Bristol-Myers Squibb has launched a treatment for hepatitis B, Baraclude, following its approval by the Drug Controller General of India.

Baraclude (entecavir) is indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection in adults with evidence of active viral replication and either evidence of persistent elevations in serum aminotransferases (ALT or AST) or histologically active disease. The drug is an oral antiviral therapy specifically designed to block the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the liver.

Levels of hepatitis B infection in India are near endemic. An estimated 36 million are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus, most of which are established during early childhood.