Irbesartan, an FDA approved drug for hypertension and diabetic nephropathy, is a potent inhibitor for hepatitis B virus entry by disturbing Na + -dependent taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide activity

•A HepG2.N9 cell line established by TALEN method was susceptible to HBV infection.•Irbesartan inhibited HBV infection efficiently with no obvious cytotoxicity.•Irbesartan interfered HBV entry at a post-uptake prior to cccDNA formation step.