Abstract: The use of a compound of formula (I): wherein R1 is selected from H, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, CN, NR5R6, NR4COR5, NR4CONR5R6, NR4CO2R7 and NR4SO2R7; R2 is selected from aryl attached via an unsaturated carbon; R3 is selected from H, alkyl, COR5, CO2R7, CONR5R6, CONR4NR5R6 and SO2R7; R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl or where R5 and R6 are in an NR5R6 group, R5 and R6 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group, or where R4, R5 and R6 are in a (CONR4NR5R6) group, R4 and R5 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group; and R7 is selected from alkyl and aryl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or prodrug thereof, in the treatment or prevention of a disorder in which the blocking of purine receptors, particularly adenosine receptors and more particularly A2A receptors, may be beneficial, particularly wherein said disorder is a movement disorder such as Parkinson's disease or said disorder is depression, cognitive or memory impairment,

Abstract: The use of a compound of formula (I): wherein R1 is selected from H, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, CN, NR5R6, NR4COR5, NR4CONR5R6, NR4CO2R7 and NR4SO2R7; R2 is selected from aryl attached via an unsaturated carbon; R3 is selected from H, alkyl, COR5, CO2R7, CONR5R6, CONR4NR5R6 and SO2R7; R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl or where R5 and R6 are in an NR5R6 group, R5 and R6 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group, or where R4, R5 and R6 are in a (CONR4NR5R6) group, R4 and R5 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group; and R7 is selected from alkyl and aryl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or prodrug thereof, in the treatment or prevention of a disorder in which the blocking of purine receptors, particularly adenosine receptors and more particularly A2A receptors, may be beneficial, particularly wherein said disorder is a movement disorder such as Parkinson's disease or said disorder is depression, cognitive or memory impairment,

Abstract: The use of a compound of formula (I): wherein R1 is selected from H, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, CN, NR5R6, NR4COR5, NR4CONR5R6, NR4CO2R7 and NR4SO2R7; R2 is selected from aryl attached via an unsaturated carbon; R3 is selected from H, alkyl, COR5, CO2R7, CONR5R6, CONR4NR5R6 and SO2R7; R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl or where R5 and R6 are in an NR5R6 group, R5 and R6 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group, or where R4, R5 and R6 are in a (CONR4NR5R6) group, R4 and R5 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group; and R7 is selected from alkyl and aryl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or prodrug thereof, in the treatment or prevention of a disorder in which the blocking of purine receptors, particularly adenosine receptors and more particularly A2A receptors, may be beneficial, particularly wherein said disorder is a movement disorder such as Parkinson's disease or said disorder is depression, cognitive or memory impairment,

Abstract: The use of a compound of formula (I): wherein R1 is selected from H, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, CN, NR5R6, NR4COR5, NR4CONR5R6, NR4CO2R7 and NR4SO2R7; R2 is selected from aryl attached via an unsaturated carbon; R3 is selected from H, alkyl, COR5, CO2R7, CONR5R6, CONR4NR5R6 and SO2R7; R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl or where R5 and R6 are in an NR5R6 group, R5 and R6 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group, or where R4, R5 and R6 are in a (CONR4NR5R6) group, R4 and R5 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group; and R7 is selected from alkyl and aryl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or prodrug thereof, in the treatment or prevention of a disorder in which the blocking of purine receptors, particularly adenosine receptors and more particularly A2A receptors, may be beneficial, particularly wherein said disorder is a movement disorder such as Parkinson's disease or said disorder is depression, cognitive or memory impairme

Abstract: The use of a compound of formula (I): wherein R1 is selected from H, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, CN, NR5R6, NR4CONR5, NR4CONR5R6,NR4CO2R7 and NR4SO2R7; R2 is selected from aryl attached via an unsaturated carbon; R3 is selected from H, alkyl, COR5, CO2R7, CONR5R6, CONR4NR5R6 and SO2R7; R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl or where R5 and R6 are in an NR5R6 group, R5 and R6 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group, or where R4, R5 and R6 are in a (CONR4NR5R6) group, R4 and R5 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group; and R7 is selected from alkyl and aryl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or prodrug thereof, in the treatment or prevention of a disorder in which the blocking of purine receptors, particularly adenosine receptors and more particularly A2A receptors, may be beneficial, particularly wherein said disorder is a movement disorder such as Parkinson's disease or said disorder is depression, cognitive or memory impairment, acute

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for simultaneously N(2)-acylating piperazic acid or an ester thereof and forming a bicyclic ring structure. The invention also relates to the use of that process step in a method of synthesizing a bicyclic compound useful as an intermediate for the production of an inhibitor of a caspase, particularly an inhibitor of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”).

Abstract: The use of a compound of formula (1): wherein R1 is selected from H, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, CN, NR5R6, NR4CONR5R6, NR4CONR5R6NR4CO2R7 and NR4SO2R7; R2 is selected from aryl attached via an unsaturated carbon; R3 is selected from H, alkyl, COR5, CO2R7, CONR5R6, CONR4NR5R6 and SO2R7; R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl or where R5 and R6 are in an NR5R6 group, R5 and R6 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group, or where R4,R5 and R6 are in a (CONR4NR5R6) group, R4 and R5 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group; and R7 is selected from alkyl and aryl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or prodrug thereof, in the treatment or prevention of a disorder in which the blocking of purine receptors, particularly adenosine receptors and more particularly A2A receptors, may be beneficial, particularly wherein said disorder is a movement disorder such as Parkinson's disease or said disorder is depression, cognitive or memory impairment, acute

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for synthesizing piperazic acid and similar, ring-containing acids. The invention also relates to a process for simultaneously N(2)-acylating piperazic acid or an ester thereof and forming a bicyclic ring structure. The invention also relates to the use of either or both processes in a method of synthesizing a bicyclic compound useful as an intermediate for the production of an inhibitor of a caspase, particularly an inhibitor of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”).

Abstract: This invention provides a concise, asymmetric synthesis of piperazic acid and derivatives thereof, whereby either the (3S)- or (3R)-enantiomeric form may be obtained with high optical purity. (3S)-piperazic acid is derived from D-glutamic acid through an (R)-2,5-dihydroxyvalerate ester intermediate. After the hydroxy groups are converted to suitable leaving groups, such as mesylates, the ester is treated with a bis-protected hydrazine to provide the desired (3S)-piperazic acid derivative. The (3R) enantiomer of piperazic acid may be similarly obtained starting with L-glutamic acid. The method may also be used to obtain piperazic acid derivatives that have moderate optical purity or are racemic. By this method, piperazic acid derivatives may be obtained that are useful as intermediates for pharmacologically active compounds. For example, certain intermediates of this invention are useful for preparing caspase inhibitors, particularly inhibitors of ICE, through additional steps known in the art.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for simultaneously N(2)-acylating piperazic acid or an ester thereof and forming a bicyclic ring structure. The invention also relates to the use of that process step in a method of synthesizing a bicyclic compound useful as an intermediate for the production of an inhibitor of a caspase, particularly an inhibitor of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for synthesizing piperazic acid and similar, ring-containing acids. The invention also relates to a process for simultaneously N(2)-acylating piperazic acid or an ester thereof and forming a bicyclic ring structure. The invention also relates to the use of either or both processes in a method of synthesizing a bicyclic compound useful as an intermediate for the production of an inhibitor of a caspase, particularly an inhibitor of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for simultaneously N(2)-acylating piperazic acid or an ester thereof and forming a bicyclic ring structure. The invention also relates to the use of that process step in a method of synthesizing a bicyclic compound useful as an intermediate for the production of an inhibitor of a caspase, particularly an inhibitor of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”).