Abstact

Disruption of the HBV viral life cycle with small molecules that prevent the encapsidation of pregenomic RNA and viral polymerase through binding to HBV core protein is a clinically validated approach to inhibiting HBV viral replication. Herein we report the further optimisation of clinical candidate AB-506 through core modification with a focus on increasing oral exposure and oral half-life. Maintenance of high levels of anti-HBV cellular potency in conjunction with improvements in pharmacokinetic properties led to multi-log10 reductions in serum HBV DNA following low, once-daily oral dosing for key analogues in a preclinical animal model of HBV replication.