GlaxoSmithKline’s experimental drug bepirovirsen has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in clinical trials, achieving functional cure in 18% of hepatitis B patients—a substantial improvement over the 1% success rate of current standard therapies. The drug operates through an innovative antisense oligonucleotide mechanism that targets viral RNA, fundamentally differing from conventional nucleoside analogues that merely suppress the virus without eliminating it. Functional cure is defined as sustained undetectable levels of hepatitis B surface antigen for at least 24 weeks post-treatment, according to CDC criteria. With an estimated 296 million people living with chronic hepatitis B worldwide, this breakthrough offers hope for transforming treatment outcomes. Phase 3 trials are expected to commence within 12 months, potentially accelerating the path toward regulatory approval and broader patient access to this game-changing therapy. Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
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