AL-034

AL-034 is an investigational small molecule belonging to the class of capsid assembly modulators (CAMs), specifically designed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Developed by Alios Biopharma (later acquired by Janssen), AL-034 targets the HBV core protein (HBcAg), which is a critical component for viral replication and the maintenance of the viral reservoir. By binding allosterically to the core protein dimers, AL-034 interferes with the precise assembly of the viral nucleocapsid, leading to the formation of defective, non-infectious particles or preventing the encapsidation of pregenomic RNA. This mechanism aims to reduce viral load and potentially deplete the pool of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in hepatocytes. Clinical development reached a Phase 1 first-in-human study to assess safety and pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers, though the program was subsequently superseded by other candidates in the Janssen HBV portfolio.