In recent Phase III clinical trials, bepirovirsen, developed by the UK-based pharmaceutical firm GSK, demonstrated a functional cure rate of 19% among patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B. Notably, for those with low viral activity, this rate increased to 26%. Bepirovirsen works by targeting the RNA of the virus, inhibiting its replication, and bolstering the immune response against the infection. Currently, existing treatments achieve a cure in less than 1% of cases, typically requiring lifelong administration. In contrast, a treatment regimen with bepirovirsen lasts only six months. A functional cure is defined as the absence of both the virus and its antigens in the bloodstream for a minimum of six months post-treatment. The disappearance of the antigen significantly reduces the risk of liver cancer by 89% and lowers overall mortality rates by 62%. The next phase for bepirovirsen is to secure regulatory approval, having already been granted accelerated review by health authorities in the United States, China, and Japan. Chronic hepatitis B affects approximately 5% of adults who become infected, but the figure escalates to 95% among infants. This chronic condition accounts for over half of the global liver cancer cases, with more than 240 million individuals currently living with the disease.
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