For most of the known synthetic inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a substrate-like binding mode was postulated on the basis of X-ray crystallographic structures of MMP/inhibitor complexes. Conversely, the malonic acid-based inhibitor (2R,S)-HONH-CO-CH(i-Bu)-CO-Ala-Gly-NH2 was found to bind in a surprisingly different manner. Using this compound as a new lead structure, the interaction sites with human neutrophil collagenase (MMP8) were optimized with a series of iteratively designed analogues and with the help of X-ray structural analysis of selected inhibitors to finally produce low molecular weight nonpeptidic compounds of 500-1000-fold improved inhibitory potency.

A method has been developed for the assignment of HPLC peaks to their corresponding compounds in libraries of single compounds (parallel syntheses). The basis of the new method is the correlation of the product retention times with the different substituents in the variable positions of the molecule. The correlation is performed automatically by a new algorithm which is part of the computer program LIBFINDER. This practical, easy-to-use tool accelerates the analysis, characterization and purification of chemical libraries, without the need for expensive HPLC-MS equipment.