Sold under the trade name Sunvepra®, asunaprevir received
approval in Japan as part of a combination treatment for the hepatitis
C virus (HCV). Working in concert with daclatasvir (IX) (vide
infra), asunaprevir is a unique treatment for HCV, as it is free from both interferon and ribavirin and is administered orally. This
direct-acting anti-viral, which was developed by Bristol–Myers
Squibb (BMS), works as an NS3/4A protease inhibitor, representing
a valuable treatment option for patient populations who are
unable to receive, or do not respond to, the standard course of
treatment—peginterferon/ribavirin.
