I was fortunate enough to be interviewed together with my colleague Dr. Mala Main for the podcast This Week in Virology (TWiV) live at the 2024 International HBV Meeting in Chicago, USA. In it, we discuss HBV biology and the state of the field, with the target audience being other virologists and the general public who have a basic understanding of viruses.
It was a lot of fun to discuss the work of the outstanding scientists in the HBV field, although it was a bit daunting to do so while many of them were sitting in the audience watching us! I had to ask HepBcommunity founder and prominent HBV researcher Dr. Thomas Tu a clarifying question while I was onstage!
I’m excited about how the better understanding of HBV that is arising from the efforts of the HBV research community is being used by academic and industry scientists world-wide to improve treatments for the >250 million people who are chronically infected with HBV.
[TT edit] A recording of the episode is embedded below
TWiV, a (highly recommended) virology podcast show on MicrobeTV, released a podcast reflecting on virology in 2024. They mentioned the International HBV meeting in Chicago, USA.
TWiV has released another podcast with Prof. Stephan Urban from Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany. Prof. Urban developed bulevirtide (brand name Hepcludex), an effective first-in-class drug approved in Europe to treat hepatitis D, a coinfection that only exists in combination with hepatitis B. He was also the advisor for @ThomasTu in Germany for 6 years and established the Stephan Urban Foundation.
Have a listen to this podcast about Prof Urban’s career working on HBV and HDV, and his philanthropy.
Thanks for sharing, @Sumaya. Glad that everyone can now experience Stephan’s great story-telling, as I had working with him. Stephan’s scientific life has been a unique and amazing one that has spanned the entire spectrum: starting from the nitty-gritty fine molecular biology of the virus, making discoveries, and following them to translate into a real first-in-class drug that has been approved for clinical use.
Stephan is truly a remarkable scientist, and he’d deeply committed to reducing the impact HBV and HDV have on people, especially those in under-resourced regions.
He did something that is essentially unheard of in modern drug discovery–he took an idea from its inception from studies of duck HBV entry into cells through the detailed protein engineering and mechanism studies to extend understanding of how the idea worked for HBV, and then through the complex regulatory and clinical procedures to develop a drug and get it approved. It is astonishing that one person could lead that entire process–usually the process is passed from expert to expert along the way.
Stephan was the winner of the 2021 Distinguished Award in Hepatitis B Research from the International HBV Meeting to honor him for his achievements–that is our community’s highest award. It is an extremely well earned honor.
From the 2024 International Hepatitis B Virus Meeting in Chicago, IL, Rich Condit speaks with Chari Cohen @chari.cohen, President of the Hepatitis B Foundation, who shares the inspiring journey of the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to hepatitis B — and the vibrant, global community driving change.
She walks us through the Foundation’s wide-reaching impact: Fighting stigma through education and storytelling Advocating for policy change and better access to screening, vaccination, and care Empowering and supporting local groups through training and capacity building Collecting data and conducting research to document lived experiences Centering efforts on community leadership and patient voices
This episode is a powerful reminder of what our community has already achieved — and of the urgent work still ahead to raise awareness, expand access to testing and treatment, ensure equitable vaccination, and accelerate the search for a cure.
At the 2024 International Hepatitis B Virus Meeting in Chicago, IL, Rich Condit had the privilege to interview Thomas TU, who shares his truly unique perspective as both a Hep B scientist and patient
In this powerful conversation, Thomas Tu opens up about his personal journey with Hep B — from diagnosis to becoming leading researcher and passionate activist. He speaks openly about stigma, misconceptions, and the emotional weight many patients carry, especially within migrant communities.
He breaks down key facts on transmission, treatment, cancer risks, and the disease’s progression. Beyond his own story, he offers important learnings and highlights the urgent need for testing, vaccination, and research investment.
Through his multiple initiatives with patient foundations and the amazing Hep B community forum, he helps build a strong bridge between science and lived experience — creating space for every voice to be heard.
She walks us through the Foundation’s wide-reaching impact:
Fighting stigma through education and storytelling
Watch now:
New video on TWiV!
Watch now and join the conversation.