| abstract |
A prodrug composition is provided which includes a pharmaceutical species and an amino acid having a covalent bond to the pharmaceutical species. A particular pharmaceutical species is adenosine arabinoside, also known as Ara A and by the trade name vidarabine. Ara A prodrugs of the present invention have increased bioavailability compared to the parent compound Ara A. The inventive prodrug is transported from the gastrointestinal lumen by a specific transporter and is enzymatically cleaved to yield Ara A, such that Ara A is delivered to the individual. |