The University of Hong Kong Discovers New Hepatitis B Drug

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has been developing a new Hepatitis B drug with the aim of providing patients treatments without the presence of lifelong medication, according to a report by a local news outlet.

Hepatitis B is a severe liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. While most people recover from the infection in less than six months, others may suffer chronic hepatitis, which may increase their risk of liver failure, liver cancer, or cirrhosis.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, dark urine, fever, joint pains, loss of appetite, jaundice, weakness, and fatigue.

As of now, Hepatitis-B patients must take continuous medication to prevent the infection from causing cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Professor Yeun Man-fung, leader of HKU’s hepatology department and research, was quoted as saying that although the current medication is “relatively cheap,” costing less than HK$1 a day, patients are unlikely to comply with the strict medicine instructions.

The new drug “removes the agents that suppress the immume system,” he was quoted as saying, essentially allowing the immune cells to regain control over the virus.

If successful, “patients can be taken off from lifelong medication while maintaining the suppression of the virus throughout their lives.”

The clinical trial involved over 400 patients worldwide, but only one in 10 patients has achieved a “functional cure” status, having been off treatment for two years after taking the new medication. The team at HKU are making progress towards a 30% success rate, which is the internal target the team has set to seek approval from health authorities for public use of the new drug.

While Yuen admits this is not ideal, he adds that “at least this newest agent [is] proven to be effective”.

“I am quite optimistic. Because we now have so many new drugs, adding through different pathways against the virus and also stimulating the immune system. So I have a very high expectation in the coming say three to five years, we can achieve a certain percentage of patients with a functional cure.”