FDA Approves BARACLUDE — E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.

E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C. received FDA approval on March 29, 2005, for BARACLUDE (entecavir), an oral antiviral indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, launching the drug amid a competitive landscape for nucleos(t)ide analogs. The approval was viewed as a strategic win for Squibb, bolstering its emerging oncology portfolio and creating a new revenue stream in the treatment of the rapidly growing chronic HCV market.