Abstract: A method for identifying compounds binding to HCV polymerase comprising the steps of: contacting said HCV polymerase or an analog thereof with a probe formula I: wherein A is O, S, N, NR1, or CR1, wherein R1 is defined herein; ----- represents either a single or a double bond; R2 is selected from: H, halogen, R21, OR21, SR21, COOR21, SO2N(R22)2, N(R22)2, CON(R22)2, NR22C(O)R22 or NR22C(O)NR22 wherein R21 and each R22 is defined herein; B is NR3 or CR3, wherein R3 is defined herein; with the proviso that, when A is not N, then one of A or B is either CR1 or CR3, K is N or CR4, wherein R4 is defined herein; L is N or CR5, wherein R5 has the same definition as R4 defined above; M is N or CR7, wherein R7 has the same definition as R4 defined above; R5 is C(Y1)Z wherein Y1 is O or S; and Z is N(R6a)R6 or OR6, wherein R6a is H or alkyl or NR61R62 wherein R61 and R62 are defined herein; and R6 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, Het, alkyl-aryl, alkyl-Het; or R6 is wherein R7 and R8 and Q are as defined her

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for the identification of inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase that uses an HCV NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase having a higher Km than the full length native NS5B polymerase to ensure identification of inhibitors of HCV polymerase primer-template binding, including moderately inhibitory compounds.

Abstract: A method for identifying compounds binding to HCV polymerase comprising the steps of:contacting said HCV polymerase or an analog thereof with a probe formula I: 1