As the new year begins, let's take a moment to reflect on the accomplishments we’ve shared this past year. Your support, dedication and commitment to raising awareness about hepatitis B have made a real difference in the lives of many.

In 2025, we’re excited to continue this important work. From promising research programs to expanded community outreach, we remain committed to our mission: finding a cure for hepatitis B while improving the quality of life for those affected.

We couldn’t do this without you—our supporters, partners and friends.

Wishing you and your loved ones health, happiness and success in 2025. Here’s to another year of progress and hope!

A leading U.S. magazine, The New Yorker, ran a compelling story last month headlined, "A Cancer-Causing Virus Hiding in Millions of Americans- Why does hepatitis B, which can lead to liver cancer, often go undetected, even though tests exist?" Among the experts quoted is Chari A. Cohen, DrPH, MPH, president of the Hepatitis B Foundation.

“Hepatitis B continually gets sidelined,” Dr. Cohen said. She pointed out that some people living with hepatitis B forgo marriage or having kids, and some lose their jobs because of discrimination. “Any other disease that kills as many people, and that causes as much decrease in quality of life, would never be sidelined.”

Please read more here and share this valuable story through email and social media.

New B Informed Training Hub module:

Diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B and D

We’re happy to announce the launch of our Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatitis B/D training module! This educational resource is designed to provide in-depth knowledge for health care professionals, hepatitis B and delta patients and advocates.

Access the training module here and take the next step in advancing your knowledge and advocacy!

January is International Quality of Life Month. Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease, and over 1 billion doses of the hepatitis B vaccine have been safely administered worldwide. This highly effective vaccine protects infants, children and adults from hepatitis B, a preventable yet serious liver infection. Here are some other steps and suggestions for improving your quality of life:

Let’s work together to promote good health and a better quality of life for all. 

The Hepatitis B Foundation has launched a hepatitis delta survey, in order to better understand the experiences of people who living with hepatitis delta, from testing to diagnosis to management. We hope this will lead to a better understanding of the virus and help us advocate for better testing and treatment.

The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete. There's an option to participate in a short interview to further discuss your experiences. The survey, which has been translated into 14 languages, can be found here.

New clinical trial opportunity available for people

living with chronic hepatitis B virus infection 

Check out this new clinical trial opportunity! GSK is launching a phase 2b study called B-United, which will test a study drug called daplusiran/tomligisiran (DAP/TOM) followed by another study drug called bepirovirsen as a potential new treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus infection.   

You may be eligible to participate in the B-United study if you: 

• Are at least 18 years old (the minimum age may be higher in some countries);  
• Have had diagnosed chronic hepatitis B infection documented for at least six months;  
• Have been on stable nucleoside/nucleotide analogue (NA) treatment (sometimes referred to as antivirals, such as tenofovir or entecavir) for the past 6 months, without any changes for the past 3 months.

If eligible, you will continue NA treatment and receive an investigational therapy that consists of: 

1. daplusiran/tomligisiran OR placebo for 24 weeks followed by 
2. bepirovirsen for 24 weeks 



Following study treatment with daplusiran/tomligisiran (or placebo) and bepirovirsen, you will continue your NA treatment for 24 more weeks. The study doctor will then determine if you can stop your NA treatment and, if so, you will be off-NA treatment for up to 28 weeks while closely monitored by the study doctor. 

The study is being run in many countries around the world.

To find out more information and see if you might be eligible,

please visit www.BUnitedStudy.com. 

Featured #justB and B the Voice storytellers

New resource for providers: Adult HBV screening information

The Hepatitis B Foundation is excited to announce a new resource designed specifically for medical providers: Adult Hepatitis B Screening Information for Providers. This comprehensive fact sheet offers essential details to support health care professionals in screening, testing and vaccinating adults for hepatitis B.

This resource equips providers with the tools needed to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective patient management and lifelong protection against hepatitis B.

For more information and to access the fact sheet, please click here. Together, let’s enhance care for patients and advance hepatitis B prevention and treatment.

New online education course on Simplified HBV Screening

and Treatment: Register now to earn CME credits

There is an exciting new educational opportunity for health care providers! The two-session webinar-based course will discuss strategies for implementing HBV/HDV screening, simplified HBV treatment and increasing adherence and engagement in care, with a focus on Asian American and African immigrant communities. The sessions are Jan. 16 and Feb. 12. The course is hosted by Clinical Care Options (CCO) in partnership with the Asian Health Foundation and Hepatitis B Foundation. Register now!

B Informed Hep B Patient Conference

On Dec. 5, 2024, the Hepatitis B Foundation hosted the Virtual B Informed Patient Conference, a dynamic event dedicated to spreading knowledge and awareness about the hepatitis B virus. This year’s conference brought together experts, advocates and individuals living with hepatitis B to explore critical topics, including:

• Current and Emerging Treatments: Updates on treatments in development for hepatitis B and Delta, and
• Progress Toward a Cure: Insights into the advancements and challenges in achieving a functional cure for hepatitis B.

The event concluded with an inspiring Storyteller Discussion, where three Hepatitis B Foundation storytellers shared their personal journeys. They offered heartfelt advice, highlighted the challenges they’ve overcome, and provided encouragement to others living with hepatitis B around the world.

We're grateful to everyone who participated and helped make this event a success. Together, we’re raising awareness, fostering community and building hope for the future.

Elimination of hepatitis B requires recognition of

catastrophic costs for patients and their families

The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Dec. 13, 2024

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langas/article/PIIS2468-1253%2824%2900384-4/abstract

Jemutai J, Downs L, Anderson M, Cohen C, Seeley J, Sultan B, Ko J, Flanagan S, Iwuji C, Halford R, Fernandes O, Vickerman P, Johannessen A, Matthews P

[The authors include Dr. Chari Cohen, president of the Hepatitis B Foundation.]

The authors point to the WHO End TB Strategy as a model for addressing the impact of the extreme costs incurred by low-income households impacted by hepatitis B (HBV). They write: "To date, recognition and robust assessment of the potentially catastrophic costs associated with HBV infection have been overlooked. Progress towards HBV elimination targets cannot be achieved if individuals and families are exposed to this risk, which amplifies existing health and social inequities."

The urgent need to end hepatitis B stigma and discrimination

The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Dec. 17, 2024



https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langas/article/PIIS2468-1253%2824%2900389-3/abstract

Freeland C, Wallace J, Wang S, Okinedo P, Kabagambe K, Owusu-Ansah T

[The authors include Dr. Catherine Freeland and Dr. Su Wang of the

Hepatitis B Foundation.]

Stigma and discrimination surrounding hepatitis B (HBV) and those living with the disease present major obstacles toward achieving the WHO goal of eliminating hepatitis B as a public health threat by 2030, according to the authors. They point to specific examples of discrimination in numerous countries, which deny employment and educational opportunities for people diagnosed with HBV. The authors also note the traumatic impact of pre-marital testing and instances when pregnant persons living with hepatitis B are compelled to have abortions. They conclude, "Global elimination of hepatitis B demands that we protect and ensure the human rights of all people living with hepatitis B, as well as those at risk and the communities affected."

 Seeking youth & adolescent perspectives on hepatitis B

The Hepatitis B Foundation wants to learn about the experiences of young people living with hepatitis B to improve care and support. We are asking all

youth living with hep B to participate in a brief survey. Their insights will help inform clinicians and health care professionals about the unique needs of youth and adolescents. Sign up here.

Questions? Reach out to Catherine.Freeland@hepb.org

B Heppy podcast: Hepatitis B Reactivation with Dr. Robert Gish

Dr. Robert Gish

In this episode, Anousha and Bright talk with Dr. Robert Gish, the Hepatitis B Foundation's medical director, about hepatitis B reactivation, a serious health issue often overlooked in discussions of hepatitis B and liver cancer. Read more about Dr. Gish on his website.

Blog: Interview with hepatitis delta advocate, Dr. Carla Coffin

Dr. Carla Coffin

The Coalition against Hepatitis for People of African Origin (CHIPO), led by the Hepatitis B Foundation, unites individuals and organizations focused on combating hepatitis B in African communities worldwide.

This month, CHIPO interviewed the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in South Africa, highlighting its mission and impactful work in hepatitis B care. Read the blog here to learn more about this inspiring organization’s contributions!