The present invention relates generally to amide containing heterobicyclic containing pharmaceutical agents, and in particular, to amide containing heterobicyclic metalloprotease inhibiting compounds. More particularly, the present invention provides a new class of heterobicyclic MMP-3 and/or MMP-13 inhibiting compounds that exhibit an increased potency and selectivity in relation to currently known MMP-13 and MMP-3 inhibitors.