HBV surface antigen secretion inhibitors / Arbutus - LARVOL DELTA

Imdusiran (AB-729) administered every 8 weeks for 24 weeks followed by the immunotherapeutic VTP-300 maintains lower HBV surface antigen levels in NA-suppressed CHB subjects than 24 weeks of imdusiran alone (EASL-ILC 2024) - "Study AB-729-202 is an ongoing, randomized, double-blinded Phase 2a study assessing the safety, pharmacodynamics and immunogenicity of repeat doses of imdusiran followed by VTP-300 ± low dose nivolumab or placebo in nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) suppressed, non-cirrhotic CHB subjects. Repeat dosing of imdusiran for 24 weeks followed by VTP-300 was well-tolerated and contributes to the maintenance of lower HBsAg levels compared to placebo in subjects who have reached EOT and follow up Wk 60. More subjects who received VTP-300 have qualified to stop NA therapy at EOT and all remain off therapy. Additional on-treatment, follow-up and NA discontinuation data including HBV parameters and immunology data will be presented."

Clinical • Hepatitis B

Pregenomic RNA Launch Hepatitis B Virus Replication System Facilitates the Mechanistic Study of Antiviral Agents and Drug-Resistant Variants on Covalently Closed Circular DNA Synthesis. (PubMed, J Virol) - "HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) became detectable in culture medium at day 4 posttransfection...As demonstrated here, the pgRNA launch HBV replication system permits the accurate mapping of antiviral target and investigation of cccDNA biosynthesis and transcription using secreted HBsAg as a convenient quantitative marker. The effect of drug-resistant variants on viral capsid assembly, genome replication, and cccDNA biosynthesis and function can also be assessed using this system."

Journal • Gastrointestinal Cancer • Hepatitis B • Hepatocellular Cancer • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Liver Cancer • Solid Tumor