Experimental drug lets some hepatitis B patients stop treatment

Researchers reported in two international trials that the experimental drug bepirovirsen produced a functional cure in about one in five treated patients, meaning their hepatitis B remained undetectable for six months after stopping all therapy; no patients given a dummy shot achieved that result. The trials enrolled 1,838 patients who received weekly shots for six months alongside standard antiviral pills, and the drug works by binding viral genetic material, lowering surface S protein and stimulating immune response. Side effects were mostly mild injection-site reactions and temporary enzyme rises, and regulators including the FDA are reviewing the drug.

About one in five bepi recipients achieved a functional cure.