New advancements in the field of alpha-1 antitrypsin research hold promise for the treatment and possible reversal of liver disease. Recent advances in the safety and viability of gene therapy have improved the efficacy of the RNA interference approach to liver and lung disease treatment. This approach promotes endogenous production of α1-antitrypsin in patients, reducing their reliance upon replacement therapy prevalent in the clinical trial work of the past decade.

Bruce Given, MD tells us in this video that an initial product has been developed from this new RNAi therapy with applications in the treatment of Hepatitis-B. A successful primate trial has been concluded, paving the way for for the next phase of trials in human patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in the coming months.