HepB.org Informed 73 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE HEPATITIS B FOUNDATION Summer 2018 Inside this issue 2 Two-Dose Hepatitis B Vaccine Approved 3 Partnering to End Hepatitis B in Vietnam Hepatitis B Foundation Calls for 5 New #justB Stories Released 8 Dr. Tim Block Named Fellow of UNIVERSAL SCREENING National Academy of Inventors for Hepatitis B page 6 All Americans should know their status to eliminate public health threat 2018 Crystal Ball Gala In recognition of World Hepatitis Day in July, the Hepatitis B Foundation has called for all Americans to be tested for hepatitis B infection. The formal recommendation was approved by HBF’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Board to achieve the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ambitious goal of eliminating hepatitis B by the year 2030. Up to 2.2 million Americans, and Timothy Block, PhD, President of the challenges, including the complexity more than 292 million people worldwide, Hepatitis B Foundation and its Baruch S. of risk-based screening, and stigma are chronically infected with Blumberg Institute. “Current guidelines surrounding hepatitis B, have led to a lack 2.2 this serious virus of the liver, recommend testing for people in high risk of adherence of the current guidelines, million which can lead to cirrhosis populations, but data suggests that up to Americans infected and liver cancer. Because 40% of those infected may not fall within increase in hepatitis B testing in the U.S. there are often few symptoms, those populations. It is imperative that we andHBF’s there recommendationhas not been a significant is limited 292 hepatitis B frequently goes test everyone in order to provide care and to adults, because universal infant million undiagnosed, with experts education that will reduce deaths from vaccination has been standard in the U.S. Worldwide estimating that only 20-30% hepatitis B.” since 1991. The new recommendation infected are aware of their infection. This recommendation is a bold shift includes the provision that individuals “We have made the recommendation from the current hepatitis B risk-based who test negative for hepatitis B in the to test all adults for hepatitis B because screening guidelines published by the screening and have not been vaccinated, we believe it is the only way to identify Centers for Disease Control and Prevention be offered and receive an effective those who need care and reduce deaths (CDC) and the U.S. Preventive Services hepatitis B vaccine. due to hepatitis B infection,” explained Task Force (USPSTF). But multiple Continues on page 3 » The Hepatitis B Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by hepatitis B worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. Baruch S. Blumberg Institute Elects 3805 Easton Road Wayne Yetter, MBA, as Board Chair Doylestown, PA 18902 Phone: (215) 489-4900 he Baruch S. Blumberg organization, having served in positions of the www.hepb.org [email protected] TInstitute is pleased to greatest responsibility.” The Hepatitis B Foundation is a national announce the election of With a career of 30 years in the nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a Wayne Yetter, MBA, as its pharmaceutical field, Mr. Yetter has served in cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by hepatitis B worldwide through board chair. The Blumberg executive positions at Pfizer, Merck, Astra Merck research, education and patient advocacy. Institute is the independent (now named Astra Zeneca), and Novartis. Other Board of Directors research institute positions held by Mr. Yetter include being Chief Chairman – Joel Rosen, Esq established the Hepatitis Operating Officer of healthcare market research President – Timothy Block, PhD B Foundation to conduct company, IMS Health, and chairman and Chief Vice President – Catharine Williams Wayne Yetter, MBA Treasurer – Joseph Hediger discovery research. Mr. Executive Officer of Synavant, Inc. Secretary – Janine Witte Yetter was the founding CEO of Astra Merck and Mr. Yetter has worked as chairman of the Stanley Broadbent former CEO of Novartis Pharmaceuticals U.S., Board and lead director of several public biotech Nathaniel Brown, MD Carol Brosgart, MD and has served as a member of the Blumberg and and healthcare companies. He is a member of Loren Danzis, Esq Hepatitis B Foundation boards. “We are proud to the Boards of the Pharmaceutical Research and Craig Esterly have Mr. Yetter lead our board,” said Blumberg Manufacturers Association, and the National Anthony Ford-Hutchinson, PhD Raman Kapur Institute President and Co-Founder, Timothy Pharmaceutical Council. He earned his Thomas Shenk, PhD M. Block, PhD. “He brings decades of successful undergraduate degree in biology from Wilkes Walter Tsou, MD, MPH Su Wang, MD, MPH, FACP research company executive experience to our University, and an MBA from Bryant University. Wayne Yetter, MBA Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer: Louis P. Kassa, III, MPA Vice President, Public Health and Programs: Chari Cohen, DrPH, MPH New Two-Dose HBV Vaccine Recommended by ACIP Vice President, Institutional Advancement: HEPATITIS B FOUNDATION LEADERS EXPECT USE OF HEPLISAV-B TO INCREASE Jean Holmes, MBA Medical Director – Robert Gish, MD IMMUNIZATION RATES IN U.S. Scientific and Medical Advisory Board he Advisory Committee on especially among those at high-risk for Harvey Alter, MD TImmunization Practices’ (ACIP) voted infection, such as people with diabetes and Timothy Block, PhD Carol Brosgart, MD in February to unanimously recommend HIV-infected individuals.” Nathaniel Brown, MD HEPLISAV-B™ for use among individuals Binh Ly, a hepatitis B advocate and #justB Francis Chisari, MD Raymond Dwek, DPhil, FRS age 18 years and older to prevent hepatitis B storyteller from Washington. D.C., also Anthony Ford-Hutchinson, PhD infection (HBV). The Hepatitis B Foundation provided testimony at the ACIP meeting, Lawrence Friedman, MD welcomes the use of the new vaccine, stating that “the availability of a two-dose Robert Gish, MD Hie-Won Hann, MD which can be completed in two doses and is vaccine over 1 month instead of being given Stephen Locarnini, MD, PhD expected to increase immunization rates for as 3 doses over 6 months is a critical tool William Mason, PhD adults in the United States. HEPLISAV-B™ was to protect many more Americans – this is Brian McMahon, MD Edith Mitchell, MD approved for use by the FDA on July 28, 2017. one less barrier for vulnerable and at-risk Robert Perrillo, MD communities to receive necessary protection.” Kenneth Rothstein, MD Raymond Schinazi, PhD than 25 years, and the only two dose vaccine Thomas Shenk, PhD forIt is the the prevention first new hepatitis of infection. B vaccine in more Walter Tsou, MD, MPH Previous vaccines for hepatitis B require three doses over the course of six months to In Memoriam Baruch S. Blumberg, MD, DPhil (2011) protect against this deadly liver infection, and HBF Co-Founder and Nobel Laureate vaccination initiatives have shown that as few Bud Tennant, DVM (2016) HBF Scientific Advisory Board W. Thomas London, MD (2017) HBF Board of Directors as 13%According of people to Kate who Moraras, receive the Senior first dose of Programthe vaccine Director complete of the the Hepatitis final dose. B Managing Editor – Jenny Kimbel Foundation, who provided public testimony Contact – [email protected] at February’s ACIP meeting, “Vaccination is Copyright 2018 Hepatitis B Foundation Layout & Design: CP Printing Solutions a critical tool towards eliminating hepatitis B Informed is a free publication of the B, but in the U.S. only 25% of adults are Hepatitis B Foundation with information vaccinated. Having a new 2-dose vaccine can that is provided solely for educational help to greatly increase vaccine coverage, purposes. It is not intended to serve as medical advice or endorsement of any product or company. Readers should discuss all personal medical questions and decisions with a qualified health care provider. 2 Hepatitis B Foundation | B Informed | Summer 2018 | hepb.org Hepatitis B Foundation Calls for UNIVERSAL SCREENING Diagnosing Hepatitis B in for Hepatitis B the U.S. By the Numbers « Continues from page 1 While there is still no cure for chronic hepatitis B, current medications work Up to 2.2 million people in the The WHO has called for reduction in by lowering the amount of virus in the U.S. are infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) the number of deaths due to hepatitis B blood, which in turn reduces damage by at least 65% by the year 2030. to the liver. Effective treatment has While increased vaccination rates can been shown to reduce death from 70% of those Only 25% of reduce the number of new cases, “the liver disease by 50-70% in those with infected are adults are only way to achieve the WHO goal is to chronic infection. In addition, there are unaware currently identify those with a chronic infection, many drugs currently in development that they are protected by by screening, and then linking them that could provide even more effective living with the the hepatitis B with care,” said Chari Cohen, DrPH, treatment or a cure in the future. disease vaccine MPH, Vice President for Public Health However, it is estimated that fewer than and Programs, at the Hepatitis B 7% of Americans with chronic hepatitis Without early diagnosis Foundation. B are currently receiving treatment. and intervention, “Testing based only on risk factors “It is absolutely within our power to 1 in 4 of those chronically has failed to identify over a million reduce deaths due to hepatitis B,” said infected with HBV will die infected individuals,” Cohen said. “It is Robert Gish, MD, HBF Medical Director. prematurely from cirrhosis, time to move forward with universal “But it will only be possible if we identify liver failure or liver cancer.