title: Telbivudine/Torcitabine Idenix/Novartis.
abstract: Idenix (formerly Novirio) and Novartis are developing two beta-L-deoxynucleosides, telbivudine and torcitabine, for the potential treatment of hepatitis B virus infection. Phase III trials of telbivudine were underway by August 2002 and phase I/II trials of the torcitabine prodrug, valtorcitabine, were ongoing in November 2003.
authors.affiliation: Vere Hodge AntiVirals Ltd, Old Denshott, Leigh, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 8RD, UK. averehodge@aol.com
authors.forename: R Anthony Vere
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hodge
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009705:Nucleosides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011744:Pyrimidinones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D000077712:Telbivudine; D013936:Thymidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D009705:Nucleosides; D011744:Pyrimidinones; D000077712:Telbivudine; C487780:1-(2-deoxy-beta-L-erythropentafuranosyl)-5-methyl-2,4(1H)-pyrimidinone; D013936:Thymidine