Bulevirtide

Hepatitis D is considered the most severe type of viral hepatitis and leads to the rapid development of cirrhosis, severe decompensation of liver function, and an increased risk of mortality. Until recently, there have been extremely limited treatments available for Hepatitis D infection.

Bulevirtide, also known as Hepcludex, is a first-in-class entry inhibitor for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis D infection developed by MYR Pharmaceuticals, now part of Gilead. It was first approved for use in the EU on May 28, 2020; bulevirtide has been granted PRIME scheme eligibility and Orphan Drug Designation by the European Medicines Agency. In the USA, bulevirtide has been granted Orphan Drug Designation and Breakthrough Therapy Designation. Due to potentially beneficial synergistic effects in treating chronic Hepatitis D, bulevirtide is also under investigation in clinical trial NCT03852433 (Phase 2b Study of Bulevirtide With Peginterferon Alfa-2a) in Patients With CHD. Completion of this clinical trial is anticipated in early 2023.