Allosteric N-acetamide-indole-6-carboxylic acid thumb pocket 1 inhibitors of hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase — Acylsulfonamides and acylsulfamides as carboxylic acid replacements

Acylsulfonamide and acylsulfamide as surrogates for the carboxylic acid function of N-acetamide-indole-6- carboxylic acids were evaluated as allosteric inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase. Several analogs displayed excellent antiviral potency against both 1a and 1b HCV genotypes in cell-based subgenomic replicon assays. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) are discussed in the context of the crystal structure of an inhibitor NS5B polymerase complex. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion pharmacokinetic (ADME-PK) properties of this class of inhibitors are also described.