1461167270-2573a43b-5738-4b79-9674-4c57a5e94550

1. A method for treating an autoimmune disease, or inhibiting the progression of an autoimmune disease, in a subject, said method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) below:
wherein:
R1 is hydrogen, azido, halogen, C1-5 alkoxy, hydroxy, C1-5alkyl, C2-5 alkenyl, cyano, nitro, R7R3N, C2-8 acyl, R9OC\u2550O, R10R11NC\u2550O, or R10R11NSO2;
or R1 is taken together with W as described below;
R2 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-5 alkoxy, C1-5 alkyl, C2-5 alkenyl, C1-5 haloalkyl, cyano, or R48R49N;
each of R3 and R4 is independently hydrogen or C1-5alkyl;
R5 and R6 are taken together to form pyridinyl or a 5-membered carbocyclic ring or 7-membered carbocyclic ring, which ring is unsaturated or aromatic, and each of said pyridinyl, 5-membered ring and 7-membered ring is optionally substituted with between one and three substituents independently selected from halo, cyano, amino, nitro, R40, R40O\u2014, R40S\u2014, R40O(C1-5 alkylene)-, R40O(C\u2550O)\u2014, R40(C\u2550O)\u2014, R40(C\u2550S)\u2014, R40(C\u2550O)O\u2014, R40O(C\u2550O)(C\u2550O)\u2014, R40SO2, NHR62(C\u2550NH)\u2014, NHR62SO2\u2014, and NHR62(C\u2550O_;
R40 is H, C1-5 alkyl, C2-5 alkenyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenethyl, C1-5 heterocyclyl, (C1-5 heterocyclyl)C1-5 alkylene, amino, or mono- or di(C1-5 alkyl)amino, or R58OR59\u2014, wherein R58 is H, C1-5 alkyl, C2-5 alkenyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenethyl, C1-5 heterocyclyl, or (C1-5 heterocyclyl)C1-5 alkylene and R59 is C1-5 alkylene, phenylene, or divalent C1-5 heterocyclyl; and
R62 can be H in addition to the values for R40;
R7 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C3-5 alkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, C1-5 heterocyclyl, C2-8 acyl, aroyl, R27OC\u2550O, R28R29NC\u2550O, R27SO, R27SO2, or R28R29N;
R8 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C3-5 alkenyl, phenyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl;
alternatively, R7 and R8 are taken together to form an optionally substituted 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, which ring is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic;
R9 is C1-5 alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl;
R21 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C3-5 alkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, C1-5 heterocyclyl, C2-8 acyl, aroyl, R30OC\u2550O, R31R32NC\u2550O, R30SO, R30SO2, or R31R32 NSO2;
R22 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C3-5 alkenyl, phenyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl; alternatively, R2\u2032 and R22 are taken together to form an optionally substituted 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, which ring is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic;
each of R23, R26, R27, R30, R33, R44, R45, and R50 is C1-5alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl;
R24 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C3-5 alkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, C1-5 heterocyclyl, C2-8 acyl, aroyl, R33OC\u2550O, R34R35NC\u2550O, R33SO, R33SO2, or R34R35NSO2;
R25 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C3-5 alkenyl, phenyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl; alternatively, R24 and R25 are taken together to form an optionally substituted 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, which ring is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic; each of R10 and R11 is independently hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C2-5 alkenyl, phenyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl;
alternatively, R10 and R11 are taken together to form an optionally substituted 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, which ring is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic;

each of R28, R29, R31, R32, R34, R35, R4, R47, R51 and R52 is independently hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, phenyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl;
alternatively, R28 and R29, R31 and R32, R34 and R35, R46 and R47, or R51 and R52,independently, are taken together to form an optionally substituted 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, which ring is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic;

n is 1;
G represents C3-6 alkenediyl or C3-6 alkanediyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, C1-5alkyl, C1-5alkoxy, oxo, hydroximino, CO2R60, R60R61NCO2, (L)-C1-4 alkylene-, (L)-C1-5 alkoxy, N3, or (L)-C1-5 alkyleneamino;
each of R60 and R61 is independently hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C3-5 alkenyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenethyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl; alternatively, R60 and R61 are taken together to form an optionally substituted 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, which ring is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic;
L is amino, mono- or di-C1-5 alkylamino, pyrrolidinyl, morpholinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl, or piperazinyl, where available ring nitrogens are optionally substituted with C1-5 alkyl, benzyl, C2-5 acyl, C1-5 alkylsulfonyl, or C1-5alkyloxycarbonyl;
X is nitrogen or R12C;
Y is nitrogen or R13C;
Z is nitrogen or R14C;
R12 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-5 alkoxy, C1-5 alkyl, C2-5 alkenyl, cyano, nitro, R21R22N, C2-8 acyl, C1-5 haloalkyl, C1-5 heterocyclyl, (C1-5 heterocyclyl)C1-5 alkylene, R23OC\u2550O, R23O(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R23SO, R22NHCO\u2014, R22NH(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R23(C1-4 alkylene)NHCO\u2014, R23SO2, or R23SO2NH\u2014;
R13 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-5 alkoxy, C1-5 alkyl, C2-5 alkenyl, cyano, nitro, R42R43N, C2-8 acyl, C1-5 haloalkyl, C1-5 heterocyclyl, (C1-5 heterocyclyl)C1-5 alkylene, R44OC\u2550O, R44O(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R44SO, R43NHCO\u2014, R43NH(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R44(C1-4 alkylene)NHCO\u2014, R44SO2, or R44SO2NH\u2014;
R14 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-5 alkoxy, C1-5 alkyl, C2-5 alkenyl, cyano, nitro, R24R25N, C2-8 acyl, C1-5 haloalkyl, C1-5 heterocyclyl, (C1-5 heterocyclyl)C1-5 alkylene, R26OC\u2550O, R26O(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R26SO, R25NHCO\u2014, R25NH(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R26(C1-4 alkylene)NHCO\u2014, R2SO2, or R26SO2NH\u2014;
Ar represents a monocyclic or bicyclic aryl or heteroaryl ring, optionally substituted with between 1 and 3 substituents selected from halogen, C1-5 alkoxy, C1-5 alkyl, C2-5 alkenyl, cyano, azido, nitro, R15R16N, R17SO2, R17S, R17SO, R17OC\u2550O, R15R16NC\u2550O, C1-5 haloalkyl, C1-5 haloalkoxy, Cl haloalkylthio, and C1-5 alkylthio;
R15 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C3-5 alkenyl, phenyl, benzyl, C1-5 heterocyclyl, C2-8 acyl, aroyl, R53OC\u2550O, R54R55NC\u2550O, R53S, R53SO, R53SO2, or R54R55NSO2;
R16 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C3-5 alkenyl, phenyl, benzyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl; alternatively, R15 and R16 are taken together to form an optionally substituted 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, which ring is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic;
each of R17 and R53 is C1-5alkyl, phenyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl;
each of R54 and R55 is independently hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C2-5 alkenyl, phenyl, benzyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl;
alternatively, R54 and R55 are taken together to form an optionally substituted 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, which ring is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic;
W represents SO2, C\u2550O, CHR20, or a covalent bond; or W and R1, taken together with the 6-membered ring to which they are both attached, form one of the following two formulae:
\u2003wherein Xa is O, S, or N; and Xb is O, S or SO2;
R20 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, naphthyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl;
R42 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C3-5 alkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, C1-5 heterocyclyl, C2-8 acyl, aroyl, R45OC\u2550O, R46R47 NC\u2550O, R45SO, R45SO2, or R46R47NSO2;
R43 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C3-5 alkenyl, phenyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl; alternatively, R42 and R43 are taken together to form an optionally substituted 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, which ring is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic;
R44 is C1-5 alkyl, C2-5 alkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl;
R48 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C3-5 alkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, C1-5 heterocyclyl, C2-8 acyl, aroyl, R50OC\u2550O, R51R50NC\u2550O, RSO R50SO2, or R51R52 NSO2;
R49 is hydrogen, C1-5alkyl, C3-5 alkenyl, phenyl, or C1-5 heterocyclyl; alternatively, R48 and R49 are taken together to form an optionally substituted 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, which ring is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic; and
wherein each of the above hydrocarbyl or heterocarbyl groups, unless otherwise indicated, and in addition to any specified substituents, is optionally and independently substituted with between 1 and 3 substituents selected from methyl, halomethyl, hydroxymethyl, halo, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, C 1-5 alkyl, C1-5 alkoxy, \u2014COOH, C2-6 acyl, di(C1-4 alkyl)aminoC2-5 alkylene, di(C1-4 alkyl)aminoC2-5 alkyl-NH\u2014CO\u2014, and C1-5 haloalkoxy;
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or amide thereof.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein R1 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-5alkoxy, hydroxy, C1-5alkyl, cyano, nitro, R7R8N, C2-8 acyl, or R10R11NSO2.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein R1 is halogen, cyano, nitro, R7R8N, or R10R11NSO2.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein R2 is hydrogen.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of R3 and R4 is independently hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein one of R3 and R4 is hydrogen.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein each of R3 and R4 is hydrogen.
8. A method according to claim 1, wherein R3 is hydrogen and R4 is C1-3 alkyl.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein R5 and R6 taken together form pyridinyl.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein R5 and R6 taken together form pyridinyl, optionally N-substituted with R40O(C\u2550O)(C\u2550O)\u2014, R40SO2, R40NHCO2, R40(C\u2550O)\u2014, or R40N(C\u2550O)\u2014.
11. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of R7, R8, R21, R22R24, and R25 is independently hydrogen or C1-5 alkyl; or, independently, each of R7 and R8, R21 and R22 and R24 and R25 are taken together to form an optionally substituted 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring, which ring is saturated, unsaturated or aromatic.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein at least one of R7 and R8, R21 and R22, and R24 and R25 taken together, is morpholinyl, piperidinyl, or pyrrolidinyl.
13. A method according to claim 1, wherein R9, R23, R26, and R27 are each independently C1-5 alkyl.
14. A method according to claim 1, wherein G is C3-4 alkanediyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy, (L)-C1-5 alkyloxy-, or (L)-C1-5 alkyleneamino-.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein G is C3alkanediyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy, (L)-C1-5 alkyloxy-, or (L)-C1-5 alkyleneamino-.
16. A method according to claim 1, wherein X is nitrogen.
17. A method according to claim 1, wherein Y is CR13.
18. A method according to claim 1, wherein Z is CR14.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein X is CH.
20. A method according to claim 1, wherein R12 is hydrogen, R23O(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R22NH(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R23SO2NH, R23SO, or R23SO2, and R13 is hydrogen, R44O(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R43NH(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R44SO2NH, R44SO, or R44SO2.
21. A method according to claim 1, wherein R14 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-5 alkoxy, C1-5 alkyl, cyano, nitro, R26O(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R25NH(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R26SO2NH, or R24R25N.
22. A method according to claim 21, wherein R14 is halogen, R26O(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R25NH(C\u2550O)NH\u2014, R26SO2NH, or R24R25N.
23. A method according to claim 1, wherein Ar represents a monocyclic ring, optionally substituted with between 1 and 2 substituents selected independently from halogen, C1-5 alkyl, cyano, nitro, R15R16N, CF3, and OCF3.
24. A method according to claim 23, wherein Ar is a six membered ring substituted with between 1 and 2 substituents selected from halo, CF3, and OCF3, said substitutent or substitutents being at the 4-position or at the 3- and 4-positions, respectively.
25. A method according to claim 1, wherein W is SO2, C\u2550O, or CHR20.
26. A method according to claim 1, wherein W is a covalent bond.
27. A method according to claim 1, wherein W and R1 taken together are formula (I)(a).
28. A method according to claim 1, wherein W and R1 taken together are formula (I)(b).
29. A method according to claim 1, wherein one of R3 and R4 is hydrogen; Ar represents a monocyclic ring, optionally substituted with between 1 and 2 substituents selected from halogen, C1-5 alkyl cyano, nitro, R15R16N, CF3, and OCF3; R12 is hydrogen, R23SO, or R23SO2; R13 is hydrogen, R44SO, or R44SO2; R14 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-5 alkoxy, C1-5 alkyl, cyano, nitro, or R24R25N; and G is C3-4 alkanediyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy, C1-3 alkyl, (L)-C1-5 alkyloxy, or (L)-C1-5 alkyleneamino-.
30. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of R3 and R4 is hydrogen; Ar represents a six membered ring, optionally substituted with between 1 and 2 substituents selected from halogen, C1-5 alkyl, cyano, nitro, R15R16N, CF3, and OCF3; R12 is hydrogen, R23SO, or R23SO2; R13 is hydrogen, R44SO, or R44SO2; R14 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-5 alkoxy, C1-5 alkyl, cyano, nitro, or R24R25N; and G is C3 alkanediyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy, (L)-C1-5 alkyloxy-, or (L)-C1-5 alkylamino.
31. A method according to claim 30 wherein Ar is phenyl.
32. A method according to claim 31, wherein W and R\u2032 taken together are formula (I)(b).
33. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is selected from:
1-4-(2-Amino-6-chloro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propan-2-ol;
1-3-Chloro-2-(4-{3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-3-methyl-urea;
1-3-Chloro-2-(4-{2-hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-3-methyl-urea;
3-Amino-2-(4-{2-hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester;
3-Chloro-2-(4-{3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenylamine;
1-2-(4-{3-3-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-5-methanesulfonyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-3-chloro-phenyl-3-methyl-urea;
and 1-{3-4-(2-Chloro-6-methanesulfonylamino-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid amide.
34. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is selected from:
3-Chloro-2-(4-{3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-carbamic acid methyl ester;
1-3-(4-Benzodisothiazol-3-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid amide;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-3-nitro-benzoic acid methyl ester;
1-4-(2-Chloro-6-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propan-2-ol;
2-(4-{2-Hydroxy-3-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-5-methanesulfonyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
3-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid amide;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
2-(4-{3-3-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-methanesulfonyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-{3-4-(3,5-Dichloro-pyridin-4-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine;
2-(4-{3-5-Methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
N-3-Chloro-2-(4-{3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-methanesulfonamide;
3-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid amide;
and 3-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-cyano-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid amide.
35. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is selected from:
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-ethanone;
1-{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-methoxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-ethanone;
1-1-{2-Hydroxy-3-4-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-1-2-Hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
1-1-2-(2-piperazin-1-yl-ethylamino)-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-{3-4-(2-Cyano-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;
1-{3-4-(2-Cyano-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid amide;
Carbamic acid 1-5-carbamoyl-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-ylmethyl-2-4-(2-cyano-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-ethyl ester;
1-{3-(3-Amino-4-chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-ethanone;
(R)-1-(3-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(5-chloro-2-methyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-fluoro-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
(3-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-cyano-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-oxo-acetic acid methyl ester;
5-Methanesulfonyl-1-{3-4-(2-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine;
1-3-Chloro-2-(4-{3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-3-methyl-urea;
1-{3-4-(2-Chloro-6-methanesulfonylamino-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-sulfonic acid amide;
N-3-Chloro-2-(4-{2-hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-methanesulfonamide;
1-4-(2,6-Dinitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propan-2-ol;
2-(4-{2-Hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-3-methanesulfonylamino-benzoic acid methyl ester;
1-{3-4-(1,1-Dioxo-1H-1\u03bb6-benzodisothiazol-3-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine;
1-1-{3-4-(6-Chloro-benzothiazol-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone; and
1-1-3-(4-Benzodisoxazol-3-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-propyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone.
36. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is selected from:
N-3-Chloro-2-(4-{2-hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-methanesulfonamide;
1-3-(4-Benzodisothiazol-3-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid amide; and
1-3-Chloro-2-(4-{2-hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-3-methyl-urea.
37. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is selected from:
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{4-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-butyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-1-(3-{4-Bis-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(3-chloro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-ethanone;
1-1-3-(4-Benzhydryl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-propyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-(3-{4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-phenyl-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(9H-fluoren-9-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-1-3-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-propyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-1-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propan-1-one;
1-1-{2-Hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
4-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-1-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-butan-1-one;
1-(1-{2-Hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-p-tolyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-pyridin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-ethanone;
1-(3-Biphenyl-4-yl-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone
1-(1-{2-Hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-phenyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-1-{2-Hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-1-2-Hydroxy-3-(4-pyridin-4-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propan-2-one;
3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;
1-(1-{2-Hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-tert-Butyl-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-butan-1-one;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-propan-1-one;
(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-methanone;
3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid amide;
1-3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propan-2-ol;
1-(3-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-1-{2-Hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-1-{2-Hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-nitro-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2,4-difluoro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone; and
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile.
38. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is selected from:
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-4-p-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-ethanone;
1-{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-4-m-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(4-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(3-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(3,5-dichloro-pyridin-4-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{4-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-but-2-enyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
4-(5-Acetyl-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-3-yl)-benzonitrile;
1-{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-pyrimidin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-ethanone;
1-(3-(2,4-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(2,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
2-(4-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-5,6-dihydro-4H-cyclopentapyrazol-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
2-(4-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-5,6-dihydro-4H-cyclopentapyrazol-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenol;
1-(3-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-(2-methyl-allyloxy)-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-ethanone;
1-1-2-Benzyloxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
Acetic acid 1-5-acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-ylmethyl-2-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl ester;
Morpholine-4-carboxylic acid 1-5-acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-ylmethyl-2-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl ester;
Benzoic acid 1-5-acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl methyl-2-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl ester;
Benzoyl-carbamic acid 1-5-acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl methyl-2-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl ester;
1-(3-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(3-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
tert-Butyl-carbamic acid 1-5-acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl methyl-2-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl ester;
Carbonic acid 1-5-acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-ylmethyl-2-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl ester methyl ester;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{4-4-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-but-2-enyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
2-(4-{4-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-but-2-enyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{4-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-but-2-enyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-30 propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{5-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-pentyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-{6-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-hexyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
2-1-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-ylmethyl-2-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethoxy-acetamide;
1-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-ylmethyl-2-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethoxy-acetic acid;
1-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-ylmethyl-2-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethoxy-acetonitrile;
1-1-{3-4-(2-Bromo-benzenesulfonyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
2-(4-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-indazol-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
2-(4-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-indazol-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenol; and
3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid dimethylamide.
39. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is selected from:
1-1-2-Azido-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-1-2-Amino-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-methylamino-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-ethanone;
3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid amide;
1-2-Hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
1-1-{3-4-(2-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
1-3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-5-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propan-2-ol;
1-{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-2-phenyl-ethanone;
1-3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-5-methanesulfonyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propan-2-ol;
1-1-{3-4-(2-Amino-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
N-2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-methanesulfonamide;
N-2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-acetamide;
1-2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-3-isopropyl-urea;
3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid methylamide;
3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid hydrazide;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-phenoxy-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid phenethyl-amide;
3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid (4-methoxy-phenyl)-amide;
3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carbothioic acid methylamide;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-3-nitro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
1-2-Hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethylamide;
N-(5-{5-Acetyl-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-3-yl}-2-chloro-phenyl)-methanesulfonamide;
1-{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-(1-ethyl-pyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl)-amino-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-ethanone;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-trifluoromethylsulfanyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(3-amino-4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid isopropylamide;
3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid phenylamide;
1-3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propan-2-ol;
1-3-(4-Iodo-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propan-2-ol;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
1-1-{2-Hydroxy-3-4-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-3-(4-Iodo-phenyl)-5-methanesulfonyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propan-2-ol;
1-2-Hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid amide;
1-2-Hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester;
1-2-Hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid methylamide;
N-5-(5-Acetyl-1-{3-4-(2-cyano-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-3-yl)-2-chloro-phenyl-methanesulfonamide;
1-(5-{5-Acetyl-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-3-yl}-2-chloro-phenyl)-3-ethyl-urea; and
1-5-(5-Acetyl-1-{3-4-(2-cyano-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-3-yl)-2-chloro-phenyl-3-ethyl-urea.
40. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is selected from:
N-(5-{5-Acetyl-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-3-yl}-2-chloro-phenyl)-acetamide;
Acetic acid 2-5-acetyl-3-(3-amino-4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-1-4-(2-cyano-phenyl)-piperazin-1-ylmethyl-ethyl ester;
N-5-(5-Acetyl-1-{3-4-(2-cyano-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-3-yl)-2-chloro-phenyl-acetamide;
N-2-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-1-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-ethyl-methanesulfonamide;
1-{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethylamino)-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-ethanone;
1-{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-(2-dimethylamino-ethylamino)-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl}-ethanone;
Carbonic acid 2-5-acetyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-1-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-ethyl ester methyl ester;
Carbamic acid 2-5-acetyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-1-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-ethyl ester;
1-5-Ethanesulfonyl-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propan-2-ol;
1-2-Hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester;
1-5-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propan-2-ol;
1-{3-4-(2-Cyano-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid methylamide;
1-3-(4-lodo-phenyl)-5-(propane-2-sulfonyl)-4, 5, 6, 7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propan-2-ol;
1-{3-4-(2-Cyano-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carbonitrile;
4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid o-tolylamide;
4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid (2-methoxy-phenyl)-amide;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(3-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-benzonitrile;
1-(3-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-bromo-3-methyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-2-hydroxy-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxamidine;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(3,4-difluoro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(3,5-dichloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
2-{4-3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethoxy)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-benzonitrile;
2-(4-{2-Hydroxy-3-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)-5-trifluoromethanesulfonyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(3-chloro-4-methyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
N-4-(5-Acetyl-1-{3-4-(2-cyano-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-3-yl)-phenyl-acetamide;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-bromo-3-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
1-(3-(3-Chloro-4-methyl-phenyl)-1-{2-hydroxy-3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
1-1-{3-4-(2-Azido-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(3-azido-4-chloro-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
5-Methanesulfonyl-1-3-(4-o-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine;
5-Methanesulfonyl-1-{3-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine;
1-1-{2-Hydroxy-3-4-(2-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-nitro-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
3-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;
3-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine;
1-(3-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone; and
3-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-5-methanesulfonyl-1-{3-4-(2-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine.
41. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is selected from:
3-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;
3-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-sulfonic acid amide;
1-(3-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(2-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl)-ethanone;
3-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-5-methanesulfonyl-1-{3-4-(2-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine;
3-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-1-{3-4-(1,1-dioxo-1H-1\u03bb6-benzodisothiazol-3-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-5-methanesulfonyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine;
1-1-3-(4-Benzodisothiazol-3-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-3-(4-Benzodisothiazol-3-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-5-methanesulfonyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine;
1-3-(4-Benzodisothiazol-3-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;
1-3-(4-Benzodisothiazol-3-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine;
1-3-Chloro-2-(4-{3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo(4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-3-methyl-urea;
3-Chloro-2-(4-{3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-urea;
3-Chloro-2-(4-{3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-carbamic acid methyl ester;
1-3-Chloro-2-(4-{2-hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-3-methyl-urea;
N-3-Chloro-2-(4-{3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-methanesulfonamide;
1-4-(2,6-Dimethyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propan-2-ol;
1-1-{3-4-(2,6-Dimethyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
2-(4-{2-Hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-isophthalonitrile;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-isophthalonitrile;
1-4-(2-Ch loro-6-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propan-2-ol;
1-4-(2-Amino-6-chloro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propan-2-ol;
3-Chloro-2-(4-{2-hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester;
3-Chloro-2-(4-{2-hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-N-methyl-benzamide;
3-Chloro-2-(4-{2-hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl-morpholin-4-yl-methanone;
1-4-(2-Chloro-6-morpholin-4-ylmethyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propan-2-ol;
3-Chloro-2-(4-{2-hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-N-pyridin-4-ylmethyl-benzamide;
2-(4-{2-Hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-3-nitro-benzoic acid methyl ester;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-3-nitro-benzoic acid methyl ester;
3-Acetylamino-2-(4-{2-hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester;
2-(4-{2-Hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-3-methanesulfonylamino-benzoic acid methyl ester;
2-(4-{2-Hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-3-nitro-benzamide;
2-(4-{2-Hydroxy-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-3-(3-methyl-ureido)-benzoic acid methyl ester;
1-4-(2,6-Dinitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-3-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-propan-2-ol;
1-1-{3-4-(2,6-Dinitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-1-{3-4-(3,5-Dichloro-pyridin-4-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-{3-4-(3,5-Dichloro-pyridin-4-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine;
1-1-{3-4-(3,5-Dichloro-pyridin-4-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethylsulfanyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-1-{3-4-(3,5-Dichloro-pyridin-4-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
2-(4-{3-5-Acetyl-3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-1-yl-2-azido-propyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-benzonitrile;
1-1-{2-Hydroxy-3-4-(6-nitro-benzothiazol-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-1-{2-Hydroxy-3-4-(6-methoxy-benzothiazol-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridin-5-yl-ethanone;
1-{3-4-(1,1-Dioxo-1H-1\u03bb6-benzodisothiazol-3-yl)-piperazin-1-yl-propyl}-5-methanesulfonyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine; and
1-3-(4-Benzodisothiazol-3-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl-3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo4,3-cpyridine-5-carboxylic acid amide.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. An obstacle detecting apparatus comprising:
a distance image obtaining section having a distance sensor, for measuring the distance of each measurement point of objects existing in a visual field in front of the distance sensor and obtaining a three-dimensional coordinate value for each measurement point, and generating a distance image based on the three-dimensional coordinate values of the measurement points;
a histogram generating section for:
projecting each measurement point of the objects onto a predetermined plane which is divided into grid cells; and
calculating the number of the measurement points projected onto each grid cell in the plane, and generating a three-dimensional histogram indicating the distribution of the measurement points in the grid cells; and

an obstacle map generating section for extracting one or more obstacles and generating an obstacle map based on the histogram, where the positional relationship between the distance sensor and each obstacle is determined by the obstacle map.
2. An obstacle detecting apparatus comprising:
a distance image obtaining section having a distance sensor, for measuring the distance of each measurement point of objects existing in a visual field in front of the distance sensor and obtaining a three-dimensional coordinate value for each measurement point, and generating a distance image based on the three-dimensional coordinate values of the measurement points;
a histogram generating section for:
projecting each measurement point of the objects onto at least one of predetermined horizontal and vertical planes, where each plane is divided into grid cells, and the resolution of the divided grid cells is lower than the measurement resolution of the distance sensor; and
calculating the number of the measurement points projected onto each grid cell in the relevant plane, and generating a three-dimensional histogram indicating the distribution of the measurement points in the grid cells;

a binary converting section for converting the histogram to binary data by comparing the histogram with a predetermined threshold value; and
an obstacle map generating section for extracting one or more obstacles by performing a clustering operation on the binary data obtained by the binary converting section, and generating an obstacle map by which the positional relationship between the distance sensor and each obstacle is determined.
3. An obstacle detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:
a correcting section for correcting the number of the measurement points projected onto each grid cell, calculated by the histogram generating section, based on the distance from the distance sensor to each measurement point.
4. A vehicle drive control apparatus comprising an obstacle detecting apparatus as claimed in one of claims 2 and 3, comprising:
a movement control section for controlling the driving of a vehicle by referring to the obstacle map and controlling the vehicle to avoid the obstacles defined in the obstacle map.
5. A self-controlled robot comprising an obstacle detecting apparatus as claimed in one of claims 2 and 3, comprising:
a movement control section for controlling the movement of the robot by referring to the obstacle map and making the robot avoid the obstacles defined in the obstacle map.
6. An obstacle detecting method comprising:
a distance image obtaining step of measuring the distance of each measurement point of objects existing in a visual field in front of a distance sensor and obtaining a three-dimensional coordinate value for each measurement point, and generating a distance image based on the three-dimensional coordinate values of the measurement points;
a histogram generating step of:
projecting each measurement point of the objects onto a predetermined plane which is divided into grid cells; and
calculating the number of the measurement points projected onto each grid cell in the plane, and generating a three-dimensional histogram indicating the distribution of the measurement points in the grid cells; and

an obstacle map generating step of extracting one or more obstacles and generating an obstacle map based on the histogram, where the positional relationship between the distance sensor and each obstacle is determined by the obstacle map.
7. An obstacle detecting method comprising:
a distance image obtaining step of measuring the distance of each measurement point of objects existing in a visual field in front of a distance sensor and obtaining a three-dimensional coordinate value for each measurement point, and generating a distance image based on the three-dimensional coordinate values of the measurement points;
a histogram generating step of:
projecting each measurement point of the objects onto at least one of predetermined horizontal and vertical planes, where each plane is divided into grid cells, and the resolution of the divided grid cells is lower than the measurement resolution of the distance sensor; and
calculating the number of the measurement points projected onto each grid cell in the relevant plane, and generating a three-dimensional histogram indicating the distribution of the measurement points in the grid cells;

a binary converting step of converting the histogram to binary data by comparing the histogram with a predetermined threshold value; and
an obstacle map generating step of extracting one or more obstacles by performing the clustering operation of the binary data obtained in the binary converting step, and generating an obstacle map by which the positional relationship between the distance sensor and each obstacle is determined.
8. An obstacle detecting method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:
a correcting step of correcting the number of the measurement points projected onto each grid cell, calculated in the histogram generating step, based on the distance from the distance sensor to each measurement point.
9. A computer readable storage medium storing a program for making a computer execute an operation of detecting obstacles existing in a visual field of a distance sensor, the operation comprising:
a distance image obtaining step of measuring the distance of each measurement point of objects existing in a visual field in front of a distance sensor and obtaining a three-dimensional coordinate value for each measurement point, and generating a distance image based on the three-dimensional coordinate values of the measurement points;
a histogram generating step of:
projecting each measurement point of the objects onto a predetermined plane which is divided into grid cells; and
calculating the number of the measurement points projected onto each grid cell in the plane, and generating a three-dimensional histogram indicating the distribution of the measurement points in the grid cells; and

an obstacle map generating step of extracting one or more obstacles and generating an obstacle map based on the histogram, where the positional relationship between the distance sensor and each obstacle is determined by the obstacle map.
10. A computer readable storage medium storing a program for making a computer execute an operation of detecting obstacles existing in a visual field of a distance sensor, the operation comprising:
a distance image obtaining step of measuring the distance of each measurement point of objects existing in a visual field in front of a distance sensor and obtaining a three-dimensional coordinate value for each measurement point, and generating a distance image based on the three-dimensional coordinate values of the measurement points;
a histogram generating step of:
projecting each measurement point of the objects onto at least one of predetermined horizontal and vertical planes, where each plane is divided into grid cells, and the resolution of the divided grid cells is lower than the measurement resolution of the distance sensor; and
calculating the number of the measurement points projected onto each grid cell in the relevant plane, and generating a three-dimensional histogram indicating the distribution of the measurement points in the grid cells;