Finite HBV cure gains momentum with bepirovirsen in phase 3 trials
In two phase 3 trials (B-Well 1 and B-Well 2) of adults with chronic hepatitis B who were noncirrhotic and on stable nucleos(t)ide therapy, the antisense oligonucleotide bepirovirsen led to a functional cure (HBV DNA below quantification and loss of HBsAg for at least 24 weeks) in about 19–20% of participants at week 72 after stopping therapy, versus 0% with placebo. While this marks a significant advance toward a finite cure, it is not universal and durability beyond 72 weeks, safety concerns, and applicability to broader patient groups remain unresolved. Further studies and real-world data are planned, with GSK funding the trials.