Treatment With Hepcludex® (Bulevirtide) Was Shown to Achieve Significant Response in Chronic Hepatitis Delta Virus After 24 Weeks

Rhea-AI Summary

Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD) announced interim results from its Phase 2b and Phase 3 trials of Hepcludex (bulevirtide) for treating chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV). The Phase 3 study supports the efficacy and safety of bulevirtide 2 mg daily, showing a 36.7% virological response after 24 weeks. Hepcludex has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Conditional Marketing Authorization in Europe. With limited HDV treatment options available, these findings highlight the significance of bulevirtide in addressing substantial unmet medical needs.

Positive

• Phase 3 trial shows a 36.7% virological response rate with bulevirtide 2 mg after 24 weeks.
• Bulevirtide has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Orphan Drug status from the FDA.
• Hepcludex is the first approved treatment in Europe for adults with chronic HDV.

Negative

• Bulevirtide is still under investigation in the U.S. and has not been proven safe or effective outside the European Economic Area.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced interim results from the Phase 2b and Phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the first-in-class entry inhibitor Hepcludex^® (bulevirtide) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV). Findings from the Phase 3 study support the safety and efficacy profile of bulevirtide 2 mg once daily and are being presented today as a late-breaker in the International Liver Congress^™ (ILC) 2021 Official Press Program. Results from the Phase 2b trial show that treatment with bulevirtide alone or in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, is associated with a significant HDV RNA decline and improvements in biochemical disease activity at Week 24.

The Phase 3 data will be included in the filing of bulevirtide to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later this year. Bulevirtide has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Orphan Drug status by the FDA. Hepcludex has been 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.

“These data represent meaningful progress as we work to address the significant unmet needs of people living with HDV. This infection presents a public health concern due to its rapid progression, leading to complications including cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation and an increased risk of liver cancer and death,” said Tarik Asselah, Professor of Hepatology at Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, and at the University Paris, and Head of Viral Hepatitis Team at INSERM UMR1149, France. “The data presented at ILC support the safety and efficacy of bulevirtide in adults with HDV and confirm the importance of this therapeutic option for people living with chronic HDV.”

Interim results from the Phase 3 MYR301 study indicate that after 24 weeks, the proportion of people with HDV achieving the combined virological and biochemical response was 36.7% with bulevirtide 2 mg, 28% in participants receiving bulevirtide 10 mg and 0% in participants currently under observation who have not received antiviral treatment at this stage of the study. Treatment for 24 weeks with bulevirtide 2 mg or 10 mg had a superior response (p<0.001) to the no treatment group, with bulevirtide 2 mg for 24 weeks having a numerically higher response rate compared with bulevirtide 10 mg. Additionally, rapid ALT reduction and normalization were observed in >50% of patients in the bulevirtide 2 mg group compared with the bulevirtide 10 mg or no treatment groups. These results reinforce the efficacy of bulevirtide for the treatment of HDV. The safety profile of bulevirtide at 24 weeks from these interim results is consistent with prior reports, and no serious adverse events (AEs), symptomatic elevations in bile salts or AEs leading to discontinuation related to bulevirtide were reported.

Data from the Phase 2b MYR204 study assessing the safety and efficacy of bulevirtide monotherapy or in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, in people living with HDV will also be presented in an oral session on June 26. The study evaluating 175 people with chronic HDV randomly allocated people across four groups: peginterferon alfa-2a; bulevirtide 2 mg plus peginterferon alfa-2a; bulevirtide 10 mg plus peginterferon alfa-2a; and bulevirtide 10 mg. The proportion of participants achieving a combined response after 24 weeks of treatment was higher in those treated with bulevirtide, with the highest response rate seen in the monotherapy group. Treatment with bulevirtide, both as monotherapy or in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a, was well-tolerated, with mostly mild or moderate AEs and no reported serious AEs or AEs leading to discontinuation of bulevirtide. The European Commission granted Hepcludex 2 mg Conditional Marketing Authorization; all other dosing and combinations are investigational.

“HDV is the most serious form of chronic viral hepatitis and is associated with rapid progression of serious complications including fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Currently, there are very limited treatment options, and people living with HDV typically have a poor prognosis. These data add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the potential role for bulevirtide in the treatment of HDV,” said Merdad Parsey, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Gilead Sciences. “We look forward to working closely with global regulators with the goal of bringing bulevirtide to more people living with HDV as quickly as possible.”

Bulevirtide is an investigational agent in the United States and outside of the European Economic Area; in these regions, health authorities have not established the safety and efficacy of bulevirtide.

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), at 10 mg (n=50) once daily 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) or ≥2log₁₀ IU/ml decline from baseline and ALT normalization at week 48. Secondary endpoints at week 48 include undetectable HDV RNA and a change from baseline in liver stiffness measured by elastography.

About HDV
Chronic hepatitis delta virus (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, hepatic decompensation and an increased risk of liver cancer and death. In the United States and Europe, there are approximately 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 many 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, including those involving Hepcludex; the possibility of unfavorable results from ongoing or additional clinical trials or studies, including those involving Hepcludex; the possibility that Gilead may make a strategic decision to discontinue development of bulevirtide and other investigational compounds and as a result, the compounds may never be successfully commercialized; Gilead’s ability to receive regulatory approvals in a timely manner or at all, including FDA or EMA approval of Hepcludex, and the risk that any such approvals 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, 2021, 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 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.

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.

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FAQ

What are the key results of Gilead's Phase 2b and Phase 3 trials for GILD?

The trials showed a 36.7% virological response rate with bulevirtide 2 mg after 24 weeks, supporting its efficacy and safety.

What designations has Gilead received for Hepcludex (bulevirtide)?

Hepcludex has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Orphan Drug status by the FDA.

What is the significance of Gilead's Hepcludex approval in Europe?

Hepcludex is the first approved treatment in Europe for chronic HDV, addressing a critical medical need.

Is bulevirtide approved in the United States?

No, bulevirtide is still investigational in the U.S. and has not established safety or efficacy.

What are the implications of the Phase 3 trial results for Gilead's future?

The positive results may facilitate faster regulatory approval, enhancing Gilead's portfolio in liver diseases.