Improved replicon cellular activity of non-nucleoside allosteric inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase: From benzimidazole to indole scaffolds

Benzimidazole-based allosteric inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase were diversified to a variety of topologically related scaffolds. Replacement of the polar benzimidazole core by lipophilic indoles led to inhibitors with improved potency in the cell-based subgenomic HCV replicon system. Transposing the indole scaffold into a previously described series of benzimidazole–tryptophan amides generated the most potent inhibitors of HCV RNA replication in cell culture reported to date in this series (EC50 ∼ 50 nM).

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