Sulfonamides inhibiting HIV aspartyl protease.

The present invention relates to a novel class of sulfonamides ARE aspartyl protease inhibitors of the formula (I). In one embodiment, this invention relates to a novel class of inhibitors of HIV aspartyl PROTEASE CHARACTERIZED BY STRUCTURAL FEATURES AND specific physico-chemical. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting protease activity HIV-1 and HIV-2 and therefore may be employed with advantage as antiviral agents AGAINST HIV-1 virus and HIV- 2. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting HIV protease activity aspartyl using the compounds and methods of this invention for the protection of compounds for anti-HIV activity.