Fleishman-Hillard has been awarded a global brief for Abbott's hepatitis C portfolio following a competitive review held earlier this year.

The Holmes Report revealed that a deal has been struck with the media agency as Abbott seeks to capitalise upon the multibillion-dollar revenue opportunities for its range of new therapies for the liver disease.

This comes at a time when the firm is aiming to develop a number of interferon-free treatments for this condition, which could potentially offer several benefits, including avoidance of the flu-like symptoms often associated with interferon.

Abbott's hepatitis C portfolio is expected to become part of AbbVie, its new standalone pharmaceuticals division that will be launched at the beginning of 2013.

Fleishman-Hillard offers a wide range of services to the healthcare sector, including consumer relations, digital media communications, product strategy and crisis management.

The agency is part of the global Omnicom group, which serves more than 5,000 clients in over 100 countries across the world.