Singapore: ABIVAX, a clinical stage biotech company developing and commercialising anti-viral compounds and human vaccines, has initiated Phase IIb/III clinical trial of drug candidate ABX203 for treating chronic hepatitis B in several countries of Asia-Pacific region.

ABX203 is a therapeutic vaccine composed of 2 recombinant proteins from HBV, the surface antigen (HBsAg) and the nucleocapsid (core) structure (HBcAg). ABX203 has been designed to induce the production of neutralizing serum antibodies to HBsAg and the induction of strong cellular responses which are weak or undetectable in patients with CHB. These immune responses are similar to those that occur in patients with a self-resolving acute HBV infection. ABX203 is formulated as a nasal spray solution and as a solution for sub-cutaneous injection.

ABIVAX owns distribution rights for ABX203 for more than 80 territories in Asia, Europe and Africa. They were licensed in 2013 from the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB, Havana, Cuba) following the completion of successful phase I, I/II and III clinical trials run by CIGB in Cuba and Bangladesh.

Professor Christian Trepo, one of the top hepatitis experts worldwide, commented, "The previous studies of ABX203 have provided clinical proof of the concept of therapeutic vaccination in chronic hepatitis B. Its unique sustained effect, in addition to a shorter duration of administration, means that ABX203 could deliver important therapeutic advantages over standard treatments for patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B."