Pegintron is administered once weekly at an individualized dose according to a patient's weight and is the only pegylated interferon indicated in China for a 24 week treatment duration in the hepatitis B patient population.

The approval is based in part on a clinical trial in hepatitis B patients in China showing that Pegintron achieved a sustained response with 24 weeks of therapy when used as a first-line treatment. Pegintron has been available in China since 2004 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

Schering-Plough is pleased to offer this effective new treatment option for Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B, a major public health problem in China.