Methods and compositions for treating hepatitis C virus

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus infects an estimated 1 – 2% of the population worldwide. The majority of those infected will suffer major liver associated disease or death within the next 15 years unless new and more effective therapies are discovered. The two most promising viral targets for intervention at present are the NS3 serine protease and the NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). In this patent, Novirio Pharmaceuticals and Universita Degli Studi di Cagliari claim the application of ribonucleoside analogues as inhibitors of the HCV RdRp.

• antiviral agents
• hepatitis C virus (HCV)
• nucleoside analogues
• RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors