Breakthrough hepatitis B drug offers 'functional cure' for first time

The FDA has approved Hibsago (bepirovirsen), the first drug offering a 'functional cure' for chronic hepatitis B, which affects over 250 million people worldwide. Studies show the injection can control the disease without requiring endless doses of antiviral medication.

Approved for adults without cirrhosis already on antiviral therapy; about 1 in 5 trial patients reached a functional cure. The FDA label carries a boxed warning for serious liver reactions and low platelet counts that can cause dangerous bleeding.