Stephan Urban

Prof. Dr. Stephan Urban serves as a Professor at Heidelberg University, holding the dedicated Professorship in Translational Virology. He concurrently acts as Deputy Coordinator for Hepatitis at the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and Site Spokesperson for the Heidelberg location, demonstrating leadership in national virology research infrastructure.

His research program centers on dissecting the replication mechanisms of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV), with a pronounced translational focus on developing novel antiviral therapeutics. Key achievements include pioneering work on Bulevirtide (formerly Myrcludex B), an entry inhibitor that blocks both HDV and HBV infection by targeting the viral receptor NTCP. This research bridges fundamental virology and clinical application, addressing critical unmet needs in chronic hepatitis treatment.

Prof. Urban's work emphasizes pathogen-host interactions and drug discovery pipelines, positioning his group at the forefront of hepatitis virology with direct implications for global public health strategies against viral hepatitis.