Identification of [(naphthalene-1-carbonyl)-amino]-acetic acid derivatives as nonnucleoside inhibitors of HCV NS5B RNA dependent RNA polymerase

A novel series of HCV NS5B RNA dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors containing a naphthalene carboxamide scaffold were identified by high throughput screening. Optimization of substituents by parallel synthesis and the iterative design towards understanding structure–activity relationship to improve potency are described. Tetra substituted naphthalene 31 displayed potent activity with IC50 of 120 nM against HCV NS5B enzyme and was selective over a panel of polymerases.