<p>The invention provides processes for making famciclovir with low levels of undesirable by-products. The present invention discloses a process comprises reacting a compound of formula I (acetic acid 2-acetoxymethyl-4-(5-amino-7-chloro-imidazo [4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl)-butyl ester) in the presence of a palladium on charcoal catalyst in a C1-C6 alkyl acetate and ammonium formate. The present invention further discloses a process comprises reacting a compound of formula I (acetic acid 2- acetoxymethyl-4-(5-amino-7-chloro-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl)-butyl ester) in the presence of a palladium on charcoal catalyst in a mixture of a C1-C6 alkyl acetate, a C1-C4 alcohol and ammonium formate.</p>
