Princeton University — Research on Hepatitis B Variant

[Human Health and Wellbeing] Open Philanthropy recommended a grant of $330,000 over 1.5 years to Princeton University to support research led by Alexander Ploss on developing a variant of hepatitis B virus (HBV) that would infect certain non-human primates. At least 250-400 million people worldwide are chronically infected with HBV. A major roadblock to effective treatments is the lack of suitable animal models. We think that such models would significantly increase the probability that a cure for HBV is developed. This is one of two grants we’re making to support Dr. Ploss’s research on HBV. This falls within our focus area of scientific research, specifically within our interest in advancing human health and wellbeing.