Laboratoire Coopératif Idenix-CNRS-Université Montpellier II, Montpellier, France.
beta-L-2'-Deoxycytidine (beta-L-dC) is a potent, selective and specific anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) agent. To improve its oral bioavailability, several derivatives involving sugar or base acylation, as well N4-derivatization with an N,N-(dimethylamino)methylene function, were synthesized. The physicochemical characteristics (including chemical stabilities, solubilities and distribution coefficient values) and pharmacokinetics of these compounds were determined and compared with those of the parent drug, beta-L-dC.