Biotech
Precision BioSciences expands Hepatitis B gene editing trial into France and Romania
The Clinical Trial Application (CTA) approval clears the way for the company to launch trial locations in France and Romania
- By IPP Bureau
| April 20, 2026
Precision BioSciences has announced a major expansion of its global Hepatitis B gene-editing clinical program, securing regulatory approval to extend its ELIMINATE-B trial into new European sites.
The Clinical Trial Application (CTA) approval clears the way for the company to launch trial locations in France and Romania, marking a significant deepening of its European footprint. The expansion builds on an already broad international network that includes the United Kingdom, Moldova, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and the United States.
The company says the new sites are expected to accelerate patient enrollment and strengthen execution of the ELIMINATE-B study, which is evaluating PBGENE-HBV as a potential treatment for chronic hepatitis B. Site initiation work is already underway, with initial patient screening anticipated in Q2 2026.
“Expanding ELIMINATE-B into hepatitis sites in France and Romania is an important step in the continued development of PBGENE-HBV, the only gene editing therapy uniquely designed to eliminate cccDNA,” said Cindy Atwell, Chief Development and Business Officer of Precision BioSciences.
“Given the strong investigator interest in PBGENE-HBV, especially following the late breaker oral presentation at The Liver Conference 2025, these new trial sites will build on our existing global clinical trial footprint as we advance PBGENE-HBV through the ELIMINATE-B trial.”
PBGENE-HBV is part of Precision’s ARCUS gene-editing platform, designed to target the underlying drivers of chronic hepatitis B infection.
Chronic hepatitis B remains a major global health challenge. The virus causes long-term liver inflammation and damage, significantly increasing the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
_256_275.jpg)
