In the QUEST-@ , phase @ study , done at @ sites in @ countries ( Europe , and North and South Americas ) , patients with confirmed chronic HCV genotype @ infection and no history of HCV treatment were randomly assigned with a computer-generated allocation sequence in a ratio of @:@ and stratified by HCV genotype @ subtype and host IL@B genotype to receive simeprevir ( @ mg once daily , orally ) , peginterferon alfa @a ( @ g once weekly , subcutaneous injection ) or @b ( according to bodyweight ; @ g , @ g , @ g , @ g , or @ g once weekly , subcutaneous injection ) , plus ribavirin ( @-@ mg/day or @-@ mg/day , orally ; simeprevir group ) or placebo ( once daily , orally ) , peginterferon alfa @a or @b , plus ribavirin ( placebo group ) for @ weeks , followed by just peginterferon alfa @a or @b plus ribavirin .