An Expanded Access Study of Pegasys (Peginterferon Alfa-2a) in Patients With HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients, \>/= 18 and \</= 70 years of age * HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B * HBsAg-positive for at least 6 months, anti- hepatitis B (HBs) negative * Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) \> 2 ULN (upper limit of normal) but \</= 10 x Upper limit of normal (ULN) * Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA \> 10'000 copies/ml (Roche Monitor or Taqman) * No previous treatment with interferon (standard or pegylated) or with a nucleoside analogue * Women of childbearing potential must agree to use reliable contraception during the study and for 3 months after treatment completion Exclusion Criteria: * Previous antiviral interferon-based therapy for chronic hepatitis B * Pregnant and lactating women * Evidence of decompensated liver disease * Co-infection with active hepatitis A, hepatitis C, hepatitis D and/or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) * History or other evidence of a medical condition associated with chronic liver disease other than viral hepatitis * Previous or current hepatocellular carcinoma * History or other evidence of bleeding from oesophageal varices or other conditions consistent with decompensated liver disease * Inadequate hematologic or renal function * Serum bilirubin level \> 2 times the upper limit of normal * Severe psychiatric disease * History of severe seizure disorder or current anticonvulsant use * History of evidence of any disease or condition which would make the patient, in the opinion of the investigator, unsuitable for the study * Evidence of drug abuse within one year of study entry * Alcohol intake of more than 3 standard drinks per day for men and 2 standard drinks per day for women (1 standard drink contains 10 g of alcohol) * Participation in another trial or receipt of an investigational drug within 12 weeks prior to screening