Merck + Co., Inc.

Merck Sharp + Dohme Corp.

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Istituto Di Richerche Di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti S.p.a.

Robert L LaFemina

Steven W Ludmerer

Osvaldo A Flores

Donald J Graham

Amy L Simcoe

Anne Bettina Eldrup

Phillip Dan Cook

Thazha P Prakash

Balkrishen Bhat

David Brian Olsen

Sanjib Bera

Carrie A Rutkowski

Mario A Valenciano

Maura Pizzuti

Cinzia Traboni

The present invention provides nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof which are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase. These compounds are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and are useful for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection. They are particularly useful as inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase, as inhibitors of HCV replication, and/or for the treatment of hepatitis C infection. The invention also describes pharmaceutical compositions containing such nucleoside compounds alone or in combination with other agents active against RNA-dependent RNA viral infection, in particular HCV infection. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA viral replication, and/or treating RNA-dependent RNA viral infection with the nucleoside compounds of the present invention.

Nucleoside derivatives as inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase

The present invention features methods for enhancing the ability of a genotype 2b NS5B sequence to function in a replicon, for producing replicons containing a functional genotype 2b NS5B, and for using replicons to measure the ability of a compound to affect HCV replication that is sustained with the genotype 2b polymerase. Also featured is a genotype 1b NS4B adaptive mutation. The ability to produce replicons containing a functional genotype 2b NS5B is illustrated by the production of chimeric replicons based on HCV genotype 1b where substantially all the NS5B sequence is replaced with a genotype 2b NS5B.

HCV replicons containing NS5B from genotype 2B

The present invention features NS5B polypeptides from different clinically important HCV genotypes. The polypeptides can be used individually, or as part of a panel of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, to evaluate the effectiveness of a compound to inhibit NS5B activity.

HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

The present invention provides methods of inhibiting orthopoxvirus replication and/or treating orthopoxvirus infection with certain nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereof. These compounds are particularly useful as inhibitors of vaccinia virus and variola virus replication and/or for the treatment of vaccinia virus and variola virus infection. The nucleoside compounds may be administered alone or in combination with other agents active against orthopoxvirus infection, in particular against vaccinia virus or variola virus infection. Another aspect of the present invention provides for the use of such nucleoside compounds in the manufacture of a medicament for the inhibition of orthopoxvirus replication and/or for the treatment of orthopoxvirus infection. Yet a further aspect of the present invention provides such nucleoside compounds for use as a medicament for the inhibition of orthopoxvirus replication and/or for the treatment of orthopoxvirus infection.

Methods of inhibiting orthopoxvirus replication with nucleoside compounds

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Schwenksville, PA, United States of America

Robert L LaFemina