Disclosed are ´-amino-³-hydroxy-É-aryl-alkanoic acid amide compounds of formula (I) and the salts thereof, having renin-inhibiting properties. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of administering them for the treatment of hypertension, atherosclerosis, unstable coronary syndrome, congestive heart failure, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, cardiomyopathy postinfarction, unstable coronary syndrome, diastolic dysfunction, chronic kidney disease, hepatic fibrosis, complications resulting from diabetes, such as nephropathy, vasculopathy and neuropathy, diseases of the coronary vessels, restenosis following angioplasty, raised intra-ocular pressure, glaucoma, abnormal vascular growth, hyperaldosteronism, cognitive impairment, alzheimers, dementia, anxiety states and cognitive disorders.