Pyridine Carboxamides: Potent Palm Site Inhibitors of HCV NS5B Polymerase.

Pyridine carboxamide-based inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase were diversified and optimized to a variety of topologically related scaffolds. In particular, the 2-methyl nicotinic acid scaffold was developed into inhibitors with improved biochemical (IC50-GT1b = 0.014 µM) and cell-based HCV replicon potency (EC50-GT1b = 0.7 µM). Biophysical and biochemical characterization identified this novel series of compounds as palm site binders to HCV polymerase.