stella
Liver DiseaseJuly 2023Summary reviewed July 2026

A Daily Injection Cut Hepatitis D Virus Levels in Nearly Half of Patients Tested

Researchers tested bulevirtide, an injection given daily, in people with chronic hepatitis D (a liver virus that makes hepatitis B worse). After 48 weeks, nearly half of patients who got the treatment saw their virus levels drop significantly and their liver inflammation markers return to normal.

What the trial was testing

The MYR 301 enrolled 150 patients with liver disease. The study was sponsored by Gilead Sciences and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.

It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.

What the results showed

45-48% of patients had major virus reductions and normal liver inflammation markers, compared to just 2% without treatment.

The New England journal of medicine · 2023 · NCT03852719

These findings — that had big drops in virus levels and normal liver markers vs. 2% without treatment — were published in the The New England journal of medicine and represent the headline result of the study.

Researchers tracked outcomes across 150 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.

What this means for patients

For patients with liver disease, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.

What you can do now

Bulevirtide was FDA-approved in 2024 for chronic hepatitis D in adults. If you have hepatitis D, ask your doctor whether this treatment is right for you. The drug is given as a daily injection under the skin.

Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.