Novel 4-Biarylbutyric and 5-Biarylpentanoic Acid Derivatives, use of substituted 4-Biarylbutyric and 5-Biarylpentanoic Acid Derivatives as Matrix Metalloprotease Inhibitors for the Treatment of Respiratory Diseases, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and a process for using them. The compounds of the invention have the generalized formula (I) (T)xA-B-D-E-CO2H wherein A is an aryl or heteroaryl rings; B is an aryl or heteroaryl ring or a bond; each T is a substituent group, x is 0, 1, or 2; the group D represents (a), (b), (c), or (d); the group E represents a two or three carbon chain bearing one to three substituent groups which are independent or are involved in ring formation, possible structures being shown in the text and claims; and each of the substituents on E is an independent substituent; and include pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.