Viral Hepatitis
More than 300 million people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B or C infection, making viral hepatitis many times more common than HIV. Chronic infection with the hepatitis B or C viruses can lead to serious and life-threatening liver damage, including liver cirrhosis (scarring), liver cancer and the need for liver transplantation.
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the leading causes of preventable death globally, with nearly 400,000 deaths each year attributable to HCV-related liver disease.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is especially common in the African and Western Pacific regions.
- Many people with viral hepatitis have not been diagnosed, and the vast majority has not received medical treatment for the disease.
Our Role
Gilead has developed today’s leading medicines for viral hepatitis.
Gilead is working with regional partners to introduce branded Sovaldi®, Harvoni® and Epclusa® in low- and middle-income countries, prioritizing those with the greatest disease burden. The company also works with 11 generic drug manufacturers in India to produce high-quality, low-cost generic versions of its chronic hepatitis C medicines for use in 105 developing countries.
Viread® (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) and Vemlidy® (tenofovir alafenamide) are indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. We work with regional business partners and generic licensees to sell Viread and Vemlidy for HBV at discounted prices in more than 140 developing countries.