Gilead Sciences reports positive phase III data for Quad

Gilead Sciences has reported positive phase III clinical trial data for Quad, its new combination treatment option for HIV-1 infections.

The 48-week study has demonstrated that the once-daily single tablet regimen of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate offers non-inferior performance compared to the widely-prescribed Atripla.

In addition to showing similar efficacy to the current standard of care, the safety profile of Quad was shown to be comparable to Atripla, while the newer therapy was better tolerated in terms of key neurological side effects.

Quad is currently being assessed by regulators in both the US and EU, with decisions on the treatment's potential authorisation expected before the end of 2012.

Dr Paul Sax, clinical director of the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said: "Based on these results, I believe the Quad could represent a potentially important new treatment regimen for a wide range of HIV patients initiating therapy."

This comes after Truvada, another Gilead HIV treatment, was granted priority review status by the US Food and Drug Administration last month.