Experimental hepatitis b drug shows promise in early trial

NCT ID NCT02577029

Terminated Disease control Sponsor: Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested a new drug called ARC-520 in 79 people with chronic hepatitis B. Some participants received ARC-520 alone, while others got it combined with standard treatments like entecavir or tenofovir. The goal was to see if ARC-520 could lower hepatitis B surface antigen levels and to check for side effects. The trial was terminated early, so the full results are not available.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: ARC-520 (a gene-silencing drug given intravenously)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a new way to control chronic hepatitis B by reducing viral surface antigen levels.
What could go wrong: This trial was terminated early, so results are limited. It is a Phase 2 study with only 79 participants, and the drug may cause side effects like infusion reactions.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

chronic hepatitis B virus infection hepatitis B virus infection hepatitis D virus infection

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HEPATITIS B HEPATITIS D

Contacts and locations

Locations

Research Site 1

Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
Research Site 10

Sofia, 1431, Bulgaria
Research Site 11

Sofia, 1463, Bulgaria
Research Site 12

Varna, 9020, Bulgaria
Research Site 13

Pleven, 5800, Bulgaria
Research Site 14

Hong Kong, China
Research Site 15

Seoul, 6273, South Korea
Research Site 16

Daegu, 41944, South Korea
Research Site 17

Busan, 49241, South Korea
Research Site 18

Seoul, 3080, South Korea
Research Site 19

Busan, South Korea
Research Site 2

Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
Research Site 20

Seoul, South Korea
Research Site 21

Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
Research Site 23

Papatoetoe, Aukland, 2025, New Zealand
Research Site 24

Dunedin, Otago-Southland, New Zealand
Research Site 25

Chisinau, MD-2004, Moldova
Research Site 26

Changhua, 500, Taiwan
Research Site 27

Douliu, Yunlin County, 640, Taiwan
Research Site 28

Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan
Research Site 29

Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
Research Site 3

Camperdown, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
Research Site 30

Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
Research Site 31

Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
Research Site 32

Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
Research Site 33

Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Research Site 34

Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
Research Site 4

Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia
Research Site 5

Darlinghurst, New South Wales, 2010, Australia
Research Site 6

Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
Research Site 7

Nedlands, Washington, 6009, Australia
Research Site 8

Concord, New South Wales, 2139, Australia
Research Site 9

Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia

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