BJT-778-001
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Phase 1/2a, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Antiviral Activity of BJT-778 in Healthy Volunteers and in Subjects with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection, Including Subjects with Chronic Hepatitis D Infection
IRAS ID
1007207
Contact name
Nancy Shulman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bluejay Therapeutics, Inc.
Research summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world, with nearly 300 million people chronically infected worldwide. Chronic HBV infection can lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and death. Approximately 820,000 people die every year due to consequences of CHB.
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is the causative agent of chronic hepatitis delta (CHD), the most severe form of viral hepatitis. Infection with HDV is dependent on the presence of HBV infection, as it uses HBV encoded envelope proteins (HBsAg) for infection and replication HDV infection can occur either simultaneously with HBV or, more commonly, as a superinfection in patients already chronically infected with HBV. Relative to CHB infection alone, CHD co-infection is associated with more severe liver disease, causing faster progression to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure.
Developing therapeutic strategies that deplete HBsAg levels, like monoclonal antibodies, may play a role in future regimens targeting functional cure. There is a clear need for additional treatment for CHD, particularly agents that improve response rates, are better tolerated, and simpler to administer than currently available treatments.
BlueJay Therapeutics has developed BJT-778, which has the potential to provide anti HBV and anti HDV benefits by neutralizing and clearing HBV and HDV virions as well as by depleting HBsAg containing subviral particles, which may help reconstitute HBV-specific immunity and contribute to functional cure for CHB. BJT-778 is a potent, selective neutralizing monoclonal antibody for the treatment of CHB and CHD.
This study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and antiviral activity of multiple doses of BJT-778 in participants with Chronic HBV Infection (CHB).REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0328
Date of REC Opinion
14 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion