.alpha.-phosphonocarboxylate squalene synthetase inhibitors

Abstract

.alpha.- Phosphonocarboxylate compounds are provided which inhibit the enzyme squalene synthetase and thereby inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis. These compounds have the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a lipophilic group which contains at least 7 carbons and is substituted alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkylalkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted arylalkyl or optionally substituted aryl; Z is H, halogen, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or lower alkyl; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently H, metal ion or other pharmaceutically acceptable cation, or a prodrug ester; R.sup.4 is H, metal ion or other pharmaceutically acceptable cation, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, arylalkyl, aryl or a prodrug ester.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.