WO2005115385A1

WO2005115385A1 - Use of c-kit inhibitors for treating acne

Info

Publication number: WO2005115385A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/001366
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alain Moussy; Jean-Pierre Kinet
Original assignee: AB Science SA
Current assignee: AB Science SA
Priority date: 2004-05-24
Filing date: 2005-04-19
Publication date: 2005-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2006-11-24

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for treating acne and Propionibacterium acnes associated diseases comprising administering a compound capable of depleting mast cells or a compound inhibiting mast cells degranulation, to a human in need of such treatment. Such compounds can be chosen from c-kit inhibitors and more particularly non-toxic, selective and potent c-kit inhibitors. Preferably, said inhibitor is unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.

Description

Use of c-kit inhibitors for treating acne

Acne is a chronic infection of the skin by Propionibacterium acnes leading to chronic inflammation of the skin. Acne is a common disease that in case of extreme disfiguration can have severe consequences for the personality development of young people and is associated with a relatively high prevalence of depression and suicide. Spontaneous regression is common, but acne can extend into the fourth and fifth decades of life. The pathogenesis is still not fully understood. Factors promoting the development of acne are: increased sebum production, ductal cornification, bacterial colonization of the pilosebaceus ducts and inflammation. Propionibacterium acnes releases pro- inflammatory cytokines as well as antigens and mitogens, with cellular and non-cellular responses to these products triggering inflammation. (Jappe U. Pathological mechanisms of acne with special emphasis on Propionibacterium acnes and related therapy. Acta Derm Venereol. 2003 ;83(4):241-8). Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous units but dermal inflammation is not due to presence of bacteria, but from biologically active mediators produced by Propionibacterium acnes. The environment within the pilosebaceous unit is probably more important than the absolute number of P. acnes organisms. (Burkhart CN, Gottwald L. Assessment of etiologic agents in acne pathogenesis. Skinmed. 2003 Jul-Aug;2(4):222-8.). Antibiotics, such as tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, or erythromycin, are often prescribed for treating acne. But, the most popular treatment is Accutane® (isotretinoin), which is a derivative of vitamin A. However, to be effective the treatment must last few months and implies significant side effects such as chapped lips, dry skin and itching irritation of the eyelids and eyes, joint and muscle pains and increased sensitivity to sunburn.

But, the most detrimental effect of long term treatment with this drug is an increase of fat level in blood, which in some cases affects the liver. In this regard, regular blood tests are required before taking isotretinoin. The most damaging side effect of isotretinoin is serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy. For all of the above, this treatment is expensive considering the duration and the control tests to perform. For example, prescriptions for the US acne market in 2002 were about 1.5 billion USD.

Therefore, the problem is to find an alternative to this medication which would more rapidly eliminate acne and would not require control tests.

Mast cells (MC) are tissue elements derived from a particular subset of hematopoietic stem cells that express CD34, c-kit and CD 13 antigens (Kirshenbaum, 1999 and Ishizaka, 1993). Immature MC progenitors circulate in the bloodstream and differentiate in tissues. Mast cells produce a large variety of mediators categorized into three groups: preformed granule-associated mediators (histamine, proteoglycans, and neutral proteases), lipid-derived mediators (prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leucotrienes), and various cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, GM-CSF, MIP-lo MIP-1/3 and IFN-γ), most of them having strong pro-inflammatory activities. For instance, a massive release of MCs mediators is responsible for anaphylactic reactions that could be sometimes fatal to the patients and are always responsible for a significant morbidity. Since MCs are distributed in almost all the body sites, hypersecretion of mediators by activated elements can lead to multiple organ failures.

In connection with the present invention, we propose that mast cells (MC) are central players involved in acne. We provide here a new route for treating acne and Propionibacterium acnes associated diseases which consists of administering a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, more specifically c-kit inhibitors.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for treating acne and Propionibacterium acnes associated diseases comprising administering a compound capable of depleting mast cells or blocking mast cells degranulation to a human in need of such treatment.

Said method for treating acne and Propionibacterium acnes associated diseases can comprise administering a c-kit inhibitor to a human in need of such treatment.

Preferred compounds are c-kit inhibitor, more particularly a non-toxic, selective and potent c-kit inhibitor. Such inhibitors can be selected from the group consisting of 2-(3- Substitutedaryl)amino-4-aryl-thiazoles such as 2-(3-amino)arylamino-4-aryl-thiazoles, 2- aminoaryloxazoles, pyrimidine derivatives, pyrrolopyrimidine derivatives, quinazoline derivatives, quinoxaline derivatives, pyrazoles derivatives, bis monocyclic, bicyclic or heterocyclic aryl compounds, vinylene-azaindole derivatives and pyridyl-quinolones derivatives, styryl compounds, styryl-substituted pyridyl compounds, seleoindoles, selenides, tricyclic polyhydroxylic compounds and benzylphosphonic acid compounds. Among preferred compounds, it is of interest to focus on pyrimidine derivatives such as N-phenyl-2-pyrimidine-amine derivatives (US 5,521,184 and WO 99/03854), indolinone derivatives and pyrrol-substituted indolinones (US 5,792,783, EP 934 931, US 5,834,504), US 5,883,116, US 5,883,113, US 5, 886,020, WO 96/40116 and WO 00/38519), as well as bis monocyclic, bicyclic aryl and heteroaryl compounds (EP 584 222, US 5,656,643 and WO 92/20642), quinazoline derivatives (EP 602 851, EP 520 722, US 3,772,295 and US 4,343,940), 4-amino-substituted quinazolines (US 3,470,182), 4-thienyl-2-(lH)-quinazolones, 6,7-dialkoxyquinazolines (US 3,800,039), aryl and heteroaryl quinazoline (US 5,721,237, US 5,714,493, US 5,710,158 and WO 95/15758), 4-anilinoquinazoline compounds (US 4,464,375), and 4-thienyl-2-(lH)- quinazolones (US 3,551,427).

So, preferably, the invention relates to a method for treating acne and Propionibacterium acnes associated diseases comprising administering a non toxic, potent and selective c- kit inhibitor is a pyrimidine derivatives, more particularly N-phenyl-2-pyrimidine-amine derivatives of formula I :

wherein the Rl, R2, R3, R13 to R17 groups have the meanings depicted in EP 564 409 Bl, incorporated herein in the description.

Preferably, the N-phenyl-2-pyrimidine-amine derivative is selected from the compounds corresponding to formula II :

Wherein Rl, R2 and R3 are independently chosen from H, F, Cl, Br, I, a C1-C5 alkyl or a cyclic or heterocyclic group, especially a pyridyl group;

R4, R5 and R6 are independently chosen from H, F, Cl, Br, I, a C1-C5 alkyl, especially a methyl group; and R7 is a phenyl group bearing at least one substituent, which in turn possesses at least one basic site, such as an amino function.

Preferably, R7 is the following group :

Among these compounds, the preferred are defined as follows : Rl is a heterocyclic group, especially a pyridyl group, R2 and R3 are H, R4 is a C1-C3 alkyl, especially a methyl group, R5 and R6 are H, and R7 is a phenyl group bearing at least one substituent, which in turn possesses at least one basic site, such as an amino function, for example the group :

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a method for treating acne and Propionibacterium acnes associated diseases comprising the administration of an effective amount of the compound known in the art as CGP57148B : 4-(4-mehylpiperazine-l-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridine-3-yl)pyrimidine-2 ylamino)phenyl]-benzamide corresponding to the following formula :

The preparation of this compound is described in example 21 of EP 564 409 and the β- form, which is particularly useful is described in WO 99/03854.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention contemplates the method mentioned above, wherein said c-kit inhibitor is selected from 2-(3-Substitutedaryl)amino-4-aryl- thiazoles such as those for which the applicant filed PCT/IB2005/000401, incorporated herein by reference, especially compounds of formula III :

FORMULA III wherein

R⁶ and R⁷ are independently from each other chosen from one of the following: i) hydrogen, a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), ii) an alkyl¹ group defined as a linear, branched or cycloalkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or from 2 or 3 to 10 carbon atoms, (for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl...) and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen (the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality); as well as trifluoromethyl, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl;

(iii) an aryl¹ group defined as phenyl or a substituted variant thereof bearing any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as - halogen(selected from I, F, Cl or Br); - an alkyl¹ group; a cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; - trifluoromethyl, O-alkyl¹, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, NH-alkyl¹, N(alkyl¹)(alkyl¹), and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality; (iv) a heteroaryl¹ group defined as a pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl , triazolyl, tetrazolyl, indolyl, benzimidazole, quinolinyl group, which may additionally bear any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as - halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I); - an alkyl¹ group; a cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, - trifluoromethyl, O-alkyl¹, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, NH-alkyl¹, N(alkyl')(alkyl¹), and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality; (v) trifluoromethyl, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, N(alkyl')(alkyl¹), and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality.

R⁸ is one of the following: (i) hydrogen, or

(ii) a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or

(iii) CO-R8 or COOR8 or CONHR8 or SO2R8 wherein R8 may be - a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or - an aryl group such as phenyl or a substituted variant thereof bearing any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or T), alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as trifluoromethyl, C|_-6alkyloxy, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy,

di(Cι_-6alkyl)amino, and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or - a heteroaryl group such as a pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, indolyl, benzimidazole, quinolinyl group, which may additionally bear any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as trifluoromethyl, Cι-₆alkyloxy, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, Ci-ealkylamino, di(Cι_₆alkyl)amino, and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality; as well as CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

R2, R3, R4 and R5 each independently are selected from hydrogen, halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as trifluoromethyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, amino, . ₆alkylamino, di(Cι_-6alkyl)amino, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, and CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or T), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

A is : CH2, O, S, SO2, CO, or COO,

B is a bond or NH, NCH3, NR*, (CH2)n (n is 0, 1 or 2), O, S, SO2, CO, or COO, B' is a bond or NH, NCH3, NR*, (CH2)n (n is 0, 1 or 2), O, S, SO2, CO or COO; R* being an alkyl¹, aryl¹ or heteroaryl¹

W is a bond or a linker selected from NH, NHCO, NHCOO, NHCONH, NHSO2, NHSO2NH, CO, CONH, COO, COCH2, (CH2)n (n is 0, 1 or 2), CH2-CO, CH2COO, CH2-NH, O, OCH2, S, SO2, and SO2NH

R^! is : a) a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; b) an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by an alkyl or aryl group optionally substituted with a heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality c) an alkyl¹, aryl¹ or heteroaryl¹.

It will be understood that a C1-C10 alkyl encompasses a methyl, ethyl, propyl, and a C2 to C4 alkyl or a C2 to CIO alkyl.

For example, a subset of compounds may correspond to

Wherein Rl, R4 and R6 have the meaning as defined above.

It will be understood that A-B-B' includes but is not limited to : CH2, CH2-CO, CH2-CO-CH2, CH2COO, CH2-CH2-CO, CH2-CH2-COO, CH2-NH, CH2-CH2-NH, CH2-NH-CH2 or CH2-NH-CO or CH2-CO-NH It will be understood that A-B-B' also includes but is not limited to :

CO-CH2, COO-CH2, CO-CH2-CH2, CO-NH, or CO-NH-CH2 as well as O-CH2

It will also be understood that NH in B or B' can also be NCH3

In the above formula III, when W is other than a single bond, it will be understood that A can be also be NH or NCH3.

In the above formula, the following combinations are contemplated :

- R6 is (iv), R4 is H or CH3, A-B-B' is CO-NH and Rl is as defined above.

- R6 is (iv), R4 is H or CH3, A-B-B' is CH2-CO-NH and Rl is as defined above.

- R6 is (iv), R4 is H or CH3, A-B-B' is CH2-CO and Rl is as defined above.

- R6 is (iv), R4 is H or CH3, A-B-B' is CH2-NH-CO and Rl is as defined above. - R6 is (iv), R4 is H or CH3, A-B-B' is CH2-NH and Rl is as defined above.

- R6 is (iv), R4 is H or CH3, A-B-B' is CH2 and Rl is as defined above.

- R6 is W-(iv), R4 is a C1-C2 alkyl, A-B-B' is CO-NH and Rl is as defined above.

- R6 is (iv), R4 is a C1-C2 alkyl, A-B-B' is CH2-CO-NH and Rl is as defined above.

- R6 is (iv), R4 is a C1-C2 alkyl, A-B-B' is CH2-CO and Rl is as defined above. - R6 is a pyridyl according to (iv), R4 is a C1-C2 alkyl, A-B-B' is CO-NH, CH2-CO-NH, CH2-CO, CH2-NH, CH2-NH-CO and Rl is as defined above.

In the above combination, Rl can be an alkyl¹.

In the above combination, Rl can be an aryl¹. In the above combination, Rl can be an heteroaryl¹.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention contemplated the method mentioned above, wherein said c-kit inhibitor is selected from 2-(3-amino)arylamino-4-aryl- thiazoles such as those for which the applicant filed WO 2004/014903, incorporated herein in the description, especially compounds of formula TV :

FORMULA IV and wherein R¹ is a) a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; b) an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by an alkyl or aryl group optionally substituted with a heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; c) a -CO-NH-R, -CO-R, -CO-OR or a -CO-NRR' group, wherein R and R' are independently chosen from H or an aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl and cycloalkyl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality;

R² is hydrogen, halogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl or alkoxy;

R³ is hydrogen, halogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl or alkoxy;

R⁴ is hydrogen, halogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl or alkoxy;

R⁵ is hydrogen, halogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl or alkoxy; R⁶ is one of the following: (i) an aryl group such as phenyl or a substituted variant thereof bearing any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as halogen, alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, and alkoxy; (ii) a heteroaryl group such as a 2, 3, or 4-pyridyl group, which may additionally bear any combination of one or more substituents such as halogen, alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl and alkoxy;

(iii) a five-membered ring aromatic heterocyclic group such as for example 2-thienyl, 3- thienyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, which may additionally bear any combination of one or more substituents such as halogen, an alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, and alkoxy, iv) H, a halogen selected from I, F, Cl or Br; NH2, NO2 or SO2-R, wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl goup containing one or more group such as 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; and R⁷ is one of the following:

(i) an aryl group such as phenyl or a substituted variant thereof bearing any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as halogen, alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, and alkoxy; (ii) a heteroaryl group such as a 2, 3, or 4-pyridyl group, which may additionally bear any combination of one or more substituents such as halogen, alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl and alkoxy;

(iii) a five-membered ring aromatic heterocyclic group such as for example 2-thienyl, 3- thienyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, which may additionally bear any combination of one or more substituents such as halogen, an alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, and alkoxy. iv) H, a halogen selected from I, F, Cl or Br; NH2, NO2 or SO2-R, wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl goup containing one or more group such as 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

In another preferred embodiment, when R¹ has the meaning depicted in c) above, the invention is directed to compounds of the following formulas:

wherein R is H or an organic group that can be selected for example from a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

Among the particular compounds in which Rl has the meaning as depicted in c) above, the invention is directed to amide-aniline, amide-benzylamine, amide-phenol, urea compounds of the following formulas respectively :

wherein R is H or an organic group that can be selected for example from a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a -SO2-R group wherein R is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a -CO-R or a -CO-NRR' group, wherein R and R' are independently chosen from H, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

Among the particular compounds in which Rl has the meaning as depicted in a) and b) above, the invention is directed to N-Aminoalkyl-N'-thiazol-2-yl-benzene-l,3-diamine compounds of the following formula IVbis:

wherein Y is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; wherein Z represents an aryl or heteroaryl group, optionally substituted at one or more ring position with any permutation of the following groups: - a halogen such as F, Cl, Br, I; - a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom (for example a halogen) and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group substituted by an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; - an O-R, where R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom (for example a halogen) and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group substituted by an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality;

- an NRaRb, where Ra and Rb represents a hydrogen, or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom (for example a halogen) and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality or a cycle; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group substituted by an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a COOR, where R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom (for example a halogen) and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group substituted by an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; - a CONRaRb, where Ra and Rb are a hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom (for example a halogen) and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group substituted by an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; an NHCOR, where R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom (for example a halogen) and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group substituted by an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; - an NHCOOR, where R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom (for example a halogen) and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group substituted by an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality;

- an NHCONRaRb, where Ra and Rb are a hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom (for example a halogen) and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group substituted by an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; - an OSO₂R, where R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom (for example a halogen) and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group substituted by an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; - an NRaOSO₂Rb, where Ra and Rb are a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom (for example a halogen) and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; Ra can also be a hydrogen; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group substituted by an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality;

R³ is hydrogen, halogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl or alkoxy; R⁴ is hydrogen, halogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl or alkoxy;

R⁵ is hydrogen, halogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl or alkoxy; R⁶ is one of the following:

(iii) a five-membered ring aromatic heterocyclic group such as for example 2-thienyl, 3- thienyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-fhiazolyl, which may additionally bear any combination of one or more substituents such as halogen, an alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, and alkoxy. iv) H, a halogen selected from I, F, Cl or Br; NH2, NO2 or SO2-R, wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl goup containing one or more group such as 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; and R⁷ is one of the following:

(iii) a five-membered ring aromatic heterocyclic group such as for example 2-thienyl, 3- thienyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, which may additionally bear any combination of one or more substituents such as halogen, an alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, and alkoxy. iv) H, an halogen selected from I, F, Cl or Br; NH2, NO2 or SO2-R, wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl goup containing one or more group such as 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality. It will be understood that a C1-C10 alkyl encompasses a methyl, ethyl, propyl, and a C2 to C4 alkyl or a C2 to CIO alkyl.

An example of preferred compounds of the above formula is depicted below:

4- { [4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenylamino]-methyl} -benzoic acid methyl ester

Among the compounds of formula III or IV, the invention is particularly embodied by the compounds of the following formula V:

FORMULA V wherein X is R or NRR' and wherein R and R' are independently chosen from H, an aryl, a heteroaryl, an alkyl , or a cycloalkyl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, such as for example a halogen chosen from F, I, Cl and Br and optionally bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or an aryl, a heteroaryl, an alkyl or a cycloalkyl group substituted with an aryl, a heteroaryl, an alkyl or a cycloalkyl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, such as for example a halogen chosen from F, I, Cl and Br and optionally bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality,

R² is hydrogen, halogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl or alkoxy; R³ is hydrogen, halogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl or alkoxy;

R⁵ is hydrogen, halogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl or alkoxy;

R⁶ is one of the following:

(iii) a five-membered ring aromatic heterocyclic group such as for example 2-thienyl, 3- thienyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, which may additionally bear any combination of one or more substituents such as halogen, an alkyl group containing from

1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, and alkoxy. iv) H, a halogen selected from I, F, Cl or Br; NH2, NO2 or SO2-R, wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl goup containing one or more group such as 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

In another alternative, substituent R6, which in the formula II is connected to position 4 of the thiazole ring, may instead occupy position 5 of the thiazole ring. Among the preferred compounds corresponding formula III, IV or V, the invention is directed to compounds in which Rl or X is a substituted alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality represented for example by the structures a to f and g to m shown below, wherein the wavy line corresponds to the point of attachment to core structure of formula III, IV or V:

1 m

Among group a to f, is preferentially group d. Also, for g to m, the arrow may include a point of attachment to the core structure via a phenyl group.

Furthermore, among the preferred compounds of formula III, IV or V, the invention concerns the compounds in which R² and R³ are hydrogen. Preferentially, R⁴ is a methyl group and R⁵ is H. In addition, R⁶ is preferentially a 3 -pyridyl group (cf. structure g below), or a 4-pyridyl group (cf. structure h below) or a benzonitrile group. The wavy line in structure g and h correspond to the point of attachment to the core structure of formula III, IV or V.

Alternatively, among the preferred compounds of formula III, IV or V, the invention concerns the compounds in which R6 or R7 is preferentially a cyanophenyl group as shown below, wherein the wavy line in structure p and q correspond to the point of attachment to the core structure of formula III, IV or V:

p q

In one particular embodiment, Rl in formula III and IV, X in formula V and Z in formula IVbis can be :

wherein Ri, Rj, Rk, Rl, Rm, Ro, and Rp are independently chosen from :

- H, an halogen such as Cl, F, Br, I ; a trifluoromethyl group, a CN group, SO2, OH, or a group selected for example from a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality;

- a NRR', NRCOR, NRCONR'R", NROSO₂R', SO2-R, COOR, CONRR', NHCOOR, CO-R, CO-NRR', OR or OSO₂R group where R and R' are idenpendently chosen from H or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

For example, one of Ri, Rj, Rk, Rl, Rm, Ro or Rp is selected from group a, b, c, g, h, i, j, k, 1, m as defined above such as Rk is one of a, b, c, g, h, i, j, k, 1, m and Ri, Rj, Rl, Rm is H.

Thus, the invention contemplates: 1- A compound of formula V as depicted above, wherein X is group d and R⁶ is a 3- pyridyl group. 2- A compound of formula V as depicted above, wherein X is group d and R⁴ is a methyl group. 3- A compound of formula III or IV as depicted above, wherein R¹ is group d and R² and or R³ and/or R⁵ is H. 4- A compound of formula HI or IV as depicted above, wherein R 6 : i„s a 3-pyridyl group and R >4 ; is a methyl group. 5- A compound of formula III or IV as depicted above, wherein R 2 a „.nd/o _^_r r R>3 and/or R⁵ is H and R⁴ is a methyl group. 6- A compound of formula III or TV as depicted above wherein R and/or R and/or R⁵ is H, R⁴ is a methyl group and R⁶ is a 3-pyridyl group.

Among the compounds of formula IV, the invention is particularly embodied by the compounds wherein R2, R3, R5 are hydrogen, corresponding to the following formula

wherein X is R or NRR' and wherein R and R' are independently chosen from H or an organic group that can be selected for example from a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a -SO2-R group wherein R is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with a heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a -CO-R or a -CO-NRR' group, wherein R and

R' are independently chosen from H, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality. R⁴ is hydrogen, halogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl or alkoxy;

R⁶ is one of the following:

(i) an aryl group such as phenyl or a substituted variant thereof bearing any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as halogen, alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, and alkoxy;

(ii) a heteroaryl group such as a 2, 3, or 4-pyridyl group, which may additionally bear any combination of one or more substituents such as halogen, alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl and alkoxy;

(iii) a five-membered ring aromatic heterocyclic group such as for example 2-thienyl, 3- thienyl, 2-fhiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, which may additionally bear any combination of one or more substituents such as halogen, an alkyl group containing from

1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, and alkoxy. iv) H, a halogen selected from I, F, Cl or Br; NH2, NO2 or SO2-R, wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl goup containing one or more group such as 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl,

Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

In another alternative, substituent R6, which in the formula III is connected to position 4 of the thiazole ring, may instead occupy position 5 of the thiazole ring.

Examples :

2-(2-methyl-5-amino)phenyl-4-(3-pyridyl)-thiazole

4-(4-Methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-[3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-phenyl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)- benzamide

N-[3-([2,4']Bithiazolyl-2'-ylamino)-4-rnethyl-phenyl]-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)- benzamide 4-(4-Methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyrazin-2-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]- benzamide

2-[5-(3-Iodo-benzoylamino)-2-methyl-phenylamino]-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester

2-{2-Methyl-5-[4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-benzoylamino]-phenylamino}-thiazole-4- carboxylic acid ethyl ester 2-(2-chloro-5-amino)phenyl-4-(3-pyridyl)-thiazole

3-Bromo-N-{3-[4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-methyl-thiazol-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-phenyl}-benzamide

{3-[4-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-5-methyl-thiazol-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-phenyl} -carbamic acid isobutyl ester

2-[5-(3-Bromo-benzoylamino)-2-methyl-phenylamino]-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-thiazole-4- carboxylic acid ethyl ester

2-[5-(3-Bromo-benzoylamino)-2-methyl-phenylamino]-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-thiazole-4- carboxylic acid (2-dimethylamino-ethyl)-amide

N-{3-[4-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-phenyl}-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l ylmethyl)-benzamide 4-(4-Methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-{4-methyl-3-[4-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-2- ylamino] -phenyl} -benzamide

N- {4-Methyl-3-[4-(3-nitro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-phenyl } -4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l - ylmethyl)-benzamide

N-{3-[4-(2,5-Dimethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-phenyl}-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l- ylmethyl)-benzamide

N-{3-[4-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-phenyl}-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l- ylmethyl)-benzamide

N- {3-[4-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-phenyl} -4-(4-methyl-piperazin- 1 - ylmethyl)-benzamide N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-isonicotinamide 2,6-Dichloro-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-isonicotinamide

3-Phenyl-propynoic acid [4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-amide

Cyclohexanecarboxylic acid [4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylmethyl)-phenyl]-amide

5-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenylcarbamoyl]-pentanoic acid ethyl ester

1 -Methyl-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid [4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylmethyl)-phenyl]- amide

4-tert-Butyl-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid [4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)- phenyl]-amide

N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-4-morpholin-4-yl-butyramide

Among the compounds of formula IV, the invention is particularly embodied by the compounds wherein X is a urea group, a -CO-NRR' group, corresponding to the [3- (thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea family and the following formula:

wherein Ra, Rb are independently chosen from Y-Z as defined above or

H or an organic group that can be selected for example from a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a -SO2-R group wherein R is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a -CO-R or a -CO-NRR' group, wherein R and R' are independently chosen from H, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably selected from I, Cl, Br and F, or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality. R⁴ is hydrogen, halogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl or alkoxy; R⁶ is one of the following:

Example 1 l-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-utea l-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-urea l-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-phenyl)-urea 4-{3-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-ureido}-benzoic acid ethyl ester l-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-thiophen-2-yl-urea l-Cyclohexyl-l-(N-Cyclohexyl-formamide)-3-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)- phenyl]-urea l-(2,4-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-(2-Iodo-phenyl)-l- N-(2-Iodo-phenyl)-formamide)-3-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2- ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-(3,5-Dimethyl-isoxazol-4-yl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-(2-Iodo-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-(4-Difluoromethoxy-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-(4-Dimethylamino-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-p-tolyl-urea 3-Bromo-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide 3-Iodo-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide

4-Hydrox3τnethyl-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide 4-Amino-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide 2-Iodo-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide 4-Iodo-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide 4-(3- {4-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenylcarbamoyl]-phenyl } -ureido)- benzoic acid ethyl ester

N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-4-[3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)- ureido]-benzamide 4-[3-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-ureido]-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]- benzamide

4-Hydroxy-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-4-(3-thiophen-2-yl-ureido)- benzamide 4-[3-(3,5-Dimethyl-isoxazol-4-yl)-ureido]-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)- phenyl]-benzamide 4-[3-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-ureido]-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]- benzamide

4-[3-(4-Difluoromethoxy-phenyl)-ureido]-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)- phenyl]-benzamide Thiophene-2-sulfonic acid 4-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenylcarbamoyl]- phenyl ester

4-Iodo-benzenesulfonic acid 4-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)- phenylcarbamoyl]-phenyl ester

N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-4-(thiophene-2-sulfonylamino)- benzamide

3-Fluoro-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide

N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-4-pyridin-4-yl-benzamide

4-Dimethylamino-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide

2-Fluoro-5-methyl-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide 4-tert-Butyl-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide

4-Isopropoxy-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylmethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide

Benzo[l ,3]dioxole-5-carboxylic acid [4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylmethyl)-phenyl]- amide

N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-(2-mo holin-4-yl-ethoxy)- benzamide

N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylmethyl)-phenyl]-4-pyridin-4-yl-benzamide

3-Cyano-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide

2-Fluoro-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-trifluoromethyl- benzamide 3-Fluoro-benzenesulfonic acid 4-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)- phenylcarbamoyl]-phenyl ester

4-Aminomethyl-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide

2-Fluoro-benzenesulfonic acid 4-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)- phenylcarbamoyl]-phenyl ester 3-Methoxy-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylmethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide 4-(4-Methyl-piperazin-l-yl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylmethyl)-phenyl]- benzamide

3-Methyl-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide

Biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid [4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-amide N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide

N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-4-pyrrolidin-l-ylmethyl-benzamide

4-[3-(2,4-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-ureido]-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)- phenyl]-benzamide

4-[3-(2-Iodo-phenyl)-ureido]-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]- benzamide

4-[3-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-ureido]-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]- benzamide

3-Bromo-4-methyl-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide

4-Fluoro-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide 4-Cyano-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide

4-Fluoro-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide

Example 2

4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]- benzamide

3,5-Dibromo-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2- ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide

4-Diethylaminomethyl-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide

N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-4-morpholin-4-ylmethyl-benzamide 4-Dipropylaminomethyl-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide

N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-4-piperidin-l-ylmethyl-benzamide

4-[(Diisopropylamino)-methyl]-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]- benzamide

{4-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenylcarbamoyl]-benzyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester 3-Fluoro-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)- phenyl]-benzamide

4-(4-Methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylmethyl)-phenyl]- 3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide 2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoro-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2- ylamino)-phenyl] -benzamide

N-{3-[4-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-phenyl}-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l- ylmethyl)-benzamide 3-Bromo-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)- phenyl]-benzamide

3-Chloro-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)- phenyl]-benzamide

4-(4-Methyl-ρiperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-4-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]- benzamide

N- {3-[4-(4-Cyano-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-phenyl} -4-(4-methyl-piperazin- 1 - ylmethyl)-benzamide

4-[l-(4-Methyl-piperazin-l-yl)-ethyl]-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylmethyl)- phenylj-benzamide 4-(l-Methoxy-ethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylmethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide

N-{4-Methyl-3-[4-(5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-phenyl}-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l- ylmethyl)-benzamide 3-Iodo-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylmethyl)- phenyl]-benzamide N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-4-[3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)- ureidomethyl]-benzamide

3,5-Dibromo-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-ρhenyl]-4-[(3-moφholin-4-yl- propylamino)-methyl]-benzamide

3,5-Dibromo-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-4-piperidin-l-ylmethyl- benzamide 4-(4-Methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-2-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]- benzamide

N-{3-[4-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-phenyl}-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l- ylmethyl)-benzamide N-{3-[4-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-phenyl}-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l- ylmethyl)-benzamides

Example 3

3-Dimethylamino-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide 3-(4-Methyl-piperazin-l-yl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]- benzamide N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-morpholin-4-yl-benzamide

Among the compounds of formula IV, the invention is particularly embodied by the compounds wherein X is a -OR group, corresponding to the family [3-(Thiazol-2- ylamino)-phenyl]-carbamate and the following formula IV-6

FORMULA IV-6

wherein R is independently chosen from an organic group that can be selected for example from a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with an heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a cycloalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with a heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; R4 and R6 are as defined above.

In still another preferred embodiment, the invention contemplated the method mentioned above, wherein said c-kit inhibitor is selected from 2-aminoaryloxazoles of formula X :

FORMULA X

wherein substituents Rl - R7 and X are defined as follows:

Rl, R2, R3 and R4 each independently are selected from hydrogen, halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as trifluoromethyl, Cι_₆alkyloxy, amino, Cj. _όalkylamino, di(Cι.₆alkyl)amino, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, and CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality. R5 is one of the following: (i) hydrogen, or

(ii) a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or (iii) CO-R8 or COOR8 or CONHR8 or SO2R8 wherein R8 may be - a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or - an aryl group such as phenyl or a substituted variant thereof bearing any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as trifluoromethyl, C_1-6alkyloxy, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, Cι-₆alkylamino, di(Cι-₆alkyl)amino, and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or - a heteroaryl group such as a pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, fiiranyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, indolyl, benzimidazole, quinolinyl group, which may additionally bear any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as trifluoromethyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, Cι-₆alkylamino, di(Cι.₆alkyl)amino, and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic mtrogen functionality; as well as CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

R6 and R7 each independently are selected from: i) hydrogen, a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), or ii) an alkyl¹ group defined as a linear, branched or cycloalkyl group containing from 1 to

10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen (the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality); as well as trifluoromethyl, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl; as well as CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality ; as well as a cycloalkyl or aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by a a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or

(iii) an aryl¹ group defined as phenyl or a substituted variant thereof bearing any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as - halogen(selected from I, F, Cl or Br); - an alkyl¹ group; a cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; - trifluoromethyl, O-alkyl¹, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, NH-alkyl¹, N(alkyl')(alkyl¹), and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality; - NHCO-R or NHCOO-R or NHCONH-R or NHSO2-R or NHSO2NH-R or CO-R or COO-R or CONH-R or SO2-R or SO2NH-R wherein R corresponds to hydrogen, alkyl¹, aryl or heteroaryl, or (iv) a heteroaryl¹ group defined as a pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl , triazolyl, tefrazolyl, indolyl, benzimidazole, quinolinyl group, which may additionally bear any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as - halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I); - an alkyl¹ group; - a cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, - trifluoromethyl, O-alkyl¹, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, NH-alkyl¹, N(alkyl')(alkyl¹), and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality; - NHCO-R or NHCOO-R or NHCONH-R or NHSO2-R or NHSO2NH-R or CO-R or COO-R or CONH-R or SO2-R or SO2NH-R wherein R corresponds to hydrogern, alkyl¹, or

(v) an O-aryl¹, or NH-aryl¹, or O-heteroaryl¹ or NH-heteroaryl¹ group (vi) trifluoromethyl, O-alkyl¹, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, NH-alkyl¹, N(alkyl¹)(alkyl¹), and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality, or (vi) NHCO-R or NHCOO-R or NHCONH-R or NHSO2-R or NHSO2NH-R or CO-R or COO-R or CONH-R or SO2-R or SO2NH-R wherein R corresponds to hydrogen, alkyl¹, aryl or heteroaryl. X is:

-NR9R10, wherein R9 and / or RIO are hydrogen or: i) an alkyl¹ group, CF3 or ii) an aryl¹, heteroaryl¹ or cycloalkyl group optionally substituted by a a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or iii) a CO-R, COO-R, CON-RR'or SO2-R, where R and R' are a hydrogen, alkyl¹, aryl¹ or heteroaryl¹, optionally substituted by a a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or:

-CO-NR9R10, wherein R9 and / or RIO are hydrogen or: i) an alkyl¹ group, CF3 or ii) an aryl¹, heteroaryl¹ or cycloalkyl group optionally substituted by a a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

Such compound may be selected from N-Aminoalkyl-N'-oxazol-2-yl-benzene-l,3- diamines of the following formula:

wherein R5 = H, Y is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and Z represents an aryl or a heteroaryl group, optionally substituted by a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

For example, it is the 4-{[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenylamino]- methylj-benzoic acid methyl ester. The above 2-aminoaryloxazoles compounds may have the formula XI:

FORMULA XI

Wherein R5 is H, Y is selected from O, S and Z corresponds to H, alkyl, or NRR', wherein R and R' are independently chosen from H or alkyl¹ or aryl¹ or heteroaryl¹, optionally substituted by a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, for example :

or a compound of formula XI- 1 :

FORMULA XI- 1

wherein Ra, Rb are independently chosen from H or alkyl¹ or aryl¹ or heteroaryl¹, optionally substituted by a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, for example :

or a compound of formula XI-2:

FORMULA XI-2

wherein R5 = H, Z is an aryl¹ group, aryl¹ being selected from : a phenyl or a substituted variant thereof bearing any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as - halogen(selected from I, F, Cl or Br); - an alkyl¹ group; - a cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; - trifluoromethyl, O-alkyl¹, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, NH-alkyl¹, N(alkyl')(alkyl¹), and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality;

NHCO-R or NHCOO-R or NHCONH-R or NHSO2-R or NHSO2NH-R or CO-R or COO-R or CONH-R or SO2-R or SO2NH-R wherein R corresponds to hydrogen, alkyl¹, aryl or heteroaryl, for example

or a compound of formula XI-3 :

FORMULA XI-3

wherein R5 = H and R is independently alkyl , aryl or heteroaryl as defined above

Examples of compounds of Formula X : 4-{[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenylamino]-methyl}-benzoic acid methyl ester

4-Methyl-Nl-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-N3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-benzene-l,3-diamine m.p. 4-Methyl-Nl-(5-phenyl-oxazol-2-yl)-7V3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-benzene-l,3-diamine 4-Methyl-Nl-(5-phenyl-[l,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl)-N3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-benzene-l,3- diamine

Nl-Benzooxazol-2-yl-4-methyl-N3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-benzene-l,3-diamine N-[4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-C-phenyl-methanesulfon -amide N-[4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-acetamide

2-Cyano-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-acetamide 2-Ethoxy-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-acetamide 3-Methoxy-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-propionamide l-(4-Cyano-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea 1 -(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-[4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-urea l-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-urea l-[4-Methyl-3-(5-phenyl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-urea l-(4-Cyano-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-thiourea l-(4-Cyano-phenyl)-3-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-thiourea (2-{2-Methyl-5-[3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-ureido]-phenylamino}-oxazol-5-yl)-acetic acid ethyl ester l-Benzyl-3-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-thiourea 4-(4-Methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-Ν-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]- benzamide

3-Dimethylamino-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide 3-Bromo-Ν-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide N-[4-Methoxy-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide 4-(3-Dimethylamino-propylamino)-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3- trifluoromethyl-benzamide

N-[4-Fluoro-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide lH-Indole-6-carboxylic acid [4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-amide 3-Isopropoxy-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide N-[4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-2-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide 3,5-Dimethoxy-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide N-[3-(5-Pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide N-[4-Methyl-3-(5-phenyl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide 3-Fluoro-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-l-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)- phenylj-benzamide

N-[4-Chloro-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide N-[4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-terephthalamide 5-Methyl-isoxazole-4-carboxylic acid [4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]- amide

4-Cyano-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide N-[4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-isonicotinamide N-[4-Methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-trifluoromethyl-benzamide [4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-carbamic acid isobutyl ester (5-Isobutoxycarbonylamino-2-methyl-phenyl)-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-carbamic acid isobutyl ester [4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-carbamic acid isobutyl ester N-[4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-2-m-tolyl-acetamide 2-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-N-[4-methoxy-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-acetamide 2-(2,4-Difluoro-phenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-phenyl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-acetamide 2-(3-Bromo-phenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-2-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-acetamide 3-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-propionamide N-{3-[5-(4-Cyano-phenyl)-oxazol-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-phenyl}-2-(2,4-difluoro-phenyl)- acetamide 4-Methyl-pentanoic acid [4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-amide N-[4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-2-piperazin-l-yl-acetamide N-[4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-piperazin-l-yl-propionamide 2-(2,6-Dichloro-phenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-acetamide N-[4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-3-pyrrolidin-l-yl-propionamide N-[4-Methoxy-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)- acetamide

2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-acetamide N-(4-Cyano-phenyl)-4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-benzamide N-(3-Dimethylamino-phenyl)-4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-benzamide N-(2-Dimethylamino-ethyl)-4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-benzamide N-(3-Fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl)-4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-benzamide N-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-benzamide N-Benzyl-4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-benzamide N-(4-Methoxy-benzyl)-4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-benzamide [4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-moφholin-4-yl-methanone [4-Methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-piperazin-l-yl-methanone N-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-2-[4-methyl-3-(5-pyridin-4-yl-oxazol-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-acetamide

Process for manufacturing a compound of formula III depicted above. This entails the condensation of a substrate of general formula 10 with a thiourea of the type 11.

1 1 a: X = NH-R1 10 l l b: X = NH2 11 c: X = NH-PG l l d: X = NO2

Substituent "L" in formula 10 is a nucleofugal leaving group in nucleophilic substitution reactions (for example, L can be selected from chloro, bromo, iodo, toluenesulfonyloxy, methanesulfonyloxy, trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy, etc., with L being preferentially a bromo group).

Group Rl in formula 1 la corresponds to group Rl as described in formula III.

Group "PG" in formula 1 lc is a suitable protecting group of a type commonly utilized by the person skilled in the art.

The reaction of 10 with 1 a-d leads to a thiozole-type product of formula 12a-d.

12 b: X = NH2 12 c: X = NH-PG 12 d: X = NO2 Formula 12a is the same as formula I. Therefore, Rl in 12a corresponds to Rl in formula in.

Formula 12b describes a precursor to compounds of formula HI which lack substituent Rl. Therefore, in a second phase of the synthesis, substituent Rl is connected to the free amine group in 12b, leading to the complete structure embodied by formula III: 12b + "Rl" - III The introduction of Rl, the nature of which is as described on page 3 for the general formula IE, is achieved by the use of standard reactions that are well known to the person skilled in the art, such as alkylation, acylation, sulfonylation, formation of ureas, etc.

Formula 12c describes an N-protected variant of compound 12b. Group "PG" in formula 12c represents a protecting group of the type commonly utilized by the person skilled in the art. Therefore, in a second phase of the synthesis, group PG is cleaved to transform compound 12c into compound 12b. Compound 12b is subsequently advanced to structures of formula I as detailed above.

Formula 12d describes a nitro analogue of compound 12b. In a second phase of the synthesis, the nitro group of compound 12d is reduced by any of the several methods utilized by the person skilled in the art to produce the corresponding amino group, namely compound 12b. Compound 12b thus obtained is subsequently advanced to structures of formula III as detailed above.

Examples of compound synthesis is found in our previous applications WO 2004/014903 and US 60/513,214, incorporated herein by reference.

The method of the invention is applicable to acne and also to the all forms of chronic inflammation of the skin including those induced by Propionibacterium Acnes.

In a further embodiment, c-kit inhibitors as mentioned above are inhibitors of wild type or mutant activated c-kit. In this regard, the invention contemplates a method for treating acne and Propionibacterium acnes associated diseases comprising administering to a human in need of such treatment a compound that is a selective, potent and non toxic inhibitor of c-kit obtainable by a screening method which comprises : a) bringing into contact (i) activated c-kit and (ii) at least one compound to be tested; under conditions allowing the components (i) and (ii) to form a complex, b) selecting compounds that inhibit activated c-kit, c) testing and selecting a subset of compounds identified in step b), which are unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.

This screening method can further comprise the step consisting of testing and selecting a subset of compounds identified in step b) that are inhibitors of mutant activated c-kit (for example in the transphosphorylase domain), which are also capable of inhibiting SCF- activated c-kit wild. Alternatively, in step a) activated c-kit is SCF-activated c-kit wild.

A best mode for practicing this method consists of testing putative inhibitors at a concentration above 10 μM in step a). In step c), IL-3 is preferably present in the culture media of IL-3 dependent cells at a concentration comprised between 0.5 and 10 ng/ml, preferably between 1 to 5 ng/ml. These screening may be performed following our previous applcation WO 03/003006, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Therefore, the invention embraces the use of the compounds defined above to manufacture a medicament for treating acne and Propionibacterium acnes associated diseases.

The pharmaceutical compositions utilized in this invention may be administered by any number of routes including, but not limited to, oral, topical, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-arterial, intramedullary, intrathecal, intraventricular, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, enteral, sublingual, or rectal means.

In addition to the active ingredients, these pharmaceutical compositions may contain suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically. Further details on techniques for formulation and administration may be found in the latest edition of Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Maack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.).

Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration can be formulated using pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art in dosages suitable for oral administration. Such carriers enable the pharmaceutical compositions to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions, and the like, for ingestion by the patient.

More particularly, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition intended for oral administration.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a dermopharmaceutical or cosmetic composition suitable for topical administration for treating acne and reccurent inflammatory skin disorders. Such composition comprises a c-kit inhibitor as depicted above and one or several ingredients or carrier suiatble for topical administration. Thus, the method as defined above may be a method of cosmetic treatment of the skin. This method comprises applying a compostion as defined herein on the skin, more particularly on acne areas or zones of the skin where recurrent inflammation is observed.

In this regard, the compositions according to the invention may be presented in all forms normally used for topical application, in particular in the form of a gel, paste, ointment, cream, lotion, liquid suspension aqueous, aqueous-alcoholic or, oily solutions, or dispersions of the lotion or serum type, or anhydrous or lipophilic gels, or emulsions of liquid or semi-solid consistency of the milk type, obtained by dispersing a fatty phase in an aqueous phase or vice versa, or of suspensions or emulsions of soft, semi-solid consistency of the cream or gel type, or alternatively of microemulsions, of microcapsules, of microparticles or of vesicular dispersions to the ionic and or nonionic type. These compositions are prepared according to standard methods.

The composition according to the invention comprises any ingredient commonly used in dermatology and cosmetic. It may comprise at least one ingredient selected from hydrophilic or lipophilic gelling agents, hydrophilic or lipophilic active agents, preservatives, emollients, viscosity enhancing polymers, humectants, surfactants, preservatives, antioxidants, solvents, and fillers, antioxidants, solvents, perfumes, fillers, screening agents, bactericides, odor absorbers and coloring matter.

As oils which can be used in the invention, mineral oils (liquid paraffin), vegetable oils (liquid fraction of shea butter, sunflower oil), animal oils, synthetic oils, silicone oils (cyclomethicone) and fluorinated oils may be mentioned. Fatty alcohols, fatty acids (stearic acid) and waxes (paraffin, carnauba, beeswax) may also be used as fatty substances.

As emulsifiers which can be used in the invention, glycerol stearate, polysorbate 60 and the PEG-6/PEG-32/glycol stearate mixture are contemplated.

As hydrophilic gelling agents, carboxyvinyl polymers (carbomer), acrylic copolymers such as acrylate/alkylacrylate copolymers, polyacrylamides, polysaccharides such as hydroxypropylcellulose, clays and natural gums may be mentioned, and as lipophilic gelling agents, modified clays such as bentones, metal salts of fatty acids such as aluminum stearates and hydrophobic silica, or alternatively ethylcellulose and polyethylene may be mentioned.

As hydrophilic active agents, proteins or protein hydrolysates, amino acids, polyols, urea, allantoin, sugars and sugar derivatives, vitamins, starch and plant extracts, in particular those of Aloe vera may be used. As lipophilic active, agents, retinol (vitamin A) and its derivatives, tocopherol (vitamin E) and its derivatives, essential fatty acids, ceramides and essential oils may be used. These agents add extra moisturizing or skin softening features when utilized.

In addition, a surfactant can be included in the composition so as to provide deeper penetration of the ingredients and of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Among the contemplated ingredients, the invention embraces penetration enhancing agents selected for example from the group consisting of mineral oil, water, ethanol, triacetin, glycerin and propylene glycol; cohesion agents selected for example from the group consisting of polyisobutylene, polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol, and thickening agents.

Chemical methods of enhancing topical absorption of drugs are well known in the art. For example, compounds with penetration enhancing properties include sodium lauryl sulfate (Dugard, P. H. and Sheuplein, R. J., "Effects of Ionic Surfactants on the Permeability of Human Epidermis: An Electrometric Study," J. Ivest. Dermatol., V.60, pp. 263-69, 1973), lauryl amine oxide (Johnson et. al., US 4,411,893), azone (Rajadhyaksha, US 4,405,616 and 3,989,816) and decylmethyl sulfoxide (Sekura, D. L. and Scala, J., "The Percutaneous Absorption of Alkylmethyl Sulfides," Pharmacology of the Skin, Advances In Biolocy of Skin, (Appleton-Century Craft) V. 12, pp. 257-69, 1972). It has been observed that increasing the polarity of the head group in amphoteric molecules increases their penetration-enhancing properties but at the expense of increasing their skin irritating properties (Cooper, E. R. and Berner, B., "Interaction of Surfactants with Epidermal Tissues: Physiochemical Aspects," Surfactant Science Series, V. 16, Reiger, M. M. ed. (Marcel Dekker, Inc.) pp. 195-210, 1987). A second class of chemical enhancers are generally referred to as co-solvents. These materials are absorbed topically relatively easily, and, by a variety of mechanisms, achieve permeation enhancement for some drugs. Ethanol (Gale et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,699 and Campbell et. al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,460,372 and 4,379,454), dimethyl sulfoxide (US 3,740,420 and 3,743,727, and US 4,575,515), and glycerine derivatives (US 4,322,433) are a few examples of compounds which have shown an ability to enhance the absorption of various compounds.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the invention include compositions wherein compounds for depleting mast cells, such as c-kit inhibitors, or compounds inhibiting mast cells degranulation are contained in an effective amount to achieve the intended purpose. The determination of an effective dose is well within the capability of those skilled in the art. A therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of active ingredient, which ameliorates the symptoms or condition. Therapeutic efficacy and toxicity may be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population) and LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population). The dose ratio of toxic to therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index, and it can be expressed as the ratio,

LD50/ED50. Pharmaceutical compositions which exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred.

Example 1 : AB compounds of formula III, IV, V and X are selective and potent c- Kit and mast cell inhibitors.

The specific compounds as listed above are non limitative illustrative examples of AB compounds. They display IC50 below 5 μM, 1 μM or even 0.1 μM on different forms of c-KIT (Figure 1). Also, these AB compounds are selective for c-KIT versus other tyrosine kinases (Table 1). Table 1 : Inhibition of various protein tyrosine kinases by the AB compound in vitro

In addition, the AB compounds potently and dose-dependently inhibited the growth of the mast cells (MC) when they were cultured in the presence of SCF (with an IC50 of <0.1 μM). Again these in vitro data confirmed the potent and selective inhibitory activity of c-Kit tyrosine kinase activity as well as the ability of the AB compound to inhibit almost completely the survival of MC population at concentration lower than 0.1 μM. AB compounds have also been shown to deplete mast cells in vivo. The AB compound has successfully completed preclinical development in September 2003. Safety pharmacology studies revealed no significant effects of the AB compound on the central nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Claims

1. A method for treating acne and Propionibacterium acnes associated diseases, comprising administering a compound capable of depleting mast cells or a compound inhibiting mast cells degranulation in a human in need of such treatment.

2. The method according to claim 1 for treating patients suffering from acne and Propionibacterium acnes associated diseases comprising administering a c-kit inhibitor to a human in need of such treatment.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said c-kit inhibitor is a non-toxic, selective and potent c-kit inhibitor wherein it is unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 3 wherein said inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of :

- 2-(3-Substitutedaryl)amino-4-aryl-thiazoles such as 2-(3-amino)arylamino-4-aryl- thiazoles,

- 2-aminoaryloxazoles,

- pyrimidine derivatives, more particularly N-phenyl-2-pyrimidine-amine derivatives,

- indolinone derivatives, more particularly pyrrol-substituted indolinones,

- monocyclic, bicyclic aryl and heteroaryl compounds, - and quinazoline derivatives.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said c-kit inhibitor is selected from compounds belonging to the 2-(3-Substitutedaryl)amino-4-aryl-thiazoles of formula III:

FORMULA III

wherein R⁶ and R⁷ are independently from each other chosen from one of the following: i) hydrogen, a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), ii) an alkyl¹ group defined as a linear, branched or cycloalkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or from 2 or 3 to 10 carbon atoms, (for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl...) and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen (the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality); as well as trifluoromethyl, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl;

(iii) an aryl¹ group defined as phenyl or a substituted variant thereof bearing any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as - halogen(selected from I, F, Cl or Br); an alkyl¹ group; a cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; trifluoromethyl, O-alkyl¹, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, NH-alkyl¹, N(alkyl')(alkyl¹), and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality;

(iv) a heteroaryl¹ group defined as a pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, fiiranyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl , triazolyl, tefrazolyl, indolyl, benzimidazole, quinolinyl group, which may additionally bear any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as - halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I); an alkyl¹ group; - a cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, - trifluoromethyl, O-alkyl¹, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, NH-alkyl¹, N(alkyl')(alkyl¹), and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality; (v) trifluoromethyl, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, N(alkyl')(alkyl¹), and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality.

R⁸ is one of the following: (i) hydrogen, or

(ii) a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nifrogen functionality, or (iii) CO-R8 or COOR8 or CONHR8 or SO2R8 wherein R8 may be - a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or - an aryl group such as phenyl or a substituted variant thereof bearing any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as trifluoromethyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, Cι_-6alkylamino, di(Cι.₆alkyl)amino, ^"and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or - a heteroaryl group such as a pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, fiiranyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, tefrazolyl, indolyl, benzimidazole, quinolinyl group, which may additionally bear any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as trifluoromethyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy,

di(Cι_-6alkyl)amino, and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic mtrogen functionality; as well as CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

R2, R3, R4 and R5 each independently are selected from hydrogen, halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as trifluoromethyl, Ci-_όalkyloxy, amino, . 6alkylamino, di(Cι_-6alkyl)amino, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, and CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

A is : CH2, O, S, SO2, CO, or COO,

R¹ is : a) a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; b) an aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by an alkyl or aryl group optionally substituted with a heteroatom, notably a halogen selected from I, Cl, Br and F or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality c) an alkyl¹, aryl¹ or heteroaryl¹.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said c-kit inhibitor is selected from compounds of formula V :

FORMULA V

wherein X is R or NRR' and wherein R and R' are independently chosen from H, an aryl, a heteroaryl, an alkyl , or a cycloalkyl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, such as for example a halogen chosen from F, I, Cl and Br and optionally bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or an aryl, a heteroaryl, an alkyl or a cycloalkyl group substituted with an aryl, a heteroaryl, an alkyl or a cycloalkyl group optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, such as for example a halogen chosen from F, I, Cl and Br and optionally bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality,

R⁶ is one of the following: (i) an aryl group such as phenyl or a substituted variant thereof bearing any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as halogen, alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, and alkoxy; (ii) a heteroaryl group such as a 2, 3, or 4-pyridyl group, which may additionally bear any combination of one or more substituents such as halogen, alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl and alkoxy;

(iii) a five-membered ring aromatic heterocyclic group such as for example 2-thienyl, 3- thienyl, 2-fhiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-fhiazolyl, which may additionally bear any combination of one or more substituents such as halogen, an alkyl group containing from

Br and F, and / or bearing a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein said c-kit inhibitor is selected from 2- aminoaryloxazoles of formula X :

FORMULA X

wherein substituents Rl - R7 and X are defined as follows:

Rl, R2, R3 and R4 each independently are selected from hydrogen, halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as trifluoromethyl,

amino, C_t- ₆alkylamino, di(Cι.₆alkyl)amino, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, and CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

R5 is one of the following: (i) hydrogen, or (ii) a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or (iii) CO-R8 or COOR8 or CONHR8 or SO2R8 wherein R8 may be - a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or - an aryl group such as phenyl or a substituted variant thereof bearing any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or T), alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as trifluoromethyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, Cι-₆alkylamino, di(Cι_-6alkyl)amino, and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or - a heteroaryl group such as a pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, tefrazolyl, indolyl, benzimidazole, quinolinyl group, which may additionally bear any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), alkyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; as well as trifluoromethyl, Cι_-6alkyloxy, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, Cι-₆alkylamino, di(Cι-₆alkyl)amino, and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality; as well as CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality.

R6 and R7 each independently are selected from: i) hydrogen, a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), or ii) an alkyl¹ group defined as a linear, branched or cycloalkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more hetereoatoms such as halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen (the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality); as well as trifluoromethyl, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl; as well as CO-R, COO-R, CONH-R, SO2-R, and SO2NH-R wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group contaimng 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with at least one heteroatom, notably a halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I), oxygen, and nitrogen, the latter optionally in the form of a pendant basic nitrogen functionality ; as well as a cycloalkyl or aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by a a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or

(iii) an aryl¹ group defined as phenyl or a substituted variant thereof bearing any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as - halogen(selected from I, F, Cl or Br); an alkyl¹ group; - a cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; - trifluoromethyl, O-alkyl¹, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, NH-alkyl¹, N(alkyl')(alkyl¹), and amino, the latter mtrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality; - NHCO-R or NHCOO-R or NHCONH-R or NHSO2-R or NHSO2NH-R or CO-R or COO-R or CONH-R or SO2-R or SO2NH-R wherein R corresponds to hydrogen, alkyl¹, aryl or heteroaryl, or (iv) a heteroaryl¹ group defined as a pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl , triazolyl, tefrazolyl, indolyl, benzimidazole, quinolinyl group, which may additionally bear any combination, at any one ring position, of one or more substituents such as - halogen (selected from F, Cl, Br or I); - an alkyl¹ group; a cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, - frifluoromethyl, O-alkyl¹, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, NH-alkyl , N(alkyl')(alkyl¹), and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality; - NHCO-R or NHCOO-R or NHCONH-R or NHSO2-R or NHSO2NH-R or CO-R or COO-R or CONH-R or SO2-R or SO2NH-R wherein R corresponds to hydrogern, alkyl¹, or (v) an O-aryl¹, or NH-aryl¹, or O-heteroaryl¹ or NH-heteroaryl¹ group (vi) trifluoromethyl, O-alkyl¹, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, formyl, hydroxy, NH-alkyl¹, N(alkyl')(alkyl¹), and amino, the latter nitrogen substituents optionally in the form of a basic nitrogen functionality, or (vi) NHCO-R or NHCOO-R or NHCONH-R or NHSO2-R or NHSO2NH-R or CO-R or COO-R or CONH-R or SO2-R or SO2NH-R wherein R corresponds to hydrogen, alkyl¹, aryl or heteroaryl.

X is: -NR9R10, wherein R9 and / or RIO are hydrogen or: i) an alkyl¹ group, CF3 or ii) an aryl¹, heteroaryl¹ or cycloalkyl group optionally substituted by a a pendant basic nitrogen functionality, or iii) a CO-R, COO-R, CON-RR'or SO2-R, where R and R' are a hydrogen, alkyl¹, aryl¹ or heteroaryl¹, optionally substituted by a a pendant basic nitrogen functionality; or:

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein said inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of N-phenyl-2-pyrimidine-amine derivatives having the formula II :

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said inhibitor is the 4-(4-mehylpiperazine- 1 -ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridine-3-yl)pyrimidine-2 ylamino)phenyl] -benzamide.

10. A method for treating acne and Propionibacterium acnes associated diseases comprising administering to a human in need of such treatment a compound that is a selective, potent and non toxic inhibitor of activated c-kit obtainable by a screening method which comprises : a) bringing into contact (i) activated c-kit and (ii) at least one compound to be tested; under conditions allowing the components (i) and (ii) to form a complex, b) selecting compounds that inhibit activated c-kit, c) testing and selecting a subset of compounds identified in step b), which are unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.

11. The method according to one of claims 1 to 10 for treating all forms of chronic inflammation of the skin, acne, including those induced by Propionibacterium Acnes.

12. The use of a compound as defined in one of claims 1 to 9 or obtainable by the method of claim 10 to manufacture a medicament for treating all forms of chronic inflammation of the skin, acne, including those induced by Propionibacterium Acnes.

13. A dermopharmaceutic or cosmetic composition comprising a compound as defined in one of claims 1 to 9 or obtainable by the method of claim 10 and at least one ingredient or carrier suitable for topical administration.