Gilead Sciences reports positive data for hepatitis C drug Harvoni

Gilead Sciences has announced results from a number of phase II and III trials that underline the safety and efficacy of Harvoni, its treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV).

The drug was recently trialled in a number of chronic HCV patient populations with limited or no treatment options, including those with decompensated cirrhosis, people with HCV recurrence following a liver transplant and individuals who failed previous treatment with other direct-acting antivirals.

New data presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases' annual meeting shows the therapy was associated with high cure rates among the nearly 800 patients involved in the studies.

This includes people with advanced liver disease, as well as for those who failed prior treatment with sofosbuvir-based regimens.

Dr Norbert Bischofberger, executive vice-president of research and development and chief scientific officer at Gilead Sciences, said: "Chronic hepatitis C patients with advanced liver disease are among the most difficult to cure and traditionally have had limited or no treatment options."

The drug was recommended for European regulatory approval by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use earlier this year.