Novel isoquinoline derivatives which are useful as inhibitors of protein kinases for experimental, medical, and drug design purposes are disclosed. Preferred compounds which are specific inhibitors of protein kinase B are also disclosed. Furthermore, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these protein kinase inhibitors, and methods of using such compositions for treatment and diagnosis of cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular pathologies, hemorrhagic shock, obesity, inflammatory diseases, diseases of the central nervous system, and autoimmune diseases, are also disclosed.