New HBV "cure"

[Airquake]

......Biotech took another hit on March 8th. DVAX was no exception, with a decline of 6.5% during the trading day. Although it is likely predominantly due to overall sector performance, a hepatitis B "cure" had made a press release during the morning hours, which was summed up in this SA article. There are two points to make about this type of "cure" and its effect on DVAX.
This cure is an RNA interference mechanism. Although these are potent drugs, they treat the symptoms for a virus, but do not kill the virus. Thus, their curative properties are dependent on constant dosing and check-ups.
Hep B cures do not remove the power and importance of hep B vaccines. Source: http://seekingalpha.com/article/3956917-dynavax-powerful-prospects-lost-market-noise


Benitec's RNA interference-based hepatitis B candidate reduces HBV DNA by 98.5% in mouse model; shares up 26%
Mar. 8, 2016 9:13 AM • SA Editor Douglas W. House
Sydney, Australia-based Benitec (NASDAQ:BNTC) announces that its DNA-directed RNA interference (ddRNAi) candidate, BB-HB-331, showed robust and durable hepatitis B virus (HBV) suppression in vivo following a single administration.
The HBV suppression activity of BB-HB-331 was assessed in the Phoenix mouse model in which murine liver cells were replaced by human hepatocytes which made them susceptible to HBV infection. Once infected, the mice received a single systemic injection of BB-HB-331. Serum antigen levels, HBV viral proteins and extracellular HBV DNA were measured once per week for the duration of the eight-week study.
Results showed a 1.83 log knockdown of serum HBV DNA, equivalent to a 98.5% reduction of circulating HBV. In addition, intracellular HBV DNA was reduced 94.9% while HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and e antigen (HBeAg) were reduced by 97.6% and 92.6%, respectively. The results validated the previously reported in vitro findings.
BB-HB-331 combines the gene silencing of RNA interference with the therapeutic potential of gene therapy. It is comprised of an AAV8 capsid (protein shell of a virus) and recombinant DNA engineered to express three short hairpin RNAs that target and inhibit viral RNA expressed from three regions across multiple HBV genotypes. The company plans to advance BB-HB-331 to clinical development.
Previously: Benitec Biopharma's ddRNAi therapeutic candidate shows potent anti-HBV antigen activity in preclinical testing; shares up 14% (Dec. 7, 2015)
HBV-related tickers: (NASDAQ:GILD)(OTCQB:COCP)(NYSE:GSK)(NASDAQ:IONS)(NASDAQ:DVAX)(NYSE:JNJ)(NASDAQ:ARWR)(NYSE:MRK)(NASDAQ:CTRV)(NASDAQ:ABUS)(NYSE:SNY)(NASDAQ:ALNY)(NYSE:BMY)

Source: http://seekingalpha.com/news/3165669-benitecs-rna-interference-based-hepatitis-b-candidate-reduces-hbv-dna-98_5-percent-mouse