Claims for Patent: 5,532,246

Summary for Patent: 5,532,246

Title:	Use of 1,3-oxathiolane nucleoside analogues in the treatment of hepatitis B
Abstract:	Use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of hepatitis B is disclosed. ##STR1##
Inventor(s):	Belleau, deceased; Bernard (late of Westmont, CA), Nguyen-Ba; Nghe (La Prairie, CA)
Assignee:	BioChem Pharma, Inc. (Laval, CA)
Application Number:	08/084,222
Patent Claims:	1. A method for the treatment of a mammal, including a human, suffering from hepatitis B infection, comprising administration of an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) ##STR5## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or salt of an ester thereof to said mammal. 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the hepatitis B infection is human hepatitis B. 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (I) comprises (+)-cis-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2-o ne or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or salt of an ester thereof. 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (I) comprises (-)-cis-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2-o ne or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or salt of an ester thereof. 5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the compound of formula (I) is substantially free of the corresponding (+)-enantiomer. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the compound of formula (I) is adapted for oral administration. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the compound of formula (I) is adapted for parenteral administration. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the compound of formula (I) is in unit dosage form. 9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the compound is present in an amount of from 10 to 1500 mg.