Hepatitis B Foundation

Last updated
The Hepatitis B Foundation
AbbreviationHBF
Formation1991
FounderJoan and Tim Block
Type non profit
Purposecure for hepatitis B

The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) is an American nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the lives of those already affected by the disease. Established in 1991, the foundation's headquarters is in Doylestown, Pa. [1] It is the world's only nonprofit focused solely on hepatitis B. [2] The foundation conducts biomedical research, promotes disease awareness, and acts as an information source for patients, the medical community, and the general public. [3] The Hepatitis B Foundation's research arm, the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, has the largest number of nonprofit scientists dedicated to hepatitis B research in the world. [4] The organization also leads national public policy initiatives and international public health programs. [5]

Contents

History and organization

Founding

The Hepatitis B Foundation was established in 1991 by a young couple, Joan and Tim Block. [2] After Joan was diagnosed with hepatitis B at the age of 29, she and Tim encountered a lack of support and few resources to cope with the new diagnosis. To meet the unmet needs of those living with chronic hepatitis B, they created the Hepatitis B Foundation with the help of the other co-founders, Janine and Paul Witte. The first meetings of the foundation were held in their living room. Tim Block, a professor of virology at Thomas Jefferson University at the time, switched his research focus from herpesviridae to hepatitis B. He reached out to Baruch S. Blumberg, the Nobel prize winning discoverer of the hepatitis B virus, who invited Block to join him as a research fellow at Oxford University. [6] [7] Blumberg ultimately became a founding member of the Hepatitis B Foundation's research arm. [6] [7] Joan and Tim served in leadership roles throughout the growth of the organization. Joan Block served as executive director until retiring in 2017. Tim served as president until 2022, when Chari A. Cohen, DrPH, MPH, took over the job. Tim also was president of the foundation's research arm, the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, until 2022. [8] [9]

Organization and operations

The Hepatitis B Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides resources and information about hepatitis B, engages in public health outreach campaigns, and leads public policy initiatives. Their website acts as a resource for patients, the medical community, and general public to learn about the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B. Patient-centered support groups and trained counselors, who answer email and telephone questions, can be found on their website. [10] [11] Their website is available in 12 different languages, including Chinese, Hindi, Korean, and Vietnamese. For the medical community, the Hepatitis B Foundation organizes the International HBV Scientific Meeting annually for scientists discuss to new discoveries in hepatitis B research. [12] The organization is also actively involved in policy-making, helping ensure hepatitis B is a health priority at the local and federal level. [13] [14] [15]

The Baruch S. Blumberg Institute was established in 2003 by the Hepatitis B Foundation to conduct focused biomedical research on hepatitis B. Originally known as the Institute of Hepatitis and Virus Research, it was renamed in 2013 to honor its late co-founder and discoverer of the hepatitis B virus, Baruch S. Blumberg. [16] [17] The research institute contains the largest group of non-profit scientists in the United States working on hepatitis B research. [4] In 2006, the Hepatitis B Foundation opened its first research facility on Delaware Valley College's campus to house the Baruch S Blumberg Institute. This research facility was recognized by the state as a Pennsylvania Keystone Innovation Zone. [18] [19] [20] In 2006, the foundation built a research center to accommodate its expanding activities. [21] This new center, called the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, presently acts as the headquarters for the Hepatitis B Foundation and Baruch S. Blumberg Institute. The Hepatitis B Foundation's biotechnology center has created over 700 jobs and brought in more than $1.8 billion to the Bucks County economic region between 2013 and 2015. [22] In 2017, the foundation secured a $13 million grant to expand its Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center by 47,000 square feet, which will add 100 new jobs to its research facility. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doylestown, Pennsylvania</span> City in Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Doylestown is a borough in and the county seat of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the borough population was 8,300.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baruch Samuel Blumberg</span> American doctor (1925–2011)

Baruch Samuel Blumberg, known as Barry Blumberg, was an American physician, geneticist, and co-recipient of the 1976 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, for his work on the hepatitis B virus while an investigator at the NIH and at the Fox Chase Cancer Center. He was president of the American Philosophical Society from 2005 until his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamivudine</span> Chemical compound

Lamivudine, commonly called 3TC, is an antiretroviral medication used to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. It is also used to treat chronic hepatitis B when other options are not possible. It is effective against both HIV-1 and HIV-2. It is typically used in combination with other antiretrovirals such as zidovudine, dolutegravir, and abacavir. Lamivudine may be included as part of post-exposure prevention in those who have been potentially exposed to HIV. Lamivudine is taken by mouth as a liquid or tablet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adefovir</span> Chemical compound

Adefovir is a prescription medicine used to treat (chronic) infections with hepatitis B virus. A prodrug form of adefovir was previously called bis-POM PMEA, with trade names Preveon and Hepsera. It is an orally administered nucleotide analog reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (ntRTI). It can be formulated as the pivoxil prodrug adefovir dipivoxil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Entecavir</span> Chemical compound

Entecavir (ETV), sold under the brand name Baraclude, is an antiviral medication used in the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In those with both HIV/AIDS and HBV antiretroviral medication should also be used. Entecavir is taken by mouth as a tablet or solution.

Fox Chase Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center research facility and hospital located in the Fox Chase section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The main facilities of the center are located on property adjoining Burholme Park. The center is part of the Temple University Health System (TUHS) and specializes in the treatment and prevention of cancer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jade Ribbon Campaign</span> Asian Liver Center campaign

The Jade Ribbon Campaign (JRC) also known as JoinJade, was launched by the Asian Liver Center (ALC) at Stanford University in May 2001 during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to help spread awareness internationally about hepatitis B (HBV) and liver cancer in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities.

Hepatitis B is endemic in China. Of the 350 million individuals worldwide infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), one-third reside in China. As of 2006 China has immunized 11.1 million children in its poorest provinces as part of several programs initiated by the Chinese government and as part of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). However, the effects of these programs have yet to reach levels of immunization that would limit the spread of hepatitis B effectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HBsAg</span> Surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus

HBsAg is the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Its presence in blood indicates existing hepatitis B infection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Pestell</span> Australian oncologist and endocrinologist

Richard G. Pestell is an Australian American oncologist, endocrinologist and research scientist. Pestell was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to medicine and medical education in 2019 by Queen Elizabeth II. He was previously Executive Vice President of Thomas Jefferson University and Director of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center of Thomas Jefferson University. As a serial entrepreneur he founded six biotechnology companies developing cancer therapy and diagnostics. He is currently Distinguished Professor, Translational Medical Research, and the President of the Pennsylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center at the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lankenau Institute for Medical Research</span>

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR), founded in 1927, is a nonprofit, biomedical research institute located on the campus of Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, serving as the research division of the Main Line Health System in suburban Philadelphia. LIMR focuses on studies of cancer, cardiovascular, autoimmune, gastrointestinal and other diseases. It houses a center for population health research.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hepatitis B vaccine</span> Vaccine against hepatitis B

Hepatitis B vaccine is a vaccine that prevents hepatitis B. The first dose is recommended within 24 hours of birth with either two or three more doses given after that. This includes those with poor immune function such as from HIV/AIDS and those born premature. It is also recommended that health-care workers be vaccinated. In healthy people, routine immunization results in more than 95% of people being protected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hepatitis B</span> Human viral infection

Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) that affects the liver; it is a type of viral hepatitis. It can cause both acute and chronic infection.

<i>Hepatitis B virus</i> Species of the genus Orthohepadnavirus

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a partially double-stranded DNA virus, a species of the genus Orthohepadnavirus and a member of the Hepadnaviridae family of viruses. This virus causes the disease hepatitis B.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cynthia A. Maryanoff</span> American chemist

Cynthia "Cyndie" Anne Maryanoff is an American organic and materials chemist. Among other awards, she received the 2015 Perkin Medal for outstanding work in applied chemistry in the U.S.A.

The Asian Liver Center is a non-profit organization at Stanford University, United States, that researches the high incidence of hepatitis B and liver cancer in Asians and Asian Americans. The Asian Liver Center (ALC) was founded in 1996 to spearhead educational outreach and advocacy efforts in the areas of hepatitis B and liver cancer prevention and treatment, serves as a resource for both the general public and health practitioners, and implements clinical and research programs.

Ian David Gust AO, FRCPA, FRACP, MASM, FT is an Australian medical researcher, virologist, and former science administrator. Gust's area of work is in the development of drugs and vaccines against viral diseases and he is best known for the development of vaccines against the Hepatitis A virus. He currently serves as a non–executive company director and consultant.

Robert Palmer Beasley was an American physician, public health educator and epidemiologist whose work on hepatitis B involved extensive investigations in Taiwan. That work established that hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a primary cause of liver cancer and that hepatitis B virus is transmitted from mother to infant during childbirth. Beasley and his colleagues also proved that HBV mother-to-infant transmission is preventable by at-birth vaccination. Due to this work, the World Health Assembly designated HBV as the seventh global vaccine in 1992. He later became the author of HBV immunization policies for the World Health Organization.

Alton Ivan Sutnick is an American medical researcher, educator and administrator. He is the author of over 200 scholarly publications.

Raymond F. Schinazi is an American organic medicinal chemist at Emory University with expertise in antiviral agents, pharmacology, and biotechnology. His research focuses on developing treatments for infections caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), herpes, dengue fever, zika, chikungunya, and other emerging viruses. These treatment options include antiviral agents as well as synthetic, biochemical, pharmacological and molecular genetic approaches, including molecular modeling and gene therapy.

References

  1. ↑ "Terms of Service Violation". www.bloomberg.com.
  2. 1 2 "Hepatitis B Foundation - National Prevention Information Network". npin.cdc.gov.
  3. ↑ "Mission & History » Hepatitis B Foundation". www.hepb.org.
  4. 1 2 "Renowned Scientists Join Baruch S. Blumberg Institute To Cure Hepatitis B". 30 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Hepatitis B group launches campaign". The Intelligencer. February 14, 2011. The Hepatitis B Foundation which is headquartered in Doylestown, is launching its Gateway to Care Public Health Campaign in Haimen City, China
  6. 1 2 "Nobel Laureate joins Hepatitis B Foundation as a Distinguished Scholar". The Bucks County Herald. January 25, 2007. Nobel Laureate Baruch Blumberg has been named the first Hepatitis B Foundation Trustee Distinguished Scholar.
  7. 1 2 "In the Cancer Centers". The Cancer Letter. 33 (4): 7. February 2, 2007.
  8. ↑ writer, Crissa Shoemaker DeBree, staff. "Search for hepatitis B cure a labor of love".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ "Board of Directors & Staff » Hepatitis B Foundation". www.hepb.org.
  10. ↑ "Hepatitis B Foundation". Newtown Gazette. Times Publishing Newspapers Inc. February 12, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Hepatitis B Foundation". Doylestown Observer. Times Publishing Newspapers Inc. January 29, 2010. p. 2. Each year HBF's award-winning web site receives one million visits, trained counselors answer hundreds of email and telephone requests, their free publications provided the latest news and the annual meetings they sponsor are highly respected.
  12. ↑ "International HBV Meeting". International HBV Meeting. Hepatitis B Foundation. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  13. ↑ Philips, K. (May 5, 2006). "Doylestown Celebration Dedicated to Hepatitis B Awareness". KYW NewsRadio. Archived from the original on May 5, 2006. Retrieved May 5, 2006. The first Friday celebration in Doylestown will educate local community leaders, educators, business owners, and residents that Hepatitis B is something that everyone needs to be aware of. There will be displays, discussions, and informative literature.
  14. ↑ "Lineup of music and art at First Friday Doylestown". Bucks County Herald. May 11, 2006.
  15. ↑ Debree, C. (August 18, 2013). "Honored for her disease advocacy". The Intelligencer. Earlier this year, the foundation's mission got a boost when the U.S. Department of Justice said hepatitis B patients are protected under federal disability law in a case brought by the foundation against a New Jersey medical school on behalf of two students who were denied admission because they had the disease.
  16. ↑ "PA Biotechnology Center to Begin $10 Million Expansion". 13 October 2016.
  17. ↑ "About Us - Baruch S. Blumberg Institute of Living Science". blumberginstitute.org.
  18. ↑ George, J. (September 1, 2006). "BioIncubator hatched to aid researchers, startups". Philadelphia Business Journal. More than five years after Dr. Timothy Block first conceived the idea for a building where researchers, students, and entrepreneurs would work and learn side by side, the $15 million Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks Country is set to open next week in Buckingham. The 62,000 square-foot facility, which gets its official unveiling Sept. 7, was created through a Partnership between the hepatitis B foundation and the Delaware Valley College. The center... will serve as the foundations' new headquarters, a teaching site for college students from DelVal and Drexel University, and a place to nurture fledgling life sciences companies.
  19. ↑ Wilen, J. (September 7, 2006). "Biotech center nets $250,000". The Intelligencer. Bucks County's new biotechnology center opened to much fanfare Thursday morning, and additionally received a $250,000 state grant at the same time. The money came from the state department of Community and Economic Development, which designated the new 62,000 square foot biotechnology business incubator and research facility - and two other Bucks county sites - a Pennsylvania Keystone Innovation Zone.
  20. ↑ "Governor Rendel Launches Bucks County Innovation Zone; Announces $250,000 in Operational Funding". Office of the Governor Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Governor's Press Office. September 7, 2016.
  21. ↑ Seller, DeBree (1 November 2015). "Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center leaders look to grow Bucks County facility". The Intelligencer. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  22. ↑ writer, Crissa Shoemaker, staff. "Report: Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center an 'economic engine' for Bucks County".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. ↑ George, J. (April 12, 2017). "100+ New Jobs on the way: PA Biotech Center to begin long-awaited $13M expansion". Philadelphia Business Journal. The biotechnology center of Bucks county is breaking ground Wednesday for its long-awaited $13 million expansion project. The project will add 47,000 square feet of space.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.