We have recently reported 1 the discovery of an entirely new category of potent anti-VZV agents based on novel deoxynucleoside analogues with an unusual fluorescent bicyclic base bearing a long alkyl side-chain, with an optimum length of C8–C10 for antiviral activity (1). The role of this peculiar structural feature for the antiviral activity is still not clear and our groups are carrying out several structure–activity relationship studies, which involve modifications of the ...