Novel anti-hepatitis B agents: A focus on telbivudine.

Although preventable by vaccination, hepatitis B infection is common, affecting more than 350 million individuals worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B infection is associated with the complications of chronic liver disease including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current agents designed to target hepatitis B are hindered by the development of resistance, poor tolerability or limited efficacy and a demand for new agents and strategies continues. This review focuses on telbivudine, a novel agent in the fight against hepatitis B.