Gilead touts Phase III Hep B results

Gilead is reporting that a Phase III trial of its HIV drug Viread was more effective at reducing amounts of the hepatitis B virus than the company's other antiviral drug, Hepsera. At 48 weeks, 66.5 percent receiving Viread had a complete response compared to 12.2 percent in the Hepsera arm. "The preliminary data observed in both Phase III trials evaluating Viread as a potential treatment option for chronic hepatitis B are very encouraging," said Franck Rousseau, MD, Vice President, Clinical Research, Gilead Sciences. "We look forward to reviewing these data with regulatory authorities and are working quickly to file a New Drug Application in the United States and Marketing Authorization Application in Europe in the fourth quarter of this year."

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