WO2000049008A1

WO2000049008A1 - Di- and tripeptide nitrile derivatives as inhibitors of cathepsin l and cathepsin s

Info

Publication number: WO2000049008A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/000529
Authority: WO
Inventors: Howard Tucker; Michael Stewart Large; John Oldfield; Craig Johnstone; Philip Neil Edwards
Original assignee: Astrazeneca Ab
Priority date: 1999-02-20
Filing date: 2000-02-16
Publication date: 2000-08-24
Also published as: EP1155011A1; AU2560000A; JP2002537294A

Abstract

A compound of formula (I), wherein R?1, R2, R3, AA1, AA2¿ and r are defined; a composition comprising a compound of formula (I) and a carrier or diluent; a compound of formula (I) for use as a medicament; the use of a compound of formula (I) in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the inhibition of a cysteine protease in a warm blooded animal; the use of a compound of formula (I) in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a warm blooded animal; and a method of treating a Cathepsin L or Cathepsin S mediated disease state in mammals which comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of formula (I).

Description

DI- AND TRIPEPTIDE NITRILE DERIVATIVES AS INHIBITORS OF CATHEPSIN L AND CATHEPSIN S

The present invention relates to compounds that are cysteine protease inhibitors and in particular compounds that are Cathepsin L inhibitors and or Cathepsin S inhibitors especially Cathepsin S inhibitors. The invention further relates to processes for their preparation, to intermediates useful in their preparation, to their use as therapeutic agents, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and to a method of treating a Cathepsin L or Cathepsin S mediated disease state.

Cysteine proteases are enzymes important in normal cell physiology, but they are also associated with several disease states including inflammation, metastasis, tissue damage following myocardial infarction, bone resorption and muscle wasting in dystrophic diseases.

Cathepsins B, H, K, L, N and S are cysteinyl proteases involved in normal protein degradation and are normally located in the lysosomes of cells. However, when these enzymes are found outside the lysosomes they have been implicated as playing a causative role in a number of disease states including bone resorption disease such as osteoporosis.

The number of people living to an old age has increased dramatically in recent years. This has been marked by an increase in the number of people having osteoporosis and other diseases associated with old age. Osteoporosis is accompanied by a high incidence of bone fracture resulting in many aged patients being confined to their beds. There is therefore a great need for a pharmaceutical composition to treat or prevent this disease.

Living bone is continuously being remodelled and replenished by the process of resorption and deposition of the protein matrix and calcium minerals. These events are facilitated by the osteoclast, which has the ability to degrade and demineralise the bone, and the osteoblast which is responsible for new bone generation. In normal situations these processes are intimately linked resulting in little alteration of bone mass. However, pathological conditions exist in which there is an imbalance between their activities resulting in increased degradation and demineralisation of bone and the development of fragile and/or brittle bone structure, as seen during osteoporosis. While the exact mechanism for this resorption is not known, increased osteoclast activity, as realised by increased proteolytic activity, is a contributing factor, and selective inhibition of proteolytic action may result in the arrest or reversal of bone loss. The lysosomal cysteine proteinases, Cathepsins B, H, K, L, N and S have been postulated as the proteinases that are responsible for osteoclast bone resorption, because of their ability to degrade insoluble type I collagens at low pH.

Cathepsins B, H, K, L, N and S have been further implicated as playing a causative role in other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, tumour metastasis, pneumocystitis, Crithidia fusiculata, malaria, trypanosoma brucei brucei, schistosomiasis, periodontal disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy and muscular dystrophy. Cathepsins B, H, K, L, N and S, either alone or together, have also been implicated as playing a causative role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In recent years a number of synthetic inhibitors of cysteine proteases have been disclosed. US 5,055,451 discloses a series of peptidyl methyl ketones as thiol protease inhibitors; WO 95/15749 discloses peptidyl ketones with heterocyclic leaving groups as cysteine protease inhibitors; the in vivo inhibition of Cathepsin B by peptidyl (acyloxy) methyl ketones was discussed in J. Med. Chem. 1994, 37, 1833-40 and these types of compounds as inhibitors of cysteine protease inhibitors were also discussed in J. Am. Chem. Soc, 1988, 110, 4429-4431 ; peptidyl diazomethyl ketones as specific inactivators of thiol proteinases was discussed in J. Biol. Chem., 1981, 256, 4, 1923-8 and in Methods in Enzymology, 1981, 80, 820-5; the inhibiting activities of l-peptidyl-2-haloacetyl hydrazines towards Cathepsin B and calpains was discussed in Eur. J. Med. Chem. , 1993, 28 297-311 and peptidyl fluoromethyl ketones as inhibitors of Cathepsin B and the implication for treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis was discussed in Biochemical Pharmacology, 1992, 44, 6, 1201-7. Thus, there is a great need for a specific cysteine protease inhibitor, especially a Cathepsin L inhibitor or a Cathepsin S inhibitor.

The present invention discloses compounds with inhibitory activity of cysteine proteases and in particular of Cathepsin L and or Cathepsin S. The compounds of the invention are also useful in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Accordingly the present invention provides a compound of formula (I):

(I) wherein r is 0 or 1 ; R¹ is hydrogen, optionally substituted benzyl where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of C_1- alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cι,₆alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, C_1-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂amino, C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl, or R¹ is a group of formula (II):

(ID wherein R⁵ is Cι_-6alkyl (optionally substituted with an optionally substituted phenyl, an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring, optionally substituted phenoxy, optionally substituted phenylsulphonyl, optionally substituted C₃.₁₂cycloalkyl or Het), Cι_₆alkoxy, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted naphthyl, optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring, optionally substituted C _-12cycloalkyl, Het or optionally substituted phenylC_1-6alkoxy; where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cι_₆alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, C_1-6alkanoyloxy, amino, Cι_-6alkylamino, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl) amino, C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(Cι.₆alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1- alkylsulphinyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and N, N-(C i - alkyl)₂sulphamoyl ;

R² is H, Cι_-6alkyl [optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxy, Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, R⁴, R⁴Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl, R⁴C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, R⁴C_1-6alkylsulphonyl], or R² is Cι_-6alkoxy [optionally substituted with one or more of C_2-6alkenyl, C_2-6alkynyl, R⁴, R⁴C_2-6alkenyl, R⁴C_2-6alkynyl, Het and trifluoromethyl], or R² is C_2-6alkenyl, C_2-6alkynyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, R⁴, R⁴S, R⁴C_]-6alkylsulphanyl, N-(R⁴C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, N-(HetC_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl or Cι_-6alkylsulphonyl; R⁴ is an optionally substituted phenyl or an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms, said optional substituents being chosen from one or more of Cι_-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, C_1-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(Cι.₆alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N-(Cι-₆alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Ci-₆alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(Cι.₆alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; R³ is H or Ci-βalkyl;

(AA¹) and (AA²) are independently chosen from Ala, Arg, Cys, Gly, His, De, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, Val,

Ser(O'Bu), His(Bzl), Met(O),

Tyr Bu), Met(O₂),

Phe(S), Leu(S), Phe(CH₂S),

Cy(S)-Gly, Hetar(S)-Gly, alk(S)-Gly or

Het(S)-Gly, and Phe(CH₂CH₂)S; wherein Ring A is C_3-12cycloalkyl; Ring B is a 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring; Ring C is Het; V is Ci^alkyl excluding isopropyl; the nitrogen of the amino acid may optionally be alkylated with C_1- alkyl; the phenyl group of Phe(S) and Rings A and B are optionally substituted with one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, Cι_-6alkanoyl, C_1-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(C_1- alkyl)₂amino, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι_₆alkylsulphanyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphinyl, Cι- alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl or N,N-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group; the sulphur moiety in the o^pposition of the amino acid (AA³) may be optionally oxidised to form an -S(O)₂- or -S(O)- moiety; and Het is a fully saturated monocyclic 5 - 8 membered heterocyclic ring, with up to 4 ring heteroatoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In one aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (I):

(I) wherein: r is 0 or 1 ; R¹ is optionally substituted benzyl where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, d-βalkanoyl, C_1-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, N,N-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino, C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1- alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, ^alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl or R¹ is a group of formula (II):

(ID wherein R⁵ is C_1-6alkyl (optionally substituted with an optionally substituted phenyl, an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring, optionally substituted phenoxy, optionally substituted phenylsulphonyl, optionally substituted C_3-12cycloalkyl or Het), C_1-6alkoxy, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted naphthyl, optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring, optionally substituted C_3-12cycloalkyl, Het, optionally substituted phenylC_1-6alkoxy where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of Cι_-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, Cι_-6alkanoyl, Cι_-6alkanoyloxy, amino, Ci-ealkylamino, NN-(C]_-6alkyl)₂amino, C)_₆alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C]_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl, Ci-βalkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(Cι_₆alkyl)₂sulphamoyl;

R² is an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms said optional substituents being chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, Cι_-6alkanoyl, Cι_-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂amino, C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl,

C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl;

R³ is H; and

(AA¹) and (AA²) are independently chosen from Ala, Arg, Cys, Gly, His, De, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, Nal,

Lys(CHO), Arg(NO₂), β-Ala,

Ser(O'Bu), His(Bzl), Met(O),

Phe(S), Leu(S), Phe(CH₂S),

Cy(S)-Gly, Hetar(S)-Gly, alk(S)-Gly or

Het(S)-Gly; wherein Ring A is C_3-12cycloalkyl, Ring B is a 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring, Ring

C is Het, V is C_1-6alkyl excluding isopropyl, the nitrogen of the amino acid may optionally be alkylated with Cι_-6alkyl and the phenyl group of Phe(S) and Rings A and B may be optionally substituted with one or more of Cι_-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, C_1-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(Cι.₆alkyl)₂amino, C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl,

N-(Cι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι_₆alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl or the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In this specification the term 'alkyl' includes straight chained and branched structures and ring systems. For example, Cι_-6alkyl includes propyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, cyclopropyl and cyclohexyl. However, references to individual alkyl groups such as 'propyl' are specific for the straight chained version only, references to individual branched chain alkyl groups such as 'isopropyl' are specific for the branched chain version only and references to individual cycloalkyl groups such as cyclohexyl are specific to the cyclic groups only.

A similar convention applies to other radicals, for example "hydroxyC_1-6alkyl" includes 1-hydroxyethyl and 2-hydroxyethyl.

The term "halo" refers to fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo. "Het" means, unless otherwise further specified, a fully saturated monocyclic 5 - 8 membered heterocyclic ring, with up to 4 ring heteroatoms. Preferably these ring heteroatoms are selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. Examples of "Het" include pyrrolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl.

Unless otherwise defined standard amino acid abbreviations are used. For example "Ala" refers to alanine and "Gly" refers to glycine. "5- or 6- membered heteroaryl ring" means, unless otherwise further specified, a 5- or

6- membered ring that contains some degree of unsaturation, with up to four ring heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. Examples of "5- or 6- membered heteroaryl ring" include thienyl, furyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridinyl, pyrrolyl and pyrazolyl. Examples of "6 membered heteroaryl ring" include pyrimidinyl, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl and pyridazinyl. Examples of "5 membered heteroaryl ring" include thienyl, furyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrrolyl and oxadiazolyl.

Examples of "Cι_-6alkanoyloxy" are acetoxy and propionyloxy. Examples of "Cι- alkoxycarbonyl" include methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n- and t-butoxycarbonyl. Examples of "C_1-6alkoxy" include methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy. Examples of "Cι_-6alkanoylamino" include formamido, acetamido and propionylamino. Examples of "C_1-6alkylsulphanyl" include methylthio and ethylthio. Examples of "Cι_-6alkylsulphinyl" include methylsulphinyl and ethylsulphinyl. Examples of "C_1- alkylsulphonyl" include mesyl and ethylsulphonyl. Examples of "Cι_-6alkanoyl" include acetyl and propionyl. Examples of "C_1-6alkylamino" include methylamino and ethylamino. Examples of "N,N-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino" include N,N-dimethylamino, NN-diethylamino and N-ethyl-N-methylamino. Examples of "N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoylCι.₆alkyl" are 2-(methylamino)carbonylethyl and 3-(ethylamino)carbonylpropyl. Examples of "N,N-(C_1-6alkyl)₂carbamoylC_1-6alkyl" are 2-(dimethylamino)carbonylethyl and 3-(N-methyl-N-ethylamino)carbonylpropyl. Examples of "C_2-6alkenyl" are vinyl, allyl and 1-propenyl. Examples of "C_2-6alkynyl" are ethynyl, 1-propynyl and 2-propynyl. Examples of "N-(Cι,₆alkyl)carbamoyl" are N-methylaminocarbonyl and N-ethylaminocarbonyl. Examples of "N,N-(C_1- alkyl)₂carbamoyl" are NN-dimethylaminocarbonyl and N-methyl-N- ethylaminocarbonyl. Examples of

are N-methylsulphamoyl and N-ethylsulphamoyl. Examples of "NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl" are NN-dimethylsulphamoyl and NN-diethylsulphamoyl. Examples of "R Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl" include R⁴methylthio and 2- R⁴ethylthio. Examples of "R⁴Cι_-6alkylsulphinyl" include R⁴methylsulphinyl and 2- R⁴ethylsulphinyl. Examples of "R⁴Cι_-6alkylsulphonyl" include R⁴mesyl and 2- R⁴ethylsulphonyl. Examples of R⁴C_2- alkenyl are 2-R⁴vinyl arid 3-R⁴allyl. Examples of "R⁴C_2-6alkynyl" are 2-R⁴ethynyl and 3-R⁴propyn-l-yl. Examples of "N-(R⁴C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl" are R⁴methylaminocarbonyl and 2-R⁴ethylaminocarbonyl. Examples of "N-(HetCι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl" are morpholinomethylaminocarbonyl and 2- (piperidinoethyl)aminocarbonyl. Examples of "C_3-12cycloalkyl" are cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.

Where optional substituents are chosen from "one or more" groups it is to be understood that this definition includes all substituents being chosen from one of the specified groups or the substituents being chosen from two or more of the specified groups. For example where optional substituents are chosen from one or more halo, C_1-6alkoxy and

C]_-6alkyl, examples of possible combinations of substituents include 1) a bromo group, 2) two chloro groups, 3) a methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy substitutent, 4) a fluoro and a methoxy group, 5) a methoxy, a methyl and an ethyl group, and 6) a chloro, a methoxy and an ethyl group. According to a further feature of the invention there is provided a compound of formula (I) wherein: r is O or 1;

R¹ is optionally substituted benzyl where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of Cι_-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cj_-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, Cι_-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(Cι- alkyl)₂amino, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1- alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cr^alkylsulphanyl, C_1- alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1- alkyl)sulphamoyl and N,N-(C_1-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl or R¹ is a group of formula (II) wherein R⁵ is Cι_-6alkyl (optionally substituted with an optionally substituted phenyl, an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring, optionally substituted phenoxy or optionally substituted phenylsulphonyl), Cι- alkoxy, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted naphthyl, optionally substituted phenylC_1-6alkoxy where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of Cι- alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, C_1-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂amino, C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N-(Cι.₆alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphinyl,

sulphamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and N N-(C i _-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl ;

R² is H, C_1-6alkyl [optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxy, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, R⁴, R^^alkylsulphanyl, R⁴C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, R⁴C_1-6alkylsulphonyl], or R² is C_1-6alkoxy [optionally substituted with one or more of C_2- alkenyl, C_2-6alkynyl, R⁴, R⁴C_2-6alkenyl, R⁴C_2-6alkynyl, Het and trifluoromethyl], or R² is C_2- alkenyl, C_2-6alkynyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, R⁴, R⁴S, R⁴C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, N-(R⁴Cι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, N-(HetCι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, C_1-6alkanoylamino, C_)-6alkylsulphanyl, Ci-βalkylsulphinyl, C_]-6alkylsulphonyl wherein R⁴ is an optionally substituted phenyl, or an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms said optional substituents being chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cι_-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, Cι_-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, N,N-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂amino, C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Ci_-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl, -βalkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(C₁.₆alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; R³ is H or Cι.₆alkyl; and (AA¹) and (AA²) are independently chosen from Ala, Arg, Cys, Gly, His, De, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, Nal, Lys(CHO), Arg(ΝO₂), β-Ala, Ser(Bzl), Ph-Gly, Nle,

Ser(O^lBu), His(Bzl), Met(O), Cha, His(Me), Cit, Tyr(T3u), Met(O₂), Pyr-Ala, Phe(S), Leu(S) or Phe(CH₂S); wherein the nitrogen of the amino acid may optionally be alkylated with Ci. ₆alkyl and the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be optionally substituted with one or more of Cι_-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1- alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl,

amino, C_1-6alkylamino, N,N-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino, C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl,

NN-(C_1-6alkyl) carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl,

and NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl or the phenyl group may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferred values for R¹, r, AA¹, AA², R² and R³ are as follows. In one aspect of the invention preferably R¹ is optionally substituted benzyl where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, C_]-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino, C_1- alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1- alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl,

Cι- alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(C_1-6alkyl) sulphamoyl or R¹ is a group of formula (II) wherein R⁵ is C_1-6alkoxy, optionally substituted C_3-ι₂cycloalkyl or optionally substituted phenylC_1-6alkoxy where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl,

C).₆alkanoyloxy, amino, d^alkylamino, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl) amino, Cι_-6alkanoyl amino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι.₆alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl. Preferably R¹ is benzyl or a group of formula (II) wherein R⁵ is C_1-6alkyl (optionally substituted with a 6 membered heteroaryl ring, phenyl, phenylsulphonyl or phenoxy optionally substituted with one or more halo), C_1- alkoxy, phenyl (optionally substituted with one or more halo), naphthyl and phenylC_1-6alkoxy.

In another aspect of the invention preferably R¹ is benzyl or a group of formula (II) wherein R⁵ is C_1-6alkyl (optionally substituted with a 6 membered heteroaryl ring, phenyl, phenylsulphonyl, C_3-12cycloalkyl or phenoxy optionally substituted with one or more halo), C_1-6alkoxy, phenyl (optionally substituted with one or more halo), naphthyl, C_3-ι₂cycloalkyl, Het, and phenyl ^alkoxy .

More preferably R¹ is benzyl or a group of formula (II) wherein R⁵ is methyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 'butoxy, phenyl, 2,4-dichlorophenyl, naphthyl, benzyloxy, pyridylmethyl, benzyl, 2,4,6-trichlorophenoxymethyl and phenylsulphonylmethyl.

In another aspect of the invention more preferably R¹ is benzyl or a group of formula (II) wherein R⁵ is methyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 'butoxy, phenyl, 2,4-dichlorophenyl, naphthyl, benzyloxy, pyridylmethyl, benzyl, 2,4,6-trichlorophenoxymethyl, phenylsulphonylmethyl, morpholino, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexylmethyl and piperidino. Particularly R¹ is a group of formula (II) wherein R⁵ is methyl, oxy, benzyloxy and pyridylmethyl.

In another aspect of the invention particularly R¹ is a group of formula (II) wherein R⁵ is methyl, 'butoxy, benzyloxy, pyridylmethyl, morpholino, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexylmethyl and piperidino.

More particularly R¹ is a group of formula (II) wherein R⁵ is methyl, 'butoxy, benzyloxy and 4-pyridylmethyl.

In another aspect of the invention particularly R¹ is a group of formula (II) wherein R⁵ is morpholino, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexylmethyl and piperidino. In one aspect of the invention preferably r is 0.

In another aspect of the invention preferably r is 1.

Preferably AA¹ is Leu, Pyr-Ala and Phe wherein the nitrogen of the amino acid is optionally substituted with C_1-6alkyl.

More preferably AA¹ is Leu and the nitrogen of the amino acid is unsubstituted. Preferably AA² is Phe, Leu, De, Tyr, Tyr('Bu), Val, Cha, Leu(S), Phe(S) and

Phe(CH₂S) and the nitrogen of the amino acid is unsubstituted and the phenyl group of Phe(S) is optionally substituted with halo, Cι_-6alkyl or is fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group.

More preferably AA² is Tyr, Leu and Phe and the nitrogen of the amino acid is unsubstituted.

Preferred combinations of r, AA¹ and AA² are as follows.

When r = 0 preferably AA² is Phe, Leu, De, Val, Tyr, Tyr('Bu), Leu(S), Phe(S) and Phe(CH₂S) and the nitrogen of the amino acid is unsubstituted and the phenyl group of Phe(S) is optionally substituted with halo,

or is fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group.

When r = 0 more preferably NA² is Tyr.

When r = 1 preferably AA'-AA² is Leu-Leu, Pyr- Ala-Leu, Phe-Leu, Leu-Phe, Leu-De, Leu-Val, Leu-Cha and (Ν-Me)Leu-Leu.

When r = 1 more preferably AA*-NA² is Leu-Leu and Leu-Phe. In another aspect of the invention preferably (AA¹) and (AA²) are both independently selected from Phe(S), Leu(S), Phe(CH₂S), Cy(S)-Gly, Hetar(S)-Gly, alk(S)-Gly and Het(S)- Gly wherein Phe(S) and Rings A and B may be optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined and wherein the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group.

In a further aspect of the invention preferably r is 0 and (AA²) is selected from Phe(S),

Leu(S), Phe(CH₂S), Cy(S)-Gly, Hetar(S)-Gly, alk(S)-Gly and Het(S)-Gly wherein Phe(S) and Rings A and B may be optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined and wherein the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group.

Leu(S) and Phe(CH₂S) wherein Phe(S) may be optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined and wherein the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group.

In one aspect of the invention preferably R is Cι_₆alkoxy [optionally substituted with one or more of C_2-6alkenyl, C_2- alkynyl, R , R⁴C_2-6alkenyl, R⁴C_2-6alkynyl, Het and trifluoromethyl], or R² is C_2-6alkenyl, C_2-6alkynyl, carbamoyl, R⁴, R⁴S, R⁴C_1-6alkylsulphanyl,

Cι_-6alkanoylamino, Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1- alkylsulphonyl wherein R⁴ is an optionally substituted phenyl, or an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms said optional substituents being chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cι_-6alkoxy,

C_1-6alkanoyl, C_1-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(C)_-6alkyl)₂amino,

C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N-(Cι- alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1- alkylsulphanyl,

C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and

N N-(C ] _-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl .

Preferably R² is hydrogen, Cι_-6alkyl [optionally substituted with C_1-6alkylsulphanyl,

C_1-6alkylsulphonyl or R⁴],

[optionally substituted with C_2-6alkynyl] and R⁴- wherein R⁴ is an optionally substituted phenyl or an optionally substituted 5 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms said optional substituents being chosen from one or more of C]_-6alkyl and halo.

More preferably R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isobutyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrazolyl (optionally substituted with one or more of methyl and bromo), imidazolyl, 1,2,4- triazolyl, phenyl, benzyl, 2-methylthioethyl, methylthio, ethylthio, isopropylthio, mesylethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and 2-propynyloxy. Particularly R is furyl, pyrazolyl (optionally substituted with one or more of methyl and bromo), imidazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, benzyl, 2-methylthioethyl, isopropylthio, methoxy, isopropoxy and 2-propynyloxy.

More particularly R is fur-2-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, 3,5-dimethylpyrazol-l-yl, 4-bromo-3,5- dimethylpyrazol-1-yl, imidazol-1-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-l-yl, benzyl, methylthioethyl, isopropylthio, methoxy, isopropoxy and 2-propynyloxy.

In another aspect of the invention preferably R² is an optionally substituted 5 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms said optional substituents being chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, Cι_-6alkanoyl, C_1-6alkanoyloxy, amino, Cι_-6alkyl amino, NN-(Ci- alkyl)₂amino, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_)-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl, Cj_-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C]_-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl. More preferably R² is thienyl, furyl and pyrazolyl.

Particularly R² is thienyl.

Preferably R³ is hydrogen.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein: R¹ is a group of formula (II) wherein R⁵ is morpholino, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexylmethyl and piperidino; r is O or 1;

(AA¹) and (AA²) are both independently selected from Phe(S), Leu(S), Phe(CH₂S), Cy(S)-Gly, Hetar(S)-Gly, alk(S)-Gly and Het(S)-Gly wherein Phe(S) and Rings A and B may be optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined and wherein the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group;

R² is an optionally substituted 5 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms said optional substituents being chosen from one or more of Cι_-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cι_-6alkoxy, Cι_-6alkanoyl, C]_-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂amino, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1- alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι.₆alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C^alkylsulphanyl, Ci-βalkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and N,N-(C_1-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; and

R³ is hydrogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein:

R¹ is benzyl or a group of formula (II) wherein R⁵ is C_1-6alkyl (optionally substituted with a 6 membered heteroaryl ring, phenyl, phenylsulphonyl or phenoxy optionally substituted with one or more halo), C_1-6alkoxy, phenyl (optionally substituted with one or more halo), naphthyl or phenylC i _-6alkoxy; r is 0 or 1 ;

AA¹ is Leu, Pyr-Ala or Phe wherein the nitrogen of the amino acid is optionally substituted with Cι_-6alkyl;

AA² is Phe, Leu, De, Tyr, Tyr('Bu), Val, Cha, Leu(S), Phe(S) and Phe(CH₂S) and the nitrogen of the amino acid is unsubstituted and the phenyl group of Phe(S) is optionally substituted with halo, C_1-6alkyl or is fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group;

R² is hydrogen, C_1- alkyl [optionally substituted with Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphonyl or R⁴], C_1-6alkoxy [optionally substituted with C_2-6alkynyl,] or R⁴- wherein R⁴ is an optionally substituted phenyl or an optionally substituted 5 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms said optional substituents being chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl or halo; and

R³ is hydrogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A further preferred class of compounds is that of formula (I) wherein: R¹ is a group of formula (II) wherein R⁵ is methyl, 'butoxy, benzyloxy or pyridylmethyl; r is O or 1;

AA¹ is Leu wherein the nitrogen of the amino acid is unsubstituted;

AA² is Tyr, Leu or Phe wherein the nitrogen of the amino acid is unsubstituted; R² is furyl, pyrazolyl (optionally substituted with one or more methyl or bromo), imidazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, benzyl, methylthioethyl, isopropylthio, methoxy, isopropoxy or propynyloxy; and R is hydrogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In yet another aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (la):

wherein:

R is optionally substituted benzyl, optionally substituted phenoxymethyl, optionally substituted phenylsulphonylmethyl, optionally substituted benzyloxy, optionally substituted naphthyl, optionally substituted phenyl or t-butoxy where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of Cι_-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cι_-6alkoxy, Cι_-6alkanoyl, Cι_-6alkanoyloxy, amino, Cι.₆alkylamino, N,N-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Ci-βalkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and N N-(C i _-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl ;

R⁶ is hydrogen, optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms; said optional substituents being chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cι_-6alkoxy, Cι_-6alkanoyl, Cι_-6alkanoyloxy, amino, Cι_-6alkylamino, NN-(Cj_-6alkyl)₂amino, Cι- alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, Cι- alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl;

(AA³) is selected from:

Het(S)-Gly, and Phe(CH₂CH₂)S; wherein Ring A is C_3-1 cycloalkyl, Ring B is a 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring, Ring C is Het, V is Cι_-6alkyl excluding isopropyl; the nitrogen of the amino acid may optionally be alkylated with Cι_-6alkyl; the phenyl group of Phe(S) and Rings A and B may be optionally substituted with one or more of Cι_-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cι_-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, Cι_-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1- alkylamino, NN-(C]_-6alkyl) amino, Ci-βalkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl,

N-(Cι_₆alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1- alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1- alkylsulphanyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphinyl, Cι_₆alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group; and the sulphur moiety in the ^-position of the amino acid (AA) may be optionally oxidised to form an -S(O)₂- or -S(O)- moiety; and

Het is a fully saturated monocyclic 5 - 8 membered heterocyclic ring, with up to 4 ring heteroatoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In a still further aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (la):

wherein: R⁷ is optionally substituted benzyl, optionally substituted phenoxymethyl, optionally substituted phenylsulphonylmethyl, optionally substituted benzyloxy, optionally substituted naphthyl, optionally substituted phenyl or t-butoxy where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of Cι- alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cι_-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl,

amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino, C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Ci-βalkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι.₆alkylsulphanyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(C]_-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl;

R⁶ is hydrogen or an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms said optional substituents being chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cι_₆alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, C_1-6alkanoyloxy, amino, Cι_-6alkylamino, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N-(C].₆alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl;

(AA³) is selected from:

Cy(S)-Gly, Hetar(S)-Gly, alk(S)-Gly and

Het(S)-Gly; wherein Ring A is C_3-12cycloalkyl, Ring B is a 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring, Ring C is Het, V is Cι_-6alkyl excluding isopropyl, the nitrogen of the amino acid may optionally be alkylated with Cι_-6alkyl and the phenyl group of Phe(S) and Rings A and B may be optionally substituted with one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cι_-6alkoxy, Cι_-6alkanoyl, Cι_-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(Cι_₆alkyl)₂amino, C βalkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(Cι_₆alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1- alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphinyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl,

N-(Cι_-6alkyl)sulρhamoyl and N,N-(C_1-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl, the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group and the sulphur moiety in the ^-position of the amino acid (AA) may be optionally oxidised to form an -S(O)₂- or -S(O)- moiety; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The variable Het is a fully saturated monocyclic 5 - 8 membered heterocyclic ring, with up to 4 ring heteroatoms.

Preferred values for R⁷, AA³ and R⁶ for the compound of formula (la) are as follows. The variable R⁷ is, for example, benzyl (optionally substituted with halo (such as chloro)), α-(Cι_-4 alkyl)-benzyl (optionally substituted with halo (such as chloro)), α,α-di(Cι_ alkyl)-benzyl (optionally substituted with halo (such as chloro)), optionally substituted phenoxy methyl, phenylsulphonylmethyl, benzyloxy, naphthyl or optionally substituted phenyl where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more halo.

Preferably R⁷ is benzyl, optionally substituted phenoxymethyl, phenylsulphonylmethyl, benzyloxy, naphthyl or optionally substituted phenyl where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more halo. More preferably R⁷ is benzyl, phenoxymethyl optionally substituted with chloro, phenylsulphonylmethyl, benzyloxy, naphthyl or phenyl optionally substituted with chloro.

Particularly R⁷ is benzyl, 2,4,6-trichlorophenoxymethyl, phenylsulphonylmethyl, benzyloxy, naphthyl or 2,4-dichlorophenyl.

More particularly R⁷ is benzyl, 2,4,6-trichlorophenoxymethyl, phenylsulphonylmethyl, benzyloxy, naphth-2-yl or 2,4-dichlorophenyl. Preferably (NA³) is Leu(S), Phe(S) optionally substituted with C_1-6alkyl or halo and wherein the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group or the sulphur moiety in the ^-position of the amino acid ( AA) may be optionally oxidised to form an -S(O)₂- or Phe(CH₂S). More preferably (AA³) is Leu(S), Phe(S), 4-Cl-Phe(S), 3-Cl-Phe(S), 2-Cl-Phe(S),

3-Me-Phe(S), 4-F-Phe(S), Phe(S) fused to another phenyl group to form a naphth-1-yl group, Phe(S) fused to another phenyl group to form a naphth-2-yl group, 4-F-Phe(S) wherein the (S) is oxidised to S(O)₂, 3-Cl-Phe(S) wherein the (S) is oxidised to S(O)₂, 2-Cl-Phe(S) wherein the (S) is oxidised to S(O)₂, 4-Cl-Phe(S) wherein the (S) is oxidised to S(O)₂ or Phe(CH₂S). Preferably R⁶ is hydrogen or a 5 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms. The heteroatoms are, for example, nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur. The 5 membered heteroaryl ring is, for example, thienyl, furyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl or 1 ,2,4- triazolyl.

Alternatively R⁶ is hydrogen, optionally substituted phenyl or a 5 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms. The heteroatoms are, for example, nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur. The 5 membered heteroaryl ring is, for example, thienyl, furyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl or 1,2,4-triazolyl. Optional substituents include C_1-4 alkoxy (such as methoxy).

The variable R⁶ is, for example, methoxyphenyl.

More preferably R⁶ is hydrogen or thienyl. Particularly R⁶ is hydrogen or thien-2-yl.

More particularly R⁶ is thien-2-yl.

In another aspect of the invention preferably R⁶ is an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms wherein said optional substituents are as defined hereinbefore. In another aspect of the invention more preferably R⁶ is an optionally substituted 5 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms wherein said optional substituents are as defined hereinbefore.

Preferred compounds are those of Examples 1 - 58 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Especially preferred compounds are those of Examples 8, 13, 15, 17, 19, 25, 30, 31,

32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40 and 41 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferred compounds are those of Examples 59-66 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Especially preferred compounds are those of Examples 59-65.

Preferred compounds are those of Examples 67-74 and 97-113 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts include acid addition salts such as the methanesulphonate, fumarate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, citrate and maleate salts and salts formed with phosphoric and sulphuric acid. In another aspect suitable salts are base salts such as an alkali metal salt for example a sodium salt, an alkaline earth metal salt for example a calcium or a magnesium salt, an organic amine salt for example a salt with triethylamine, morpholine, N-methylpiperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, procaine, dibenzylamine,

NN-dibenzylethylamine or an amino acid for example a lysine salt. There may be more than one cation or anion depending on the number of charged functions and the valency of the cations or anions. A preferred pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a sodium salt.

Some compounds of formula (I) may possess chiral centres. It is to be understood that the invention encompasses all such optical isomers and diasteroisomers of compounds of formula (I) which possess cysteine protease inhibitory activity.

The invention further relates to all tautomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I). It is also to be understood that certain compounds of the formula (I) can exist in solvated as well as unsolvated forms such as, for example, hydrated forms. It is to be understood that the invention encompasses all such solvated forms.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a process for preparing a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. According to this aspect of the invention there is provided a process (in which variable groups are as defined for formula (I) unless otherwise stated) which comprises:

a) coupling an acid of formula (III):

R-(AN)-(AA²)-OH

(HI) or a reactive derivative thereof; with an amine of formula (IV): R² .R³

H₂N .X C.N

(IV) A suitable reactive derivative of an acid of the formula (III) is, for example, an acyl halide, for example an acyl chloride formed by the reaction of the acid and an inorganic acid chloride, for example thionyl chloride; a mixed anhydride, for example an anhydride formed by the reaction of the acid and a chloroformate such as isobutyl chloroformate; an active ester, for example an ester formed by the reaction of the acid and a phenol such as pentafluorophenol, an ester such as pentafluorophenyl trifluoroacetate, an alcohol such as 1 - hydroxybenzotriazole or a uronium salt such as 2-(l-benzotriazolyl)-l,l,3,3- tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate(V); an acyl azide, for example an azide formed by the reaction of the acid and an azide such as diphenylphosphoryl azide; an acyl cyanide, for example a cyanide formed by the reaction of an acid and a cyanide such as diethylphosphoryl cyanide; or the product of the reaction of the acid and a carbodiimide such as NN- dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or 1 -(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide. The reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of a suitable base such as, for example, an alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonate, alkoxide or hydroxide, for example sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate, or, for example, an organic amine base such as, for example, pyridine, 2,6-lutidine, collidine, 4-dimethylaminopyridine, triethylamine, morpholine or diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]undec-7-ene. The reaction is also preferably carried out in a suitable inert solvent or diluent, for example methylene chloride, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, NN-dimethylformamide, NN-dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidin- 2-one or dimethylsulphoxide, and at a temperature in the range, for example, -78° to 150°C, conveniently at or near ambient temperature.

b) dehydrating a compound of formula (V):

(V) under standard conditions. For example such a dehydration reaction may conventionally be carried out by reaction with a reagent such as trifluoroacetic anhydride. The reaction can conveniently be conducted in the presence of a suitable base as defined hereinbefore such as, for example, triethylamine. The reaction is also preferably carried out in a suitable inert solvent or diluent, as defined hereinbefore such as dichloromethane and at a temperature in the range, for example, -10°C to reflux conveniently 10°C to reflux.

c) for compounds of formula (I) where r = 1, coupling an acid of formula (VI):

R¹— (AN) — OH (VI) or a reactive derivative thereof as defined hereinbefore; with an amine of formula (VII):

(VII) The reaction can conveniently be conducted under standard coupling conditions, such as those described in a) above.

d) For compounds of formula (I) where R¹ is a group of formula (II) reaction of an amine of formula (VIII):

(VIII) with an acid of formula (IX):

(IX) or a reactive derivative thereof as defined hereinbefore. The reaction can conveniently be conducted under standard coupling conditions, such as those described in a) above.

e) Compounds of formula (I) where R¹ is optionally substituted benzyl may be obtained by reaction of an amine of formula (X):

(X) i) with a compound of formula (XI):

(XI) where (R)_n are optional substituents as defined above and L is a displaceable group.

A suitable displaceable group L is, for example, a halogeno or sulphonyloxy group, for example a chloro, bromo, methanesulphonyloxy or toluene -4-sulphonyloxy group. This reaction may be carried out under standard conditions such as, for example, those described in Synthesis 1993, 12, 1243-6; or ii) by reaction with an aldehyde of formula (XII):

(Xii) This reaction may be carried out under standard conditions such as, for example, those described in Syntb. Commun., 1995, 25, 18, 2819-2827.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a process for preparing a compound of formula (la) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. According to this aspect of the invention there is provided a process (in which variable groups are as defined for formula (la) unless otherwise stated) which comprises: a) coupling an acid of formula (Ilia):

(Ilia) or a reactive derivative thereof; with an amine of formula (IVa):

(IVa) b) dehydrating a compound of formula (Va):

(Va) under standard conditions; or, c) reaction of an amine of formula (Via):

(Via) with an acid of formula (Vila):

(Vila) or a reactive derivative thereof (as defined hereinbefore). These processes can be conducted as hereinbefore described.

If not commercially available, the necessary starting materials for the procedures described above may be made by procedures which are selected from standard organic chemical techniques, techniques which are analogous to the synthesis of known, structurally similar compounds, by techniques which are analogous to the above described procedures or by techniques which are analogous to the procedures described in the examples. For example, it will be appreciated that certain of the optional substituents on a phenyl or naphthyl or a heteroaryl ring in the compounds of the present invention may be introduced by standard aromatic substitution reactions or generated by conventional functional group modifications either prior to or immediately following the processes mentioned above, and as such are included in the process aspect of the invention. Such reactions and modifications include, for example, introduction of a substituent by means of an aromatic substitution reaction, reduction of substituents, alkylation of substituents and oxidation of substituents. The reagents and reaction conditions for such procedures are well known in the chemical art. Particular examples of aromatic substitution reactions include the introduction of a nitro group using concentrated nitric acid, the introduction of an acyl group using, for example, an acyl halide and a Lewis acid (such as aluminium trichloride) under Friedel Crafts conditions; the introduction of an alkyl group using an alkyl halide and Lewis acid (such as aluminium trichloride) under Friedel Crafts conditions; and the introduction of a halogeno group. Particular examples of modifications include the reduction of a nitro group to an amino group by, for example, catalytic hydrogenation with a nickel catalyst or treatment with iron in the presence of hydrochloric acid with heating; oxidation of alkylthio to alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl.

It will also be appreciated that in some of the reactions mentioned herein it may be necessary/desirable to protect any sensitive groups in the compounds. The instances where protection is necessary or desirable and suitable methods for protection are known to those skilled in the art. Thus, if reactants include groups such as amino, carboxy or hydroxy it may be desirable to protect the group in some of the reactions mentioned herein.

A suitable protecting group for an amino or alkylamino group is, for example, an acyl group, for example an alkanoyl group such as acetyl, an alkoxycarbonyl group, for example a methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or t-butoxycarbonyl group, an arylmethoxycarbonyl group, for example benzyloxycarbonyl, or an aroyl group, for example benzoyl. The deprotection conditions for the above protecting groups necessarily vary with the choice of protecting group. Thus, for example, an acyl group such as an alkanoyl or alkoxycarbonyl group or an aroyl group may be removed for example, by hydrolysis with a suitable base such as an alkali metal hydroxide, for example lithium or sodium hydroxide. Alternatively an acyl group such as a t-butoxycarbonyl group may be removed, for example, by treatment with a suitable acid as hydrochloric, sulphuric or phosphoric acid or trifluoroacetic acid and an arylmethoxycarbonyl group such as a benzyloxycarbonyl group may be removed, for example, by hydrogenation over a catalyst such as palladium-on-carbon, or by treatment with a Lewis acid for example boron tris(trifluoroacetate). A suitable alternative protecting group for a primary amino group is, for example, a phthaloyl group which may be removed by treatment with an alkylamine, for example dimethylaminopropylamine, or with hydrazine.

A suitable protecting group for a hydroxy group is, for example, an acyl group, for example an alkanoyl group such as acetyl, an aroyl group, for example benzoyl, or an arylmethyl group, for example benzyl. The deprotection conditions for the above protecting groups will necessarily vary with the choice of protecting group. Thus, for example, an acyl group such as an alkanoyl or an aroyl group may be removed, for example, by hydrolysis with a suitable base such as an alkali metal hydroxide, for example lithium or sodium hydroxide. Alternatively an arylmethyl group such as a benzyl group may be removed, for example, by hydrogenation over a catalyst such as palladium-on-carbon.

A suitable protecting group for a carboxy group is, for example, an esterifying group, for example a methyl or an ethyl group which may be removed, for example, by hydrolysis with a base such as sodium hydroxide, or for example a t-butyl group which may be removed, for example, by treatment with an acid, for example an organic acid such as trifluoroacetic acid, or for example a benzyl group which may be removed, for example, by hydrogenation over a catalyst such as palladium-on-carbon. The protecting groups may be removed at any convenient stage in the synthesis using conventional techniques well known in the chemical art.

Many of the intermediates defined herein are novel, for example, those of the formula (V) and these are provided as a further feature of the invention. Moreover some of the starting materials for use in process variant (b) described hereinbefore, namely those compounds of the formula (VIII) are not only novel but also active as inhibitors of Cathepsin L and or

Cathepsin S. Accordingly these compounds are provided as a further feature of the invention.

According to a further feature of the invention there is provided a compound of the formula (I) or (la), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in a method of treatment of the human or animal body by therapy. In order to use a compound of the formula (I) or (la) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the therapeutic treatment of mammals including humans, in particular in the inhibition of a cysteine protease, it is normally formulated in accordance with standard pharmaceutical practice as a pharmaceutical composition.

In another aspect the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) or (la), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (I) or (la), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use as a medicament.

In a still further aspect the present invention provides the use of a compound of formula (I) or (la), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the inhibition of a cysteine protease in a warm blooded animal, such as man.

In a still further aspect the present invention provides the use of a compound of formula (I) or (la), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a warm blooded animal, such as man.

A method of treating a Cathepsin L or Cathepsin S mediated disease state in mammals which comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or (la), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is provided a method for producing inhibition of a cysteine protease in a warm blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment, which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In particular the invention provides the use of a compound of the formula (I) or (la) of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the inhibition of Cathepsin S in a warm blooded animal, such as man.

In order to use a compound of the formula (I) or (la) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the therapeutic treatment of mammals including humans, in particular in the inhibition of a cysteine protease, it is normally formulated in accordance with standard pharmaceutical practice as a pharmaceutical composition. The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered in standard manner for the disease condition that it is desired to treat, for example by oral, rectal or parenteral administration. For these purposes the compounds of this invention may be formulated by means known in the art into the form of, for example, tablets, capsules, aqueous or oily solutions or suspensions, (lipid) emulsions, dispersible powders, suppositories, ointments, creams, drops and sterile injectable aqueous or oily solutions or suspensions. A suitable pharmaceutical composition of this invention is one suitable for oral administration in unit dosage form, for example a tablet or capsule which contains between 100 mg and 1 g of the compound of this invention.

In another aspect a pharmaceutical composition of the invention is one suitable for intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection.

Each patient may receive, for example, an intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular dose of 1 mgkg^"1 to 100 mgkg^"1 of the compound, preferably in the range of 5 mgkg^"1 to 20 mgkg^"1 of this invention, the composition being administered 1 to 4 times per day. The intravenous, subcutaneous and intramuscular dose may be given by means of a bolus injection. Alternatively the intravenous dose may be given by continuous infusion over a period of time. Alternatively each patient will receive a daily oral dose which is approximately equivalent to the daily parenteral dose, the composition being administered 1 to 4 times per day.

The following illustrate representative pharmaceutical dosage forms containing the compound of formula (I) or (la), or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof (hereafter compound X), for therapeutic or prophylactic use in humans: (a)

(b)

Buffers, pharmaceutically-acceptable cosolvents such as polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerol or ethanol or complexing agents such as hydroxy-propyl β cyclodextrin may be used to aid formulation. Note

The above formulations may be obtained by conventional procedures well known in the pharmaceutical art. The tablets (a)-(c) may be enteric coated by conventional means, for example to provide a coating of cellulose acetate phthalate.

Inhibition of Cathepsin L and S.

The pharmaceutically-acceptable compounds of the present invention are useful in the inhibition of Cathepsin L and Cathepsin S, having a good activity in vitro against human Cathepsin L, human Cathepsin S and rabbit Cathepsin L.

Cathepsin L Assay

Recombinant human Cathepsin L was cloned and expressed in E Coli and purified using the method as described by Zeneca Limited, GB 2 306 961 A (published 14.05.1997). Rabbit Cathepsin L was purified from rabbit liver as described by Maciewicz R. A. and Etherington D. J. (Biochem. J. (1988) 256, 433-440) except the liver homogenate supernatant was concentrated by fractionation with (NH )₂SO₄ (20-80% saturation), and the pellet taken up and dialysed against 20mM NaAcetate pH 5.5, lmM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The supernatant was then applied to a CM Sepharose ion exchange column and Cathepsin L eluted by gradient elution (0.25-0.75M NaCl). Fraction activity was determined using the synthetic substrate NCBz-Phe-Arg-NHMec as described. Cathepsin L fractions were pooled and desalted on a Sephacryl SI 00 column. Active fractions were pooled, adjusted to 20% saturation (NH₄)₂SO₄ and concentrated on a phenyl sepharose column. The remaining purification steps were as described.

Cathepsin L activity was measured based on the method of Barrett and Kirschke (1981 Methods in Enzymology, 80, 535-561), using the fluorogenic substrates NCBz-Phe-Arg- NHMec. Inhibitors were identified by their ability to decrease the generation of the fluorescent leaving group (NHMec). Briefly the assay was as follows: rHuman Cathepsin L or rabbit Cathepsin L (0.025 pmoles) was pre-incubated with or without test compound in 0.1M sodium acetate buffer pH4.5, lOmM cysteine, 0.1% Brij 35 at 25°C for 15 minutes in a solid black 96 well plate. Synthetic substrate, 20μM NCBz-Phe-Arg- NHMec, was added and the mixture incubated at 37°C for 30 minutes. The reaction was stopped by the addition of 0.1 M sodium chloroacetate pH 4.3. Fluorescence was determined using a Fluoroskan II plate reader; excitation 355nm, emission^" 460nm. Compound potency was determined from the raw fluorescence data by calculating the IC₅₀ against each enzyme using a PC graph drawing software package.

Cathepsin S assay.

Cloning and Expression of human Cathepsin S.

Recombinant human Cathepsin S was cloned and expressed in Baculovirus, by the following method. The cDNA sequence for human Cathepsin S is available in the EMBL database Accession Number M90696. This database sequence was used to prepare, by PCR on mRNA from human tissues, a recombinant plasmid carrying an insert with a DNA sequence identical to that of Cathepsin S in the EMBL database (Ace No M90696). The techniques for mRNA isolation, PCR and cloning are standard techniques known by those skilled in the art. Sequence determination of the recombinant insert was carried out using established DNA sequencing techniques. The PCR was done so as to introduce an EcoRI cloning site 5' of the 'ATG' of

Cathepsin S and an Xbal cloning site 3' of the 'Stop' codon. The PCR product was cloned between the EcoRI and Xbal sites of the baculovirus transfer vector pFASTBAC-1 (Bac-to- Bac Expression System commercially available from Gibco BRL -Life Technologies ( cat no 10359-016)). This recombinant construct was used to generate, by standard techniques, a recombinant baculovirus capable of expressing preprocathepsin S.

Expression of recombinant Cathepsin S was tested for the baculoviral constructs by infection of two insect cell lines : Sf9 cells (ATCC No CRL-1711) and T.ni cells (Invitrogen, Cat No B855-02).

Purification of Cathepsin S Method 1.

Procathepsin S was found in the insect cell medium and acid activated. The medium was mixed with an equal volume of lOOmM Sodium Acetate buffer pH 4.5, 5mM dithiothreitol (DTT) and 5mM EDTA and incubated for one hour at 37°C method of Maubach et al (Eur. J. Biochem., 250, 745-750, 1997). Method 2.

The pH of insect cell medium (10ml) containing procathepsin S was adjusted to 4.5 with glacial acetic acid and DTT and EDTA added to 5mM. The sample was then incubated at 37°C for 150min to enable conversion to the active enzyme. Ammonium sulphate was then added to 80% saturation and a pellet obtained by centrifugation. This pellet was redissolved in 2ml buffer A (lOOmM Tris, 500mM NaCl, ImM EDTA, pH7.5) and mixed in a batchwise fashion with lOOμl thiopropyl-Sepharose for 15min at 4°C. The non bound fraction was removed by a brief centrifugation and the gel washed with 2x1 ml buffer A. Cathepsin S was then eluted by batch mixing with 0.4ml 20mM DTT in buffer A for 15min at 4°C.

Measurement of Cathepsin S Activity.

Cathepsin S activity was measured based on the method of Maubach et al (Eur. J. Biochem., 250, 745-750, 1997), using the fluorogenic substrate Z-Val-Val-Arg-NHMec. Inhibitors were identified by their ability to decrease the generation of the fluorescent leaving group (NHMec). Briefly the assay was as follows: rHuman Cathepsin S (1.5 nmoles) was pre-incubated with or without compounds in 50mM Potassium phosphate buffer pH 6.0-6.2, 20mM Na₂EDTA, 0.1% Brij at 25°C for 5 minutes in a solid black 96 well plate. Synthetic substrate, 20μM Z-Val-Val-Arg-NHMec, was added and the mixture incubated at 30°C for 20 minutes. The reaction was stopped by the addition of 0.1M sodium chloroacetate pH 4.3. Fluorescence was determined using a

Fluoroskan H plate reader; excitation 355nm, emission 460nm. Compound potency was determined from the raw fluorescence data by calculating the IC₅₀ against Cathepsin S using a PC graph drawing software package.

The following results were obtained on a standard in-vitro test system for the inhibition of Cathepsin L. The activity is described in terms of IC₅₀.

When tested in the above in-vitro tests the compounds of this invention give IC₅os in the range 1-10,000 nM. The following data was obtained for Examples 1, 19 and 26:

The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting examples in which, unless stated otherwise: (i) temperatures are given in degrees Celsius (°C); operations were carried out at room or ambient temperature, that is, at a temperature in the range of 18-25°C;

(ii) organic solutions were dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate; evaporation of solvent was carried out using a rotary evaporator under reduced pressure (600-4000 Pascals; 4.5-30 mm Hg) with a bath temperature of up to 60°C; (iii) chromatography means flash chromatography on silica gel; thin layer chromatography

(TLC) was carried out on silica gel plates; where a "Bond Elut" column is referred to, this means a column containing lOg or 20g of silica of 40 micron particle size, the silica being contained in a 60ml disposable syringe and supported by a porous disc, obtained from Varian,

Harbor City, California, USA under the name "Mega Bond Elut SI"; (iv) in general, the course of reactions was followed by TLC and reaction times are given for illustration only;

(v) final products had satisfactory proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra;

(vi) yields are given for illustration only and are not necessarily those which can be obtained by diligent process development; preparations were repeated if more material was required; (vii) when given, NMR data is in the form of delta values for major diagnostic protons, given in parts per million (ppm) relative to tetramethylsilane (TMS) as an internal standard, determined at 250 MHz using perdeuterio dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO-δ₆) as the solvent unless otherwise stated;

(viii) chemical symbols have their usual meanings; SI units and symbols are used; (ix) solvent ratios are given in percentage by volume;

(x) mass spectra (MS) were run with an electron energy of 70 electron volts in the chemical ionisation (CI) mode using a direct exposure probe; where indicated ionisation was effected by electron impact (El) or fast atom bombardment (FAB); where values for m/z are given, generally only ions which indicate the parent mass are reported;

(xi) melting points are uncorrected and (dec) indicates decomposition; the melting points given are those obtained for the materials prepared as described; polymorphism may result in isolation of materials with different melting points in some preparations; and (xii) Z refers to benzyloxycarbonyl and Boc refers to tert-butoxycarbonyl.

Example 1

2-(Boc-L-phenylalanyl)-2-(2-furyl)acetonitrile A mixture of Boc-L-phenylalanine (5.0 g), 2-(2-furyl)acetonitrile (3.0 g), hydroxybenzotriazole (5.1 g), l-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (4.0 g) and triethylamine (2.63 ml) in NN-dimethylformamide (950 ml) was stirred at 0°C for 30 minutes and then at ambient temperature for 14 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate (100 ml) and water (100 ml). The ethyl acetate layer was separated and washed with 2M hydrochloric acid, brine, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and dried. The residue obtained on removal of the solvent was subjected to chromatography on silica by elution with a mixture of dichloromethane and ethyl acetate (9:1 v/v) to give 2-(Boc-L-phenylalanyl)-2-(2- furyl)acetonitrile (4.53 g). Mp 157-158°C; m/z 370 (MH)⁺; ΝMR (CDC1₃) 1.4 (s, 9H), 3.1 (m, 2H), 4.37 (q, IH), 4.87 (m, IH), 6.1 (d, IH), 6.39 (m, IH), 6.45 (d, IH), 6.72 (m, IH), 7.22 (m, 5H), 7.41 (d, IH).

Using this method but with appropriate starting materials there were prepared the following compounds:

Example 13

(2S)-2-(Z-Leu-Leu-NH)-3-phenylpropionitrile

Trifluoroacetic anhydride (0.28 ml) was added dropwise to a mixture of Z-Leu-Leu- Phe-NH₂ (0.9 g) and pyridine (10 ml) which was stirred under argon at -10°C. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature over 1 hour, diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed successively with IM hydrochloric acid and brine, dried and evaporated to dryness and the residue was recrystallized from ethyl acetate/hexane to give (2S)-2-(Z-Leu-Leu-NH)-3-phenylpropionitrile (0.57 g). Mp 152-154°C; m/z 507 (MH)⁺; NMR 0.75-0.95 (m, 12H), 1.3-1.7 (m, 6H), 3.05 (d, 2H), 4.05 (m, IH), 4.3 (m, IH), 4.9 (m, IH), 7.2-7.45 (m, 1 IH), 7.85 (d, IH), 8.75 (d, IH).

Example 14-19:

The following compounds were prepared by a similar process to that described in Example 13:

Example 20 (2S)-2-(Z-Phe-Leu-NH)-4-methvIthiobutyronitrile

Phosphoryl chloride (0.07 ml) was added dropwise to stirred, ice-cooled NN- dimethylformamide (2 ml) and the resulting solution added to a stirred ice cooled solution of Z-Phe-Leu-Met-ΝH₂ (163 mg) in NN-dimethylformamide (2 ml) under an atmosphere of argon. The mixture was stirred for 0.5 hours then poured into ice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with water, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was recrystallized from ethyl acetate and hexane to give (2S)-2-(Z-Phe-Leu-ΝH)-4- methylthiobutyronitrile (64 mg). Mpl40-144°C; m/z 525 (MH)⁺; NMR 0.7-0.95 (m, 6H), 1.1- 1.5 (m, 3H), 2.0-2.2 (m, 5H), 2.45-2.65(m, 2H), 2.7-3.0 (m, 2H), 4.25 (m, 2H), 4.65 (q, IH), 5.0 (m, 2H), 7.1-7.45 (m, 10H), 7.7 (d, IH), 8.3 (d, IH), 8.5 (d, IH).

¹ Purified by flash chromatography on silica (Merck, ART 9385) using mixtures of ethyl acetate and hexane as eluent.

² S isomer at aminoacetonitrile.

³ mixture of epimers at aminoacetonitrile Example 21

(2S)-2-[(N-phenylacetyl-N-methyl-Leu)-Leu-NH1-4-methylthiobutyronitrile

The process described in Example 20 was repeated using (2S)-2-[(N-phenylacetyl-N- methyl-Leu)-Leu-Met-NH₂ instead of Z-Phe-Leu-Met-NH₂ as starting material to give (2S)-2- [(N-phenylacetyl-N-methyl-Leu)-Leu-NH]-4-methylthiobutyronitrile. M/z 489 (MH)⁺; NMR [at 100 °C] 0.9 (m, 12H), 1.4-1.8 (m, 6H), 2.0-2.2 (m, 5H), 2.55 (m, 2H), 2.95 (m, 3H), 3.75 (s, 2H), 4.35 (m, IH), 4.75-5.0 (m, 2H), 7.1-7.5 (m, 6H), 8.25 (m, IH).

Example 22 (2S)-2-[fN-benzoyl-N-methyl-Leu)-Leu-NH1-4-methylthiobutyronitrile

The process described in Example 20 was repeated using (2S)-2-[(N-benzoyl-N- methyl-Leu)-Leu-Met-NH instead of Z-Phe-Leu-Met-NH₂ as starting material to give (2S)-2- [(N-benzoyl-N-methyl-Leu)-Leu-NH]-4-methylthiobutyronitrile. M/z 475 (MH)⁺; NMR [at 100 °C] 0.9 (m, 12H), 1.5-1.8 (m, 6H), 2.0-2.2 (m, 5H), 2.55 (m, 2H), 2.9 (m, 3H), 4.4 (m, IH), 4.75-5.0 (m, 2H), 7.3-7.6 (m, 6H), 8.3 (m, IH).

Example 23

(2S)-2-(Z-Leu-Leu-NH)-4-methylsulphonylbutyronitrile

A mixture of (2S)-2-(Z-Leu-Leu-NH)-4-methylthiobutyronitrile (80 mg), oxone (150 mg), ethanol (2 ml) and water (1 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The mixture was diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica (Merck, ART 9385) using increasingly polar mixtures of ethyl acetate and hexane as eluent to give (2S)-2-(Z-Leu-Leu-NH)-4-methylsulphonylbutyronitrile (80 mg). M/z 489 (MH)⁺; NMR (CDC1₃) 0.8-1.0 (m, 12H), 1.3-1.6 (m, 15H), 2.4 (m, 2H), 3.0 (s, 3H), 3.2 (m, 2H), 4.05 (m, IH), 4.35 (m, IH), 4.7-5.05 (m, 2H), 6.55 (d, IH), 7.7 (d, IH).

Example 24

(2RS)-2-(Z-Leu-Leu-NH)-2-phenylacetonitrile A mixture of (2RS)-2-(BOC-LeuNH)-2-phenylacetonitrile (0.69 g), dichloromethane ( 10 ml) and NN-diisopropylethylamine (0.5 ml) was stirred under an argon atmosphere and iodotrimethylsilane (0.36 g) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour and then additional iodotrimethylsilane (0.36 g) was added and the mixture was stirred for a further hour. N-mefhylmorpholine (0.5 ml) was added followed by methanol (0.5 ml) and then the solution was evaporated to dryness.

A mixture of the residue, NN-dimethylformamide (10 ml), Z-LeuOH (0.58 g), 1- hydroxybenzotriazole (0.3 g), l-dimethylaminopropyl-3-ethylcarbodiimide (0.42 g) and Ν- methylmorpholine (1 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 18hours.The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue dissolved in ethyl acetate, and the solution was washed successively with 0.5M hydrochloric acid, IM sodium hydroxide and brine and then dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica (Merck, ART 9385) using increasingly polar mixtures of ethyl acetate and hexane as eluent to give (2RS)-2-(Z-Leu-Leu-ΝH)-phenylacetonitrile (0.45 g). Mp 168-170°C; m/z 493 (MH)⁺; NMR 0.75-0.95 (m, 12H), 1.25-1.75 (m, 6H), 4.05 (m, IH), 4.4 (m, IH), 5.0 (m, 2H), 6.15 (m, IH), 7.3-7.5 (m, 11H), 7.95 (m, IH), 9.15-9.3 (m, IH).

Examples 25-29:

The following compounds were prepared by a similar process to that described in Example 24:

Example 30

(2RS)-2-(Z-Leu-Leu-NH)-2-methoxyacetonitrile

N-bromosuccinimide (133 mg) was added to a stirred solution of (2RS)-2-(Z-Leu-Leu- NH)-2-(2-propylthio)acetonitrile (245 mg) in methanol (10 ml), the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and it was then stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The ethyl acetate was dried and evaporated to dryness and the residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica (Merck, ART 9385) using increasingly polar mixtures of ethyl acetate and hexane as eluent and the product was recrystallized from carbon tetrachloride to give (2RS)-2-(Z-Leu-Leu-NH)-2-methoxyacetonitrile (190 mg). M/z 447 (MH)⁺; NMR 0.75- 0.95 (m, 12H), 1.25-1.75 (m, 6H), 3.3 (s, 3H), 4.05 (m, IH), 4.2-4.4 (m, 1H),5.0 (s, 2H), 5.95 (m, IH), 7.3-7.4 (m, 6H), 7.95 (m, IH), 9.5-9.7 (m, IH).

Example 31-33:

The following compounds were prepared by a similar process to that described in Example 30:

Example 34

(2RS)-2-(Z-Leu-Phe-NH)-2-(pyrazol- 1 -vDacetonitrile

A mixture of (2RS)-2-(Z-Leu-Phe-NH)-2-(2-propylthio)acetonitrile (105 mg), yellow mercuric oxide (100 mg), pyrazole and tetrahydrofuran (5 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica (Merck, ART 9385) using increasingly polar mixtures of ethyl acetate and hexane as eluent and the product was recrystallized from a mixture of dichloromethane and hexane to give (2RS)-2-(Z-Leu-Phe- NH)-2-(pyrazol-l-yl)acetonitrile (70 mg). Mp 189-192 °C; m/z 517 (MH)⁺; NMR 0.75-0.95 (m, 6H), 1.2-1.7 (m, 3H), 2.7-3.1 (m, 2H), 4.0 (m, IH), 4.6 (m, 1H),5.05 (s, 2H), 6.35 (m,

mixture of epimers at aminoacetonitrile (NB varying ratios of isomers) IH), 7.0-7.5 (m, 12H), 7.65 (m, IH), 7.7-7.85 (m, IH), 7.95-8.1 (m, IH), 10.05-10.25 (m, IH).

Examples 35-38:

The following compounds were prepared by a similar process to that described in Example 34:

Example 39 2-(Z-Leu-Cha-NH)acetonitrile

A mixture of Z-Leu-Cha-OH (0.95 g), aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride (0.23 g), 1- hydroxybenzotriazole (0.46 g), l-dimethylaminopropyl-3-ethylcarbodiimide (0.5 g), NN- dimethylformamide (6 ml) and Ν-methylmorpholine (0.75 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, and the solution was washed successively with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid, IM sodium hydroxide and brine and then dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica (Merck, ART 9385) using a 49: 1 v:v mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as eluent and fractions containing the required product were collected, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was triturated with ether and the insoluble white solid collected to give 2-(Z-Leu-Cha- ΝH)acetonitrile (0.46 g). M/z 493 (MH)⁺; NMR 0.75-0.95 (m, 6H), 1.0-1.8 (m, 14H), 4.0-4.2 (m, 3H), 4.35 (q, IH), 5.05 (s, 2H), 7.25-7.5 (m, 6H), 7.95 (d, IH), 8.6 (m, IH).

5 equivalents of alcohol/pyrazole in tetrahydrofuran solution and 18 hours reaction time. Example 40

2-r(2-(4-Pyridyl)acetyπ-Leu-Leu1-4-methylthiobutyronitrile

A mixture of 2-(H-Leu-Leu-NH)-4-methylthiobutyronitrile (71 mg), 1- hydroxybenzotriazole (34 mg), l-dimethylaminopropyl-3-ethylcarbodiimide (48 mg), 2-(4- pyridyl)acetic acid hydrochloride (35 mg), NN-dimethylformamide (2 ml) and Ν- methylmo holine (0.2 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, and the solution was washed successively with IM sodium hydroxide and brine, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was recrystallized from ethyl acetate to give 2-[{2-(4-pyridyl)acetyl}-Leu-Leu]-4-methylthiobutyronitrile (42 mg). Mp 177-178 °C; M/z 476 (MH)⁺; ΝMR 0.75-0.95 (m,12H), 1.3-1.7 (m, 6H), 1.9-2.1 (m, 5H), 2.5 (m, 2H), 3.5 (s, 2H), 4.15-4.4 (m, 2H), 4.85 (q, IH), 7.25 (d, 2H), 8.1 (d, IH), 8.35 (d, IH), 8.45 (d, 2H), 8.65 (d, IH).

Example 41 Ac-Leu-Leu-(2-furyl)acetonitrile

Trimethylsilyl iodide (0.7 ml) was added to a solution of Boc-Leu-Leu-(2-furyl)- acetonitrile (1.68 g) in chloroform (50 ml) at 0°C. The mixture was stirred at 0°C for 15 minutes and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in pyridine (20 ml), the solution was cooled to 0°C and acetic anhydride (20 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 14 hours. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (100 ml) and washed with 2M hydrochloric acid, brine, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, brine and dried. The residue obtained on removal of the solvent was triturated with diethyl ether and filtered. The solid was dissolved in warm acetone, treated with activated charcoal and filtered. The solvent was removed to give Ac-Leu-Leu-(2-furyl)acetonitrile (0.64 g). Mp 235-242°C; m/z 391 (MH)⁺; ΝMR 0.88 (m, 12H), 1.51, (m, 6H), 1.83 (d, 3H), 4.29 (m, 2H), 6.23 (d, IH), 6.53 (m, 2H), 7.76 (m, IH), 7.95 (m, 2H), 9.19 (m, IH).

Example 42 (2S)-2-(Boc-Leu-ΝH)isovaleronitrile

Trifluoroacetic anhydride (0.84 g) was added dropwise to a mixture of BOC-Leu-Leu- NH₂ (1 g) and pyridine (10 ml) which was stirred under argon at -10°C. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature over lhour, diluted with water and extracted with diethyl ether. The extract was washed successively with IM hydrochloric acid and brine, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was recrystallized from ether/hexane to give (2S)-2- (BOC-Leu-NH)isovaleronitrile (0.66 g). Mp 117-118°C; m/z 326 (MH)⁺.

Example 43 (2S)-2-(Boc-Leu-NH)-4-methylthiobutyronitrile

The process described in Example 42 was repeated using BOC-Leu-Met-NH₂ instead of BOC-Leu-Leu-NH₂ to give (2S)-2-(BOC-Leu-NH)-4-methylthiobutyronitrile. Mp 69-71°C; m/z 344 (MH)⁺.

Example 44

(2S)-2-[(N-4-chlorobenzyl-Leu)-Leu-NH]-4-methylthiobutyronitrile

A mixture of (2S)-2-[H-Leu-Leu-NH]-4-methylthiobutyronitrile (90mg), ethanol (5ml) and 4-chlorobenzaldehyde was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 hour. Acetic acid (0.05ml) was added followed by sodium cyanoborohydride (50mg) and stirring was continued for a further 3 hours. Acetic acid (0.2ml) was added and the mixture was left at room temperature for 16 hours. The mixture was diluted with water and basified with sodium hydrogen carbonate then extracted with ethyl acetate The extract was dried and evaporated to dryness and the residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica (Merck, ART 9385) using increasingly polar mixtures of ethyl acetate and hexane as eluent to give (2S)-2-[(N-4- chlorobenzyl-Leu)-Leu-NH]-4-methylthiobutyronitrile as a gϋm (102mg). The gum was dissolved in ethyl acetate and the solution was acidified with ethereal HCl. The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was triturated with ethyl acetate and the insoluble solid collected to give (2S)-2-[(N-4-chlorobenzyl-Leu)-Leu-NH]-4-methylthiobutyronitrile hydrochloride (75mg). Mp 146-147°C; NMR 0.9 (m, 12H), 1.4-1.8 (m, 6H), 2.0-2.2 (m, 5H), 2.55(m, 2H), 3.6 (m, lH),3.7-4.2 (m, 2H), 4.35 (m, IH), 4.85 (m, IH), 7.5(m, 4H), 8.9-9.1 (m, 2H), 9.45 (m, IH), 9.7 (m, IH); m/z 481 (MH) ⁺. Example 45

2-[2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-phenylthioacetamidol-2-(2-thienyl)-acetonitrile

A mixture of 2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-phenylthioacetic acid (160mg), 2-amino-2- (2-thienyl)acetonitrile hydrochloride (88 mg), hydroxybenzotriazole (75 mg), l-(3- dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (105 mg) and 4-methylmorpholine (0.15 ml) in NN-dimethylformamide (3 ml) was stirred at ambient temperature for 48 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate (100 ml) and water (100 ml). The ethyl acetate layer was separated and washed with 2M hydrochloric acid, brine, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica (Merck, ART 9385) using increasingly polar mixtures of ethyl acetate and hexane as eluent followed by recrystallisation from a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexane to give 2-(2- benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-phenylthioacetamido)-2-(2-thienyl)-acetonitrile (4.53 g). M/z 438 (MH)⁺; ΝMR (CDC1₃) 5.1 (m, 2H), 5.5 (m, IH), 5.85 (m, IH), 6.2 (m, IH), 6.8-7.1 (m, 2H),7.2-7.55 (m, 12H).

Example 46 - 55

The following examples were prepared by a process similar to that described in Example 45:

^R

A mixture of 2-[2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-(hydroxy)acetamido]-2-(2-thienyl)- acetonitrile (132 mg), 1 ,2-dichloroethane (5 ml), 2-naphthalenesulphonic acid (5 mg) and 4- chlorothiophenol (1.65 g) was stirred at reflux for 2 hours then cooled to room temperature and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and the solution was washed successively with IM NaOH and brine, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was recrystallized from ethyl acetate and hexane to give 2-[2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-(4- chlorophenylthio)acetamido]-2-(2-thienyl)-acetonitrile (80 mg). Mp 165-166°C; m/z 390 (MH)⁺; NMR 4.2 (d, 2H), 5.0 (q, 2 IH), 5.7 (d, IH), 7.2-7.55 (m, 9H), 8.2 (d, IH), 9.0 (t, IH).

Examples 57-8

The following examples were prepared by a process similar to that described in Example 56:

Example 59

N-(N-Morpholinocarbonyl)-(L)-leucyl-2-(2-thienyl)glvcinenitrile

A mixture of N-(N-morpholinocarbonyl)-(L)-leucine (Method M) (0.323 g), l-[3- (dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (0.28 g) and 1- hydroxybenzotriazole (0.197 g) in N,N-dimethylformamide (50 ml) was stirred at ambient temperature for 30 minutes. 2-(2-Thienyl)-2-aminoacetonitrile (Method Al) (0.253 g) and N- methylmorpholine (160 μl) were added and the mixture was stirred for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness (high vac) and the residue was suspended in saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate (2x50 ml). The combined ethyl acetate extracts were washed successively with 10% citric acid and brine and dried. The residue obtained on removal of the solvent was chromatographed on a Bond-elut column eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate and dichloromethane (1/1 v/v) to give the title compound (0.159 g) as a 1/1 mixture of diastereoisomers. NMR: 9.2-9.3 (IH), 7.6 (m, IH), 7.2 (m, IH), 7.0 (m, IH), 6.5 (m, IH), 6.3 (m, IH), 4.2 (m, IH), 3.45 (m, 4H), 3.3 (m, 4H), 1.6 (m, 2H), 1.4 (m, IH), 0.8 (m, 6H).

Examples 60-63

Following the method outlined in Example 59 and using the appropriate acid chlorides there were prepared:

Example 64

N-r(2-Phenylacetylamino-2-phenylthio)acetyl1-2-thienvIaminoacetonitrile

Carbonyl diimidazole (0.538g) was added to a solution of N-[(2-phenylacetylamino-2- phenylthio)acetic acid (lg) in THF (25 ml) and the mixture was stirred at 20 °C for 20 hours. 2-(2-Thienyl)-aminoacetonitrile (Method Al) (0.579 g) and triethylamine (0.664 g) were added and the mixture was stirred at 20 °C for 20 hours. The solvent was removed and the residue dissolved in dichloromethane (25 ml) and washed successively with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (2x20 ml) and 2M hydrochloric acid (2x20 ml). The solvent was removed and the residue was chromatographed on silica eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate and isohexane (35: 100) to give the title compound.

Diastereoisomer 1; Faster running fraction: Mp 172 °C; m/z 422 (M+H)⁺; NMR: 9.9 (d, IH), 8.95 (d, IH), 7.65 (m, IH), 7.2 (m, 1 IH), 6.45 (d, IH), 5.8 (d, IH), 3.5 (m, 2H). Diastereoisomer 2; Slower running fraction: Mp 159 °C; m/z 422 (M+H)⁺; NMR: 9.8 (d, IH), 8.95 (d, IH), 7.65 (m, IH), 7.2 (m, 11H), 6.45 (d, IH), 5.8 (d, IH), 3.5 (m, 2H).

Examples 65-66

Following the method outlined in Example 64 and using the appropriate starting materials there were prepared:

Mixture of diastereoisomers. Example 67

N-[(2-Phenylacetylamino-2-phenylthio)acetyl]-2-thienylaminoacetonitrile

Carbonyl diimidazole (0.538g) was added to a solution of N-[(2-phenylacetylamino-2- phenylthio)acetic acid (Method O) (lg) in THF (25 ml) and the mixture was stirred at 20 °C for 20 hours. 2-(2-Thienyl)-aminoacetonitrile (Method Al) (0.579 g) and triethylamine (0.664 g) were added and the mixture was stirred at 20 °C for 20 hours. The solvent was removed and the residue dissolved in dichloromethane (25 ml) and washed successively with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (2x20 ml) and 2M hydrochloric acid (2x20 ml). The solvent was removed and the residue was chromatographed on silica eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate and isohexane (35: 100) to give the title compound.

Diastereoisomer 1 ; Faster running fraction: Mp 172 °C; m/z 422 (M+H)⁺; NMR: 9.9 (d, IH), 8.95 (d, IH), 7.65 (m, IH), 7.2 (m, 1 IH), 6.45 (d, IH), 5.8 (d, IH), 3.5 (m, 2H). Diastereoisomer 2; Slower running fraction: Mp 159 °C; m/z 422 (M+H)⁺; NMR: 9.8 (d, IH), 8.95 (d, IH), 7.65 (m, IH), 7.2 (m, 1 IH), 6.45 (d, IH), 5.8 (d, IH), 3.5 (m, 2H).

Examples 68-96

Following the method outlined in Example 67 and using the appropriate starting materials there were prepared:

¹ Mixture of diastereoisomers.

² Diastereoisomer 1 ; Faster running fraction.

³ Diastereoisomer 2; Slower running fraction. *, ', ", ^Λ, ~, @, # Pairs of diastereoisomers. Example 97 2-[2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-phenylthioacetamido]-2-(2-thienyl)-acetonitrile

A mixture of 2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-phenylthioacetic acid (Method P) (160mg), 2-amino-2-(2-thienyl)acetonitrile hydrochloride (Method Al) (88 mg), hydroxybenzotriazole (75 mg), l-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (105 mg) and 4- methylmoφholine (0.15 ml) in NN-dimethylformamide (3 ml) was stirred at ambient temperature for 48 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate (100 ml) and water (100 ml). The ethyl acetate layer was separated and washed with 2M hydrochloric acid, brine, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica (Merck, ART 9385) using increasingly polar mixtures of ethyl acetate and hexane as eluent followed by recrystallisation from a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexane to give 2-(2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-phenylthioacetamido)-2-(2-thienyl)- acetonitrile (4.53 g). M/z 438 (MH)⁺; NMR (CDC1₃) 5.1 (m, 2H), 5.5 (m, IH), 5.85 (m, IH), 6.2 (m, IH), 6.8-7.1 (m, 2H),7.2-7.55 (m, 12H).

Example 98-107

The following examples were prepared by a process similar to that described in Example 97:

A mixture of 2-[2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-(hydroxy)acetamido]-2-(2-thienyl)- acetonitrile (Method R) (132 mg), 1 ,2-dichloroethane (5 ml), 2-naphthalenesulphonic acid (5 mg) and 4-chlorothiophenol (1.65 g) was stirred at reflux for 2 hours then cooled to room temperature and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and the solution was washed successively with IM NaOH and brine, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was recrystallized from ethyl acetate and hexane to give 2-[2- benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-(4-chlorophenylthio)acetamido]-2-(2-thienyl)-acetonitrile (80 mg). Mp 165-166°C; m/z 390 (MH)⁺; NMR 4.2 (d, 2H), 5.0 (q, 2 IH), 5.7 (d, IH), 7.2-7.55 (m, 9H), 8.2 (d, IH), 9.0 (t, IH).

Examples 109-110

The following examples were prepared by a process similar to that described in Example 108:

Example 111

N-[(2-Phenylacetylamino-2-(4-fluorophenylsulphonyl})acetyl1 aminoacetonitrile m-Cloroperbenzoic acid (578 mg) was added to a suspension of N-[(2- Phenylacetylamino-2-{4-fluorophenylthio})acetyl] aminoacetonitrile (Example 69) (300 mg) in dichloromethane (30 ml) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours then washed successively with aqueous sodium bicarbonate (3 x 10 ml), aqueous sodium thiosulphate (1 x 10 ml) and the organic layer was collected and dried. The residue obtained on removal of the solvent was triturated with diethyl ether to give the title compound Mp 175°C; NMR 9.39 (t, IH), 9.3 (d, IH), 7.75 (m, 2H), 7.3 (m, 7H), 6.05 (d, IH), 4.29 (d, 2H), 3.5 (q, 2H).

Examples 112-116

Following the method outlined in Example 111 and using the appropriate starting materials there were prepared:

** Pair of diastereomers

Preparation of Starting Materials

The starting materials for the Examples above are either commercially available or are readily prepared by standard methods from known materials. For example the following reactions are illustrations but not limitations of the preparation of some of the starting materials used in the above reactions. Method A

2-(2-Furyl)-2-aminoacetonitriIe

Ammonium chloride (25 g) was added to a solution of 2-furfuraldehyde (25 g) in diethyl ether (250 ml). A solution of sodium cyanide (17 g) in water (80 ml) was added over 20 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 14 hours , the aqueous layer was removed and the organic layer was washed twice with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (100 ml each time), dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in diethyl ether (250 ml) and cooled to 0 °C. Hydrogen chloride gas was bubbled through the solution keeping the temperature below 10 °C. 2-(2-Furyl)-2- aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride was filtered and dried, yield 33 g. 1H NMR 6.19 (s, IH), 6.56 (m, IH), 6.78 (d, IH), 7.83 (m, IH), 9.83 (broad s, 2H). Method Al

Following the method outlined in Method A and using the appropriate aldehyde there was prepared: Al 2-(2-thienyl)-2-aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride Method B Z-Leu-Leu-Phe-NH

A mixture of H-Leu-Phe-NH₂ hydrochloride (0.8 g), Z-Leu-OH (0.72 g), NN- dimethylformamide (10 ml), 1 -hydroxybenzotriazole (0.41 g), l-dimethylaminopropyl-3- ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (0.57 g) and Ν-methylmoφholine (1 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue stirred with water and ethyl acetate. The insoluble solid was collected to give Z-Leu-Leu-Phe-ΝH₂ (0.67 g). M/z 525 (MH)⁺. Method Bl Following the method outlined in Method C and using the appropriate protected starting materials there was prepared:

Method C

Boc-Leu-Met-NH?

A mixture of Leu-Met-NH₂ hydrochloride (0.45 g), BOC-Leu-OH (0.35 g), NN- dimethylformamide (5 ml), 1 -hydroxybenzotriazole (0.23 g), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.35 g) and Ν-methylmoφholine (0.2 ml) was stirred at room temperature for lδhours. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate. The solution was washed successively with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid, IM sodium hydroxide and brine, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexane to give BOC-Leu-Met-ΝH₂ (0.45 g). Mpl45-147°C; m/z 475 (MH)⁺. Methods Cl-2

Following the method outlined in Method C and using the appropriate protected amino acid there was prepared:

Method D

2-(2-proρvIthio)-2-(Z-Leu-Phe-NH)acetic acid

A mixture of Z-Leu-Phe-NH₂ (3 g), glyoxylic acid monohydrate (0.83 g) and dioxan (20 ml) was stirred at reflux for 18 hours, cooled and evaporated to dryness. The residue was treated with dichloroethane (20 ml), 2-propane thiol (2.25 g) and naphthalene-2-sulphonic acid (50 mg) and the mixture was stirred at 60°C for 4 hours and then evaporated to dryness. The residue was stirred with ether and the insoluble white solid was collected to give 2-(2- propylthio)-2-(Z-Leu-Phe-NH)acetic acid (2.1 g). Mp 156-158°C; m/z 544 (MH) ⁺. Methods Dl-2

Following the method outlined in Method D and using the appropriate dipeptide there was prepared:

Method E

2-(2-propylthio)-2-(Z-Leu-Phe-NH)acetamide

A mixture of 2-(2-propylthio)-2-(Z-Leu-Phe-NH)acetic acid (2 g), ammonium chloride (0.54 g), NN-dimethylformamide (15 ml), 1 -hydroxybenzotriazole (0.67 g), 1- dimethylaminopropyl-3-ethylcarbodiimide (0.95 g) and Ν-methylmoφholine (2 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue taken up in ethyl acetate. The solution was washed successively with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid, 1 M sodium hydroxide and brine. The solid which separated from the ethyl acetate phase was collected to give 2-(2-proρylthio)-2-(Z-Leu-Phe-ΝH)acetamide, (1 g). Mpl 98-201°C; m/z 543 (MH) ⁺. Methods El-2

Following the method outlined in Method E and using the appropriate acetic acid there was prepared:

Method F

Z-Leu-Cha-OH

A mixture of Z-Leu-OH (2.77 g), (S)-3-cyclohexylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride (1.92 g), 1 -hydroxybenzotriazole (1.76 g), l-dimethylaminopropyl-3-ethylcarbodiimide (1.92 g), NN-dimethylformamide (10 ml) and Ν-methylmoφholine (3 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, and the solution was washed successively with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid, IM sodium hydroxide and brine, then dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was stirred in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (15 ml) and IM sodium hydroxide for lhour at room temperature. The mixture was acidified with 2M hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with brine, dried and evaporated to dryness to give Z-Leu-Cha-OH. M/z 419 (MH) ⁺. Method G

(2S)-2-(H-Leu-Leu-NH)-4-methylthiobutyronitrile

Iodotrimethylsilane (0.6 ml) was added dropwise to a stirred solution of (2S)-2-(BOC- Leu-Leu-NH)-4-methylthiobutyronitrile (0.65 g) in dichloromethane (10 ml) the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour and then evaporated to dryness. The residue was redissolved in dichloromethane and the solution was treated with methanol ( 1 ml) and stirred until effervescence ceased. The solution was washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried and evaporated to dryness to give (2S)-2-(H-Leu-Leu-NH)-4- methylthiobutyronitrile as a gum (0.45 g). M/z 357 (MH)⁺. Method H

Boc-Leu-Leu-NH?

A mixture of BOC-Leu-OH (6.93 g), Leu-OMe hydrochloride (5.45 g), 1- hydroxybenzotriazole (4.73 g), l-dimethylaminopropyl-3-ethylcarbodiimide (6.7 g), NN- dimethylformamide (50 ml) and Ν-methylmoφholine (10 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was partitioned between water and ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed successively with 0.5M hydrochloric acid, IM sodium hydroxide and brine and then dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was triturated with a mixture of ether and hexane to give Boc-Leu-Leu-OMe (11 g).

A mixture of a portion of the above ester (4 g), methanol (30 ml) and concentrated aqueous ammonia (50 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 72 hours. The mixture was diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with brine, dried and evaporated to dryness to give Boc-Leu-Leu-ΝH₂ (3.3 g). M/z 344.5 (MH)⁺. Method I (2S)-2-[(N-phenylacetyl-N-methyl-Leu)-Leu-Met-NH Phenylacetyl chloride (0.57 g) was added, dropwise to a stirred, ice cooled solution of

N-methyl-Leu (0.53 g) in 2M sodium hydroxide (4 ml) and the mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 3 hours. The mixture was washed with ether and the aqueous phase was acidified with 2M hydrochloric acid and the precipitate collected to give N-phenylacetyl-N- methyl-Leu-OH (0.33 g). Mp 146-147°C; m/z 264 (MH) ⁺. This was then coupled with H-Leu-Met-NH₂ according to method C to give (2S)-2-

[(N-phenylacetyl-N-methyl-Leu)-Leu-Met-NH₂. M/z 507 (MH)⁺. Method II

(2S)-2-[(N-benzoyl-N-methyl-Leu)-Leu-Met-NH₂ [m/z 493 (MH)⁺] was also obtained by the process described in Method H. Method J 2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-phenylthioacetic acid

A mixture of benzyl carbamate (15.1 g), ether (100ml) and glyoxylic acid monohydrate (10.1 g) was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The thick suspension was filtered and the residue was washed with a mixture of ether and hexane to give 2- benzyloxycarbonylamino glycollic acid (17 g), which was used without further purification.

A mixture of 2-benzyloxycarbonylamino glycollic acid (2.25 g), 1 ,2-dichloroethane (50ml) and thiophenol (1.65 g) was stirred at reflux for 2 hours then cooled to room temperature. The mixture was extracted twice with aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate and the combined extracts were washed with ether then acidified with 2M hydrochloric acid. The mixture was extracted with ether and the extract was dried and evaporated to dryness to give 2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-phenylthioacetic acid as a white solid (2.45 g). M/z 318 (MH) ⁺. Method J 1 - 4

Following the method outlined in Method J and using the appropriate amide instead of benzyl carbamate in the first stage and the appropriate thiol in the second stage there was prepared:

Method K

2-phenylacetamido-2-phenylthioacetic acid

A mixture of phenylacetamide (2.7 g), glyoxylic acid monohydrate (2.02 g), 1,2- dichloroethane (100 ml), thiophenol (3.3 g) and 2-naphthalenesulphonic acid (100 mg) was stirred at reflux for 16 hours. The mixture was cooled and extracted twice with aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate and the combined extracts were washed with ether, acidified with 2M hydrochloric acid and extracted with ether. The ether extract was dried and evaporated to dryness to give 2-phenylacetamido-2-phenylthioacetic acid. M/z 302 (MH+). Method K 1 - 4

Following the method outlined in Method K and using the appropriate starting materials there was prepared:

Method L

2-[2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-(hvdroxy)acetamido1-2-(2-thienyl)-acetonitrile

A mixture of 2-benzyloxycarbonyamino glycollic acid (1.125 g), 2-aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride (0.7 g), hydroxybenzotriazole (0.75 g), l-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3- ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (1.05 g) and 4-methylmoφholine (3 ml) in NN- dimethylformamide (20 ml) was stirred at ambient temperature for 18 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was stirred with a mixture of ethyl acetate (100 ml) and IM Hydrochloric acid and the insoluble solid collected to give 2-[2- benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-(hydroxy)acetamido]-2-(2-thienyl)-acetonitrile. Mp 146-148°C; m/z 264 (MH) ⁺. Method M

N-(N-Moφholinocarbonyl)-(D-leucine

Lithium hydroxide solution (5.9 g in 40 ml water) was added to a solution of N-(N- moφholinocarbonyl)-(L)-leucine methyl ester (Method N) (7.3 g) in THF (40 ml) and the mixture was stirred for 20 hours. The residue obtained on removal of the solvent was suspended in water (150 ml) and washed with ethyl acetate (50 ml). The aqueous layer was acidified to pH 1 with 2M HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate (3x70 ml). The combined ethyl acetate extracts were washed with water (75 ml) and brine (75 ml) and passed through phase-separating paper. Removal of the solvent gave N-(N-moφholinocarbonyl)-(L)-leucine as an oil. NMR: 6.5 (d, IH), 4.0 (m, IH), 3.5 (m, 4H), 3.3 (m, 4H), 1.5 (m, 2H), 1.4 (m, IH),

0.8 (m, 6H).

Method N

N-(N-moφholinocarbonyl)-(L)-leucine methyl ester

Triethylamine (8.4 ml) was added dropwise to L-leucine methyl ester hydrochloride (5 g) in dichloromethane (50 ml) at 0 °C followed by a solution of 4-moφholine carbonyl chloride (5 g) in dichloromethane (10 ml) and the mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with dichloromethane (100 ml) and washed with water (100 ml). The organic layer was collected and washed with 2M HCl (50 ml), brine

(50 ml) and passed through phase-separating paper. Removal of the solvent gave N-(N- moφholinocarbonyl)-(L)-leucine methyl ester as a solid, 7.3 g. NMR: 6.7 (d, IH), 4.1 (m,

IH), 3.6 (s, 2H), 3.5 (m, 4H), 3.3 (m, 4H), 1.6 (m, 2H), 1.4 (m, IH), 0.8 (m, 6H); m/z: 259

(M+H) ⁺.

Method O

N-[(2-phenylacetylamino-2-phenylthio)acetic acid This compound was prepared from phenylacetamide, glyoxylic acid and thiophenol following the procedure described in Tetrahedron, 31, 863 1975.

Method Ol

Following the method outlined in Method O and using the appropriate starting material there was prepared: N-r(2-phenylacetylamino-2-(4-fluorophenylthio)acetic acid. Method P

2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-phenylthioacetic acid

A mixture of 2-benzyloxycarbonylamino glycollic acid (2.25 g), 1 ,2-dichloroethane (50ml) and thiophenol (1.65 g) was stirred at reflux for 2 hours then cooled to room temperature. The mixture was extracted twice with aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate and the combined extracts were washed with ether then acidified with 2M hydrochloric acid. The mixture was extracted with ether and the extract was dried and evaporated to dryness to give 2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-phenylthioacetic acid as a white solid (2.45 g). M/z 318 (MH)⁺. Method P 1 - 4

Following the method outlined in Method P and using the appropriate amide instead of benzyl carbamate in the first stage and the appropriate thiol in the second stage there was prepared:

Method Q

2-phenylacetamido-2-phenylthioacetic acid

A mixture of phenylacetamide (2.7 g), glyoxylic acid monohydrate (2.02 g), 1,2- dichloroethane (100 ml), thiophenol (3.3 g) and 2-naphthalenesulphonic acid (100 mg) was stirred at reflux for 16 hours. The mixture was cooled and extracted twice with aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate and the combined extracts were washed with ether, acidified with 2M hydrochloric acid and extracted with ether. The ether extract was dried and evaporated to dryness to give 2-phenylacetamido-2-phenylthioacetic acid. M/z 302 (MH+). Method O 1 - 4

Following the method outlined in Method Q and using the appropriate starting materials there was prepared:

Method R

2-[2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-(hydroxy)acetamido]-2-(2-thienyl)-acetonitrile

A mixture of 2-benzyloxycarbonyamino glycollic acid (1.125 g), 2-aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride (0.7 g), hydroxybenzotriazole (0.75 g), l-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3- ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (1.05 g) and 4-methylmoφholine (3 ml) in NN- dimethylformamide (20 ml) was stirred at ambient temperature for 18 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was stirred with a mixture of ethyl acetate (100 ml) and IM Hydrochloric acid and the insoluble solid collected to give 2-[2- benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-(hydroxy)acetamido]-2-(2-thienyl)-acetonitrile. Mp 146-148°C; m/z 264 (MH) ⁺.

Claims

A compound of formula (I):

(I) wherein r is 0 or 1 ;

R¹ is hydrogen, optionally substituted benzyl where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, C_1-6alkanoyloxy, amino,

C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino, C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1- alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι_ alkylsulphanyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphinyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1- alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl, or R¹ is a group of formula (II):

(II) wherein R⁵ is Cι_-6alkyl (optionally substituted with an optionally substituted phenyl, an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring, optionally substituted phenoxy, optionally substituted phenylsulphonyl, optionally substituted C_3-12cycloalkyl or Het), Cι_-6alkoxy, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted naphthyl, optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring, optionally substituted C₃. ₁₂cycloalkyl, Het or optionally substituted phenylC_1-6alkoxy; where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, Cj.₆alkanoyloxy, amino,

C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl,

sulphamoyl, N-(C_1- alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; R² is H, C_1-6alkyl [optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxy, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphonyl, R⁴, R⁴C_1- alkylsulphanyl, R⁴Cι_-6alkylsulphinyl, R^i^alkylsulphonyl], or R² is C_1-6alkoxy [optionally substituted with one or more of C_2-6alkenyl, C_2-6alkynyl, R⁴, R⁴C_2-6alkenyl, R⁴C_2-6alkynyl, Het and trifluoromethyl], or R² is C_2-6alkenyl, C_2-6alkynyl, Cι_-6alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, R⁴, R⁴S, R⁴C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, N-(R⁴C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, N-(HetC_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, Cj_-6alkylsulphanyl,

or -βalkylsulphonyl; R⁴ is an optionally substituted phenyl or an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms, said optional substituents being chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, Cι_-6alkanoyl, Cι_₆alkanoyloxy, amino, C]_-6alkylamino, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C)_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Cι- alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, Cι- alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; R³ is H or Cι_-6alkyl;

(AA¹) and (AA²) are independently chosen from Ala, Arg, Cys, Gly, His, De, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Ser, Thr, Tφ, Tyr, Val,

Lys(CHO), Arg(NO₂), β-Ala,

Ser(O'Bu), His(Bzl), Met(O),

Cha, His(Me), Cit,

Phe(S), Leu(S), Phe(CH₂S),

Het(S)-Gly, and Phe(CH₂CH₂)S; wherein Ring A is C₃.₁ cycloalkyl; Ring B is a 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring; Ring

C is Het; V is Cι_-6alkyl excluding isopropyl; the nitrogen of the amino acid may optionally be alkylated with - alkyl; the phenyl group of Phe(S) and Rings A and B are optionally substituted with one or more of Cι.₆alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_)-6alkoxy, Cι_-6alkanoyl, Cι_-6alkanoyloxy, amino, Cι_-6alkylamino, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂amino, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl,

N-(Cι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl,

or NN-(C_1- alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group; the sulphur moiety in the ^-position of the amino acid (AA ) may be optionally oxidised to form an -S(O)₂- or -S(O)- moiety; and

Het is a fully saturated monocyclic 5 - 8 membered heterocyclic ring, with up to 4 ring heteroatoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

2. A compound as claimed in claim 1 having the formula (la):

wherein:

R⁷ is optionally substituted benzyl, optionally substituted phenoxymethyl, optionally substituted phenylsulphonylmethyl, optionally substituted benzyloxy, optionally substituted naphthyl, optionally substituted phenyl or t-butoxy where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of Cι_-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1- alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, C_1- alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(C_1- alkyl)₂amino, C_1- alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(Cι-₆alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Cι-₆alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, Ci-βalkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(Cι-₆alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; R⁶ is hydrogen, optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms; said optional substituents being chosen from one or more of C_1-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cι_-6alkoxy, Cι_-6alkanoyl, Cι_-6alkanoyloxy, amino, Cι- alkylamino, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino, C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, Cj.₆alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and N,N-(Cι.6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; (AA³) is selected from:

Cy(S)-Gly, Hetar(S)-Gly, alk(S)-Gly and

Het(S)-Gly, and Phe(CH₂CH₂)S; wherein Ring A is C_3-12cycloalkyl, Ring B is a 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring, Ring C is Het, V is d.₆alkyl excluding isopropyl; the nitrogen of the amino acid may optionally be alkylated with Cj. alkyl; the phenyl group of Phe(S) and Rings A and B may be optionally substituted with one or more of Cι_ alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, Cι_-6alkoxy, Cι_₆alkanoyl, Cι_₆alkanoyloxy, amino, Cι_-6alkylamino, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino, C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C]_-6alkyl)carbamoyl,

C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι-₆alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl,

N-(Cι_-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group; the sulphur moiety in the ^-position of the amino acid (AA³) may be optionally oxidised to form an -S(O)₂- or -S(O)- moiety; and Het is a fully saturated monocyclic 5 - 8 membered heterocyclic ring, with up to 4 ring heteroatoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

3. A compound as claimed in claim 2 wherein R⁶ is hydrogen, optionally substituted phenyl or a 5 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms.

4. A compound as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein R⁷ is benzyl (optionally substituted with halo (such as chloro)), α-(Cι₄ alkyl)-benzyl (optionally substituted with halo (such as chloro)), α,α-di(C_1-4 alkyl)-benzyl (optionally substituted with halo (such as chloro)), optionally substituted phenoxymethyl, phenylsulphonylmethyl, benzyloxy, naphthyl or optionally substituted phenyl where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more halo.

5. A compound as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein (AA³) is Leu(S), Phe(S) optionally substituted with Cι.₆alkyl or halo and wherein the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group or the sulphur moiety in the ^-position of the amino acid (AA) may be optionally oxidised to form an -S(O)₂- or Phe(CH₂S).

6. A process for preparing a compound of formula (la) as claimed in claim 2 comprising: a) coupling an acid of formula (Ilia):

(Ilia) or a reactive derivative thereof, with an amine of formula (IVa):

(IVa) b) dehydrating a compound of formula (Va):

(Va) under standard conditions; or, c) reacting an amine of formula (Via):

(Via) with an acid of formula (Vila):

(Vila) or a reactive derivative thereof; wherein R⁶, R⁷ and AA³ are as defined in claim 2.

A compound of formula (I):

(I) wherein: r is 0 or 1 ; R¹ is optionally substituted benzyl where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of Cι_-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, C_1-6alkanoyloxy, amino, Cι_-6alkylamino, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂amino, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(Cι- alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1- alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C|.₆alkylsulphanyl, -βalkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl,

N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl or R¹ is a group of formula (II):

(ID wherein R⁵ is C_1- alkyl (optionally substituted with an optionally substituted phenyl, an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring, optionally substituted phenoxy or optionally substituted phenylsulphonyl), C_1-6alkoxy, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted naphthyl, optionally substituted phenylCι-₆alkoxy where said optional substituents are chosen from one or more of Cι_-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C_1-6alkoxy, Cj.₆alkanoyl,

Cι_₆alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1-6alkylamino, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂amino, Cι_₆alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι- alkyl) carbamoyl, Cι-₆alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1- alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamόyl and NN-(C i _-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl ;

R² is H, Cι_-6alkyl [optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxy, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, R⁴, R⁴C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, R⁴Cι.₆alkylsulphinyl, R⁴C_1-6alkylsulphonyl], or R² is C_1-6alkoxy [optionally substituted with one or more of C₂.₆alkenyl, C_2-6alkynyl, R⁴, R⁴C_2-6alkenyl, R⁴C_2-6alkynyl, Het and trifluoromethyl], or R is C_2-6alkenyl, C_2-6alkynyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, N-(C_]-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(d_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, R⁴, R⁴S, R⁴Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl, N-(R⁴C_1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, N-(HetCι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl wherein R⁴ is an optionally substituted phenyl, or an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring containing a maximum of four heteroatoms said optional substituents being chosen from one or more of Cι_-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano,

Cι_-6alkanoyl, Cι- alkanoyloxy, amino, Cι_-6alkylamino, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂amino, C_1-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl,

N-(Cι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, Cι_-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, Cι_-6alkylsulphanyl, C_1-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1-6alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(C_1-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(Cι_₆alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; R³ is H or Cι_-6alkyl; and (AA¹) and (AA²) are independently chosen from Ala, Arg, Cys, Gly, His, De, Leu, Lys,

Met, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, Val, Lys(CHO), Arg(ΝO₂), β-Ala, Ser(Bzl), Ph-Gly, Nle, Ser(O'Bu), His(Bzl), Met(O), Cha, His(Me), Cit, Tyr(*Bu), Met(O₂), Pyr-Ala, Phe(S), Leu(S) or Phe(CH₂S); wherein the nitrogen of the amino acid may optionally be alkylated with Ci-ealkyl and the phenyl group of Phe(S) may be optionally substituted with one or more of Cι_-6alkyl, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano,

Cι_-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkanoyl, Cι_-6alkanoyloxy, amino, C_1- alkylamino, NN-(Cι_-6alkyl)₂amino, Cι_-6alkanoylamino, nitro, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)carbamoyl, NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C_1-6alkoxycarbonyl, mercapto, C_1-6alkylsulphanyl, Cι_-6alkylsulphinyl, C_1- alkylsulphonyl, sulphamoyl, N-(Cι_-6alkyl)sulphamoyl and NN-(C_1-6alkyl)₂sulphamoyl or the phenyl group may be fused to another phenyl group to form a naphthyl group; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

8. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 7 wherein r is 0; and R² is furyl, pyrazolyl (optionally substituted with one or more of methyl and bromo), imidazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, benzyl, 2-methylthioethyl, isopropylthio, methoxy, isopropoxy and 2- propynyloxy.

9. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein r is 0; and R is thienyl.

10. A process for preparing a compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a) coupling an acid of formula (III):

R-(AN) -(AA²)-OH

(III) or a reactive derivative thereof, with an amine of formula (IV):

R² R³

H₂N X C.N (IV) b) dehydrating a compound of formula (V):

(V) under standard conditions; c) for compounds of formula (I) where r = 1, coupling an acid of formula (VI):

R¹— (AN) — OH

(VI) or a reactive derivative thereof as defined hereinbefore, with an amine of formula

(VII):

(VII) d) for compounds of formula (I) where R¹ is a group of formula (II), reacting an amine of formula (VIII):

(VIII) with an acid of formula (IX):

(IX) or a reactive derivative thereof as defined hereinbefore; or e) for compounds of formula (I) where R¹ is optionally substituted benzyl, reacting an amine of formula (X):

(X) i) with a compound of formula (XI):

(XI) where (R)_n are optional substituents as defined above and L is a displaceable group; or ii) with an aldehyde of formula (XII):

(XII) where (R)_n are optional substituents as defined above and L is a displaceable group; wherein R¹, R², R³, AA¹, AA² and r are as defined in claim 1.

11. A compound of formula (V):

(V) wherein R¹, R², R³, AA¹, AA² and r are as defined in claim 1.

12. A compound of formula (VIE):

(VIII) wherein R¹, R², R³, AA¹, AA² and r are as defined in claim 1.

13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) or (la), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as claimed in claim 1 , 2, 8 or 9 and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

14. A compound of formula (I) or (la), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as claimed in claim 1, 2, 8 or 9 for use as a medicament

15. The use of a compound of formula (I) or (la) as claimed in claim 1 , 2, 8 or 9, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the inhibition of a cysteine protease in a warm blooded animal.

16. The use of a compound of formula (I) or (la) as claimed in claim 1 , 2, 8 or 9, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a warm blooded animal.

17. A method of treating a Cathepsin L or Cathepsin S mediated disease state in mammals which comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or (la) as claimed in claim 1, 2, 8 or 9, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.