Abstract: A method is described for the preparation of novel alkylamides of carboxyalkanoyl peptides of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an aralky or an alkyl group of 1-5 carbon atoms, A is a residue of peptidically bound proline or alanine, B is a straight bond or a residue of peptidically bound proline or alanine and X is a CH.dbd.CH group or a methylene group of 1-3 carbon atoms.The described compounds are capable of inhibiting elastase.

Abstract: This invention relates to biologically active tripeptide and tetrapeptide alkylamides of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl with 1 to 5 carbon atoms,A is a peptidically bound alanine or proline residue,B is a peptidically bound glycine, alanine or proline residue,n is an integer of 1 or 2, andR.sup.2 is an alkylcarbonylamino group with 2 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkenyl with 6 to 12 carbon atoms or a benzyloxycarbonylamino group.The compounds effectively inhibit the enzymatic activity of pancreatic and leucocytal elastase and are expected to find use in the treatment of acute pancreatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary emphysema, and certain forms of arthritis. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of the title compounds and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.