#$%^&*AU2008229726B220141002.pdf#####ABSTRACT The invention provides compounds that can efficiently and specifically inhibit 5 bacterial toxins, such as inhibit the lethal factor (LF) protease activity of anthrax toxin and/or botulinum neurotoxin type A. The invention also provides methods for inhibiting proteases, such as lethal factor protease, as well as methods for treating bacterial infections, such as anthrax and botulinum. 10