The present invention provides novel tricyclic pyridyl carboxamides as well as methods and pharmaceutical compositions utilizing them compounds for the treatment and/or prevention and/or suppression of disorders which may be remedied or alleviated by oxytocin antagonist activity, including prevention and/or suppression of preterm labor, suppression of labor at term prior to caesarean delivery, and for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. These compounds are also useful in enhancing fertility rates, enhancing survival rates and synchronizing estrus in farm animals; and may be useful in the prevention and treatment of disfunctions of the oxytocin system in the central nervous system including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Compounds of formula I and methods for their preparation are disclosed. Further disclosed are methods of making biologically active compounds of formula I as well as pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising compounds of formula I. Compounds of formula I as disclosed herein can be used in a variety of applications including use as antibacterial agents.