Disclosed are 3-(alkoxycarbonyloxy)-1-(alkyl)-1-azonia-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives as represented by the general formula (I), wherein A is (a) optionally substituted aryl, (b) optionally substituted heteroaryl, (c) arylalkyl, (d) heteroarylalkyl, or (e) a group of the formula -CH(R3)(R4)； R is a residue selected from: alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl each of which is optionally substituted with a group selected from: amino, NR1R2, CONR1R2, NR2COR1, OH, SOR1, SO2R1, SH, CN, NO2, an alicyclic compound, Z-R1 or cycloalkyl； and X is a physiologically acceptable anion. Representative compounds include (R)-3-[(3-fluoro-phenyl)-m-tolyl-methoxycarbonyloxy]-1-(2-oxo-2-thiophen-2-yl-ethyl)-1-azonia-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane chloride, (R)-3-[bis-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-methoxycarbonyloxy]-1-(2-oxo-2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-1-azonia-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane bromide, (R)-3-[bis-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-methoxycarbonyloxy]-1-(2-phenoxy-ethyl)-1-azonia-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane bromide, (R)-3-(3-bromo-benzyloxycarbonyloxy)-1-(2-oxo-2-thiophen-2-yl-ethyl)-1-azonia-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane chloride, and (R)-3-(9H-fluoren-9-yloxycarbonyloxy)-1-methyl-1-azonia-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane iodide. Further disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound as defined above in admixture with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or excipients, for the prevention and/or treatment of any broncho-obstructive or inflammatory disease such as asthma, chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
