Infectious Diseases

Hepatitis B Virus

An estimated 292 million people are living with HBV infection (defined as hepatitis B surface antigen positive). According to the WHO, HBV results in up to 1 million annual deaths globally, mostly from complications including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV virus is especially common in China and other Asian countries where mother-to-child transmission is an important source of transmission of the virus. HBV is second only to tobacco as a cancer-causing agent.

Our solution: HBV Therapy
The objective of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Program is to utilize the HOOKIPA Technologies to design arenavirus vectors (Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus or Pichinde Virus based) suitable for treatment, cure or prevention of HBV. Together with our partner Gilead Sciences, we intend to develop functional therapies for patients already infected with HBV.

HOOKIPA has completed all of the required preclinical work on the HBV program, and Gilead is actively enrolling patients in the Phase 1b portion of the trial.  HOOKIPA does not control the clinical timetable of the HBV therapy clinical program.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Today, HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 35 million lives so far and affecting approximately 36.9 million people at the end of 2017. HIV research has come a long way since the discovery of the disease in the 1980’s but there is no cure for HIV infection. There are antiretroviral (ARV) drugs that control the virus and help prevent transmission. The goal now is to find a cure for HIV to change the lives of millions affected by the disease.

Our solution: HIV Therapy
The objective of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) program is to use HOOKIPA’s technologies to design arenavirus vectors (Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus or Pichinde Virus based) suitable for treatment, cure or prevention of HIV. Together with our partner Gilead Sciences, we intend to develop functional therapies for patients already infected with HIV.

In February 2022, HOOKIPA and Gilead agreed to advance its partnered HIV program. HOOKIPA assumed development responsibility for the HB-500 program through the completion of a Phase 1b clinical trial; Gilead has the exclusive right for further development thereafter.

The research phase of the HIV program has been completed, and the program is now in clinical development.  HOOKIPA filed file the HIV program IND and received clearance from the FDA in 2023, and will begin the Phase 1 trial in 2024.