GC Pharma (formerly known as Green Cross Corporation) announced that it will proceed with a Phase 2/3 clinical trial for GC1102 (also known as Hepabig-gene), the company's investigational recombinant hepatitis B immune globulin for preventing the recurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection following liver transplantation. HBV infection remains a major global issue, affecting up to 350 million people world-wide. Chronic hepatitis B patients are at considerably high risk for the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver transplantation is the treatment option for patients with liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Approximately 1,400 liver transplants are performed annually in South Korea alone. In the absence of prophylaxis or treatment, HBV reinfection and hepatitis B recurrence occurs in 80% of people who undergo orthotopic liver transplantation within 6 months. The clinical 2/3 trial is expected to take around 5 years to complete, with patient enrollment beginning in early 2018.