Abstract: Compounds of formula (I), wherein is a single or double bond; Z is NH, methylene, a (C2-C6)alkylene chain optionally branched and/or unsaturated and/or interrupted by a (C5-C7)cycloalkyl residue; A is phenyl or heterocycle optionally substituted or a COR4 group wherein R4 is hydroxy, (C1-C6)-alkoxy, amino optionally substituted; R is a (C1-C6)alkyl or polyfluoro(C1-C6)alkyl group; R1 is absent when is a double bond or, when is a single bond, is (a) hydrogen; (b) (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted; (c) —COR6 wherein R6 is hydrogen, aryl, aryl-(C1-C6)alkyl, amino optionally alkylated or monohydroxylated, hydroxy, (C1-C4)alkoxy, carboxy, (C1-C4)alkoxycarbonyl, formula (1), or (C1-C4)alkyl optionally substituted by heterocycle; (d) (C1-C4)-alkylsulfonyl; R2 represents two hydrogen atoms or a group —O when is a single bond, or, when is a double bond, R2 is hydrogen, cyano, (C1-C4)alkoxycarbonyl, amido, optionally substituted aryl or heterocycle, (C1-C8)alkyl, (C2-C8)alkenyl or (

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound selected from the group including: 1-(3,5-dichloro-pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-6-methoxy-4-phenyl-phthalazine; 4-(3,5-dichloro-pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-7-methoxy-1H-phthalazin-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester; benzyl-{3-{1-(3,5-dichloro-pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-6-methoxy-phthalazin-5-yl}-prop-2-ynyl}-methyl-amine; 1-(3,5-dichloro-pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-6-methoxy-5-(5-morpholin-4-yl-pent-1-ynyl)-phthalazine dihydrochloride; 3-{1-(3,5-dichloro-pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-6-methoxy-phthalazin-5-yl}-prop-2-yn-1-ol; 1-(3,5-dichloro-pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-6-methoxy-4-morpholin-4-yl-phthalazine; 1-(3,5-dichloro-pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-6-methoxy-4-(1,2,4)triazol-1-yl-phthalazine; N→O derivatives thereof; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition which includes a therapeutically effective amount of the above compound in admixture with a suitable carrier.