Patent 7241796 was granted and assigned to Vertex Pharmaceuticals on July, 2007 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The present invention relates to peptidomimetic compounds that inhibit serine protease activity, particularly the activity of hepatitis C virus NS3–NS4A protease. As such, they act by interfering with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The invention further relates to compositions comprising these compounds either for ex vivo use or for administration to a patient suffering from HCV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a patient by administering a composition comprising a compound of this invention.