vaniprevir

Vaniprevir is a macrocyclic, orally active small molecule inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease. It was developed by Merck & Co. for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection, particularly in patients with genotype 1a or 1b HCV. The drug acts as a non-covalent, competitive inhibitor targeting the viral NS3/4A protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication and maturation. Vaniprevir has demonstrated potent antiviral activity both *in vitro* and in clinical studies, especially when used in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin. It received approval in Japan under the brand name Vanihep in 2014 for use as part of combination therapy to improve viremia in patients with high levels of HCV RNA who are either treatment-naive or have failed previous interferon-based therapies[1][3][7][8].

Brand names

Vanihep

Other names

VaniprévirVaniprevirum923590-37-8