Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one .alpha.-halogenated dicarboxylic acid of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein Hal is a chlorine, bromine or fluorine atom, R is a hydrogen atom or Hal and m is a number of from 4 to 16, and/or at least one pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or amide thereof.The present invention also provides new compounds of general formula (I) but in which m is a number of from 8 to 16 and processes for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: A novel class of compounds has been found to be effective in blocking cholesterol and neutral lipid synthesis in-vivo without adversely affecting energy metabolism, useful for the treatment of obesity, hyperlipidemia and maturity-onset diabetes. The active compounds have the general formula ##STR1## or in-vivo hydrolyzable functional derivatives of the carboxylic groups thereof,whereinR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represents an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbyl or hetercyclyl radical;X and Y each independently represents hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, halogen, cyano, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl or carbamoyl; andQ represents a diradical consisting of a linear chain of 8 to 14 carbon atoms, one or more of which may be replaced by heteroatoms, said chain being optionally substituted by inert substituents and one or more of said carbon or heteratom chain members optionally forming part of a ring structure.

Abstract: A novel class of compounds has been found to be effective in blocking cholesterol and neutral lipid synthesis in-vivo without adversely affecting energy metabolism. The active compounds have the general formula ##STR1## or in-vivo hydrolysable functional derivatives of the carboxylic groups thereof, whereinR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represents an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl radical;X and Y each independently represent hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, halogen, cyano, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl or carbamoyl; andQ represents a diradical consisting of a linear chain of 8 to 14 carbon atoms, one or more of which may be replaced by heteroatoms, said chain being optionally substituted by inert substituents and one or more of said carbon or heteroatom chain members optionally forming part of a ring structure.