Pharmaceutical compositions comprising thieno[2,3-c]pyridine derivatives and use thereof

A pharmaceutical composition comprising as an active ingredient a compound of the general formula I:

• wherein:
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of H;
• straight or branched alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms;
• arylalkyl;
• substituted arylalkyl;
• cycloalkyl, optionally substituted with alkyl groups;
• alkanoyl;
• arylcarbonyl optionally substituted at the aryl group;
• cycloalkylcarbonyl;
• alkoxycarbonyl;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of carboxy;
• cyano;
• aminocarbonyl;
• alkylaminocarbonyl;
• arylaminocarbonyl optionally substituted at the aryl group;
• dialkylaminocarbonyl wherein each alkyl is straight or branched chain C1-C6 alkyl or both alkyl groups together may form a 3-7 membered saturated, unsaturated or aromatic monocyclic or bicyclic nitrogen containing heterocyclyl, optionally containing one or two additional heteroatoms;
• alkoxycarbonyl;
• alkanoyl;
• cycloalkylcarbonyl;
• arylcarbonyl optionally substituted on the aryl group, benzothiazol-2-yl;
• R3 and R4 are selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, optionally substituted by hydroxy, alkoxy, amino or alkylamino, C2-C4 monounsaturated alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylmethyl, or R3 and R4 together may form an optionally substituted 5-7 membered saturated, unsaturated or aromatic monocyclic or bicyclic nitrogen containing heterocyclyl, optionally containing one or two additional heteroatoms;
• R5, R6, R7 and R8 are selected from the group consisting of H or C1-C6 alkyl, with the proviso that when R5, R6, R7 and R8 are C1-C6 alkyl, R1 is hydrogen;
• and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof;
• further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

A method for the treatment or prevention of diseases or disorders related to cell adhesion or cell migration mediated by GAG-ECAM interactions, comprising the step of administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the general formula I:

• wherein:
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of H;
• straight or branched alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms;
• arylalkyl;
• substituted arylalkyl;
• cycloalkyl, optionally substituted with lower alkyl groups;
• lower alkanoyl;
• arylcarbonyl optionally substituted at the aryl group;
• cycloalkylcarbonyl;
• alkoxycarbonyl;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of carboxy;
• cyano;
• aminocarbonyl;
• alkylaminocarbonyl;
• arylaminocarbonyl optionally substituted at the aryl group;
• dialkylaminocarbonyl wherein each alkyl is straight or branched chain lower alkyl or both alkyl groups together may form a 3-7 membered saturated, unsaturated or aromatic monocyclic or bicyclic nitrogen containing heterocyclyl, optionally containing one or two additional heteroatoms;
• alkoxycarbonyl;
• lower alkanoyl;
• cycloalkylcarbonyl;
• arylcarbonyl optionally substituted on the aryl group, benzothiazol-2-yl;
• R3 and R4 are selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, optionally substituted by hydroxy, alkoxy, amino or alkylamino, C2-C4 monounsaturated alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylmethyl, or R3 and R4 together may form an optionally substituted 5-7 membered saturated, unsaturated or aromatic monocyclic or bicyclic nitrogen containing heterocyclyl, optionally containing one or two additional heteroatoms;
• R5, R6, R7 and R8 are selected from the group consisting of H or C1-C6 alkyl, with the proviso that when R5, R6, R7 and R8 are C1-C6 alkyl, R1 is hydrogen;
• and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof;
• further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.