Gilead Sciences reports positive long-term Viread data

Gilead Sciences has announced positive clinical trial data that demonstrates the long-term efficacy of its hepatitis B therapy Viread.

Five-year results from the open-label phase of two pivotal phase III clinical studies have shown that Viread was able to maintain long-term viral suppression of the disease, as well as being associated with a reduction in liver fibrosis and a reversal of cirrhosis.

During these trials, the drug was compared to a leading alternative, with analysis suggesting that Gilead's compound has a high genetic barrier to viral resistance, a key issue affecting hepatitis B therapies.

These new findings will be used to support efforts to secure regulatory approval for Gilead by the European Medicines Agency.

Dr Patrick Marcellin, of the Hopital Beaujon in Clichy, France, said: "These results represent an important advance in HBV therapy because they elucidate Viread's potential to reduce or reverse signs of liver damage in patients with chronic hepatitis B."

Last month, the company published its financial report for the third quarter of 2011, during which Gilead product sales rose by 11 percent year on year.