Inhibitors of hepatitis c virus replication

Abstract

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) that are useful as hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A inhibitors, the synthesis of such compounds, and the use of such compounds for inhibiting HCV NS5A activity, for treating or preventing HCV infections and for inhibiting HCV viral replication and/or viral production in a cell-based system.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A compound having the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, 
       wherein:
 each occurrence of R a  is independently C 1-6  alkyl or phenyl; 
 Rb is H, halogen or —CN; 
 Rc is H or halogen; 
 each occurrence of R d  is independently selected from H and C 1-6  alkyl, or one occurrence of R d  is H and the other occurrence of R d  is phenyl, or both R d  groups and the common carbon atom to which they are attached combine to form a spirocyclic C 3-8  cycloalkyl group; and 
 p is 0, 1 or 2. 
 
     
     
         41 . The compound of  claim 40 , wherein each occurrence of R a  is isopropyl; R b  and R c  are each H or F; and p is 0. 
     
     
         42 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of the compound of  claim 40 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         43 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 42 , further comprising a second therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of HCV antiviral agents, immunomodulators, and anti-infective agents. 
     
     
         44 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 43 , wherein the second therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of HCV protease inhibitors and HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitors. 
     
     
         45 . A method of treating a patient infected with HCV comprising the step of administering to the patient an amount of the compound of  claim 40 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, effective to prevent and/or treat infection by HCV in a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         46 . A method of treating a patient infected with HCV comprising the step of administering to the patient an amount of the compound of  claim 40 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, effective to inhibit HCV viral replication and/or viral production. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising administering to the patient a second therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of HCV antiviral agents, immunomodulators, and anti-infective agents. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the second therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of HCV protease inhibitors and HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitors. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the patient is a human.