Glycine α-ketoamides as HCVNS3 protease inhibitors

Using a tetrapeptide-based alpha-ketoamide template, various amines and amino acids were incorporated to explore the prime side of the HCV NS3 protease catalytic site. Glycine carboxylic acid was found to be the most effective prime group. Further optimization yielded an inhibitor with IC50 of 0.060 muM. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.