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-- POSITRON Demonstrates Efficacy of a 12-Week All-Oral Regimen of Sofosbuvir Plus Ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis C Patients who are Unable or Unwilling to Take Interferon --
POSITRON is the first of three Phase 3 studies to be completed that are evaluating sofosbuvir therapy in HCV genotype 2 or 3 infected patient populations.
“Achieving a sustained virologic response in three quarters of patients
is an impressive result for a sofosbuvir-based, all-oral treatment in a
group of individuals for which no suitable alternative therapy exists.
These patients by definition had previously declined interferon-based
therapy, were ineligible to receive interferon, or were interferon
intolerant,” said
In POSITRON, HCV genotype 2 or 3 patients who were interferon intolerant, interferon ineligible or unwilling to take interferon were randomized (3:1) to receive 12 weeks of either sofosbuvir 400 mg once daily plus weight-based RBV twice daily (n=207) or matching placebo (n=71). Of the 207 patients randomized to the sofosbuvir/RBV arm, 15 percent had compensated cirrhosis (more advanced liver disease) and 53 percent were infected with genotype 2. SVR12 rates were 93 percent in genotype 2 and 61 percent in genotype 3. In the small percentage of patients with cirrhosis at baseline who received sofosbuvir/RBV, 61 percent achieved SVR12. All patients receiving sofosbuvir/RBV became HCV RNA negative on treatment and relapse accounted for all virologic failures. No patient in the placebo group achieved an SVR12. The most common adverse events reported in greater than 10 percent of patients in the study were fatigue, nausea, headache, insomnia, pruritis and anemia.
Full data from the study will be submitted for presentation at a future scientific conference.
The Phase 3 clinical trial program for sofosbuvir includes two additional studies evaluating 12 and 16 weeks of therapy with sofosbuvir plus RBV in HCV genotype 2 and 3 infected patients. A fourth Phase 3 clinical trial is evaluating sofosbuvir combined with RBV and peg-IFN among patients with HCV genotypes 1, 4, 5 and 6. Pending the results, these studies will support initial regulatory filings in mid-2013 for an all-oral therapy with sofosbuvir plus RBV among genotype 2/3 treatment-naïve, treatment-experienced and interferon-intolerant patients, and for sofosbuvir in combination with RBV and peg-IFN among treatment-naïve patients with HCV genotypes 1, 4, 5 and 6.
About Sofosbuvir
Sofosbuvir (formerly referred to as GS-7977) is a once-daily nucleotide analog polymerase inhibitor for the treatment of HCV infection. Sofosbuvir is being evaluated as part of multiple therapeutic regimens, including the programs outlined above in combination with RBV and peg-IFN. Additionally, sofosbuvir is being studied as a once-daily fixed-dose combination containing sofosbuvir and the NS5A inhibitor GS-5885, with the added goal of creating a potent, tolerable and convenient all-oral treatment for genotype 1 infected HCV patients that may eliminate the need for interferon and/or RBV.
Sofosbuvir and GS-5885 are investigational products and their safety and efficacy have not yet been established.
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Forward-Looking Statement
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are
subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the
possibility that the proportion of patients who maintain a sustained
virologic response with longer follow up will not be as favorable as the
sustained virologic response rates reported in this press release and
the possibility of unfavorable results from additional clinical trials
involving sofosbuvir and the fixed-dose combination of sofosbuvir and
GS-5885. As a result, sofosbuvir and GS-5885 as single agents or as a
fixed-dose combination may never be successfully commercialized.
Further, Gilead may make a strategic decision to discontinue development
of the compounds or the fixed-dose combination regimen if, for example,
Gilead believes commercialization will be difficult relative to other
opportunities in its pipeline. These risks, uncertainties and other
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those
referred to in the forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned
not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks
are described in detail in Gilead’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
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Source:
Gilead SciencesPatrick O’Brien, 650-522-1936 (Investors)Cara Miller, 650-522-1616 (Media)
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