The present patent application relates to the use of an innovative amino acid derivative of glucosamine having the Formula 1 of the general structure which follows, or of a pharmaceutical composition which contains it as a single active ingredient or in association with one or more further active ingredients for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases involved mainly with the regulation of the turnover of macromolecules that make up the ECM of connective tissue in general and more specifically of the cartilage.