What's Happening?
Precision BioSciences, a clinical stage gene editing company, is set to present data from its Phase 1 ELIMINATE-B trial at the Hep-DART 2025 meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. The trial focuses on PBGENE-HBV, a gene editing therapy aimed at curing chronic hepatitis
B by eliminating viral templates responsible for ongoing infection. The presentation will highlight the safety and antiviral activity of PBGENE-HBV across three cohorts. Chronic hepatitis B affects millions globally, with current treatments only offering viral suppression rather than a cure. Precision BioSciences aims to address this gap with its novel ARCUS platform.
Why It's Important?
Chronic hepatitis B remains a significant health challenge, with millions affected worldwide and limited curative options. The development of PBGENE-HBV represents a potential breakthrough in treating this persistent viral infection. By targeting the elimination of cccDNA and inactivating integrated HBV DNA, Precision BioSciences' approach could offer a functional cure, reducing the need for lifelong antiviral therapy. This advancement could significantly impact public health, reducing the burden of hepatitis B-related complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
What's Next?
The ELIMINATE-B trial is currently enrolling patients in various countries, including the U.S., Hong Kong, and New Zealand, with plans to expand to the U.K. Precision BioSciences aims to define optimal dosing strategies for safely eliminating cccDNA and inactivating HBV DNA. As the trial progresses, further data will be crucial in determining the therapy's efficacy and potential for broader application. The company is focused on accelerating recruitment and evaluating a genetically diverse patient population.
