Peptidyl compounds and their therapeutic use as inhibitors of metalloproteinases

A compound of formula I ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 is C.sub.2-6 alkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl, aryl, (C.sub.1-6 alkyl)aryl or C.sub.1-6 alkyl--AR.sup.9 where A is O, NR.sup.9 or S(O).sub.m, where m=0-2, and the or each R.sup.9 is H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, aryl or (C.sub.1-4 alkyl)aryl;

• R.sup.2 is H or C.sub.1-6 alkyl;
• either R.sup.4 is H or C.sub.1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by amino (NH.sub.2), arylamino, protected amino, aryl, di(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)amino, mono(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)amino, CO.sub.2 H, protected carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)carbamoyl or di(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)carbamoyl, and R.sup.5 is H or C.sub.1-6 alkyl, or NR.sub.4 R.sub.5 is pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino;
• R.sup.6 is optionally-substituted C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkenyl, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, benzyl, (C.sub.1-6 alkoxy)benzyl, benzyloxybenzyl or 3-indolylmethyl;
• Alk is C.sub.1-6 alkyl or C.sub.2-6 alkenyl and n=0 or 1;
• R.sup.7 is H or R.sup.10 CO where R.sup.10 is C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (C.sub.1-4 alkyl)aryl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, (C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl)C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl or (C.sub.2-6 alkenyl)aryl;
• R.sup.8 is H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (C.sub.1-4 alkyl)aryl or aryl;
• aryl is optionally-substituted phenyl or naphthyl, and the optional substituents are selected from halogen, CF.sub.3, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, alkoxy and phenyl;
• or a salt, solvate or hydrate thereof.