1263W94 [maribavir; 5,6-dichloro-2-(isopropylamino)-1, ␤-L-ribofuranosyl-1-H-benzimidazole], a novel benzimidazole compound, has been demonstrated to potently and selectively inhibit human cytomegalovirus replication in vitro and to have favorable safety profiles in animal species. Two phase I trials evaluated the safety and pharmacokinetics of escalating single doses of 1263W94 in 13 healthy subjects (dose, 50 to 1,600 mg) and 17 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects (dose, 100 to 1,600 mg). No severe safety concerns were observed in the evaluation of adverse events, vital signs, electrocardiograms, and clinical laboratory tests following administration of a single dose of 1263W94. The most frequently reported adverse events in both populations were taste disturbance (80%) and headache (53%). 1263W94 was rapidly absorbed following oral administration, with peak concentrations in plasma (C max ) occurring 1 to 3 h after dosing. The increases in the C max of 1263W94 and the area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC 0-ؕ ) for 1263W94 were dose dependent; C max increased slightly less than proportionally to the dose, and AUC 0-ؕ increased slightly more than proportionally to the dose. 1263W94 was rapidly eliminated, with a mean half-life in plasma of 3 to 5 h; the half-life was independent of the dose level. Less than 2% of the 1263W94 dose administered was eliminated unchanged in urine. The principal metabolite of 1263W94 was 4469W94 (which is derived by N-dealkylation of 1263W94 via CYP3A4), which accounted for 30 to 40% of the dose in urine. Greater than 98% of the 1263W94 in plasma is bound to proteins, and the extent of binding appears to be constant over the dose range of 200 to 1,600 mg. In the trial with HIV-infected subjects, consumption of a high-fat meal decreased the 1263W94 AUC 0-ؕ and C max in plasma by ϳ30%.

447C88 (N-Heptyl-N'-(2,4 difluoro-4-6-(2(-4-(2,2 dimethylpropyl)phenyl)ethyl)phenyl)urea) is an inhibitor of human microsomal AcylCoA: Cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) with an IC50 of 10.2 ng.ml-1 (23 nM). It is poorly absorbed but 5 mg.kg-1.day-1 completely abolishes the rise in plasma cholesterol in cholesterol-fed rats. In this study, twelve healthy, male volunteers received single, oral doses of 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg of 447C88 (n = 8) or placebo (n = 4) with food in a double-blind study with at least a week between occasions. The 400 mg dose was repeated after an overnight fast. Subsequently, fourteen different volunteers received a single 200 mg dose of 447C88 (n = 8) or placebo (n = 6) with food and, a week later, the same dose twice daily for 10 days; all doses were given with food. All doses were well tolerated with no significant changes in vital signs, full blood counts or plasma biochemical profiles. Plasma concentrations of 447C88 were unquantifiable after the fasting dose and low after all other doses. Mean Cmax and AUC were 1.8 ng.ml-1 and 9.0 ng.ml-1.h after 200 mg rising to 5.4 ng.ml-1 and 23.8 ng.ml-1.h respectively after 800 mg; t1/2 was 1.3 to 5.2 h. After 10 days dosing, plasma 447C88 concentrations were higher in the evening than the morning probably due to administration of the evening dose with more food. There were no significant changes in plasma triglcerides or total, LDL- or HDL-cholesterol after dosing with 447C88.

Netivudine dosing produces complete inhibition of plasma dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase. Coadministration with the antimetabolite 5-fluorouracil will require a substantial reduction in 5-fluorouracil dose to avoid toxicity but may also improve the therapeutic index of 5-fluorouracil.