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Ju-Tao Guo, MD, a leading expert in hepatitis B virology and the Blumberg Institute's chief scientific officer, was named president of the Institute by our Board of Directors on Oct. 18.
Louis P. Kassa III, MPA, CEO of the Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation and Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC), said: “Dr. Guo has been acting president for the past year, and in that time has worked to strategically structure and strengthen the Institute. He is an accomplished and recognized leader in his field, and we are extremely fortunate to have him accept this vital role.”
More here.
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The Blumberg Institute recently presented the Harvey J. Alter Chair, a newly created honor, to Jinhong Chang, MD, PhD, during an Oct. 24 event at the Institute.
The Chair is named for Harvey J. Alter, MD, a Nobel laureate whose research greatly advanced the understanding of hepatitis and member of the Hepatitis B Foundation’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Board.
Dr. Chang, who is vice president of drug development at the Blumberg Institute, was selected in recognition of her outstanding contributions to antiviral research and drug development, exceptional leadership and dedication to the Blumberg Institute over the past 10 years. More here.
| | Kunwar Shailubhai PhD, MBA, inventor of Trulance, chosen for the 2025 Timothy M. Block Biotech Impact award | | |
Kunwar Shailubhai PhD, MBA, a successful entrepreneur, accomplished scientist and inventor of the widely prescribed drug Trulance, has received the third annual Timothy M. Block, PhD, Biotech Impact Award from the Hepatitis B Foundation, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC) and Blumberg Institute.
Dr. Shailubhai received the award at the 25th annual Regional Biotechnology Conference at the PABC Nov. 13, which drew more than 100 professionals in life sciences, finance and related sectors to the Bucks County facility. More here.
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The Hepatitis B Foundation issues a statement in response to the ACIP's decision to remove the universal hepatitis B birth
dose recommendation
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The Hepatitis B Foundation has issued a statement in response to the ACIP's decision Dec. 5 to remove the universal hepatitis B birth dose recommendation. The Foundation stresses that decades of evidence clearly show the universal birth dose is the safest and most effective way to protect infants, and that delaying or reducing doses has no scientific basis and risks creating confusion among parents and providers.
Read the full statement here.
| | Small molecule HBV RNA destabilizing drugs: Drugs of the future or compounds from the past? | | |
A new review in Antiviral Research explores the potential of small-molecule HBV RNA-destabilizing drugs, a therapeutic strategy now attracting renewed attention.
These compounds work by targeting PAPD5/7 to destabilize HBV RNA, lowering viral proteins like HBsAg. Early challenges with toxicity slowed development, but recent liver-targeted versions are showing promise and may re-enter the landscape of HBV cure research. The authors are Timothy M. Block, PhD; Dimitar Gotchev, PhD; and Yanming Du, PhD. The article is here.
| | A hepatitis B virus RNA-sensing and RNA-editing-dependent reporter system | | |
A study from the Blumberg Institute introduces an innovative hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA–sensing and RNA-editing–based reporter system, a tool that could significantly advance how scientists detect and study HBV inside cells.
Published in the Journal of Virology, this work highlights how cutting-edge molecular tools are pushing HBV research forward. The authors are Liren Sun, PhD; Andrew Snedeker, BS; and Liudi Tang, PhD. The article is here.
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Blumberg Institute Faculty, Richard Pestell, MD, PhD FACP, FRACP, MBA, gave presentations recently at two international scientific conferences on a promising, potential therapy for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.
The new findings presented at European Society for Medical Oncology meeting in Munich May 15 and an AACR conference in Montreal in September, reveal that blocking CCR5 with the monoclonal antibody leronlimab resulted in prolonged survival in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who had failed at least 2 prior types of treatment. More here.
| | The Blumberg Institute accepts crypto donations! | | |
We now accept cryptocurrency donations through The Giving Block! This new option allows supporters to contribute to cutting-edge research in a fast, secure and tax-efficient way.
Visit here to learn more and make your crypto gift today!
| | Your year-end gift can help save research! | | | | |
Research is essential to giving the next generation a world free from hepatitis B and liver cancer.
Every discovery brings us one step closer to prevention, better treatments and ultimately a cure.
Every donation ensures scientists can keep pushing forward, discovering new treatments, new knowledge and new hope for the communities who depend on it!
| | Blumberg staffer earns professional distinction | | |
Congratulations Julianna Deakyne, PhD, DABT the Blumberg Institute's associate director of preclinical on earning Diplomate status with the American Board of Toxicology.
This is a prestigious certification that signifies deep expertise in toxicology and a mastery of toxicological and regulatory science and risk assessment.
| | Upcoming Distinguished Speaker Seminars | |
Jan. 22, 2026 (11 a.m.) - Maurie Smith, MBA, managing director, Keystone LifeSci Collaborative
Feb. 26, 2025 (11 a.m.) - Xuping Xie, PhD, associate professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, utmb Health
March 26, 2026 (11 a.m.) - Michaela Gack, PhD, scientfic director, Cleveland Clinic Florida Research & Innovation Center
All seminars are hybrid unless otherwise noted.
To learn more about our Distinguished Speaker Seminar series click here.
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The Blumberg Institute focuses on understanding the pathobiology of hepatitis B virus and related diseases, developing diagnostics for early detection of liver disease and the discovery of therapeutics, antivirals and immune modulators, aimed at curing hepatitis B and other severe viral diseases.
www.blumberginstitute.org
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