WO1993014777A1

WO1993014777A1 - PEPTIDYL DERIVATIVES AS INHIBITORS OF INTERLEUKIN-1β CONVERTING ENZYME

Info

Publication number: WO1993014777A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/000481
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kevin T. Chapman; Malcolm Maccoss; William H. Parsons
Original assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
Priority date: 1992-01-31
Filing date: 1993-01-21
Publication date: 1993-08-05
Also published as: AU3479593A

Abstract

Novel peptidyl derivatives of formula (I) are found to be potent inhibitors of interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE). Compounds of formula (I) may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory or immune-based diseases of the lung and airways; central nervous system and surrounding membranes; the eyes and ears; joints, bones, and connective tissues; cardiovascular system including the pericardium; the gastrointestinal and urogenital systems; the skin and mucosal membranes. Compounds of formula (I) are also useful in treating the complications of infection (e.g., gram negative shock) and tumors in which IL 1 functions as an autocrine growth factor or as a mediatior of cachexia.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

PEPTIDYL DERIVATIVES AS INHIBITORS OF INTERLEUKIN-1β

CONVERTING ENZYME

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to substituted peptidyl derivatives useful in the treatment of inflammation in lung, central nervous system, kidney, joints, endocardium, pericardium, eyes, ears, skin, gastrointestinal tract and urogenital system. More particularly, this invention relates substituted peptidyl lactones and open forms thereof that are useful inhibitors of interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE). Interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE) has been identified as the enzyme responsible for

converting precursor interleukin-1β (IL-1β) to biologically active IL-1β.

Mammalian interleukin-1 (IL-1) is an

immunoregulatory protein secreted by cell types as part of the inflammatory response. The primary cell type responsible for IL-1 production is the

peripheral blood monocyte. Other cell types have also been described as releasing or containing IL-1 or IL-1 like molecules. These include epithelial cells (Luger, et al., J. Immunol. 127: 1493-1498 (1981), Le et al., J. Immunol. 138: 2520-2526 (1987) and Lovett and Larsen, J. Clin. Invest. 82: 115-122 (1988), connective tissue cells (Ollivierre et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 141: 904-911 (1986), Le et al, J. Immunol. 138: 2520-2526 (1987), cells of neuronal origin (Giulian et al., J. Esp. Med. 164:594-604 (1986) and leukocytes (Pistoia et al., J.

Immunol. 136: 1688-1692 (1986), Acres et al., Mol. Immuno. 24: 479-485 (1987), Acres et al., J. Immunol. 138: 2132-2136 (1987) and Lindenmann et al., J.

Immunol 140: 837-839 (1988).

Biologically active IL-1 exists in two distinct forms, IL-lα with an isoelectric point of about pI 5.2 and IL-1β with an isoelectric point of about 7.0 with both forms having a molecular mass of about 17,500 (Bayne et al., J. Esp. Med. 163:

1267-1280 (1986) and Schmidt, J. Esp. Med. 160: 772 (1984). The polypeptides appear evolutionarily conserved, showing about 27-33% homology at the amino acid level (Clark et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 14:

7897-7914 (1986).

Mammalian IL-1β is synthesized as a cell associated precursor polypeptide with a molecular mass of about 31.4 kDa (Limjuco et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 83: 3972-3976 (1986). Precursor IL-1β is unable to bind to IL-1 receptors and is

biologically inactive (Mosley et al., J. Biol. Chem. 262: 2941-2944 (1987). Biological activity appears dependent upon some form of proteolytic processing which results in the conversion of the precursor 31.5 kDa form to the mature 17.5 kDa form. Evidence is growing that by inhibiting the conversion of

precursor IL-1β to mature IL-1β, one can effectively inhibit the activity of interleukin-1.

Mammalian cells capable of producing IL-1β include, but are not limited to, karatinocytes, endothelial cells, mesangial cells, thymic epithelial cells, dermal fibroblasts, chondrocytes, astrocytes, glioma cells, mononuclear phagocytes, granulocytes, T and B lymphocytes and NK cells.

As discussed by J.J. Oppenheim, et al.

Immunology Today, vol. 7(2):45-56 (1986), the

activities of interleukin-1 are many. It has been observed that catabolin, a factor that promotes degradation of cartilage matrix, also exhibited the thymocyte comitogenic activities of IL-1 and

stimulates chondrocytes to release collagenase neutral proteases and plasminogen activator. In addition, a plasma factor termed proteolysis inducing factor stimulates muscle cells to. produce

prostaglandins which in turn leads to proteolysis, the release of amino. acids and, in the long run, muscle wasting, and appears to represent a fragment of IL-1 with fever-inducing, acute phase response and thymocyte co-mitogenic activities. IL-1 has multiple effects on cells involved in inflammation and wound healing. Subcutaneous injection of IL-1 leads to margination of neutrophils and maximal extravascular infiltration of the

polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). In vitro studies reveal IL-1 to be a chemotactic attractant for PMN to activate PMN to metabolize glucose more rapidly to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium and to release their lysozomal enzymes. Endothelial cells are stimulated to proliferate by IL-1 to produce thromboxane, to become more adhesive and to release procoagulant activity. IL-1 also enhances collagen type IV production by epidermal cells, induces osteoblast proliferation and alkaline phosphatase production and stimulates osteoclasts to resorb bone. Even

macrophages have been reported to be chemotactically attracted to IL-1 to produce prostaglandins in response to IL-1 and to exhibit a more prolonged and active tumoricidal state.

IL-1 is also a potent bone resorptive agent capable upon infusion into mice of causing

hypercaleemia and increas in bone resorptive surface as revealed by his to morphometry Sabatini, M. et al., PNAS 85: 5235-5239, 1988.

Accordingly, disease states in which the ICE inhibitors of Formula I may be useful as therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, infectious diseases where active infection exists at any body site, such as meningitis and salpingitis;

complications of infections including septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and/or adult respiratory distress syndrome; acute or chronic inflammation due to antigen, antibody, and/or

complement deposition; inflammatory conditions including arthritis, cholangitis, colitis,

encephalitis, endocarditis, glomerulonephritis, hepatitis, myocarditis, pancreatitis, pericarditis, reperfusion injury and vasculitis. Immune-based diseases which may be responsive to ICE inhibitors of Formula I include but are not limited to conditions involving T-cells and/or macrophages such as acute and delayed hypersensitivity, graft rejection, and graft-versus-host-disease; auto-immune diseases including Type I diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis. ICE inhibitors of Formula I may also be useful in the treatment of bone and cartilage

resorption as well as diseases resulting in excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Such diseases include periodonate diseases interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, cirrhosis, systemic sclerosis, and keloid formation. ICE inhibitors of Formula I may also be useful in treatment of certain tumors which produce IL 1 as an autocrine growth factor and in preventing the cachexia associated with certain tumors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Novel peptidyl derivatives formula I are found to be potent inhibitors of interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE). Compounds of formula I are useful in the treatment of deseases including

inflammation in lung, central nervous system, kidney, joints, endocardium, pericardium, eyes, ears, skin, gastrointestinal tract and urogenital system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention encompasses compounds of formula I..

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof thereof wherein Y is :

R₁ is

(a) substituted C_1-12 alkyl, wherein the substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen,

(2) hydroxy,

(3 ) halo , and

(4) C_1-6alkylcarbonyl ;

(b) aryl C_1-6 alkyl wherein the aryl group is selected from the group consisting of: (1) phenyl,

(2) naphthyl,

(3) pyridyl,

(4) furyl,

(5) thienyl,

(6) thiazolyl,

(7) isothiazolyl,

(8) imidazolyl,

(9) benzimidazolyl,

(10) pyrazinyl,

(11) pyπmidyl,

(12) quinolyl,

(13) isoquinolyl,

(14) benzofuryl,

(15) benzothienyl,

(16) pyrazolyl,

(17) indolyl,

(18) purinyl,

(19) isoxazolyl, and

(20) oxazolyl,

and mono and di-substituted aryl as defined above in items (1) to (20) wherein the substitutents are independently C_1-6alkyl, halo, hydroxy, C_1-6alkyl amino, C_1-6alkoxy, C_1-6alkylthio, and

C_1-6alkylcarbonyl;

AA₁ is independently selected from the group

consisting of

(a) a single bond, and (b) an amino acid of formula Al

wherein R₇ is selected from the group

consisting of:

(a) hydrogen,

(b) substituted C_1-6 alkyl, wherein the

substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen,

(2) hydroxy,

(3) halo,

(4) -S-C_1-4 alkyl

(5) -SH

(6) C_1-6 alkylcarbonyl,

(7) carboxy,

O

(8) -CNH2,

(9) amino carbonyl amino,

(10) C_1-4 alkylamino, wherein the alkyl moiety is substituted with

hydrogen or hydroxy, and the amino is substituted with hydrogen or CBZ,

(11) guanidino, and

(c) aryl C_1-6 alkyl,

wherein aryl is defined as immediately, above, and wherein the aryl may be mono and di-substituted, the substituents being each independently C_1-6alkyl, halo, hydroxy, C_1-6alkyl amino, C_1-6alkoxy,

C_1-6alkylthio, and C_1-6alkylcarbonyl;

AA₂ is independently selected from the group

consisting of

(a) a single bond, and

(b) an amino acid of formula AII

AA₃, which are each independently selected from the group consisting of

(a) a single bond, and

(b) an amino acid of formula AIII

wherein R₈ and R₉ are each independently selected from the group consisting of

(a) hydrogen,

(b) substituted C_1-6 alkyl, wherein the substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen,

(2) hydroxy,

(3) halo, (4) -S-C_1-4 alkyl

(5) -SH

(6) C_1-6 alkylcarbonyl,

(7) carboxy,

O

(8) -CNH2,

(9) amino carbonyl amino,

(10) C_1-4 alkylamino, wherein the alkyl moiety is substituted with

hydrogen or hydroxy, and the amino is substituted with hydrogen or CBZ,

(11) guanidino, and

(c) aryl C_1-6 alkyl,

wherein aryl is defined as immediately above, and wherein the aryl may be mono and di-substituted, the substituents being each independently C_1-6alkyl, halo, hydroxy, C_1-6alkyl amino, C_1-6alkoxy,

C_1-6alkylthio, and C_1-6alkylcarbonyl.

One class of this genus is the compounds wherein:

R₁ is

(a) substituted C_1-6 alkyl, wherein the

substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen,

(2) hydroxy,

(3) chloro or fluoro, and

(b) aryl C_1-6 alkyl wherein the aryl group is selected from the group consisting of

(1) phenyl,

(2) naphthyl, (3) pyridyl,

(4) furyl,

(5) thienyl,

(6) thiazolyl,

(7) isothiazolyl,

(8) benzofuryl,

(9) benzothienyl,

(10) indolyl,

(11) isooxazolyl, and

(12) oxazolyl,

and mono and di-substituted C_1-10aryl as defined above in items (1) to (12) wherein the substitutents are independently C_1-4alkyl, halo, and hydroxy;

AA₁ is independently selected from the group

consisting of

(a) a single bond, and

(b) an amino acid of formula Al

wherein R₇ is aryl C_1-6 alkyl

wherein aryl is defined as immediately above, and wherein the aryl may be mono and di-substituted , the substituents being each independently C_1-6alkyl, halo, hydroxy, C_1-6alkyl amino, C_1-6alkoxy,

C_1-6alkylthio, and C_1-6alkylcarbonyl; AA₂ is independently selected from the group

consisting of

(a) a single bond, and

(b) an amino acid of formula AII

AA₃, which are each independently selected from the group consisting of

(a) a single bond, and

(b) an amino acid of formula AIII

wherein R₃ and R₉ are each independently selected from the group consisting of

(a) hydrogen,

(b) C_1-6 alkyl, wherein the substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen,

(2) hydroxy,

(3) halo,

(4) -S-C_1-4 alkyl

(5) -SH

(6) C_1-6 alkylcarbonyl,

(7) carboxy, O

( 8 ) -CNH2 ,

(9) C_1-4 alkylamino, and C_1-4 alkyl amino wherein the alkyl moeity is substituted whith an hydroxy, and

(10) guanidino, and

(c) aryl C_1-6 alkyl,

C_1-6alkylthio, and C_1-6alkylcarbonyl.

Within this class are the compounds wherein AA1, AA2 and AA3, are each independently selected from the group consisting of the L- and D- forms of the amino acids including glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, serine, threonine, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine, lysine, hydroxy-lysine, histidine, arginine, phenylalaήine, tyrosine, tryptophan, cysteine, methionine,

ornithine, ß-alanine, homoserine, homotyrosine, homophenylalanine and citrulline.

Alternatively, within this class are the subclass of compounds wherein

R₁ is C_1-3alkyl; and

R₈ and R₉ are each individually

(a) hydrogen,

(b) C₁_₆alkyl,

(c) mercapto C_1-6alkyl,

(d) hydroxy C_1-6alkyl,

(e) carboxy C_1-6alkyl, (g) aminocarbonyl C_1-6alkyl,

(h) mono - or di-C_1-6alkyl amino C_1-6galkyl,

(i) guanidino C_1-6alkyl,

(j) amino-C_1-6alkyl or N-substituted

amino-C_1-6alkyl wherein the substituent is carbobenzoxy,

(k) carbamyl C_1-6alkyl, or

(1) aryl C_1-6alkyl, wherein the aryl group is selected from phenyl and indolyl, and the aryl group may be substituted with hydroxy, C_1-3 alkyl.

Within this sub-class are the compounds wherein:

R₁ is methyl;

R₈ is C_1-6alkyl; and

R₉ is

(a) hydrogen,

(b) C^alkyl,

(d) benzyl,

(e) p-hydroxy-benzyl,

(f ) N-carbobenzoxy-amino-(n-butyl),

(g) carbamylmethyl,

(h) carbamylethyl,

(i) indol-2-yl-methyl,

(j) substituted phenyl C_1-6alkyl, wherein the substituent is hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxy, or C_1-4alkyl,

(k) substituted indolyl C_1-6alkyl, wherein the substituent is hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxy, or C_1-4alkyl, or (1) substituted imidazolyl C_1-6alkyl wherein the substituent is hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxy, or C_1-4alkyl.

Exemplifying the invention are the following compounds:

(a)N-(N-Acetyl-tyrosinyl-valinyl-alaninyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid;

(b)N-(N-Acetyl-tyrosinyl-valinyl-ε-CBZ-lysinyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid;

(c)N-(N-Acetyl-tyrosinyl-valinyl-lysinyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid.

This invention also concerns to

pharmaceutical composition and methods of treatment of interleukin-1 and interleukin-1β mediated or implicated disorders or diseases (as described above) in a patient (including man and/or mammalian animals raised in the dairy, meat, or fur industries or as pets) in need of such treatment comprising

administration of interleukin-1β inhibitors of formula (I) as the active constituents.

Illustrative of these aspects, this invention concerns pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment of diseases selected from septic shock, allograft rejection, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis in a patient in need of such treatment comprising:

administration of an interleukin-1β inhibitor of formula (I) as the active constituent.

Compounds of the instant invention are conveniently prepared using the procedures described generally below and more explicitly described in the Example section thereafter.

The reactions of the scheme proceed as follows. CBZ-aspartic acid β-methyl ester is

converted to the mixed anhydride with isobutyl chloroformate and N-methylmorpholine. Addition of excess diazomethane provides the desired diazomethylketone. Hydrolysis of the ester is

accomplished using triethylamine in methanol and water. The tetrapeptide diazomethylketone can be prepared as follows. FMOC-aspartic acid β-methyl ester is converted to its diazomethylketone as before. The FMOC group is then removed with

diethylamine and the resulting amine coupled to

N-acetyltyrosinyl-valinyl-alanine using dicyclohexyl carbodiimide in the presence of hydroxybenzotriazole and N-methylmorpholine. The ester is then hydrolyzed as before.

The compounds of the instant invention of the formula (I), as represented in the Examples hereinunder shown to exhibit in vitro inhibitory activities with respect to interleukin-1β. In

particular, these compounds have been shown to

inhibit interleukin-1β converting enzyme from

cleaving precusor interleukin-1β as to form active interleukin-1β at a Ki of less than 1 uM.

This invention also relates to a method of treatment for patients (including man and/or mammalian animals raised in the dairy, meat, or fur industries or as pets) suffering from disorders or diseases which can be attributed to IL-1/ICE as previously described, and more specifically, a method of

treatment involving the administration of the

IL-1/ICE inhibitors of formula (I) as the active constituents.

encephalitis, endocarditis, glomerulonephritis, hepatitis, myocarditis, pancreatitis, pericarditis, reperfusion injury and vasculitis.. Immune-based diseases which may be responsive to ICE inhibitors of Formula I include but are not limited to conditions involving T-cells and/or macrophages such as acute and delayed hypersensitivity, graft rejection, and graft-versus-host-disease; auto-immune diseases including Type I diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis. ICE inhibitors of Formula I may also be useful in the treatment of bone and cartilage

resorption as well as diseases resulting in excessive deposition of extracellular matrix such as

interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, cirrhosis, systemic sclerosis, and keloid formation. ICE inhibitors of Formula I may also be useful in treatment of certain tumors which produce IL 1 as an autocrine growth factor and in preventing the cachexia associated with certain tumors.

For the treatment the above mentioned diseases, the compounds of formula (I) may be

administered orally, topically, parenterally, by inhalation spray or rectally in dosage unit

formulations containing conventional non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehicles. The term parenteral as used herein

includes subcutaneous injections, intravenous, intramuscular, intracisternal injection or infusion techniques. In addition to the treatment of

warm-blooded animals such as mice, rats, horses, cattle, sheep, dogs, cats, etc., the compounds of the invention are effective in the treatment of humans.

The pharmaceutical compositions containing the active ingredient may be in a form suitable for oral use, for example, as tablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible powders or granules, emulsions, hard or soft capsules, or syrups or elixirs. Compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to any method known to the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions and such compositions may contain one or more agents selected from the group consisting of sweetening agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents and

preserving agents in order to provide pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations. Tablets contain the active ingredient in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients which are suitable for the manufacture of tablets. These excipients may be for example, inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate or sodium phosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents, for example, corn starch, or alginic acid; binding agents, for example starch, gelatin or acacia, and lubricating agents, for example magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc.

The tablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and

absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. For example, a time delay material such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate may be employed. They may also be coated by the techniques described in the U.S. Patents 4,256,108; 4,166,452; and

4,265,874 to form osmotic therapeutic tablets for control release. Formulations for oral use may also be

presented as hard gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example peanut oil, liquid paraffin, or olive oil.

Aqueous suspensions contain the active materials in admixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Such

excipients are suspending agents, for example sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxy-propylmethylcellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia; dispersing or wetting agents may be a naturally-occurring .

phosphatide, for example lecithin, or condensation products of an alkylene oxide with fatty acids, for example polyoxyethylene stearate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, for example heptadecaethyl-eneoxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and a hexitol such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol

anhydrides, for example polyethylene sorbitan

monooleate. The aqueous suspensions may also contain one or more preservatives, for example ethyl, or n-propyl, p-hydroxybenzoate, one or more coloring agents, one or more flavoring agents, and one or more sweetening agents, such as sucrose or saccharin. Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredient in a vegetable oil, for example arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil, or in a mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. The oily suspensions may contain a

thickening agent, for example beeswax, hard paraffin or cetyl alcohol. Sweetening agents such as those set forth above, and flavoring agents may be added to provide a palatable oral preparation. These

compositions may be preserved by the addition of an anti-oxidant such as ascorbic acid.

Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives.

Suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents are exemplified by those already mentioned above. Additional excipients, for example

sweetening, flavoring and coloring agents, may also be present.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be in the form of oil-in-water emulsions. The oily phase may be a vegetable oil, for example olive oil or arachis oil, .or a mineral oil, for example liquid paraffin or mixtures of these. Suitable emulsifying agents may be naturally-occurring gums, for example gum acacia or gum

tragacanth, naturally-occurring phosphatides, for example soy bean, lecithin, and esters or partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol

anhydrides, for example sorbitan monooleate, and condensation products of the said partial esters with ethylene oxide, for example polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The emulsions may also contain

sweetening and flavoring agents.

Syrups and elixirs may be formulated with sweetening agents, for example glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol or sucrose. Such formulations may also contain a demulcent, a preservative and flavoring and coloring agents. The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterile injectable aqueous or oleagenous suspension. This suspension may be

formulated according to the known art using those suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents which have been mentioned above. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile

injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, for example as a solution in 1,3-butane diol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid find usein the preparation of injectables.

The compounds of formula (I) may also be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration of the drug. These compositions can be prepared by mixing the drug with a suitable non-irritating excipient which is solid at ordinary temperatures but liquid at the rectal temperature and will therefore melt in the rectum to release the drug. Such materials are cocoa butter and

polyethylene glycols.

For topical use, creams, ointments, jellies, solutions or suspensions, etc., containing the compounds of Formula (I) are employed. (For purposes of this application, topical application shall include mouth washes and gargles.)

Dosage levels of the order of from about 0.05 mg to about 140 mg per kilogram of body weight per day are useful in the treatment of the above-indicated conditions (about 2.5 mg to about 7 gms. per patient per day). For example, inflammation may be effectively treated by the administration of from about 0.01 to 50 mg of the compound per kilogram of body weight per day (about 0.5 mg to about 3.5 gms per patient per day).

The amount of active ingredient that may be combined with the carrier materials to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration. For example, a formulation intended for the oral administration of humans may contain from 0.5 mg to 5 gm of active agent compounded with an appropriate and convenient amount of carrier material which may vary from about 5 to about 95 percent of the total

composition. Dosage unit forms will generally contain between from about 1 mg to about 500 mg of an active ingredient. It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, route of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination and the severity of the particular disease undergoing therapy.

The following Examples are intended to illustrate the preparation of compounds of Formula I, and as such are not intended to limit the invention as set forth in the claims appended, thereto.

EXAMPLE 1

N-Benzylo2ycarbonyl-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid triethylammoniυm salt.

STEP A

N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester:

To a solution of CBZ-aspartic acid β-methyl ester (971 mg, 3.45 mmol) and 4-methyl morpholine (399 mL, 3.63 mmol) in 5 mL of freshly di stilled dichloromethane at -10°C was added isobutyl

chloroformate (460 mL, 3.43 mmol). After 15 min, the solution was filtered and excess ethereal

diazomethane was added. The mixture was stirred at 0ºC for 1 h and concentrated. The mixture was purified by MPLC on silica-gel (35×350 mm column, eluting with 30% ethyl acetate in hexane) to give the title compound as a pale yellow oil which crystallized on standing: ¹H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.34 (brs, 5H, Ar-H), 5.92 (brd, 1H, NH), 5.12 (s, 1H, CHN₂), 5.12 (s, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.58 (m, 1H, CHNCO), 3.67 (s, 3H, CH₃O), 3.03 (dd, 1H, CHHCO₂), 2.08 (dd, 1H, CHHCO₂).

STEP B

N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid triethylammonium salt:

To a solution of N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (20 mg) in 2 mL each of methanol and water was added 400 mL of freshly distilled triethylamine. After 6 h at ambient temperature, the solution was concentrated to afford the title compound: ¹H NMR (200 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 6.6-6.1 (m, 5H, Ar-H), 5.30 (s, 2H, CH₂Ph), 5.22 (m, 1H, CHNCO), 3.28 (dd, 2H, CH₂CO₂), 2.58 (q, 6H, CH₂CH₃), 1.00 (t, 9H, CH₂GH₃). EXAMPLE 2

N-(N-Acetyl-tyrosinyl-valinyl-alaninyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid triethyl ammonium salt. STEP A

N-Fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester:

To a solution of FMOC-aspartic acid β-methyl ester (1.0g, 2.71 mmol) in5 mL of freshly distilled dichloromethane at -10ºC was added 4-methylmorpholine (313 mL, 2.85 mmol) followed by isobutylchloroformate (358 mL, 2.76 mmol). After 15 min, the mixture was filtered and the solids washed with 5 mL of

dichloromethane. To the combined dichloromethane solutions at 0ºC was added excess ethereal

diazomethane. After 2 h, the mixture was

concentrated, diluted with dichloromethane, filtered, and concentrated. The crude product was purified by MPLC on silica-gel (35×350 mm column, using 40% ethyl acetate in hexane as eluent) to afford the title compound as a pale-yellow crystalline solid: 1H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.76 (d, 2H, J = 7.30 Hz, Ar-H), 7.58 (d, 2H, J = 7.37 Hz, Ar-1), 7.45-7.25 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 5.80 (brd, 1H, NH), 5.35 (s, 1H, CHN₂),

4.66-4.40 (m, 3H, CHCH₂O, CHNCO), 4.20 (t, 1H, J = 6.04 Hz, CHCH₂O), 3.68 (s, 3H, CH₃O), 3.03 (dd, 1H, J = 4.44, 17.60 Hz, CHHCO₂), 2.65 (dd, 1H, J = 5.08, 17.29 Hz, CHHCO₂).

STEP B

3-Amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester:

To a solution of N-Fluorenylmethyloxy-carbonyl-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester in 25 mL of acetonitrile was added 25 mL of diethylamine. After 30 min, the mixture was

concentrated. The resulting orange solid was

triturated with dichloromethane, the solid removed by filtration, and the liquid concentrated. The orange oil was purified by MPLC on silica-gel (22×300 mm column, eluting with a gradient of dichloromethane to 17o ammonia and 10% methanol in dichloromethane) to afford the title compound as an orange oil: ¹H NMR (200 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 3.70 (m, 1H, CHNH₂), 3.67 (s, 3H, CH₃O), 2.74 (dd, 1H, J = 5.82, 16.5 Hz, CHHCO₂), 2.57 (dd, 1H, J = 7.55, 16.6 Hz, CHHCO₂). STEP C

N-(N-Acetyltyrosinyl-valinyl-alaninyl)-3-Amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester:

To a solution of 3-Amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (81.3 mg, 0.475 mmol) in 3 mL of DMF was added 4-methylmorpholine (261 mL, 2.38 mmol) followed by acetyltyrosinyl-valinyl-alanine (186 mg, 0.475 mmol). The mixture was cooled to 0ºC, and hydroxybenzotriazole (96 mg, 0.713 mmol) and dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (98 mg, 0.475 mmol) were added. The ice bath was removed and the mixture stirred overnight. The orange suspension was

filtered and purified by Sephadex LH-20^®

chromatography to afford 190 mg of the title compound as an orange solid: ¹H NMR (200 MHz, DMF-D7) δ

8.4-7.7 (m, NH's), 7.09 (d, 2H, J - 6.98 Hz, Ar-H), 6.73 (d, 2H, J = 8.61 Hz, Ar-H), 6.15 (s, 1H, CHN₂), 4.8-4.5 (m, 2H), 4,4-4.2 (m, 2H), 3.63 (s, 3H, CH₃O), 3.1-2.6 (m, 4H, CH₂Ar, CH₂CO₂), 2.1 (m, 1H,

CH(CH₃)₂), 1.86 (s, 3H, CH₃CO), 1.37 (d, 1.5H, J = 7.30 Hz, CHCH₃ diastereomer A), 1.34 (d, 1.5H, J = 6.84 Hz, CHCH₃ diastereomer B), 0.91 (m, 6H, CH(CH₃)2 two diastereomers). STEP D

N-(N-Acetyltyrosinyl-valinyl-alaninyl)-3-Amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid triethyl ammonium salt:

To a solution of N-(N-Acetyltyrosinyl-valinyl-alaninyl)-3-Amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (10 mg) in 2 mL each of methanol and water was added 1 mL of freshly distilled

triethylamine. After 24 h, the solution was

concentrated to afford the title compound as an orange glass: ¹H NMR (200 MHz, DMF-D₇, 1:1 mixture of diastereomers) δ 7.10 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 6.73 (d, 2H, Ar-H) , 6 .29 (s , 0.5H, CHN₂ ) , 6 .14 (s , 0 .5H , CHN₂) , 4.7-4.1 (m, 4H), 3.2-2.6 (m, 10H), 2.14 (m, 1H-, CH(CH₃)₂), 1.95 (s, 1.5H, CH₃CO), 1.94 (s, 1.5H, COCH₃), 1.4-0.8 (m, 18H, CH(CH₃), CH(CH₃)₂,

N(CH₂CH₃)₃).

The following additional compounds are made in an anologous manner:

N-(N-Acetyl-phenylalaninyl-valinyl-alaninyl)-3- amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid;

N-(3-phenylpropionyl-valinyl-alaninyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid; and

N-(3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-valinyl!-alaninyl)- 3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid. N-(N-Acetyl-phenylalaninyl-valinyl-ε-CBZ-lysinyl )-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid ;

N-(3-phenylpropionyl-valinyl-ε-CBZ-lysinyl )-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid ; and

N-(3-(4-hydroxyphenyl )-propionyl-valinyl-ε-CBZ-lysinyl )-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid .

N-(N-Acetyl-phenylalaninyl-valinyl-lysinyl)-3- amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid;

N-(3-phenylpropionyl-valinyl-lysinyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid; and

N-(3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionyl-valinyl-lysinyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A compound of formula I

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof thereof wherein Y is:

R₁ is

(a) substituted C_1-12 alkyl, wherein the substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen,

(2) hydroxy,

(3) halo, and

(4) C_1-6 alkylcarbonyl;

(b) aryl C_1-6 alkyl wherein the aryl group is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) phenyl,

(2) naphthyl, (3) pyridyl,

(4) furyl,

(5) thienyl,

(6) thiazolyl,

(7) isothiazolyl,

(8) imidazolyl,

(9) benzimidazolyl,

(10) pyrazinyl,

(11) pyrimidyl,

(12) quinolyl,

(13) isoquinolyl,

(14) benzofuryl,

(15) benzothienyl,

(16) pyrazolyl,

(17) indolyl,

(18) purinyl,

(19) isoxazolyl, and

(20) oxazolyl,

C_1-6alkylcarbonyl;

AA₁ is selected from the group consisting of

(a) a single bond, and

(b) an amino acid of formula Al

wherein R₇ selected from the group consisting of

(a) hydrogen,

(b) substituted C_1-6 alkyl, wherein the

substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen,

(2) hydroxy,

(3) halo,

(4) -S-C_1-4 alkyl,

(5) -SH

(6) C_1-6 alkylcarbonyl,

(7) carboxy,

O

(8) -CNH2,

(9) amino carbonyl amino,

(10) C_1-4 alkylamino, wherein the alkyl moeity is substituted with

hydrogen or hydroxy, and the amino is substituted with hydrogen or

CBZ,

(11) guanidino, and

(c) aryl C_1-6 alkyl,

C_1-6alkylthio, and C_1-6alkylcarbbnyl,

wherein the aryl may be mono and di-substituted, the substituents being each independently C_1-6alkyl, halo, hydroxy, C_1-6alkyl amino, C_1-6alkoxy,

C_1-6alkylthio, and C_1-6alkylcarbonyl;

AA₂ is selected from the group consisting of

(a) a single bond, and

(b) an amino acid of formula All

AA₃ is selected from the group consisting of

(a) a single bond, and

(b) an amino acid of formula AIII

(a) hydrogen,

(b) substituted C_1-6 alkyl, wherein the substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen,

(2) hydroxy,

(3) halo, (4) -S-C_1-4 alkyl,

(5) -SH

(6) C_1-6 alkylcarbonyl,

(7) carboxy,

O

(8) -CNH2,

(9) amino carbonyl amino,

(10) C_1-4 alkylamino, wherein the alkyl moeity is substituted with

hydrogen or hydroxy, and the amino is substituted with hydrogen or CBZ,

(11) guanidino, and

(c) aryl C_1-6 alkyl,

C_1-6alkylthio, and C_1-6alkylcarbonyl.

2. A compound according Claim 1 wherein AA₁, AA₂ and AA₃, are each independently selected from the group consisting of the L- and D- forms of the amino acids glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, serine, threonine, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine, lysine, hydroxy-lysine, histidine, arginine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, cysteine, methionine,

ornithine, β-alanine, homoserine, homotyrosine, homophenylalanine and citrulline.

3. A compound of Claim 1 wherein:

R₁ is

(a) substituted C_1-6 alkyl, wherein the

substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen,

(2) hydroxy, and

(3) chloro or fluoro,

(1) phenyl,

(2) naphthyl,

(3) pyridyl,

(4) furyl,

(5) thienyl,

(6) thiazolyl,

(7) isothiazolyl,

(8) benzofuryl,

(9) benzothienyl,

(10) indolyl,

(11) isooxazolyl, and

(12) oxazolyl, and mono and di-substituted C_1-10aryl as defined above in items (1) to (12) wherein the substitutents are independently C_1-4alkyl, halo, and hydroxy;

AA₁ is selected from the group consisting of

(a) a single bond, and

(b) an amino acid of formula Al

wherein R₇ is selected from the group consisting of

(a) hydrogen,

(b) substituted C_1-6 alkyl, wherein the

substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen,

(2) hydroxy,

(3) halo,

(4) -S-C_1-4 alkyl

(5) -SH

(6) C_1-6 alkylcarbonyl,

(7) carboxy,

O

(8) -CNH2,

(9) C_1-4 alkylamino, and C_1-4

alkylamino wherein the alkyl moeity is substituted whith an hydroxy, and

(10) guanidino, and

(c) aryl C_1-6 alkyl, wherein the aryl group is elected from the group consisting of (1) phenyl,

(2) naphthyl,

(3) pyridyl, (4) furyl,

(5) thienyl,

(6) thiazolyl,

(7) isothiazolyl,

(8) benzofuryl,

(9) benzothienyl,

(10) indolyl,

(11) isooxazolyl, and

(12) oxazolyl,

and wherein the aryl may be mono and di-substituted, the substituents being each independently C_1-6alkyl, halo, hydroxy, C_1-6alkyl amino, C_1-6alkoxy,

C_1-6alkylthio, and C_1-6alkylcarbonyl;

AA₂ is selected from the group consisting of

(a) a single bond, and

(b) an amino acid of formula All

wherein R₈ is selected from the group consisting of

(a) hydrogen,

(b) substituted C_1-6 alkyl, wherein the substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen,

(2) hydroxy,

(3) halo,

(4) -S-C_1-4 alkyl

(5) -SH (6) C_1-6 alky1carbonyl,

(7) carboxy,

O

(8) -CNH2,

(9) C_1-4 alkylamino, and C_1-4

alkylamino wherein the alkyl moeity is substituted whith an hydroxy, and

(10) guanidino, and

(c) aryl C_1-6 alkyl,

C_1-6alkylthio, and C_1-6alkylcarbonyl.

4. A compound according to Claim 3 wherein AA₃ is selected from the group consisting of

(a) a single bond, and

(b) an amino acid of formula AIII

R₉ is selected from the group consisting of

(a) hydrogen,

(b) substituted C_1-6 alkyl, wherein the substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen, (2) hydroxy,

(3) halo,

(4) -S-C_1-4 alkyl

(5) -SH

(6) C_1-6 alkylcarbonyl,

(7) carboxy,

O

(8) -CNH2,

(9) C_1-4 alkylamino, and C_1-4

alkylamino wherein the alkyl moeity is substituted whith an hydroxy, and

(10) guanidino, and

(c) aryl C_1-6 alkyl,

C_1-6alkylthio, and C_1-6alkylcarbonyl.

5. A compound according to Claim 4 wherein AA₂ is an amino acid of the fromula All

wherein R₈ is selected from the group consisting of

(a) hydrogen,

(b) substituted C_1-6 alkyl, wherein the substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen,

(2) hydroxy,

(3) halo,

(4) -S-C_1-4 alkyl

(5) -SH

(6) C_1-6 alkylcarbonyl,

(7) carboxy,

O

(8) -CNH2,

(9) C_{1-4 alkylamino, and C1-4}

a_lkylamino wherein the alkyl moeity is substituted whith an hydroxy, and

(10) guanidino, and

(c) aryl C_1-6 alkyl,

C_1-6alkylthio, and C_1-6alkylcarbonyl; and

AA₃ is an amino acid of formula AIII

wherein R₉ is selected from the group consisting of

(a) hydrogen,

(b) substituted C_1-6 alkyl, wherein the substituent is selected from

(1) hydrogen,

(2) hydroxy,

(3) halo,

(4) -S-C_1-4 alkyl

(5) -SH

(6) C_1-6 alkylcarbonyl,

(7) carboxy,

O

(8) -CNH2,

(9) C_1-4 alkylamino, and C_1-4

alkylamino wherein the alkyl moeity is substituted whith an hydroxy, and

(10) guanidino, and

(c) aryl C_1-6 alkyl,

C_1-6alkylthio, and C_1-6alkylcarbonyl.

6. A compound according to Claim 5 wherein AA₁ is a single bond or an amino acid of formula AI

wherein R₇ is aryl C_1-6 alkyl wherein aryl is defined as

(1) phenyl,

(2) naphthyl,

(3) pyridyl,

(4) furyl,

(5) thienyl,

(6) thiazolyl,

(7) isothiazolyl,

(8) benzofuryl,

(9) benzothienyl,

(10) indolyl,

(11) isooxazolyl, and

(12) oxazolyl,

and wherein the aryl may be mono, and di-substituted, the substituents being each independently C_1-6alkyl, halo, hydroxy, C_1-6alkyl amino, C_1-6alkoxy,

C_1-6alkylthio, and C_1-6alkylcarbonyl .

7. A compound according to Claim 6 wherein R₁ is C_1-6alkyl or aryl C_1-6 alkyl wherein aryl is phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, or benzothienyl;

R₃ and R₉ are each individually

(a) hydrogen,

(b) Cx.ealkyl,

(c) mercapto C_1-6alkyl,

(d) hydroxy C_1-6alkyl,

(e) carboxy C_1-6alkyl,

(g) aminocarbonyl C_1-6alkyl,

(h) mono - or di-C_1-6alkyl amino C_1-6alkyl,

(i) guanidino C_1-6alkyl,

(j) amino-C_1-6alkyl or N-substituted

amino-C_1-6alkyl wherein the substituent is carbobenzoxy, or

(k) aryl C_1-6alkyl, wherein the aryl group is selected from phenyl and indolyl, and the aryl group is substituted with hydrogen, hydroxy, C_1-3 alkyl.

8. A compound According to Claim 7 wherein: R₁ is methyl or phenyl C_1-6 alkyl or hydroxy-phenyl C_1-6 alkyl;

AA1 is a single bond or an amino acid of formula Al

wherein R₇ is

(a) C_1-6alkyl;

(b) substituted phenyl C_1-3alkyl, wherein the substituent is hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxy, or C_1-4alkyl; or

(c) indolyl methyl;

R₈ is C_1-6alkyl; and

R₉ is

(a) hydrogen,

(b) C_1-6alkyl,

(c) amino C_1-4alkyl,

(d) N-carbobenzoxy-amino-(n-butyl),

(e) carbamylmethyl,

(f) indol-2-yl-methyl, or

(g) substituted phenyl C_1-6alkyl, wherein the substituent is hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxy, or C_1-4alkyl.

9. A compound according to Claim 8 wherein R₉ is

(a) hydrogen,

(b) C_1-6alkyl,

(c) amino C_1-4alkyl,

(d) N-carbobenzoxy-amino-(n-butyl),

(e) carbamylmethyl,

(f) indol-2-yl-methyl, or

(g) substituted phenyl C_1-3alkyl, wherein the substituent is hydrogen or hydroxy.

10. A compound according to Claim 9

wherein R₇ is

(a) C₁_₆alkyl;

(b) substituted phenyl C_1-3alkyl, wherein the substituent is hydrogen or hydroxy; or

(c) indolyl methyl.

11. A compound according to Claim 10 wherein R₁ is methyl or phenyl C_1-6 alkyl or hydroxy-phenyl C_1-6 alkyl;

AA₁ is a single bond or tyrosinyl, homotyrosinyl, phenylalaninyl, homophenylalaninyl or tryptophanyl; AA₂ is

wherein R₈ is C_1-4 alkyl; and

AA₃ is alaninyl, lysinyl or ε-CBZ-lysinyl.

12. A compound according to Claim 11 wherein R₁ is phenyl C_1-6 alkyl or hydroxy-phenyl C_1-6 alkyl; AA₁ is a single bond;

AA₂ is

wherein R₈ is C_1-4 alkyl; and

AA₃ is alaninyl, lysinyl or ε-CBZ-lysinyl.

13. A compound according to Claim 12 wherein R₁ is phenyl ethyl or hydroxy-phenyl ethyl.

14. A compound according to Claim 13 wherein R₁ is methyl;

AA₁ is tyrosinyl, homotyrosinyl, phenylalaninyl, homophenylalaninyl or tryptophanyl;

AA₂ is

wherein R₃ is C_1-4 alkyl; and

AA₃ is alaninyl, lysinyl or ε-CBZ-lysinyϊ.

15. A compound according to Claim 14 wherein R₁ is methyl;

AA₁ is tyrosinyl;

AA₂ is valinyl, leucinyl or isoleucinyl; and

AA₃ is alaninyl, lysinyl or ε-CBZ-lysinyl.

16. A compound according to Claim 15 wherein R₁ is methyl;

AA₁ is tyrosinyl;

AA₂ is valinyl;

AA₃ is alaninyl, lysinyl or ε-CBZ-lysinyl.

17. A compound selected from the group consisting of:

(a)N-(N-Acetyl-tyrosinyl-valinyl-lysinyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid;

(b)N-(N-Acetyl-tyrosinyl-valinyl-ε-CBZ-lysinyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid; and

(c)N-(N-Acetyl-tyrosinyl-valinyl-alaninyl)-3- amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid.

18. A compound selected from the group consisting of:

(a)N-(N-Acetyl-phenylalaninyl-valinyl-lysinyl)-3- amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid;

(b)N-(N-Acetyl-phenylalaninyl-valinyl-ε-CBZ-lysinyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid; and

(c)N-(N-Acetyl-phenylalaninyl-valinyl-alaninyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid.

19. A compound selected from the group consisting of:

(a)N-(3-phenylpropionyl-valinyl-lysinyl)-3-amino-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid;

(b)N-(3-phenylpropionyl-valinyl-ε-CBZ-lysinyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid; and

(c)N-(3-phenylpropionyl-valinyl-alaninyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid.

20. A compound selected from the group consisting of:

(a)N-(3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionyl-valinyl-lysinyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid;

(b)N-(3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionyl-valinyl-ε-CBZ-lysinyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid; and

(c)N-(3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-valinyl-alaninyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid.

21. A compound which is

N-(N-Acetyl-tyrosinyl-valinyl-alaninyl)-3-amino-5-diazo-4-oxopentanoic acid.

22. A compound according to Claim 10 wherein R₁ is phenyl C_1-6 alkyl,

wherein the C_1-6 alkyl is subsitiuted and wherein the substitutent is hydrogen, C_1-3 alkyl, C_1-3 alkoxy, C_1-3 alkylcarbonyl, C_1-3 alkylthio, C_1-3 alkylamino, halo or hydroxy;

AA₁ is a single bond;

AA₂ is a single bond; and

AA₃ is. alaninyl, lysinyl or ε-CBZ-lysinyl

23. A compound according to Claim 22 wherein R₁ is phenylmethyl, phenylethyl,

phenylpropyl, phenylbutyl, phenylpentyl, or

phenylhexyl wherein the methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, or hexyl, is substituted as defined above.

24 A pharmaceutical composition for treatment interleukin-1 mediated disorders or

diseases in a patient in need of such treatment comprising administration of an interluekin-1β inhibitor according to Claim 1 as the active

constituent.

25 A method of treatment of Interleukin-1 mediated disorders or diseases in a patient in need of such treatment comprising:

administration of an interluekin-1β inhibitor

according to Claim 1 as the active constituent.