Novel caspase inhibitors

The present invention provides novel compounds that are potent and selective non-covalent caspase inhibitors. These compounds may be used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Caspase-1 is the key enzyme driving inflammation through the activation of IL1b and IL18. It plays a key driving role in diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson, stroke, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Caspase- 1 inhibitors are therefore of great interest for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Several caspase inhibitors have already been elucidated in clinical trials and are all covalent inhibitors (e.g. Belnacasan, Pralnacasan). None of the compounds showed sufficient efficacy to be approved for use for any of the applications suggested to date. Covalent inhibitors might have secondary targets and therefore show toxic side effects. On the other hand non covalent inhibitors might be more selective and exhibit less side effects. Therefore, we present here a class of noncovalent Caspase-1 inhibitors.