The invention provides compounds of the formula: (I) having
protein kinase B inhibiting activity: wherein A is a saturated
hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, the
linker group having a maximum
chain length of 5 atoms extending between Rand NR<2>R<3> and a maximum
chain length of 4 atoms extending between E and NR<2>R<3>, wherein one of the carbon atoms in the
linker group may optionally be replaced by an
oxygen or
nitrogen atom; and wherein the carbon atoms of the inker group A may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from oxo,
fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the
hydroxy group when present is not located at a
carbon atom a with respect to the NR<2>R<3> group and provided that the oxo group when present is located at a
carbon atom a with respect to the NR<2>R<3> group; E is a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group; R is an
aryl or heteroaryl group; and R<2>, R<3>, R<4> and R<5> are as defined in the claims. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, methods for preparing the compounds and their use as anticancer agents.