$2m funding for hepatitis C research

Adelaide scientists will lead a $2 million, five-year project to develop better vaccines and treatment options for hepatitis C sufferers.

University of Adelaide virologists Dr Michael Beard and Dr Karla Helbig will work with colleagues from the University of NSW to develop the strategies.

The scientists, who are also attached to the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science and Royal Adelaide Hospital, hope to identify antiviral proteins that can be used in the fight against hepatitis C.

Currently, there is no effective vaccine, the existing treatment is expensive and there are often side effects. The success rate also varies between 50-80%, so many sufferers cannot be helped by current approaches.

The funds, awarded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), are part of a larger $17.7 million joint program to tackle both HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.

Beard said this was the first Australian program grant awarded to study both HIV/AIDS and HCV/hepatitis C.

“The development of vaccines and better treatments for both these viruses are urgent global health priorities,” he said.

“This program brings together a team of researchers with skills in basic virology and immunology with experts who can translate laboratory findings into human clinical trials.”

The latest grant is an adjunct to three NHMRC project grants awarded to Dr Beard’s team in the past two years, specifically for hepatitis C research.