Gilead Sciences begins phase III trial of leukaemia drug

Gilead Sciences has commenced a phase III clinical trial of GS-1101, a promising new therapy for previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

The first patient has been dosed as part of Study 116, a trial that will assess the safety and efficacy of the drug in combination with rituximab among 160 subjects across Europe and the US.

It is the first of several planned phase III trials exploring the potential of the drug in combination with various chemoimmunotherapies, with further planned trials to assess GS-1101 alongside ofatumumab and bendamustine plus rituximab.

The compound is also in phase II development as a therapy for indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Dr Roy Baynes, senior vice-president for oncology and inflammation therapeutics at Gilead, said: "We believe GS-1101 could represent a much-needed advance in the treatment of CLL and we look forward to working with study investigators to further our understanding of this potentially important new therapy."

This comes after the firm recently reported year-on-year sales growth of 19 percent in its financial report for the first quarter of 2012.