Discovery of a Potent and Selective Noncovalent Linear Inhibitor of the Hepatitis C Virus NS3 Protease (BI 201335)

C-Terminal carboxylic acid containing inhibitors of the NS3 protease are reported. A novel series of linear tripeptide inhibitors that are very potent and selective against the NS3 protease are described. A substantial contribution to the potency of these linear inhibitors arises from the introduction of a C8 substituent on the B-ring of the quinoline moiety found on the P2 of these inhibitors. The introduction of a CS methyl group results not only in a modest increase in the cell-based potency of these inhibitors but more importantly in a much better pharmacokinetic profile in rats as well. Exploration of C8-substitutions led to the identification of the bromo derivative as the best group at this position, resulting in a significant increase in the cell-based potency of this class of inhibitors. Structure activity studies on the C8-bromo derivatives ultimately led to the discovery of clinical candidate 29 (BI 201335), a very potent and selective inhibitor of genotypel NS3 protease with a promising PK profile in rats.