Imidazole derivatives and their use as farnesyl protein transferase inhibitors

1 The present invention relates to compound of formula (1), wherein Ar 1 represents (A), or (B), or (C); R 12 and R 13 are independently hydrogen or C 1-4 alkyl; Ar 2 is phenyl or heteroaryl; p is 0 or 1; Ar 3 is phenyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidyl or pyrazynyl the ring being substituted on ring carbon atoms by R 2 and (CH 2 ) n R 3 and wherein Ar 3 is attached to Ar 1 C(R 12 )R 13 CH(Ar 2 )O— by a ring carbon atoms; R 2 is a group of formula (2), or R 2 represents a lactone of formula (3), the group of formula (2) or (3) having L or D configuration at the chiral alpha carbon in the corresponding free amino acid; n is 0, 1 or 2; R 3 is phenyl or heteroaryl; and R 5 -R 9 , m and n are as defined in the specification; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug or solvate thereof. Processes for their preparation, their use as therapeutic agents and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. A particular use is in cancer therapy.