An active ingredient that has already been tested in clinical trials against the hepatitis C virus also shows a strong effect against the hepatitis E virus (HEV). The nucleotide analogue bemnifosbuvir effectively suppresses HEV proliferation in preclinical models with low toxicity to cells. An international research team from Bochum, Heidelberg and Beijing presented the results. The study was published on March 6, 2026 in the journal Gut.

Every year, about 70,000 people die from hepatitis E infections. There is neither an approved vaccination nor a specific antiviral agent against the virus. In healthy people, an acute infection usually heals spontaneously, but in immunosuppressed people – such as organ transplant recipients or HIV patients – it can become chronic. Pregnant women are particularly at risk.

The scientists searched a library of about 500 synthetic nucleotide and nucleoside analogues. These molecules resemble the building blocks of genetic material and interfere with replication in viruses. Using a newly developed reporter virus that expresses a fluorescent protein, they tested the substances in infected cell cultures. Bemnifosbuvir showed the strongest inhibitory effect: virus replication stopped, while the host cells remained largely unaffected.

In the animal model, Chinese cooperation partners confirmed the efficacy against HEV and the associated liver inflammation. Bemnifosbuvir is currently in phase III trials for hepatitis C, in combination with ruzasvir. If these are successful, the active ingredient could soon also be used off-label against chronic hepatitis E, hope the researchers led by Dr. Viet Loan Dao Thi and Prof. Dr. Eike Steinmann from the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).

The Department of Molecular and Medical Virology at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, the Center for Integrative Infection Research at Heidelberg University and researchers from Peking University were involved. The study highlights the potential of repurposing of previously developed antiviral agents for previously untreated viral infections.

Original Paper:

Nucleotide analogue bemnifosbuvir inhibits hepatitis E virus replication in preclinical models | Good

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Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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