Batimastat (BB-94) is a potent and synthetic inhibitor of a broad spectrum of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), including interstitial collagenase (IC50 = 3 nM), stromelysin (IC50 = 20 nM), Mr 72,000 type IV collagenase (IC50 = 4 nM), Mr 92,000 type IV collagenase (IC50 = 4 nM), and matrilysin (IC50 = 6 nM). It is a low-molecular-weight (MW = 478) and peptide-like collagen substrate analogue consisting of a peptide backbone and a hydroxamic acid group which bind to MMPs and the catalytically active zinc atom respectively.