Abstract: Compounds which are 3-arylsulfonyl-2-methyl propanoic acid derivatives of formula (I): wherein X is HO—NH— or HO—, R1 is selected from phenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 4-florophenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, benzamido (i.e., —NH—CO-Ph) and benzamido substituted on the terminal phenyl ring by C1-C4 alkyl, fluoro, chloro, cyano or C1-4 alkoxy; R2 is selected from (a) —S—Ar or —S—CH2—Ar wherein Ar is an aromatic moiety; (b) —O—Ar wherein Ar is as defined above; (c) —S-Het or —S—CH2-Het wherein Het is a heterocyclic ring; and (d) 2,5-dioxo-1-imidazolidinyl or 2,4-dioxo-1-imidazolinyl; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; have potent and selective inhibitory activity against matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and can thus be used in the treatment and prevention of diseases mediated by MMPs.

Abstract: A compound, which is an amine derivative of formula (I) wherein W is —CNHOH or —COOH: R1 and R2 are each hydrogen or an organic residue, R3 is an organic group, Q is a secondary or tertiary acyclic or cyclic amido group, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and hydrates thereof, are inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and of the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) from cells. They are therefore useful in the prevention, control and treatment of diseases in which MMPs or TNF are involved, especially tumoral and inflammatory diseases. Processes for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing them are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cephem-derivatives and to a process for their preparation, having proper substituents at C-2 position, i.e. heterocyclylthio or acyloxy group. They are potent protease inhibitors, in particular human leucocyte elastase (HLE) inhibitors.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I), wherein W is —NHOH or —OH, R1 is either free or protected hydroxymethyl or mercaptomethyl or derivatives thereof, R2 is free or protected hydroxy, R3 and R4 is an organic group, R5 is hydrogen or methyl, or R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, constitute an azaheterocyclyl group, and the solvates, hydrates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, can inhibit matrix metalloproteinases and the release of tumour necrosis factor (TNF). Processes for producing the compound, intermediates involved in the processes, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of known cephem derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is zero, one or two; R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an organic radical, R.sup.2 represents halo or an organic radical or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 taken together with the C-2 carbon atom of the cephem nucleus constitute a carbocyclic or heterocyclyl group; R.sup.3 represents R.sup.2 as defined above or an organic radical, R.sup.4 is either R.sup.1 or an organic group, R.sup.5 is either R.sup.1 as defined above or halo or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylthio or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 acylamino;R.sup.6 is R.sup.2 as defined above or an organic group,or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides cephalosporin sulphones of formula (I) and the pharmaceutically and veterinarily acceptable salts thereof: ##STR1## wherein n is one or two: A and B are both or each independently hydrogen or an organic radical;R.sup.1 represents halogen, A, OA, --S(O).sub.m A wherein m is 0-2, --OC(O)A, --OS(O).sub.2 A, --NHC(O)A or --NH--Z wherein Z is a mono, di- or tripeptide and A is as defined above;R.sup.2 represents a halogen, A, --S(O).sub.m A, --O--A, --C(O)A, --C(O)OA, --CH.sub.2 --OA, --CH.sub.2 S(O).sub.m A, --CH.sub.2 OC(O)A, --CH.sub.2 O--Z, --CH.sub.2 SC(O) A, --CH.sub.2 --N(A)A, --CH.sub.2 N.sup.+ (A)(A')A", --CH.sub.2 NH--C(O)A or --CH.sub.2 NH--Z wherein A and Z are as defined above.The compounds of formula (I) and their salts are elastase inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically or veterinarily salts thereof; ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or halogen or an organic group; R.sub.2 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl or C.sub.7 -C.sub.14 aralkyl group;R.sub.3 is hydrogen or halogen, or an organic groupR.sub.4 is hydrogen or a group defined as R.sub.2 above or R.sub.4 taken together with R.sub.3 constitutes a C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkanediyl or an alkanediyl radical optionally substituted by methyl or phenyland X is either oxygen or sulphur or NR.sub.6, wherein R.sub.6 is either hydrogen or a group as defined for R.sub.2. A process for their preparation by cyclization of appropriate intermediates is also described.The compounds of formula I and the pharmaceutically and veterinarily acceptable salts thereof are elastase inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides cephalosporin sulphones or formula (I), and pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable salts thereof; ##STR1## wherein n is zero, one or two; R.sub.1 is hydrogen, halogen or an optionally substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylthio or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 carboxamido group;R.sub.2 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkenyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl group;R.sub.3 is hydrogen or acetoxymethyl, methoxymethyl, methyl or an optionally substituted heterocyclylthiomethyl group;R.sub.4 is an optionally substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkenyl, aryl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.8)alkyl or heterocyclyl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.8)alkyl group; andR.sub.5 is an optionally substituted C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl or a heterocyclyl group.The compounds of formula I and the pharmaceutically and veterinarily acceptable salts thereof are elastase inhibitors.

Abstract: There are provided compounds I ##STR1## wherein A is a hydrogen atom or an organic group,R.sub.1 is hydrogen or halogen atom or an organic group,R.sub.2 is hydrogen or halogen atom, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or acyloxy group,R.sub.3 is hydrogen atom, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or alkoxy, benzyl group or a methylene andR.sub.4 is chloro, fluoro, hydrogen atom or an organic group.The compounds I are elastase inhibitors. A process for their preparation is also provided, as are pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: Cephalosporins of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein m is one or two; n is zero, one or two; A and B are organic residues; and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are halogen or hydrogen atoms or organic groups are endowed with elastase inhibitory activity. Two processes for their preparation starting from the corresponding 4-acyl cephem are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a process for preparing a compound of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an organic residue, R.sub.2 is a hydrogen or a chlorine atom, a methoxy, ethoxy or an acetoxy group, and n represents 0, 1 or 2.The process comprises reacting a compound of the formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 and n are as defined above, with an inorganic or organic nitrite, in an alcohol R.sub.1 OH, wherein R.sub.1 is as defined above, or in a mixture R.sub.1 OH-organic solvent in the presence of an inorganic or organic acid.The compounds of the formula (I) are known intermediates in the synthesis of human leucocyte elastase inhibitors (HLE).

Abstract: Compounds of formulae Ia and Ib ##STR1## wherein A is hydrogen atom or an organic residue, R.sup.1 is halogen atom, or an organic group, R.sup.2 is hydrogen or halogen atom, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or alkoxy group, R.sup.3 is hydrogen atom, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or alkoxy group, benzyl or a methylene group and R.sub.4 is an organic residue are disclosed. Compounds (Ia) and (Ib) are endowed with elastase inhibitory activity. A two-step process for their preparation starting from the corresponding 4-carboxy cephem or 3-carboxy penam is also provided.