Compounds and compositions for inducing chondrogenesis

A compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or stereoisomer thereof;

• wherein R0 is hydrogen or C1-6alkyl;
• R2 is phenyl;
• a 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl or a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl, each having 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S;
• wherein R2 is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from halo, C1-6alkyl, halo-substituted C1-6alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, halo-substituted C1-6alkoxy, cyano, C1-6alkylsulfonyl, phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by halo or C1-6 alkyl;
• R3 is a 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl having 1 to 2 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S;
• wherein R3 is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from halo, C1-6alkyl, halo-substituted C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkoxy or —NR5R6;
• one of R1a and R1b is hydrogen and the other hydroxyl;
• R4a and R4b are hydrogen;
• or wherein one of R1a and R1b together with one of R4a and R4b form a cyclopropyl with the two carbon atoms to which said R1a, R1b, R4a and R4b are respectively attached;
• R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen or C1-6alkyl;
• alternatively, R5 and R6 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl having 1-3 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S.

A compound having Formula (III)

• wherein Ak is C1-6alkyl;
• R3 is a 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl having 1 to 2 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S;
• wherein R3 is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from halo, C1-6alkyl, halo-substituted C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkoxy or —NR5R6;
• one of R1a and R1b is hydrogen and the other hydroxyl;
• R4a and R4b are hydrogen;
• or wherein one of R1a and R1b together with one of R4a and R4b form a cyclopropyl with the two carbon atoms to which said R1a, R1b, R4a and R4b are respectively attached;
• R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen or C1-6alkyl;
• alternatively, R5 and R6 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl having 1-3 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S.