Selective MMP-13 inhibitors are pyridine derivatives of the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R1 and R2 independently are hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, C1–C6 alkyl, C1–C6 alkoxy, C2–C6 alkenyl, C2–C6 alkynyl, NO2, NR4R5, CN, or CF3; E is independently O or S; A and B independently are OR4 or NR4R5; R4 and R5 independently are H, C1–C6 alkyl, C2–C6 alkenyl, C2–C6 alkynyl, (CH2)n aryl, (CH2)n cycloalkyl, (CH2)n heteroaryl, or R4 and R5 when taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached complete a 3- to 8-membered ring containing carbon atoms and optionally containing a heteroatom selected from O, S, or NH, and optionally substituted or unsubstituted; n is an integer of from 0 to 6.