Aminobenzimidazoles and benzimidazoles as inhibitors of respiratory syncytial virus replication

1. A compound having the formula

a N-oxide, addition salt, or a stereochemically isomeric form thereof; wherein

G is a direct bond or C 1-10 alkanediyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from the group of substituents consisting of hydroxy, C 1-6 alkyloxy, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyloxy, C 1-6 alkylthio, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkylthio, HO(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O) n —, C 1-6 alkyloxy(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O) n — or Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyloxy(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O) n —;

each n independently is 1, 2, 3 or 4;

R 1 is pyridyl;

wherein said pyridyl may optionally be substituted with 1 or where possible more, substituents independently selected from the group of substituents consisting of halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkyloxy, C 1-6 alkylthio, C 1-6 alkyloxyC 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 , Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyloxy, hydroxyC 1-6 alkyl, mono-or di(C 1-6 alkyl)amino, mono-or di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminoC 1-6 alkyl, polyhaloC 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkylcarbonylamino, C 1-6 alkyl-SO 2 —NR 5c —, Ar 1 —SO 2 —NR 5c —, C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR 5c R 5d , HO(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O) n —, halo(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O) n —, C 1-6 alkyloxy(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O) n —, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyloxy(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O) n — and mono-or di(C 1-6 alkyl)amino(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O) n —;

each t independently is 0, 1 or 2;

Q is hydrogen, amino or mono- or di(C 1-4 alkyl)amino;

R 2a and R 3a are each independently selected from hydrogen, halo, optionally mono- or polysubstituted C 1-6 alkyl, optionally mono- or polysubstituted C 2-6 alkenyl, nitro, hydroxy, Ar 2 , N(R 4a R 4b ), N(R 4a R 4b )sulfonyl, N(R 4a R 4b )carbonyl, C 1-6 alkyloxy, Ar 2 oxy, Ar 2 C 1-6 alkyloxy, carboxyl, C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonyl, or —C(═Z)Ar 2 ; wherein ═Z is ═O, ═CH—C(═O)—NR 5a R 5b , ═CH 2 , ═CH—C 1-6 alkyl, ═N—OH or ═N—O—C 1-6 alkyl; and wherein the optional substituents on C 1-6 alkyl and C 2-6 alkenyl can be the same or can be different relative to one another, and are each independently selected from the group of substituents consisting of hydroxy, cyano, halo, nitro, N(R 4a R 4b ), N(R 4a R 4b )sulfonyl, Ar 2 , C 1-6 alkyloxy, C 1-6 alkyl-S(═O) t , Ar 2 oxy, Ar 2 —S(═O) t , Ar 2 C 1-6 alkyloxy, Ar 2 C 1-6 alkyl-S(═O) t , carboxyl, C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonyl and —C(═Z)Ar 2 ;

provided that when R 2a is halo, optionally mono- or polysubstituted C 1-6 alkyl, optionally mono- or polysubstituted C 2-6 alkenyl, nitro, hydroxy, Ar 2 , N(R 4a R 4b ), N(R 4a R 4b )sulfonyl, N(R 4a R 4b )carbonyl, C 1-6 alkyloxy, Ar 2 oxy, Ar 2 C 1-6 alkyloxy, carboxyl, C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonyl, or —C(═Z)Ar 2 ; then R 3a is hydrogen; and

provided that when R 3a is halo, optionally mono- or polysubstituted C 1-6 alkyl, optionally mono- or polysubstituted C 2-6 alkenyl, nitro, hydroxy, Ar 2 , N(R 4a R 4b ), N(R 4a R 4b )sulfonyl, N(R 4a R 4b )carbonyl, C 1-6 alkyloxy, Ar 2 oxy, Ar 2 C 1-6 alkyloxy, carboxyl, C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonyl, or —C(═Z)Ar 2 ; then R 2a is hydrogen;

R 2b and R 3b are each independently selected from hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl or halogen;

provided that when R 2a is halo, optionally mono- or polysubstituted C 1-6 alkyl, optionally mono- or polysubstituted C 2-6 alkenyl, nitro, hydroxy, Ar 2 , N(R 4a R 4b )sulfonyl, N(R 4a R 4b )sulfonyl, N(R 4a R 4b )carbonyl, C 1-6 alkyloxy, Ar 2 oxy, Ar 2 C 1-6 alkyloxy, carboxyl, C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonyl, or —C(═Z)Ar 2 then R 2b is hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl or halogen and R 3b is hydrogen; and

provided that when R 3a is halo, optionally mono- or polysubstituted C 1-6 alkyl, optionally mono- or polysubstituted C 2-6 alkenyl, nitro, hydroxy, Ar 2 , N(R 4a R 4b ), N(R 4a R 4b )sulfonyl, N(R 4a R 4b )carbonyl, C 1-6 alkyloxy, Ar 2 oxy, Ar 2 C 1-6 alkyloxy, carboxyl, C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonyl, or —C(═Z)Ar 2 then R 3b is hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl or halogen and R 2b is hydrogen;

R 4a and R 4b can be the same or can be different relative to one another, and are each independently selected from the group of substituents consisting of hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 2 C 1-6 alkyl, (Ar 2 )(hydroxy)C 1-6 alkyl, hydroxyC 1-6 alkyl, mono- and di-(C 1-6 alkyloxy)C 1-6 alkyl, (hydroxyC 1-6 alkyl)oxyC 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyloxy-C 1-6 alkyl, dihydroxyC 1-6 alkyl, (C 1-6 alkyloxy)(hydroxy)C 1-6 alkyl, (Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyloxy)(hydroxy)C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 oxy-C 1-6 alkyl, (Ar 1 oxy)(hydroxy)-C 1-6 alkyl, aminoC 1-6 alkyl, mono- and di(C 1-6 alkyl)amino-C 1-6 alkyl, carboxyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonylC 1-6 alkyl, aminocarbonylC 1-6 alkyl, mono- and di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminocarbonylC 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkylcarbonylC 1-6 alkyl, (C 1-4 alkyloxy) 2 -P(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, (C 1-4 alkyloxy) 2 P(═O)—O—C 1-6 alkyl, aminosulfonyl-C 1-6 alkyl, mono- and di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminosulfonyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl, Ar 2 carbonyl, Ar 2 C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl, C 1-6 alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, mono- and di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminosulfonyl, Ar 2 sulfonyl, Ar 2 C 1-6 alkylsulfonyl, Ar 2 ;

R 5a and R 5b can be the same or can be different relative to one another, and are each independently hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl; or

R 5c and R 5d taken together may form a bivalent radical of formula —(CH 2 ) s — wherein s is 4 or 5;

R 5c and R 5d can be the same or can be different relative to one another, and are each independently hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl; or

R 5c and R 5d taken together may form a bivalent radical of formula —(CH 2 ) s — wherein s is 4 or 5;

R 6a is hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 , Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl, Ar 1 carbonyl, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl, C 1-6 alkylsulfonyl, Ar 1 sulfonyl, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkylsulfonyl, C 1-6 alkyloxyC 1-6 alkyl, aminoC 1-6 alkyl, mono- or di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminoC 1-6 alkyl, hydroxyC 1-6 alkyl, (carboxyl)-C 1-6 alkyl, (C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonyl)-C 1-6 alkyl, aminocarbonylC 1-6 alkyl, mono- and di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminocarbonylC 1-6 alkyl, aminosulfonyl-C 1-6 alkyl, mono- and di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminosulfonyl-C 1-6 alkyl;

R 6b is hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 or Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyl;

R 6c is C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 or Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyl;

Ar 1 is phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 or more, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, C 1-6 alkyl, hydroxyC 1-6 alkyl, polyhaloC 1-6 alkyl, and C 1-6 alkyloxy;

Ar 2 is phenyl, phenyl annelated with C 5-7 cycloalkyl, or phenyl substituted with 1 or more, substituents selected from halo, cyano, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 —C 1-6 alkyl, cyanoC 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkenyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkynyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkynyl, Ar 1 , R 6b —O—, R 6b —S—, R 6c —SO—, R 6c —SO 2 —, R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl-SO 2 —, —N(R 6a R 6b ), polyhalo-C 1-6 alkyl, polyhaloC 1-6 alkyloxy, polyhaloC 1-6 alkylthio, R 6c —C(═O)—, R 6b —O—C(═O)—, N(R 6a R 6b )—C(═O)—, R 6b —O—C 1-10 alkyl, R 6b —S—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —S(═O) 2 —C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —O—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—NR 6b —, R 6c —C(═O)—O—, R 6c —C(═O)—NR 6b —C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—O—C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—S(═O) 2 —, H 2 N—C(═NH)—.

2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein the compound has the formula:

wherein Q, G, R 1 , R 2a and R 2b are as claimed in claim 1 .

3. A compound according to claim 1 wherein the compound has the formula:

wherein Q, G, R 1 , R 3a and R 3b are as claimed in claim 1 .

4. A compound according to claim 1 wherein the compound has the formula:

wherein Q, G, R 1 , R 4a and R 2b are as claimed in claim 1 ; and Alk is C 1-6 alkanediyl;

R 9 , R 10 , R 11 each independently are selected from halo, cyano, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 —C 1-6 alkyl, cyanoC 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkenyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkynyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkynyl, Ar 1 , R 6b —O—, R 6b —S—, R 6c —SO—, R 6c —SO 2 —, R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl-SO 2 —, —N(R 6a R 6b ), polyhalo-C 1-6 alkyl, polyhaloC 1-6 alkyloxy, polyhaloC 1-6 alkylthio, R 6c —C(═O)—, R 6b —O—C(═O)—, N(R 6a R 6b )—C(═O)—, R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —S—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —S(═O) 2 —C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —O—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—NR 6b —, R 6c —C(═O)—O—, R 6c —C(═O)—NR 6b —C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—O—C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—S(═O) 2 —, H 2 N—C(═NH)—.

5. A compound according to claim 1 wherein the compound has the formula:

wherein Q, G, R 1 , R 4a , R 3b are as claimed in claim 1 ; and

R 9 , R 10 , R 11 each independently are selected from hydrogen, halo, cyano, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 —C 1-6 alkyl, cyanoC 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkenyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkynyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkynyl, Ar 1 , R 6b —O—, R 6b —S—, R 6c —SO—, R 6c —SO 2 —, R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl-SO 2 —, —N(R 6a R 6b ), polyhaloC 1-6 alkyl, polyhaloC 1-6 alkyloxy, polyhaloC 1-6 alkylthio, R 6c —C(═O)—, R 6b —O—C(═O)—, N(R 6a R 6b )—C(═O)—, R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —S—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —S(═O) 2 —C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —O—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—NR 6b —, R 6c —C(═O)—O—, R 6c —C(═O)—NR 6b —C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—O—C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—S(═O) 2 —, H 2 N—C(═NH)—; and

Alk is C 1-6 alkanediyl.

6. A compound according to claim 1 wherein the compound has the formula:

wherein Q, G, R 1 , R 3b are as claimed in claim 1 ;

R 9 and R 10 each independently are selected from halo, cyano, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 —C 1-6 alkyl, cyanoC 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkenyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkynyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkynyl, Ar 1 , R 6b —O—, R 6b —S—, R 6c —SO—, R 6c —SO 2 —, R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl-SO 2 —, —N(R 6a R 6b , polyhaloC 1-6 alkyl, polyhaloC 1-6 alkyloxy, polyhaloC 1-6 alkylthio, R 6c —C(═O)—, R 6b —O—C(═O)—, N(R 6a R 6b )—C(═O)—, R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —S—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —S(═O) 2 —C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —O—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—NR 6b —, R 6c —C(═O)—O—, R 6c —C(═O)—NR 6b —C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—O—C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—S(═O) 2 —, H 2 N—C(═NH)—;

Alk is C 1-6 alkanediyl;

R 6a is hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 , Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl, Ar 1 carbonyl, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl, C 1-6 alkylsulfonyl, Ar 1 sulfonyl, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkylsulfonyl, C 1-6 alkyloxyC 1-6 alkyl, aminoC 1-6 alkyl, mono- or di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminoC 1-6 alkyl, hydroxyC 1-6 alkyl, (carboxyl)-C 1-6 alkyl, (C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonyl)-C 1-6 alkyl, aminocarbonylC 1-6 alkyl, mono- and di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminocarbonylC 1-6 alkyl, aminosulfonyl-C 1-6 alkyl, mono- and di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminosulfonyl-C 1-6 alkyl; and

R 6b is hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 or Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyl.

7. A compound according to claim 1 wherein the compound has the formula:

wherein Q, G, R 1 , R 2b are as claimed in claim 1 ;

R 9 and R 10 each independently are selected from halo, cyano, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 —C 1-6 alkyl, cyanoC 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkenyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkynyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkynyl, Ar 1 , R 6b —O—, R 6b —S—, R 6c —SO—, R 6c —SO 2 —, R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl-SO 2 —, —N(R 6a R 6b ), polyhaloC 1-6 alkyl, polyhaloC 1-6 alkyloxy, polyhaloC 1-6 alkylthio, R 6c —C(═O)—, R 6b —O—C(═O)—, N(R 6a R 6b )—C(═O)—, R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —S—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —S(═O) 2 —C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —O—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—NR 6b —, R 6c —C(═O)—O—, R 6c —C(═O)—NR 6b —C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—O—C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—S(═O) 2 —, H 2 N—C(═NH)—;

Alk is C 1-6 alkanediyl;

R 6a is hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 , Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl, Ar 1 carbonyl, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl, C 1-6 alkylsulfonyl, Ar 1 sulfonyl, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkylsulfonyl, C 1-6 alkyloxyC 1-6 alkyl, aminoC 1-6 alkyl, mono- or di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminoC 1-6 alkyl, hydroxyC 1-6 alkyl, (carboxyl)-C 1-6 alkyl, (C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonyl)-C 1-6 alkyl, aminocarbonylC 1-6 alkyl, mono- and di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminocarbonylC 1-6 alkyl, aminosulfonyl-C 1-6 alkyl, mono- and di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminosulfonyl-C 1-6 alkyl; and

R 6b is hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 or Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyl.

8. A compound according to claim 5 , wherein Alk is methylene.

9. A compound according to claim 5 , wherein R 9 , R 10 , R 11 are selected from hydrogen, halo, cyano, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 —C 1-6 alkyl, cyanoC 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkenyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkynyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkynyl, Ar 1 , R 6b —O—, R 6b —S—, R 6c —SO—, R 6c —SO 2 —, R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl-SO 2 —, —N(R 6a R 6b ), CF 3 , R 6c —C(═O)—, R 6b —O—C(═O)—, N(R 6a R 6b )—C(═O)—, R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —S—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —S(═O) 2 —C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —O—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl and R 6c —C(═O)—NR 6b —, H 2 N—C(═NH)—.

10. A compound according to claim 4 wherein R 9 , R 10 , R 11 are selected from C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 —C 1-6 alkyl, cyanoC 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkenyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkynyl, R 6b —O—C 3-6 alkynyl, R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —S—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6c —S(═O) 2 —C 1-6 alkyl, N(R 6a R 6b )—C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —O—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl and N(R 6a R 6b )—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl.

11. A compound according to claim 5 , wherein R 9 , R 10 , R 11 are selected from hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 —C 1-6 alkyl, cyanoC 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, cyanoC 2-6 alkynyl, R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl, amino-S(═O) 2 —C 1-6 alkyl, R 6b —O—C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, amino-C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, mono- and diamino-C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl.

12. A compound according to claim 5 , wherein R 9 , R 10 , R 11 are C 1-6 alkyl or R 6b —O—C 1-6 alkyl; and R 10 and/or R 11 may also be hydrogen.

13. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein G is C 1-10 alkanediyl.

14. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein G is methylene.

15. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 1 is pyridyl; wherein said pyridyl may be substituted with 1 or where possible with 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxyl, C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkyloxy, C 1-6 alkylthio, C 1-6 alkyloxyC 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 , Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyl, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyloxy, hydroxyC 1-6 alkyl, mono- or di(C 1-6 alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C 1-6 alkyl)aminoC 1-6 alkyl, polyhaloC 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkylcarbonylamino, C 1-6 alkyl-SO 2 —NR 5c —, Ar 1 —SO 2 —NR 5c —, C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR 5c R 5d , HO(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O) n —, halo(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O) n —, C 1-6 alkyloxy(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O) n —, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyloxy(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O) n — and mono- or di(C 1-6 alkyl)amino(—CH 2 —CH 2 —O) n —; wherein each n independently is 1, 2, 3 or 4; Ar 1 , R 5c , R 5d are as claimed in claim 1 .

16. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 1 is pyridyl, wherein said pyridyl may optionally be substituted with one, two or three radicals selected from the group consisting of halo, hydroxy, C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkyloxy, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyloxy, (C 1-6 alkyloxy)C 1-6 alkyloxy.

17. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 1 is pyridyl optionally substituted with one or two radicals selected from the group consisting of halo, hydroxy, C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkyloxy, Ar 1 C 1-6 alkyloxy, (C 1-6 alkyloxy)C 1-6 alkyloxy.

18. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 1 is pyridyl optionally substituted with one or two radicals selected from hydroxy, halo, C 1-6 alkyl, benzyloxy and C 1-6 alkyloxy.

19. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 1 is pyridyl optionally substituted with one or two radicals selected from hydroxyl, C 1-6 alkyl and C 1-6 alkyloxy.

20. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein, where applicable, one of R 2a and R 3a is selected from —N(R 4a R 4b ), (R 4a R 4b )N—CO—, C 1-6 alkyl substituted with one or two substituents selected from hydroxy, cyano, Ar 2 , or —N(R 4a R 4b ) and C 2-6 alkenyl substituted with cyano or Ar 2 ; and the other one of R 2a and R 3a is hydrogen; and

in case R 2a is different from hydrogen then R 2b is hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl or halogen and R 3b is hydrogen;

in case R 3a is different from hydrogen then R 3b is hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl or halogen and R 2b is hydrogen.

21. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein, where applicable, one of R 2a and R 3a is selected from (R 4a R 4b )N—CO—; C 1-6 alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxy, Ar 2 , or —N(R 4a R 4b ); and C 2-6 alkenyl substituted with Ar 1 ; and the other one of R 2a and R 3a is hydrogen; or

in case R 2a is different from hydrogen then R 2b is hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl and R 3b is hydrogen;

in case R 3a is different from hydrogen then R 3b is hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl and R 2b is hydrogen;

Ar 2 , R 4a and R 4b are as in the definitions of the compounds of formula (I) or as in any subgroup specified herein.

22. A compound according to claim 20 , wherein, where applicable, R 2b and R 3b are both hydrogen.

23. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound is 2-(2-amino-6-{[2-(3-hydroxy-propyl)-5-methyl-phenylamino]-methyl}-benzoimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-6-methyl-pyridin-3-ol.

24. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and as active ingredient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound as claimed in claim 1 .

25. A process for preparing a compound as claimed in claim 1 , said process comprising

(a) reacting an intermediate of formula (II) with a reagent (III) as in the following reaction scheme:

(b) reacting an intermediate of formula (V) with a reagent (I) thus obtaining a compound of formula (I-d); wherein, optionally, intermediate (V) can be prepared by a cyclization reaction of an intermediate (IV); as in the following reaction scheme;

and optionally converting the thus obtained compounds of formula (I) into their pharmaceutically acceptable base-addition or acid addition salt form by treatment with a suitable base or acid and conversely treating the base-addition or acid addition salt form with an acid or a base to obtain the free form of the compound of formula (I).

26. A compound according to claim 5 , wherein Alk is methylene.

27. A compound according to claim 6 , wherein Alk is methylene.

28. A compound according to claim 7 , wherein Alk is methylene.

29. A compound according to claim 21 wherein R 2b and R 3b are both hydrogen.