Open Philanthropy recommended a grant of $1,123,946 over three years to Princeton University to support research led by Alexander Ploss on developing a nonhuman primate model for hepatitis B (HBV).
At least 250-400 million people worldwide are chronically infected with HBV, and there is currently no cure. One major roadblock to effective treatments is the lack of suitable animal models.
This research would characterize the properties of marmosets infected with a modified strain of HBV. Because marmosets are closely related to humans, there is a high probability that they will be a good model for the human disease. We think that the development of such a model would significantly increase the probability that a cure for HBV is developed.
This follows Open Philanthropy’s October 2023 support and falls within its focus area of scientific research, specifically within Open Philanthropy’s interest in advancing human health and wellbeing.