AP450A

AP450A - Use of dideoxy nucleoside analogues in the treatment of viral infections.

Info

Publication number: AP450A
Application number: APAP/P/1993/000603A
Authority: AP
Inventors: Tarek Mansour; Allan H L Tse
Original assignee: Iaf Biochem Int
Priority date: 1992-12-24
Filing date: 1993-12-23
Publication date: 1996-01-19
Also published as: GB9226927D0; HK1002426A1; AU5830194A; DE69313872D1; IL108063A; GR3024699T3; AP9300603A0; MY127808A; JPH07509730A; DE69313872T2; JP2818299B2; DK0675724T3; IL108063A0; CA2143204C; NZ259487A; RU2160108C2; SG48956A1; ES2108969T3; EP0675724B1; EP0765665A1

Abstract

The present invention concerns the use and method of treatment of b-l-5-fluoro',3'-dideoxycytidine (b-l-ddc)and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, for use in the treatment of viral infections, specifically hiv and hepatitis b infections. The presents invention also includes the use and method of treatment of b-d-5-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxycytidine (b-d-5f-ddc)for use in the treatment of hepatitis b infections.

Description

The present invention relates to nucleoside analogues and their use in medicine. More specifically the invention is concerned with dideoxy nucleoside analogues, pharmaceutical formulations thereof and the use thereof in the treatment of viral infections.

The only compounds currently approved for the treatment of conditions caused by HIV are D-3'-azido-3¹ deoxythymidine (AZT, zidovudine, BW 509U) and β-D-l', 3'dideoxyinosine (ddl, didanosine) which has been approved for use in patients who are intolerant to AZT. Alst, β-D2 ' , 3 ¹ -dideoxycytidine (ddC) has received approval :-.1/ :combination with AZT. The above compounds derived ftcm physiologically important nucleosides have signifi side-effect liability and dose-limiting toxicity. Additionally, resistance to AZT, ddC and ddl has e-erged {K.J. Connolly and S.M. Hammer, Antimicrob. Agent. Chemother. 1992; 16, 245-254).

There is, in consequence, a continuing need tc provide compounds which are effective against HIV tut with a concommitant significantly better therapeutic index (i.e. more selective).

The compounds mentioned above are all used in the form of their natural enantiomers (D sugars). The corresponding unnatural enantiomers of AZT (L-AZT) and ddl

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(β-L-ddI) have been found to be inactive against HIV (J. Wengel et al. J. Org. Chem, 1991; £6., 3591-3594; and M.M. Mansuri et al. BioMed. Chem. Lett. 1991; 1, 65-68) whereas the unnatural enantiomer of ddC (β-L-ddC) was reported to be inactive or weakly active against HIV !M. Okabe & a.l·.

J. Org. Chem. 1988; 54 . 4780-4786 and M.M. Mansuri & al. Bio Med. Chem. Lett. 1991; 1, 65-68) with no mention oi selectivity. Furthermore, there has been no report in the literature about the activity of β-L-ddC against the

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) .

We have now found that, surprisingly, β-L-ddC, the unnatural (-)-enantiomer of ddC is active against HIV with unexpectedly high selectivity.

Furthermore, we have also found, unexpectedly, that β-L-ddC possesses excellent activity against Hepatitis B virus .

Moreover, the 5-fluoro analogue of ddC (5F-ddC) has been described and tested in the form of its natural enantiomer (fi-D-5F-ddC) and found to be active against HIV (Kim et al., J. Med. Chem. 1987: 30, 862-856). However, its activity against HBV has not been reported.

We have found that the natural enantiomer of 5F-ddC (S-D-5F-ddC) is active against against HBV.

In addition, there has beqn no reports of the «

activity of its corresponding unnatural enantiomer (β-L-

AP 0 0 0 4 5 Ο

5F-ddC) against HIV or HBV.

We have also found, unexpectedly, that the unnatural enantiomer of 5F-ddC (E-L-5?-ddC) possesses activity against HIV and HBV below its cytotoxic concentration.

SUMMARY QE THE,, INVENTION

There is thus provided, in a first aspect of the invention, the use of the (-)-enantiomer of ddC (β-L-ddH and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof in -.he treatment of HIV infection.

There is also provided, in a second aspect of the invention, the use of β-L-ddD and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof in the treatment of HBV _nfections.

There is further provided, in a third aspect of the invention, the use of E-D-5F-ddC and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof in the treatment of H3V infections .

Furthermore, there is provided, in a fourth aspect -, f 20 the invention, the use of S-L-5F-ddC and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof for the treatment of HIV infections.

There is also provided, in a fifth aspect of the invention, the use of S-L-5F-ddC and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof for the treatment of HBV infections.

These compounds are represented by formula (I):

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wherein X is hydrogen or fluoro. The compounds of formula (I) are racemic mixtures of the two enantiomers of formulae (Ia) and (Ib):

c r>

(lb!

The (-)-enantiomer of ddC has the absolute configuration of l'S at the carbon bearing the base and 4'R at the carbon bearing ’ a CH₂OH moiety. It has the absolute stereochemistry of the compound of formula (ib) and the chemical name of S-L-2',3¹-dideoxycytidine or (1'S,4'R)-2',3'-dideoxycytidine (hereinafter Compound A).

The (+)-enantiomer of 5F-ddC has the absolute stereochemistry of the compound of formula (la) and the chemical name of S-D-5-fluoro-2', 3'-dideoxycytosine (hereinafter Compound B) .

The (-)-enantiomer of 5F-ddC has also the absolute stereochemistry of the compound of formula (Ib) and the chemical name of S-L-5-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxycytosine (hereinafter Compound C).

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Preferably compound A or C are provided substantially free of the corresponding (+)-enantiomer, that is to say no more than about 5V w/w of the (+)- enantiomer, preferably no more than about 2V, in particular less that about 1* w/w is present.

Preferably compound B is provided substantially free of the corresponding (-)-enantiomer, that is to say no more than about 5% w/w of the (-)- enantiomer, preferably no more than about 2%, in particular less than about 1¾ w/w is present.

By a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative is meant any pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or salt of such ester, of compound A, E or C or any other compcnr.i which, upon admistration to the recipient, is capable ct providing (directly or indirectly) compound A, B or C - . an antivirally active metabolite or residue thereof.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the av. that compound A, B or C may be codified to provide pharmaceutically acceptable dertvatives thereof, at functional groups in both the base moiety and at the hydroxymethyl group of the oxathiolane ring. Modificatico at all such functional groups are included within the scope of the invention. However of particular interest are pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives obtained by modification of the 2-hydroxymethyl group at 4'-carbon of the sugar ring.

Preferred esters of compound A, B or C include the compounds in which the hydrogen of the 2-hydroxymethyl

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AP Ο Ο Ο 4 5 Ο group is replaced by an acyl function R-C(O)- in which the non-carbonyl moiety R of the ester is selected from hydrogen, straight or branched chain alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, t-butyl, n-butyl), alkoxyalkyl (e.g. methoxymethyl), aralkyl (e.g. benzyl), aryloxyalkyl (e.g. phenoxymethyl), aryl (e.g. phenyl optionally substituted by halogen, C^_4 alkyl or C]__₄ alkoxy); sulphonate esters such as alkyl- or aralkylsulphonyl (e.g.

methanesulphonyl); amino acid esters (e.g. L-valyi or L10 isoleucyl) and mono-, di- or tri-phosphate esters.

With regard to the above described esters, unless otherwise specified, any alkyl moiety present advantageously contains 1 to 16 carbon atoms, particularly 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Any aryl moiety present in such esters advantageously comprises a phenyl group.

In particular the esters may be a Οχ.χθ alkyl ester, an unsubstituted benzyl ester or a benzyl ester substituted by at least one halogen (bromine, chlorine, fluorine or iodine) , C]__g alkyl, C]__g alkoxy, nitro or trifluoromethyl groups.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compound A,

B or C include those derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic and organic acids and bases.

Examples of suitable acids include hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulphuric, nitric, perchloric, fumaric, maleic, phosphoric, glycollic, lactic, salicylic, succinic, toleune-p-sulphonic, tartaric, acetic, citric, methanesulphonic, formic, benzoic, malonic, naphthalene-2BAD ORIGINAL $

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sulphonie and benzenesulphonic acids. Other acids such as oxalic, while not in themselves pharmaceutically acceptable, may be useful as intermediates in obtaining the compounds of the invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts.

Salts derived from appropriate bases include alkali metal (e.g. sodium), alkaline earth metal (e.g. magnesium), ammonium and NR4 + (where R is C^_4 alkyl) salts .

References hereinafter to a compound according to the invention include, the compound A, B or C and their pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives.

The compounds of the invention either themselves possess antiviral activity and/or are metabolizable to such compounds. In particular these compounds are effective in inhibiting the replication of retroviruses, including human retroviruses such as human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV's), the causative aamh? I

AIDS.

There is thus provided as a further aspect of the invention compound A, B or C or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof for use as an active therapeutic agent in particular as an antiviral agent, for example in the treatment of retroviral infections or infections by viruses known to possess reverse transcriptase activity (such as Hepatitis B virus).

In a further or alternative aspect there is provided a method for the treatment of a viral infection, in

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AP Ο Ο Ο 4 5 Ο particular an infection caused by a retrovirus such s~

HIV, or by a virus possessing retroviral activity such as HBV in a mammal including man comprising administration of an effective amount of compound A, B or C or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.

There is also provided in a further or alternative aspect use of compound A, B or C or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a viral infection.

The compounds of the invention are also useful in the treatment of HBV or of AIDS related conditions such as AIDS-related complex (ARC), progressive generalised lymphadenopathy (PGL), AIDS-related neurological conditions (such as dementia or tropical paraparesis), anti-HIV antibody positive and HIV- positive conditions, Kaposi's sarcoma, thrombocytopenia purpurea and associated opportunistic infections for example Pneumocystis carinii.

The compounds of the invention are also useful in the prevention of progression to clinical illness of individuals who are anti-KIV or'HBV antibody or HIV-or

H3V-antigen positive and in prophylaxis following exposure to HIV or HBV.

The compound A, B or C or pharmaceutically accepGilo cerivat.ves thereof may ~so be used for the prevention of viral contamination of physiological fluids such as blood cr semen in vitro.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that reference herein to treatment extends to prophylaxis

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AP Ο Ο Ο 45 Ο as well as the treatment of established infections or symptoms.

It will be further appreciated that the amount of a compound of the invention required for use in treatment will vary not only with the particular compound selected but also with the route of administration, the nature of the condition being treated and the age and condition ci the patient and will be ultimately at the discretion ot the attendant physician or veterinarian. In general· f’\ 10 however a suitable dose will be in the range of from a; /'.η l 1

0.1 to about 750mg/kg of bodyweight per day preferably ; r. the range of 0.5 to 60mg/kg/day, most preferably in the range of 1 to 20mg/kg/day.

The desired dose may conveniently be presented in a single dose or as divided doses administered at appropriate intervals, for example as two, three, four or more sub-doses per day.

The compound is conveniently administered in unit C dosage form; for example containing 10 to 1500mg, conveniently 20 to lOOOmg, most conveniently 50 to 700r. g of active ingredient per unit dosage form.

Ideally the active ingredient should be administered to achieve peak plasma concentrations of the active compound of from about 1 to about 75μΜ, preferably about 2 to 50 μΜ, most preferably about 3 to about 30 μΜ. This may be achieved, for example, by the intravenous injection of a 0.1 to 5V solution of the active ingredient, optionally in saline, or orally administered as a bolus containing

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about 1 to about lOOrng of the active ingredient.

Desirable blood levels may be maintained by a continuous infusion to provide about 0.01 to about 5.0 mg/kg/hour or by intermittent infusions containing about 0.4 to about :mg/kg of the active ingredient.

While it is possible that, for use in therapy, a compound of the invention may be administered as the raw chemical it is preferable to present the active ingredient as a pharmaceutical formulation.

The invention thus further provided a pharmaceutical formulation comprising compound A, B or C or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers therefor and, optionally, other therapeutic and/or prophylactic ingredients. The carrier(s) must be 'acceptable' in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.

Pharmaceutical formulations include those suitable for oral, rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal and sub-lingual), vaginal or parenteral (including intramuscular, sub-cutaneous and intravenous/ administration or in a form suitable for administration by inhalation or insufflation. The formulations may, where appropriate, be conveniently presented in discrete dosage

A .

units and may/be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. All methods include the step of bringing into association the active compound with liquid

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II carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired formulation.

Pharmaceutical formulations suitable for oral administration may conveniently be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient; as a powder or granules; as a solution, a suspension or as an emulsion. The active ingredient may also be presented as a bolus, electuary or paste. Tablets and capsules for oral administration may contain conventional excipients such as binding agents, fillers, lubricants, disintegrants, or wetting agents. The tablets may be coated according to methods well known in the art. Oral liquid preparations may be in the form of, for example, aqueous or oily suspensions, solutions, emulsions, syrups or elixirs, cr may be presented as a dry product for reconstitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use. Such liquid preparations may contain conventional additives such as suspending agents, emulsiying agents, non-aqueous vehicles (which may include edible oils), or preservatives.

The compounds according to the invention may also be formulated for parenteral administration (e.g. by injection, for example bolus injection or continuous infusion) and may be presented in unit dose form in ampoules, pre-fillec syringes, small volume infusion or in multi-dose containers with an added preservative. The compositions may take such forms as suspensions,

AP Ο Ο Ο 4 5 Ο solutions, or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilising and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form, obtained by aseptic isolation of sterile solid or by lyophilisation from solution, for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g. sterile, pyrogen-free water, before use.

For topical administration to the epidermis the compounds according to the invention may be formulated as ointments, creams or lotions, or as a transdermal patch. Ointments and creams may, for example, be formulated with an aqueous or oily base with the addition of suitable thickening and/or gelling agents. Lotions may be formulated with an aqueous or oily base and will in general also contain one or more emulsifying agents, stabilising agents, dispersing agents, suspending agents, thickening agents, or colouring agents.

Formulations suitable for topical administration in the mouth include lozenges comprising active ingredient in a flavoured base, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising the active ingredient in an inert base such as gelatin and glycerin or sucrose and acacia; and mouthwashes comprising the active ingredient in a suitable liquid carrier.

Pharmaceutical formulations suitable for rectal administration wherein the carrier is a solid are most preferably presented as unit dose suppositories. Suitable carriers include cocoa butter and other materials commonly

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AP Ο Ο Ο 4 5 Ο used in the art, and the suppositories may be conveniently formed by admixture cf the active compound with the softened or melted carrier(s) followed by chilling and shaping in moulds.

Formulations suitable for vaginal administration may be presented as pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or sprays containing in addition to the active ingredient sqch carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate , ¹..

For intra-nasal administration the compounds of the invention may be usee as a liquid spray or dispersible powder or in the form of drops.

Drops may be formulated with an aqueous c: ton„ · ** * aqueous base also comprising one more more dispersing agents, solubilising agents or suspending agents. Liquid sprays are conveniently delivered from presurrised packs.

For administration by inhalation the compounds according to the invention are conveniently delivered from an insufflator, nebuliser or a pressurised pack cr other convenient means of delivering an aerosol spray.

Pressurised packs may comprise a suitable propellant such as dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. In the case of a presurrised aerosol the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount.

Alternatively, for administration by inhalacion or insufflation, the conpounds according to the invention may

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APΟ Ο Ο 45 Ο take the form of a dry powder composition, for example a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch. The powder composition may be presented in unit dosage form in, for example, capsules or cartridges or e.g. gelatin or blister packs from which the powder may be administered with the aid of an inhalator or insufflator.

When desired the above described formulations adapted to give sustained release of the active ingredient may be employed.

The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may also contain other active ingredients such as antimicrobial agents, or preservatives.

The compounds of the invention may also be used in combination with other therapeutic agents for example other antiinfective agents. In particular the compounds of the invention may be employed together with known antiviral agents.

The invention thus provides, in a further aspect, a 20 combination comprising the compound A, B or C or a physiologically acceptable derivative thereof together with another therapeutically active ager.r, in particular an antiviral agent.

The combinations referred to above may conveniently be presented for use in the form of a pharmaceutical formulation and thus pharmaceutical formulations comprising a combination as defined above together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor comprise a

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ΑΡ Ο Ο Ο 4 5 Ο further aspect of the invention.

Suitable therapeutic agents for use in such combinations include acyclic nucleosides such as acyclovir or ganciclovir, interferons such as α, S or γ-interferor, rer.al excretion inhibitors such as probenecid, nucleoside transport inhibitors such as dipyridamole, 1,3-oxathiolane nucleoside analogues, such as 3TC, 2',3'dideoxynucleosides such as AZT, 2' , 3'-dideoxyadenosine,

2' , 3 '-dideoxyinosine, 2¹,3'-dideoxythymidine , 2' ,3 ' 10 dideoxy-2¹3'-didehydrothymidine and 2',3'-dideoxy-2',3¹didehydrocytidine, FIAU, immunomodulators such as interleukin II (IL2) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), erythropoetin, ampligen, tnymomodulin, thymopentin, foscarnet, ribavirin, and inhibitors of HIV binding to CD4 receptors e.g, soluble CD4, CD4 fragments, CD4 hybrid molecules, glycosylation inhibitors such as 2-deoxy-D-glucose, castanospermine and 1-deoxynoj irimycin.

( The individual components of such combinations may re administered either sequentially or simultaneously in separate or combined pharmaceutical formulations.

When the compound A, B or C or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof is used in combination with a second therapeutic agent active against the same virus the dose of each compound may be either the same as or differ from that when the compound is used alone. Appropriate doses will be readily appreciated by those

AP Ο Ο Ο 4 5 Ο

The compound A, Β or C and their pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives may be prepared by any method known in the art for the preparation of compounds of analogous structure, for example as described in international publication No. WO 92/20969 which is herein incorporated by reference.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that for certain of the methods the desired stereochemistry of the compound A, B or C may be obtained either by commencing with an optically pure starting material or by resolving the racemic mixture at any convenient stage in the synthesis. In the case of all the processes the optically pure desired product may be obtained by resolution of the end product of each reaction.

Example 1 Antiviral activity & Cytotoxicity c

k) MT-4 Formazan assay

Antiviral activity was determined in XT-4 cells by inhibition of formazan conversion (Baba & al., (1987) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 142. 128-134; Mossman (1983) J. Immun. Meth.; 65, 55-57).

B) inhibition of Syncytium Formation Assay

AP Ο Ο Ο 4 5 Ο moi of 1χ103 infectious units/cell and adsorbed at roortemperature for 60 minutes. After adsorption, the cells were washed three times in growth medium. Aliquots of 11cells were added to each well of 24-well plates contain:nt serial dilutions of test compounds at final concentrations of 50/xg/ml to 0.05Ag/ml in RPMl· 1640 growth medium. Untreated infected cells and untreated uninfected cells were also included as controls. The plates were incubated at 37°C/5% CO2 for 3-4 days in humidified containers. The cells were examined daily for evidence of HIV-1 induced syncytium formation. The syncytia were quantified by reference to the untreated infected controls, and the dose of compound required to reduce the cytopathic effect by 50% (ID50) was calculated.

C) Cytotoxicity

The cytotoxicities of the compounds were determined in five CD4 cell lines: H9, JM, CEM, C8166 and U937.

Compounds for test were serially diluted from 100 20 pg/ml to 0.3 Mg/ml (final concentrations) in 96 well microtitre plates. 3.6xl0⁴ ceils were inoculated into each well of/the plates including drug-free controls.

After incubation at 37°C for 5 days, the viable cell couru was determined by removing a sample of cell suspension and counting trypan blue excluding cells in a haemocytometer.

Results are shown in Tabic 1.

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1«

D) Inhibition of Human Hepatitis B virus.

The method used for this test is described in detail in

Korba et al., Antiviral Research 15, 217-228 (1992 which is shortly described as follows:

Hep G2 cells transfected with human hepatitis B virus genomic DNA (2.2.15 cells) were grown and maintained in RPMI-1640 culture medium containing %5 foetal bovine serum, 2mM glutamine and 50pg/ml gentamicin sulphate, and checked routinely for G418 resistance. Cultures of 2.2.15 cells were grown to confluence in 24 well tissue culture plates and maintained fcr 2 to 3 days in that condition prior to drug treatment.

Drugs were dissolved in sterile water or sterile 50% DMSO in water at concentrations 100-fold higher than the higher test concentration. These solutions were diluted as needed in culture medium.

The culture medium on the confluent cells was changed 24 hours prior to exposure to test compounds. During the

10 day treatment, the culture medium was changed daily. After 10 days of the treatment, the culture medium was collected and frozen at -70°C for HBV DNA analysis.

To analyse extracellular HBV DNA, 0.2ml samples of culture medium were incubated for 20 minutes at 25 ^rC in IK NaOH/lOX SSC (IX SSC is 3.15M NaCl/ 0.015M Sodium Citrate,

I pH 7.2.) and then applied to nitrocellulose membranes presoaked in 20X SSC. Filters were then rinsed in 2X SSC and baked at 80°C for 1 hour under vacuum.

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A purified 3.2 kb EcoRI HBV DNA fragment was labelled with [³²P] cCTP by nick translation and used as a probe to detect HBV DNA on the dot-blot by DNA hybridisation. After washing, the hybridised blot was dried and ³²P was quantified using an Ambis beta scanner.

Results are shown in Table 2.

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TABLE I

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a to

C

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Syncytium Formation 1	$ u § <w o δ	>0.5	Λ	© rs Λ &	z-s V) <S
Antiviral I	0.002 (0.0084)	0.014 (0.067)	0.0056 (0.02)	© A — ° ©
\| Formazan \|	2? 0 a § δ	Λ	>100 (>474)	Z“«s © ·—	’’t
\| Antiviral \|	0.0022 (0.0092)	0.022 (0.1)	0.145 (0.63)	z-v «Ο <N © CM © S-
Assay	AZT (natural)	A) β-L-ddC (-) (unnatural)	B) β-D-SF-ddC (+) (natural)	2 a 1 S-z z-*» 1 u 3 tu V) 1 CO. u

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TABLE 2

50% Antiviral Activity against HBV ir. ug/ml

Assay	Hepatitis B Virus
Antiviral	Cytotoxicity
AZT
A) β-L-ddC (-) (uneatural)	0.44	>10
B) p-D-5F-ddC (+) (aatural)	<10	>10
C) P-L-5F-ddC (-) (unnatural)	<10	>10

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Claims

1. Use of the β-Έ enantiomer of a compound of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof in the treatment of viral infections:

(I) characterized in that X is fluorine.

2. Use of a mixture of the #-L and β-Ό enantiomers of a compound of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof in the treatment cf viral infections wherein said mixture contains no more than about 5% w/w of the jS-D-enantiomer.

characterized in that X is fluorine.

3. The use according to claim 2 wherein said mixture contains no more than about 2% w/w of the β-Denantiomer.

4. The use according to claim 2 wherein said mixture contains no more than about 1% w/w of the 0-Όenantiomer.

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5. The use of a 0-L enantiomer according to claim 1 or a mixture according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein said viral infection is an HIV infection.

6 . The use of a 0-L enantiomer according to claim 1 or a mixture according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein said viral infection is a hepatitis B infection.

7. Use of the J-L enantiomer of a compound of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of viral infections:

characterized in that X is fluorine.

Use of the 3-L enantiomer of a compound of formula (I) wherein X is hydrogen, and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, in the treatment of a viral infection:

(I) characterized in that the viral infection is caused by hepatitis Ξ virus.

9. Use of a mixture of the 0-L and 0-D enantiomers of a compound of formula (I) wherein X is hydrogen, and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, in

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AP Ο Ο Ο 4 5 Ο the treatment of viral infections wherein said mixture contains no more than about 5% w/w of the β-Όenantiomer:

characterized in that the viral infection is caused byhepatitis B virus.

10. The use according to claim 9 wherein said mixture contains no more than about 2% w/w of the β-Denattiomer.

11. The use according to claim 9 wherein said mixture contains no more than about 1% w/w of the β-Όenar.t iomer.

12. Use of the β-L enantiomer of a compound of formula (I) , wherein X is hydrogen, and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of viral infections:

characterized in that the viral infection is caused by hepatitis B virus.

13. Use of a compound of formula (Ξ) , and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof in the treatment of hepatitis B viral infections:

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ΑΡ ο ο ο 4 5 Ο characterized in that X is fluorine and the compound of formula (I) is a β-Ό enantiomer thereof, of formula (Ia) .

14. Use of a mixture of the β-Ό and β-D enantiomers of a compound of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof in the treatment of hepatitis B infections wherein said mixture contains no more than about 5% w/w of the jS-L-enantiomer.

characterized in that X is fluorine.

15. The use according to claim 1*4 wherein said mixture contains no more than about 2% w/w of the β-Όenantiomer.

The use according contains no more enantiomer.

to claim 14 than about wherein 1% w/w said mixture of the β-ΌBAD ORIGINAL ft

APO 0 0 4 5 δ

17. Use of a compound of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of hepatitis B viral infections (I) characterized in that X is fluorine and the compound of foroola (I) is a /3-D enantiomer thereof, of formula (la) .

(la)

18. The use according to claim 8, 12 or 17, wherein said medicanent is administered orally, parentally, rectally, nasally, vaginally, or topically.

19. The use according to claim 18, wherein said medicament is administered at a dose of about 0.1 to at least 750 mg/kg of bodyweight per day.

20. The use according to claim 18 wherein said medicament is administered at a dose of about 0.5 to at least 60 mg/kg cf bodyweight per day.

21. The use according to claim 18, wherein said medicament is administered at a dose of about 1.0 to at least 20 mg/kg cf bodyweight per day.

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AP Ο Ο Ο 4 5 Ο

22. The use according to claim 18, wherein said enantiomer is present in dosage unit form in the medicament.

23. The use according tc claim 20 wherein said enantiomer is present in dosage unit form in the medicament at about 10 to 1500 mg.

24. The use according to claim 20 wherein said enantiomer is present in dosage unit form in the medicament at about 20 to 1000 mg.

25. The use according to claim 20 wherein said enantiomer is present in dosage unit form in the medicament at about 50 to 700 mg.

26. The use according to any one of claims 8, 12, cr 17-25 wherein said medicament is administered in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

27. The use according to claim 26 wherein said medicament is administered with another therapeutically active agent.

28. The use according to claim 27 wherein said therapeutically active agent is an antiviral agent.

29. The use according to claim 17 wherein said medicament is administered in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

30. The use according to claim 29 wherein said medicament is administered with a therapeutically active agent.

31. The use according to claim 30 wherein said therapeutically active agent is an antiviral agent.

BAD ORIGINAL ft

AP Ο Ο Ο 4 5 Ο

32. A substance or composition for use in a method of treatment as claimed in claim 30, wherein X is fluorine and the viral infection is hepatitis B viral infection.

33. The β-L enantiomer of a compound of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof:

I.

(I) characterized in that X is fluorine.

34. A mixture of the β-Έ and β-Ό enantiomers of a compound of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof wherein said mixture contains no more than about 5% w/w of the 0-D-enantiomer:

characterized in that X is fluorine.

35. The mixture according to claim 34 wherein said mixture contains no mere than about 2% w/w of the β-Όenantiomer.

36. The mixture according to claim 34 wherein said mixture contains no more than about 1% w/w of the β-Όenantiomer.