Pipeline :: Hepatitis B Therapy

Our proprietary hepatitis B therapy, DV-601, combines both the surface and core hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens with the ISCOMATRIX® adjuvant. DV-601 is designed to induce an immune response against HBV-infected cells and may offer an alternative therapeutic option for patients chronically infected with HBV. Currently available therapies for HBV have only modest efficacy.

DV-601 completed Phase 1b clinical development in late 2010 and is part of our portfolio of development programs available for partnership.

Clinical Results

In February 2011, at the 21st Conference of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL 2011) in Bangkok, Thailand, we reported Phase 1b immunogenicity data for DV-601. This dose-escalation study assessed safety as well as immunologic and virologic responses in 14 subjects with chronic hepatitis B infection. The therapeutic regimen was found to be safe and generally well-tolerated at all dose levels. No serious adverse events were recorded.

Commercial Opportunity

Over 350 million individuals worldwide are chronically infected with HBV, which can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. The current worldwide market for HBV therapeutics is estimated to be over $1 billion annually.