Blumberg Institute faculty presented at the HEP-DART 2025, Dec. 7-11, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii. HEP-Dart, an in-person meeting, is designed for vibrant scientific presentations and discussion, as well as for new investigators to meet leaders.
Yanming Du, professor at the Institute presented on the topic “Discovery of HS-83128: An Orally Bioavailable, Liver-Targeted Dihydroquinolizinone with In Vivo Efficacy Against HAV and HBV.“
The presentation focused on the lead optimization targeting liver selective distribution. By incorporating a recognition motif for the hepatocyte-specific solute carrier transporters OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, we successfully designed DHQ-based compounds that serve as substrates for these transporters. Lead optimization yielded HS-83128, a compound with potent activity in both biochemical and cellular assays against HAV and HBV. In a mouse pharmacokinetic study, HS-83128 exhibited pronounced hepatoselectivity, achieving markedly higher liver-to-plasma exposure while showing minimal distribution to the heart, central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system (PNS), and reproductive system. Furthermore, HS-83128 exhibited potent antiviral activity against both HAV and HBV, with oral liver-bioavailability and robust in vivo efficacy, thereby offering a promising opportunity to enhance safety profiles within this chemotype.
Catherine Freeland, PhD, MPH, assistant professor at the Institute presented on the topic “Taking Hepatitis B Prevention, Treatment and Cure to Africa.“
This presentation focused on epidemiological data highlighting the substantial burden of hepatitis B in African region, with an estimated 65 million people living with infection, including 3.6 million children under five. Low coverage of prevention, diagnosis and treatment has contributed to a high risk of live cancer, with only approximately 5% of people with hepatitis B diagnosed and just 2% receiving treatment in 2022. Key barriers include insufficient financing, limited political will and low awareness among communities and stakeholders. In response; efforts are underway to address these gaps , including the launch of Africa Hepatitis B Advocacy Coalition by the Hepatitis B Foundation, which strengthens community capacity across more than 25 counties through a network of over 200 partners. Best practice models emphasize expanded testing and treatment, with a focus on integrating hepatitis B services into perinatal prevention.
Blumberg Institute faculty presented at the HEP-DART 2025, Dec. 7-11, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii. HEP-Dart, an in-person meeting, is designed for vibrant scientific presentations and discussion, as well as for new investigators to meet leaders.
Yanming Du, professor at the Institute presented on the topic “Discovery of HS-83128: An Orally Bioavailable, Liver-Targeted Dihydroquinolizinone with In Vivo Efficacy Against HAV and HBV.“
The presentation focused on the lead optimization targeting liver selective distribution. By incorporating a recognition motif for the hepatocyte-specific solute carrier transporters OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, we successfully designed DHQ-based compounds that serve as substrates for these transporters. Lead optimization yielded HS-83128, a compound with potent activity in both biochemical and cellular assays against HAV and HBV. In a mouse pharmacokinetic study, HS-83128 exhibited pronounced hepatoselectivity, achieving markedly higher liver-to-plasma exposure while showing minimal distribution to the heart, central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system (PNS), and reproductive system. Furthermore, HS-83128 exhibited potent antiviral activity against both HAV and HBV, with oral liver-bioavailability and robust in vivo efficacy, thereby offering a promising opportunity to enhance safety profiles within this chemotype.
Catherine Freeland, PhD, MPH, assistant professor at the Institute presented on the topic “Taking Hepatitis B Prevention, Treatment and Cure to Africa.“
This presentation focused on epidemiological data highlighting the substantial burden of hepatitis B in African region, with an estimated 65 million people living with infection, including 3.6 million children under five. Low coverage of prevention, diagnosis and treatment has contributed to a high risk of live cancer, with only approximately 5% of people with hepatitis B diagnosed and just 2% receiving treatment in 2022. Key barriers include insufficient financing, limited political will and low awareness among communities and stakeholders. In response; efforts are underway to address these gaps , including the launch of Africa Hepatitis B Advocacy Coalition by the Hepatitis B Foundation, which strengthens community capacity across more than 25 counties through a network of over 200 partners. Best practice models emphasize expanded testing and treatment, with a focus on integrating hepatitis B services into perinatal prevention.