Functional cure for hepatitis B RNAi and neutralizing antibody therapy go further

A few days ago, Vir Biotechnology announced the latest clinical trial results of its RNAi therapy VIR-2218 and neutralizing antibody therapy VIR-3434 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

VIR-2218, jointly developed by Vir and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, is an RNAi therapy targeting the X gene of HBV

▲Introduction to VIR-2218 (picture source: reference [2])

According to the latest data, 64 adult patients with chronic HBV infection all showed significant HBsAg after receiving VIR-2218 subcutaneous injection alone or in combination with PEG-IFN-α (PEG-IFN-α) for 24 weeks.

▲VIR-2218/PEG-IFN-α combination therapy leads to a faster and more substantial reduction in HBsAg levels (picture source: Vir company official website)

The neutralizing antibody VIR-3434 developed by Vir is a neutralizing antibody therapy with multiple mechanisms of action

▲The modification of the Fc end of the neutralizing antibody gives VIR-3434 the potential to become a therapeutic vaccine (picture source: reference [3])

The analysis of the ongoing phase 1 clinical trial showed that after receiving subcutaneous administration of VIR-3434 (6-75 mg) for one week, the patient's HBsAg level decreased rapidly, with the largest magnitude (> 2 log10 IU/mL) observed in the 75 mg cohort ), and the longest HBsAg decline, no new safety signals were reported

▲VIR-3434 significantly reduces HBsAg levels (picture source: Vir company official website)

Reference materials:

[1] Vir Biotechnology Presents New Data Evaluating the Potential for VIR-2218 and VIR-3434 to Achieve a Functional Cure for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection at AASLD The Liver Meeting.

[2] Safety and Antiviral Activity of VIR-2218, An X-Targeting RNAi Therapeutic, In Participants With Chronic Hepatitis B Infection: Week 48 Follow-Up Results.

[3] A Phase 1 Study Evaluating the Neutralizing, Vaccinal Monoclonal Antibody VIR-3434 in Participants With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Preliminary Results.

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