Wir überwinden Grenzen

Private funding enables new research projects at the Department of Medicine II at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg

He doesn’t want to be in the spotlight: a private individual has once again supported the Medical Center – University of Freiburg with a donation of 50,000 euros, out of gratitude for the recovery of a family member. The funds will go to the Department of Medicine II, where they will be used to further develop new therapeutic approaches against chronic infections with the hepatitis B virus. The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, had already supported the research with a donation of the same amount in 2023.

“This sense of connection touches us deeply. Large donations provide important momentum for our research—but every smaller donation also helps us pursue new ideas for better therapies,” says Prof. Dr. Robert Thimme, Medical Director of the Department of Medicine II at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg.

For many years, Thimme and his team have been investigating why the hepatitis B virus remains in the body permanently in some patients and how this can be overcome therapeutically.

Chronic hepatitis B affects millions

The hepatitis B virus is widespread worldwide. According to estimates by the World Health Organization, a large portion of the global population has already been exposed to the virus. In most cases, the infection clears up without any lasting effects. However, in more than 250 million people, chronic liver inflammation develops, which can cause severe damage over the course of years. Liver cirrhosis and liver cancer are among the most common long-term complications and lead to nearly one million deaths annually.

Focus on Innovative Treatment Approaches

Although medications are available today that effectively suppress viral replication, they usually do not result in a complete cure. Furthermore, resistant viral variants can develop during treatment. The goal of the Freiburg research is therefore to develop new therapeutic approaches that are effective in the long term and carry a low risk of resistance. The private donation creates additional opportunities for this and supports work on future treatment options.