Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing them

This invention relates to a new therapeutic use of aminophosphonate compounds for lowering plasma and tissue levels of lipoprotein(a). In particular, this invention provides a new use of aminophosphonate derivatives, for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions useful in the treatment of diseases or disorders associated with high plasma and tissue concentrations of lipoprotein(a); such as, for instance artherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis after angioplasty and stroke. This invention also provides a method for increasing thrombolysis and preventing thrombosis and a method of treatment of restenosis after angioplasty by administering to a patient in need thereof an aminophosphonate compound at a dose effective for lowering plasma and tissue lipoprotein(a) levels. In addition, this invention also provides a group of new aminophosphonate compounds for use in the above mentioned uses and compositions. Aminophosphonates alpha substituted by phenol groups of formula (I) have lipoprotein(a) lowering activity.