MK-0608 is a potent and orally bioavailable inhibitor of HCV replication in vitro with an EC50 of 0.3 μM (EC90=1.3 μM) in the subgenomic-replicon assay[1].
Oral dosing of MK-0608 results in a potent antiviral effect. In preclinical pharmacokinetic experiments with rats, dogs, and rhesus monkeys, MK-0608 demonstrates good to excellent oral bioavailability (50 to 100%) and long plasma half-lives in dogs and rhesus macaques (9 and 14 h, respectively)[1]. Animal Model: The HCV-infected chimpanzees[1]
[1]. Carroll SS, et al. Robust antiviral efficacy upon administration of a nucleoside analog to hepatitis C virus-infected chimpanzees. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2009 Mar;53(3):926-34.