Gilead, Janssen Expand HIV Treatment Agreement

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) announced that it has expanded its agreement with Janssen R&D Ireland for the development and commercialization of a new once-a-day, single-tablet regimen for HIV treatment.

It will contain Gilead’s tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and emtricitabine, and Janssen’s rilpivirine.

As quoted in the press release:

The original agreement was established in 2009 for the development and commercialization of Complera®, marketed as Eviplera® in the European Union, which combines tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, emtricitabine and rilpivirine in a once-daily tablet. Gilead will initiate Phase 3 studies of emtricitabine/rilpivirine/TAF in the coming months. Pending the product’s approval, Gilead will be responsible for the manufacturing, registration, distribution and commercialization of the regimen in most countries, while Janssen will distribute in approximately 17 markets.

TAF is a novel nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor that has demonstrated high antiviral efficacy at a dose 10 times lower than Gilead’s Viread® (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), as well as an improved renal and bone safety profile.

Click here to read the full Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) press release.