Inhibitors

1. A compound of formula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, or stereoisomers thereof wherein:

X represents a bond or a —(CH 2 ) m -group;

m represents an integer selected from 1 to 3;

R 1 represents -aryl, —C 1-6 alkylaryl, -cycloalkyl, —C 1-6 alkylcycloalkyl, —C 1-6 alkyl-Het, -aryl fused to heterocyclyl, —C 1-6 alkylaryl fused to heterocyclyl, -aryl substituted by heteroaryl, —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by heteroaryl, -aryl substituted by phenyl, —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by phenyl, -aryl substituted by phenoxy or —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by phenoxy;

and in which any of aforesaid aryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, phenyl or phenoxy groups may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from C 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, C 1-6 haloalkyl, —C 1-6 thioalkyl, —SOC 1-4 alkyl, —SO 2 C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxy-, —O—C 3-8 cycloalkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl, —SO 2 C 3-8 cycloalkyl, —SOC 3-6 cycloalkyl, C 3-6 alkenyloxy-, C 3-6 alkynyloxy-, —C(O)C 1-6 alkyl, —C(O)OC 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxy-C 1-6 alkyl-, nitro, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, —C(O)OH, —NH 2 , —NHC 1-4 alkyl, —N(C 1-4 alkyl)(C 1-4 alkyl), —C(O)N(C 1-4 alkyl)(C 1-4 alkyl), —C(O)NH 2 , —C(O)NH(C 1-4 alkyl) and —C(O)NH(C 3-10 cycloalkyl);

R 2 represents -aryl, —C 1-6 alkylaryl, -cycloalkyl, —C 1-6 alkylcycloalkyl, —C 1-6 alkyl- Het, -aryl fused to heterocyclyl, —C 1-6 alkylaryl fused to heterocyclyl, -aryl substituted by heteroaryl, —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by heteroaryl, -aryl substituted by phenyl, —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by phenyl, -aryl substituted by phenoxy or —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by phenoxy;

and in which any of aforesaid aryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, phenyl or phenoxy groups may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from C 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, C 1-6 haloalkyl, —C 1-6 thioalkyl, —SOC 1-4 alkyl, —S 0 2 C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxy-, —O—C 3-8 cycloalkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl, —SO 2 C 3-8 cycloalkyl, —SOC 3-6 cycloalkyl, C 3-6 alkenyloxy-, C 3-6 alkynyloxy-, —C(O)C 1-6 alkyl, —C(O)OC 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxy-C 1-6 alkyl-, nitro, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, —C(O)OH, —NH 2 , —NHC 1-4 alkyl, —N(C 1-4 alkyl)(C 1-4 alkyl), —C(O)N(C 1-4 alkyl)(C 1-4 alkyl), —C(O)NH 2 , —C(O)NH(C 1-4 alkyl) and —C(O)NH(C 3-10 cycloalkyl);

Het represents a bicyclic heteroaryl group;

in which said bicyclic heteroaryl group may be optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from C 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, C 1-6 haloalkyl, —C 1-6 thioalkyl, —SOC 1-4 alkyl, —SO 2 C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxy-, —O—C 3-8 cycloalkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl, —SO 2 C 3-8 cycloalkyl, —SOC 3-6 cycloalkyl, C 3-6 alkenyloxy-, C 3-6 alkynyloxy-, —C(O)OC 1-6 alkyl, —C(O)OC 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxy-C 1-6 alkyl-, nitro, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, —C(O)OH, —NH 2 , —NHC 1-4 alkyl, —N(C 1-4 alkyl)(C 1-4 alkyl), —C(O)N(C 1-4 alkyl)(C 1-4 alkyl), —C(O)NH 2 , —C(O)NH(C 1-4 alkyl) and —C(O)NH(C 3-10 cycloalkyl).

2. A compound as defined in claim 1 , wherein R 1 represents C 1-6 alkylaryl, —C 1-6 alkyl-Het, —C 1-6 alkylaryl fused to heterocyclyl or —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by heteroaryl.

3. A compound as defined in claim 1 , wherein R 2 represents -aryl, —C 1-6 alkylaryl, —C 1-6 alkylcycloalkyl, —C 1-6 alkyl-Het, —C 1-6 alkylaryl fused to heterocyclyl or —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by heteroaryl.

4. A compound as defined in claim 1 , wherein R 1 represents —C 1-6 alkylaryl and R 2 represents —C 1-6 alkylaryl or —C 1-6 alkylcycloalkyl; wherein said aryl groups are optionally substituted by one or more halogen, cyano, C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxy, —C 1-6 thioalkyl or —N(C 1-4 alkyl)(C 1-4 alkyl) groups.

5. A compound as defined in claim 1 , wherein R 1 and R 2 both represent —C 1-6 alkylaryl; wherein said phenyl groups are optionally substituted by one or more halogen, cyano, C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxy, —C 1-6 thioalkyl or —N(C 1-4 alkyl)(C 1-4 alkyl) groups.

6. A compound as defined in claim 1 , wherein R 1 and R 2 both represent —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by to heteroaryl.

7. A compound as defined in claim 1 , wherein R 1 and R 2 both represent —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by heteroaryl.

8. A compound as defined in claim 1 , wherein R 1 represents —C 1-6 alkyl-Het and R 2 represents —C 1-6 alkyl-Het, C 1-6 alkylaryl, or —C 1- 6 alkyl cycloalkyl; wherein said Het groups are optionally substituted by one or more halogen or C 1-6 alkyl groups; and wherein said aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more —C 1-6 thioalkyl, C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxy, halogen or —N(C 1-4 alkyl)(C 1-4 alkyl) groups.

9. A compound as defined in claim 1 , wherein R 1 and R 2 bothrepresent —C 1-6 alkyl-Het; wherein said Het groups are optionally substituted by one ormore halogen or C 1-6 alky groups.

10. A compound as defined in claim 1 , wherein R 1 represents aryl and R 2 represents —C 1-6 alkylaryl.

11. A compound as defined in claim 1 , wherein X represents a bondor a —CH 2 -group.

12. A compound as defined in claim 11 , wherein X representsa bond.

13. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein saidcompound is selected from the group consisting of

N,N-Dibenzyl-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis(2,4,5- trifluorobenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis(4-cyanobenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis((4-methylbenzyl)- 1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5- amine;

N,N-Bis(4-isopropylbenzyl)- 1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5- amine;

N,N-Bis(4-tert-butylbenzyl)- 1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5- amine;

N,N-Bis(4-methoxybenzyl)- 1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5- amine;

N,N-Bis(2-fluoro-3- methylbenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis(4-(thiophen-2- yl)benzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis((naphthalen-2- yl)methyl))-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis((benzo[d]thiazol-2- yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis- ((benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazol-5- yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis((5- chlorobenzo[b]thiophen-3- yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis((2-methylquinolin-6- yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-(Methylthio)benzyl)-N- benzyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol- 5-amine;

N,N-Bis(3-methoxybenzyl)- 1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5- amine;

N,N-Bis((3,4-dihydro-2H- benzo[b][1,4]dioxepin-9- yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis(4- (methylthio)benzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis(4-bromobenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis(3-bromobenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N,N-Bis(3,5-difluorobenzyl)- 1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5- amine;

N-(4-(Methylthio)benzyl)-N- (4-methylbenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-(Methylthio)benzyl)-N- (4-isopropylbenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-(Methylthio)benzyl)-N- (4-methoxybenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(3-Methoxybenzyl)-N-(4- (methylthio)benzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(3,5-Dimethoxybenzyl)-N- (4-(methylthio)benzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(2-Fluoro-4,5- dimethoxybenzyl)-N-(4- (methylthio)benzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(2-Fluoro-3-methylbenzyl)- N-(4-(methylthio)benzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(3,5-Difluorobenzyl)-N-(4- (methylthio)benzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(3,4,5-Trifluorobenzyl)-N- (4-(methylthio)benzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(2,4,5-Trifluorobenzyl)-N- (4-(methylthio)benzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoro-4- methylbenzyl)-N-(4- (methylthio)benzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(2,5-Dichlorobenzyl)-N-(4- (methylthio)benzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-(Methylthio)benzyl)-N- (4-bromobenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-(Methylthio)benzyl)-N- ((5-chlorobenzo[b]thiophen- 3-yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-(Methylthio)benzyl)-N- ((benzo[d]thiazol-2- yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-(Methylthio)benzyl)-N- ((benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazol-6- yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-Ethylbenzyl)-N-(4- methylbenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-(Methylthio)benzyl)-N- (4-ethylbenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoro-4- methylbenzyl)-N-(4- ethylbenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(3,4,5-Trifluorobenzyl)-N- (4-ethylbenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-Cyanobenzyl)-N-(4- ethylbenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-Ethylbenzyl)-N-((5- chlorobenzo[b]thiophen-3- yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-Ethylbenzyl)-N- ((benzo[d]thiazol-2- yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-Ethylbenzyl)-N- ((benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazol-6- yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-N- ((benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazol-6- yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-N- ((benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazol-6- yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4- (Dimethylamino)benzyl)-N- (4-methylbenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4- (Dimethylamino)benzyl)-N- (4-methoxybenzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4- (Dimethylamino)benzyl)-N- (4-(methylthio)benzyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4- (Dimethylamino)benzyl)-N- ((benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazol-5- yl)methyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-(Methylthio)benzyl)-N- (cyclohexylmethyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-N- benzyl-3H-benzo[d]imidazol- 5-amine;

N-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-N- ((naphthalen-2-yl)methyl)- 3H-benzo[d]imidazol-5- amine;

N-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-N- phenethyl-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

N-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-N-(3- phenylpropyl)-3H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine; and

N-Benzyl-N-phenyl-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine;

or a pharmaceutically accepted salt thereof, including all tautomers and stereoisomers.

14. A pharmaceutical composition comprising acompound according to claim 1 , optionally in combination with one or moretherapeutically acceptable diluents or carriers.

15. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 14 , which comprisesadditionally at least one compound, selected from the group consisting ofneuroprotectants, antiparkinsonian drugs, amyloid protein deposition inhibitors, betaamyloid synthesis inhibitors, antidepressants, anxiolytic drugs, antipsychotic drugs andanti-multiple sclerosis drugs.

16. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 14 , which comprisesadditionally at least one compound, selected from the group consisting of PEP-inhibitors,LiCl, inhibitors of inhibitors of DP IV or DP IV-like enzymes,acetylcholinesterase (ACE) inhibitors, PIMT enhancers, inhibitors of beta secretases,inhibitors of gamma secretases, inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase, inhibitors ofPhosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4), TNFalpha inhibitors, muscarinic M1 receptorantagonists, NMDA receptor antagonists, sigma-1 receptor inhibitors, histamine H3 antagonists, immunomodulatory agents, immunosuppressive agents or an agentselected from the group consisting of antegren (natalizumab), Neurelan (fampridine-SR),campath (alemtuzumab), IR 208, NBI 5788/MSP 771 (tiplimotide), paclitaxel,Anergix.MS (AG 284), SH636, Differin (CD 271, adapalene), BAY 361677 (interleukin-4),matrix-metalloproteinase-inhibitors, interferon-tau (trophoblastin) and SAIK-MS.

17. A process for preparation of a compound of formula(I) according to claim 1 , which comprises:

(a) preparing a compound of formula (I) wherein X represents a bond by reacting a compound of formula (II)

with a compound of formula NHR 1 R 2 , wherein l 1 represents a suitable leaving group and R 1 and R 2 are as defined in claim 1 ;

(b) preparing a compound of formula (I) wherein X represents a bond, R 1 is as defined in claim 1 and R 2 represents —C 1-6 alkylaryl, —C 1-6 alkyl-Het, —C 1-6 alkylaryl fused to heterocyclyl, —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by heteroaryl,—C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by phenyl or —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by phenoxy, by alkylatinga compound of formula (III):

wherein Cy 1 represents the aryl or Het group of R 2 ;

(c) preparing a compound of formula (I) wherein X represents a bond, R 1 is as defined in claim 1 and R 2 represents —C 1-6 alkyl, —C 1-6 alkylaryl, —C 1-6 alkylcycloalkyl, —C 1-6 alkyl-Het, —C 1-6 alkylaryl fused to heterocyclyl, —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by heteroaryl, —C 1-6 alkylaryl substituted by phenyl or —C 1-6 alkyaryl substituted by phenoxy, by reacting a compound of formula (IV):

with a compound of formula H—CO—R 2 , wherein R 2 is as defined in claim 1 ;

(d) preparing a compound of formula (I) wherein: X represents a bond, R 1 is as defined in claim 1 and R 2 is as defined in claim 1 ; or X represents a bond and R 1 and R 2 represent identical groups, by reacting a compound offormula (IV):

or an optionally protecting derivative thereof with a compound of formula L 2 -R 2 , whereinL 2 represents a suitable leaving group and R 2 is as defined in claim 1 ;

(e) preparing a compound of formula (I) wherein X represents a —(CH 2 ) m -group,by reacting a compound of formula (VI):

with a compound of formula HNR 1 R 2 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are as defined in claim 1 ;

(f) interconversion of compounds of formula (I), such as preparing acompound of formula (I) wherein R 1 is as defined in claim 1 by reacting a compound of formula (V):

with a compound of formula L 4 —R 1a , wherein R 2 is as defined in claim 1 , L 4 represents a suitable leaving group such as bromine and R 1a represents an R 1 group as defined in claim 1 ; and/or

(g) deprotecting a compound of formula (I) which is protected.

18. The process of claim 17 , wherein L 1 is bromine, L 2 is bromine, or L 4 bromine.