Patent ID: 8603737

Claim:
A method comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a test compound with an NS3-containing protein; (b) measuring NS3 self-cleaving activity by measuring at least one of: (a) a level of NS3; and (b) a level of a NS3 self-cleavage product; and (c) classifying the test compound as a reversible or irreversible inhibitor of NS3; wherein: an irreversible inhibitor of NS3 is characterized by providing, when at a 5 uM concentration, at least 10% inhibition of NS3 self-cleaving activity four hours after removing the test compound; and a reversible inhibitor of NS3 is characterized by providing, when at a 5 uM concentration, less than 10% inhibition of NS3 self-cleaving activity four hours after removing the test compound.