GSK's bepirovirsen potential to achieve functional HBV cure

GSK’s lead asset in HBVCure, bepirovirsen (bepi) (ASO), was mentioned during the presentation as a molecule that has the “potential to improve functional cure rates for chronic hepatitis B in patients and establish a new standard of care”.  During the earnings presentation, the Ph2b B-TOGETHER (Bepi + PegIFN) (N=108) data readout was also highlighted as a part of a handful of pipeline catalysts in 2023.

Key Highlights:

• Full data readout of Ph2b B-TOGETHER (Bepi + PegIFN) (N=108) trial was confirmed for H2 2023
• The TLR8 agonist exclusively licensed from Shanghai Zhimeng Biopharma (previously announced in Feb 2023) was listed as a Ph1 pipeline asset as GSK5251738
• GSK emphasized their commitment to infectious diseases and HIV by stating that two thirds of their development portfolio comes from these therapeutic areas; 

Assessment:

• GSK continues to demonstrate its investment/commitment to HBV with its exclusive licensing deal with Shanghai Zhimeng Biopharma for the TLR8 agonist. With this molecule, GSK possesses all the three components required for functional cure in HBV:

• If the TLR8 agonist, GSK5251738, successfully completes its Ph1 study, GSK could use the molecule in combination, or as a sequential treatment with bepirovirsen, to potentially achieve functional cure in HBV