Last reviewed 2026-06-03 · How we verify

Pegylated interferon alfa-2a + Ribavirin

Pegylated interferon alfa-2a + Ribavirin is a Antiviral combination therapy Small molecule drug developed by University of California, San Francisco. It is currently FDA-approved for Chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Also known as: Pegasys, PEG-IFN, RBV.

Pegylated interferon alfa-2a activates innate immunity to suppress viral replication, while ribavirin inhibits viral RNA synthesis, together targeting hepatitis C virus.

Pegylated interferon alfa-2a activates innate immunity to suppress viral replication, while ribavirin inhibits viral RNA synthesis, together targeting hepatitis C virus. Used for Chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Pegylated interferon alfa-2a is a long-acting interferon that binds to interferon-alpha receptors on immune cells, triggering antiviral and immunomodulatory responses including activation of natural killer cells and upregulation of MHC molecules. Ribavirin is a nucleoside analog that inhibits viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and depletes guanosine pools, reducing hepatitis C virus replication. The combination provides synergistic antiviral activity.

Approved indications

• Chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Common side effects

• Flu-like symptoms (fever, fatigue, myalgia)
• Hemolytic anemia
• Neutropenia
• Thrombocytopenia
• Depression/psychiatric effects
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Thyroid dysfunction

Key clinical trials

• Efficacy and Safety of MP-424, Peginterferon Alfa-2a (PEG-IFN Alfa-2a), and Ribavirin(RBV) in Treatment-Naïve or Relapsed Hepatitis C (PHASE3)
• HIV Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 1 Infection Who Failed Previously to Peginterferon /Ribavirin (PHASE3)
• Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Pegnano Plus Barivir (Ribavirin) in Treatment-naïve Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C at KienGiang General Hospital (PHASE4)
• A Phase 1b/2a Study of SC Hanferon™ in Combination With Ribavirin in Treatment-naïve Subjects With Genotype 1 Hepatitis C (PHASE1, PHASE2)
• Switching Regimen in Treating Cirrhotic HCV GT1b Subjects (PHASE2)
• Pharmacokinetics (PK) of Tipranavir/Ritonavir, Ribavirin, Pegylated Interferon (Peg INF) in Hepatitis C (HCV) Subjects With Mild Hepatic Impairment and in HCV, Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis D Infected Subjects or Alcoholic Cirrhosis With Moderate Hepatic Impairment (PHASE1)
• Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin in Hepatitis C Patients on Opioid Pharmacotherapy (PHASE4)
• Pilot Study of Betaine + Combination Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 1 Non-responder/Relapsers (EARLY_PHASE1)

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Pegylated interferon alfa-2a + Ribavirin CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Pegylated interferon alfa-2a + Ribavirin updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• University of California, San Francisco portfolio CI

Frequently asked questions about Pegylated interferon alfa-2a + Ribavirin

Related

• Drug class: All Antiviral combination therapy drugs
• Target: All drugs targeting Interferon-alpha receptor; Hepatitis C virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
• Manufacturer: University of California, San Francisco — full pipeline
• Therapeutic area: All drugs in Virology/Infectious Disease
• Indication: Drugs for Chronic hepatitis C virus infection
• Also known as: Pegasys, PEG-IFN, RBV

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing