Update on new antivirals under development for the treatment of double-stranded DNA virus infections.

All of the currently available antiviral agents used to treat double-stranded (ds) DNA viruses inhibit the same target, the viral DNA polymerase, with the exception of interferon-α. With increasing reports of the development of resistance of herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and hepatitis B virus to some of these drugs, new antiviral agents are needed for these infections. Additionally, no drugs are approved to treat several DNA virus infections including those caused by adenovirus, smallpox, molluscum contagiosum, and BK virus. We report on the status of 10 new antiviral drugs for the treatment of dsDNA viruses. CMX-001 has broad activity against dsDNA viruses; 3 helicase-primase inhibitors, marabavir, and FV-100 have activity against certain herpesviruses; ST-246 inhibits poxviruses; GS-9191 inhibits papillomaviruses; and clevudine and emtricitabine are active against hepatitis B virus. Most of these drugs have completed at least phase I trials in humans and several are in additional clinical trials.