The purpose of this study is to determine whether a 10-day course of therapy with orally administered VCH-759 given at 400-mg, 600-mg or 800-mg three times daily can effectively reduce the amount of circulating virus (i.e., viral load) in patients with early-stage chronic hepatitis C-infection. This study will also evaluate the safety and tolerability of treatment with VCH-759. Blood samples will also be taken to measure the levels of VCH-759 present in plasma at various time points during the treatment period.