abstract |
The present invention discloses compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters or prodrugs thereof which inhibit serine protease activity, in particular hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3-NS4A protease activity. Formula (I) is disclosed. Therefore, the compound of the present invention interferes with the life cycle of hepatitis C virus and is still useful as an antiviral agent. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from HCV infection. The invention also relates to a method for treating HCV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention. |