IMIDAZOLE COMPOUNDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTIONS

The present invention describes novel imidazole compounds, which are particularly useful against Hepatitis C Virus infections and diseases associated therewith. Furthermore, the invention relates to the human cellular proteins casein kinase I alpha (alpha), delta (delta), and epsilon ( ) as targets for medical intervention against Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections and diseases. In addition, the present invention refers to a method for the identification of compounds which are useful for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of infections and diseases caused by Hepatitis C Virus, methods for treating Hepatitis C Virus infections and diseases, as well as pharmaceutical compositions useful for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of Hepatitis C Virus infections and diseases. Moreover, disclosed are antibodies, oligonucleotides and specific compounds which are effective for the detection, prophylaxis and/or treatment of infections and diseases caused by Hepatitis C Virus. In addition, the present invention describes solid supports useful for the identification of compounds suitable for preventing and/or treating infections and diseases caused by said Hepatitis C Virus. la présente invention concerne des nouveaux composés d'imidazole convenant tout particulièrement bien pour lutter contre les infections par le virus de l'hépatite C et les maladies associées à ces infections. L'invention concerne également des protéines cellulaires humaines caséine kinase I alpha (