Introduction of an alpha-hydroxyacid moiety in position 5 of the imida
zole ring within the imidazolyl biphenyl sulfonyl urea series signific
antly increased AT(2) binding. Structure activity relationship around
this moiety is described and gave rise to balanced AII inhibitors with
nanomolar affinity on both AT(1) and AT(2) receptors and with an AT(2
)/AT(1) ratio of between 0.4 and 3.