Long-acting injectable hepatitis B antivirals with an immune booster
Official title: New generation of long acting nucleos(t)ides and immune stimulant for treatment of chronic hepatitis B
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11317188 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing long-lasting injectable hepatitis B medicines combined with an immune stimulant for people living with chronic hepatitis B.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $611,174 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI163042-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11317188 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic hepatitis B infection who are on or eligible for antiviral therapy would be the most likely candidates for this approach.
✕Less likely to help
People without chronic hepatitis B, those with acute HBV infection, or patients who cannot receive intramuscular injections or who have advanced liver failure may not benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
Researchers plan to convert common oral hepatitis B drugs (tenofovir and entecavir) and an immune-modulating drug (tizoxanide) into slow-release injectable nanocrystals that can be given every two months. The team will optimize the particle properties so the medicine is taken up by liver cells and immune cells and slowly releases drug where the virus hides. They will test how these formulations behave in the body (how long they last and where they go) and how well they suppress the virus before moving toward clinical testing. The goal is to combine sustained antiviral levels with an immune stimulant to improve long-term virus control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could mean fewer doses (for example, once every two months), steadier virus suppression, lower toxicity, and a better chance of achieving a functional cure.
How similar studies have gone: Long-acting injectable antivirals have shown success in other infections like HIV, and long-acting HBV prodrugs are an emerging and largely experimental but promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Osna, Natalia Aleksandr — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Osna, Natalia Aleksandr
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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.