Cathepsin S inhibitors: WO2010070615.

This article evaluates a patent application of the company Medivir (SE/UK) describing the synthesis of dipeptide-derived α-ketoamides containing a propylene glycine moiety in P1 as selective inhibitors of cathepsin S for the potential treatment of various systemic human diseases such as several autoimmune diseases, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, endometriasis and chronic pain. The claims of the patent are discussed in light of recent results in the field of cathepsin S research.