxylic or persulfonic acids, for example performic, peracetic, trifluoroperacetic or perbenzoic acid or p-toluenepersulfonic acid, or mixtures of hydrogen peroxide and acids, for example a mixture of hydrogen peroxide with acetic acid.

The oxidation is commonly carried out in the presence of suitable catalysts, catalysts which can be mentioned being suitable acids, such as substituted or unsubstituted carboxylic acids, for example acetic acid or trifluoroacetic acid, or transition metal oxides, such as oxides of elements of sub-group VII, for example vanadium oxide, molybdenum oxide or tungsten oxide. The oxidation is carried out under mild conditions, for example at temperatures from about -50° to about +100°C.

The oxidation to the sulfone step may also be carried out appropriately at low temperatures using dinitrogen tetroxide as the catalyst in the presence of oxygen, just like the direct oxidation of (Iower) alkylthio to (Iower) alkanesulfonyl. However, in this case the oxidising agent is customarily employed in an excess. If one of the variables contains amino, corresponding compounds of the formula (I), their tautomers or salts can be N-alkylated in a manner known per se; likewise, carbamoyl or radicals containing carbamoyl can be N-alkylated. The (aryl)alkylation is carried out, for example, using a reactive ester of an (aryl)C-_j - Cγalkyl halide, for example a bromide or iodide, (aryl)C-|-C7alkylsulfonate, for example methanesulfonate or p-toluenesulfonate, or a di-C-j -C alkyl suifate, for example dimethyl suifate, preferably under basic conditions, such as in the presence of sodium hydroxide solution or potassium hydroxide solution, and advantageously in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, such as tetrabutylammonium bromide or benzyltrimethylammonium chloride, where, however, stronger basic condensing agents, such as alkali metal amides, hydrides or alkoxides, for example sodium amide, sodium hydride or sodium ethoxide, may be necessary. Amino can also be acylated in a manner known per se.

In compounds of the formula (I) which contain an esterified or amidated carboxyl group as a substituent, a group of this type can be converted into a free carboxyl group, for example by means of hydrolysis, for example in the presence of a basic agent, or of an acidic agent, such as a mineral acid. Tert-butyloxycarbonyl, for example, can furthermore be converted into carboxyl, for example in a manner known per se, such as treating with trihaloacetic acid, such as trifluoroacetic acid, and benzyloxycarbonyl can be converted into carboxyl, for example by catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, for example in the manner described below.

Furthermore, in compounds of the formula (I) which contain a carboxyi group as a substituent, this can be converted into an esterified carboxyl group, for example, by treating with an alcohol, such as a Iower alkanol, in the presence of a suitable esterifying agent, such as an acid reagent, for exampie an inorganic or organic acid or a Lewis acid, for example zinc chloride, or a condensing agent which binds water, for example a carbodiimide, such as N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, or by treating with a diazo reagent, such as with a diazo-lower alkane, for example diazomethane. This can also be obtained if compounds of the formula (I) in which the carboxyl group is present in free form or in salt form, such as ammonium salt or metal salt form, for example alkali metal salt form, such as sodium salt or potassium salt form, are treated with a reactive ester of a (C C₇)- alkyi halide, for example methyl or ethyl bromide or iodide, or an organic sulfonic acid ester, such as an appropriate (C C₇)alkyl ester, for example methyl or ethyl methanesulfonate or p-toluenesulfonate.

Compounds of the formula (I) which contain an esterified carboxyl group as a substituent can be transesterified into other ester compounds of the formula (I) by transesterification, for example by treating with an alcohol, customarily a higher appropriate alcohol than that of the esterified carboxyl group in the starting material, in the presence of a suitable transesterifying agent, such as a basic agent, for example an alkali metal (C_TC_/Jalkanoate, (d-C₇)alkanolate or alkali metal cyanide, such as sodium acetate, sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, sodium tert-butoxide or sodium cyanide, or a suitable acid agent, if appropriate with removal of the resulting alcohol, for example by distillation. Appropriate, so- called activated esters of the formula (I) which contain an activated esterified carboxyl group as a substituent may also be used as starting materials (see below), and these may be converted into another ester by treating with a (C₁-C7)- alkanol.

In compounds of the formula (I) which contain the carboxyl group as a substituent, this can also first be converted into a reactive derivative, such as an anhydride, including a mixed anhydride, such as an acid halide, for example an acid chloride (for example by treating with a thionyl halide, for example thionyl chloride), or an anhydride using a formic acid ester, for example a (Cι -C7)alkyl ester (for example by treating a salt, such as an ammonium or alkali metal salt, with a haloformic acid ester, such as a chloroformic acid ester, such as a (C-_| - C7)alkyl ester), or into an activated ester, such as a cyanomethyl ester, a nitrophenyl ester, for example a 4-nitrophenyl ester, or a polyhalophenyl ester, for example a pentachiorophenyi ester (for example by treating with an appropriate hydroxyl compound in the presence of a suitable condensing agent, such as N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide), and then a reactive derivative of this type can be reacted with an amine and in this way amide compounds of the formula (I) which contain an amidated carboxyl group as a substituent can be obtained. In this case, these can be obtained directly or via intermediate compounds; thus, for example, an activated ester, such as a 4-nitrophenyl ester, of a compound of the formula (I) containing a carboxyl group can first be reacted with a 1 -unsubstituted imidazole and the 1-imidazolylcarbonyl compound obtained in this way brought to reaction with an amine. However, other non-activated esters, such as (C-_| - C7)alkyl esters of compounds of the formula (I), which contain, for example, (C2- Cgjalkoxycarbonyl as a substituent, can also be brought to reaction with amines.

If an aromatic ring contains a hydrogen atom as a substituent, the latter can be replaced by a halogen atom with the aid of a halogenating agent in a customary manner, for example brominated with bromine, hypobromic acid, acyl hypobromites or other organic bromine compounds, for example N- bromosuccinimide, N-bromoacetamide, N-bromophthalimide, pyridinium perbromide, dioxane dibromide, 1 ,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin or 2,4,4,6- tetrabromo-2,5-cyclohexanedien-1-one, or chlorinated with elemental chlorine, for example in a haiogenated hydrocarbon, such as chloroform, and with cooling, for example from down to about -10° to about +100°C.

If an aromatic ring in the compounds according to the invention contains an amino group, this can be diazotized in a customary manner, for example by treating with a nitrite, for example sodium nitrite, in the presence of a suitable protonic acid, for example a mineral acid, the reaction temperature advantageously being kept below about 5°C. The diazonium group present in the salt form and obtainable in this way can be substituted by analogous processes, for example as follows: by the hydroxyl group analogously to the boiling-out of phenol in the presence of water; by an alkoxy group by treating with an appropriate alcohol, energy having to be added; by the fluorine atom analogously to the Schiemann reaction in the thermolysis of corresponding diazonium tetrafluoro bo rates; by the halogen atoms chlorine, bromine or iodine and also the cyano group analogously to the Sandmeyer reaction in the reaction with corresponding Cu(l) salts, initially with cooling, for example to below about 5°C, and then heating, for example to about 60° to about 150°C. If the compounds of the formula (I) contain unsaturated radicals, such as (Iower) alkenyl or (Iower) alkynyl groups, these can be converted into saturated radicals in a manner known per se. Thus, for example, multiple bonds are hydrogenated by catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of hydrogenation catalysts, suitable catalysts for this purpose being, for example, nickel, such as Raney nickel, and noble metals or their derivatives, for example oxides, such as palladium or platinum oxide, which may be applied, if desired, to support materials, for example to carbon or calcium carbonate. The hydrogenation may preferably be carried out at pressures between 1 and about 100 at and at room temperature between about -80° to about 200°C, in particular between room temperature and about 100°C. The reaction is advantageously carried out in a solvent, such as water, a Iower alkanol, for example ethanol, isopropanol or n-butanol, an ether, for example dioxane, or a Iower alkanecarboxylic acid, for example acetic acid.

Furthermore, in compounds of the formula (I) in which, for example, one of the aryl radicals contains halogen, such as chlorine, halogen can be replaced by reaction with a substituted or unsubstituted amine, an alcohol or a mercaptan.

The invention relates in particular to the processes described in the examples.

Salts of compounds of the formula (I) can be prepared in a manner known per se. Thus, for example, acid addition salts of compounds of the formula (I) are obtained by treating with an acid or a suitable ion exchange reagent. Salts can be converted into the free compounds in a customary manner, and acid addition salts can be converted, for example, by treating with a suitable basic agent.

Depending on the procedure and reaction conditions, the compounds according to the invention having salt-forming, in particular basic properties, can be obtained in free form or preferably in the form of salts.

In view of the close relationship between the novel compound in the free form and in the form of its salts, in the preceding text and below the free compound or its salts may correspondingly and advantageously also be understood as meaning the corresponding salts or the free compound. The novel compounds including their salts of salt-forming compounds can also be obtained in the form of their hydrates or can include other solvents used for crystallization.

Depending on the choice of the starting materials and procedures, the novel compounds can be present in the form of one of the possible isomers or as mixtures thereof, for example as pure optical isomers, such as antipodes, or as isomer mixtures, such as racemates, diastereoisomer mixtures or racemate mixtures, depending on the number of asymmetric carbon atoms. For example, compounds of the formula (I) in which e g the heterocarbocyclic has an asymmetric C atom

Racemates and diastereomer mixtures obtained can be separated into the pure isomers or racemates in a known manner on the basis of the physicochemical differences of the components, for example by fractional crystallization. Racemates obtained may furthermore be resolved into the optical antipodes by known methods, for example by recrystallization from an optically active solvent, chromatography on chiral adsorbents, with the aid of suitable microorganisms, by cleavage with specific immobilized enzymes, via the formation of inclusion compounds, for example using chiral crown ethers, only one enantiomer being complexed, or by conversion into diastereomeric salts, for example by reaction of a basic final substance racemate with an optically active acid, such as a carboxylic acid, for example tartaric or malic acid, or sulfonic acid, for example camphorsulfonic acid, and separation of the diastereomer mixture obtained in this manner, for example on tne basis of its differing solubilities, into the diastereomers from which the desired enantiomer can be liberated by the action of suitable agents The more active enantiomer is advantageously isolated.

The invention also relates to those embodiments of the process, according to which a compound obtainable as an intermediate in any step of the process is used as a starting material and the missing steps are carried out or a starting material in the form of a derivative or salt and/or its racemates or antipodes is used or, in particular, formed under the reaction conditions ln the process of the present invention, those starting materials are preferably used which lead to the compounds described as particularly useful at the beginning. The invention likewise relates to novel starting materials which have been specifically developed for the preparation of the compounds according to the invention, to their use and to processes for their preparation, the variables alk, Ri, R_2l R₃. and X having the meanings indicated for the preferred compound groups of the formula (I) in each case.

The invention likewise relates to pharmaceutical preparations which contain the compounds according to the invention or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as active ingredients, and to processes for their preparation.

The pharmaceutical preparations according to the invention which contain the compound according to the invention or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are those for enteral, such as oral, furthermore rectal, and parenteral administration to (a) warm-blooded animal(s), the pharmacological active ingredient being present on its own or together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The daily dose of the active ingredient depends on the age and the individual condition and also on the manner of administration.

The novel pharmaceutical preparations contain, for example, from about 10 % to about 80%, preferably from about 20 % to about 60 %, of the active ingredient. Pharmaceutical preparations according to the invention for enteral or parenteral administration are, for example, those in unit dose forms, such as sugar-coated tablets, tablets, capsules or suppositories, and furthermore ampoules. These are prepared in a manner known per se, for example by means of conventional mixing, granulating, sugar-coating, dissolving or lyophilizing processes. Thus, pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained by combining the active ingredient with solid carriers, if desired granulating a mixture obtained, and processing the mixture or granules, if desired or necessary, after addition of suitable excipients to give tablets or sugar-coated tablet cores. Suitable carriers are, in particular, fillers, such as sugars, for example lactose, sucrose, mannitol or sorbitol, cellulose preparations and/or calcium phosphates, for example tricalcium phosphate or calcium hydrogen phosphate, furthermore binders, such as starch paste, using, for example, corn, wheat, rice or potato starch, gelatin, tragacanth, methylcellulose and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone, if desired, disintegrants, such as the abovementioned starches, furthermore carboxymethyi starch, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, agar, alginic acid or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate; auxiliaries are primarily glidants, flow-regulators and lubricants, for example silicic acid, talc, stearic acid or salts thereof, such as magnesium or calcium stearate, and/or polyethylene glycol. Sugar-coated tablet cores are provided with suitable coatings which, if desired, are resistant to gastric juice, using, inter alia, concentrated sugar solutions which, if desired, contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol and/or titanium dioxide, coating solutions in suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures or, for the preparation of gastric juice-resistant coatings, solutions of suitable cellulose preparations, such as acetylcellulose phthalate or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate. Colorants or pigments, for example to identify or to indicate different doses of active ingredient, may be added to the tablets or sugar-coated tablet coatings.

Other orally utilizable pharmaceutical preparations are hard gelatin capsules, and also soft closed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The hard gelatin capsules may contain the active ingredient in the form of granules, for example in a mixture with fillers, such as lactose, binders, such as starches, and/or lubricants, such as talc or magnesium stearate, and, if desired, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active ingredient is preferably dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, paraffin oil or liquid polyethylene glycols, it also being possible to add stabilizers.

Suitable rectally utilizable pharmaceutical preparations are, for example, suppositories, which consist of a combination of the active ingredient with a suppository base. Suitable suppository bases are, for example, natural or synthetic triglycerides, paraffin hydrocarbons, polyethylene glycols or higher alkanols. Furthermore, gelatin rectal capsules which contain a combination of the active ingredient with a base substance may also be used. Suitable base substances are, for example, liquid triglycerides, polyethylene glycols or paraffin hydrocarbons.

Suitable preparations for parenteral administration are primarily aqueous solutions of an active ingredient in water-soluble form, for example a water- soluble salt, and furthermore suspensions of the active ingredient, such as appropriate oily injection suspensions, using suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles, such as fatty oils, for example sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, for example ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or aqueous injection suspensions which contain viscosity-increasing substances, for example sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran, and, if necessary, also stabilizers

The dose of the active ingredient depends on the warm-blooded animal species, the age and the individual condition and on the manner of administration In the normal case, an approximate daily dose of about 10 mg to about 250 mg is to be estimated in the case of oral administration for a patient weighing approximately 75 kg

The following examples illustrate the invention described above; however, they are not intended to limit its extent in any manner. Temperatures are indicated in degrees Celsius

The following examples illustrate the invention.

FAB-MS Fast Atom Bombardment Mass Spectroscopy

Rf retention factor on a thin layer chromatography plate

Solvent systems (v/v v):

A1 hexanes / ethyl acetate 1 : 1 A2 hexanes / ethyl acetate 2:1 B1 dichloromethane / methanoi 9:1 C1 dichloromethane / methanoi / ammonium hydroxide 90:10:1

Example 1 : Naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid {2-H-(4-amino-guιnazolin-2-yl)-pιperidin-4-yll- ethyll-amide hydrochloride

A suspension of 2-chloro-quιnazolιn-4-ylamιne (0.282 g) and naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid (2-pιperidin-4-y!-ethyl)-amιde (0.5 g) in isopentylalcohol (10 ml) is heated up to 120 °C for 15 h. The resulting solution is concentrated and chromatographed (silica gel, B1) to give product as a foam. This material is taken up in dichloromethane (100 ml) and treated at 0 °C with a 4 N HCl solution in dioxane (2 ml). Concentration in vacuo, followed by crystallization from ethyl acetate and methanoi gives naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid {2-[1-(4- amino-quιnazolιn-2-yl)-pιperιdιn-4-yl]-ethyl}-amιde hydrochloride melting at 184 - 191 °C. Rf(B1 ) 0.30; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺ = 462.

The starting material can be prepared, for example, as follows:

a) 4-[2-(Naphthalene-1-sulfonylamιno)-ethvn-pιperidιne-1 -carboxylic acid te/τ-butyl ester

A solution of 4-(2-amιno-ethyl)-pιperιdιne-1 -carboxylic acid fe/ϊ-butyl ester (1.5 g) and dnsopropylethylamine (1 69 ml) in acetonitnle (30 ml) is cooled to 0 °C and treated with a solution of naphthalene-1-sulfonylchloride (1.64 g) in acetonitrile (10 ml). The reaction is stirred at ambient temperature for 24 h and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with a 0.5 N HCl solution, a saturated aqueous sodium carbonate solution and water. It is then dried over sodium suifate and concentrated to a tan powder. Chromatography on silica gel (A2) affords 4-[2-(naphthalene-1-sulfonylamino)-ethyl]- piperidine-1 -carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, melting at 50 - 53 °C. Rf(A1) 0.40.

b) Naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid (2-piperidin-4-yl-ethyl)-amide

A suspension of 4-[2-(naphthalene-1 -sulfonylamino)-ethyl]-piperidine-1 -carboxylic acid tert- butyl ester (2.25 g) in dichloromethane (10 ml) is treated with a 4 N HCl solution in dioxane (10 ml) at 0 °C. Under completion, the reaction mixture is concentrated in vacuo, the residue is taken up in a 1 N sodium hydroxide solution and dichloromethane. After extraction with dichloromethane, the organics are dried over sodium suifate and concentrated to give naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid (2-piperidin-4-yl-ethyl)-amide. Rf(C3) 0.12.

Example 2: Naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid f 1 -(4-amino-quinazolin-2-yl)-piperidin-4-ylmethyll- amide hydrochloride

Following the procedure described in Example 1 , a mixture of 0.236 g of 2-chloro- quinazolin-4-ylamine and 0.4 g of naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid (piperidin-4-yl-methyl)-amide is converted to naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid [1 -(4-amino-quinazolin-2-yl)-piperidin-4- ytmethyl]-amide hydrochloride, melting at 268 - 272 °C. Rf(B1 ) 0.46; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺ = 448.

The starting material can be prepared, for example, as follows: a) 4-[(Naphthalene-1 -sulfonylamιno)-methyll-pιperιdιne-1 -carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

Following the procedure described in Example 1a, a mixture of 1.89 g of 4-(amιno-methyl- pιperιdιne-1 -carboxylic acid terf-butyl ester (obtained from 4-amιnomethyl-pιperιdιne as described in: Synth. Commun. 1992, 22, 2357) and 2 g of naphthalene-1 -sulfonylchlorιde in acetonitnle gives 4-[(naphthalene-1-sulfonylamιno)-methyl]-pιperιdιne-1 -carboxylic acid tert- butyl ester as a foam. Rf(A2) 0.20.

b) Naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid (pιperιdιn-4-yl-methyl)-amιde

Following the procedure described in Example 1 b, 3.12 g of 4-[(naphthalene-1- sulfonylamιno)-methyl]-pιperιdιne-1 -carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester are converted to naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid (pιperidιn-4-yl-methyl)-amιde, melting at 141 - 143. Rf(C1 ) 0.15.

Example 3: Naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid 2-[4-(4-amιno-quιnazolιn-2-yl)-pιperazιn-1 -yll- ethyl}-amιde hydrochloride

Following the procedure described in Example 1 , a mixture of 0.282 g of 2-chloro- quιnazolιn-4-ylamιne and 0.5 g of naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid (2-pιperιdιn-4-yl-ethyl)-amιde is converted to naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid {2-[1 -(4-amιno-quιnazolιn-2-yl)-pιpeπdιn-4-yl]- ethyl}-amιde hydrochloride, melting at 184 - 191 °C Rf(B2) 0.30; FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺ = 462.

The starting material can be prepared, for example, as follows:

a) 4-[2-(Naphthalene-1 -sulfonylamιno)-ethyl|-pιperazιne-1 -carboxylic acid terf-butyl ester Followmg the procedure described in Example 1 a, a mixture of 1 .82 g of 4-(2-amino-ethyl)- pιperazιne-1 -carboxylic acid te/f-butyl ester (obtained from 1 -(2-ammo-ethyl)-piperazine as described in: Synth. Commun. 1992, 22, 2357) and 1.8 g of naphthalene- 1 -sulfonylchloride in acetonitnle gives 4-[2-(naphthalene-1-sulfonylamιno)-ethyl]-pιperazιne-1 -carboxylic acid te/ -butyl ester as a foam. Rf(A1) 0.33.

b) Naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid (2-piperazin-1-yl-ethyl)-amide

Following the procedure described in Examplel , 2.86 g of 4-[2-(naphthalene-1 - sulfonylamino)-ethyl]-piperazine-1 -carboxylic acid terf-butyl ester are converted to naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid (2-piperazιn-1 -yl-ethyl)-amιde, melting at 152 - 154 °C. Rf(C2) 0.41.

Example 4: 2-[4-(Naphthalene-1 -sulfonyl)-pιperazιn-1 -yll-quιnazolιn-4-ylamιne hydrochloride

Following the procedure described in Examplel , a mixture of 0.3 g of 2-chloro-quιnazolin-4- ylamme and 0.462 g of 1 -(naphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-pιperazιne is converted to 2-[4- (naphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-pιperazιn-1 -yl]-quιnazolιn-4-ylamιne hydrochloride, melting at 254 - 264 °C. Rf(C4) 0.68, FAB-MS: (M+H)⁺ = 420.

The starting material can be prepared, for example, as follows

a) 4-(Naphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-pιperazιne-1 -carboxylic acid te/t-butyl ester

Following the procedure described in Example 1 a, a mixture of 1 56 g of piperazme-N- carbamic acid /erf-butyl ester and 1 9 g of naphthalene-1 -sulfonylchloride in acetonitnle gives 4-(naphthalene-1 -sulfonyl)-pιperazιne-1 -carboxylic acid te/t-butyl ester, melting at 143 - 145 °C. Rf(A5) 0.27

b) 1 -(Naphthalene-1 -sulfonyl) -piperazine

Following the procedure described in Examplel b, 2.91 g of 4-(naphthalene-1 -sulfonyl)- pιperazιne-1 -carboxylic acid te/t-butyl ester are converted to 1 -(naphthalene- 1-sulfonyl)- piperazine, melting at 85 - 87 °C. Rf(C1 ) 0.55

Example 5- Tablets, each containing 50 mg of active ingredient, for example, naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid {2-[1 -(4-amιno-quιnazolιn-2-yl)-pιperιdιn-4-yl]-ethyl}- amide hydrochloride, can be prepared as follows

Composition (for 10,000 tablets)

Active ingredient 500.0 g

Lactose 500 0 g

Potato starch 352.0 g

Gelatin 8.0 g

Talc 60.0 g

Magnesium stearate 10.0 g

Silica (highly disperse) 20.0 g

Ethanol q.s

The active ingredient is mixed with the lactose and 292 g of potato starch, and the mixture is moistened using an alcoholic solution of the gelatin and granulated by means of a sieve. After drying, the remainder of the potato starch, the talc, the magnesium stearate and the highly disperse silica are admixed and the mixture is compressed to give tablets of weight 145 0 mg each and active ingredient content 50.0 mg which, if desired, can be provided with breaking notches for finer adjustment of the dose

Example 6 Coated tablets, each containing 100 mg of active ingredient, for example, naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid {2-[1 -(4-amιno-quιnazolιn-2-yl)-pιperιdιn-4- yl]-ethyl}-amide hydrochloride, can be prepared as follows:

Composition (for 1000 tablets):

Active ingredient 100.00 g

Lactose 100.00 g

Corn starch 70.00 g

Talc 8.50 g

Calcium stearate 1.50 g

Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 2.36 g

Shellac 0.64 g

Water q.s.

Dichloromethane q.s.

The active ingredient, the lactose and 40 g of the corn starch are mixed and moistened and granulated with a paste prepared from 15 g of corn starch and water (with warming). The granules are dried, and the remainder of the corn starch, the talc and the calcium stearate are added and mixed with the granules. The mixture is compressed to give tablets (weight: 280 mg) and these are coated with a solution of the hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and the shellac in dichloromethane (final weight of the coated tablet: 283 mg).

Example 7: Tablets and coated tablets containing another compound of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of the formula (I), for example as in one of Examples 1 to 4, can also be prepared in an analogous manner to that described in Examples 5 and 6.

SEQUENCE LISTING

(1 ) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1 :

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 1501 base pairs

(B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(ix) FEATURE:

(A) NAME/KEY: CDS

(B) LOCATION: 61..1432

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1 :

TTAGTTTTGT TCTGAGAACG TTAGAGTTAT AGTACCGTGC GATCGTTCTT CAAGCTGCTA 60

ATG GAC GTC CTC TTC TTC CAC CAG GAT TCT AGT ATG GAG TTT AAG CTT 108 Met Asp Val Leu Phe Phe His Gin Asp Ser Ser Met Glu Phe Lys Leu

1 5 10 15

GAG GAG CAT TTT AAC AAG ACA TTT GTC ACA GAG AAC AAT ACA GCT GCT 156 Glu Glu His Phe Asn Lys Thr Phe Val Thr Glu Asn Asn Thr Ala Ala 20 25 30

GCT CGG AAT GCA GCC TTC CCT GCC TGG GAG GAC TAC AGA GGC AGC GTA 204 Ala Arg Asn Ala Ala Phe Pro Ala Trp Glu Asp Tyr Arg Gly Ser Val 35 40 45

GAC GAT TTA CAA TAC TTT CTG ATT GGG CTC TAT ACA TTC GTA AGT CTT 252 Asp Asp Leu Gin Tyr Phe Leu lie Gly Leu Tyr Thr Phe Val Ser Leu 50 55 60

CTT GGC TTT ATG GGC AAT CTA CTT ATT TTA ATG GCT GTT ATG AAA AAG 300 Leu Gly Phe Met Gly Asn Leu Leu lie Leu Met Ala Val Met Lys Lys 65 70 75 80

CGC AAT CAG AAG ACT ACA GTG AAC TTT CTC ATA GGC AAC CTG GCC TTC 348 Arg Asn Gin Lys Thr Thr Val Asn Phe Leu lie Gly Asn Leu Ala Phe 85 90 95

TCC GAC ATC TTG GTC GTC CTG TTT TGC TCC CCT TTC ACC CTG ACC TCT 396 Ser Asp lie Leu Val Val Leu Phe Cys Ser Pro Phe Thr Leu Thr Ser 100 105 110

GTC TTG TTG GAT CAG TGG ATG TTT GGC AAA GCC ATG TGC CAT ATC ATG 444 Val Leu Leu Asp Gin Trp Met Phe Gly Lys Ala Met Cys His lie Met 115 120 125

CCG TTC CTT CAA TGT GTG TCA GTT CTG GTT TCA ACT CTG ATT TTA ATA 492 Pro Phe Leu Gin Cys Val Ser Val Leu Val Ser Thr Leu lie Leu lie 130 135 140

TCA ATT GCC ATT GTC AGG TAT CAT ATG ATA AAG CAC CCT ATT TCT AAC 540 Ser lie Ala lie Val Arg Tyr His Met lie Lys His Pro lie Ser Asn 145 150 155 160

AAT TTA ACG GCA AAC CAT GGC TAC TTC CTG ATA GCT ACT GTC TGG ACA 588 Asn Leu Thr Ala Asn His Gly Tyr Phe Leu lie Ala Thr Val Trp Thr 165 170 175

CTG GGC TTT GCC ATC TGT TCT CCC CTC CCA GTG TTT CAC AGT CTT GTG 636 Leu Gly Phe Ala lie Cys Ser Pro Leu Pro Val Phe His Ser Leu Val 180 185 190

GAA CTT AAG GAG ACC TTT GGC TCA GCA CTG CTG AGT AGC AAA TAT CTC 684 Glu Leu Lys Glu Thr Phe Gly Ser Ala Leu Leu Ser Ser Lys Tyr Leu 195 200 205

TGT GTT GAG TCA TGG CCC TCT GAT TCA TAC AGA ATT GCT TTC ACA ATC 732 Cys Val Glu Ser Trp Pro Ser Asp Ser Tyr Arg lie Ala Phe Thr lie 210 215 220

TCT TTA TTG CTA GTG CAG TAT ATC CTG CCT CTA GTA TGT TTA ACG GTA 780 Ser Leu Leu Leu Val Gin Tyr lie Leu Pro Leu Val Cys Leu Thr Val 225 230 235 240

AGT CAT ACC AGC GTC TGC CGA AGC ATA AGC TGT GGA TTG TCC CAC AAA 828 Ser His Thr Ser Val Cys Arg Ser lie Ser Cys Gly Leu Ser His Lys 245 250 255

GAA AAC AGA CTC GAA GAA AAT GAG ATG ATC AAC TTA ACC CTA CAG CCA 876 Glu Asn Arg Leu Glu Glu Asn Glu Met lie Asn Leu Thr Leu Gin Pro 260 265 270

TCC AAA AAG AGC AGG AAC CAG GCA AAA ACC CCC AGC ACT CAA AAG TGG 924 Ser Lys Lys Ser Arg Asn Gin Ala Lys Thr Pro Ser Thr Gin Lys Trp 275 280 285

AGC TAC TCA TTC ATC AGA AAG CAC AGA AGG AGG TAC AGC AAG AAG ACG 972 Ser Tyr Ser Phe lie Arg Lys His Arg Arg Arg Tyr Ser Lys Lys Thr 290 295 300

GCC TGT GTC TTA CCC GCC CCA GCA GGA CCT TCC CAG GGG AAG CAC CTA 1020 Ala Cys Val Leu Pro Ala Pro Ala Gly Pro Ser Gin Gly Lys His Leu 305 310 315 320

GCC GTT CCA GAA AAT CCA GCC TCC GTC CGT AGC CAG CTG TCG CCA TCC 1068 Ala Val Pro Glu Asn Pro Ala Ser Val Arg Ser Gin Leu Ser Pro Ser 325 330 335

AGT AAG GTC ATT CCA GGG GTC CCA ATC TGC TTT GAG GTG AAA CCT GAA 1116 Ser Lys Val lie Pro Gly Val Pro lie Cys Phe Glu Val Lys Pro Glu 340 345 350

GAA AGC TCA GAT GCT CAT GAG ATG AGA GTC AAG CGT TCC ATC ACT AGA 1164 Glu Ser Ser Asp Ala His Glu Met Arg Val Lys Arg Ser lie Thr Arg 355 360 365 ATA AAA AAG AGA TCT CGA AGT GTT TTC TAC AGA CTG ACC ATA CTG ATA 1212 lie Lys Lys Arg Ser Arg Ser Val Phe Tyr Arg Leu Thr lie Leu lie 370 375 380

CTC GTG TTC GCC GTT AGC TGG ATG CCA CTC CAC GTC TTC CAC GTG GTG 1260 Leu Val Phe Ala Val Ser Trp Met Pro Leu His Val Phe His Val Val 385 390 395 400

ACT GAC TTC AAT GAT AAC TTG ATT TCC AAT AGG CAT TTC AAG CTG GTA 1308 Thr Asp Phe Asn Asp Asn Leu lie Ser Asn Arg His Phe Lys Leu Val 405 410 415

TAC TGC ATC TGT CAC TTG TTA GGC ATG ATG TCC TGT TGT CTA AAT CCG 1356 Tyr Cys lie Cys His Leu Leu Gly Met Met Ser Cys Cys Leu Asn Pro 420 425 430

ATC CTA TAT GGT TTC CTT AAT AAT GGT ATC AAA GCA GAC TTG AGA GCC 1404 lie Leu Tyr Gly Phe Leu Asn Asn Gly lie Lys Ala Asp Leu Arg Ala 435 440 445

CTT ATC CAC TGC CTA CAC ATG TCA TGA TTCTCTCTGTG CACCAAAGAG 1452

Leu lie His Cys Leu His Met Ser * 450 455

AGAAGAAACG TGGTAATTGA CACATAATTT ATACAGAAGT ATTCTGGAT 1501

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 457 amino acids

(B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2:

Met Asp Val Leu Phe Phe His Gin Asp Ser Ser Met Glu Phe Lys Leu

1 5 10 15

Glu Glu His Phe Asn Lys Thr Phe Val Thr Glu Asn Asn Thr Ala Ala 20 25 30

Ala Arg Asn Ala Ala Phe Pro Ala Trp Glu Asp Tyr Arg Gly Ser Val 35 40 45

Asp Asp Leu Gin Tyr Phe Leu lie Gly Leu Tyr Thr Phe Val Ser Leu 50 55 60

Leu Gly Phe Met Gly Asn Leu Leu lie Leu Met Ala Val Met Lys Lys 65 70 75 80

Arg Asn Gin Lys Thr Thr Val Asn Phe Leu lie Gly Asn Leu Ala Phe 85 90 95

Ser Asp lie Leu Val Val Leu Phe Cys Ser Pro Phe Thr Leu Thr Ser 100 105 110

Val Leu Leu Asp Gin Trp Met Phe Gly Lys Ala Met Cys His lie Met 115 120 125

Pro Phe Leu Gin Cys Val Ser Val Leu Val Ser Thr Leu lie Leu lie 130 135 140

Ser lie Ala lie Val Arg Tyr His Met lie Lys His Pro lie Ser Asn 145 150 155 160 Asn Leu Thr Ala Asn His Gly Tyr Phe Leu lie Ala Thr Val Trp Thr 165 170 175

Leu Gly Phe Ala lie Cys Ser Pro Leu Pro Val Phe His Ser Leu Val 180 185 190

Glu Leu Lys Glu Thr Phe Gly Ser Ala Leu Leu Ser Ser Lys Tyr Leu 195 200 205

Cys Val Glu Ser Trp Pro Ser Asp Ser Tyr Arg lie Ala Phe Thr He 210 215 220

Ser Leu Leu Leu Val Gin Tyr He Leu Pro Leu Val Cys Leu Thr Val 225 230 235 240

Ser His Thr Ser Val Cys Arg Ser He Ser Cys Gly Leu Ser His Lys 245 250 255

Glu Asn Arg Leu Glu Glu Asn Glu Met He Asn Leu Thr Leu Gin Pro 260 265 270

Ser Lys Lys Ser Arg Asn Gin Ala Lys Thr Pro Ser Thr Gin Lys Trp 275 280 285

Ser Tyr Ser Phe He Arg Lys His Arg Arg Arg Tyr Ser Lys Lys Thr 290 295 300

Ala Cys Val Leu Pro Ala Pro Ala Gly Pro Ser Gin Gly Lys His Leu 305 310 315 320

Ala Val Pro Glu Asn Pro Ala Ser Val Arg Ser Gin Leu Ser Pro Ser 325 330 335

Ser Lys Val He Pro Gly Val Pro He Cys Phe Glu Val Lys Pro Glu 340 345 350

Glu Ser Ser Asp Ala His Glu Met Arg Val Lys Arg Ser He Thr Arg 355 360 365

He Lys Lys Arg Ser Arg Ser Val Phe Tyr Arg Leu Thr He Leu He 370 375 380 Leu Val Phe Ala Val Ser Trp Met Pro Leu His Val Phe His Val Val 385 390 395 400

Thr Asp Phe Asn Asp Asn Leu He Ser Asn Arg His Phe Lys Leu Val 405 410 415

Tyr Cys He Cys His Leu Leu Gly Met Met Ser Cys Cys Leu Asn Pro 420 425 430

He Leu Tyr Gly Phe Leu Asn Asn Gly He Lys Ala Asp Leu Arg Ala 435 440 445

Leu He His Cys Leu His Met Ser 450 455

(3) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS.

(A) LENGTH: 1457 base pairs

(B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(II) MOLECULE TYPE" cDNA

(HI) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE' NO

(ix) FEATURE

(A) NAME/KEY: CDS

(B) LOCATION: 61 1432

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION. SEQ ID NO:3: GTTTCCCTCT GAATAGATTA ATTTAAAGTA GTCATGTAAT GTTTTTTTGG TTGCTGACAA 60

ATG TCT TTT TAT TCC AAG CAG GAC TAT AAT ATG GAT TTA GAG CTC GAC 108 Met Ser Phe Tyr Ser Lys Gin Asp Tyr Asn Met Asp Leu Glu Leu Asp 1 5 10 15

GAG TAT TAT AAC AAG ACA CTT GCC ACA GAG AAT AAT ACT GCT GCC ACT 156 Glu Tyr Tyr Asn Lys Thr Leu Ala Thr Glu Asn Asn Thr Ala Ala Thr 20 25 30

CGG AAT TCT GAT TTC CCA GTC TGG GAT GAC TAT AAA AGC AGT GTA GAT 204 Arg Asn Ser Asp Phe Pro Val Trp Asp Asp Tyr Lys Ser Ser Val Asp 35 40 45

GAC TTA CAG TAT TTT CTG ATT GGG CTC TAT ACA TTT GTA AGT CTT CTT 252 Asp Leu Gin Tyr Phe Leu He Gly Leu Tyr Thr Phe Val Ser Leu Leu 50 55 60

GGC TTT ATG GGG AAT CTA CTT ATT TTA ATG GCT CTC ATG AAA AAG CGT 300 Gly Phe Met Gly Asn Leu Leu He Leu Met Ala Leu Met Lys Lys Arg 65 70 75 80

AAT CAG AAG ACT ACG GTA AAC TTC CTC ATA GGC AAT CTG GCC TTT TCT 348 Asn Gin Lys Thr Thr Val Asn Phe Leu He Gly Asn Leu Ala Phe Ser 85 90 95

GAT ATC TTG GTT GTG CTG TTT TGC TCA CCT TTC ACA CTG ACG TCT GTC 396 Asp He Leu Val Val Leu Phe Cys Ser Pro Phe Thr Leu Thr Ser Val 100 105 110

TTG CTG GAT CAG TGG ATG TTT GGC AAA GTC ATG TGC CAT ATT ATG CCT 444 Leu Leu Asp Gin Trp Met Phe Gly Lys Val Met Cys His He Met Pro 115 120 125

TTT CTT CAA TGT GTG TCA GTT TTG GTT TCA ACT TTA ATT TTA ATA TCA 492 Phe Leu Gin Cys Val Ser Val Leu Val Ser Thr Leu He Leu He Ser 130 135 140

ATT GCC ATT GTC AGG TAT CAT ATG ATA AAA CAT CCC ATA TCT AAT AAT 540 He Ala He Val Arg Tyr His Met He Lys His Pro He Ser Asn Asn 145 150 155 160 TTA ACA GCA AAC CAT GGC TAC TTT CTG ATA GCT ACT GTC TGG ACA CTA 588 Leu Thr Ala Asn His Gly Tyr Phe Leu He Ala Thr Val Trp Thr Leu 165 170 175

GGT TTT GCC ATC TGT TCT CCC CTT CCA GTG TTT CAC AGT CTT GTG GAA 636 Gly Phe Ala He Cys Ser Pro Leu Pro Val Phe His Ser Leu Val Glu 180 185 190

CTT CAA GAA ACA TTT GGT TCA GCA TTG CTG AGC AGC AGG TAT TTA TGT 684 Leu Gin Glu Thr Phe Gly Ser Ala Leu Leu Ser Ser Arg Tyr Leu Cys 195 200 205

GTT GAG TCA TGG CCA TCT GAT TCA TAC AGA ATT GCC TTT ACT ATC TCT 732 Val Glu Ser Trp Pro Ser Asp Ser Tyr Arg He Ala Phe Thr He Ser 210 215 220

TTA TTG CTA GTT CAG TAT ATT CTG CCC TTA GTT TGT CTT ACT GTA AGT 780 Leu Leu Leu Val Gin Tyr He Leu Pro Leu Val Cys Leu Thr Val Ser 225 230 235 240

CAT ACA AGT GTC TGC AGA AGT ATA AGC TGT GGA TTG TCC AAC AAA GAA 828 His Thr Ser Val Cys Arg Ser He Ser Cys Gly Leu Ser Asn Lys Glu 245 250 255

AAC AGA CTT GAA GAA AAT GAG ATG ATC AAC TTA ACT CTT CAT CCA TCC 876 Asn Arg Leu Glu Glu Asn Glu Met He Asn Leu Thr Leu His Pro Ser 260 265 270

AAA AAG AGT GGG CCT CAG GTG AAA CTC TCT GGC AGC CAT AAA TGG AGT 924 Lys Lys Ser Gly Pro Gin Val Lys Leu Ser Gly Ser His Lys Trp Ser 275 280 285

TAT TCA TTC ATC AAA AAA CAC AGA AGA AGA TAT AGC AAG AAG ACA GCA 972 Tyr Ser Phe He Lys Lys His Arg Arg Arg Tyr Ser Lys Lys Thr Ala 290 295 300

TGT GTG TTA CCT GCT CCA GAA AGA CCT TCT CAA GAG AAC CAC TCC AGA 1020 Cys Val Leu Pro Ala Pro Glu Arg Pro Ser Gin Glu Asn His Ser Arg 305 310 315 320

ATA CTT CCA GAA AAC TTT GGC TCT GTA AGA AGT CAG CTC TCT TCA TCC 1068 He Leu Pro Glu Asn Phe Gly Ser Val Arg Ser Gin Leu Ser Ser Ser 325 330 335 AGT AAG TTC ATA CCA GGG GTC CCC ACT TGC TTT GAG ATA AAA CCT GAA 1116 Ser Lys Phe He Pro Gly Val Pro Thr Cys Phe Glu He Lys Pro Glu 340 345 350

GAA AAT TCA GAT GTT CAT GAA TTG AGA GTA AAA CGT TCT GTT ACA AGA 1164 Glu Asn Ser Asp Val His Glu Leu Arg Val Lys Arg Ser Val Thr Arg 355 360 365

ATA AAA AAG AGA TCT CGA AGT GTT TTC TAC AGA CTG ACC ATA CTG ATA 1212 He Lys Lys Arg Ser Arg Ser Val Phe Tyr Arg Leu Thr He Leu He 370 375 380

TTA GTA TTT GCT GTT AGT TGG ATG CCA CTA CAC CTT TTC CAT GTG GTA 1260 Leu Val Phe Ala Val Ser Trp Met Pro Leu His Leu Phe His Val Val 385 390 395 400

ACT GAT TTT AAT GAC AAT CTT ATT TCA AAT AGG CAT TTC AAG TTG GTG 1308 Thr Asp Phe Asn Asp Asn Leu He Ser Asn Arg His Phe Lys Leu Val 405 410 415

TAT TGC ATT TGT CAT TTG TTG GGC ATG ATG TCC TGT TGT CTT AAT CCA 1356 Tyr Cys He Cys His Leu Leu Gly Met Met Ser Cys Cys Leu Asn Pro 420 425 430

ATT CTA TAT GGG TTT CTT AAT AAT GGG ATT AAA GCT GAT TTA GTG TCC 1404 He Leu Tyr Gly Phe Leu Asn Asn Gly He Lys Ala Asp Leu Val Ser 435 440 445

CTT ATA CAC TGT CTT CAT ATG TAA TAA TTCTCACTGT TTACCAAGGA 1452 Leu He His Cys Leu His Met * * 450 455

AAGAAC 1457

(4) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 457 amino acids

(B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4:

Met Ser Phe Tyr Ser Lys Gin Asp Tyr Asn Met Asp Leu Glu Leu Asp 1 5 10 15

Glu Tyr Tyr Asn Lys Thr Leu Ala Thr Glu Asn Asn Thr Ala Ala Thr 20 25 30

Arg Asn Ser Asp Phe Pro Val Trp Asp Asp Tyr Lys Ser Ser Val Asp 35 40 45

Asp Leu Gin Tyr Phe Leu He Gly Leu Tyr Thr Phe Val Ser Leu Leu 50 55 60

Gly Phe Met Gly Asn Leu Leu He Leu Met Ala Leu Met Lys Lys Arg 65 70 75 80

Asn Gin Lys Thr Thr Val Asn Phe Leu He Gly Asn Leu Ala Phe Ser 85 90 95

Asp He Leu Val Val Leu Phe Cys Ser Pro Phe Thr Leu Thr Ser Val 100 105 110

Leu Leu Asp Gin Trp Met Phe Gly Lys Val Met Cys His He Met Pro 115 120 125

Phe Leu Gin Cys Val Ser Val Leu Val Ser Thr Leu He Leu He Ser 130 135 140

He Ala He Val Arg Tyr His Met He Lys His Pro He Ser Asn Asn 145 150 155 160

Leu Thr Ala Asn His Gly Tyr Phe Leu He Ala Thr Val Trp Thr Leu 165 170 175

Gly Phe Ala He Cys Ser Pro Leu Pro Val Phe His Ser Leu Val Glu 180 185 190 Leu Gin Glu Thr Phe Gly Ser Ala Leu Leu Ser Ser Arg Tyr Leu Cys 195 200 205

Val Glu Ser Trp Pro Ser Asp Ser Tyr Arg He Ala Phe Thr He Ser 210 215 220

Leu Leu Leu Val Gin Tyr He Leu Pro Leu Val Cys Leu Thr Val Ser 225 230 235 240

His Thr Ser Val Cys Arg Ser He Ser Cys Gly Leu Ser Asn Lys Glu 245 250 255

Asn Arg Leu Glu Glu Asn Glu Met He Asn Leu Thr Leu His Pro Ser 260 265 270

Lys Lys Ser Gly Pro Gin Val Lys Leu Ser Gly Ser His Lys Trp Ser 275 280 285

Tyr Ser Phe He Lys Lys His Arg Arg Arg Tyr Ser Lys Lys Thr Ala 290 295 300

Cys Val Leu Pro Ala Pro Glu Arg Pro Ser Gin Glu Asn His Ser Arg 305 310 315 320

He Leu Pro Glu Asn Phe Gly Ser Val Arg Ser Gin Leu Ser Ser Ser 325 330 335

Ser Lys Phe He Pro Gly Val Pro Thr Cys Phe Glu He Lys Pro Glu 340 345 350

Glu Asn Ser Asp Val His Glu Leu Arg Val Lys Arg Ser Val Thr Arg 355 360 365

He Lys Lys Arg Ser Arg Ser Val Phe Tyr Arg Leu Thr He Leu He 370 375 380

Leu Val Phe Ala Val Ser Trp Met Pro Leu His Leu Phe His Val Val 385 390 395 400

Thr Asp Phe Asn Asp Asn Leu He Ser Asn Arg His Phe Lys Leu Val 405 410 415 Tyr Cys He Cys His Leu Leu Gly Met Met Ser Cys Cys Leu Asn Pro 420 425 430

He Leu Tyr Gly Phe Leu Asn Asn Gly He Lys Ala Asp Leu Val Ser 435 440 445

Leu He His Cys Leu His Met * * 450

Claims

What is claimed is

Use of a compound of formula (I),

in which alk represents a single bond or Iower alkylene; the integer n is 0 or 1 ;

R- represents (i) hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, Iower alkyl, Iower alkenyl, Iower alkynyl, C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or Iower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, by Iower alkoxy, by amino, by substituted amino, by carboxy, by Iower alkoxycarbonyl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxycarbonyl, by carbamoyl, or by N-substituted carbamoyl;

(ii) amino or substituted amino;

(iii) hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, Iower alkenyloxy, Iower alkynyloxy, hydroxy-lower alkoxy, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkoxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy, Iower alkoxycarbonyl-oxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkoxycarbonyl-oxy, aminocarbonyl-oxy, or N-substituted aminocarbonyl-oxy; (iv) carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, or (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl; (v) carbamoyl or N-substituted carbamoyl;

(vi) a group selected from -CH(OH)-R, -CO-R, -NR₀₁ -CO-O-R, -NR₀--CO-R, -NR₀ι-CO-NR_o R, -NR₀₁-SO₂-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-NR₀₁-R, -SO₂-R, -SO₂-NR₀₁-R, or -SO₂-NR₀₁-CO-R, [R and R₀ι being as defined below, or the group -N(R)(R₀ι) represents amino which is di-substituted by Iower alkylene {which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n or NR₀ or which may be condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring}]; or (vii) an element of formula -Xι(X₂)(X3) wherein, (a) if Xi is -CH-, X₂ together with X₃ represent a structural element of formula -X₄-(CO)_p-(CH₂)₀-, -(CH₂)_q-X₄-(CO)_p-(CH₂) , or -(CH₂)s-X4-CO-(CH₂)r; or, (b) if X1 is -N-, X₂ together with Xg represent a structural element of formula -CO-(CH₂)_u-; PC being -CH₂-, -N(R₀ι)- or -O-; the integer 0 is 3-5; the integer p is 0 or 1 ; the integer q is 1or 2; the integer r is 1 ; the integer s is 1 or 2; the integer t is 1 or 2; the integer u is 3-5; with the proviso that, if the integer p is 0, X* is different from -CH₂-;];

R₂ and R₃, independently of one another, represent (i) hydrogen, Iower alkyl, Iower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl- lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl; or (ii) Iower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, hydroxy-lower alkoxy, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, N-substituted carbamoyl, and -S(O)_n-R;

R₂ and R₃ together represent Iower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n, NRo or which may be condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring];

X represents N or CH; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, as well as the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of (i) halogen, Iower alkyl, Iower alkenyl, Iower alkynyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, Iower alkoxy, Iower alkenyloxy, Iower alkynyloxy, oxy-lower alkylene-oxy, hydroxy, Iower alkanoyloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyloxy, Iower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aroyl, nitro, cyano;

(ii) Iower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, C₃-C_B-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, amino, substituted ammo, carboxy, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl;

(iii) Iower alkoxy which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, amino, substituted ammo, carboxy, lower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl; (iv) amino, substituted amino;

(v) carboxy, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl; (vi) carbamoyl and N-substituted carbamoyl; wherein, in each case, the substituted amino group of substituted amino, of N- substituted carbamoyl, and of N-substituted aminocarbonyl-oxy is (i) mono-substituted or, independently of one another, di-substituted by Iower alkyl, by C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, by C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or is (ii) di-substituted by iower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n or NRo or which may be condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring], or is (iii) mono-substituted or, in the second line, independently of one another, di- substituted by -CO-(O)_v-R and the integer v is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, the integer n is 0, 1 or 2; wherein, in each case, Ro represents hydrogen, Iower alkyl, Iower alkenyl, Iower alkinyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, lower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aroyl, -SO₂-R, or Iower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, or by Iower alkoxy; wherein in each case R₀ι represents hydrogen or Iower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R represents hydrogen, Iower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkyl, or Iower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, or by Iower alkoxy;or a pharmaceutically accetable salt thereof for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases or disorders associated with NPY Y5 receptor subtype.

2. Use according to claim 1 for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the prophylaxis and the treatment of disorders or disease states caused by eating disorders, of obesity, bulimia nervosa, diabetes, dyspilipidimia, hypertension, memory loss, epileptic seizures, migraine, sleep disturbance, pain, sexual/reproductive disorders, depression, anxiety, cerebral hemorrhage, shock, congestive heart failure, nasal congestion or diarrhea.

3. Use according to claim 1 or 2 of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in which alk represents a single bond or Iower alkylene;

Ri represents (i) hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, Iower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or Iower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by Iower alkoxy, by substituted amino, by Iower alkoxycarbonyl, or by N-substituted carbamoyl; (ii) substituted amino;

(iii) hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkoxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy, Iower alkoxycarbonyl-oxy, or N-substituted aminocarbonyl- oxy;

(iv) Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, or (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl; (v) N-substituted carbamoyl;

(vi) a group selected from -CH(OH)-R, -CO-R, -NR_o CO-O-R, -NR₀rCO-R, -NRorCO-NR,- R, -NR₀₁-SO₂-R, -NRoι-SO₂-NR₀rR, -SO₂-R, -SO₂-NR₀rR, or -SO₂-NR₀ι-CO-R, [R being as defined below and R₀ι being as defined above, or the group -N(R)(R₀ι) represents amino which is di-substituted by Iower alkylene {which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n or NR₀} or which is di-substituted by Iower alkylene which is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring]; or

(vii) an element of formula -Xι(X₂)(X₃) wherein, (a) if X is -CH-, X₂ together with X₃ represent a structural element of formula -X₄-(C0)_p-(CH₂)_o-, -(CH₂)_q-X₄-(CO)_p-(CH₂)_r-, or -(CH₂)_s-X₄-CO-(CH₂)t-; or, (b) if X, is -N-, X₂ together with X3 represent a structural element of formula -CO-(CH₂)_u-; [X4 being -CH₂-, -N(R₀ι)- or -O-; the integer 0 is 3-5; the integer p is 0 or 1 ; the integer q is 1or 2; the integer r is 1 ; the integer s is 1 or 2; the integer t is 1 or 2; the integer u is 3-5; with the proviso that, if the integer p is 0, X₄ is different from -CH₂-;];

R₂ and R₃ , independently of one another, represent (i) hydrogen, Iower alkyl, Iower alkenyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl; or (ii) Iower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, N- substituted carbamoyl, and -S(O)_n-R; R₂ and R₃ together represent Iower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n, or NRo] or represent Iower alkylene which is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring;

X represents N or CH; and the integer n is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, as well as the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of (i) halogen, Iower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, Iower alkoxy, Iower alkenyloxy, oxy-lower alkylene-oxy, hydroxy, Iower alkanoyloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyloxy, Iower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyl, nitro, cyano;

(ii) Iower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, am o, substituted ammo, carboxy, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl;

(iii) Iower alkoxy which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, ammo, substituted ammo, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl;

(iv) ammo, substituted amino;

(v) carboxy, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl; (vi) carbamoyl and N-substituted carbamoyl; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, is derived and selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenylyl, naphthyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furyl, thienyi, pyridyl, mdolyl, indazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothiophenyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolmyl, isoquinolinyl, or qumazolinyl; wherein, in each case, the substituted ammo group of substituted ammo, of N- substituted carbamoyl, and of N-substituted aminocarbonyl-oxy is (i) mono-substituted or, independently of one another, di-substituted by Iower alkyl, by C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, by C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or is (n) di-substituted by Iower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n or NRo] or is di-substituted by Iower alkylene which is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring, or is (in) mono-substituted or, in the second line, independently of one another, di-substituted by -CO-(O)_v-R and the integer v is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, the integer n is 0, 1 or 2; wherein, in each case, R₀ represents hydrogen or Iower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R₀ι represents hydrogen or Iower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R represents hydrogen, Iower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or Iower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, or by Iower alkoxy,.

4. Use according to claim 1 or 2 of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in which alk represents a single bond or Iower alkylene,

R, represents (i) hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, Iower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, or Iower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by Iower alkoxy, by substituted ammo, by Iower alkoxycarbonyl, or by substituted carbamoyl, (n) substituted ammo;

(m) hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkoxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy, or Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy;

(vi) a group selected from -CH(OH)-R, -CO-R, -NR₀₁-CO-R, -NR₀,-SO₂-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-NR₀₁- R, -SO₂-R, -SO₂-NR0₁-R, or -SO₂-NR₀₁-CO-R, [R and R-, being as defined below, or the group -N(R)(R₀ι) represents ammo which is di-substituted by Iower alkylene {which may be interrupted by O or NR₀} or which is di-substituted by Iower alkylene which is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring]; or

(vn) an element of formula -Xι(X₂)(Xs) wherein, (a) if X, is -CH-, X₂ together with X₃ represent a structural element of formula -X4-(CO)p-(CH₂)o-,

or -(CH₂)_s-X₄-CO-(CH₂),-; or, (b) if X1 is -N-, X₂ together with X₃ represent a structural element of formula -CO-(CH₂)_u-, [X, being -CH₂-, -N(R₀ι)- or -O-, the integer 0 is 3-5; the integer p is 0 or 1 , the integer q is 1or 2, the integer r is 1 ; the integer s is 1 or 2; the integer t is 1 or 2, the integer u is 3-5; with the proviso that, if the integer p is 0, * is different from -CH₂-,], R₂ and R₃ , independently of one another, represent (i) hydrogen, Iower alkyl, Iower alkenyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, or (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl;

(ii) Iower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: Iower alkoxy, substituted amino, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, and substituted carbamoyl;

R₂ and R₃ together represent Iower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n, or NRo];

X represents N or CH; and the integer n is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, as well as the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of (i) halogen, Iower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, Iower alkoxy, Iower alkenyloxy, oxy-lower alkylene-oxy, hydroxy, Iower alkanoyloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyloxy, Iower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyl, nitro, cyano;

(ii) Iower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, substituted amino, carboxy, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl;

(iii) Iower alkoxy which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, amino, substituted amino, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl;

(iv) substituted amino;

(v) Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl; (vi) carbamoyl and N-substituted carbamoyl; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, is derived from phenyl, naphthyl or pyridyl; wherein, in each case, the substituted amino group of substituted ammo, of N- substituted carbamoyl, and of N-substituted aminocarbonyl-oxy is (i) mono-substituted or, independently of one another, di-substituted by Iower alkyi, by C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, by C₃-C_B- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or is (ii) di-substituted by Iower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n or NRo] or is di-substituted by Iower alkylene which is condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring, or is (iii) mono-substituted or, in the second line, independently of one another, di-substituted by -CO-(O)_v-R and the integer v is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, the integer n is 0, 1 or 2; wherein, in each case, R₀ represents hydrogen or Iower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R₀ι represents hydrogen or Iower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R represents hydrogen, Iower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or Iower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, or by Iower alkoxy.

5. Use according to claim 1 or 2 of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in which alk represents a single bond or iower alkylene;

Ri represents (i) hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, Iower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, or phenyl; (ii) amino which is mono-substituted by Iower alkyl, phenyl or pyridyl, or which is disubstituted by Iower alkyl or by C₂-C₆-alkylene;

(iii) hydroxy or Iower alkoxy which is unsubstituted or substituted by C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl or by phenyl;

(iv) a group selected from -CH(OH)-R, -CO-R, -NR₀rCO-R, -NR₀rSO₂-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-NR₀ι- R, -SO₂-R, or -SO₂-NRoι-R, [R being Iower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or naphthyl, R₀ι being hydrogen or Iower alkyl, or the group -N(R)(R₀ι) represents ammo which is mono-substituted by Iower alkyl, by hydroxy-lower alkyl, or by naphthyl, or which is di- substituted by Iower alkyl or by C₂-C₆-alkylene {which may be interrupted by O or NR₀, Ro being hydrogen or Iower alkyl}];

R₃ represents hydrogen;

X represents N or CH; and the integer n is 0 or 1 ; wherein any aryl moiety, if not designated otherwise, and the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, Iower alkyl, halo-alkyl, Iower alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxy-lower alkoxy, and Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy;.

6. Use according to claim 1 or 2 of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in which alk represents a single bond or Iower alkylene;

Ri represents (i) hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, Iower alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, or phenyl;

(ii) amino which is mono-substituted by Iower alkyl, phenyl or pyridyl, or which is disubstituted by Iower alkyl or by C₂-C₆-alkylene;

(iii) hydroxy or iower alkoxy which is unsubstituted or substituted by C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, or by phenyl;

(iv) a group selected from -NR₀-,-CO-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-R, -NR₀ι-SO₂-NR₀ι-R, -SO₂-R, or -SO₂- NRorR, [R being Iower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or naphthyl, R₀ι being hydrogen or Iower alkyl, or the group -N(R)(R₀ι) represents amino which is mono-substituted by Iower alkyl, by hydroxy-lower alkyl, or by naphthyl, or which is di-substituted by Iower alkyl or by C₂-C₆-alkylene {which may be interrupted by O or NR₀, R₀ being hydrogen or Iower alkyl}];

R₃ represents hydrogen;

X represents N or CH; and the integer n is 0 or 1 ; wherein any aryl moiety, if not designated otherwise, and the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, Iower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, Iower alkoxy, hydroxy, and hydroxy-lower alkoxy;.

7. Use according to claim 1 or 2 of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in which alk represents -(CH₂)n- and the integer n is 1 -3;

R-, represents the group of formula NH-SO₂-R and R is naphthyl;

R₂ and R₃ each are hydrogen;

X is N or CH; and the ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by d-C₄-alkoxy.

8. Use according to claim 1 or 2 of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in which alk represents -(CH₂)₀- and the integer o is 1 or 2;

R- represents the group of formula NH-SO₂-R and R is naphthyl;

R₂ and R₃ each are hydrogen;

X is CH; and the ring A is unsubstituted.

9. A compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof in which; alk represents a single bond or Iower alkylene; the integer n is 0 or 1 ;

Ri represents (vi) a group selected from -CH(OH)-R, -CO-R, -NR₀ι-CO-O-R, -NR₀₁-CO-R, -NR₀₁-CO-NRor R, -NRorSO₂-R, -NR₀₁-SO₂-NR₀ι-R, -SO₂-R, -SO₂-NR₀ι-R, or -SO₂-NR₀ι-CO-R, [R and R, being as defined below, or the group -N(R)(R₀ι) represents amino which is di-substituted by Iower alkylene {which may be interrupted by O, S(O)„ or NR₀ or which may be condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring}]; or

(vii) an element of formula -Xι(X₂)(X3) wherein, (a) if Xi is -CH-, X₂ together with X₃ represent a structural element of formula -X4-(CO)_p-(CH₂)₀-, -(CH₂)_q-X₄-(CO)_p-(CH₂)_r-, or -(CH₂)_s-X₄-CO-(CH₂)t-; or, (b) if Xi is -N-, X₂ together with Xs represent a structural element of formula -CO-(CH₂)_u-; d being -CH₂-, -N(R₀ι)- or -O-; the integer o is 3-5; the integer p is 0 or 1 ; the integer q is 1or 2; the integer r is 1 ; the integer s is 1 or 2; the integer t is 1 or 2; the integer u is 3-5; with the proviso that, if the integer p is 0, X₄ is different from -CH₂-;];

R₂ and R₃, independently of one another, represent (i) hydrogen, Iower alkyl, Iower alkenyl, Iower alkynyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl- lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl; or (ii) Iower alkyl which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, hydroxy-lower alkoxy, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, carboxy, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, N-substituted carbamoyl, and -S(O)_π-R;

R₂ and R₃ together represent Iower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n, Ro or which may be condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring]; X represents N or CH; wherein, in each case, any aryl moiety, for example, of (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, aroyl, or aryloxy, respectively, as well as the benzo ring A is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of (i) halogen, Iower alkyl, Iower alkenyl, Iower alkynyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, Iower alkoxy, Iower alkenyloxy, Iower alkynyloxy, oxy-lower alkylene-oxy, hydroxy, Iower alkanoyloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyloxy, Iower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aroyl, nitro, cyano;

(iii) Iower alkoxy which is substituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, Iower alkoxy, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryloxy, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, amino, substituted amino, carboxy, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkoxy-carbonyl, carbamoyl, and N-substituted carbamoyl; (iv) amino, substituted amino;

(v) carboxy, Iower alkoxy-carbonyl, Iower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-carbonyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkoxy-carbonyl; (vi) carbamoyl and N-substituted carbamoyl; wherein, in each case, the substituted amino group of substituted amino, N- substituted carbamoyl, andof N-substituted aminocarbonyl-oxy is (i) mono-substituted or, independently of one another, di-substituted by Iower alkyl, by C₃-C₅-cycloalkyl, by C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, by (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl-lower alkyl, or is (ii) di-substituted by Iower alkylene [which may be interrupted by O, S(O)_n or NRo or which may be condensed at two adjacent carbon atoms with a benzene ring] , or is (iii) mono-substituted or, in the second line, independently of one another, di- substituted by -CO-(O)v-R and the integer v is 0 or 1 ; wherein, in each case, the integer n is 0, 1 or 2; wherein, in each case, R₀ represents hydrogen, Iower alkyl, Iower alkenyl, Iower alkinyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic} aryl-lower alkyl, Iower alkanoyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aroyl, -SO₂-R, or Iower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, or by Iower alkoxy; wherein, in each case, R₀ι represents hydrogen or Iower alkyl; wherein, in each case, R represents hydrogen, Iower alkyl, Cs-Cβ-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈- cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl, (carbocyclic or heterocyclic) aryl- lower alkyl, or Iower alkyl which is substituted by halogen, by hydroxy, or by Iower alkoxy;.

10. A compound according to claim 9 of formula (I) or a salt thereof selected from the group consisting of

Naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid {2-[1 -(4-amino-quinazolin-2-yl)-piperidin-4-yl]-ethyl}-amide; Naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid [1 -(4-amino-quinazolin-2-yl)-piperidin-4-ylmethyl]-amide; Naphthalene-1 -sulfonic acid {2-[4-(4-amino-quinazolin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amide; and 2-[4-(Naphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-quinazolin-4-ylamine.

1 1. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of diseases or disorders associated with NPY Y5 receptor subtype comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to claim 1 and a carrier.

12. A method for the treatment and prophylaxis of disorders or disease states associated with NPY Y5 receptor subtype comprising administering to a warm-blooded animal, including man, in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to claim 1.