Compounds of formula (I):
wherein R1 is (C1-8)alkyl, (C3-7)cycloalkyl, {(C1-6)alkyl-(C3-7)cycloalkyl} or Het, which are all optionally substituted from 1 to 3 times with halo, cyano, nitro, O—(C1-6)alkyl, amido, amino or phenyl, or R1 is C6 or C10 aryl which is optionally substituted from 1 to 3 times with halo, cyano, nitro, (C1-6)alkyl, O—(C1-6)alkyl, amido, amino or phenyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, useful as an inhibitor of the HCV NS3 protease.