Peginterferon alfa-2a

Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (40kD) (commercial name PEGASYS) is an antiviral drug discovered at the pharmaceutical company F.Hoffmann-La Roche; it has a dual mode of action - both antiviral and on the immune system.

This drug is approved around the world for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (including patients with HIV co-infection, cirrhosis, 'normal' levels of ALT) and has recently been approved (in the EU, U.S., China and many other countries) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.