Abstract: Acrylamido derivatives useful as therapeutic agents, particularly for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases and conditions associated with the activity of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), such as the diseases characterized by ischemia/reperfusion, oxidative or degenerative tissue damage, are herein described. These compounds belong to the structural formula (I) wherein R, R?, R?, W and a are as defined in the specification. The invention also relates to the preparation of these compounds, as well as to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.