Across two large trials, roughly 20% of people treated with bepirovirsen had undetectable levels of the virus after stopping all treatment.

The findings supporting bepirovirsen were deemed a “historic moment” by physicians and validate a drug that has “clear blockbuster potential,” according to one analyst.

New research suggests a first-of-its-kind drug for hepatitis B may let some patients stop treatment without showing signs of the dangerous liver virus.