Seeking compounds preferentially potent and selective for MMP-13, we reported in the preceding Letter on a series of hydroxamic acids with a flexible benzamide tail groups.1a Here, we replace the amide moiety with non-hydrolyzable heterocycles in an effort to improve half-life. We identify a hydroxamate tetrazole 4e that spares MMP-1 and -14, shows >400-fold selectivity versus MMP-8 and >600-fold selectivity versus MMP-2, and has a 4.8h half-life in rats. X-ray data (1.9Å) for tetrazole 4c is presented.

Continuing our interest in designing compounds preferentially potent and selective for MMP-13, we report on a series of hydroxamic acids with a flexible amide P1' substituents. We identify an amide which spares both MMP-1 and -14, and shows >500 fold selectivity for MMP-13 versus MMP-2 and -8.

α-Sulfone-α-piperidine and α-tetrahydropyranyl hydroxamates were explored that are potent inhibitors of MMP's-2, -9, and -13 that spare MMP-1, with oral efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth in mice and left-ventricular hypertrophy in rats and in the bovine cartilage degradation ex vivo explant system. α-Piperidine 19v (SC-78080/SD-2590) was selected for development toward the initial indication of cancer, while α-piperidine and α-tetrahydropyranyl hydroxamates 19w (SC-77964) and 9i (SC-77774), respectively, were identified as backup compounds.

A series of α-amino-β-sulphone hydroxamates was prepared and evaluated for potency versus MMP-13 and selectivity versus MMP-1. Various substituents were employed on the α-amino group (P1 position), as well as different groups attached to the sulphone group extending into P1′. Low nanomolar potency was obtained for MMP-13 with selectivity versus MMP-1 of >1000× for a number of analogues.