The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) or (Ia) which are ligands binding to the HDM2 protein, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation, and having therapeutic utility in cancer therapy and prevention. Compounds of formula (I) or (Ia) can be used as therapeutics for treating stroke, myocardial infarction, ischemia, multi-organ failure, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's Disease, injury from ischemic events and heart valvular degenerative disease. Moreover, compounds of formula (I) or (Ia) can be used to decrease the side effects from cytotoxic cancer agents, radiation and to treat viral infections.
