After summarising the in vitro and in vivo results obtained with nucleotide prodrugs (pronucleotides) bearing two S-acyl-2-thioethyl (SATE) groups as esterase-labile phosphate protections, we will describe recent work on mononucleoside mixed phosphoester derivatives. These new series of biolabile constructs were designed to lead to the selective intracellular delivery of the corresponding 5'-mononucleotide through different enzyme-mediated activation steps. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.