This episode analyses the current landscape of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) clinical guidelines across five major regions—United States (AASLD), Canada (CASL), China, Japan (JSH), and Europe (EASL)—alongside the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The analysis highlights significant variations in treatment thresholds, diagnostic approaches, implementation strategies, and market access opportunities, all of which are critical for pharmaceutical commercialization and strategic planning for CHB therapies.

Key themes include:

• Divergent Treatment Initiation Criteria: China has the most liberal treatment thresholds, aiming for WHO elimination targets by 2030, while other regions maintain more conservative approaches.
• Emphasis on Non-Invasive Assessment: There's a growing trend towards non-invasive fibrosis assessment, led by EASL and WHO.
• Functional Cure as a Goal: While functional cure (sustained HBsAg loss with undetectable HBV DNA) is consistently defined, China uniquely positions it as the primary treatment goal.
• Regional Healthcare System Impact: Variations in healthcare infrastructure, cost barriers, and specialist requirements significantly influence guideline implementation and patient access.
• EASL's Strategic Middle Ground: The European guidelines represent a balanced and progressive approach, offering a template for global development strategies.