Monthly long-acting treatment for hepatitis B
Long-acting Antiviral Treatment for HBV
Turning daily hepatitis B pills into a monthly injectable to help people with HBV, including those also living with HIV, keep the virus under control.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11135319 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be helped if scientists can reformulate current hepatitis B antivirals into long-acting injectable medicines that stay in the body for weeks. The team will use drug formulation work, lab and preclinical testing, and translational studies to identify a lead and backup product suitable for monthly self-injection. After selecting candidates, the program will move toward safety testing and early human studies to ensure steady antiviral levels and prevent viral rebound. The research pays special attention to people with both HBV and HIV who need consistent antiviral coverage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people living with chronic hepatitis B, including those co-infected with HIV who require continuous HBV suppression.
Not a fit: People without chronic hepatitis B, or those whose HBV has already been cured, would not directly benefit from this therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could replace daily pills with a monthly shot, reducing missed doses and lowering the risk of viral rebound and liver damage.
How similar studies have performed: Long-acting injectable antivirals have worked well for HIV (for example, Cabenuva), but applying similar long-acting formulations to hepatitis B is relatively new and early-stage.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ho, Rodney J.y. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Ho, Rodney J.y.
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 below.