Developing a new treatment to eliminate the Hepatitis B virus from the liver
Official title: Toward a Curative Treatment for HBV with cccDNA-Targeting Peptide Nucleic Acids
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11036364 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new treatment for Hepatitis B that aims to safely and effectively target and eliminate the virus's genetic material from the liver, offering hope for a better solution for the millions of people living with this infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $211,418 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI180006-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036364 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Hepatitis B virus infection or those with acute HBV infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on finding a cure for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which affects nearly 300 million people globally. The project aims to create peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) that can specifically target and degrade the virus's genetic material, known as cccDNA, which persists in liver cells and is responsible for the chronic nature of the infection. By utilizing PNAs, the researchers hope to develop a therapeutic that is stable, low in toxicity, and highly effective in eliminating the virus's genome. This innovative approach builds on existing FDA-approved therapies and aims to provide a more effective solution for HBV patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a curative treatment for Hepatitis B, significantly improving the quality of life for millions of infected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach using peptide nucleic acids is innovative, similar strategies targeting viral genomes have shown promise in other contexts, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gagnon, Keith Thomas — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Gagnon, Keith Thomas
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.