J&J acquires Novira Therapeutics and with it NVR 3-778 a promising treatment for hepatitis B

Johnson & Johnson and Novira Therapeutics, a clinical-stage privately held company developing novel therapeutic candidates for curative treatments of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, announced the companies have signed a definitive agreement under which Johnson & Johnson will acquire 100% of the capital stock of Novira. The prime asset of Novira Therapeutics is NVR 3-778, a small molecule direct acting antiviral drug candidate that inhibits the HBV core or capsid protein, being investigated for oral administration in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). HBV core is a novel and promising drug target with multiple activities required for viral replication and persistence.