NCO-48F

NCO-48F is an investigational small molecule capsid assembly modulator (CAM) being developed by Guangdong Jibao Pharmaceutical Technology for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). It targets the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBcAg), a critical component for viral capsid assembly, pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) encapsidation, and viral DNA replication. NCO-48F acts by misdirecting the assembly process, leading to the formation of empty or defective capsids that are unable to support viral replication. This mechanism is distinct from nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs), which inhibit the viral polymerase, making NCO-48F a potential candidate for combination therapies aimed at achieving a functional cure for HBV. The drug is currently in early-phase clinical development in China.