Tartrate salt of a substituted dipeptide as growthhormone secretagogue

This invention is directed to the (L)-tartaric acid salt of 2-amino-N-{1-(2,4-difluoro-benzyloxymethyl)-2-oxo-2-[3-oxo-3a-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-2-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethyl)-2,3,3a,4,6,7-hexahydro-pyrazolo{4,3-c}pyridin-5-yl]-ethyl]-2-methyl-propionamide which is a growth hormone secretagogue and as such is useful for increasing the level of endogenous growth hormone. In another aspect this invention provides certain intermediates which are useful in the synthesis of the foregoing compound. The (L)-tartaric acid salt of the compound of this invention is useful in the treatment and/or prevention of osteoporosis, insulin resistance and other conditions or diseases associated with growth hormone deficiency. The (L)-tartaric acid salt of the compound of the present invention is also useful in treating osteoporosis when used in combination with: a bisphosphonate compound; estrogen, Premarin, and optionally progesterone; an estrogen agonist or antagonist; or calcitonin. Further, the present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions. This invention is further directed to methods comprising administering to a human or other animal a combination of an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist and the (L)-tartaric acid salt of the compound of this invention.