July 28, 2026
World Hepatitis Day (28 July) brings global attention to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat, as the world’s deadliest communicable disease. It often shows no symptoms, so many won’t know they have it until it’s too late.Chronic hepatitis B and C are the world’s leading causes of liver cancer. But hepatitis is preventable and treatable.
At the Clinical Health Research Unit (CHRU), viral hepatitis, particularly Hepatitis B(HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) co-infections in people living with HIV, remains a critical research priority.
Over the past decade, CHRU has played a role in clinical trials that inform global and national treatment guidelines. By partnering with international research networks and pharmaceutical sponsors, our trial sites in South Africa contribute essential data to ensure new vaccines and regimens are safe,effective, and tailored to local patients.
CHRU’s historic contributions encompass both prevention and therapeutic interventions:
● Improving Hepatitis B immunisation: CHRU enrolled participants in the A5379 trial, a primary study evaluating Hepatitis B vaccine strategies in people living with HIV. The primary findings, published in early 2025 (PubMed), provide pivotal evidence on optimising immune responses invulnerable patient groups.
● Expanding Hepatitis C access: Participation in the A5360 trial helped demonstrate the effectiveness of simplified, pan-genotypic direct-acting antiviral therapies for Hepatitis C (The Lancet).
Advancing clinical trials
Building on this groundwork, CHRU is actively engaged in evaluating advanced therapies designed to simplify care and find cures for chronic infections:
- Chronic Hepatitis C (C-Forward Study): Conducted in partnership with ATEA Pharmaceuticals, this trial assesses direct-acting antivirals to simplify HCV treatment protocols.
- Chronic Hepatitis B in PLWHIV (B-Focus Study): Partnering with GSK, CHRU is investigating novel therapeutic candidates like bepirovirsen, which offer the potential for functional cure in chronic Hepatitis B. This is a major leap forward for patients managed with lifelong antiviral therapy.
Looking ahead
Asthese studies progress, the data generated at CHRU’s clinical sites will help answer vital clinical questions and inform international policy guidelines.
"Clinical trials are the engine behind healthcare progress," says Jaclyn Bennet,Senior Medical Officer, CHRU. "On World Hepatitis Day, we honour our trial participants and research partners whose commitment allows us to push boundaries toward eliminating viral hepatitis."