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Updated: Jan 14, 2026

A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target
Published on: May 10, 2022
Discovery of SCH 900188: A Potent Hepatitis C Virus NS5B Polymerase Inhibitor Prodrug As a Development Candidate
Kevin X Chen1, Srikanth Venkatraman1, Gopinadhan N Anilkumar1
1Merck Research Laboratories , 2015 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States.
Abstract:
Starting from indole-based hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase inhibitor lead compound 1, structure modifications were performed at multiple indole substituents to improve potency and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Bicyclic quinazolinone was found to be the best substituent at indole nitrogen, while 4,5-furanylindole was identified as the best core. Compound 11 demonstrated excellent potency. Its C2 N,N-dimethylaminoethyl ester prodrug 12 (SCH 900188) demonstrated significant improvement in PK and was selected as the development candidate.

