EDISON, N.J., April 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ContraVir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTRV), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of targeted antiviral therapies, announced today the appointment of leading researchers in hepatitis B virus (HBV) to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The newly appointed members, Professor Henry Chan Lik Yuen and Professor Jin-Lin Hou, will add support and expertise in continued development of the company’s products and business objectives.

“We are extremely excited about the expansion of our SAB,” commented James Sapirstein, Chief Executive Officer of ContraVir. “The 505 (b)(2) Regulatory Pathway news announcement shared earlier this year, allows us to forge new discussions with other potential markets. I am confident the advice and guidance of these renowned experts will prove invaluable advances to the company’s pipeline, as we continue to position ContraVir as one of the top leaders in search of an HBV cure.”

Dr. Henry Chan Lik Yuen, MD.

Professor Henry Chan Lik is currently Head of Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Director of Institute of Digestive Disease, Director of Center for Liver Health, Director of Office of Global Engagement, and Assistant Dean (External Affairs) of Faculty of Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. A key investigator in over 25 international trials on antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C, Professor Chan today is the global lead author in publications on peginterferon-alfa, peginterferon-lambda, telbivudine, and tenofovir for the treatment of viral hepatitis B with over 350 papers in peer-reviewed journals. His research work on chronic hepatitis B has helped to decipher the relationship between the genetics of hepatitis B virus and disease progression.

Dr. Jin-Lin Hou, MD.

Professor Jin-Lin Hou is the Director and Professor of the Hepatology Unit and Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China. Previously, Professor Hou served as President of the Chinese Medical Association of Infectious Diseases, as well as President of APASL 2017. He has been invited to deliver talks at both national and international liver conferences owing to his expertise in viral hepatitis. His current research interests include the clinical management of viral hepatitis and the molecular virology and immunology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) infection. Professor Hou has published more than 400 articles peer-reviewed journals, including Hepatology, Journal of Hepatology, GUT, Gastroenterology, NEJM, Lancet Infectious Diseases and Science, et al.

About ContraVir Pharmaceuticals

ContraVir is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of targeted antiviral therapies with a specific focus on developing a potentially curative therapy for hepatitis B virus (HBV). The company is developing two novel anti-HBV compounds with complementary mechanisms of action. TXL™, designed to deliver high intrahepatic concentrations of TFV while minimizing off-target effects caused by high levels of circulating TFV (bone and kidney), recently completed a Phase 2a trial. CRV431, the other anti-HBV compound, is a next-generation cyclophilin inhibitor with a unique structure that increases its potency and selective index against HBV. In vitro and in vivo studies have thus far demonstrated that CRV431 reduces HBV DNA and other viral proteins, including surface antigen (HBsAg). For more information visit www.contravir.com