This study is a phase 1b, open label study of four weeks of treatment with 100 mg po BID of clemizole hydrochloride administered immediately prior to the initiation of treatment with HCV standard of care therapy consisting of pegylated interferon and ribavirin in treatment-naïve subjects chronically infected with HCV genotype 1 or genotype 2. The duration of the study for each subject will be approximately 11 weeks (up to three week screening period, four week treatment period and four week safety follow-up period). The duration of the entire study is anticipated to be approximately four months (first subject in to last subject out). Pharmacokinetic sampling will be done at Day 1 and Day 28 of dosing. PK sampling will be conducted only on subjects who have consented to participate in the PK portion of this study. Participation in PK sampling is optional for each subject.