Inclusion Criteria:

1a. For treatment-naïve patients: no prior therapy with interferon, peginterferon, or ribavirin for acute or chronic hepatitis C infection

1b. For treatment-experienced patients: confirmed virological failure during or after combination treatment with an approved dose of alfa-2a or alfa-2b peginterferon combined with ribavirin; such patients must have received at least 12 weeks of therapy with a 90 day washout period prior to screening and must have documentation of medical history prior to enrolment in 1220.2 2. Age 18 years or older 3. Signed informed consent form prior to trial participation 4. Male or female with documented hysterectomy or menopausal female with last menstrual period at least 6 months prior to screening 5. Chronic hepatitis C infection of genotype 1, diagnosed by positive HCV serology test (HCV Ab positive) or detectable HCV RNA at least 6 months prior to screening 6. HCV viral load >= 100,000 IU/mL at screening 7. TSH and T4 within normal limits or adequately controlled thyroid function 8. Histological evidence within 36 months prior to study enrolment of any degree of chronic necroinflammatory activity or the presence of fibrosis (Ishak Grade 1-4 or Metavir Grade 1-3)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who have been previously treated with at least one dose of any protease inhibitor for acute or chronic hepatitis C infection
2. Evidence of liver disease due to causes other than chronic HCV infection
3. Positive ELISA for HIV-1 or HIV-2
4. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection based on presence of Hbs Ag or HBV DNA
5. Any previous liver biopsy consistent with cirrhosis
6. Decompensated liver diseases as evidenced by ascites, portal hypertension, jaundice or hepatic encephalopathy
7. Haemophilia
8. Hemoglobinopathy (e.g., thalassemia major or sickle cell anemia)
9. Severe pre-existing psychiatric disease
10. Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
11. Ischaemic heart disease
12. Chronic obstructive airway disease
13. Autoimmune disease; including autoimmune hepatitis
14. History of alcohol abuse within the past 12 months
15. Hyperbilirubinemia (conjugated bilirubin) >1.5x ULN
16. Alkaline phosphatase >1.5x ULN
17. ALT and AST levels >= 5 x ULN
18. Hemoglobin < 12.0 g/dL for women and < 13.0 g/dL for men
19. White blood cell count < 2000 cells/mm3
20. Absolute Neutrophil Count < 1500 cells/mm3
21. Platelet count < 100,000 cells/mm3
22. Prothrombin time INR (Institutional Normalized Ratio) prolonged to > 1.5 x ULN
23. Usage of any investigational drug within 30 days prior to enrolment; or the planned usage of an investigational drug during the course of the current study
24. Known hypersensitivity to study drugs