Inhibitors of interleukin -1B converting enzyme

The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1b converting enzyme. The ice inhibitors of this invention are characterized by specific structural and physicochemical features. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ice activity and consequently, may be advantegeously used as agents against il-1-, apoptosis-, igif-, and ifn-y-mediated diseases, infalamatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, degenerative diseases, and necrotic diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ice activity, for treating interleukin-1, apoptosis-, igif- and ifn-y production using the compounds and compositions of this invention. This invention also relates to methods for preparing n- acylamino compounds