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Gilead Sciences has released Week 48 results from its pivotal Phase 3 trial assessing Hepcludex (bulevirtide) for chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV). The data demonstrate significant viral declines and improved patient-reported outcomes (PROs). At Week 48, 45% and 48% of patients treated with bulevirtide achieved combined virological and biochemical responses, compared to only 2% in the untreated group. The treatment's safety profile remains consistent, with no serious adverse events. The findings were presented at the International Liver Congress 2022, reinforcing bulevirtide's potential as a therapeutic option for this high-burden disease.
Positive
At Week 48, bulevirtide treatment resulted in a 45% and 48% combined virological and biochemical response at 2 mg and 10 mg doses, respectively.
Safety profile remains favorable; no serious adverse events reported.
Significant improvements in health-related quality of life observed in treated patients.
Negative
Bulevirtide is still investigational in the U.S. and has not yet been approved by the FDA.
-- Hepcludex Achieves Significant Viral Declines at Week 48, Reinforcing the Clinical Utility of Sustained Treatment for Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced Week 48 results from the Pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the first-in-class entry inhibitor Hepcludex® (bulevirtide) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection. Findings from the study underscore the efficacy and safety of bulevirtide for the treatment of chronic HDV and are being presented today in the International Liver Congress™ (ILC) 2022 Official Press Program. In addition, Week 48 data demonstrating the positive impact of bulevirtide on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in people living with chronic HDV will also be presented. Together, these data reinforce the clinical utility of bulevirtide as monotherapy for the treatment of chronic HDV. There are currently no other approved treatment options for HDV and people living with HDV typically have a poor prognosis.
“As the most severe form of viral hepatitis, HDV presents a significant disease burden with high healthcare-related costs and until recently, no approved treatment options,” said Heiner Wedemeyer, MD, Director, Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology at Hannover Medical School, and principal investigator of the study. “These results presented at ILC 2022 not only highlight the important clinical role that bulevirtide has to play as a safe and effective treatment option for chronic HDV, but critically also demonstrate that with prolonged treatment, we can achieve higher response rates so we can better manage this rare, life-threatening disease in more people.”
At Week 48, study participants treated with bulevirtide monotherapy at 2 mg or 10 mg once daily achieved a significantly greater combined virological and biochemical response (45% and 48%, respectively) when compared to participants who had not received antiviral treatment at this stage of the study (2%). Combined response was defined as undetectable HDV RNA or a decrease by 2 log10 IU/mL from baseline and ALT normalization. Similarly, when the Week 48 data is considered alongside the integrated Week 24 analyses of the ongoing Phase 2 studies (MYR202 and MYR203) and the interim Week 24 Phase 3 MYR301 data presented at ILC 2021, combined response rates of bulevirtide increased from Week 24 to Week 48, highlighting an improved response of bulevirtide with prolonged treatment.
The safety profile of bulevirtide at Week 48 is consistent with prior reports, with no participants having an adverse event (AE) leading to discontinuation of bulevirtide and no serious AEs attributed to bulevirtide treatment. The safety profile at both Week 24 and again at Week 48 reassert the safety and tolerability profile of bulevirtide, which is an important factor for people living with chronic HDV.
“The consequences of living with a serious and chronic condition like HDV can have a profound impact on the individual’s quality of life, affecting the physical and mental well-being of people living with HDV,” said Anu Osinusi, Vice President, Clinical Research for Hepatitis, Respiratory and Emerging Viruses at Gilead. “What we now see is that treatment with bulevirtide not only improves clinical measures associated with viral control but can significantly improve, and maintain, a range of quality-of-life markers in people living with HDV, ultimately improving the overall management of the condition.”
In an oral presentation, Gilead will also share an exploratory analysis of the Week 48 data from the Phase 3 MYR301 study, evaluating the impact of bulevirtide (2 mg once daily) on PROs in people living with chronic HDV. Participants treated with bulevirtide 2 mg (n=49) showed significant improvements from baseline at 48 weeks in almost all assessed health-related quality-of-life domains of the Hepatitis Quality of Life questionnaire. Participants in the control group (n=51) remained largely unchanged, apart from significant improvements in health distress and hepatitis-specific health distress. Of note, participants receiving bulevirtide 2 mg reported significant improvements in performance of daily activities related to hepatitis, emotional impact of hepatitis and improvement in work compared with controls.
Bulevirtide was granted Conditional Marketing Authorization by the European Commission and is an investigational agent in the U.S. and outside of the European Economic Area. In these regions, health authorities have not established the safety and efficacy of bulevirtide. A Biologics License Application (BLA) was submitted in Q4 2021 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for bulevirtide for injection (2 mg) to treat adults with HDV and compensated liver disease. This Phase 3 data is included in the filing of bulevirtide to the FDA. Bulevirtide has been granted Breakthrough Therapy and Orphan Drug designations by the FDA. In 2020 bulevirtide 2 mg was granted Conditional Marketing Authorization by the European Commission and PRIority MEdicines (PRIME) scheme eligibility by the European Medicines Agency as the first approved treatment in Europe for adults with chronic HDV and compensated liver disease.
About MYR301 MYR301 is an ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the long-term efficacy and safety of bulevirtide in 150 people living with chronic HDV randomly allocated to treatment with bulevirtide 2 mg once daily (n=49), 10 mg once daily (n=50) or no antiviral treatment (delayed treatment, n=51). Primary efficacy and safety data will be assessed at Week 48. After Week 48, participants in the delayed treatment group of the study will be switched to bulevirtide 10 mg once daily for an additional 96 weeks. The total duration of treatment across all groups in the study is 144 weeks. The primary endpoint, combined response, is defined as an undetectable HDV RNA (<LoD (Limit of Detection)) or ≥2log10 IU/ml decline from baseline and ALT normalization at Week 48. Secondary endpoints at Week 48 include undetectable HDV RNA (key secondary endpoint), ALT normalization, and a change from baseline in liver stiffness measured by transient elastography.
About HDV
Chronic HDV is the most severe form of viral hepatitis and can have mortality rates as high as 50% within five years in cirrhotic patients. HDV occurs only as a co-infection in individuals who have hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is estimated that at least 12 million people worldwide are currently co-infected with HDV and HBV. HDV co-infection is associated with a faster progression to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatic decompensation and an increased risk of liver cancer and death. In the U.S. and Europe, there are more than 230,000 people living with HDV; however, it remains underdiagnosed globally.
About Gilead Sciences in Liver Disease
For more than 20 years, Gilead has sought to address some of the biggest challenges in liver disease. The company has transformed the trajectory of multiple liver diseases through a relentless pursuit of innovation and pioneering access programs to bring meaningful therapies to people around the world. More work is required, and Gilead is committed to advancing innovative therapeutics to address the most pressing unmet needs in liver disease and overcoming barriers to better care.
About Gilead Sciences Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including Gilead’s ability to initiate, progress or complete clinical trials or studies within currently anticipated timelines or at all, and the possibility of unfavorable results from ongoing or additional clinical trials or studies, including those involving Hepcludex; uncertainties relating to regulatory applications and related filing and approval timelines, including the risk that the FDA or EC may not approve Hepcludex for the treatment of HDV, and the risk that any such approvals, if granted, may be subject to significant limitations on use; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors are described in detail in Gilead’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Gilead, and Gilead assumes no obligation and disclaims any intent to update any such forward-looking statements.
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Hepcludex, Gilead and the Gilead logo are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com, follow Gilead on Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
What were the Week 48 results for Gilead's Hepcludex (bulevirtide)?
Week 48 results showed 45% and 48% of patients achieved combined virological and biochemical responses with Hepcludex treatment, significantly higher than the 2% response in the untreated group.
What is the safety profile of bulevirtide as reported in the latest trial?
The safety profile of bulevirtide at Week 48 was consistent with previous reports, with no serious adverse events attributed to the treatment.
What improvements in quality of life were reported for patients treated with Hepcludex?
Patients receiving bulevirtide demonstrated significant improvements in various health-related quality of life metrics compared to controls.
What are the regulatory status and next steps for bulevirtide?
Bulevirtide is currently investigational in the U.S. with a Biologics License Application submitted to the FDA; regulatory approval remains a key factor for its market availability.
