New weapon against hepatitis D

Have demonstrated efficacy and safety of a new drug against hepatitis D: Heiner Wedemeyer ( left ) und Markus Cornberg. Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH In a multicentre phase 3 trial, researchers at the MHH have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the drug Bulevirtide, which prevents HD viruses from entering the liver. Infection with hepatitis D virus (HDV) causes the most severe form of chronic, viral hepatitis disease. About ten to 20 million people worldwide are affected. There is currently no cure for the disease, and in the end the only treatment option is often a liver transplant. But now the way is clear for treatment with an effective drug. In a multi-centre study with 150 participants, an international research team led by Heiner Wedemeyer and Markus Cornberg from the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectiology and Endocrinology at the Hannover Medical School (MHH) was able to prove that the active substance Bulevirtide significantly reduces the viral load in blood serum and liver and normalises liver inflammation values in many cases.