PDE IV INHIBITING AMIDES, COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF TREATMENT

Abstract: Compounds represented by formula (I), as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts and hydrates thereof are disclosed as useful for treating or preventing diseases and conditions mediated by PDE-IV. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are also included.

Description: TITLE OF THE INVENTION PDE IV INHIBITING AMIDES, COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF TREATMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases by raising the level of cyclic adenosme-3',5'- monophosphate (cAMP) through the inhibition of phosphodiesterase IV (PDE IV) Many hormones and neurotransmitters modulate tissue function by elevating intracellular levels of 3', 5 -cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) The cellular levels of cAMP are regulated by mechanisms which control synthesis and breakdown. The synthesis of cAMP is controlled by adenyl cyclase which may be directly activated by agents such as forskolm or indirectly activated by the binding of specific agonists to cell surface receptors which are coupled to adenyl cyclase. The breakdown of cAMP is controlled by a family of phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes, which also control the breakdown of guanosine 3 ',5 -cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). At least seven members of the family have been described (PDE I-Vπ), the distπbution of which vanes from tissue to tissue. This suggests that specific inhibitors of PDE isoenzymes could achieve differential elevation of cAMP in different tissues [for reviews of PDE distπbution, structure, function and regulation, see Beavo & Reifsnyder (1990) TIPS, 11: 150-155, Nicholson et. al. (1991) TIPS, 12- 19-27, and Torphy and Undem (1991) Thorax, 46: 512-523]. The availability of PDE isotype selective inhibitors has enabled the role of PDEs in a vaπety of cell types to be investigated In particular it has been established that PDE IV controls the breakdown of cAMP in many inflammatory cells, for example, basophils (Peachell P.T. et al., (1992) J Immunol., 148: 2503- 2510) and eosmophils (Dent G. et al., (1991) Br. J. Pharmacol., 103: 1339-1346) and that inhibition of this isotype is associated with the inhibition of cell activation. Furthermore, elevation of cAMP in airway smooth muscle has a spasmolytic effect Consequently PDE IV inhibitors are currently being developed as potential anti- mflammatory drugs particularly for the prophylaxis and treatment of asthma, by achieving both anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator effects. The application of molecular cloning to the study of PDEs has revealed that for each isotype there may be one or more isoforms. PDE IV has been shown to exist in four isoforms (A, B, C and D) to date, each coded for by a separate gene in both rodents (Swinnen J.V et al , (1989) Proc Natl Acad. Sci USA, 86_ 5325-5329 ) and man (Bolger G et al., (1993) Mol. Cell Biol , 13: 6558-6571). The existence of multiple PDE IVs raises the prospect of obtaining inhibitors that are selective for individual isoforms, thus increasing the specificity of action of such inhibitors. This assumes that the different PDE IV isoforms are functionally distinct. Indirect evidence in support of this comes from the selective distπbution of these isoforms in different tissues (Swinnen et al., 1989; Bolger et al . 1993; Obernolte R. et al., (1993) Gene, L29: 239-247, ibid) and the high degree of sequence conservation amongst isoforms of different species To date, full length cDNAs for human PDE IVA, B and D (Bolger et al , 1993 ibid, Obernolte et al., 1993 ibid, Mclaughlin M. et al , (1993) J. Biol Chem . 268- 6470-6476) and rat PDE IVA, B and D (Davis R et al., (1989) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 86 3604-3608; Swinnen J V. et al., (1991) J. Biol Chem., 266: 18370- 18377), have been reported, enabling functional recombinant enzymes to be produced by expression of the cDNAs in an appropπate host cell These cDNAs have been isolated by conventional hybπdization methods. However using this approach, only partial cDNAs for both human and rat PDE IVC have been obtained (Bolger et al., ibid. 1993 and Swinnen et al., ibid. 1989 and International Patent Specification No WO 91/16457.) The design of PDE IV inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as asthma, has met with limited success to date Many of the PDE IV inhibitors which have been synthesised have lacked potency and/or inhibit more than one type of PDE isoenzyme in a non-selective manner. PDE IV inhibitors that are relatively potent and selective for PDE IV, are reported to be emetic as well. Indeed this side effect has been so universal that experts have expressed their belief that the emesis expeπenced upon administration of a PDE IV inhibitor may be mechanism based. The compounds desenbed herein are potent inhibitors of PDE IV at concentrations that exhibit little or no inhibitory action on other PDE isoenzymes These compounds inhibit the human recombinant PDE IV enzyme and also elevate cAMP in isolated leukocytes. Certain compounds prevent inflammation m the lungs induced by carrageenan, platelet-activating factor (PAF), ιnterleukιn-5 (IL-5) or antigen challenge These compounds also suppress the hyperresponsiveness of smooth muscle seen in inflamed lungs. Advantageously, compounds according to the invention have good oral activity, and at orally effective doses exhibit little or none of the side-effects associated with known PDE IV inhibitors, such as rohpram The compounds of the invention are therefore of use in medicine, especially in the prophylaxis and treatment of asthma and other inflammatory conditions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A compound represented by formula I: I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof wherein: one of Zl, Z2, z3 and A represents N or CR2 and the others represent CR2, a represents 0 or 1 ; b represents 0, 1 or 2; d represents 0, 1 or 2; Rl represents H, Ci _4alkyl or hydroxyCι_4alkyl; each R is independently selected from the group consisting of: H, halo, Ci.galkyl, haloCi .galkyl, hydroxyCi-δalkyl, CN, Het, ORa, OC(O)N(Rb) 2 , NRbC(O)Ra C(Ra) 2 CO 2 Ra, Ci-8alkylN(Rb) 2 , haloCi-8alkylN(Rb) 2 , CO 2 Ra, C(O)N(Rb)2, SO 2 N(Rb) 2 , S(O)bR d and NRbSO 2 Rd ; each R a is independently selected from H, Cι_4alkyl, Ci -4alkylNHCι -4alkyl, and Ci-4alkylN(Ci-4alkyl) , the alkyl portions of which are optionally substituted with 1-3 halo groups; each R b is selected from H and Cl-7 alkyl, and when two R b 's are present, they can be taken together and represent a fused πng system having 5-10 members, said πng system being saturated or containing 1-4 double bonds, and optionally including 1-3 heteroatoms selected from O, S and NR e ; Rd and R e are independently selected from Het, Ci .η alkyl, C 2 - alkenyl, C -γalkynyl, and Ci -7alkyl-Het; Het represents a 5-10 membered aromatic, partially aromatic oi non- aromatic nng system containing 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O. S and N, optionally substituted on any available position with oxo, Cι _4 alkyl, halo ammo, hydroxyCι_4 alkyl, haloCi -4 alkyl and ammoCi-4 alkyl, X represents C3-7cycloalkyl or Ar, and each Ar is independently selected from the group consisting of phenyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyπdyl, oxazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyrazmyl and pyndazmyl, said Ar being optionally substituted with 1-4 members selected from halo, hydroxy, CN, Ci -4alkyl, Cι_6haloalkyl, Cι_6hydroxyalkyl. OCi-βalkyl, OCι_6haloalkyl, OCμόhydroxyalkyl, Cι_6alkylOCi-6alkyl, C ι_6alkylOCi- όhaloalkyl, C(O)NH 2 , C(O)NHCι_6alkyl, C(0)N(Ci-6alkyl) 2 Cχ-6 alkylOCμ 6alkylC(O)NH 2 , CO 2 H, CO 2 Cι_6alkyl, NHC(O)Ci-6alkyl, NHC(O)OCι_6alkyl, and SO 2 Ci-6alkyl Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are also mcluded DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention encompasses compounds represented by formula I as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts and hydrates thereof wherein one of Zl, Z , z3 and Z4 represents N or CR2 and the others represent CR2, a represents 0 or 1 , b represents 0, 1 or 2, d represents 0, 1 or 2, Rl represents H, Ci _4alkyl or hydroxyCι_4alkyl, each R IS mdependently selected from the group consisting of H, halo, Ci-8alkyl, haloCi-8alkyl, hydroxyCi-salkyl, CN, Het, ORa, OC(O)N(Rb) 2 , NRbC(O)Ra, C(Ra) 2 CO Ra Cι_8alkylN(Rb) 2 , haloCι_8alkylN(Rb) 2 , C0 2 Ra, C(O)N(Rb) 2 SO 2 N(Rb) 2 , S(O) D R d and NRbSO 2 Rd, each R a is independently selected from H, Ci -4alkyl, Cι_4alkylNHCι -4alkyl, and Cι_4alkylN(Ci-4alkyl)2, the alkyl portions of which are optionally substituted with 1-3 halo groups, each R b is selected from H and Cl-7 alkyl, and when two R 's are present, they can be taken together and represent a fused nng system having 5-10 members, said nng system being saturated or containing 1-4 double bonds, and optionally including 1-3 heteroatoms selected from O, S and NR e , Rd and Re are independently selected from Het, C 1.7 alkyl, C 2 - 7alkenyl, C2-7alkynyl, and Cι _7alkyl-Het, Het represents a 5-10 membered aromatic, partially aromatic 01 non- aromatic ring system containing 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, S and N, optionally substituted on any available position with oxo, Ci-4 alkyl, halo, ammo, hydroxyCi -4 alkyl, haloCi -4 alkyl and amιnoCi-4 alkyl, X represents C3_7cycloalkyl or Ar, and each Ar is independently selected from the group consisting of phenyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyπdyl, oxazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyπmidmyl, pyrazinyl and pyπdazinyl, said Ar being optionally substituted with 1-4 members selected from halo, hydroxy, CN, Ci-4alkyl, Ci-6haloalkyl, Ci-6hydroxyalkyl, OCi-6alkyl, OCι_6haloalkyl, OCi-6hydroxyalkyl, Ci-6alkylOCι_6alkyl, Cι_6alkylOCi- 6haloalkyl, C(O)NH2, C(O)NHCi-6alkyl, C(O)N(Cι_6alkyl)2, Cι_6 alkylOCi- 6alkylC(O)NH 2 , CO 2 H, CO 2 Ci-6alkyl, NHC(O)Cι_6alkyl, NHC(O)OCι_6alkyl, and SO 2 Ci-6alkyl As used herein, the following terms and definitions apply Alkyl includes straight, branched and cyclic groups containing the indicated number of carbon atoms If no number is specified, Ci-βalkyl is appropπate Alkenyl refers to a carbon containing group having from 2-7 carbon atoms unless otherwise indicated, and 1-3 carbon-carbon double bonds It can be straight, branched or cyclic as appropπate Alkynyl refers to a carbon containing group having from 2-7 carbon atoms, and 1-3 carbon-carbon tπple bonds It can be straight, branched or cyclic Halo includes F, I, Br and Cl When haloalkyl is indicated, this includes monohalogenated alkyl groups containing the indicated number of carbon atoms, dihalo, tπhalo, etc up to perhaloalkyl groups Het represents a 5-10 membered aromatic, partially aromatic or non- aromatic πng system containing 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, S and N, optionalh substituted on any available position with oxo, Ci-4 alkyl, halo, ammo, hydroxyCi-4 alkyl, haloCι_4 alkyl and amιnoCι_4 alkyl Thus, examples of Het include well known heteroaryl πngs, such as pyπdme, pyrrole, pyπmidine, imidazole, tπazole, tetrazole, and the like, as well as non-aromatic πngs, such as pipeπdine, pyrrohdine and the like Ar is an aromatic nng and is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyπdyl, oxazolyl. tetrazolyl, pyπmidinyl, pyrazinyl and pyndazmyl The Ar moiety is optionally substituted with 1-4 members selected from halo, hydroxy, CN, Ci-4alkyl, Ci- haloalkyl, Ci-6hydroxyalkyl, OCi-6alkyl, OCi-6haloalkyl, OCi_6hydroxyalkyl, Cι_6alkylOCι_6alkyl, Cι_6alkylOCι_ 6haloalkyl, CN, C(O)NH2, C(O)NHCι_6alkyl, C(O)N(Cι_6alkyl)2, Cl-6 alkylOCμ 6alkylC(O)NH2, CO2H, CO2Ci_6alkyl, NHC(O)Cι_6alkyl, Cι_6alkylOC(O)NH and Sθ2Cι_6 lkyl The following abbreviations have the indicated meanings Ac acetyl Bn benzyl cAMP cyclic adenosιne-3 ',5 '-monophosphate DBU l,8-dιazabιcyclo[5 4 0]undec-7-ene DD3AL dnsobutylalummum hydπde DMAP 4-(dιmethylamιno)pyπdme DMF N,N-dιmethylformamιde Et3N tπethylamme GST glutathione transferase LDA lithium diisopropylamide m-CPBA metachloroperbenzoic acid MMPP monoperoxyphtha c acid MPPM monoperoxyphthalic acid, magnesium salt 6H2O Ms = methanesulfonyl = mesyl = SO?Me MsO = methanesulfonate = mesyl ate NSAID = non-steroidal anti -inflammatory drug o-Tol = ortho-tolyl OXONE® = 2KHS05 » KHS04*K 2 S04 PCC = pyπdimum chlorochromate PDC = pyndmium dichromate PDE phosphodiesterase Ph = phenyl Phe = benzenediyl PMB = para-methoxybenzyl Pye = pyπdmediyl r t = room temperature rac = racemic SAM = aminosulfonyl or sulfonamide or SO 2 NH 2 SEM = 2-(tnmethylsιlyl)ethoxymethoxy SPA = scintillation proximity assay TBAF = tetra-n-butylammonium fluoπde Th = 2- or 3-thιenyl TFA = tnfluoroacetic acid TFAA = tπfluoroacetic acid anhydnde THF = tetrahydrofuran Thi = thiophenediyl TLC = thm layer chromatography TMS-CF; 3 - tπmethyl(tπfluoromethyl)sιlane TMS-CN = tπmethylsilyl cyanide Tz = IH (or 2H)-tetrazol-5-yl C3H5 allyl = Alkyl Group Abbreviations Me = methyl Et = ethyl n-Pr = normal propyl l-Pr = isopropyl n-Bu normal butyl l-Bu isobutyl s-Bu secondary butyl t-Bu tertiary butyl c-Pr cyclopropyl c-Bu cyclobutyl c-Pen = cyclopentyl c-Hex = = cyclohexyl In one aspect of the invention that is of interest, all foui of Zl, Z , Z3 and Z4 represent CR2 Withm this aspect of the invention, all other vaπables are as onginally defined In another aspect of the invention that is of interest, b lepiesents 0 oi 1 Within this aspect of the invention, all other vaπables are as onginally defined In another aspect of the invention, d represents 1 Withm this aspect of the invention, all other vaπables are as onginally defined In another aspect of the invention, Rl represents H or CH3 Withm this aspect of the invention, all other vanables are as originally defined In another aspect of the invention, each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, Ci-8alkyl, hydroxyCi-8alkyl, CO2R a , Cι_ 8alkylN(Rb) and C(O)N(Rb) 2 Rb 1S selected from H and C1.3 alkyl With this aspect of the invention, all other vanables are as originally defined In another aspect of the invention, X represents Ai and Ar is independently selected from the group consisting of phenyl, pyndyl and tetrazolyl, said Ar bemg optionally substituted with 1-4 members selected from halo, CN, Cι_4alkyl, Cι_6haloalkyl, OCι_6alkyl, OCι_6haloalkyl, Cι_6hydroxyalkyl, C(O)NH2, C(O)NHCi-6alkyl, C(O)N(Cι_6alkyl)2, CO2H, CO2Ci_6alkyl, NHC(O)Cι_6alkyl, NHC(O)OCi-6alkyl and SO2Ci-6alkyl Withm this aspect of the invention, all other vanables are as onginally defined A subset of compounds that is of particular interest relates to compounds of formula I wherein Zl, Z2, Z and Z4 represent CR2, each R ΪS independently selected from the group consisting of H, Ci- 8alkyl, hydroxyCi-Salkyl, CO2R , Ci-8alkylN(Rb) 2 and C(O)N(Rb) wherein Rb is selected from H and Cι_3 alkyl, b represents 0 or 1 , d represents 1 ; Rl represents H or CH3; X represents Ar and Ar is mdependently selected from the group consisting of: phenyl, pyndyl and tetrazolyl, said Ar being optionally substituted with 1-4 members selected from halo, CN, Cι_4alkyl, Ci^haloalkyl, OCι_6alkyl, OCι_6haloalkyl, Cι_ 6hydroxyalkyl, C(O)NH , C(O)NHCι_6alkyl, C(O)N(Ci-6alkyl)2, CO 2 H, CO2Ci_ όalkyl, NHC(O)Cι_6alkyl, NHC(O)OCι_6alkyl and SO2Ci_6 lkyl Within this aspect of the invention, all other vaπables are as onginally defined. A further subset of compounds of the invention that is of interest is represented by Formula la: la Within this subset, all vanables are as onginally defined. More particularly, a subset of compounds that is of interest relates to compounds of formula la wherein 7 , 72, Z and Z4 represent CR2 Withm this subset, all vanables are as onginally defined. More particularly, a subset of compounds that is of interest relates to compounds of formula la wherem each R ts independently selected from the group consisting of H, Ci-8alkyl, hydroxyCι_8alkyl, CO 2 R a , Cι_8alkylN(Rb)2 and C(O)N(Rb)2 wherein Ra ts mdependently selected from H and Cι_4alkyl, and Rb is selected from H and C1.3 alkyl. More particularly, a subset of compounds that is of interest relates to compounds of formula la wherein each Ar is selected from phenyl, pyπdyl and tetrazolyl, optionally substituted with 1-4 members selected from: halo, CN, Cι_ 4alkyl, Cι_6haloalkyl, OCi_6alkyl, OCι_6haloalkyl, Ci-6hydroxyalkyl, C(O)NH2, C(O)NHCi-6alkyl, C(O)N(Ci-6alkyl) 2 , CO 2 H, CO2Ci-6alkyl, NHC(O)Cι_6alkyl, NHC(O)OCi-6alkyl and SO 2 Ci-6alkyl. Within this aspect of the invention, all other variables are as originally defined. Examples of compounds falling within the present invention include the following: In another embodiment, the invention encompasses a pharmaceutical composition compnsed of a compound of formula I in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable earner Within this embodiment, the mvention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions benefited by the inhibition of PDE IV, resulting in an elevation of cAMP, compnsmg a pharmaceutically acceptable earner and a non-toxic therapeutically effective amount of compound of Formula I as desenbed above. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention compnse a compound of Formula I as an active ingredient or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, thereof, and also contain a pharmaceutically acceptable earner and optionally other therapeutic ingredients. The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" refers to salts prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic bases including inorganic bases and organic bases. Salts denved from inorganic bases include aluminum, ammonium, calcium, copper, feme, ferrous, lithium, magnesium, manganic salts, manganous, potassium, sodium, zinc, and the like. Particularly preferred are the ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium salts. Salts denved from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include salts of pnmary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurnng substituted amines, cyclic amines, and basic ion exchange resms, such as argimne, betame, caffeine, chohne, N,N--dιbenzylethylenedιamme, diefhylamine, 2- diethylaminoethanol, 2-dιmethylammoethanol, ethanolamme, ethylenediamme, N- ethylmorpholme, N-ethylpipendme, glucamme, glucosam e, histidme, hydrabamme, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamme, mo hohne, piperazine. pipendme, polyamine resins, procame, punnes, theobrom e, tnethylamme, tnmethylamme, tnpropylamme, tromethamme and the like The compounds desenbed herein contain one or more asymmetric centers and thus give nse to diastereomers and optical isomers The present invention includes all such possible diastereomers as well as their racemic and lesolved, enantiomencally pure forms and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof It will be understood that in the discussion of methods of treatment which follows, references to the compounds of Formula I is meant to include pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Compounds according to the invention are selectι\ e and potent inhibitors of PDE IV The ability of the compounds to act in this v. a\ may be determined by the tests desenbed in the Examples hereinafter The compounds according to the invention are thus of particular use in the prophylaxis and treatment of human diseases where an unwanted inflammatory response or muscular spasm (for example bladder or alimentary smooth muscle spasm) is present and where the elevation of cAMP levels may be expected to prevent or alleviate the inflammation and relax muscle. Particular uses to which the compounds of the mvention may be put include the prophylaxis and treatment of asthma, especially inflamed lung associated with asthma, cystic fibrosis, or in the treatment of inflammatory airw ay disease, chronic bronchitis, eosmophihc granuloma, psonasis and other benign and malignant prohferative skm diseases, endotoxic shock, septic shock, ulceratn e colitis, Crohn's disease, reperfusion injury of the myocardium and brain, inflammatory arthntis, osteoporosis, chronic glomerulonephntis, atopic dermatitis, urticana. adult and infant respiratory distress syndrome, diabetes, diabetes msipidus, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, vernal conjunctivitis, artenal restenosis and atherosclerosis. Compounds of the invention also suppress neurogenic inflammation through elevation of cAMP in sensory neurons. They are, therefore, analgesic, antitussive and anti-hyperalgesic m inflammatory diseases associated with irritation and pam. Compounds of the mvention also elevate cAMP m lymphocytes and thereby suppress unwanted lymphocyte actrvatron in immune-based diseases such as rheumatoid arthntis, ankylosing spondyhtis, transplant rejection and graft versus host disease. Compounds of the invention also reduce gastnc acid secretion and therefore can be used to treat conditions associated with hypersecretion of gastric acid Compounds of the invention suppress cytokine synthesis by inflammatory cells in response to immune or infectious stimulation. They are, therefore, useful in the treatment of bactenal, fungal or viral induced sepsis and septic shock m which cytokmes such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF) are key medrators Also compounds of the invention suppress inflammation and pyrexia due to cytokines and are, therefore, useful in the treatment of inflammation and cytokme-mediated chronic tissue degeneration which occurs in diseases such as rheumatoid or osteoarthntis Over-production of cytokines such as TNF in bactenal, fungal or viral infections, or in diseases such as cancer, leads to cachexia and muscle wasting Compounds of the invention ameliorate these symptoms with a consequent enhancement of quality of life. Compounds of the invention also elevate cAMP in certain areas of the brain and thereby counteract depression and memory impairment Compounds of the invention suppress cell proliferation in certain tumor cells and can be used, therefore, to prevent tumor growth and invasion of normal tissues. For the prevention, prophylaxis or treatment of disease, the compounds may be administered to a mammalian patient in need of such prevention, prophylaxis or treatment, in an amount that is effective for preventing, controlling or treating the disease. In addition to the treatment of warm-blooded animals such as mice, rats, horses, cattle sheep, dogs, cats, etc., the compounds of the invention are effective in the treatment of humans The compounds of Formula I may be administered orally, topically, parenterally, by inhalation spray or rectally in the form of a pharmaceutical composition as desenbed herem. The term parenteral as used herem includes subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular or intrastemal injection or infusion techniques. The pharmaceutrcal composition containing the active ingredient may be in a form suitable for oral use, for example, as tablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible powders or granules, emulsions, hard or soft capsules, syrups or elixirs Compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to any method known in the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions, and such compositions may contain one or more agents selected from the group consisting of sweetening agents, flavonng agents, colonng agents and preserving agents in order to provide pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations Tablets contain the active ingredient in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients which are suitable for the manufacture of tablets These excipients may be for example, inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate or sodium phosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents, for example, corn starch or alginic acid; binding agents, for example starch, gelatin or acacia, and lubncatmg agents, for example, magnesium stearate, steanc acid or talc The tablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer penod. For example, a time delay matenal such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate may be employed They may also be coated by the technique desenbed in the U.S. Patent Nos 4,256,108, 4,166,452; and 4,265,874 to form osmotic therapeutic tablets for control release. Formulatrons for oral use may also be presented as hard gelatm capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredients is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example peanut oil, liquid paraffin or olive oil. Aqueous suspensions contain the active matenal in admixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Such excipients are suspending agents, for example sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxy-propylmethycellulose, sodrum alginate, polyvinyl-pyrrohdone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia; dispersing or wetting agents may be a naturally-occurnng phosphatide, for example lecithin, or condensation products of an alkylene oxide with fatty acids, for example polyoxyethylene stearate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide wrth long chain aliphatic alcohols, for example heptadecaethylene- oxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters denved from fatty acids and a hexitol such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters denved from fatty acids and hexitol anhydndes, for example polyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The aqueous suspensions may also contarn one or more preservatives, for example ethyl, or n- propyl, p-hydroxybenzoate, one or more colonng agents, one or more flavonng agents, and one or more sweetenrng agents, such as sucrose, sacchann or aspartame Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredient in a vegetable oil, for example arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil, or in mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. The oily suspensions may contain a thickening agent, for example beeswax, hard paraffin or cetyl alcohol Sweetening agents such as those set forth above, and flavonng agents may be added to provide a palatable oral preparation These compositions may be preserved by the addition of an anti-oxidant such as ascorbic acid Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives Suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents are exemplified by those already mentioned above Additional excipients, for example sweetening, flavonng and colonng agents, may also be present. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be in the form of an oil- -water emulsions The oily phase may be a vegetable oil, for example olive oil or arachis oil, or a mineral oil, for example hquid paraffin or mixtures of these. Suitable emulsifying agents may be naturally-occurnng phosphatides, for example soy bean, lecithin, and esters or partial esters denved from fatty acids and hexitol anhydndes, for example sorbitan monooleate, and condensation products of the said partial esters with ethylene oxide, for example polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The emulsions may also contain sweetening and flavounng agents Syrups and elixirs may be formulated with sweetening agents, for example glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol or sucrose Such formulations may also contain a demulcent, a preservative and flavonng and colonng agents The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a stenle injectable aqueous or oleagenous suspension. This suspension may be formulated according to the known art using those suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents which have been mentioned above. The stenle injectable preparation may also be a stenle injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, for example as a solution in 1,3-butanedιol. Among the acceptable \ehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chlonde solution. In addition, stenle, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycendes In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid find use in the preparation of mjectables Compounds of Formula I may also be administered m the form of a suppositones for rectal administration of the drug These compositions can be prepared by mixing the drug with a suitable non-irntatmg excipient w hich is solid at ordinal y temperatures but liquid at the rectal temperatuie and will theiefore melt in the rectum to release the drug Examples of such matenals mclude cocoa butter and polyethylene glycols For topical use, creams, ointments, jellies, solutions or suspensions, etc , containing the compound of Formula I are employed (For purposes of this application, topical application shall include mouth washes and gargles ) Combined therapy to The compounds of formula I can also be used in combination with another active ingredient or ingredients For example, for the treatment or prevention of inflammation, the present compounds may be used in conjunction with an antnnflammatory or analgesic agent such as an opiate agonist, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, such as an inhibitor of 5-hpoxygenase, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, such as a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, an mterleukin inhibitor, such as an ιnterleukιn-1 inhibitor, an NMDA antagonist, an inhibitor of nitnc oxide or an inhibitor of the synthesis of nitric oxide, a non-steroidal antnnflammatory agent, or a cytokme-suppressing antnnflammatory agent, for example with a compound such as acetaminophen, aspnn, codeine, fentanyl, lbuprofen, indomethacm, ketorolac, morphine, naproxen, phenacetin, piroxicam, a steroidal analgesic, sufentanyl, sunlmdac, temdap and the like Similarly, the instant compounds may be administered with a pain reliever, a potentiator such as caffeine, an H2-antagonιst, simethicone, aluminum or magnesium hydroxide, a decongestant such as phenylephnne, phenylpropanolamine, pseudophednne, oxymetazolme, ephmephnne, naphazolme, xylometazoline, propylhexednne, or levo-desoxyephednne, an antntussive such as codeine, hydrocodone, caramiphen, carbetapentane, or dextramethorphan, a diuretic, and a sedating or non-sedating antihistamine such as loratidme Likewise compounds of the present invention may be used in combination with other drugs that are used in the treatment/prevention/suppression or amelioration of the diseases or conditions for which compounds of the present invention are useful Such other drugs may be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly used therefor, contemporaneously or sequentially with a compound of the present invention When a compound of the present invention is used contemporaneously with one or more other drugs, a pharmaceutical composition containing such other drugs in addition to the compound of the present invention is preferred Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention mclude those that also contain one or more other active ingredients, m addition to a compound of the present mvention Examples of other active ingredients that may be combined with a compound of the present invention, either administered separately or in the same pharmaceutical compositions, mclude, but are not limited to (a) VLA-4 antagonists such as those desenbed in US 5,510,332, WO95/15973, WO96/01644, WO96/06108, WO96/20216, WO96/22966, WO96/31206, WO96/40781, WO97/03094, WO97/02289, WO 98/42656, WO98/53814, WO98/53817, WO98/53818, WO98/54207, and WO98/58902, (b) steroids such as beclomethasone, methylpredmsolone, betamethasone, prednisone, dexamethasone, and hydrocortisone, (c) immunosuppressants such as cyclosponn, tacrolimus, rapamycin and other FK-506 type immunosuppressants, (d) antihistammes (Hl-histamine antagonists) such as bromopheniramine, chlorphemramine, dexchlorpheniramme, tnprohdine, clemastine, diphenhydramme, diphenylpyrahne, tnpelennamme, hydroxyzme, methdilazine, promethazine, tnmeprazine, azatadine, cyproheptadme, antazohne, pheniramme pynlamine, astemizole, terfenadme, loratadine, cetinzme, fexofenadine, descarboethoxyloratadme, and the like, (e) non-steroidal anti-asthmatics such as β2- agomsts (terbutalme, metaproterenol, fenoterol, isoethanne, albuterol, bitolterol, and pirbuterol), theophylhne, cromolyn sodium, atropine, lpratropium bromide, leukotnene antagonists (zafirlukast, montelukast, pranlukast, iralukast, pobilukast, SKB-106,203), leukotnene biosynthesis inhibitors (zileuton, BAY-1005), (f) non- steroidal antnnflammatory agents (NSAIDs) such as propionic acid denvatives (alminoprofen, benoxaprofen, bucloxic acid, carprofen, fenbufen, fenoprofen, fluprofen, flurbiprofen, lbuprofen, mdoprofen, ketoprofen, miroprofen, naproxen, oxaprozin, pirprofen, pranoprofen, suprofen, tiaprofenic acid, and tioxaprofen), acetic acid denvatives (mdomethacin, acemetacin, alclofenac, chdanac, diclofenac, fenclofenac, fenclozic acid, fentiazac, furofenac, lbufenac, isoxepac, oxpmac, suhndac, tiopinac, tolmetin, zidometacin, and zomepirac), fenamic acid denvatives (flufenamic acid, meclofenamic acid, mefenamic acid, niflumic acid and tolfenamic acid), biphenylcarboxyhc acid denvatives (diflunisal and flufenisal), oxicams (isoxicam, piroxicam, sudoxicam and tenoxican), sahcylates (acetyl salicylic acid, sulfasalazine) and the pyrazolones (apazone. bezpiperylon, feprazone, mofebutazone oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone), (g) cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, (h) (h) antagonists of the chemokme receptors, especially CCR-1, CCR-2, CCR-3, CXCR-3 and CCR-5; (1) cholesterol lowenng agents such as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (lovastatm, simvastatin and pravastatm, fluvastatm, atorvastatm, and othei statins), sequestrants (cholestyramine and colestipol), nicotinic acid, fenofibπc acid denvatives (gemfibrozil, clofibrat, fenofibrate and benzafibrate), and probucol; (j) anti-diabetic agents such as insulin, sulfonylureas, biguamdes (metformin), - glucosidase inhibitors (acarbose) and glitazones (troglitazone and pioglitazone), (k) preparations of interferon beta (interferon beta-l , interferon beta-lβ), (1) other compounds such as 5-amιnosalιcylιc acid and prodrugs thereof, antimetabohtes such as azathioprme and 6-mercaptopunne, and cytotoxic cancer chemotherapeutic agents Dosage levels of the order of from about 0 01 mg to about 140 mg/kg of body weight per day are useful m the treatment of the above-indicated conditions, or alternatively about 0.5 mg to about 7 g per patient per day For example, inflammation may be effectively treated by the administration of from about 0.01 to 50 mg of the compound per kilogram of body weight per day, or alternatively about 0.5 mg to about 3 5 g per patient per day. The amount of active ingredient that may be combined with the earner matenals to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration. For example, a formulation intended for the oral administration to humans may contain from about 0 5 mg to about 5 g of active agent compounded with an appropnate and convenient amount of earner matenal which may vary from about 5 to about 95 percent of the total composition Unit dosage forms will generally contain between from as low as about 1 mg to as high as about 1500 mg of an active ingredient, typically 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, 500 mg, 600 mg, 800 mg or 1000 mg It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level for any particular patient will depend upon a vanety of factors including the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, route of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination and the seventy of the particular disease undergoing therapy. Methods of Synthesis The compounds of Formula I of the present invention can be prepared according to the synthetic routes outlined in Schemes I to IV and by following the methods desenbed herem Scheme 1 Compounds of Formula I may be prepared by the method presented in Scheme 1 from an appropnately substituted anthrani c acid or Z = Nitrogen equivalent (II). Addition of an appropnate electrophile such as a E*Br or E^l (wherein El represents (CH2)d~Ar in the presence of a base, followed by alkaline sapomfication of the ester group leads to III. Reaction of III with methyl bromoacetate, followed by estenfication with diazomethane yields IV Reaction with methoxide in methanol leads to the cyc zation product V. Alkylation of the mdanol with the appropnate electrophile such as E 2 Br (wherein E 2 represents (CH2)b- in the presence of a base and in a suitable solvent such as DMF gives VI. Reaction of VI with an alkaline metal (such as Li, Mg or Al) denvative of the appropnate N^-Ar 1 m a suitable solvent such as THF yields VII. Alternatively, VI can be first saponified with conditions such as alcoholic NaOH, and then reacted with the NF^-Ar 1 in the presence of an amide coupling reagent such as DCC in an appropnate solvent to give VII. Following the same sequence of events but starting with an anthranitnle or its Z = N equivalent (VII), one has access to the X = CNR 4 R 4 , X = CNAr1H and X = CNR^H^r 1 senes. Scheme 1 II 1 BrCH-,C0 ' Me Base III 2 CH,N\ VIII Scheme 2 Compounds of Formula I may alternatively be prepared by the method presented in Scheme 2 from an appropriately substituted indole or Z = Nitrogen equivalent (IX). Formylation in Vilsmeier-Haack or similar conditions gives X, which in turn can be oxidized under Baeyer-Villiger conditions to give XI. Successive reactions with electrophiles such as bromides, chlorides or iodides the presence of bases and in a polar solvent gives XII, and then XIII. The ester group of XIII is transformed in the amide as described above in Scheme 1. Alternatively, the reaction with the E 1 electrophile may be conducted on IX to give XV, and the E 1 group carried through the same sequence to give the same product XIV. Scheme 3 Compounds of Formula I may alternatively be prepared by the method presented in Scheme 3 from an appropnately substituted mdole or Z = Nitrogen equivalent (X) Gngnard or other organometallic reagents may be added to X or to the XVI to yield the alcohol XVII, which in turn can be oxidized to the ketone XVIII The rest of the sequence to compounds of Formula I is shown in Schemes 1 and 2 In the case where W is H, with such reagents such as NaBHi, the resulting pnmary alcohol may further be transformed by a Mitsunobu type reaction to give XIX, which can undergo the rest of the sequence to give compounds of Formula I X or XV XVIII Scheme 4 Compounds of Formula IX may be prepared by the method presented in Scheme 4 from an appropnately substituted aldehyde (XX) Ethyl azidoacetate is condensed onto the aldehyde in a strong base such as ethoxide, and the resulting cmnamate is pyrolysed to yield the indole compound Scheme 4 XX IX (Ethyl ester) Scheme 5 Compounds of Formula IX may also be prepared by the method presented in Scheme 5 from an appropnately substituted methylated mtroaromatic (XXI) This compound is treated with a strong base such as ethoxide in ethanol, and condensed onto ethyl oxalate to give, after saponification, the pyruvic acid XXII This acid is then estenfied with diazomethane, for example, and then treated with a reagent such as iron in acetic acid to give the compound IX (Methyl ester) Scheme 6 Compounds of formule I may be prepared by reaction of XIV first with a suitable metallation agent, such as n-BuLi, followed by trapping with an electrophile such as DMF to produce the aldehyde, acetone to produce the t-alcohol. CO 2 to produce the carboxy c acid. Assays for Determining Bioloeical Activity Measurement of whole-cell cAMP content CHO-K1 cells were plated at a density of 10 cells/175 cm containing complete media with 500 μg/ml hygromycin. The flasks were maintained in an incubator at 37°C with 5.0% CO2 for 72 hr. The media was changed and the cells were allowed to grow overnight. The cells were washed and dissociated from the plate with PBS containing 0.5 mM EDTA. Cellular cAMP content was measured by centrifuging the cell suspension at 150 g x 10 min. And resuspending the cells in a Hanks buffered salt solution at a density of 0.2 x 10 cells/ml. The cells were preincubated at room temperature for 15 min. and then incubated with 10 μM prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) and the indicated compound for an additional 10 mm. Basal cAMP levels were determined by incubating the cells in 0.1% DMSO. The incubations were terminated by the addition of HCl (0.1 N final) and the cells measured for cAMP as described below. Determinations of whole-cell cAMP content were perfoimed by incubating 100 μl reconstituted rabbit anti-succinyl cAMP serum with 100 μl of the whole-cell reaction or known cAMP standard and 30 pmol of 125 I-cAMP TME in a ScintiStnp well (300 μl final volume) at room temperature for 18 h Total cpm (B 0 ) was determined m the absence of sample of cAMP standard. The reaction mixture was then aspirated out of the well, and the individual wells weie counted in a Beckman LS 6000SC with the window open from 10-999 for 1 mm The data were expressed as %B/B 0 - [(standard or sample cpm - non-specific cpm) / (B 0 cpm - non- specific cpm)] x 100 Non-specific cpm were determined by incubating only the ~ I- cAMP TME with assay buffer (50 mM acetate; pH 5 8) in the ScintiStnp™ well All determinations were performed in triplicate. Phosphodiesterase Scintillation Proximity Assay CHO-K1 cells were lysed by sonication for 10 sees at a power setting of 50% (Braunsonic Model 2000) in an ice cold solution containing 50 mM Tris, pH 7.5; ImM EDTA; and 200 μM β-mercaptoethanol. The soluble and particulate fractions of the cell were obtained by centnfugmg the sonicate for 90 min. at 100,000 x g at 4°C. PDE activity was measured in a solution containing 50 mM Tπs, pH 7 5, lOmM MgCl2; 1 mM EDTA; and 100 nM (or indicated) 3 H-cAMP (100 μl final volume) in the presence of varying concentrations of inhibitor The reaction mixture containing enzyme was incubated for 10 mm at 30°C in 96-well View Plates (Packard), and terminated by the addition of 50 μl Phosphodiesterase Scintillation Proximity Assay (SPA) Beads (Amersham) containing 18 mM ZnSO The amount 3 of H-cAMP hydrolysis was determined by counting the plates in a Wallac 1450 μBeta LSC counter The Elevation of cAMP in Leukocytes The effect of compounds of the invention on intracellular cAMP was investigated using human neutrophils or guinea pig eosmophils. Human neutrophils were separated from penpheral blood, incubated with dihydrocytochalasm B and the test compound for 10 min and then stimulated with FMLP. Guinea pig eosmophils were harvested by pentoneal lavage of animals previously treated with intra-peπtoneal injections of human serum Eosmophils were separated from the pentoneal exudate and incubated with lsoprena ne and test compound. With both cell types, suspensions were centnfuged at the end of the incubation, the cell pellets were resuspended m buffer and boiled for 10 min pnor to measurement of cAMP by specific radioimmunoassay (DuPont). The most potent compounds according to the Examples induced a concentration-dependent elevation of cAMP in neutrophils and/or eosmophils at concentrations of O.lnM to lμM. Anti-allergic Activity in vivo Compounds of the invention were tested for effects on an IgE-mediated allergic pulmonary inflammation induced by inhalation of antigen by sensitised guinea pigs. Guinea pigs were initially sensitised to ovalbumm under mild cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression, by intrapentoneal injection of antigen combinations with aluminium hydroxide and pertussis vaccine Booster doses of antigen were given two and four weeks later and at six weeks, animals were challenged with aerosolised ovalbumm whilst under cover of an intrapentoneally administered anti-histamine agent (mepyramine). After a further 48h, bronchial alveolar lavages (BAL) were performed and the numbers of eosmophils and other leukocytes m the BAL fluids were counted. The lungs were also removed for histological examination for inflammatory damage Administration of compounds of the Examples (0.001-lOmg/kg i.p. or p.o ), up to three times dunng the 48h following antigen challenge, lead to a significant reduction in the eosmophiha and the accumulation of other inflammatory leukocytes. There was also less inflammatory damage in the lungs of animals treated with compounds of the Examples SPA based PDE activity assay protocol Compounds which inhibit the hydrolysis of cAMP to AMP by the type- IV cAMP-specific phosphodiesterases were screened in 96-well plate format as follows: In a 96 well-plate at 30°C was added the test compound (dissolved in 2 ul DMSO), 188 μl of substrate buffer containing [2,8- H] adenosine 3 ',5 '-cyclic phosphate (cAMP, 100 nM to 50 μM), 10 mM MgCl2, 1 mM EDTA, 50 mM Tris, pH 7.5. The reaction was initiated by the addition of 10 μl of human recombinant PDE- IV (the amount was controlled so that ~ 10% product was formed in 10 mm. at 30 °C) The reaction was stopped after 10 min. by the addition of 1 mg of PDE-SPA beads (Amersham) The product AMP generated was quantified on a Microbeta 96- well plate counter. The signal in the absence of enzyme was defined as the background. 100% activity was defined as the signal detected in the presence of enzyme and DMSO with the background subtracted. Percentage of inhibition was calculated accordingly IC50 value was approximated with a non-linear regression fit of the standard 4-parameter/multιple binding sites equation from a ten point titration. LPS and fMLP-Induced TNF-a and LTB4 Assays in Human Whole Blood Whole blood provides a protein and cell-nch milieu appropnate for the study of biochemical efficacy of anti-inflammatory compounds such as PDE IV- selective inhibitors. Normal non-stimulated human blood does not contain detectable levels of TNF-α and LTB 4 . Upon stimulation with LPS, activated monocytes expresss and secrete TNF-α up to 8 hours and plasma levels remain stable for 24 houis Published studies have shown that inhibition of TNF-α by increasing intracellular cAMP via PDE IV inhibition and/or enhanced adenylyl cyclase activity occurs at the transcnptional level. LTB 4 synthesis is also sensitive to levels of intracellular cAMP and can be completely inhibited by PDE IV-selective inhibitors. As there is little LTB 4 produced dunng a 24 hour LPS stimulation of whole blood, an additional LPS stimulation followed by fMLP challenge of human whole blood is necessary for LTB 4 synthesis by activated neutrophils. Thus, using the same blood sample it is possible to evaluate the potency of a compound on two surrogate markers of PDE IV activity in the whole blood. Fresh blood was collected in hepannized tubes by venipuncture from healthy human volunteers (male and female). These subjects had no apparent inflammatory conditions and had not taken any NSAIDs for at least 4 days pnor to blood collection. Five hundred μL ahquots of blood were pre-mcubated with either 2μL of vehicle (DMSO) or 2μL test compound at varying concentrations for 15 minutes at 37°C. This was followed by the addition of either lOμL vehicle (PBS) as blanks or lOμL LPS (lμg/ml final concentration, Sigma Chem, #L-2630 from E coli, serotype 0111:B4; diluted in 0.1% w/v BSA (in PBS)). After 24 hours of incubation at 37°C, another lOμL of PBS (blank) or lOμL of LPS (lμg/ml final concentration) was added to blood and incubated for 30 minutes at 37°C. The blood was then challenged with either lOμL of PBS (blank) or lOμL of fMLP (lμM final concentration, Sigma Chem #F-3506; diluted in 1% w/v BSA (in PBS)) for 15 minutes at 37°C. The blood samples were centnfuged at 1500xg for 10 minutes at 4°C to obtain plasma. A 50μL aliquot of plasma was mixed with 200μL methanol for protein precipitation and centnfuged as above. The supernatant was assayed for LTB 4 using an enzyme immunoassay kit (Cayman Chemicals #520111) according to the manufacturer's procedure TNF-α was assayed in diluted plasma (m PBS) using an ELISA kit (Cistron Biotechnology) according to manufacturer's procedure Assays for Determining Biological Activity Measurement of whole-cell cAMP content CHO-K1 cells were plated at a density of 10 cells/175 cm containing complete media with 500 μg/ml hygromycm. The flasks were maintained m an incubator at 37°C with 5.0% CO2 for 72 hr. The media was changed and the cells were allowed to grow overnight. The cells were washed and dissociated from the plate with PBS containing 0 5 mM EDTA. Cellular cAMP content was measured by centnfugmg the cell suspension at 150 g x 10 min. And resuspendmg the cells in a Hanks buffered salt solution at a density of 0.2 x 10 cells/ml. The cells were preincubated at room temperature for 15 mm. and then incubated with 10 μM prostaglandin 12 (PGI2) and the indicated compound for an additional 10 mm. Basal cAMP levels were determined by mcubatmg the cells in 0.1% DMSO. The incubations were terminated by the addition of HCl (0.1 N final) and the cells measured for cAMP as desenbed below. Determinations of whole-cell cAMP content were performed by incubating 100 μl reconstituted rabbit anti-succmyl cAMP serum with 100 μl of the whole-cell reaction or known cAMP standard and 30 pmol of 125 I-cAMP TME m a ScintiStnp well (300 μl final volume) at room temperature for 18 h. Total cpm (B 0 ) was determined in the absence of sample of cAMP standard. The reaction mixture was then aspirated out of the well, and the individual wells were counted in a Beckman LS 6000SC with the window open from 10-999 for 1 min. The data were expressed as %B/B 0 = [(standard or sample cpm - non-specific cpm) / (B 0 cpm - non- 1 95 specific cpm)] x 100. Non-specific cpm were determined by mcubatmg only the I- cAMP TME with assay buffer (50 mM acetate; pH 5.8) the ScintiStnp™ well All determinations were performed in triplicate. Phosphodiesterase Scintillation Proximity Assay CHO-K1 cells were lysed by somcation for 10 sees at a power setting of 50% (Braunsonic Model 2000) m an ice cold solution containing 50 mM Tns, pH 7.5; ImM EDTA, and 200 μM β-mercaptoethanol. The soluble and particulate fractions of the cell were obtained by centnfuging the sonicate for 90 mm at 100,000 x g at 4°C PDE activity was measured in a solution containing 50 mM Tns, pH 7 5, lOmM MgCl2; 1 mM EDTA, and 100 nM (or indicated) 3 H-cAMP (100 μl final volume) in the presence of varying concentrations of inhibitor The reaction mixture containing enzyme was incubated for 10 min. at 30°C in 96-well View Plates (Packard), and terminated by the addition of 50 μl Phosphodiesterase Scintillation Proximity Assay (SPA) Beads (Amersham) containing 18 mM ZnSO4 The amount 3 of H-cAMP hydrolysis was determined by counting the plates m a Wallac 1450 μBeta LSC counter The Elevation of cAMP in Leukocytes The effect of compounds of the invention on intracellular cAMP was investigated using human neutrophils or guinea pig eosmophils. Human neutrophils were separated from penpheral blood, incubated with dihydrocytochalasm B and the test compound for 10 mm and then stimulated with FMLP. Guinea pig eosmophils were harvested by pentoneal lavage of animals previously treated with mtra-peπtoneal injections of human serum Eosmophils were separated from the pentoneal exudate and incubated with isoprenalme and test compound. With both cell types, suspensions were centnfuged at the end of the incubation, the cell pellets were resuspended in buffer and boiled for 10 mm pnor to measurement of cAMP by specific radioimmunoassay (DuPont) The most potent compounds accordmg to the Examples induced a concentration-dependent elevation of cAMP in neutrophils and/or eosmophils at concentrations of O.lnM to lμM. Anti-allergic Activity in vivo Compounds of the mvention were tested for effects on an IgE-mediated allergic pulmonary inflammation induced by inhalation of antigen by sensitised guinea pigs Guinea pigs were initially sensitised to ovalbumm under mild cyclophosphamide-mduced lmmunosuppression, by intrapentoneal injection of antigen in combinations with aluminium hydroxide and pertussis vaccine. Booster doses of antigen were given two and four weeks later and at six weeks, animals were challenged with aerosolised ovalbumm whilst under cover of an intrapentoneally administered anti-histamine agent (mepyramme) After a further 48h, bronchial alveolar lavages (BAL) were performed and the numbers of eosmophils and other leukocytes in the BAL fluids were counted. The lungs were also removed for histological examination for inflammatory damage. Administration of compounds of the Examples (0.001-lOmg/kg i.p. or p.o.), up to three times dunng the 48h following antigen challenge, lead to a significant reduction in the eosmophi a and the accumulation of other inflammatory leukocytes. There was also less inflammatory damage in the lungs of animals treated with compounds of the Examples SPA based PDE activity assay protocol Compounds which inhibit the hydrolysis of cAMP to AMP by the type- IV cAMP-specific phosphodiesterases were screened in 96-well plate format as follows: In a 96 well-plate at 30°C was added the test compound (dissolved in 2 ul DMSO), 188 μl of substrate buffer containing [2,8- H] adenosine 3 ',5 '-cyclic phosphate (cAMP, 100 nM to 50 μM), 10 mM MgCl2, 1 mM EDTA, 50 mM Tns, pH 7.5 The reaction was initiated by the addition of 10 μl of human recombinant PDE- IV (the amount was controlled so that ~ 10% product was formed in 10 min. at 30 °C) The reaction was stopped after 10 mm. by the addition of 1 mg of PDE-SPA beads (Amersham). The product AMP generated was quantified on a Microbeta 96- well plate counter. The signal in the absence of enzyme was defined as the background. 100% activity was defined as the signal detected in the presence of enzyme and DMSO with the background subtracted. Percentage of inhibition was calculated accordingly. IC50 value was approximated with a non-linear regression fit of the standard 4-parameter/multιple binding sites equation from a ten point titration LPS and fMLP-Induced TNF-a and LTB4 Assays in Human Whole Blood Whole blood provides a protein and cell-nch milieu appropnate for the study of biochemical efficacy of anti-inflammatory compounds such as PDE IV- selective inhibitors. Normal non-stimulated human blood does not contain detectable levels of TNF-α and LTB Upon stimulation with LPS, activated monocytes expresss and secrete TNF-α up to 8 hours and plasma levels remain stable for 24 hours Published studies have shown that inhibition of TNF-α by increasing intracellular cAMP via PDE IV inhibition and/or enhanced adenylyl cyclase activity occurs at the transcnptional level. LTB 4 synthesis is also sensitive to levels of intracellular cAMP and can be completely inhibited by PDE IV-selective inhibitors. As there is little LTB 4 produced dunng a 24 hour LPS stimulation of whole blood, an additional LPS stimulation followed by fMLP challenge of human whole blood is necessary for LTB synthesis by activated neutrophils. Thus, using the same blood sample it is possible to evaluate the potency of a compound on two surrogate markers of PDE IV activity in the whole blood. Fresh blood was collected in hepanmzed tubes by venipuncture from healthy human volunteers (male and female). These subjects had no apparent inflammatory conditions and had not taken any NSAIDs for at least 4 days pnor to blood collection. Five hundred μL ahquots of blood were pre-mcubated with either 2μL of vehicle (DMSO) or 2μL test compound at varying concentrations for 15 minutes at 37°C. This was followed by the addition of either lOμL vehicle (PBS) as blanks or lOμL LPS (lμg/ml final concentration, Sigma Chem, #L-2630 from E. coli, serotype 0111.B4; diluted in 0.1% w/v BSA (in PBS)). After 24 hours of incubation at 37°C, another lOμL of PBS (blank) or lOμL of LPS (lμg/ml final concentration) was added to blood and incubated for 30 minutes at 37°C. The blood was then challenged with either lOμL of PBS (blank) or lOμL of fMLP (lμM final concentration, Sigma Chem #F-3506; diluted in 1% w/v BSA (m PBS)) for 15 minutes at 37°C. The blood samples were centnfuged at 1500xg for 10 minutes at 4°C to obtain plasma. A 50μL aliquot of plasma was mixed with 200μL methanol foi protein precipitation and centnfuged as above. The supernatant was assayed for LTB 4 using an enzyme immunoassay kit (Cayman Chemicals #520111) according to the manufacturer's procedure. TNF-α was assayed in diluted plasma (in PBS) using an ELISA kit (Cistron Biotechnology) according to manufacturer's procedure. EXAMPLES The invention will now be illustrated in the following non-limiting Examples in which, unless otherwise stated: 1. All the end products of the formula I were analyzed by NMR, TLC and elementary analysis or mass spectroscopy. 2. Intermediates were analyzed by NMR and TLC. 3. Most compounds were purified by flash chromatography on silica gel. recrystallization and/or swish (suspension in a solvent followed by filtration of the solid). 4. The course of reactions was followed by thin layer chromatography (TLC ι and reaction times are given for illustration only. The following intermediates were prepared according to literature procedures. or purchased from the following vendor: 1. 4-Bromo-2-nitro-phenylpyruvic acid: Kosuge, T.; Ishida, H.; Inaba, A.; Nukaya, H. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1985, 33, 1414-1419. 2. Ethyl 3-aminoindole-2-carboxylate: Unangst, P. C. J. Heterocyclic Chem. 1983. 20, 495-499. 3. Ethyl 5-bromoindole-2-carboxylate: BIOSYNTH AG. 4. Lithium 3-pyridylamide has been prepared such as lithium N- isopropylcyclohexylamide : Paquette, L. A.; Ewing, G. D. J. Org. Chem. 1975, 40, 2965-2966. EXAMPLE 1 { 1 -[(4-FLUOROPHEΝYL)METHYL]-3-(PHEΝYLMETHOXY)IΝDOL-2-YL } -N- (3-PYRΓDYL FORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 173) Step 1: Methyl 2-{ [(4-fluorophenyl " )methyllamino)benzoate A suspension of 77 g of potassium carbonate in a mixture of 100 mL of methyl ethyl ketone, 50 g of 4-fluorobenzyl bromide and 26 mL of the methyl 2- aminobenzoate was refluxed for 8h, cooled to room temperature, filtered and concentrated. Filtration on 600 mL of silica gel and washing with 10% ethyl acetate in hexane afforded the desired material as a yellow oil (41 g, 85% purity). This material was used as such for the next step. Step 2: Methyl l-r(4-fluorophenyl)methyl1-3-hydroxyindole-2-carboxylate A solution of the previous ester (36 g) in 90 mL of MeOH, 27 mL of ION aqueous NaOH and 225 mL of THF was refluxed for 2 h The reaction mixture was poured into 550 mL of IN HCl and extracted three times with ethyl acetate The organic phase was washed with bnne and dned over MgSO 4 After evaporation, the solid was swished in 10% ether m hexane. This solid was then combined with 28 mL of methyl bromoacetate and 37 g of K 2 CO 3 , in solution in 225 mL of MeOH and 450 mL H 2 O The mixture was refluxed for 18 h The cooled reaction mixture was poured onto 65 mL of concentrated HCl in 700 mL of ice, and extracted with ethyl acetate The organic extracts were dned over MgSO , titrated with an ether solution of CH 2 N 2 and the solvents were evaporated under vacuum to give the crude diester. This crude diester was dissolved in 450 mL of MeOH containing 20 g of sodium methoxide, and refluxed for 30 min. This mixture is then cooled and acidified with 2N HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated to dryness. The solid is swished in 200 mL of 5% ethyl acetate in hexane to give the title compound as a white solid. 1H NMR (acetone-d ό ) δ 3.91 (s, 3H), 5.69 (s, 2H), 7 04 (t, 2H), 7.10 (m, 3H), 7.37 (t, IH), 7.51 (d, IH), 7.72 (d, IH), 8.7 (s, IH) Step 3 l-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl1-3-(phenylmethoxy)ιndole-2-carboxylιc acid To a solution 5.3 g of the previous ester and 2.53 mL of benzyl bromide in 17 mL of methyl ethyl ketone was added 3.18 g of K 2 CO 3 . The mixture was refluxed for 2 h and then cooled to room temperature. It was then filtered, the solids were washed with toluene and the combined liquid phases evaporated. Flash chromatography (toluene) yielded the methyl ester of the title compound as an orange solid. This ester was dissolved in 23 mL of ethanol and 5 mL water, and 2.3 mL of ION NaOH was added. The mixture was heated for 40 mm at 90°C and then cooled Acidification with IN HCl and extraction with ethyl acetate yielded, after evaporation, an off-white solid. 1H NMR (CDCI 3 ) δ 5.48 (s, 2H), 5.75 (s, 2H), 6 93 (t, 2H), 7.02 (t, 2H), 7.16 (m, IH), 7.39 (m, 7H), 7.76 (d, IH). Step 4- { l-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyll-3-(phenylrnethoxy) ιndol-2-yl )-N-(3- pyndyl) formamide Into a dry 25 mL round bottom flask was placed l-[(4- fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-(phenylmethoxy) ιndole-2-carboxyhc acid (50 mg) along with benzene (2.0 mL), j ' -Pr 2 NEt (0 2 mL) followed by SOCl 2 (20 μL) and allowed to stir at room temperature for 0 5 hours To the resulting mixture was then added 3- ammopyndine (20 mg) and stirred for an additional 4 hours At this time, the reaction mixture was poured mto a separatory funnel containing 25 mL H 2 O/ 25 mL EtOAc, the layers were seperated and the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (2x25 mL) The combined organic layers were dned over anhydrous MgSO 4 , concentrated and the resulting matenal was punfied by flash chromatography eluting with 50% EtOAc/hexanes to provide the title amide (14.1 mg) as a light yellow solid. 1H NMR (CDCI 3 ) δ 5.45 (s, 2H), 5.90 (s, 2H), 6.92 (m, 2H), 7.08 (m, 2H), 7.20 (m, 2H), 7.40 (m, 7H), 7.82 (m, IH), 8.02 (m, IH), 8.04 (s, IH), 8.28 (s, IH), 9.55 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m/z 452.2 (M+H) + EXAMPLE 2 { 1 -[(4-FLUOROPHENYL)METHYL]-3-(PHENYLMETHOXY)INDOL-2-YL } -N- r3-(METHYLSULFONYL) PHENYL1 FORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 147) Into a dry 50 mL round bottom flask was placed l-[(4- fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-(phenylmethoxy) ιndole-2-carboxyhc acid (50 mg) along with dry THE (5.0 mL), *-Pr 2 NEt (0.1 mL), cooled to 0 °C, added MsCl (lOμL) and allowed to stir for 0.5 hours. To this cold stirred solution 3-(methylsulfonyl)anιhne (65 mg) was added and allowed to stir at room temperature for 2 hours. The resulting reaction mixture was poured mto a separatory funnel containing 50 mL H 2 O/ 50 mL EtOAc, the layers were separated, the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (2x50 mL), the combined organic layers were washed with bnne, dned over anhydrous MgSO 4 and concentrated. The resulting material was further purified by flash chromatography eluting with 50% EtOAc/hexanes to provide 42.4 mg of the title amide as an off-white solid. 1H NMR (acetone-d 6 ) δ 3.10 (s, 2H), 5.59 (s, 2H), 5.96 (s, 2H), 7.00 (m, 2H), 7.17 (m, 3H), 7.43 (m, 4H), 7.56 (m, 6H), 7.98 (d, IH), 8.27 (m, IH), 9.82 (s, IH). EXAMPLE 3 { l-[(4-FLUOROPHENYL)METHYL]-3-(PHENYLMETHOXY) TNDOL-2-YL}-N- (3-PYRfDYLMETHYL) FORMAMTDE (COMPOUND 185) Following the procedure describing the preparation of example 166, 1- [(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-(phenylmethoxy) indole-2-carboxylic acid (50 mg) in THF (3.0 mL) at 0° C was treated with -Pr 2 NEt (0.1 mL), MsCl (10 μL), stirred for 0.5 hours and then added 3-(aminomethyl)pyridine (20 mg). After work-up and purification by flash chromatography eluting with 30% EtOAc/hexanes the title amide (27.4 mg) was isolated as a light yellow oil. 1H NMR (acetone-de) δ 4.52 (d, 2H), 5.37 (s, 2H), 6.97 (m, 2H), 7.07 (m, 3H), 7.30 (m, 7H), 7.58 (m, IH), 7.61 (m, IH), 7.82 (m, IH), 8.18 (m, IH), 8.46 (m, IH), 8.54 (m, IH). MS (+APCI) m z 466.4 (M+H) + . EXAMPLE 4 { l-[(4-FLUOROPHENYL)METHYL]-3-(PHENYLMETHOXY) F DOL-2-YLJ-N- (4-PYRIDYLMETHYL) FORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 186) Following the procedure describing the preparation of example 166, l-[(4- fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-(phenylmethoxy) indole-2-carboxylic acid (50 mg) in THF (5.0 mL) at 0 °C was treated with z ' -Pr 2 NEt (0.1 mL), MsCl (10 μL) and after 0.5 hours 4-aminomethylpyridine (20 mg) was added to the reaction mixture. After work-up and purification by flash chromatography eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexanes the title amide (15 mg) was obtained as a light yellow oil. 1H NMR (acetone-d ό ) δ 4.50 (m, 2H), 5.46 (s, 2H), 5.95 (s, 2H). 7.00 (m, 2H), 7.16 (m, 5H), 7.35 (m, 4H), 7.40 (m, 2H), 7.52 (m, IH), 7.85 (m, IH), 8.16 (m, IH), 8.46 (m, 2H). EXAMPLE 5 METHY 4-{ [3-(PHENYLMETHOXY)-2-(N-(3- PYRIDYDCARBAMOYLIMETHYLIBENZOATE (COMPOUND 142) Into a 100 mL round bottom flask was placed methyl 3- (phenylmethoxy)indole-2-carboxylate (1.0 g) along with THF (20 mL). To this stirred solution at room temperature was added lithium 3-pyridylamide (0.3 M in THF) until TLC indicated the consumption of starting material. The resulting reaction mixture was poured into a separatory funnel containing 50 mL H 2 O/ 100 mL EtOAc, the layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with a 5% aqueous AcOH solution (2x50 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over anhydrous MgS0 4 , concentrated and the residue was puridfied by flash chromatography eluting with 50% EtOAc/hexanes to provide 550 mg of the corresponding amide. To a flask containing the above amide (300 mg) in DMF (5.0 mL) at 0 °C was added 80 mg of a NaH suspension (60% in oil) and allowed to stir at room temperature for 0.5 hours. To this mixture was then added methyl 4-(bromomethyl)benzoate (225 mg) and the reaction was allowed to stir at room temperature overnight. At this time, the reaction mixture was poured into a separatory funnel containing 50 mL H 2 O/ 50 mL EtOAc, the layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (2x25 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous MgSO 4 , concentrated and purified by flash chromatography eluting with 30% EtOAc/hexanes. The title amide (175 mg) was obtained as an off-white solid. 1H NMR (acetone-de) δ 3.82 (s, 3H), 5.62 (s, 2H), 6.06 (s, 2H), 7.23 (m, 4H), 7.36 (m, 4H), 7.55 (m, 3H), 7.90 (m, 2H), 7.98 (m, 2H), 8.42 (m, IH), 8.46 (d, IH), 9.66 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m/z 492.4 (M+H) + . EXAMPLE 6 (l-{ [4-(l-HYDROXY-ISOPROPYL)PHENYL]METHYL]-3-(PHENYLMETHOXY) rNDOL-2-YL}-N-(3-PYRIDYL) FORMAMTDE (COMPOUND 136) Into a 50 mL round bottom flask was placed the above benzoate (example 5) (100 mg) along with THF (10 mL) and, to this stirred solution, was added MeMgCl (0.4 mL, 3.0 M solution in THF) and allowed to stir at room temperature for four hours At this time, the reaction mixture was quenched by the addition of 10 mL of a saturated aqueous NH 4 CI solution and this mixture was poured into a separatoiy funnel containing 50 mL H 2 O/ 50 mL EtOAc. The layers were separated, the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (50 mL) and the combined organic layers were washed with bnne, dned over anhydrous MgSO 4 and concentrated The collected material was further punfied by flash chromatography elutmg with 50% EtOAc/hexanes to provide the title alcohol (30 mg) as a light yellow solid Η NMR (acetone-d 6 ) δ 1.42 (s, 6H), 5 60 (s, 2H), 5.97 (s, 2H), 7.05 (d, 2H), 7.18 (m, IH), 7.25 (m, IH), 7.57 (m, 3H), 7.97 (m, 2H), 8.24 (m, IH), 8.49 (d, IH), 9.67 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m/z 492.5 (M+H) + . EXAMPLE 7 { l-[(4-METHYLPHENYL)METHYL]-3-(PHENYLMETHOXY) TNDOL-2-YL}-/V- (3-PYRIDYL) FORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 73) Following the procedure descnbmg the preparation of example 6, methyl 3-(phenylmethoxy)ιndole-2-carboxylate (100 mg) in DMF (5.0 mL) was treated with 12 mg of a NaH suspension (60% m oil) followed by 4-methybenzyl bromide (100 mL). After work-up the crude alkylated matenal was taken up in dry THF (10 mL) and treated with the lithium 3-pyndylamιde (0.3 M in THF) solution as descnbied previously. Following work-up and punfication by flash chromatography the title mdole (58.7 mg) was obtained as a white solid. 1H NMR (acetone-d 6 ) δ 2.22 (s, 3H), 5.59 (s, 2H), 5.94 (s, 2H), 7.01 (m, 4H), 7.16 (m, IH), 7.25 (m, IH), 7.38 (m, IH), 7.53 (m, 3H), 7.99 (m, 2H), 8.23 (m, IH), 8.49 (d, IH), 9.65 (s, IH). EXAMPLE 8 (l-{ [4-(rEi?r-BUTYL)PHENYL)METHYL}-3-(PHENYLMETHOXY) INDOL-2- YL}-N-(3-PYRIDYL) FORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 172) Into a round bottom flask was placed methyl 3-(phenylmethoxy)mdole- 2-carboxylate (50 mg) along with DMF (1.0 mL), THF (1 0 mL) and 10 mg of a NaH suspension (60% in oil) To this stirred mixture was added 4-fert-butylbenzyl bromide and allowed to stir at room temperature overnight At this time, the reaction mixture was diluted with H 2 O, poured mto a teflon fntted cartridge and extracted with CH 2 C1 2 . The filtrate was concentrated and then treated with THF/H 2 O (5.0 mL, 1: 1), MeOH (2.0 mL), NaOH (1 mL of a IN aq. solution) and allowed to stir at room temperature overnight At this time, the reaction mixture was acidified to pH 4 with an aqueous IN HCl solution, diluted with 2 mL H 2 O, extracted with CH 2 C1 2 through a teflon fntted cartridge as above and the filtrate was concentrated The resulting crude carboxyhc acid was taken up in THF (2.0 mL) and treated with ?-Pr 2 NEt (0.1 mL), MsCl (10 μL) followed by 3-amιnopyndme (50 mg) as desenbed previously for the preparation of example 166. After work-up and punfication by flash chromatography 10.6 mg of the title amide was isolated. 1H NMR (acetone-de) δ 1.22 (s, 9H), 5 59 (s, 2H), 5.96 (s, 2H), 7.05 (m, 2H), 7.17 (m, IH), 7.32 (m, 7H), 7.57 (m, 3H), 7.97 (m, 2H), 8.24 (m, IH), 8.49 (d, IH), 9.68 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m/z 490.6 (M+H) + EXAMPLE 9 ( 1 - { [4-(TRIFLUORMETHYL)PHENYL]METHYL } -3-(PHENYL METHOXY)rNDOL-2-YL)-N-(3-PYRIDYL) FORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 148) Following the expenmental procedure descnbmg the preparation of example 193, 9.8 mg of the title amide was isolated. 1H NMR (acetone-de) δ 5.63 (s, 2H), 6.08 (s, 2H), 7.24 (m, 4H), 7.36 (m, 4H), 7.57 (m, 5H), 7.97 (m, IH), 8.23 (d, IH), 8.25 (d, IH), 8.46 (d, IH), 9.67 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m/z 502.4 (M+H) + . EXAMPLE 10 ( 1 - { [4-(DIFLUOROMETHOXY)PHENYL]METHYL } -3-(PHENYL METHOXY)rNDOL-2-YL)-N-(3-PYRIDYL) FORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 16) Following the general procedure describing the preparation of example 8, 3-(phenylmethoxy)indole-2-carboxylate (100 mg) in DMF (2.0 mL) was treated with 10 mg of a NaH suspension (60% in oil) followed by 4-(difluoromethoxy)benzyl bromide (120 mL). After work-up the crude alkylated material was taken up in THF (5.0 mL) and treated with excess lithium 3-pyridylamide (0.3 M in THF). Following the usual work-up and purification as described previously, the title amide (50.6 mg) was obtained as a white solid. 1H NMR (acetone-de) δ 5.59 (s, 2H), 5.96 (s, 2H), 7.06-6.70 (m, 3H), 7.17 (m, 3H), 7.25 (m, IH), 7.35 (m, 4H), 7.55 (m, 3H), 7.96 (m, 2H), 8.24 (m, IH), 8.48 (d, IH), 9.66 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m/z 500.5 (M+H) + . EXAMPLE 11 {3-(CYCLOPROPYLMETHOXY)-l-[(4-FLUOROPHENYL)METHYL]rNDOL-2- YL}-7V-(3-PYRIDYL)FORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 154) Step 1: { l-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-methoxyindol-2-yl }-N-(3-pyridyl)formamide A solution containing 102 mg of methyl l-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-3- hydroxyindole-2-carboxylate, 74 mg of MeOH and 152 mg of di-terr-butyl azodicarboxylate in 1.2 mL of THF and 0.6 mL of CH 2 C1 2 was treated dropwise with a solution containing 171 mg of triphenylphosphine in 0.6 mL of CH C1 2 . The resulting reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The organic solvents were removed under vacuum and the crude mixture was treated with 11 mL of a solution of lithium 3-pyridylamide (0.3 M in THF). The organic solvents were removed under vacuum, CH 2 C1 2 was added and the organic phase was washed 3 times with aqueous acetic acid (0.05 M). The desired material was extracted with a cartridge filled with 500 mg of sulphonic acid resin (Varian SCX). The resin was washed with MeOH and the desired material was recovered by neutralizing the resin with 5% NEUOH in MeOH. The organic phase was concentrated and filtered over a pad of silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate. The filtrate was concentrated to dryness and the resulting solid was recrystallized with a ethyl acetate/hexane mixture to give 54 mg of the title compound as off-white solid. 1H NMR (acetone-de) δ 4.37 (s, 3H), 5.97 (s, 2H), 7.00 (t, 2H), 7.15 (t, IH), 7.21 (dd, 2H), 7.34 (m, 2H), 7.57 (d, IH), 7.92 (d, IH), 8.25 (dd, IH), 8.30 (dd, IH), 8.86 (dd, IH), 9.79 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m z 377.4 (M+H) + . Step 2: The title compound was prepared from 102 mg of methyl l-[(4- fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-hydroxyindole-2-carboxylate and 50 mg of cyclopropanemethanol according to example 164 to yield 111 mg of a yellow solid. 1H NMR (acetone-de) δ 0.43 (m, 2H), 0.65 (m, 2H), 1.46 (m, IH), 4.41 (d, 2H), 5.98 (s, 2H), 7.00 (t, 2H), 7.14 (t, IH), 7.21 (dd, 2H), 7.34 (m, 2H), 7.56 (d, IH), 7.85 (d, IH), 8.29 (m, 2H), 8.88 (d, IH), 10.08 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m/z 416.4 (M+H) + . EXAMPLE 12 { l-[(4-FLUOROPHENYL)METHYL]-3-(4-PYRIDYLMETHOXY)INDOL-2-YL}- N-(3-PYRIDYDFORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 162) The title compound was prepared from 102 mg of methyl l-[(4- fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-hydroxyindole-2-carboxylate and 59 mg of 4-pyridyl carbinol according to example 11, step 1, to yield 56 mg of a red solid. 1H NMR (acetone-de) δ 5.63 (s, 2H), 5.94 (s, 2H), 7.01 (t, 2H), 7.18 (m, 3H), 7.30 (dd, IH), 7.35 (t, IH), 7.54 (d, 2H), 7.59 (d, IH), 7.89 (d, IH), 8.08 (dt, IH), 8.28 (dd, IH), 8.60 (dd, 2H), 8.65 (d, IH), 9.62 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m z 453.3 (M+H) + . EXAMPLE 13 { l-[(4-FLUOROPHENYL)METHYL]-3-[(3- METHOXYPHENYL)METHOXY]INDOL-2-YL}-N-(3-PYRIDYL) FORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 22) The title compound was prepared from 102 mg of methyl l-[(4- fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-hydroxyιndole-2-carboxylate and 94 mg of 3-methoxybenzyl alcohol according to example 164 to yield 63 mg of a white solid 1H NMR (acetone-d ό ) δ 5.57 (s, 2H), 5.96 (s, 2H), 6 94 (dd, IH), 7 00 (t, 2H), 7.05-7.25 (m, 5H), 7.28 (m, 2H), 7.35 (t, IH), 7 58 (d, IH), 7.98 (t, 2H), 8 25 (dd, IH), 8.52 (d, IH), 9.66 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m z 482 3 (M+H) + EXAMPLE 14 {5-BROMO-l-[(4-FLUOROPHENYL)METHYL]-3-(PHENYLMETHOXY)INDOL- 2-YL}-N-(3-PYRIDYL FORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 134) Step 1 Ethyl 5-bromo-3-formylιndole-2-carboxylate In a 1 L round bottom flask 10.5 mL of phosphorus oxychloride was added to 15.5 g of N-methylformamlide at room temperature that resulted in a yellow solid after 15 mm. At this time, 170 mL of 1,2-dιchloroethane and 20.1 g of ethyl 5- bromoιndole-2-carboxylate were added. The resulting suspension was heated under reflux for 4 hours and then concentrated to remove the organic solvent 75 g of sodium acetate in 750 mL of water were added and the solid suspension was stirred for 30 mm at room temperature, filtered and washed 3 times with water The crude matenal was dned under vacuum for 1 hour and swished with 500 mL of EtOH to yield 21.2 g of the title compound as off-white solid. 1H NMR (acetone-de) δ 1.43 (t, 3H), 5.50 (q, 2H), 7.52 (dd, IH), 7.58 (d, IH), 8.52 (d, IH), 10.68 (s, IH), 11.86 (s, IH). Step 2: Ethyl 5-bromo-3-hydroxyιndole-2-carboxylate A mixture of 21.24 g of the previous aldehyde and 14.42 g of p- toluenesuphonic acid monohydrate m 1 L of CH 2 C1 2 was maintained at 12-13°C and treated portionwise with 17.01 g of dned 3-chloroperoxybenzoιc acid (87% punty) The reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature for 2.5 hours (reaction was monitored by TLC), quenched with 3 mL of dimethyl sulfide and poured 30 mm later into a saturated aqueous bicarbonate solution. The product was extracted with CH 2 C1 2 , washed twice with saturated aqueous bicarbonate, bnne and dned over anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 The organic solvent was removed under vacuum and the crude matenal was hydrolyzed by treatment with 10 mL of Et 3 N in 300 mL of EtOH and heating to 70°C for 30 min. The organic solvent was removed under vacuum and the crude matenal was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed twice with 0.5 N HCl, bnne and dned over anhydrous Na 2 SO . The organic phase was concentrated and filtered over a pad of silica gel eluting with hot toluene. The orgamc phase was concentrated to dryness and the solid was swished with ethyl acetate and hexane to give 18.14 g of the title compound as a grey solid (>97% punty). 1H NMR (acetone-de) δ 1.35 (t, 3H), 4 39 (q, 2H), 7.35 (dd, IH), 7 39 (dd, IH), 7.79 (t, IH), 8.24 (s, IH), 10.23 (s, IH). Step 3: Ethyl 5-bromo-3-(phenylmethoxy)mdole-2-carboxylate To a solution containing 2.04 g of ethyl 5-bromo-3-hydroxyιndole-2- carboxylate, 3.94 g of benzyl alcohol and 3.34 g of di -tert-butyl azodicarboxylate in 30 mL of THF and 15 mL of CH 2 C1 2 at -78°C was treated dropwise with a solution containing 3.81 g of triphenylphosphine in 15 mL of CH 2 C1 2 . The resulting reaction mixture was warmed slowly to 0°C upon consumption of the starting matenal (monitored by TLC). 800 μL of acetic acid was added and after 30 mm the solvents were removed under vacuum and the excess of acetic acid was removed by coevaporation with toluene. The crude product was filtered over a pad of silica gel elutmg with CH 2 C1 2 . The organic phase was concentrated to dryness and the solid was swished with hexane to give 2.13 g of the title compound as a white solid. 1H NMR (acetone-de) δ 1.36 (t, 3H), 4.38 (q, 2H), 5.30 (s, 2H), 7.30- 7.40 (m, 5H), 7.56 (d, 2H), 7.76 (d, IH), 10.56 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m/z 376.2, 374.1 (M+H) + . Step 4: Ethyl 5-bromo-l-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-(phenylmethoxy)indole-2- carboxylate To a mixture of 5.57 g of ethyl 5-bromo-3-(phenylmethoxy)indole-2- carboxylate and 2.9 mL of 4-fluorobenzyl bromide in 40 mL of DMF at 0°C was added 887 mg of a NaH suspension (60% in oil) and the resulting reaction mixture was warmed slowly to room temperature with continuous stirring. After 0.5 hour, the reaction was quenched with saturated aqueous NH 4 CI and extracted twice with ethyl acetate/ether 1:1. The organic phase was washed with water (4 x), brine and dried over anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 . Flash chromatography (toluene) and recrystallization from hexane yielded 5.99 g of the title compound as a white solid. 1H NMR (acetone-d ό ) δ 1.29 (t, 3H), 4.33 (q, 2H), 5.26 (s, 2H), 5.79 (s, 2H), 7.00-7.10 (m, 4H), 7.30-7.40 (m, 4H), 7.51 (m, 3H), 7.78 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m/z 484.3, 482.2 (M+H) + . Step 5: (5-Bromo-l-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyn-3-(phenylmethoxy)indol-2-yl )-N-(3- pyridyπformamide To a solution of 1.06 g of the above ester in 5 mL of THF 40 mL of a solution of lithium 3-pyridylamide (0.3 M in THF) was added and allowed to stir at room temperature. After consumption of the starting ester, the organic solvents were removed under vacuum, aqueous acetic acid (0.05 M) was added and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed 3 times with aqueous acetic acid (0.05 M), water (3 x), brine and dried over anhydrous Na 2 SO . The organic phase was concentrated and filtered over a pad of silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was concentrated to dryness and the solid was swished with ethyl acetate and hexane to give 1.16 g of the title compound as a white solid. 1H NMR (acetone-de) δ 5.58 (s, 2H), 5.95 (s, 2H), 7.01 (td, 2H), 7.17 (dd, 2H), 7.27 (dd, IH), 7.38 (m, 3H), 7.44 (dd, IH), 7.55 (m, 3H), 7.97 (m, IH), 8.11 (d, IH), 8.27 (dd, IH), 8.50 (d, IH), 9.62 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m/z 532.3, 530.2 (M+H) + . Anal. Calcd for C 28 H 21 BrFN 3 O 2 : C, 63.41; H, 3.99; N, 7.92. Found: C, 63.12; H, 4.31; N, 7.98. EXAMPLE 15 { l-[(4-FLUOROPHENYL)METHYL]-5-(l-HYDROXY-ISOPROPYL)-3- (PHENYLMETHOXY)P DOL-2- YL } -N-(3-P YRID YL) FORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 130) To a solution of 201 mg of {5-Bromo-l-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-3- (phenylmethoxy)ιndol-2-yl}-N-(3-pyndyl)formamιde m 10 mL of THF at -100°C was added 0.5 mL of n-BuLi (1.6 M in hexanes) and the mixture was stirred at -100°C for 30 min. To this cold solution, 190 μL of acetone was added and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. At this time, aqueous NFI4CI was added, the product was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was washed ith bnne and dned over anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 . Flash chromatography (100% hexane to hexane/ethyl acetate 1:2) and swish with CH 2 Cl /hexane yielded 61 mg of the title compound as a yellow solid. 1H NMR (acetone-de) δ 1.58 (s, 6H), 4.14 (s, IH), 5.59 (s, 2H), 5.93 (s, 2H), 7.00 (t, 2H), 7.18 (m, 2H), 7.24 (dd, IH), 7.38 (m, 3H), 7.45-7.55 (m, 4H), 7,95 (d, IH), 8.08 (dd, IH), 8.24 (dd, IH), 8.46 (d, IH), 9.65 (s, IH). MS (+APCI) m/z 510.4 (M+H) + . EXAMPLE 16 l-[(4-FLUOROPFffiNYL)METHYL]-3-(PHENYLMETHOXY)-2-(N-(3- PYRIDYL)CARBAMOYL)INDOLE-5-CARBOXYLIC ACID (COMPOUND 131) To a solution of 201 mg of {5-Bromo-l-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-3- (phenylmethoxy)ιndol-2-yl}-N-(3-pyridyl)formamide in 10 mL of THF at -100°C was added 0.5 mL of n-BuLi (1.6 M in hexanes) and the mixture was stirred at -100°C for 30 mm. CO 2 was introduced to the reaction mixture and warmed to room temperature. The reaction was quenched with 150 μL of acetic acid and poured mto a saturated aqueous ΝH 4 CI solution. The product was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was washed with bnne and dned over anhydrous Na SO 4 . The organic phase was concentrated and the crude solid was swished with ethyl acetate to give 75 mg of the title compound as a white solid (>95% punty) Η NMR (dmso-de) δ 5.42 (s, 2H), 5 76 (s, 2H), 7.08 (m, 4H), 7.25- 7.35 (m, 4H). 7.40 (d, 2H), 7.69 (d, IH), 7.87 (d, IH), 7 98 (d, IH), 8.28 (d, IH), 8 46 (s, IH), 8.61 (s, IH), 10.12 (s, IH), 12.76 (s, IH) MS (+APCI) m/z 496 5 (M+H) + EXAMPLE 17 { l-[(4-FLUOROPHENYL)METHYL]-4-(l-HYDROXY-ISOPROPYL)-3- (PHENYLMETHOXY)nNDOL-2-YL}-N-(3-PYRIDYL) FORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 94) Step 1 Ethyl 4-bromo-ιndolecarboxylate A solution of 23 mL of ethyl azidoacetate and 7.6 mL of 2- bromobenzaldehyde in 40 mL ethanol was added dropwise to a solution of 4.5 g sodium in 180 mL ethanol, in a bath at -10°C, at a rate such that the reaction temperature does not nse above 8°C. After the addition is complete, the mixture is stirred at 5-10°C for 30 mm. The reaction mixture is then poured into a mixture of 28 g of NH 4 CI m l L ice, and extracted with 1 :4 CH 2 Cl 2 /hexane The organic phase is filtered through 150 mL silica gel, which is nnsed with 200 mL of the same solvent This is evaporated to near dryness, diluted with 300 mL xylene, and stabilised with 60 mg of 2,5-dι-t-butylhydroquιnone. This mixture is heated with a distillation head until 50 mL of xylene has distilled The mixture is cooled and evaporated in vacuo to a volume of 80 mL, which is diluted with 80 mL of hexane A white solid forms upon cooling to 0°C, which is filtered off. Η NMR (acetone-de) δ 1.37 (t, 3H), 4.37 (q, 2H), 7.13 (t, IH), 7 21 (t, IH), 7.33 (d, IH), 7.55 (d, IH), 11.3 (s, IH). EXAMPLE 18 { l-[(4-FLUOROPHENYL)METHYL]-6-(l-HYDROXY-ISOPROPYL)-3- (PHENYLMETHOXY)INDOL-2-YL}-N-(3-PYRIDYL) FORMAMIDE (COMPOUND 118) Step 1: Ethyl 6-bromo-mdolecarboxyl ate Using the method desenbed in example 17, Step 1, starting with 4- bromobenzaldehyde, the title compound is obtained as a white solid. 'H NMR (acetone-d ό ) δ 1.35 (t, 3H), 4.35 (q, 2H), 7.18 (s, IH), 7.24 (d, IH), 7.64 (d, IH), 7.73 (s, IH), 11.10 (s, IH).

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A compound represented by formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof wherein: one of Zl, Z2, Z3 and Z4 represents N or CR2 and the others represent CR2; a represents 0 or 1 ; b represents 0, 1 or 2; d represents 0, 1 or 2; Rl represents H, Cι_4alkyl or hydroxyCi-4alkyl; each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of: H, halo, Ci -salkyl, haloCi-Salkyl, hydroxyCj-Salkyl, CN, Het, ORa, OC(O)N(Rb) 2 , NRbC(O)Ra, C(Ra) 2 CO2R a , Ci-8alkylN(Rb) 2 , haloCι _8alkylN(Rb) 2 , CO2R a , C(O)N(Rb) 2 , Sθ2N(Rb) 2 , S(O)bR d and NRbSO2R d ; each R a is independently selected from H, Ci -4alkyl, Ci-4alkylNHCi-4alkyl, and Ci-4alkylN(Ci-4alkyl)2, the alkyl portions of which are optionally substituted with 1-3 halo groups; each R" is selected from H and Cl-7 alkyl, and when two R^'s are present, they can be taken together and represent a fused ring system having 5-10 members, said ring system being saturated or containing 1-4 double bonds, and optionally including 1-3 heteroatoms selected from O, S and NR e ; Rd and Re are independently selected from Het, Cι_7alkyl, C2- 7alkenyl, C2-7alkynyl, and Ci _7alkyl-Het; Het represents a 5-10 membered aromatic, partially aromatic or non- aromatic ring system containing 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, S and N, optionally substituted on any available position with oxo, Cι_4 alkyl, halo, amino, hydroxyCi -4 alkyl, haloCι _4 alkyl and aminoCi-4 alkyl; X represents C3_7cycloalkyl or Ar, and each Ar is mdependently selected from the group consisting of phenyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyndyl, oxazolyl, tetrazolyl, pynmidmyl, pyrazinyl and pyndazmyl, said Ar being optionally substituted with 1-4 members selected from halo, hydroxy, CN, Ci -4alkyl, Ci-6haloalkyl, Ci -6hydroxyalkyl, OCj . -6alkyl, OCi-6haloalkyl, OC]_-6hydroxyalkyl, Ci -6alkylOCi -6alkyl, Ci-6alkylOCι_ όhaloalkyl, C(O)NH2, C(O)NHCi -6alkyl, C(O)N(Cι_6alkyl)2, Cι_6 alkylOCi - 6alkylC(O)NH2, CO2H, CO2Ci _6alkyl, NHC(O)Cι_6alkyl, NHC(O)OCι _6alkyl, and SO2Ci_6alkyl. 2. A compound m accordance with claim 1 wherein Zl, Z2, Z3 and Z represent CR2 3. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein b represents 0 or 1. 4. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein d represents 1. 5. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein Rl represents H or CH3. 6. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein e ch R is independently selected from the group consisting of H, Ci-8alkyl, hydroxyCj-Salkyl, Cθ2R a , Ci-8alkylN(Rb) 2 and C(O)N(Rb) 2 ; and Rb is selected from H and Ci-3 alkyl. 7. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein X represents Ar and Ar is independently selected from the group consisting of: phenyl, pyndyl and tetrazolyl, said Ar being optionally substituted with 1-4 members selected from halo, CN, Ci-4alkyl, Ci -6haloalkyl, OCι_6alkyl, OCi -6haloalkyl, Ci -6hydroxyalkyl, C(O)NH2, C(O)NHCi-6alkyl, C(0)N(Cι_6alkyl)2, CO2H, CO2Ci-6alkyl, NHC(O)Cι_6alkyl, NHC(O)OCι_6alkyl and SO2Ci-6alkyl. 8. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein: Z , Z2, Z3 and Z4 represent CR2; each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of H. C ι _ βalkyl, hydroxyCj-Salkyl, CO2R a , Ci-8alkylN(Rb) 2 and C(O)N(Rb) 2 wherein Rb is selected from H and Cι _3 alkyl; b represents 0 or 1 ; d represents 1 ; Rl represents H or CH3; X represents Ar and Ar is mdependently selected from the group consisting of: phenyl, pyndyl and tetrazolyl, said Ar being optionally substituted with 1-4 members selected from: halo, CN, Cι_4alkyl, Cj^haloalkyl, OCι_6alkyl, OCι_6haloalkyl, C{. 6hydroxyalkyl, C(O)NH2, C(O)NHCι_6alkyl, C(O)N(Cι_6alkyl)2, CO2H, CO2C1- 6alkyl, NHC(O)Cι_6alkyl, NHC(O)OCι_6alkyl and SO2Ci_6alkyl. 9. A compound represented by Formula la: H-Ar la wherein all vaπables are as defined in claim 1. 10. A compound in accordance with claim 9 wherein Zl , Z2, Z3 and Z4 represent CR2- 1 1 A compound in accordance with claim 9 wherein each R is independently selected from the group consisting of H, Cj_8alkyl, hydroxyC i-Salkyl, CO2R a , Ci-8alkylN(Rb) 2 and C(O)N(Rb)2 wherein Ra is independently selected from H and C]-4alkyl, and R is selected from H and C i -3 alkyl. 12. A compound in accordance with claim 9 wherein each Ar is selected from phenyl, pyridyl and tetrazolyl, optionally substituted with 1-4 members selected from: halo, CN, Ci-4alkyl, C _6haloalkyl. OCi-6alkyl, OCi -6haloalkyl, C 6hydroxyalkyl, C(O)NH2, C(O)NHC ι_6alkyl, C(O)N(C _6alkyl)2, CO2H, CO2C1- βalkyl, NHC(O)Cι_6alkyl, NHC(O)OCι_6alkyl and SO2Ci_6alkyl. 13. A compound in accordance with claim 1 in accordance with the following table: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof. 14. A compound selected from the group consisting of: { l-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-(phenylmethoxy)ιndol-2-yl }-N-(3-pyπdyl)formamιde; { l-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-(phenylmethoxy)ιndol-2-yl }-N-[3-(methylsulfonyl) phenyl] formamide; { l-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-(phenylmethoxy) ιndol-2-yl }-/V-(3-pyndylmethy]) formamide; { l-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-(phenylmethoxy) ιndol-2-yl }-N-(4-pyπdylmethyl) formamide; Methyl 4-{ [3-(phenylmethox )-2-(N-(3-pyπdyl)carbamoyl]methyl Jbenzoate; (l-{ [4-( l-Hydroxyisopropyl)phenyl]methyl]-3-(phenylmethoxy) indol-2-yl }-N-(3- pyridyl) formamide; { l-[(4-Methylphenyl)methyl]-3-(phenylmethoxy) indoI-2-yl }-N-(3-pyridyl) formamide; (l-{ [4-(tert-Butyl)phenyl)methyl }-3-(phenylmethoxy) indol-2-yl }-N-(3-pyridyl) formamide; (l-{ [4-(Trifluormethyl)phenyl]methyl}-3-(phenylmethoxy)indol-2-yl)-N-(3-pyridyl) formamide; (l-{ [4-(Difluoromethoxy)phenyl]methyl}-3-(phenylmethoxy)indol-2-yl)-N-(3-pyridyl) formamide; {3-(Cyclopropylmethoxy)-l-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]indol-2-yl }-N-(3- pyri dy 1 )f ormami de ; { l-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-(4-pyridylmethoxy)indol-2-yl }-N-(3- pyri dyl )f orm ami de ; { l-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-[(3-methoxyphenyl)methoxy]indol-2-y] }-N-(3- pyridyl)formamide; { 5-Bromo-l-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-(phenylmethoxy)indol-2-yl }-N-(3-pyridyl) formamide; { l-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-5-(l-hydroxy-isopropyl)-3-(phenylmethoxy)indol-2-yl }- Λ/-(3-pyridyl)formamide; l-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-3-(phenylmethoxy)-2-(Ν-(3-pyridyl)carbamoyl)indole-5- carboxylic acid; { l-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-4-(l-hydroxy-isopropyl)-3-(phenylmethoxy)indol-2-yl }- N-(3-pyridyl)formamide; and { l-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-6-(l-hydroxy-isopropyl)-3-(phenylmethoxy)indol-2-yl }- N-(3-pyridyl)formamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof. 15. A pharmaceutical composition comprised of a compound in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 14 in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 16. A method of treating or preventing a PDE-IV mediated disease or condition in a mammalian patient in need thereof, comprising administering said patient an amount of a compound in accordance with claim 1 that is effective for treating or preventing said PDE-IV mediated disease or condition. 17. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein the disease or condition is selected from the group consisting of: inflammatory response or muscular spasm; bladder or alimentary smooth muscle spasm; asthma; inflamed lung associated with asthma; cystic fibrosis; chronic bronchitis; eosinophilic granuloma; psoriasis; other benign and malignant proliferative skin diseases; endotoxic shock; septic shock; ulcerative colitis; Crohn's disease; reperfusion injury of the myocardium or brain; inflammatory arthritis; osteoporosis, chronic glomerulonephritis; atopic dermatitis; urticaria; adult or infant respiratory distress syndrome; diabetes; diabetes insipidus; allergic rhinitis; allergic conjunctivitis; vernal conjunctivitis; arterial restenosis and atherosclerosis. 18. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein the disease or condition is selected from the group consisting of: pain; cough; fever; rheumatoid arthritis; osteoarthritis; ankylosing spondyhtis; transplant rejection; graft versus host disease; hypersecretion of gastric acid; bacterial, fungal or viral induced infection or sepsis; septic shock; cachexia and muscle wasting; depression; memory impairment; and prevention of tumor growth and invasion of normal tissues. 19. A phosphodiesterase IV (PDE-IV) inhibitor pharmaceutical composition comprising an acceptable PDE-IV inhibiting amount of a compound of formula I as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 20. Use of a compound of formula I, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing a PDE-IV mediated disease or condition in a mammalian patient in need thereof. 21. Use of a compound, salt or hydrate of claim 14, in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing a PDE-IV mediated disease or condition in a mammalian patient in need thereof. 22. A compound of formula I, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use as a PDE-IV inhibitor. 23. A compound, salt or hydrate of claim 14 for use as a PDE-IV inhibitor.

Inventors: LABELLE MARC, LACHANCE NICOLAS, MACDONALD DWIGHT, STURINO CLAUDIO, LABELLE, MARC, LACHANCE, NICOLAS, MACDONALD, DWIGHT, STURINO, CLAUDIO
Applicants: LABELLE MARC, LACHANCE NICOLAS, MACDONALD DWIGHT, MERCK FROSST CANADA INC, STURINO CLAUDIO, LABELLE, MARC, LACHANCE, NICOLAS, MACDONALD, DWIGHT, MERCK FROSST CANADA & CO., STURINO, CLAUDIO
Application year: 2001
Main classification: C07D209
IPC codes: A61K31, A61P9, A61P11, A61P15, A61P17, A61P19, A61P21, A61P25, A61P27, A61P29, A61P35, A61P37, A61P43, C07D209, C07D401, C07D403