| abstract |
The invention relates to certain novel heterocyclic compounds, namely 1-pyridylacetamide compounds of formula (I), which serve as inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE), also called human neutrophil elastase (HNE). , which makes them usable, when such inhibition is desired, for example as research tools in pharmacological, diagnostic or similar studies, as well as in the treatment of diseases in mammals in which HLE is involved. Intermediates which can be used in the synthesis of these heterocyclic compounds are also described, processes for the preparation of said heterocyclic compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their methods of use. |