A Efficacy and Safety Study of Adefovir Dipivoxil to Treat Chinese Patients With HBeAg+ve Chronic Hepatitis B

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18-65 years * Presence of HBsAg and HBeAg at the time of screening and for at least 6 months prior to screening. * Positive HBV DNA plasma assay with screening value equal or more than 10 (6) copies/mL (Roche COBAS AMPLICORTM HBV MONITOR Test, LLOD less than 300 copies/mL) at the time of screening (within 4 weeks of randomisation). * Evidence of elevated serum ALT levels defined as serum ALT level greater than or equal to 2.0 times (inclusive) the upper limit of the normal range (ULN) in the previous 6 months, and serum ALT levels greater than 1.0 times the ULN at the time of screening. Exclusion Criteria: * Evidence of hepatocellular carcinoma; * Clinical signs of liver decompensation; * Serum creatinine more than 1.5 mg/dL; * ALT more than 10 x ULN; seropositivity for hepatitis C or D virus or HIV; * Lamivudine therapy within 3 months prior to screening; * ADV therapy or any other anti-HBV therapy within the previous 6 months; * Use of systemic antiviral agents, immunomodulators, immunosuppressive therapy, Chinese Traditional Medicines or agents known to lower ALT levels during the study.