B Informed Winter 2022

HepB.org

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Fall-Winter 2021

PASSING THE TORCH AND CELEBRATING 30 YEARS! CHARI A. COHEN, DrPH, MPH INCOMING PRESIDENT

TIMOTHY M. BLOCK, PhD PRESIDENT

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.

DR. CHARI COHEN TO SUCCEED DR. TIMOTHY BLOCK AS PRESIDENT OF THE HEPATITIS B FOUNDATION Timothy M. Block, PhD, president, CEO and co-founder of the Hepatitis B Foundation, made a historic announcement recently: Chari Cohen, DrPH, MPH, senior vice president, will become president of the Foundation, effective July 2022, becoming only the second president in the Foundation’s 30-year existence.

CHARI A. COHEN, DrPH, MPH AND TIMOTHY M. BLOCK, PhD PRESENT ONSTAGE IN TORONTO

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hen the transition occurs next July, Dr. Block will become executive chair of the Hepatitis B Foundation’s Board of Directors and begin a sabbatical at Yale University.

“Stepping away from the presidency of the Foundation is much easier for me knowing that Chari will be my successor,” Dr. Block said. “She brings amazing passion and commitment to our mission. Her energy and enthusiasm make her a natural leader and a global authority on hepatitis B, hepatitis D and liver cancer public health research, policy and advocacy. The programs she has led and launched at the Foundation have done enormous good for our organization and the people we serve.

The Hepatitis B Foundation and people affected by viral hepatitis and liver cancer will be in good hands.”

Dr. Block announced the leadership transition on Sept. 27 at the International HBV Meeting in Toronto, which was organized by

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the Foundation.

Dr. Block has been president since launching the organization in 1991 with his wife, Joan Block, and Janine and Paul Witte. Louis P. Kassa, MPA, who is executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Foundation, the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC) and the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, will become president of the PABC next July and acting chief executive officer of all three entities.

Dr. Cohen joined the Foundation in 2001 and, working with Joan Block, developed its public health, policy and advocacy program into a formidable and internationally influential operation.

“I’m honored and humbled by the opportunity to build on the legacy of Joan and Tim Block, who created this wonderful organization and brought it to global prominence,” Dr. Cohen said. “Their leadership has positioned the Foundation

Hepatitis B Foundation | B Informed | Fall-Winter 2021 | hepb.org

to continue expanding on our strengths and uniquely collaborate with patients, providers, advocates and other stakeholders to help us prepare the world for a functional cure for hepatitis B. It will be a privilege to lead this team of world-changers toward the next step in our mission to bring a cure to everyone.”

Su Wang, MD, MPH, FACP, who is president of the World Hepatitis Alliance and a practicing physician and advocate for people living with hepatitis B, has worked closely with Dr. Cohen in those roles and as a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

“Chari Cohen has always been incredibly collaborative and innovative,” Dr. Wang said. “You seldom find someone who is both a well-respected scientist and a highly influential advocate in the policy arena.

She also has recruited and developed an excellent staff, which has expanded what the Foundation can do. There is no better person to take the Foundation into the future.”

Joel Rosen, Esq., chair of the Foundation Board of Directors since 2009, said: “The expansion of the Hepatitis B Foundation’s programs and its sheer growth over the past 20 years has been amazing, and Chari Cohen has been at the heart of it all. Not only has she accomplished a great deal in her years with us, she is tremendously respected and admired by the people with whom she works. I am absolutely confident that Dr. Cohen will maintain the Foundation’s positive momentum while taking us in exciting new directions.”

Dr. Cohen earned a master’s in public health at Temple University in 2001. She received a doctorate in community health and prevention from Drexel University in 2015 and was honored with the Leadership Excellence Award and Outstanding Promise Doctoral Award.

3805 Easton Road Doylestown, PA 18902 Phone: (215) 489-4900 www.hepb.org info@hepb.org 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.

Dr. Chari Cohen’s long list of accomplishments include: • Author of over 40 published peerreviewed journal articles; • Principal Investigator on many grants including a $1.4 million, five-year grant from the CDC for Hep B United; • Co-Chair of Hep B United, a national coalition in 22 states and 30 cities; • Author of the first published article to document the underestimation of hepatitis B in the U.S and change the discussion around the true number of people living with hepatitis B; • Designer of the Gateway to Care Campaign in Haimen City, China; • Architect of the Foundation’s #justB storytelling campaign; • Chair of the Coalition Against Hepatitis in People of African Origin (CHIPO), which she co-launched in 2004; • Steering committee member of the HBV Forum for Collaborative Research; • Co-Chair of Hep Free PA; • Member of the AASLD Patient Advisory Group; • Leader of the first Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting on hepatitis B in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and • Named one of Bucks County’s 40 under 40 in 2012.

Board of Directors Chairman – Joel Rosen, Esq President – Timothy Block, PhD Vice President – Catharine Williams, MGA Treasurer – Joseph Hediger Secretary – Wayne Yetter Stanley Broadbent Carol Brosgart, MD Nathaniel Brown, MD Loren Danzis, Esq Craig Esterly, MBA Anthony Ford-Hutchinson, PhD David A. Gruber, CPA Raman Kapur, MBA Mark Petty Lewis Roberts, MB, ChB, PhD Thomas Shenk, PhD Walter Tsou, MD, MPH Su Wang, MD, MPH, FACP Board Members Emeritus: Joan M. Block, RN, BSN Alan Brownstein, MPH Janine Witte Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer: Louis P. Kassa, III, MPA Senior Vice President Chari Cohen, DrPH, MPH Vice President, Research: Ju-Tao Guo, MD Vice President, Institutional Advancement: Jean Holmes, MBA Special Advisors: Bob Bowman, PhD Gang Chen, MD, PhD Eddie Cheung, MD Nadine Shiroma Medical Director – Robert Gish, MD Scientific and Medical Advisory Board Harvey Alter, MD Timothy Block, PhD Carol Brosgart, MD Nathaniel Brown, MD Francis Chisari, MD Raymond Dwek, DPhil, FRS Anthony Ford-Hutchinson, PhD Lawrence Friedman, MD Don Ganem, MD Robert Gish, MD Hie-Won Hann, MD Stephen Locarnini, MD, PhD Anna Lok, MD William Mason, PhD Brian McMahon, MD Edith Mitchell, MD Robert Perrillo, MD Lewis Roberts, MB, ChB, PhD Kenneth Rothstein, MD Raymond Schinazi, PhD Thomas Shenk, PhD John Tavis, PhD Norah Terrault, MD In Memoriam

Baruch S. Blumberg, MD, DPhil (2011) HBF Co-Founder and Nobel Laureate

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he 2021 Bruce Witte Lecture brought a Nobel Prize laureate, Harvey J. Alter, MD, to our Philadelphia-area campus. His enthralling and entertaining presentation is posted on the Foundation’s YouTube channel. Along with the lecture, Dr. Alter spent hours over two days talking with our scientists, staff and students from colleges and high schools in the region.

Dr. Block (left) with Jan Witte (center), co-founder of the Hepatitis B Foundation, and Dr. Alter.

Bud Tennant, DVM (2016)

HBF Scientific Advisory Board

W. Thomas London, MD (2017) HBF Board of Directors

In addition to all of Dr. Cohen’s notable work in the field of hepatitis B, she is a wife and mother, and active member of her community.

Nobel Prize laureate delivers Witte Lecture

Paul Witte (2021) HBF Co-founder

Managing Editor – Edward Tate Contact – info@hepb.org Copyright 2021 Hepatitis B Foundation Layout & Design: Jill M. Brown, CP Printing Solutions B Informed is a free publication of the Hepatitis B Foundation with information that is provided solely for educational 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.

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H V Drug Watch Family/Drug Name

Mechanism Immunomodulator Immunomodulator

Intron A (Interferon alfa-2b) Pegasys (PegInterferon alfa-2a)

Nucleos(t)ide Analogues

DIRECT ACTING ANTIVIRALS Silencing RNA’s (siRNAs) VIR-2218 RG6346 (DCR-HBVS) JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV) AB-729

Entry Inhibitors Hepcludex (Bulevirtide; Myrcludex B) hzVSF

Capsid or Core Inhibitors Vebicorvir (ABI-H0731) Morphothiadin (GLS4) JNJ 56136379 EDP-514 R07049389 (RG7907) QL-007 ABI-H3733 ZM-H1505R ALG-000184 B-836 VNRX-9945

HBsAg Inhibitors Rep 2139 Rep 2165 ALG-10133

Antisense Molecules IONIS-HBVRx (GSK 3228836)

IMMUNOLOGICALS Therapeutic Vaccines NASVAC GS-4774 HepTcell VBI-2601 (BRII-179) VVX001 VTP-300 CVI-HBV-002 AIC 649 HB-110 JNJ 64300535 CARG-201

Innate Immune Defense Pathway Selgantolimod (GS9688) RG7854

Monoclonal Antibodies Lenvervimab (GC1102) Vir-3434

Checkpoint Inhibitors ASC22 (KN035 or Envafolimab) GS 4224

Go to HepB.org/drugwatch for the most current list.

Company

Website

Fall-Winter 2021 USA Status

Mimic naturally occurring infection-fighting immune substances produced in the body

Interferons

Epivir (Lamivudine) Hepsera (Adefovir Dipivoxil) Baraclude (Entecavir) Tyzeka (Telbivudine) Viread (Tenofovir) Vemlidy (TAF/Tenofovir Alafenamide) Levovir (Clevudine) Besivo (formerly ANA 380/LB80380) Zadaxin ATI-2173 (Clevudine pro drug)

HBV Compounds in Development

Merck, USA Genentech, USA

merck.com genentech.com

Approved 1991 Approved 2005

Interfere with the viral DNA polymerase enzyme used for hepatitis B virus reproduction

* * * * *

Inhibits viral DNA polymerase Inhibits viral DNA polymerase Inhibits viral DNA polymerase Inhibits viral DNA polymerase Inhibits viral DNA polymerase Prodrug of tenofovir Inhibits viral DNA polymerase Inhibits viral DNA polymerase Immunomodulator Inhibits HBV polymerase

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Gilead Sciences, USA Bristol-Myers Squibb, USA Novartis, Switzerland Gilead Sciences, USA Gilead Sciences, USA Bukwang, S. Korea Ildong Pharma, S. Korea SciClone, USA Antios Therapeutics

gsk.com gilead.com bms.com novartis.com gilead.com gilead.com bukwang.co.kr Ildong.com/en sciclone.com antiostherapeutics.com

Approved 1998 Approved 2002 Approved 2005 Approved 2006 Approved 2008 Approved 2016 Approved 2006 in S. Korea Approved 2017 in S. Korea Approved outside USA Phase II

Targets the virus and interferes with specific steps in the HBV life cycle to prevent replication Interferes and destroys viral RNA

RNAi gene silencer RNAi gene silencer RNAi gene silencer RNAi gene silencer

Vir Biotech, USA Roche, Switzerland, with Dicerna J&J, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, USA Arbutus Biopharma, USA

vir.bio roche.com arrowheadpharma.com arbutusbio.com

Phase II Phase II Phase II Phase II

gilead.com immunemed.co.kr/eng

Phase II Phase I

assemblybio.com pharm.hec.cn/en janssen.com enanta.com roche.com qilu-pharma.com assemblybio.com core-biopharma.com aligos.com arbutusbio.com venatorx.com

Phase II/III Phase II Phase II Phase II Phase I Phase I Phase I Phase I Phase I Phase I Phase I

replicor.com replicor.com aligos.com

Phase II Phase II Phase I

ionispharma.com

Phase II

cigb.edu.cu/sobre-cigb/ globeimmune.com altimune.com vbivaccines.com viravaxx.com vaccitech.co.uk en.chavaccine.com aicuris.com ichorms.com janssen.com carogencorp.com

Phase III Phase II Phase II Phase II Phase II Phase I/II Phase I/II Phase I Phase I Phase I Phase I

gilead.com roche.com

Phase II Phase I

globalgreencross.com vir.bio

Phase II Phase I

Interferes with HBV getting into liver cells

Entry inhibitor Entry inhibitor

Gilead, USA Entry inhibitor

Interferes with the viral DNA protein shield

Capsid inhibitor Capsid inhibitor Capsid inhibitor Capsid inhibitor Capsid inhibitor Capsid inhibitor Capsid inhibitor Capsid inhibitor Capsid inhibitor Capsid inhibitor Capsid inhibitor

Assembly Biosciences, USA HEC Pharma, PR China Janssen, Ireland Enanta Pharma, USA Roche, Switzerland Qilu Pharmaceuticals, PR China Assembly Biosciences, USA ZhiMeng Biopharma, PR China Aligos Therapeutics, USA Arbutus, USA Venatorx, USA

Interferes with production of HBV surface antigen (sAg)

sAg inhibitor sAg inhibitor sAg inhibitor

REPLICor, Canada REPLICor, Canada Aligos Therapeutics, USA

Binds to the viral mRNA to prevent it from turning into viral protein

Prevent viral protein production

Ionis Pharma with GSK, USA

Targets the human immune system to attack the HBV virus Vaccine technology used to stimulate the immune system as a treatment

Therapeutic vaccine Therapeutic vaccine Therapeutic vaccine Therapeutic vaccine Therapeutic vaccine Therapeutic vaccine Therapeutic vaccine Therapeutic vaccine Therapeutic vaccine Therapeutic vaccine Therapeutic vaccine

CIGB, Cuba Gobelmmune with Gilead, USA Altimmune, USA VBI Vaccines, USA Viravaxx, Austria Vaccitech, USA Cha Vaccine Institute, S. Korea AiCuris, Germany Ichor Medical Genexine, USA Janssen, Ireland CaroGen, USA

Compounds that activate the innate immune system

TLR-8 agonist TLR-7 agonist

Gilead Sciences, USA Roche, Switzerland

Neutralize or bind the HBV proteins to reduce infection

Monoclonal antibody Monoclonal antibody

Green Cross, South Korea Vir Biotech, USA

Stimulate exhausted T-cell recognition of HBV-Infected cells

PDL1 inhibitor PDL1 inhibitor

Ascletis Pharma, PR China Gilead, USA

ascletis.com gilead.com

Phase II Phase I

T-cell Receptor

Immunocore

immunocore.com

Phase II

Apoptosis inducer FXR agonist FXR agonist

Ascentage, PR China Ascletis, Hong Kong Enyo Pharma, France

ascentagepharma.com ascletis.com enyopharma.com

Phase II Phase II Phase I

Other Immunologicals IMC-I109V

Additional HBV Drugs Investigated APG-1387 ASC42 EYP001

* Generics Available

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Hepatitis B Foundation | B Informed | Fall-Winter 2021 | hepb.org

Drug Watch continues at the bottom of page 5

Progress Toward a Cure: Update from Dr. Timothy Block A primary goal of the Hepatitis B Foundation has always been to find a cure for the disease. When we ask Dr. Timothy Block, the Foundation’s president and co-founder, about progress towards a cure by the many scientists worldwide working on that challenge, he considers many different angles.

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he clinical definition of a cure Dr. Block favors is for someone who has hepatitis B to regain the liver health and low liver cancer risk enjoyed by someone without hepatitis B. That goal is considered too ambitious by most clinicians. A more realistic goal is sustained, drug-free, virological response for people living with hepatitis B. This means that a person for whom treatment has stopped has the same low (undetectable) viral load as when they were actively being treated on drug therapy. This already happens in a small percentage of patients and is associated with an improved clinical outcome: much less likelihood of developing serious liver disease, including liver cancer.

There is a new wave of drugs being evaluated now that Dr. Block believes may provide a sustained virological response, possibly when used in combinations with the current “standard of care”. Promising examples are what’s known as capsid inhibitors, siRNAs, NAPs/STOPs and entry inhibitors. There are even modifications of the polymerase inhibitors that have potential. As you can see in our Drug Watch (page 4), at least 40 new treatments are now in clinical trial.

The reason it has been so difficult to find a cure for hepatitis B, Dr. Block explained, is that the virus has been around for hundreds of thousands of years and has established a mechanism to coexist with its host in a way HEPATITIS DELTA VIRUS (HDV) Hepcludex (Bulevirtide formerly Myrcludex B) Lonafarnib Pegylated interferon-lambda REP 2139 Ezetimibe JNJ-3989 (73763989) GI-18000

that avoids a person’s immune system. It burrows its DNA into the nucleus of cells and is incredibly difficult to attack in ways that don’t harm the patient.

Another reason progress toward a cure has been slow, Dr. Block says, is that people with hepatitis B are simply too polite. Without a grassroots movement, hepatitis B will never get the attention and funding that other similar diseases have received.

“The hepatitis B community of scientists and stakeholders is incredibly innovative and collaborative, but we are small and underfunded,” he says. “We have made great progress in the 30 years since we started the Foundation, but that’s with a fraction of what has been spent on other diseases.”

With development of the effective COVID-19 vaccines, over the past year, we have all seen what can be done when the scientific community and governments rally around a public health crisis. “This shows that, with the right amount of money and focus, we can find a cure faster,” Dr. Block said.

“So, please, don’t be ashamed or scared of your hepatitis B diagnosis,” he added.

“Seek treatment, take good care of yourself, and spread the word. Hepatitis B can be eliminated in our lifetime—we just need the support.”

Dear readers: You can hear more from Dr. Block about the cure on our podcast, B Heppy, at bheppy.buzzsprout.com.

A virus that co-infects people already infected with HBV

Entry inhibitor Prenylation inhibitor Immune modulator HBsAg inhibitor NTCP inhibitor RNAi gene silencer Immune Response Stimulator

Gilead, USA Eiger Biopharma, USA Eiger Biopharma Replicor, Canada Ziauddin University Hospital, Pakistan Janssen GlobeImmune, USA

gilead.com eigerbio.com eigerbio.com replicor.com zu.edu.pk janssen.com globeimmune.com

EU approved 2020; Phase III USA Orphan Drug Phase III Phase III Ready Phase II Phase II Phase II Preclinical

Hepatitis B Foundation | B Informed | Fall-Winter 2021 | hepb.org

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NEWS ALERT

CDC AWARDS $1.4 MILLION FOR HEP B UNITED

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he U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded a $1.4 million, five-year grant to the Hepatitis B Foundation to continue leading and expanding Hep B United, a nationwide coalition that the Foundation leads in collaboration with the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO).

Hep B United is dedicated to reducing the health disparities associated with hepatitis B. With the new funding, the Foundation and AAPCHO will continue to build the capacity of community coalitions to increase hepatitis B education, vaccination and testing, and improve linkage to care in a culturally and linguistically responsive manner for communities disparately impacted, including Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, African Immigrants and persons who inject drugs.

The coalition is comprised of 50 national organizations and local community coalitions in 22 states, 30 cities and Washington, D.C. It promotes cross-sector partnerships between community organizations, health departments and Federally Qualified Health Centers, and has been building the capacity of multi-sectoral community coalitions to address hepatitis B since 2012.

Through a health equity lens, the Hepatitis B Foundation will build and strengthen the HBU network and offer capacity building, training, technical assistance and networking to partners around the U.S. Learn more at HepBUnited.org.

HepBUnited.org

MAJOR WINS ON CAPITOL HILL

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key aspect of the Hepatitis B Foundation’s work to cure and eliminate hepatitis B is advocacy, particularly educating members of U.S. Congress and their staff. Our efforts this year with the House Appropriations Committee resulted in major wins in terms of policy and funding priorities at several federal agencies. ✓ ●

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will issue new targeted calls for research to cure hepatitis B.

✓ ●

The National Cancer Institute will support research to develop a liver cancer screening test using the blood and saliva samples from widespread COVID testing.

✓ ●

T he National Center for Advancing Translational Science will explore ways to increase success through collaboration with business incubators, using the example of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center.

✓ ●

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Viral Hepatitis received a $5 million increase in funding for addressing viral hepatitis, was encouraged to continue investing in hepatitis B grants for community-based organizations and was asked to develop a plan to increase adult hepatitis B vaccination.

✓ ●

T he Health and Human Services Secretary was urged to ensure the agency is not discriminating against employees with hepatitis B and encouraged to implement strategies aimed at reversing the rates of viral hepatitis.

To learn more about this amazing progress, please visit HepB.org.

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Hepatitis B Foundation | B Informed | Fall-Winter 2021 | hepb.org

Landmark vote by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to recommend universal adult hepatitis B vaccination

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he Hepatitis B Foundation applauds the landmark vote by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Nov. 3 to recommend universal hepatitis B vaccination for all adults ages 19 to 59 in the U.S. This is a huge win in the fight against hepatitis B, and we believe that this simplified, updated recommendation will go a long way towards improving vaccination rates and protecting adults in this country (currently only 30% of U.S. adults are vaccinated).

However, it is very disappointing that the recommendation is not as inclusive as it could have been. Data show that many people over age 59 are at risk for hepatitis B infection, and less than 20% of older adults with risk factors are vaccinated. Adults 60 and older are recommended to follow risk-based guidelines to determine if they should receive the vaccine.

The Foundation worked hard to help make the ACIP aware of the need for universal hepatitis B vaccination. The Foundation mobilized its team of advocates and supporters to make their voices heard through an online petition, multi-organization letter and public comments.

“On behalf of The Hepatitis B Foundation, I want to thank the ACIP for this life-saving recommendation,” said Michaela Jackson, MS, MPH, prevention policy manager at the Hepatitis B Foundation, who led its advocacy effort for universal vaccination. “It has been frustrating to watch rates of infection rise when we know that there is a safe and effective vaccine that can prevent hepatitis B and liver cancer. This recommendation will help remedy a very significant health inequity for marginalized groups and it will serve to make many adults in the U.S. safer. Individuals who are not included in the updated recommendations can still receive the hepatitis B vaccine if they wish.”

Until now, U.S. hepatitis B immunization recommendations were based on a person’s risk factors, which was stigmatizing, inefficient and a burden for providers and patients. Universal vaccination initiatives are widely recognized in helping to reduce illness from viruses. The ACIP’s vote in favor of a recommendation for universal adult hepatitis B vaccination is a significant step towards lowering the rate of new hepatitis B infections.

Saving the next generation from hepatitis B infection in Nigeria

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igeria has one of the highest burdens of hepatitis B in the world and also is one of the world’s fastestgrowing countries. That means an accelerating rate of children becoming infected with hepatitis B through mother-to-child (perinatal) transmission – which is preventable if the hepatitis B vaccine is given within 24 hours of birth. In response to this growing need, the Hepatitis B Foundation has started a new, innovative program, working with global partners including U.S. Catherine Freeland, MPH, PhD (c), the Foundation’s public health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to train community health workers in Nigeria. We also are program director (facing), educating pregnant women in Nigeria on the importance speaking with a woman in a health facility in Enugu, Nigeria, of the hepatitis B birth dose, and, empowering them to two months ago. request the vaccine for their baby after delivery.

This project will serve as a model that can be replicated in countries around the globe. By expanding access and knowledge on the importance of hepatitis B birth dose, we can prevent future generations from hepatitis B infection and save millions of lives.

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM! Visit www.HepB.org/Children to see how.

GET TO KNOW OUR TEAM The Hepatitis B Foundation’s team is small but strong, with a mix of experienced and early career professionals.

We’ll profile members of our dedicated staff in every issue of B Informed, to help you get to know us better.

Yasmin Ibrahim, MD, PhD, MBA joined the Foundation in 2019 as public health program manager. She is responsible for helping people with hepatitis B and their loved ones get connected to the information and support they need. As manager of our email consult line, Dr. Ibrahim helps hundreds of people each month worldwide. She also leads our patient engagement program, which is documenting the experiences of people with hepatitis B, to help make drug and clinical trial development more patient focused. Dr. Ibrahim has a rich and diverse background of over 20 years of experience in public health. She has worked with the government, the private sector and the pharmaceutical sector and specializes in low-resource communities. Along with to her position at the Foundation, Dr. Ibrahim is an adjunct professor at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.

A new addition to the team, Abby Showalter is our first social media and communications manager. She is responsible for the Foundation’s extensive social media presence, working with other team members to deliver valuable content across six unique handles and multiple channels. With Abby’s direct contributions and strategic guidance, we use the most popular platforms: Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook (Maureen Kamischke deftly operates the Foundation’s Facebook page). Abby assists with writing, design and website management for our communications projects, including B Informed.

A resident of Berks County, Pa., Abby has more than a decade of experience in marketing communications and her thoughtfulness and creativity have taken our online communications to the next level.

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Reaching out to learn about discrimination against people living with hepatitis B

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he Hepatitis B Foundation last spring launched the world’s first initiative to track and analyze discrimination against people living with hepatitis B, and well over 200 people have completed the brief survey. But that’s just a start – you are invited to visit the website and, if you are living with hepatitis B, please take the survey.

To design the survey, our public health professionals conducted in-depth interviews with 17 community health leaders, public health scientists, doctors and researchers, many of whom also are living with hepatitis B, to learn more about discrimination.

The survey forms the foundation of the Hepatitis B Discrimination Registry, which will be a permanent and sophisticated database.

Please help us encourage participation in the survey and keep an eye out for regular updates on this vital initiative.

FEBRUARY 17

FEBRUARY 24

Blumberg Institute Seminar (online), Dr. Drew Weissman

Blumberg Institute Seminar (online), Dr. Peter Leedman

Blumberg Institute Seminar (online), Dr. Keith Jerome

APRIL 1

2022

APRIL 6-10

Hepatitis B Foundation Crystal Ball Gala, Warrington, Pa.

Event Calendar

EASL's International Liver Congress, London

JUNE 8-10

JULY 28

SEPT. 18-22

World Hepatitis Summit, Bangkok

World Hepatitis Day

International HBV Meeting, Paris

For More Information About Hepatitis B Foundation Programs ● HBV Clinical Trials … hepb.org/clinicaltrials ● HBV Drug Watch … hepb.org/drugwatch ● Hepatitis Delta Connect … hepDconnect.org ● Liver Cancer Connect … livercancerconnect.org

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JANUARY 13

Hepatitis B Foundation | B Informed | Fall-Winter 2021 | hepb.org

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