abstract |
The present invention discloses a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof that inhibits serine protease activity, particularly the activity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3-NS4A protease. As a result, the compound of the present invention impairs the life cycle of hepatitis C virus and is also useful as an antiviral agent. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as described above for administration to a subject suffering from HCV infection. The present invention also relates to a method of treating HCV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the present invention. |