The patent describes new peptidomimetic inhibitors of retroviral proteases, in particular of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease. These inhibitors comprise as the core structure a new diaminodiol isostere of the dipeptide Phe-Pro having four stereogenic centres. The inhibitors of the invention have been shown to inhibit HIV protease and can therefore be usefully employed as antivirals for post-exposure prophylaxis and as a therapy for viral infections by a retrovirus, in particular HIV. The syntheses processes of the isosteres and inhibitors are also described.
