Vir's hepatitis D drug combo succeeds in first pivotal trial

· Health

Vir Biotechnology said Sunday that its chronic hepatitis D treatment succeeded in the first of three late-stage studies. In the trial, 44% of patients who received once-monthly tobevibart, in combination with another drug, met the study's primary endpoint, according to the company. The result puts Vir in competition with Gilead Sciences and Mirum Pharmaceuticals, which already have or are developing treatments for the liver disease. Hepatitis D is a severe form of viral hepatitis that affects people already infected with hepatitis B. Two more pivotal trials are still to read out, so the program's full profile is not yet established. The readout gives Vir a late-stage asset in a niche market and raises the competitive pressure on existing players.

Why it matters：A positive pivotal result gives Vir a late-stage hepatitis D asset and intensifies competition in a small but severe liver disease market where Gilead and Mirum are already positioned.

Key points

  • 44% of patients on once-monthly tobevibart combination met the primary endpoint.
  • It is the first of three late-stage hepatitis D studies.
  • Gilead and Mirum are named as competitors.

Sources (original reporting)

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