Merck + Co., Inc.

Russel B Lingham

Otto D Hensens

Jerrold M Liesch

Gerald F Bills

Jon D Polishook

Michael J Salvatore, Jr

Susan L Raghoobar

Novel peptidyl derivatives of formula I are found to be potent inhibitors of interleukin-1.beta. 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 mediator of cachexia. ##STR1##

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Watchung, NJ, United States of America

Russel B Lingham