In 1986, while teaching a graduate course at the University of Alberta, Dr. Tyrrell found clues that might lead to the discovery of antiviral drugs to inhibit the hepatitis B virus. Tyrrell was joined by his colleague in chemistry, Dr. Morris Robins, in studying chronic hepatitis B, which affects approximately 300 to 350 million people.

The major findings that ensued prompted one of the largest research contracts with industry ever known to a Canadian university. Glaxo Canada, now Glaxo Wellcome, supported his ongoing work and established the Glaxo Heritage Research Institute and a research chair in virology at the U of A.

Continuing his research, Dr. Tyrrell and his team discovered antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B, leading to the licensing of Heptovir (Canada) and Zeffix (worldwide), which is saving many lives daily.