For World Hepatitis Day, Hepatitis B Foundation participates in two articles published in Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Doylestown, Pa., July 24, 2025 – Two new articles focused on hepatitis B treatment expansion have been published in Lancet Gastroenterology &Hepatology in time for World Hepatitis Day (July 28). The Hepatitis B Foundation participated in these articles, which were commissioned by the International Coalition to Eliminate-HBV (ICE-HBV).
The companion papers provide the scientific, public health and person-focused rationales for expanding treatment eligibility and initiating treatment earlier, to reduce hepatitis B-induced hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer.
In “Patient and public health perspectives to inform expansion of hepatitis B treatment guidelines,” the authors explain the strong public health and community rationale for expanding global treatment eligibility for people living with hepatitis B. They suggest that discussions around hepatitis B treatment eligibility should be patient-centered and public health-focused.
In a companion piece, “Scientific and medical evidence informing expansion of hepatitis B treatment guidelines,” the authors explain the scientific rationale for more expanded and earlier treatment recommendations, including research studies that show early oncogenic damage and chronic inflammation are present in livers infected with hepatitis B, even without laboratory evidence of damage.
The papers discuss currently available antivirals for hepatitis B as an enabler to expanding treatment, as they effectively suppress HBV DNA integration and liver inflammation, are well-tolerated, rarely lead to treatment resistance and are affordable in most regions of the world.
These two papers address the potential benefits and risks, and implementation considerations of expanding hepatitis B treatment eligibility. The authors call for expanded hepatitis B treatment eligibility and treating people with hepatitis B earlier in infection.
Why World Hepatitis Day is on July 28
World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28 every year because Baruch S. Blumberg, MD, DPhil, a Nobel Prize recipient, was born on that date in 1925. Dr. Blumberg is a co-founder of the Hepatitis B Foundation and its research arm, the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, is named in his honor.
This year, to recognize Blumberg’s centenary, his 100th birthday, the organizations are holding an event on July 29 in Philadelphia, “Celebrating the Legacy of Baruch S. Blumberg: A Century of Impact,” will bring together distinguished speakers who worked with Dr. Blumberg, honoring the Philadelphia roots and global impact of his work.
The event will run from 12:30 to 3 p.m. EDT, at the American Philosophical Society’s Benjamin Franklin Hall, 427 Chestnut St. The public is invited to attend, free of charge, or experience the event remotely via the Society's YouTube channel. Registration is required for in-person participation; click here to register.
A keynote presentation by Sir Mark Thompson, chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide and former CEO of The New York Times, will open the event. He is married to Dr. Jane Blumberg, daughter of Baruch and Jean Blumberg.
Also for World Hepatitis Day this year, the Hepatitis B Foundation is holding a special event at its headquarters in Doylestown on July 28. Its leadership, staff, supporters and local officials will gather at 4 p.m. for the official unveiling of new, lighted exterior signs for the facilities of the Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation and Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC), along with a new honorary designation, the Timothy M. Block Research Campus.
“Together these two events celebrate the past, present and future of hepatitis B research, public health, and the people who continue this life-saving work,” said Dr. Cohen. “The Hepatitis B Foundation commemorates World Hepatitis Day by raising awareness about viral hepatitis. With almost 300 million individuals living with hepatitis B worldwide, it is extremely important to bring awareness to this preventable and treatable disease.”
About Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus that attacks and injures the liver. Each year more than 1 million people die from hepatitis B worldwide, even though it is preventable and treatable. Hepatitis B is a “silent epidemic” because most people do not have symptoms when they are newly or chronically infected. Thus, they can unknowingly infect others and continue the spread of hepatitis B. For people who are chronically infected but don’t have any symptoms, their livers are still being silently damaged, which can develop into serious liver diseases such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.
About the Hepatitis B Foundation: As the world’s leading hepatitis B advocacy and research organization, the Hepatitis B Foundation is one of the most active proponents of improving hepatitis B screening, prevention and treatment of the disease. We are the only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. Founded in 1991, the Hepatitis B Foundation is based in Doylestown, Pa., with staff in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. To learn more, go to www.hepb.org, read our blog, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@hepbfoundation) or contact us through info@hepb.org or 215-489-4900.
About the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute: An independent, nonprofit research organization, the Blumberg Institute was launched in 2003 by the Hepatitis B Foundation to advance its research mission. Today, the Institute is a leading center for translational research in hepatitis B, liver cancer and related diseases. Our scientists primarily focus on understanding the pathobiology of hepatitis B virus and related diseases, developing diagnostics for early detection of liver cancer and therapeutics for the cure of chronic hepatitis B. The Institute’s faculty members have expertise in virology, immunology, cancer biology, chemistry and drug development. Its labs and offices are in the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC), which it manages, in Doylestown, Pa. The PABC runs a state-of-the-art incubator in Philadelphia, B+labs at Cira Centre, in partnership with Brandywine Realty Trust. Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and X, @BlumbergInstit1.