Translational Virology
Besides analysing replication mechanisms of hepatitis B (HBV) and D (HDV) viruses, the focus of Professor Stephan Urban and his team is to develop new drugs against these pathogens. With Myrcludex B, which blocks the entry of viruses into the liver cell, a substance has already been taken from basic research to approval for HBV/HDV co-infected patients: The drug was approved for hepatitis D patients by the European Commission in July 2020 under the trade name "Hepcludex". The possibilities for use in hepatitis B without co-infection are still being examined. In addition, the research group is developing new testing systems for identifying further substances from compound libraries, which have already contributed towards the identification of new antiviral substances.