LIFER Previous Meetings

Previous Meetings

The Search for HBV/HDV Cure: Analyst Day at AASLD 2017

Nezam Afdhal, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals

Robert Foster, PharmD, PhD
ContraVir Pharmaceuticals

Robert Gish, MD
Stanford University

Bruce Given, MD
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals

Jeffrey Glenn, MD, PhD
Eiger BioPharmaceuticals

Overview:
HBV remains a global common infection with up to 2.2 million chronically infected individuals in the United States. The cure of HBV has remained elusive with the primary treatment consisting of viral suppression using nucleotides/nucleosides (NUCs). Functional cure has been defined as loss of HBsAg which is achieved very infrequently with NUCs at less than 1% annually and in up to 10% of patients treated with interferon-based therapies for one year. Multiple small and large biotechnology, vaccine and pharmaceutical companies are working towards HBV cure.

The purpose of this meeting was to:

Provide an opportunity for biotechnology companies to present an update of their data and clinical regulatory plans in an informal interactive setting
Allow for interaction between the analyst community, industry, biotechnology companies and leading academic specialists to discuss advances in HBV and HDV cure

Meeting Slides

HBV CURE: Insights for the Biotechnology and the Research Analyst Community

Harry Janssen, MD, PhD
University of Toronto, Chair

Adam Gehring, PhD
Toronto Centre for Liver Disease

Stephen Locarnini, MD, PhD
University of Melbourne

Henry Chan, MD
Chinese University of Hong Kong

Robert Gish, MD
Stanford University

Overview:
In September 2016, AASLD, EASL, FDA and EMEA held meeting to discuss the regulatory issues in HBV drug development with the potential for issuance of a guidance document. Multiple small and large biotechnology, vaccine and pharmaceutical companies are working towards HBV cure.

The purpose of this meeting was to:

Discuss and interpret key features from the proposed regulatory pathway
Present data on clinical development plans and research progress from companies involved in HBV cure with a focus on individual targets and combinations

Meeting Slides

HCV Elimination Program for the Republic of Georgia National Guidance and Education

HVC Elimination Program for the Republic of Georgia National Guidance Advisory Program

In April of 2105, the country of Georgia initiated a hepatitis C elimination program. Georgia has one of the highest prevalences of hepatitis C in the world, and approximately 250,000 of its residents are infected with hepatitis C.

To treat hundreds of thousands of persons with hepatitis C, the elimination program will require widespread education and training of Georgian healthcare providers as well as having a clear, streamlined protocol for diagnosing and treating hepatitis C. To help meet these needs, L.I.F.E.R. has developed the following initiatives.

Regular Clinical Case Management Support
L.I.F.E.R. faculty members from the United States and Europe provide case management support via videoconferencing to physicians in Georgia participating in the elimination program.

Clarification of Treatment Guidelines
L.I.F.E.R. is developing and recommending clinical pathways to simplify diagnosis and management of hepatitis C patients in a rapidly changing treatment landscape.

Development of a Provider Education Program in HCV Diagnosis and Management
L.I.F.E.R. is developing a webinar series as well as a series of full-day symposia in cities throughout Georgia. The programs will focus on the basics of diagnostic testing, choosing a therapy, and managing patients.

	New Options in HCV Therapy: Update from AASLD 2014
Chairs: Nezam Afdhal, MD Ira Jacobson, MD Dates: January 2015 Locations: 4 U.S. cities Format: In-person, case-based presentations and discussions (2 hours) MEETING SLIDES	Target Audience: Gastroenterologists, hepatologists, infectious disease specialists, internists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants involved in the management of patients with chronic HCV infection CME credit: Maximum 2.0 AMA Physician Recognition Award Category 1 Credits™

	The Changing Landscape of HCV Treatment: Practical Applications to Clinical Practice
Chairs: Nezam Afdhal, MD Ira Jacobson, MD Dates: February - April 2013 Locations: 10 U.S. cities Format: In-person, case-based presentations and discussions (2.5 hours) MEETING SLIDES (login required)	Target Audience: Gastroenterologists, hepatologists, infectious disease specialists, internists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants involved in the management of patients with chronic HCV infection CME credit: Maximum 2.5 AMA Physician Recognition Award Category 1 Credits™

The New Paradigm of HCV Therapy-Integration of Oral Therapies into Best Practices Think Tank

Chair:
Nezam Afdhal, MD

Dates:
March 21- 23, 2013

Location:
Harvard Medical School,
Boston MA

Format:
Invited roundtable discussion

Objective:
To create an expert opinion on guidelines for primary care physicians for the optimal approach to persons with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, with recommendations for screening and treatment

Steering Committee:
Ira Jacobson, MD, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, John Ward, MD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, David Thomas, MD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Robert “Chip” Schooley, MD, University of California–San Diego

	Advances in HCV Treatment and Practical Applications to Clinical Practice
Chairs: Nezam Afdhal, MD Ira Jacobson, MD Dates: May–September 2012 21 U.S. cities Format: In-person, case-based presentations and discussions (2.5 hours) PROGRAM SLIDES	Target Audience: Gastroenterologists, hepatologists, infectious disease specialists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants involved in the management of patients with chronic HCV infection CME credit: Maximum 2.5 AMA Physician Recognition Award Category 1 Credits™

	The Evolving Care of Chronic Liver Disease: An Update of Advances for 2011
Chairs: Nezam Afdhal, MD Ira Jacobson, MD Dates: March–June 2011 10 U.S. cities Format: In-person presentations and discussions (4.0 hours)	Target Audience: Gastroenterologists, hepatologists, infectious disease specialists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants involved in the management of patients with chronic HCV infection CME credit: Maximum 4.0 AMA Physician Recognition Award Category 1 Credits™