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Development of a Hepatitis B Virus Reporter System to Monitor the Early Stages of the Replication Cycle
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Development of boceprevir: a first-in-class direct antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection

Daria J Hazuda1, Margaret Burroughs, Anita Y M Howe

  • 1Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, USA. Daria_hazuda@merck.com

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|July 18, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Boceprevir, a direct-acting antiviral, was developed to target hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease. This breakthrough treatment offers a new modality for managing chronic HCV infection.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) identified as cause of non-A, non-B hepatitis over 20 years ago.
  • Intensive research focused on direct-acting antivirals targeting viral polymerase and protease.
  • Over two decades of effort led to the development of HCV protease inhibitors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Describe the discovery and development of boceprevir.
  • Highlight boceprevir as a first-in-class direct antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C.
  • Discuss challenges and lessons learned in developing novel HCV therapeutics.

Main Methods:

  • Targeted development of direct-acting antivirals.
  • Focus on inhibiting key viral proteins: polymerase and protease.
  • Clinical trials and regulatory approval processes for boceprevir.

Main Results:

  • Boceprevir approved in 2011 as one of the first HCV protease inhibitors.
  • Represents a major advancement in treating HCV infection.
  • Paved the way for new HCV antiviral therapeutics.

Conclusions:

  • Boceprevir's development signifies a milestone in HCV treatment.
  • Lessons from its discovery inform future antiviral drug development.
  • Offers a new therapeutic modality for chronic HCV infection, aiding eradication efforts.
Keywords:
NS3/4A protease inhibitorhepatitis C virusketoamide

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