The present invention relates to novel benzimidazole derivatives, their preparation, their use as pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical compositions containing them, wherein the compounds have the formula (I):
in which the substitutents are as defined in claim
1
and salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula:
where R
1
-R
6
, a, b, and X are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds.