Abstract: Novel compounds are described. The compounds generally comprise an acidic group, a basic group, a substituted amino or N-acyl and a group having an optionally hydroxylated alkane moiety. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inhibitors of the invention are also described. Methods of inhibiting neuraminidase in samples suspected of containing neuraminidase are also described. Antigenic materials, polymers, antibodies, conjugates of the compounds of the invention with labels, and assay methods for detecting neuraminidase activity are also described.

Abstract: The internally cyclized congeners of hydroxy-substituted nucleotide analogues have been found to exhibit substantially lower toxicity in vivo than their uncyclized analogues, while retaining essentially the same antiviral activity. This was unexpected because the prior art suggested that the cyclic analogues offered no significant advantages in respect to toxicity. This finding permits the administration of much greater doses of the cyclic congeners than otherwise would have been possible and allows the clinician to omit toxicity ameliorating interventions. Novel compounds are provided for use in the method of this invention. Novel methods for the preparation of these compounds also are provided.