A Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Pegylated Inferferon Alfa-2b (PEG-Intron™) Versus Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2a (PEGASYS™) in Participants With Chronic Hepatitis B (P08450)

Inclusion Criteria: * Must be able to adhere to dose and visit schedules * ≥ 40 kg * Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive for at least 6 months * Anti-HBs negative * Female participants of childbearing potential must agree to use an acceptable method of contraception from at least 2 weeks prior to Day 1 and continue until at least 1 month after last dose of study drug Inclusion Criteria for HBeAg(+) participants: * HBeAg(+) * Anti-HBe(-) Inclusion Criteria for HBeAg(-) participants: * HBeAg(-) * Anti-HBe(+) Exclusion Criteria: * Co-infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis C or hepatitis D virus * Prior treatment with interferon for hepatitis B * Use of nucleoside/nucleotide analogues within 6 months of the screening visit or at any time during the study * Use of any investigational drug within 30 days of the screening visit * Prior treatment with herbal remedies with known hepatotoxicity. All herbal remedies used for hepatitis B treatment must be discontinued before Day 1 * Evidence of decompensated liver disease including, but not limited to, a history or presence of clinical ascites, bleeding varices, or hepatic encephalopathy * Diabetic and/or hypertensive with clinically significant ocular examination findings * History of stroke or transient ischemic attack * Immunologically mediated disease (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease \[Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis\], celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, severe psoriasis requiring oral or injected treatment, or symptomatic thyroid disorder) * Chronic pulmonary disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis) * Current or history of any clinically significant cardiac abnormalities/dysfunction * Any medical condition requiring, or likely to require, chronic systemic administration of corticosteroids during the course of the trial * Myelodysplastic syndromes * Organ transplants (including hematopoietic stem cell transplants) other than cornea and hair * Pregnant or nursing, or intending to become pregnant during the trial period