病毒学家李文辉：打开乙肝病毒之门

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant contributions of Li Wenhui in the field of hepatitis B research, particularly his discovery of the hepatitis B virus receptor, which has the potential to lead to more effective treatments for hepatitis B and D [3][12]. Group 1: Research Achievements - Li Wenhui is recognized for his groundbreaking discovery of the sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) as the functional receptor for hepatitis B and D viruses, marking a milestone in the field [12]. - The World Health Organization reported that viral hepatitis is the second leading cause of infectious disease deaths globally, with approximately 1.3 million deaths in 2022, 83% of which were due to hepatitis B [10][11]. - China has around 100 million hepatitis B carriers, with approximately 300,000 deaths annually due to hepatitis-related diseases, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatments [10][11]. Group 2: Company Development - Li Wenhui co-founded the innovative pharmaceutical company Huahui Anjian in 2015, focusing on developing safer and more effective treatments for hepatitis B and D [3][28]. - The company's leading drug, Libeweita, has received acceptance for market application from the National Medical Products Administration and is expected to be approved within the year [29]. - The company emphasizes a culture of openness and high standards, with a principle that if the team would use the drug themselves, then it is worth developing [29]. Group 3: Scientific Philosophy - Li Wenhui believes in the importance of "seeking truth from facts," which fosters an environment conducive to original innovation and rigorous scientific inquiry [23][24]. - The weekly PI Club meetings at the Beijing Institute of Life Sciences encourage open discussions and constructive criticism among scientists, which is crucial for advancing research [25][26]. - Li Wenhui enjoys the exploratory nature of scientific research, likening it to a journey rather than a race, emphasizing the joy found in the process of discovery [19][17].