The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, or a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug, thereof:
##STR00001## which inhibit serine protease activity, particularly the
activity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3-NS4A protease. Consequently, the
compounds of the present invention interfere with the life cycle of the
hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The present
invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the
aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from
HCV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV
infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition
comprising the compounds of the present invention.