October 2026 | Clinical Development | Hepatitis B Research
As HepTestWeek raises awareness of viral hepatitis testing and care, the TherVacB project shares an update on the progress of its ongoing clinical study in people living with chronic hepatitis B.
Launched in June 2025, the study is evaluating the safety, tolerability and immune responses to the TherVacB therapeutic vaccine candidate. Developed by a research team led by Professor Ulrike Protzer, the project’s coordinator, the vaccine is designed to help the immune system regain control over hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, with the long-term goal of achieving a functional cure.
Progress in the clinical study
The study has made further progress in evaluating different doses of the TherVacB vaccine candidate. It involves people living with chronic hepatitis B who are receiving standard antiviral treatment. Recruitment for the third study group was completed in October 2026, and recruitment for the next group is expected to begin in late November. Further study groups will follow shortly thereafter as the clinical study progresses.
The clinical study is currently being conducted at participating centres in Germany and Spain, with additional centres in Germany, Italy and Spain expected to join soon.
Looking ahead
The study will also include a clinical trial centre at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) – Mbeya Medical Research Centre (MMRC) in Tanzania. Its participation is an important part of TherVacB’s commitment to strengthening local capacity for hepatitis B research, diagnosis and treatment in a region where the burden of chronic HBV infection remains particularly high.
The ongoing study represents an important step towards understanding whether therapeutic vaccination could help patients achieve long-term immune control over HBV. While the approach remains investigational, the results of the study are expected to support further clinical development of the TherVacB vaccine candidate with an eventual licensing of the therapy.
Where can I find more information?
The TherVacB patient information page provides up-to-date information on the clinical study, its progress and participating trial centres.
Further details on the study design and eligibility criteria are available in the official ClinicalTrials.gov registration (NCT06513286).
For questions about the study, please contact the TherVacB team.


