Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1? converting enzyme. The ICE inhibitors of this invention are characterized by specific structural and physicochemical features. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF-, and IFN-?-mediated diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, degenerative diseases, and necrotic diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ICE activity, for treating interleukin-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF- and IFN-?-mediated diseases and decreasing IGIF and IFN-? production using the compounds and compositions of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1? converting enzyme. The ICE inhibitors of this invention are characterized by specific structural and physicochemical features. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF-, and IFN-?-mediated diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, degenerative diseases, and necrotic diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ICE activity, for treating interleukin-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF- and IFN-?-mediated diseases and decreasing IGIF and IFN-? production using the compounds and compositions of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1? converting enzyme. The ICE inhibitors of this invention are characterized by specific structural and physicochemical features. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF-, and IFN-?-mediated diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, degenerative diseases, and necrotic diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ICE activity, for treating interleukin-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF- and IFN-?-mediated diseases and decreasing IGIF and IFN-? production using the compounds and compositions of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1? converting enzyme. The ICE inhibitors of this invention are characterized by specific structural and physicochemical features. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF-, and IFN-?-mediated diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, degenerative diseases, and necrotic diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ICE activity, for treating interleukin-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF- and IFN-?-mediated diseases and decreasing IGIF and IFN-? production using the compounds and compositions of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1? converting enzyme (“ICE”). This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against interleukin-1-(“IL-1”), apoptosis-, interferon-? inducing factor-(IGIF), interferon-?-(“IFN-?”) mediated diseases, excess dietary alcohol intake diseases, or viral diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ICE activity and decreasing IGIF production and IFN-? production and methods for treating interleukin-1, apoptosis- and interferon-?-mediated diseases using the compounds and compositions of this invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for simultaneously N(2)-acylating piperazic acid or an ester thereof and forming a bicyclic ring structure. The invention also relates to the use of that process step in a method of synthesizing a bicyclic compound useful as an intermediate for the production of an inhibitor of a caspase, particularly an inhibitor of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”). This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against interleukin-1-(“IL-1”), apoptosis-, interferon-&ggr; inducing factor-(IGIF), interferon-&ggr;-(“IFN-&ggr;”) mediated diseases, excess dietary alcohol intake diseases, or viral diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for synthesizing piperazic acid and similar, ring-containing acids. The invention also relates to a process for simultaneously N(2)-acylating piperazic acid or an ester thereof and forming a bicyclic ring structure. The invention also relates to the use of either or both processes in a method of synthesizing a bicyclic compound useful as an intermediate for the production of an inhibitor of a caspase, particularly an inhibitor of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”).

Abstract: This invention provides a concise, asymmetric synthesis of piperazic acid and derivatives thereof, whereby either the (3S)- or (3R)-enantiomeric form may be obtained with high optical purity. (3S)-piperazic acid is derived from D-glutamic acid through an (R)-2,5-dihydroxyvalerate ester intermediate. After the hydroxy groups are converted to suitable leaving groups, such as mesylates, the ester is treated with a bis-protected hydrazine to provide the desired (3S)-piperazic acid derivative. The (3R) enantiomer of piperazic acid may be similarly obtained starting with L-glutamic acid. The method may also be used to obtain piperazic acid derivatives that have moderate optical purity or are racemic. By this method, piperazic acid derivatives may be obtained that are useful as intermediates for pharmacologically active compounds. For example, certain intermediates of this invention are useful for preparing caspase inhibitors, particularly inhibitors of ICE, through additional steps known in the art.

Abstract: This invention provides a concise, asymmetric synthesis of piperazic acid and derivatives thereof, whereby either the (3S)- or (3R)-enantiomeric form may be obtained with high optical purity. (3S)-piperazic acid is derived from D-glutamic acid through an (R)-2,5-dihydroxyvalerate ester intermediate. After the hydroxy groups are converted to suitable leaving groups, such as mesylates, the ester is treated with a bis-protected hydrazine to provide the desired (3S)-piperazic acid derivative. The (3R) enantiomer of piperazic acid may be similarly obtained starting with L-glutamic acid. The method may also be used to obtain piperazic acid derivatives that have moderate optical purity or are racemic. By this method, piperazic acid derivatives may be obtained that are useful as intermediates for pharmacologically active compounds. For example, certain intermediates of this invention are useful for preparing caspase inhibitors, particularly inhibitors of ICE, through additional steps known in the art.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”). This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against interleukin-1-(“IL-1”), apoptosis-, interferon-&ggr; inducing factor-(IGIF), interferon-&ggr;-(“IFN-&ggr;”) mediated diseases, excess dietary alcohol intake diseases, or viral diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for simultaneously N(2)-acylating piperazic acid or an ester thereof and forming a bicyclic ring structure. The invention also relates to the use of that process step in a method of synthesizing a bicyclic compound useful as an intermediate for the production of an inhibitor of a caspase, particularly an inhibitor of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”). This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against interleukin-1-(“IL-1”), apoptosis-, interferon-&ggr; inducing factor-(IGIF), interferon-&ggr;- (“IFN-&ggr;”) mediated diseases, excess dietary alcohol intake diseases, or viral diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme. The ICE inhibitors of this invention are characterized by specific structural and physicochemical features. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF-, and IFN-&ggr;-mediated diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, degenerative diseases, and necrotic diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ICE activity, for treating interleukin-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF- and IFN-&ggr;-mediated diseases and decreasing IGIF and IFN-&ggr; production using the compounds and compositions of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”). This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against interleukin-1-(“IL-1”), apoptosis-, interferon-&ggr; inducing factor-(IGIF), or interferon-&ggr;-(“IFN-&ggr;”) mediated diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ICE activity and decreasing IGIF production and IFN-&ggr; production and methods for treating interleukin-1, apoptosis- and interferon-&ggr;-mediated diseases using the compounds and compositions of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”). This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against interleukin-1-(“IL-1”), apoptosis-, interferon-&ggr; inducing factor-(IGIF), interferon-&ggr;-(“IFN-&ggr;”) mediated diseases, excess dietary alcohol intake diseases, or viral diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for synthesizing piperazic acid and similar, ring-containing acids. The invention also relates to a process for simultaneously N(2)-acylating piperazic acid or an ester thereof and forming a bicyclic ring structure. The invention also relates to the use of either or both processes in a method of synthesizing a bicyclic compound useful as an intermediate for the production of an inhibitor of a caspase, particularly an inhibitor of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-IB converting enzyme. The ICE inhibitors of this invention are characterized by specific structural and physicochemical features. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF-, and IFN-&ggr;-mediated diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, degenerative diseases, and necrotic diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ICE activity, for treating interleukin-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF- and IFN-&ggr;-mediated diseases and decreasing IGIF and IFN-&ggr; production using the compounds and compositions of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyradazino[1,2-a][1,2]diazepine-1-carboxamide compounds of formula: which compounds are inhibitors of interleukin-1beta converting enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for simultaneously N(2)-acylating piperazic acid or an ester thereof and forming a bicyclic ring structure. The invention also relates to the use of that process step in a method of synthesizing a bicyclic compound useful as an intermediate for the production of an inhibitor of a caspase, particularly an inhibitor of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (“ICE”).