Baraclude, developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), is an oral antiviral therapy that inhibits the replication of the hepatitis B virus (HBV).  Baraclude is indicated for use in adults with chronic hepatitis B infection with compensated liver disease and evidence of active viral replication, evidence of persistent elevations of the blood levels of aminotransferases (a marker for liver disease) and active liver disease as determined by biopsy.

Professor Howard Thomas, Head of the Liver Unit at St Mary’s Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Imperial College states that “Hepatitis B is a serious disease and it is important for the medical community to have additional options to treat patients. With Baraclude now available, we have an important new medication to treat chronic hepatitis B in the UK and lower patients’ viral load to undetectable levels, thereby reducing the risk of developing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer”.