Heidelberg innovation revolutionizes hepatitis D treatment worldwide

According to estimates, more than twelve million people worldwide live with chronic hepatitis D. This aggressive form of viral hepatitis frequently causes liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

In 2020, Hepcludex was approved in Europe as the world's first medication for hepatitis D. Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved Hepcludex (bulevirtide) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis D infections. The active ingredient of the new medication Hepcludex was largely developed and brought forward by Heidelberg virologist Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Stephan Urban, Professor of "Translational Virology" at the Medical Faculty Heidelberg of Heidelberg University and scientist at the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).

"The development of Hepcludex demonstrates the tremendous potential of close collaboration between academic research, translational infrastructures, and industry partners. Medical innovation does not emerge in the laboratory alone—what is crucial is consistently advancing research all the way to clinical applications for patients," says Prof. Dr. Hanns-Peter Knaebel, Chief Executive Officer of Heidelberg University Hospital.