Disclosed are hydantoin derivatives of formula (IV) (such as 5-[3-(4-benzyloxyphenylthio)furan-2-yl]imidazoline-2,4-dione) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-benzyloxyphenyl, 4-biphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 3-methylphenyl, 2-methylphenyl, and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl. Also disclosed is the use of a compound as defined above in the manufacture of a medicament to treat a disease or disorder responsive to inhibition of MMP-12 in a patient in need thereof (and particularly conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis, cancer, heart disease or nephritis).
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