Treatment Data for Hepatitis B Therapy: Vir provides 24-week findings after the termination of treatment duration.
In a buzzworthy update, Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) unveiled 24-week post-treatment data from the MARCH trial, a mid-stage study assessing the potential of tobevibart and elebsiran – a joint therapy created in partnership with Xencor (XNCR) and Alnylam Pharma (ALNY) – for managing chronic Hepatitis B.
This trial is designed to explore the efficacy of this combination therapy, with or without pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFNa), in fighting chronic hepatitis B (CHB).
The results are promising, with the primary endpoint being the number of participants achieving undetectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at 24 weeks after treatment concluded. Among those with low initial HBsAg levels, 17% (3 out of 18) of individuals receiving tobevibart and elebsiran without PEG-IFNa achieved HBsAg loss (seroclearance), and 21% (3 out of 14) of those receiving the therapy with PEG-IFNa achieved this outcome.
Patients who experienced HBsAg loss after 48 weeks of treatment and met specific criteria discontinued their nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), as well as tobevibart and elebsiran therapies.
Intriguingly, tobevibart was administered via subcutaneous injection every four weeks at 300 mg, elebsiran was given every four weeks at 200 mg, and PEG-IFNa was administered weekly at 180 µg to those in the combination group.
These findings further substantiate the potential of this finite-duration combination therapy to induce functional cure in chronic HBV infection, a condition that, to date, remains incurable and poses significant risks, such as liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer [1][2][3][4][5].
This considerable advancement in long-term HBsAg seroclearance and functional cure for CHB patients paves the way for further exploration of targeted antiviral and immune modulating therapies in combination. If successful, this could significantly reshape the treatment landscape for the vast global population battling chronic hepatitis B [5].
- The MARCH trial, led by Vir Biotechnology (VIR), is investigating the effectiveness of tobevibart and elebsiran, a joint therapy developed with Xencor (XNCR) and Alnylam Pharma (ALNY), in managing chronic Hepatitis B.
- The trial aims to assess the efficiency of this combination therapy, with or without pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFNa), in combating chronic hepatitis B (CHB).
- The trial's results show promising signs, with the primary focus being the number of participants achieving undetectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at 24 weeks post-treatment.
- Among those with low initial HBsAg levels, 17% (3 out of 18) of individuals receiving tobevibart and elebsiran without PEG-IFNa achieved HBsAg loss (seroclearance), and 21% (3 out of 14) of those receiving the therapy with PEG-IFNa achieved this outcome.
- These findings suggest the potential of this finite-duration combination therapy to induce functional cure in chronic HBV infection, a currently incurable condition that poses risks such as liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
- This significant advancement in long-term HBsAg seroclearance and functional cure for CHB patients opens up opportunities for further research into targeted antiviral and immune modulating therapies and treatments, which could significantly reshape the treatment landscape for those battling chronic hepatitis B.
