High unmet need in the area of hepatitis B therapies will see companies share responsibilities to develop the vaccine
Shionogi and NEC Corporation have announced the execution of a strategic research collaboration agreement for the development of a novel hepatitis B therapeutic vaccine. The two companies will divide responsibilities according to areas of expertise such as artificial intelligence and knowledge of infectious diseases.
The interferon (IFN) and nucleotide analog therapies are currently the main treatments for hepatitis B. Treatment with IFN, however, has a high frequency of side effects, while the nucleotide analog therapy has a high recurrence rate if treatment is interrupted, so it becomes necessary to take drugs for a lifetime.
Consequently, there is a high unmet medical need for safe and highly effective drugs to achieve a complete cure for hepatitis B and, in the process, transform millions of lives around the world.
Isao Teshirogi, president and CEO, Shionogi, explained: "Shionogi has been engaged in the research and development of infectious diseases for over 60 years. As a leading infectious disease company, we are taking on the challenge of protecting people from the threat of infectious diseases and realising total care.”
