BMS-986094 is primarily investigated for its antiviral properties, with a focus on the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. It functions as an inhibitor of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, an enzyme critical for viral replication. By targeting this enzyme, BMS-986094 effectively suppresses the replication of HCV in infected cells, showing potent activity across multiple genotypes of the virus. It was developed as part of a class of nucleotide analogs designed to improve efficacy and reduce resistance development in HCV therapy. Although clinical development was discontinued due to safety concerns, including cardiac toxicity observed in trials, it contributed valuable insights into antiviral drug design and the challenges of balancing potency with safety in treating chronic viral infections.