Infection with hepatitis B virus can have serious consequences including acute massive hepatic necrosis and chronic active hepatitis. Chronically infected persons are at increased risk for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hepamune [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant)] is a sterile suspension of noninfectious hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) for intramuscular administration. It contains purified surface antigen of the virus obtained by culturing genetically engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae AB110 cells, which carry the surface antigen gene of the hepatitis B virus.