Roche has partnered with the US- and China-based speciality pharmaceutical company Ascletis for the development and commercialisation of its hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor danoprevir in China. At present, no direct-acting antiviral agents are available for the treatment of HCV in the country. Roche acquired the drug candidate from InterMune in 2010 and subsequently chose to pursue its development as an add-on therapy to Pegasys® (peginterferon alpha-2a) in emerging markets. Ascletis will fund and be responsible for the development, regulatory affairs and manufacturing of danoprevir in greater China, including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.