Idenix drug gets European approval

Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. has received regulatory approval to market a treatment for chronic hepatitis B in most of Europe.

The Cambridge biopharmaceutical company said the decision by the European Commission applies to 27 countries in the European Union.

In Europe, the drug is known as Sebivo, and it's a once-a-day oral treatment for adult patients with chronic hepatitis B and evidence of viral replication and active liver disease, Idenix said.

Working with Swiss drug maker Novartis AG, Idenix said today it has gained approval for Sebivo in more than 40 countries in less than 18 months.

In October, the company won approval for the treatment in the United States from the Food and Drug Administration; in the United States, the treatment is marketed under the name of Tyzeka, a company spokeswoman said.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)