Treating Hepatitis B Viral Infections

SLU ID 12-001 | Inhibitors of Hepatitis B virus RNAseH activity

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects an estimated 257 million people worldwide. It is an infection of the liver that can cause cirrhosis, liver failure, and cancer. If left untreated, it can lead to death. Current treatments for HBV infections primarily consist of a variety of nucleotide analog drugs that control viremia and slow the disease progression. However, they do not cure the disease and must be taken for life, creating both an inconvenience and cost burden for patients.

Overview

Researchers at Saint Louis University have identified two (2) compounds that inhibit HBV ribonuclease H (RNAseH). These compounds may lead to a new class of drugs to treat HBV infections. The researchers envision that drugs developed using these compounds will be used in combination with the nucleotide analogs drugs to improve suppression of HBV replication.

Benefits

The potential benefits of this technology include:

• Increasing the likelihood of developing a functional cure for Hepatitis B infections

• Minimizing the side effects of Hepatitis B treatments

• Minimizing the inconvenience of Hepatitis B treatments for patients

• Minimizing the cost burden of Hepatitis B treatments for patients

• Minimizing the incidents of cirrhosis of the liver

• Minimizing the incidents of liver failure

• Minimizing the incidents of liver cancer

Applications

Potential applications of this technology include:

• Treating and curing Hepatitis B virus infections

Opportunity

Saint Louis University is seeking a partner to further develop and commercialize this technology.