The present invention discloses compounds of formula I, II, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof: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. More specifically, the invention relates to
oxime compounds containing a carbocyclic P2 unit. 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.