sGC STIMULATORS

1 - 67 . (canceled)

68 . The compound represented by Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof

wherein:

X 1 is selected from N, CH, C(C 1-4 alkyl), C(C 1-4 haloalkyl), CCl and CF;

ring B is a phenyl or a 6-membered heteroaryl ring containing 1 or 2 ring nitrogen atoms, or ring B is a thiophene;

n is 0 or an integer selected from 1 to 3;

each J B is independently selected from halogen, —CN, a C 1-6 aliphatic, —OR B or a C 3-8 cycloaliphatic ring; wherein each of said C 1-6 aliphatic and each of said C 3-8 cycloaliphatic group is optionally substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen;

each R B is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-6 aliphatic or a C 3-8 cycloaliphatic ring; wherein each of said R B that is a C 1-6 aliphatic and each of said R B that is a C 3-8 cycloaliphatic ring is optionally substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen;

J A is selected from hydrogen, halogen, methyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or —NR a R b , wherein R a and R b are each independently selected from hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl or a 3-6 cycloalkyl ring;

J D is absent or selected from halogen, —CN, —CF 3 , methoxy, trifluoromethoxy, nitro, amino or methyl;

R 1 and R 2 , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or 5 membered heteroaryl ring; wherein said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or 5 or membered heteroaryl ring optionally contains in addition to the nitrogen atom up to 3 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S, and is optionally substituted by up to 5 instances of R 5 ; or

alternatively, R 1 and R 2 are each independently selected from hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl or a C 1-6 alkyl-R Y ; wherein each of said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each of said 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring contains up to 3 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S; and wherein each of said C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring group, 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl and the C 1-6 alkyl portion of said C 1-6 alkyl-R Y is optionally and independently substituted with up to 5 instances of R 5a ; provided that R 1 and R 2 are never simultaneously hydrogen; wherein when X 1 is one of CH, C(C 1-4 alkyl), C(C 1-4 haloalkyl), CCl or CF, one instance of R 1 or R 2 is not a pyridine or a pyrimidine,

alternatively, J D and one of R 1 or R 2 can form a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring containing up to two heteroatoms selected from O, N and S and optionally substituted with up to 3 instances of oxo or —(Y)—R 9 ;

wherein Y is either absent or is a linkage in the form of a C 1-6 alkyl chain, optionally substituted by up to 6 instances of fluoro;

each R 9 is independently selected from hydrogen, fluoro, —CN, —OR 10 , —COR 10 , —OC(O)R 10 , —C(O)OR 10 , —C(O)N(R 10 ) 2 , —C(O)N(R 10 )SO 2 R 10 , —N(R 10 )C(O)R 10 , —N(R 10 )C(O)OR 10 , —N(R 10 )C(O)N(R 10 ) 2 , —N(R 10 ) 2 , —SO 2 R 10 , —SO 2 N(R 10 ) 2 , —SO 2 N(R 10 )COOR 10 , —SO 2 N(R 10 )C(O)R 10 , —N(R 10 )SO 2 R 10 , —(C═O)NHOR 10 , a C 3-6 cycloalkyl ring, a 4-8-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5-6 membered heteroaroaryl ring; wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or 5 to 6-membered heteroaromatic ring contains up to 4 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; and wherein each of said C 3-6 cycloalkyl rings, each of said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic rings and each of said 5 to 6-membered heteroaromatic rings is optionally substituted with up to 3 instances of R 11 ;

each R 11 is independently selected from halogen, C 1-6 alkyl, —CN, —OR 12 , —COR 12 , —C(O)OR 12 , —C(O)N(R 12 ) 2 , —N(R 12 )C(O)R 12 , —N(R 12 )C(O)OR 12 , —N(R 12 )C(O)N(R 12 ) 2 , —N(R 12 ) 2 , —SO 2 R 12 , —SO 2 N(R 12 ) 2 , and —N(R 12 )SO 2 R 12 ; wherein each of said C 1-6 alkyl is optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of fluoro, or phenyl;

wherein each R 10 is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, wherein each 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring or 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring contains up to 4 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S; and wherein each of said C 1-6 alkyl, each said phenyl, each said benzyl, each said C 3-8 cycloalkyl group, each said 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring and each 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-4 (fluoroalkyl), —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, —COOH, —COO(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 fluoroalkyl) or oxo; and

wherein each R 12 is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, wherein each 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring or 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring contains up to 4 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S; and wherein each of said C 1-6 alkyl, each said phenyl, each said benzyl, each said C 3-8 cycloalkyl group, each said 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring and each 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-4 (fluoroalkyl), —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, —COOH, —COO(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 fluoroalkyl) or oxo;

R Y is selected from a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, phenyl, or a 5 to 6-membered heteroaromatic ring; wherein each of said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or 5 to 6-membered heteroaromatic ring contains up to 4 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; and wherein each of said C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, each of said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, each of said phenyl, and each of said 5 to 6-membered heteroaromatic ring is optionally substituted with up to 5 instances of R 5c ;

each R 5c is independently selected from halogen, —CN, C 1-6 alkyl, —OR 6b , —SR 6b , —COR 6b , —OC(O)R 6b , —C(O)OR 6b , —C(O)N(R 6b ) 2 , —C(O)N(R 6b )SO 2 R 6b , —N(R 6b )C(O)R 6b , —N(R 6b )C(O)OR 6b , —N(R 6b )C(O)N(R 6b ) 2 , —N(R 6b ) 2 , —SO 2 R 6b , —SO 2 N(R 6b ) 2 , —SO 2 N(R 6b )COOR 6b , —SO 2 N(R 6b )C(O)R 6b , —N(R 6b )SO 2 R 6b , —(C═O)NHOR 6b , a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, phenyl, benzyl, an oxo group, or a bicyclic group; wherein each of said 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring and each of said 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring contains up to 4 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S; and wherein each of said C 1-6 alkyl, each of said C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, each of said 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, each of said 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, each of said benzyl and each of said phenyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, C 1-4 alkyl, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, —COOH, —COO(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 haloalkyl) or oxo; wherein said bicyclic group contains a first ring and a second ring in a fused or bridged relationship, said first ring is a 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, phenyl or benzyl, and said second ring is a phenyl ring or a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring containing up to 3 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O or S; and wherein said bicyclic group is optionally and independently substituted by up to six instances of halogen, C 1-4 alkyl, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, —COOH, —COO(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 haloalkyl) or oxo;

each R 6b is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, wherein each 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring or 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring contains up to 4 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S; and wherein each of said C 1-6 alkyl, each said phenyl, each said benzyl, each said C 3-8 cycloalkyl group, each said 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring and each 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, C 1-4 alkyl, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, —COOH, —COO(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 haloalkyl) or oxo; or

two instances of R 5c attached to the same or different ring atoms of R Y , together with said ring atom or atoms, may form a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 6-membered heterocyclic ring; a phenyl or a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, resulting in a bicyclic system wherein the two rings are in a spiro, fused or bridged relationship, wherein said 4 to 6-membered heterocycle or said 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring contains up to three heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; and wherein said C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, 4 to 6-membered heterocyclic ring, phenyl or a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-4 haloalkyl, C 1-4 alkoxy, C 1-4 haloalkoxy, oxo, —C(O)O(C 1-4 alkyl), —C(O)OH, —NR″(CO)CO(C 1-4 alkyl), —OH or halogen; wherein R″ is hydrogen or a C 1-2 alkyl;

each R 5a is independently selected from halogen, —CN, C 1-6 alkyl, —OR 6a , —SR 6a , —COR 6a , —OC(O)R 6a , —C(O)OR 6a , —C(O)N(R 6a ) 2 , —C(O)N(R 6a )SO 2 R 6a , —N(R 6a )C(O)R 6a , —N(R 6a )C(O)OR 6a , —N(R 6a )C(O)N(R 6a ) 2 , —N(R 6a ) 2 , —SO 2 R 6a , —SO 2 N(R 6a ) 2 , —SO 2 N(R 6a )COOR 6a , —SO 2 N(R 6a )C(O)R 6a , —N(R 6a )SO 2 R 6a , —(C═O)NHOR 6a , a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, phenyl, benzyl, an oxo group or a bicyclic group; wherein each 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring or 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring contains up to 4 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S, wherein each of said C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, benzyl or phenyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-4 haloalkyl, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, —COOH, —COO(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 haloalkyl) or oxo; wherein said bicyclic group contains ring one and ring two in a fused or bridged relationship, said ring one is a 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, phenyl or benzyl, and said ring two is a phenyl ring or a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring containing up to 3 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O or S; and wherein said bicyclic group is optionally and independently substituted by up to six instances of halogen, C 1-4 alkyl, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, —COOH, —COO(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 haloalkyl) or oxo;

each R 6a is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, wherein each of said C 1-6 alkyl, each of said phenyl, each of said benzyl, each of said C 3-8 cycloalkyl group, each of said 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring and each of said 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, C 1-4 alkyl, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, —COOH, —C(O)NH 2 , —C(O)N(C 1-6 alkyl) 2 , —C(O)NH(C 1-6 alkyl), —C(O)N(C 1-6 haloalkyl) 2 , —C(O)NH(C 1-6 haloalkyl), C(O)N(C 1-6 alkyl)(C 1-6 haloalkyl), —COO(C 1-6 alkyl), —COO(C 1-6 haloalkyl), —O(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 haloalkyl) or oxo, wherein each of said 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring or 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring contains up to 4 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S; or

when one of R 1 or R 2 is the C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl substituted with up to 5 instances of R 5a , two of the instances of Rya attached to the same or different ring atoms of said R 1 or R 2 , together with said atom or atoms, may optionally form a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 6-membered heterocyclic ring, a phenyl or a 5 or 6-membered heterocyclic ring, resulting in a bicyclic system wherein the two rings are in a spiro, fused or bridged relationship, wherein said 4 to 6-membered heterocycle or said 5 or 6-membered heterocyclic ring contains up to two ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; and wherein said C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, 4 to 6-membered heterocyclic ring, phenyl or 5 or 6-membered heterocyclic ring is optionally substituted by up to 2 instances of C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-4 haloalkyl, oxo, —(CO)O(C 1-4 alkyl), —NR′(CO)O(C 1-4 alkyl) or halogen; wherein R′ is hydrogen or a C 1-2 alkyl;

each R 5 is independently selected from halogen, —CN, C 1-6 alkyl, —OR 6 , —SR 6 , —COR 6 , —OC(O)R 6 , —C(O)OR 6 , —C(O)N(R 6 ) 2 , —C(O)N(R 6 )SO 2 R 6 , —N(R 6 )C(O)R 6 , —N(R 6 )C(O)OR 6 , —N(R 6 )C(O)N(R 6 ) 2 , —N(R 6 ) 2 , —SO 2 R 6 , —SO 2 N(R 6 ) 2 , —SO 2 N(R 6 )COOR 6 , —SO 2 N(R 6 )C(O)R 6 , —N(R 6 )SO 2 R 6 , —(C═O)NHOR 6 , a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, phenyl, benzyl, an oxo group or a bicyclic group; wherein each of said 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring or 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring contains up to 4 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S; and wherein each of said C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, benzyl or phenyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, C 1-4 alkyl, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, —COOH, —COO(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 haloalkyl) or oxo; wherein said bicyclic group contains ring one and ring two in a fused or bridged relationship, said ring one is a 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, phenyl or benzyl, and said ring two is a phenyl ring or a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring containing up to 3 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O or S; and wherein said bicyclic group is optionally and independently substituted by up to six instances of halogen, C 1-4 alkyl, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, —COOH, —COO(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 haloalkyl) or oxo;

each R 6 is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring or a 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein each of said 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring or 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring contains up to 4 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S; and wherein each of said C 1-6 alkyl, each of said phenyl, each of said benzyl, each of said C 3-8 cycloalkyl group, each of said 4 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring and each of said 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, C 1-4 alkyl, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, —COOH, —COO(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 alkyl), —O(C 1-4 haloalkyl) or oxo; or

when R 1 and R 2 attached to the nitrogen atom form the 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring substituted with up to 5 instances of R 5 , two of the instances of R 5 attached to the same or different atoms of said ring, together with said atom or atoms, may optionally form a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 6-membered heterocyclic ring; a phenyl or a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, resulting in a bicyclic system wherein the two rings of the bicyclic system are in a spiro, fused or bridged relationship, wherein said 4 to 6-membered heterocycle or said 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring contains up to three ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; and wherein said C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, 4 to 6-membered heterocyclic ring, phenyl or 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-4 haloalkyl, C 1-4 alkoxy, C 1-4 haloalkoxy, oxo, —C(O)O(C 1-4 alkyl), —C(O)OH, —NR(CO)O(C 1-4 alkyl), —OH or halogen; wherein R is hydrogen or a C 1-2 alkyl;

p is an integer selected from 0, 1 or 2;

ring C is a monocyclic 5-membered heteroaryl ring containing up to 4 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O or S; wherein said monocyclic 5-membered heteroaryl ring is not a 1,3,5-triazinyl ring;

each J C is independently selected from halogen or a C 1-4 aliphatic optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of C 1-4 alkoxy, C 1-4 haloalkoxy, oxo, —OH or halogen; wherein said C 1-4 haloalkoxy contains up to three instances of halogen,

with the proviso that the compound is not selected from:

69 . The compound of claim 68 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein n is an integer selected from 1 or 2 and wherein each J B is independently selected from halogen, a C 1-4 alkyl or —OR B .

70 . (canceled)

71 . The compound of claim 69 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein each J B is independently selected from fluoro or chloro.

72 - 86 . (canceled)

87 . The compound of claim 68 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein ring B is phenyl.

88 . The compound of claim 68 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein ring B is a 6-membered heteroaryl ring or a thiophene ring.

89 . The compound of claim 88 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein ring B is a pyridyl ring.

90 . The compound of claim 88 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein ring B is a pyrimidinyl ring.

91 . (canceled)

92 . The compound of claim 89 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein J D is fluoro, chloro or is absent.

93 . (canceled)

94 . The compound of claim 68 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein J A is hydrogen.

95 . The compound of claim 68 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein ring C is a monocyclic 5-membered heteroaryl ring containing 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O or S.

96 . The compound of claim 95 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein ring C is an oxazole or isoxazole ring.

97 . The compound of claim 96 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein ring C is unsubstituted.

98 - 113 . (canceled)

114 . The compound of claim 68 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein X 1 is CH, C(C 1-4 alkyl), or CF.

115 - 130 . (canceled)

131 . The compound of claim 68 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having Formula IIIa to IIIb:

wherein J B is halogen and Ring C is an unsubstituted oxazole or isoxazole ring;

R 1 and R 2 , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or 5-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or 5-membered heteroaryl ring optionally contains, in addition to the nitrogen atom to which R 1 and R 2 are attached, up to 3 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S, and is optionally substituted by up to 5 instances of R 5e ;

each R 5e is independently selected from halogen, —CN, C 1-6 alkyl, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, C 1-4 cyanoalkyl, —OR 6 , —SR 6 , —OCOR 6 , —COR 6 , —C(O)OR 6 , —C(O)N(R 6 ) 2 , —N(R 6 )C(O)R 6 , —N(R 6 ) 2 , —SO 2 R 6 , —SO 2 N(R 6 )COR 6 , —SO 2 N(R 6 ) 2 , —N(R 6 )SO 2 R 6 , benzyl, phenyl or an oxo group; wherein each said phenyl ring and each said benzyl group, is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, C 1-4 alkyl, O(C 1-4 alkyl) or —O(C 1-4 haloalkyl); and wherein each said C 1-6 alkyl, each C 1-4 alkyl portion of said —(C 1-4 alkyl)-R 6 moiety, and each said C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen;

wherein

each R 6 is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, or a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring; wherein each said C 1-6 alkyl, each said phenyl, each said benzyl and each said C 3-8 cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen;

two of the instances of R 5e attached to the same or different atoms of said ring formed by R 1 , R 2 and the nitrogen to which R 1 and R 2 are attached, together with said atom or atoms, may optionally form a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 6-membered heterocyclic ring; a phenyl or a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, resulting in a bicyclic system wherein the two rings of the bicyclic system are in a spiro, fused or bridged relationship, wherein said 4 to 6-membered heterocycle or said 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring contains up to three ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; and wherein said C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, 4 to 6-membered heterocyclic ring, phenyl or 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-4 haloalkyl, C 1-4 alkoxy, C 1-4 haloalkoxy, oxo, —C(O)O(C 1-4 alkyl), —C(O)OH, —NR(CO)O(C 1-4 alkyl), —OH or halogen; wherein R is hydrogen or a C 1-2 alkyl;

alternatively, R 1 and R 2 are each independently selected from hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl, or a C 1-6 alkyl-R Y ; wherein each of said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each of said 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring contains up to 3 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S; and wherein each of said C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkyl portion of each said C 1-6 alkyl-R Y moiety, C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring group, 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl, and C 1-6 alkyl-R Y is optionally and independently substituted with up to 5 instances of R 5f ; provided that one of R 1 or R 2 may not be pyridine or pyrimidine; and provided that R 1 and R 2 may not be simultaneously hydrogen;

R Y is selected from a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, phenyl, or a 5 to 6-membered heteroaromatic ring; wherein each of said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or 5 to 6-membered heteroaromatic ring contains between 1 and 4 ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; and wherein each of said C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, each of said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, each of said phenyl, and each of said 5 to 6-membered heteroaromatic ring is optionally substituted with up to 5 instances of R 5g ;

each R 5f is independently selected from halogen, —CN, C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, C 1-4 cyanoalkyl, —SR 6a , —OCOR 6a , —COR 6a , —C(O)OR 6a , —C(O)N(R 6a ) 2 , —N(R 6a )C(O)R 6a , —N(R 6a ) 2 , —SO 2 R 6a , —SO 2 N(R 6a ) 2 , —N(R 6a )SO 2 R 6a , —SO 2 N(R 6a )COR 6a , phenyl or an oxo group; wherein each said phenyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, C 1-4 alkyl, O(C 1-4 alkyl) or —O(C 1-4 haloalkyl); and wherein each said C 1-6 alkyl and each said C 3-8 cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to three instances of halogen;

each R 6a is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, or a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring; wherein each said C 1-6 alkyl, each said phenyl, each said benzyl and each said C 3-8 cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen;

when one of R 1 or R 2 is the C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl substituted with up to 5 instances of R 5f , two of the instances of R 5f attached to the same or different ring atoms of said R 1 or R 2 , together with said atom or atoms, form a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 6-membered heterocyclic ring, a phenyl or a 5 or 6-membered heterocyclic ring, resulting in a bicyclic system wherein the two rings are in a spiro, fused or bridged relationship, wherein said 4 to 6-membered heterocycle or said 5 or 6-membered heterocyclic ring contains up to two ring heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; and wherein said C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, 4 to 6-membered heterocyclic ring, phenyl or 5 or 6-membered heterocyclic ring is optionally substituted by up to 2 instances of C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-4 haloalkyl, oxo, —(CO)O(C 1-4 alkyl), —NR′(CO)O(C 1-4 alkyl) or halogen; wherein R′ is hydrogen or a C 1-2 alkyl;

each R 5g is independently selected from halogen, —CN, C 1-6 alkyl, a benzyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, C 1-4 cyanoalkyl, —OR 6b , —SR 6b , —OCOR 6b , —COR 6b , —C(O)OR 6b , —C(O)N(R 6b ) 2 , —N(R 6b )C(O)R 6b , —N(R 6b ) 2 , —SO 2 R 6b , —SO 2 N(R 6b ) 2 , —N(R 6b )SO 2 R 6b , —SO 2 N(R 6b )COR 6b , phenyl or an oxo group; wherein each said phenyl and each said benzyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4 alkyl), —N(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 , —CN, C 1-4 alkyl —O(C 1-4 alkyl) or —O(C 1-4 haloalkyl); and wherein each said C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-4 alkyl portion of each said (C 1-4 alkyl)-R 6b moiety and each said C 3-8 cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen;

each R 6b is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, or a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring; wherein each said C 1-6 alkyl, each said phenyl, each said benzyl and each said C 3-8 cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen;

alternatively, two instances of R 5g attached to the same or different ring atoms of R Y , together with said ring atom or atoms, form a C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, a 4 to 6-membered heterocyclic ring; a phenyl or a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, resulting in a bicyclic system wherein the two rings are in a spiro, fused or bridged relationship, wherein said 4 to 6-membered heterocycle or said 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring contains up to three heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; and wherein said C 3-8 cycloalkyl ring, 4 to 6-membered heterocyclic ring, phenyl or 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-4 haloalkyl, C 1-4 alkoxy, C 1-4 haloalkoxy, oxo, —C(O)O(C 1-4 alkyl), —C(O)OH, —NR″(CO)O(C 1-4 alkyl), —OH or halogen; and

R″ is hydrogen or a C 1-2 alkyl.

132 - 140 . (canceled)

141 . The compound of claim 131 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having Formula XIa or Formula XIb:

wherein J B is halogen;

R 1 is hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl;

R 2 is a C 1-6 alkyl group optionally and independently substituted by up to three instances of R 5f .

142 . The compound of claim 141 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R 2 is a C 1-3 alkyl group optionally and independently substituted by up to three instances of R 5f ; wherein each instance of R 5f is independently selected from hydroxyl, C 1-2 haloalkyl or —CONH 2 .

143 . The compound of claim 68 , selected from those depicted in Table IA or Table 1B or Table IC or Table ID, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

144 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 68 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and one or more excipients.

145 . A method of treating a disease, health condition or disorder in a subject in need of treatment, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 68 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to the subject in need of treatment, wherein the disease, health condition or disorder is selected from:

(1) a peripheral, pulmonary, hepatic, kidney, cardiac or cerebral vascular/endothelial disorders/conditions or diseases otherwise related to circulation selected from:

disorders related to high blood pressure and decreased coronary blood flow; increased acute and chronic coronary blood pressure; arterial hypertension; vascular disorder resulting from cardiac and renal complications, heart disease, stroke, cerebral ischemia or renal failure; resistant hypertension; diabetic hypertension; congestive heart failure; diastolic or systolic dysfunction; coronary insufficiency; arrhythmias; reduction of ventricular preload; cardiac hypertrophy; heart failure/cardiorenal syndrome; portal hypertension; endothelial dysfunction or injury;

thromboembolic disorders and ischemias; myocardial infarction; stroke; transient ischemic attacks (TIAs); obstructive thromboanginitis; stable or unstable angina pectoris; coronary spasms; variant angina; Prinzmetal's angina; restenosis resulting from thrombolysis therapies; thrombogenic disorders;

Alzheimer's disease; Parkinson's disease; dementia; vascular cognitive impairment; cerebral vasospasm; traumatic brain injury;

peripheral arterial disease; peripheral occlusive arterial disease; peripheral vascular disease; hypertonias; Raynaud's syndrome or phenomenon; critical limb ischemia; vasculitis; peripheral embolism; intermittent claudication; vaso-occlusive crisis; Duchene's muscular dystrophy; Becker muscular dystrophy; microcirculation abnormalities; vascular leakage or permeability issues;

shock; sepsis; cardiogenic shock; control of leukocyte activation; inhibition or modulation of platelet aggregation;

pulmonary/respiratory conditions; pulmonary hypertension; pulmonary arterial hypertension and associated pulmonary vascular remodeling; localized thrombosis and right heart hypertrophy; pulmonary hypertonia; primary pulmonary hypertension; secondary pulmonary hypertension; familial pulmonary hypertension; sporadic pulmonary hypertension, pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension; idiopathic pulmonary hypertension; thrombotic pulmonary arteriopathy; plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy; cystic fibrosis; bronchoconstriction or pulmonary bronchoconstriction; acute respiratory distress syndrome; lung fibrosis; lung transplant;

pulmonary hypertension associated with or related to left ventricular dysfunction, hypoxemia, WHO groups I, II, III, IV and V hypertensions, mitral valve disease, constrictive pericarditis, aortic stenosis, cardiomyopathy, mediastinal fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, pulmonary venooclusive disease, pulmonary vasculitis, collagen vascular disease, congenital heart disease, pulmonary venous hypertension, interstitial lung disease, sleep-disordered breathing, sleep apnea, alveolar hypoventilation disorders, chronic exposure to high altitude, neonatal lung disease, alveolar-capillary dysplasia, sickle cell disease; coagulation disorders; chronic thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism due to tumor, parasites or foreign material, connective tissue disease, lupus, schistosomiasis, sarcoidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis; histiocytosis X, lymphangiomatosis and compressed pulmonary vessels due to adenopathy, tumor or fibrosing mediastinitis;

arterosclerotic diseases or conditions; atherosclerosis; atherosclerosis associated with endothelial injury, platelet and monocyte adhesion and aggregation, smooth muscle proliferation and migration; restenosis; restenosis developed after thrombolysis therapies, percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTAs), percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties (PTCAs) and bypass; inflammation;

cardiovascular disease associated with metabolic syndrome, obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes, high blood pressure; lipid related disorders such as dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, sitosterolemia, fatty liver disease, and hepatitis; preeclamsia; polycystic kidney disease progression; subcutaneous fat accumulation;

liver cirrhosis; liver cirrhosis associated with chronic liver disease; hepatic fibrosis, hepatic stellate cell activation, hepatic fibrous collagen; total collagen accumulation; liver disease of necro-inflammatory and/or of immunological origin;

urogenital system disorders; renal fibrosis; renal failure resulting from chronic kidney diseases or insufficiency; renal failure due to accumulation/deposition and tissue injury, progressive sclerosis and glomerulonephritis; prostatic hypertrophy;

systemic sclerosis;

cardiac interstitial fibrosis; cardiac remodeling and fibrosis; cardiac hypertrophy;

(2) ischemia, reperfussion damage; ischemia/reperfussion associated with organ transplant, lung transplant, pulmonary transplant or cardiac transplant; conserving blood substituents in trauma patients;

(3) a sexual, gynecologicaland urological disorders selected from erectile dysfunction; impotence; premature ejaculation; female sexual dysfunction; female sexual arousal dysfunction; hypoactive sexual arousal disorder; vaginal atrophy; dyspaneuria; atrophic vaginitis; benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or hypertrophy or enlargement; bladder outlet obstruction; bladder pain syndrome (BPS); interstitial cystitis (IC); overactive bladder, neurogenic bladder and incontinence; diabetic nephropathy;

(4) ocular diseases or disorders selected from glaucoma, retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, blepharitis, dry eye syndrome, Sjögren's Syndrome;

(5) hearing diseases or disorders selected from hearing impairment; partial or total hearing loss; partial or total deafness; tinnitus; noise-induced hearing loss;

(6) topical or skin disorders or conditions selected from dermal fibrosis, scleroderma, skin fibrosis;

(7) wound healing; wound healing in diabetics; microvascular perfusion improvement; microvascular perfusion improvement following injury, to counteract the inflammatory response in perioperative care; anal fissures; diabetic ulcers; and

(8) other diseases or conditions selected from cancer metastasis; osteoporosis, gastroparesis; functional dyspepsia; diabetic complications; diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction; and neurologic disorders associated with decreased nitric oxide production.

146 - 167 . (canceled)

168 . The method of claim 145 , further comprising administering an effective amount of one or more additional therapeutic agents to the subject.

169 . (canceled)