Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) plays an important role in tumour invasion and inflammation. A series of N-benzoylindazoles was synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit HNE. We found that this scaffold is appropriate for HNE inhibitors and that the benzoyl fragment at position 1 is essential for activity. The most active compounds inhibited HNE activity with IC₅₀ values in the submicromolar range. Furthermore, docking studies indicated that the geometry of an inhibitor within the binding site and energetics of Michaelis complex formation were key factors influencing the inhibitor's biological activity. Thus, N-benzoylindazole derivatives and their analogs represent novel structural templates that can be utilized for further development of efficacious HNE inhibitors.