Disclosed are 2-aryl-6-phenyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives as represented by the general formula (I), wherein: R1 is a phenyl or a naphthyl group which may be optionally substituted and wherein the remaining substituents are as defined herein. Representative compounds include those such as { 3-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl]-2-fluorophenyl} methanol, [2-fluoro-3-[2-(naphth-2-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl]phenyl]methanol, 1-{ 4-fluoro-3-[2-(3-methoxyphenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl]phenyl} ethanol and 2-{ 3-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl]-2,6-difluorophenyl} propan-2 ol. Further disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition, which comprises a compound of formula (I) as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and also at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, for the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory diseases, osteoporosis and / or cancers.
