of the formula (IV): where: R1=R'C(O), R'SO2, R'=a bicyclic, saturated or unsaturated, 8-12 membered ring system containing 0-4 hetero atoms selected from S, O and N, which is optionally substituted with up to four substituents independently selected from groups a), b) and c) below; or R'=a monocyclic, saturated or unsaturated, 5-7 membered ring containing 0-3 hetero atoms selected from S, O and N, which monocyclic ring bears at least one substituent selected from group a) and / or c) and which may optionally bear one or two further substituents selected from group b); R4=H, C1-7-alkyl, Ar-C1-7-alkyl, Ar, C3-7-cycloalkyl; C2-7alkenyl; R3=C1-7-alkyl, C2-C7 alkenyl, C2-C7 alkenyl, C3-7-cycloalkyl, Ar-C1-7-alkyl, Ar; R5=C1-7-alkyl, halogen, Ar-C1-7-alkyl, CO-3-alkyl-CONR3R4 or a bulky amine R6 is H, C1-7-alkyl, Ar-C1-7-alkyl, C1-3-alkyl-SO2-R<ix>, C1-3-alkyl-C(O)-NHR<ix >or CH2XAr q is 0 or 1 have utility as inhibitors of cysteine proteases such as cathepsin K and falcipain.