patient has chronic hcv infection genotype 1 with hcv rna level > 1,000 iu/ml

patients should not have had any previous treatment for hepatitis c

patient must have documentation of a liver biopsy within 2 years before the screening visit or the patient must agree to have a biopsy performed within the screening period

patients with cirrhosis should have serum alpha-fetoprotein (afp) <= 50 ng/ml. if afp > 50 ng/ml, absence of a mass must be demonstrated by ultrasound within the screening period

a female patient of childbearing potential and a nonvasectomized male patient who has a female partner of childbearing potential must agree to the use of 2 effective methods of birth control from screening until 6 months (female patient) or 7 months (male patient) after the last dose of rbv.

patient is infected or co-infected with hcv of another genotype than genotype 1 and/or patient is infected with more than one genotype subtype

patient has a pre-existing psychiatric condition

patient has history of decompensated liver disease or shows evidence of significant liver disease in addition to hepatitis c

patient has human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) or hepatitis b virus (hbv) co-infection

patient has active malignant disease or history of malignant disease within the past 5 years (with the exception of treated basal cell carcinoma).