We recently developed a genome-length hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA replication system (OR6) with luciferase as a reporter. The OR6 assay system has enabled prompt and precise quantification of HCV RNA replication. Pegylated interferon (IFN) and ribavirin combination therapy is the world standard for chronic hepatitis C, but its effectiveness is limited to about 55% of patients. Newer therapeutic approaches are needed. In the present study, we used the OR6 assay system to evaluate the anti-HCV activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A ( P ersistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Approximately 170 million people worldwide are infected with HCV. The combination of pegylated interferon (IFN) with ribavirin is the current standard therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and yields a sustained virological response (SVR) rate of about 55%. 1 This means that about 45% of patients with CH C are still threatened by the progression of the disease to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Until 1999, when Lohmann et al. developed the subgenomic replicon of HCV, it was difficult to screen anti-HCV reagents. 2 Many improvements followed that breakthrough, such as a genome-length HCV RNA replication system 3,4 and a subgenomic replicon with a reporter assay system 5 ; more recently, Wakita et al. used a genotype 2a strain, JFH1, to produce the infectious virus in cell culture. [6][7][8] Genotype 1 is the major genotype of HCV found in Japan, the United States, and many other countries. Unfortunately, the SVR rate after combination therapy of pegylated IFN with ribavirin is less than 50% for this genotype. To find a more effective therapy especially for CHC patients with genotype 1, we recently developed a genome-length HCV RNA (strain O of genotype 1b) replication reporter system (OR6), which has been an effective screening tool. 9,10 Statins, which are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, are in wide use for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Recently, it