Targeting Hepatitis B Virus

What is Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)?

  • HBV is a virus infection of the liver.
  • HBV is transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids, the surface of needles, or to newborn children.
  • The World Health Organization estimates that ~2 billion people have contracted HBV.
  • Approximately 300 million people are currently living with chronic HBV infection.
  • Chronic HBV infection is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis (fibrosis) and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).
  • HBV is responsible for nearly 1 million deaths each year.
  • Preventative HBV vaccines are available and provide protection when administered early in life.
  • Chronic HBV infection remains a high priority unmet medical need.
  • Approved drugs include nucleoside analogs and interferon alpha (an immunotherapy). These are required lifelong.
  • There is no cure for chronic HBV infection.

Complications of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Chronic HBV Prevalence in the United States

Chronic HBV prevalence in the U.S. per 100,000 population. No data available for states shown in white. See data from CDC 2020.

Worldwide Chronic HBV Infection Prevalence Rates

Global map of chronic HBV infection rates. These data are from the Polaris Observatory.

Approved Drugs to Treat HBV Infection (Not Curative)

Marketed NameDrugClass
Viread®Tenofovir Disoproxil FumarateNucleoside Analog
Vemlidy®Tenofovir Alafenamide FumarateNucleoside Analog
Baraclude®EntecavirNucleoside Analog
Tyzeka®TelbivudineNucleoside Analog
Hepsera®Adefovir DipivoxilNucleoside Analog
Epivir HBV®LamivudineNucleoside Analog
Pegasys®Pegylated InterferonImmunomodulator
Intron A®Interferon AlphaImmunomodulator
Nucleoside Analogs inhibit virus replication but DO NOT CURE chronic HBV infection.

More Information about HBV can be found on the NIH website and from the
World Health Organization Global Hepatitis Report 2024.