Funding Opp for HBV Research: U.S. Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs

POSTED ON: 20 Apr, 2022
The new round of awards for the U.S. Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs is now open. All organizations, including foreign organizations, foreign public entities, and international organizations, are eligible to apply.
The Hepatitis B Foundation advocated to ensure that hepatitis B is one of the diseases included in these programs, and we also worked with DoD to recruit hepatitis B advocates and patients to serve on the review committees.
These are excellent funding opportunities for hepatitis B research, and it is critical that researchers apply to these funds – the more applications they receive, the higher hepatitis B will be prioritized, and the less chance that hepatitis B will be taken off the disease list in the future. Since its initial inclusion, over $3.48 million has been awarded to hepatitis B grants through this competitive program, and over $28 million has been awarded for liver cancer research.
Consider submitting an application. More details from the DoD can be found below, and at https://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/prmrp:

Nature Portfolio publishes outlook on Hepatitis B

POSTED ON: 05 Apr, 2022

 

“Every year, more than 800,000 people worldwide die from hepatitis-B-related liver disease — a greater toll than from malaria. But efforts to curb transmission and discover a cure are picking up steam.”

Access the full Outlook here

Article Features & Comment

Call for Nominations Distinguished Award in Hepatitis B Research

POSTED ON: 08 Mar, 2022
There is a call for nominations for the Distinguished Award in Hepatitis B Research to be awarded at the 2022 International HBV Meeting in Paris, France.
The DAHBR honors an investigator who has made seminal contributions to the study of HBV and/or HDV. The full criteria and selection processes are described in the attached document, but in short, the selection criteria are:
Primary criteria:
  • Seminal scholarly contributions to the field of HBV research, as judged by the impact of publications.
  • Long-standing member of the HBV research community, who is recognized as a prominent leader, with a large body of work that has made continuous contributions to the field.
  • Secondary criteria:
  • Strong commitment to serve, build and support the HBV research community, as recognized by various non-research contributions to the field.
  • Frequent participation in the annual International HBV Meeting.
Prior DAHBR recipients are:
  • 2021   Stephan Urban
  • 2020   Michael Nassal
  • 2019   Marie Annick Buendia
  • 2018   Wolfram Gerlich
  • 2017   Frank Chisari
Nominations can be submitted by any past attendee of the International HBV Meeting. To nominate someone for the 2022 DAHBR, please obtain the nominee’s permission to submit their name for consideration, and then send the following to me at john.tavis@health.slu.edu by March 25: 
  • A nomination letter (one-page)
  • The nominee’s CV
  • A list of the nominee’s 5-10 most influential publications.

New Protocol Released – An Optimized Ex Vivo Flurospot assay to identify multi-functional HBV-specific T cells in Chronic Hepatitis B patients

POSTED ON: 08 Mar, 2022

Authors:
Conan Chua, Aman Mehrotra, Dr. Adam Gehring,
Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

During a traditional FluroSpot assay, low HBV Specific T cell frequencies have hindered effective ex vivo analysis. We overcame this obstacle to measure ex vivo T cell responses in CHB patients, by modifying the key variables of cell number and the peptide pulsing method to improve ex vivo detection of HBV-specific T cells.

You can access the full protocol here:

Ex Vivo Flurospot Assay Protocol

Help Improve HBV Care in RLS – Survey Request

POSTED ON: 10 Feb, 2022

ICE-HBV is working on an international collaborative research review project about HBV management in resource-limited settings (RLS), led by Daryl Lau and Manal El Sayed. The main objective of the project is to improve access to/quality of HBV care in RLS and reduce HBV mortality and incidence.

We are therefore inviting individuals and organizations working on HBV in resource-limited settings to complete a survey developed to elaborate improved Point-of-Care models for HBV management in RLS. Your input will inform our work on this pressing topic. The survey should take around 15-20 minutes and can be found here:

ICE-HBV POC model of HBV Care

 

Ideally, we would like to receive survey results by 24 February, 2022.

The result of this survey and our work will lead to a position paper on this topic. There is a strong need for a comprehensive, effective and practical HBV management guidance focused on resource-limited settings. Such guidance would support a public health approach to HBV elimination, by encouraging the roll-out and uptake of prevention, testing, and treatment. Through this work, we also aim to contribute to the WHO guidelines revision process currently taking place.

If you have any questions or issues with the survey, feel free to contact ICE-HBV Program Associate Jennifer Pampolina at jpampolina@excolo.com.sg

Feel free to forward this message to colleagues and organizations that also work on HBV in RLS.

Thank you in advance for your help and important contribution to this project.

Download the Survey Invite here

HDV Elimination Webinar Recording Now Available

POSTED ON: 07 Feb, 2022

On  1 February  2022 ICE-HBV, together with the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination organized the webinar Bridging Science & New Therapeutics for HDV Elimination. The webinar, chaired by Maura Dandri (ICE-HBV), Massimo Levrero (ICE-HBV), and John Ward (CGHE/ICE-HBV), looked at the following topics:

You can (re)watch the entire webinar on the CGHE website here:

 

Abstract Submission Now Open for the Conference on Liver Disease in Africa (COLDA) 2022

POSTED ON: 27 Jan, 2022

Abstract Submission Deadline: 17 June 2022 at 23:59 SAST

As COLDA is bilingual and will offer translation (English-French), abstracts may be submitted in either English or French.

The registration fee will be waived for all abstract presenters that qualify as either academia from Resource-Limited Settings or Young Investigators. You can read more about these criteria on the conference website.

Access the COLDA website here.

Abstract submission topics/ Thèmes de soumission de résumés

  •  Civil Society Experience: Impact of COVID-19 on Liver Services / Expérience de la société civile : Impact du COVID-19 sur les services du foie
  •  COVID-19 Related Liver Disease / Maladie du foie liée au COVID-19
  • Liver Disease Diagnostics Tools / Outils de diagnostic des maladies du foie
  • Drug-Induced Liver Disease Including Alcohol / Maladies du foie induites par les médicaments, y compris l’alcool
  • End-Stage Liver Disease (Incl. Cirrhosis, HCC) / Maladies hépatiques en phase terminale (y compris la cirrhose et le CHC)
  • HBV Prevention, Testing, and Treatment / Prévention, dépistage et traitement du VHB
  • HCV Prevention, Testing, and Cure / Prévention, dépistage et traitement du VHC
  • Hepatitis Co-Infections / Co-infections de l’hépatite
  • Hepatitis Vaccinations / Vaccinations contre l’hépatite
  • Implementation Elimination Strategies / Stratégies d’élimination de la mise en œuvre
  • Other Causes of Hepatitis (Incl. Infectious, ETLG, Fatty Liver) / Autres causes d’hépatite (y compris infectieuse, ETLG, foie gras)
  • Pediatric Liver Disease / Maladies hépatiques pédiatriques

About Conference on Liver Disease in Africa

Organized by the SHARE Global Health Foundation in close collaboration with regional societies, COLDA 2022 aims at empowering healthcare professionals (HCPs) to diagnose, prevent, treat, and achieve a cure for liver diseases for the benefit of patients in Africa. This being the 5th COLDA, we continue to cultivate a platform that provides a unique opportunity for clinicians, researchers, policymakers, industry representatives, and other healthcare professionals in the African region. Together with support from an international community of experts, they will exchange knowledge on the latest developments and achievements in the management of viral hepatitis and liver disease with a special focus on the African context.

We aspire to provide you with a highly scientific and educational abstract-driven conference consisting of keynote speeches, state-of-the-art lectures, oral and poster abstract presentations, roundtable discussions, and debates with ample time for discussion.

We are certain that the conference will act as a catalyst for translating science into clinical practice while promoting medical education in the field of hepatology and setting up collaborations within the African region. Everyone will have an exceptional opportunity to share and acquire knowledge, and experience a wide spectrum of topics related to liver disease.

New Info Page on Viral Hepatitis Commodities Access in RLS Now Available

POSTED ON: 04 Jan, 2022

We’re proud to announce the release of a new information page for Viral Hepatitis Commodities Access in Resource Limited Settings.  The page aims to increase awareness and information on cost and procurement within the hepatitis community, in order to increase access to viral hepatitis medicines and technologies in low-and-middle income countries, including HBV birth-dose vaccine, HBV treatment and HCV cure uptake.

Access the Page here.

 

Webinar HBV Cure 101 (Europe)- Recording Now Available

POSTED ON: 30 Nov, 2021

On  24 November 2021 ICE-HBV, together with Liver Patients International organized the Webinar HBV Cure 101 with a focus on Europe. The purpose of the event was to bring together scientists researching Hepatitis B and the community that is affected.

You can (re)watch the webinar here:

Program & Topics:

Click on the timestamps to skip ahead to specific sections of the webinar.

  • 0:00:00 – Intro and Housekeeping by Capucine Pénicaud (ICE-HBV)
  • 0:02:08 – Opening Remarks George Kalamitsis (Liver Patient International)
  • 0:03:06 – HBV Cure Research 101 by Dr. Fabien Zoulim. Download presentation here.
  • 0:16:38 – Clinical Perspective on HBV Cure Research by Dr. George Papatheodoridis. Download presentation here.
  • 0:25:21 – Community Perspective, Hep Active by Silvana Lesidrenska. Download presentation here.
  • 0:32:26 – The European HBV Patient Registry, TherVac B by Dr. Markus Cornberg. Download presentation here.
  • 0:41:08 – IPcureB Project & Clinical Trials by Dr. Pietro Lampertico
  • 0:49:26 – HBV and Migrants in Europe Comsava Project by Camila Picchio. Download presentation here.
  • 0:59:00 Q&A Session & Discussion Some topics in the discussion were:
    -Trials underway in Eastern Europe (0:59:55)
    -International (clinical) studies (challenges even within Europe, etc.) (
    01:03:33)
    -Difficulty of doctors (in Bulgaria) finding patients for clinical trials – More collaboration with NGOs needed (
    01:06:17)
    -How can we influence EU regulations to make international clinical trials easier (
    01:09:12)
    -How can we put pressure on EU Parliament so regulation is changing? (
    01:13:20)

Urgent action is needed to tackle hepatitis B stigma and discrimination, according to a new report released by the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA)

POSTED ON: 16 Nov, 2021

Across the world, stigma and discrimination impact people living with hepatitis B, with careers and personal relationships affected. The impact of stigma and discrimination also affects families and communities and negatively impacts testing strategies. The Stigma Report released by WHA brings together the latest research on stigma and discrimination and the stories of the people and communities affected by hepatitis B. The report highlights the need to address hepatitis B stigma and discrimination so that no one has to suffer the additional consequences of living with hepatitis B. 

Danjuma Adda, president-elect of WHA, whose own story features in the report, said. – “Stigma and discrimination can have a huge impact on the lives of people living with hepatitis B. It impacts our rights to work, to travel and to live our lives. The Stigma report shows that it is time to tackle this issue to protect the rights of the millions of people living with hepatitis B. We can no longer suffer in silence; the time for action is now.” 

Two hundred ninety-six million people live with hepatitis B worldwide, and for many, their lives are made infinitely more challenging by stigma and discrimination. In a 2017 survey of WHA members, 93% of respondents indicated that hepatitis-related stigma and discrimination impacted people in their countries, yet little is being done globally to tackle the issue. 

Cary James, CEO of the World Hepatitis Alliance said. – “This new report highlights the real need for action to tackle stigma and discrimination. Decision-makers must work alongside the people and communities impacted by hepatitis B, stamp out the stigma and discrimination, and support the people and communities affected. We can’t wait for action; stigma harms people every day and stops people from coming forward for testing and screening services, causing late diagnosis of hepatitis B, leading to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Early diagnosis means that effective care and treatment can be made available. Decision-makers must understand the need to address stigma and discrimination as part of efforts to eliminate hepatitis B.” 

The new report gives clear policy suggestions to assist decision-makers in addressing hepatitis B stigma and discrimination. Key to the success of these is the engagement of the people and communities impacted by hepatitis B. 

Download the report at www.worldhepatitisalliance.org/stigma 

A webinar in December will bring together experts and people impacted by stigma and discrimination to discuss the issue and the actions needed to tackle stigma and discrimination. Sign up for the webinar at www.worldhepatitisalliance.org/registration 

About WHA

The World Hepatitis Alliance is an international network of over 300 organisations in 100 countries. WHA represents the 350 million people living with viral hepatitis worldwide. WHA strives to support and promote the voices of the people and communities affected by viral hepatitis, to raise the profile of viral hepatitis and to establish comprehensive hepatitis strategies in all countries. Through better awareness, prevention, care, support and access to treatment, the ultimate goal is to work with governments to eliminate these diseases by 2030.

Download the report here.

Find out more at www.worldhepatitisalliance.org