Disclosed herein is an adamantlyl derivative of formula (I), wherein A1 is formyl or alkyl substituted with cyano, sulfanylidene, or sulfo and the other substituents are as defined within the specification processes for their preparation, compositions comprising said compounds and uses thereof. Said compounds are useful as inhibitors of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme and are therefore useful in the treatment of non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, lipid disorders, metabolic syndrome, onset of cognitive decline, dementia, steroid-induced actue psychosis, depression, anxiety or a condition that involves excessive glucocorticoid action. Examples of preferred compounds include: · E-4-[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methyl-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carbaldehyde · E-{ 4-[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methyl-propionylamino]-adamantan-1-yl} -acetonitrile · N-{ (E)-5-[(thioacetyl)methyl]-2-adamantyl} -2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanamide · N-{ (E)-5 -[(sulfonic acid)methyl] -2-adamantyl} -2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanamide · ((E)-4-{ [2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl] amino} -1-adamantyl)acetic acid · 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-N-[(E)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-methylpropanamide and · E-4-[2-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)-2-methyl-propionylamino]-adamantane-carbonitrile.
