Benzothiazepine derivatives

1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein:

R v and R w are independently selected from hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl;

R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from C 1-6 alkyl;

R x and R y are independently selected from hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl, or one of R x and R y is hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl and the other is hydroxy or C 1-6 alkoxy;

R z is selected from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carboxy, carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, C 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxy, C 1-6 alkanoyl, C 1-6 alkanoyloxy, N—(C 1-6 alkyl)amino, N,N—(C 1-6 alkyl) 2 amino, C 1-6 alkanoylamino, N—(C 1-6 alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C 1-6 alkyl) 2 carbamoyl, C 1-6 alkylS(O) a wherein a is 0 to 2, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonylamino, ureido, N′—(C 1-6 alkyl)ureido, N—(C 1-6 alkyl)ureido, N′,N′—(C 1-6 alkyl) 2 ureido, N′—(C 1-6 alkyl)-N—(C 1-6 alkyl)ureido, N′,N′—(C 1-6 alkyl) 2 -N—(C 1-6 alkyl)ureido, N—(C 1-6 alkyl)sulphamoyl and N,N—(C 1-6 alkyl) 2 sulphamoyl;

v is 0–5;

one of R 4 and R 5 is a group of formula (IA):

R 3 and R 6 and the other of R 4 and R 5 are independently selected from hydrogen, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carboxy, carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, C 1-4 alkyl, C 2-4 alkenyl, C 2-4 alkynyl, C 1-4 alkoxy, C 1-4 alkanoyl, C 1-4 alkanoyloxy, N—(C 1-4 alkyl)amino, N,N—(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 amino, C 1-4 alkanoylamino, N—(C 1-4 alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 carbamoyl, C 1-4 alkylS(O) a wherein a is 0 to 2, C 1-4 alkoxycarbonyl, N—(C 1-4 alkyl)sulphamoyl and N,N—(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 sulphamoyl; wherein R 3 and R 6 and the other of R 4 and R 5 may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R 16 ;

D is —O—, —N(R a )—, —S(O) b — or —CH(R a )—; wherein R a is hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl and b is 0–2;

Ring A is aryl or heteroaryl; wherein Ring A is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from R 17 ;

R 7 is hydrogen, C 1-4 alkyl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl; wherein R 7 is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from R 18 ;

R 8 is hydrogen or C 1-4 alkyl;

R 9 is hydrogen or C 1-4 alkyl;

R 10 is hydrogen, C 1-4 alkyl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl; wherein R 10 is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from R 19 ;

R 11 is carboxy, sulpho, sulphino, phosphono, tetrazolyl, —P(O)(OR c )(OR d ), —P(O)(OH)(OR c ), —p(O)(OH)(R d ) or —P(O)(OR c )(R d ) wherein R c and R d are independently selected from C 1-6 alkyl; or R 11 is a group of formula (IB):

wherein:

X is —N(R q )—, —N(R q )C(O)—, —O—, and —S(O) a —; wherein a is 0–2 and R q is hydrogen or C 1-4 alkyl;

R 12 is hydrogen or C 1-4 alkyl;

R 13 and R 14 are independently selected from hydrogen, C 1-4 alkyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl or R 23 ; wherein said C 1-4 alkyl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl may be independently optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from R 20 ;

R 15 is carboxy, sulpho, sulphino, phosphono, tetrazolyl, —P(O)(OR e )(OR f ), —P(O)(OH)(OR e ), —P(O)(OH)(R e ) or —P(O)(OR e )(R f ) wherein R e and R f are independently selected from C 1-6 alkyl; or R 15 is a group of formula (IC):

wherein:

R 24 is selected from hydrogen or C 1-4 alkyl;

R 25 is selected from hydrogen, C 1-4 alkyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl or R 27 ; wherein said C 1-4 alkyl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl may be independently optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from R 28 ;

R 26 is selected from carboxy, sulpho, sulphino, phosphono, tetrazolyl, —P(O)(OR g )(OR h ), —P(O)(OH)(OR g ), —P(O)(OH)(R g ) or —P(O)(OR g )(R h ) wherein R g and R h are independently selected from C 1-6 alkyl;

p is 1–3; wherein the values of R 13 may be the same or different;

q is 0–1;

r is 0–3; wherein the values of R 14 may be the same or different;

m is 0–2; wherein the values of R 10 may be the same or different;

n is 1–3; wherein the values of R 7 may be the same or different;

z is 0–3; wherein the values of R 25 may be the same or different;

R 16 , R 17 and R 18 are independently selected from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carboxy, carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, C 1-4 alkyl, C 2-4 alkenyl, C 2-4 alkynyl, C 1-4 alkoxy, C 1-4 alkanoyl, C 1-4 alkanoyloxy, N—(C 1-4 alkyl)amino, N,N—(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 amino, C 1-4 alkanoylamino, N—(C 1-4 alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 carbamoyl, C 1-4 alkylS(O) a wherein a is 0 to 2, C 1-4 alkoxycarbonyl, N—(C 1-4 alkyl)sulphamoyl and N,N—(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 sulphamoyl; wherein R 16 , R 17 and R 18 may be independently optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R 21 ;

R 19 , R 20 , R 23 , R 27 and R 28 are independently selected from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carboxy, carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, C 1-4 alkyl, C 2-4 alkenyl, C 2-4 alkynyl, C 1-4 alkoxy, C 1-4 alkanoyl, C 1-4 alkanoyloxy, N—(C 1-4 alkyl)amino, N,N—(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 amino, C 1-4 alkanoylamino, N—(C 1-4 alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 carbamoyl, C 1-4 alkylS(O) a wherein a is 0 to 2, C 1-4 alkoxycarbonyl, N—(C 1-4 alkyl)sulphamoyl, N,N—(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 sulphamoyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, sulpho, sulphino, amidino, phosphono, —P(O)(OR a )(OR b ), P(O)(OH)(OR a ), P(O)(OH)(R a ) or —P(O)(OR a )(R b ), wherein R a and R b independently selected from C 1-6 alkyl; wherein R 19 , R 20 , R 23 , R 27 and R 28 may be independently optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R 22 ;

R 21 and R 22 are independently selected from halo, hydroxy, cyano, carbamoyl, ureido, amino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, vinyl, allyl, ethynyl, methoxycarbonyl, formyl, acetyl, formamido, acetylamino, acetoxy, methylamino, dimethylamino, N-methylcarbamoyl, N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl, methylthio, methylsulphinyl, mesyl, N-methylsulphamoyl and N,N-dimethylsulphamoyl;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

2. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R v and R w are both hydrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

3. A compound of formula (I) according to either of claims 1 wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from ethyl, propyl or butyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

4. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R x and R y are both hydrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

5. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R Z is selected from halo, amino, C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonylamino or N′—(C 1-6 alkyl)ureido or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

6. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein v is 0 or 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

7. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R 3 is hydrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

8. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein the R 4 or R 5 that is not the group of formula (IA) is selected from hydrogen, halo, C 1-4 alkoxy or C 1-4 alkylS(O) a wherein a is 0 to 2; wherein that R 4 or R 5 may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R 16 ; wherein R 16 is independently selected from hydroxy, carboxy and N,N—(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 amino or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

9. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R 5 is a group of formula (IA) (as depicted in claim 1 ) and R 4 is methylthio or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

10. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R 6 is hydrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

11. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein in the group of formula (IA):

D is —O— or —S—;

Ring A is phenyl, thienyl or indolyl; wherein Ring A is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, methoxy or trifluoromethyl;

R 7 is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl;

R 8 is hydrogen or methyl;

R 9 hydrogen or methyl;

R 10 is hydrogen;

m is 0–2 wherein the values of R 10 may be the same or different; and R 11 is carboxy, —P(O)(OH)(OEt) or a group of formula (IB) (as depicted in claim 1 );

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

12. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein in the group of formula (IB):

R 12 is hydrogen or methyl;

R 13 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, butyl or phenyl or R 23 ; wherein R 13 is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from R 20 ; R 20 is hydroxy, methylthio, methoxy, amino, imidazolyl or mercapto; wherein R 20 may be independently optionally substituted on carbon by one or more hydroxy; R 23 is carboxy;

X is —NH— or —NHC(O)—;

R 14 is selected from hydrogen, methyl or phenyl; wherein said methyl or phenyl may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from hydroxy;

R 15 is carboxy, sulpho, phosphono, —P(O)(OR e )(OR f ), —P(O)(OH)(OR e ), —P(O)(OH)(R e ) or —P(O)(OR e )(R f ) wherein R e and R f are independently selected from methyl or ethyl or R 15 is a group of formula (IC) (as depicted in claim 1 );

p is 1–3 wherein the values of R 13 may be the same or different;

q is 0–1; and

r is 0–3 wherein the values of R 14 may be the same or different;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

13. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein in the group of formula (IC):

R 24 is hydrogen;

R 25 is hydrogen;

R 26 is carboxy; and

z is 1;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

14. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein:

R v and R w are both hydrogen;

R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from C 1-4 alkyl;

R x and R y are both hydrogen;

R z is selected from halo, amino, C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonylamino or N′—(C 1-6 alkyl)ureido;

v is 0 or 1;

R 3 and R 6 are hydrogen;

one of R 4 and R 5 is a group of formula (IA) (as depicted in claim 1 ) and the other is selected from hydrogen, halo, C 1-4 alkoxy or C 1-4 alkylS(O) a wherein a is 0 to 2; wherein that R 4 or R 5 may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R 16 ; wherein R 16 is independently selected from hydroxy, carboxy and N,N—(C 1-4 alkyl) 2 amino;

D is —O— or —S—;

R 7 is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl;

R 8 is hydrogen or methyl;

Ring A is aryl or heteroaryl; wherein Ring A is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from R 17 ; wherein R 17 is selected from halo, hydroxy, C 1-4 alkyl or C 1-4 alkoxy; wherein R 17 may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R 21 ; wherein R 21 is selected from halo;

R 9 hydrogen or methyl;

R 10 is hydrogen;

R 11 is carboxy, —P(O)(OH)(OR c ) wherein R c is selected from C 1-4 alkyl or a group of formula (IB) (as depicted in claim 1 );

R 12 hydrogen or methyl;

X is —NH— or —NHC(O)—;

R 13 is hydrogen, C 1-4 alkyl, carbocyclyl or R 23 ; wherein R 13 is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from R 20 ; wherein R 20 is hydroxy, C 1-4 alkylS(O) a wherein a is 0, C 1-4 alkoxy, amino, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl or mercapto; wherein R 20 may be independently optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R 22 ; R 22 is selected from hydroxy; and R 23 is carboxy;

R 14 is selected from hydrogen, C 1-4 alkyl or carbocyclyl; wherein said C 1-4 alkyl or carbocyclyl may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from R 20 ; and R 20 is hydroxy;

R 15 is carboxy, sulpho, phosphono, —P(O)(OR e )(OR f ), —P(O)(OH)(OR e ), —P(O)(OH)(R e ) or —P(O)(OR e )(R f ) wherein R e and R f are independently selected from C 1-4 alkyl or R 15 is a group of formula (IC) (as depicted in claim 1 );

R 24 is hydrogen;

R 25 is hydrogen;

R 26 is carboxy;

p is 1–3; wherein the values of R 13 may be the same or different;

q is 0–1;

r is 0–3; wherein the values of R 14 may be the same or different;

m is 0–2; wherein the values of R 10 may be the same or different;

n is 1–2; wherein the values of R 7 may be the same or different;

z is 0–1; wherein the values of R 25 may be the same or different; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

15. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 selected from:

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-N—{(R)-1′-phenyl-1′-[N′-(carboxymethyl) carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-N—{(R)-α-[N′-(carboxymethyl)-carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N—{(R)-1′-phenyl-1′-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-N—{(R)-1′-phenyl-1′-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-N—{(R)-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N—{(R)-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl) carbamoyl]4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-N—{(R)-α-[N′-(2-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-N—{(R)-α-[N′-(2-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-N—{(R)-α-[N′-(5-carboxypentyl) carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-N—{(R)-α-[N′-(2-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N—{α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-2-fluorobenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-N—{(R)-α-[N′-(R)-(2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-N—{(R)-α-[N′-(R)-(2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N—[(R)-α-(N′{(R)-1-[N″—(R)-(2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]-2-hydroxyethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]-carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{α-[N′-(carboxymethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{α-[N′-((ethoxy)(methyl)phosphoryl-methyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N—[(R)-α-(N′-{2-[(hydroxy)(methyl)phosphoryl]ethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-N—{(R)-α-[N′-(2-methylthio-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N—[(R)-α-(N′-{2-[(methyl)(ethyl) phosphoryl]ethyl}carbamoyl)-4-hydroxybenzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N—[(R)-α-(N′-{2-[(methyl)(hydroxy) phosphoryl]ethyl}carbamoyl)-4-hydroxybenzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-N—{(R)-α-[(R)—N′-(2-methylsulphinyl-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; and

1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methoxy-8-[N—{(R)-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

16. A process for preparing a compound of the formula (I) according to claim 1 which comprises of:

Process 1): oxidising a benzothiazepine of formula (II):

Process 2): for compounds of formula (I) wherein D is —O—, —NR a or —S—; reacting a compound of formula (IIIa) or (IIIb):

with a compound of formula (IV):

wherein L is a displaceable group;

Process 3): reacting an acid of formula (Va) or (Vb):

or an activated derivative thereof; with an amine of formula (VI):

Process 4): for compounds of formula (I) wherein R 11 is a group of formula (IB); reacting a compound of formula (I) wherein R 11 is carboxy with an amine of formula (VII):

Process 5): for compounds of formula (I) wherein R 11 is carboxy; deprotecting a compound of formula (VIIIa):

wherein R p is C 1-4 alkyl;

Process 6): for compounds of formula (I) wherein R 11 is a group of formula (IB) and R 15 is carboxy; deprotecting a compound of formula (IXa):

wherein R p is C 1-4 alkyl;

Process 7) for compounds of formula (I) wherein one of R 4 and R 5 are independently selected from C 1-4 alkylthio optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R 16 ; reacting a compound of formula (Xa) or (Xb):

wherein L is a displaceable group; with a thiol of formula (XI):

R y —H  (XI)

wherein R y is C 1-4 alkylthio optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R 16 ;

Process 8) for compounds of formula (I) wherein R 15 is a group of formula (IC) reacting a compound of formula (IXa) or (IXb) wherein R p is hydrogen with a compound of formula (XII):

Process 9): for compounds of formula (I) wherein R 11 is a group of formula (IB) and R 15 is a group of formula (IC) and R 26 is carboxy; deprotecting a compound of formula (XIIIa):

and R p is C 1-4 alkyl;

Process 10): for compounds of formula (I) wherein X is —N(R q )C(O); reacting a compound of formula (XIVa):

with a compound of formula (XV):

and thereafter optionally:

i) converting a compound of the formula (I) into another compound of the formula (I);

ii) removing any protecting groups;

iii) forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.

17. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 , in association with a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier.

18. A compound of formula (VIIIa), (VIIIb), (IXa), (IXb), (XIIIa) or (XIIIb) as defined in claim 16 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or solvate or such a salt, or an in vivo hydrolysable ester formed on an available carboxy or hydroxy thereof, or an in vivo hydrolysable amide formed on an available carboxy thereof.