Patient description: A 53-year-old man presents with chronic HCV infection for the past 2 years. His past medical history is only significant for inguinal hernia surgery when he was 20 years old. He is on IFN (100 mg/week) plus RBV (400 mg/day) combination therapy for the past 9 months. Direct antiviral drugs were added to his treatment 6 months ago. His medical record shows previous positive HCV RNA tests as well as positive enzyme immunoassay for anti-HCV-antibodies. The recent biopsy was negative for hepatocellular carcinoma and was only remarkable for chronic inflammation compatible with a chronic viral hepatitis. There is no evidence of alcoholic liver disease, bleeding from esophageal varices, hemochromatosis, autoimmune hepatitis or metabolic liver disease. He is an alert male with no acute distress. His BP: 130/75, HR: 90/min and BMI: 27. His abdomen is soft with no ascites or tenderness. The lower extremities are normal with no edema.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-70.0,  Hepatitis C, Chronic Adults from 18 years Male OR female with documented hysterectomy OR menopausal female with last menstrual period at least 12 months prior to screening Written informed consent consistent with International Conference on Harmonization/Good Clinical Practice and local legislation given prior to any study procedures Chronic HCV infection demonstrated by positive HCV immunoglobulin G Antibody HCV genotype 1 which has to be confirmed by central laboratory test before Visit 2 For non-cirrhotic cohorts: Liver biopsy obtained within the last 36 months consistent with HCV infection showing minimal to mild liver fibrosis and without cirrhosis (Ishak or Metavir grade ≤ 2). For cirrhotic cohorts, previous liver biopsy or Fibroscan consistent with liver cirrhosis performed at any time before screening HCV RNA load > 100,000 IU RNA per ml serum at screening  All fertile males not willing to use an adequate form of contraception (condom, sterilisation at least 6 months post operation) in case their partner is of childbearing potential and is not using an adequate form of contraception (hormonal contraceptives, oral or injectable/ implantable, intra-uterine device) Patients who have been treated with at least one dose of any HCV-polymerase inhibitor for acute or chronic hepatitis C infection Any other or additional plausible cause for chronic liver disease, including the presence of other viruses known or suspected to cause hepatitis Decompensated liver disease within past 12 months, as indicated by variceal bleeding, ascites, encephalopathy, Prothrombin or International Normalized Ratio (INR) prolonged to >1.7 x upper limit of normal (ULN), serum bilirubin > 2 mg/dl or albumin < 3.5 g/dl (i.e. Child-Pugh grade B, score > 7) For non-cirrhotic cohorts: Any previous liver biopsy consistent with cirrhosis. For cirrhotic cohorts: Any liver biopsy or fibroscan result from last 2 years excluding liver cirrhosis Positive test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B antigen at screening Current alcohol or drug abuse, or history of the same, within the past six (6) months. Exception: Occasional use of cannabis is not an criterion. The investigator must however instruct the patient that consumption of cannabis is not allowed during the treatment period Any concurrent disease (cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, haematological, neurological, psychiatric, immunologic, metabolic or endocrine dysfunction) if clinically significant based on the investigator's medical assessment at screening. A clinically significant disease is defined as one which in the opinion of the investigator may either put the patient at risk because of participation in the study or may influence the results of the study or the patient's ability to participate in the study. is also necessary for any pre-existing cardiac abnormality by history Clinically significant abnormalities at screening ECG, including but not limited to a QTc longer than 435 msec, Pulse Rate > 240 msec at baseline and any bundle branch block pattern, but not necessarily non-specific T wave abnormalities History of malignancy (except for previously cured squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma)