In the present paper 25 known thermolysin inhibitors were docked into 
thermolysin using the Internal Coordinate Mechanics (ICM) software. 
Pharmacophore models based on thermolysin binding modes and activity profiles 
were generated using the LigandScout program. The docking studies indicated that 
all 25 inhibitors coordinated the catalytic zinc in bidentate or monodentate 
geometry. A 'three-point' pharmacophore model was proposed which consisted of a 
hydrophobic group, a negative ionizable group and a hydrogen bond acceptor 
group. Finally the pharmacophore model has been tested against a small compound 
library containing 18 highly, moderately, less active as well as inactive 
compounds. The screening indicated that the pharmacophore model could, identify 
highly active compounds in front of inactive or less active ones.