Methods to identify combinations of ns5a targeting compound that act synergistically to inhibit hepatitis c virus replication

A method for identifying NS5A-targeting compounds that in combinations demonstrate a synergistic inhibitory interaction toward wild-type and/or variants that reduce the potency of the NS5A-targeting inhibitors alone comprising the steps of:

• (a) screening a compound library for NS5A targeting compounds and
• (b) comparing the amount of HCV inhibition of a NS5A-targeting inhibitor in the presence and absence of a fixed concentration of a NS5A-targeting compound and
• wherein the second NS5A-targeting compound may or may not demonstrate HCV NS5A inhibitory activity when assayed alone and wherein the combination of the NS5A-targeting compounds demonstrate a synergistic inhibition of HCV replicon or virus replication.