Inhibitors of protein farnesyltransferase and squalene synthase

The present invention provides a compound of the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which are useful in inhibiting protein farnesyltransferase and the farnesylation of the oncogene protein Ras or inhibiting de novo squalene production resulting in the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis, processes for the preparation of the compounds of the invention in addition to intermediates useful in these processes, a pharmaceutical composition, and to methods of using such compounds. The present invention provides a compound of the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which are useful in inhibiting protein farnesyltransferase and the farnesylation of the oncogene protein Ras or inhibiting de novo squalene production resulting in the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis, processes for the preparation of the compounds of the invention in addition to intermediates useful in these processes, a pharmaceutical composition, and to methods of using such compounds.