Current therapies for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can effectively suppress viral replication but do not achieve a functional or complete cure. Capsid assembly modulators inhibit the assembly of viral capsids, prevent the encapsidation of pregenomic RNA, and interfere with both the formation and amplification of covalently closed circular DNA, which is essential for viral persistence.

The BioWorld Infectious Disease Index has struggled to gain ground in 2024 but has held relatively steady in recent months. After ending July down 7.66%, it closed October down 12.07% and sat at an 8.86% decline for the year as of Nov. 22. 

Half of the individuals with genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection experience several recurrence episodes per year, especially if the causative agent is HSV type 2 (HSV-2). Standard-of-care viral DNA polymerase inhibitors are not fully effective in preventing recurrences and managing symptoms.

The BioWorld Infectious Disease Index (BIDI) has continued to decline in the first four months of 2024, finishing April with a year-to-date decrease of 25.12%. BIDI trailed both the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index, which saw a 4.76% downturn by April’s end, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which closed the month with a 0.34% increase for the year. In 2023, BIDI ended the year with a 43.48% decline, preceded by an 83.57% drop in 2022.

It’s known that interferon-alpha (IFNα) activates interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and disrupts the hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication cycle. Pegylated (PEG)-IFNα has been widely used for its immunomodulatory and antiviral properties but it is not always well tolerated and thus its use is limited.

Gilead Sciences Inc. and Assembly Biosciences Inc. have entered into a 12-year partnership to advance the research and development of novel antiviral therapies, with an initial focus on Assembly’s established areas of herpesviruses, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV).