Macrocyclic compounds as protein kinase inhibitors

1. A compound of formula I,

wherein:

ring A and ring B represent a fused bicyclic group of any one of the following formulae:

wherein

in formula IA: W 1a is CH, CF or N; W 2a is CH, CF or N; W 3a is CR 4a or N; W 4a is CR 5a or N; W 5a is CR 6a or N;

in formula IB: W 1b is CH, CF or N; W 2b is CH, CF or N; W 3b is CR 4b or N; W 4b is C or N; W 5b is CR 6b or N; W 6b is C or N; W 7b is C or N, and wherein when W 3b represents N, W 4b and W 6b represent C and W 5b represents C or N, then R* is hydrogen (in all other cases R* is absent);

in formula IC: W 1c is CH, CR t1 , N, NR q1 , O or S; W 2c is CH, CR t2 , N, NR q2 , O or S; W 3c is C or N; W 4c is CR 5c or N; W 5c is CR 6c or N; W 6c is C or N;

in formula ID: W 1d is CH, CR t3 , N, NR q3 , O or S; W 2d is CH, CR t4 , N, NR q4 , O or S; W 3d is C or N; W 4d is CR 5d or N; W 5d is C or N; W 6d is C or N;

each R t1 , R t2 , R t3 and R t4 is independently selected from halo, C 1-3 alkyl, C 3 cycloalkyl, a 3- to 5-membered heterocycloalkyl group, —OR s1 , —CN, —N(R s2 )R s3 , —S(O) w1 CH 3 or —C(O)CH 3 ;

w1 represents 0, 1 or 2;

each R s1 , R s2 and R 3s independently represent hydrogen or C 1-2 alkyl;

each R q1 , R q2 , R q3 and R q4 is independently selected from C 1-3 alkyl, C 3 cycloalkyl, a 3- to 5-membered heterocycloalkyl group or —C(O)CH 3 ;

each R 1 , R 2a , R 2b , R 2c , R 3 , R 4a , R 5a , R 6a , R 4b , R 6b , R 5c , R 6c and R 5d are independently selected from hydrogen or a substituent selected from halo, —CN, —C(O)N(R f1 )R f2 , —C(O)R f3 , —N(R f4 )R f5 , —C(O)OR f6 , —OR f7 , —OC(O)—R f8 , —S(O) w2 CH 3 , C 1-8 alkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl, and a 3- to 8-membered heterocycloalkyl groups, which latter three groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and E 1 ;

w2 represents 0, 1 or 2;

R f1 , R f2 , R f4 , R f5 and R f7 independently represent hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl or C 3-6 cycloalkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and E 2 ; or

R f1 and R f2 and/or R f4 and R f5 may be linked together to form a 4- to 8-membered ring optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from C 1-3 alkyl, C 3 cycloalkyl, and halo;

R f3 , R f6 and R f8 independently represent C 1-6 alkyl or C 3-6 cycloalkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and E 2 ;

X represents a direct bond, —C(R a )(R b )—, —O—, —S—, —N(R c )—, —N(R d )C(O)—, —C(O)N(R e )— or —N(R f )—C(O)—N(R g )—;

Y represents -arylene-, -heteroarylene- (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from E 3 ), -heterocycloalkylene- or —C 1-12 alkylene- (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and E 4 );

R N represents hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and E 5 ;

Z represents -(A x ) 1-7 -, wherein each A x independently represents —C(R x1 )(R x2 )—, —N(R x3 )—, —C(O)—, —O—, —S—, —S(O)— or —S(O) 2 —;

R x1 , R x2 and R x3 each independently represent hydrogen or a substituent selected from E x ;

each E x independently represents halo, —C(O)R y1 , —N(R y2 )—C(O)—N(R y3 )(R y4 ), C 1-6 alkyl or heterocycloalkyl (both of which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms);

R y1 , R y2 , R y3 and R y4 each independently represent hydrogen or C 1-3 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms;

each R a , R b , R e , R d , R e , R f and R g independently represent hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl or C 3-6 cycloalkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms;

each E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 and E 5 independently represents, on each occasion when used herein:

(i) Q 4 ;

(ii) C 1-12 alkyl, C 3-12 cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and Q 5 ;

any two E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 and/or E 5 groups may be linked together to form a 3- to 12-membered ring, optionally containing one or more unsaturations, and which ring is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and J 1 ;

each Q 4 and Q 5 independently represent, on each occasion when used herein:

halo, —CN, —N(R 20 )R 21 , —OR 20 , —C(═Y 1 )—R 20 , —C(═Y 1 )—OR 20 , —C(═Y 1 )N(R 20 )R 21 , —C(═Y 1 )N(R 20 )—OR 21a , —OC(═Y 1 )—R 20 , —OC(═Y 1 )—OR 20 , —OC(═Y 1 )N(R 20 )R 21 , —OS(O) 2 OR 20 , —OP (═Y 1 )(OR 20 )(OR 21 ), —OP(OR 20 )(OR 21 ), —N(R 22 )C(═Y 1 )R 21 , —N(R 22 )C(═Y 1 )OR 21 , —N(R 22 )C(═Y 1 )N(R 20 )R 21 , —NR 22 S(O) 2 R 20 , —NR 22 S(O) 2 N(R 20 )R 21 , —S(O) 2 N(R 20 )R 21 , —SC(═Y 1 )R 20 , —SC(═Y 1 )OR 20 , —SC(═Y 1 )N(R 20 )R 21 , —S(O) 2 R 20 , —SR 20 , —S(O)R 20 , —S(O) 2 OR 20 , C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl (which latter three groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and J 2 );

each Y 1 independently represents, on each occasion when used herein, ═O, ═S, ═NR 23 or ═N—CN;

each R 21a represents C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl (which latter three groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from J 4 and ═O);

each R 20 , R 21 , R 22 and R 23 independently represent, on each occasion when used herein, hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl (which latter three groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from J 4 and ═O); or

any relevant pair of R 20 , R 21 and R 22 , may be linked together to form a 4- to 20-membered ring, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms, optionally containing one or more unsaturations, and which ring is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from J 6 and ═O;

each J 1 , J 2 , J 4 and J 6 independently represents, on each occasion when used herein:

(i) Q 7 ;

(ii) C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and Q 8 ;

each Q 7 and Q 8 independently represents, on each occasion when used herein:

halo, —CN, —N(R 50 )R 51 , —OR 50 , —C(═Y a )—R 50 , —C(═Y a )—OR 50 , —C(═Y a )N(R 50 )R 51 , —N(R 52 )C(═Y a )R 51 , —NR 52 S(O) 2 R 50 , —S(O) 2 N(R 50 )R 51 , —N(R 52 )—C(═Y a )—N(R 50 )R 51 , —S(O) 2 R 50 , —SR 50 , —S(O)R 50 , C 1-6 alkyl or C 3-6 cycloalkyl (optionally substituted by one or more fluoro atoms) or heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, —OR 60 and —N(R 61 )R 62 );

each Y a independently represents, on each occasion when used herein, ═O, ═S, ═NR 53 or ═N—CN;

each R 50 , R 51 , R 52 and R 53 independently represents, on each occasion when used herein, hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl or C 3-6 cycloalkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluoro, —OR 60 and —N(R 61 )R 62 ; or

any relevant pair of R 50 , R 51 and R 52 may be linked together to form, a 3- to 8-membered ring, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms, optionally containing one or more unsaturations, and which ring is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and C 1-3 alkyl;

R 60 , R 61 and R 62 independently represent hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl or C 3-6 cycloalkyl optionally substituted by one or more fluoro atoms;

wherein any heterocycloalkyl group may be selected from non-aromatic monocyclic and bicyclic heterocycloalkyl groups in which one to four of the atoms in the ring system is a heteroatom selected from N, O, or S, and in which the total number of atoms in the ring system is from five to ten, wherein the heterocycloalkyl group may be bridged, and wherein the heterocycloalkyl group may be saturated or unsaturated containing one or more double and/or triple bonds,

wherein any heteroaryl group may be selected from an aromatic group containing one to four heteroatom(s) selected from N, O or S, wherein the heteroaryl group comprises five to ten atoms in the ring system, and wherein the heteroaryl group is monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic, provided that at least one of the rings is aromatic, and that when the heteroaryl group is bicyclic or tricyclic it is linked to the rest of the molecule via an aromatic ring,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

2. A compound as claimed in claim 1 , wherein, ring A and ring B represents a fused bicyclic group of the following structure (optional substituents are not shown):

3. A compound as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

Y represents arylene, heteroarylene, heterocycloalkylene or C 1-6 alkylene, all of which groups are optionally substituted by one of the following groups:

4. A compound as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

X represents —N(R c )— or a direct bond; and/or

Z represents —C(O)-[T 1 ]- or —C(O)N(R x3 )-[T 1 ]-, in which T 1 represents —(CH 2 ) 0-4 -T 2 - and T 2 represents a direct bond or —C(O)—N(H)—CH 2 —.

5. A compound selected from the following:

6. A pharmaceutical formulation including a compound of formula I, as defined in claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.

7. A combination product comprising:

(A) a compound of formula I as defined in claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof; and

(B) another therapeutic agent that is useful in the treatment of cancer and/or a proliferative disease,

wherein each of components (A) and (B) is formulated in admixture with a pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.

8. A combination product as claimed in claim 7 which comprises a pharmaceutical formulation including a compound of formula I as defined in claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, another therapeutic agent that is useful in the treatment of cancer and/or a proliferative disease, and a pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.

9. A combination product as claimed in claim 7 which comprises a kit of parts comprising components:

(a) a pharmaceutical formulation including a compound of formula I as defined in claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, in admixture with a pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier; and

(b) a pharmaceutical formulation including another therapeutic agent that is useful in the treatment of cancer and/or a proliferative disease in admixture with a pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier,

which components (a) and (b) are each provided in a form that is suitable for administration in conjunction with the other.

10. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula I as defined in claim 1 , which process comprises:

(i) for compounds of formula I in which Z contains a —C(O)N(R x3 )— or —N(R x3 )C(O)— moiety, intramolecular reaction of a compound of formula II,

wherein Z 1 and Z 2 independently represents —C(O)OH, —N(R x3 )H or a partial Z moiety with a terminal —C(O)OH group or terminal —N(R x3 )H group (or derivatives thereof), wherein one of Z 1 and Z 2 contains the —C(O)OH group (or derivative) and the other contains the —N(R x3 )H group (or derivative) and ring A/ring B, R 1 , R 2a , R 2b , R 2c , R 3 , X and Y are as defined in claim 1 ;

(ii) compounds of formula I in which Z contains —O—, —S— or —N(R x3 )—, may be prepared by reaction of a compound of formula III,

wherein Z 3 represents —OH, —N(R x3 )H or -L x (in which L x is a suitable leaving group), or Z 3 contains a partial Z moiety with a terminal —OH, —N(R x3 )H or -L x group and Z 4 represents L y -, HO— or H(R x3 )N— (as appropriate) or a partial Z moiety with a terminal L y -, HO— or H(R x3 )N—, L y is a suitable leaving group (and wherein one of Z 3 and Z 4 contains a —OH, —SH or —N(R x3 )H moiety and the other contains the L x or L y moiety), and ring A/ring B, R 1 , R 2a , R 2b , R 2c , R 3 , X and Y are as defined in claim 1 ;

(iii) compounds of formula I in which R x3 , R y2 , R y3 and/or R y4 represent optionally substituted C 1-6 or C 1-3 alkyl, may be prepared by reaction of a corresponding compound of formula I in which R x3 , R y2 , R y3 and/or R y4 represent hydrogen, with a compound of formula IV,

L 1 -R 12-14   IV

wherein R 2-14 represents R x3 , R y2 , R y3 or R y4 (as appropriate/required) and L 1 represents a suitable leaving group as defined for L x , or with a compound of formula V,

H(O)C—R 12a-14a   V

wherein R 12a-14a represents C 1-5 or C 1-2 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms;

(iv) for compounds of formula I containing a —N(R x3 )—CH 2 — moiety, reduction of a corresponding compound of formula I containing a —N(R x3 )C(O)— moiety.

11. A process for the preparation of:

(I) a pharmaceutical formulation as defined in claim 6 , which process comprises bringing into association a compound of formula I, as defined in claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof with a pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier; and/or

(II) a combination product as defined in claim 7 , which process comprises bringing into association a compound of formula I, as defined in claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof with the other therapeutic agent that is useful in the treatment of cancer and/or a proliferative disease, and at least one pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.