A study published in Nature Communications reports that a novel RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic produced results consistent with a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B in preclinical and early translational models. Researchers demonstrated profound viral suppression and biomarker changes suggesting sustained control of HBV replication after treatment cessation in the reported work. The RNAi approach silences viral transcripts to reduce viral antigen load and reinvigorate immune control; authors argue that combining antigen knockdown with immune‑restorative strategies can approach a functional cure, defined as durable suppression of HBV without continuous therapy. The paper details molecular endpoints and animal model outcomes that support further clinical translation. The study revives momentum behind RNAi and combination strategies for HBV, a field long challenged by viral persistence and covalently closed circular DNA reservoirs. Sponsors and investigators will now need to define clinical endpoints, combination partners and patient selection for future trials.