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– New Data for First Approved Pan-genotypic Once-Daily Single Tablet Regimen for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection –
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 21, 2017 /CNW/ – Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc. (Gilead Canada) today announced that Health Canada has granted a Notice of Compliance (NOC) for updated labeling of EPCLUSA® (sofosbuvir 400mg/velpatasvir 100mg), the first all-oral, pan-genotypic, once-daily single tablet regimen (STR) for the treatment of adults with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, to include use in patients co-infected with HIV-1. Health Canada granted EPCLUSA an NOC in July 2016, for the treatment of adults with genotype 1-6 chronic HCV infection without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis, or with decompensated cirrhosis in combination with ribavirin.
“HCV co-infection remains a major cause of morbidity in HIV-infected individuals. With this expanded indication, EPCLUSA provides co-infected patients with a much-needed one-pill-a-day regimen that works across all HCV genotypes and at all stages of disease. Being compatible with most widely-used antiretroviral regimens adds to its convenience,” said Dr. Brian Conway, President and Medical Director, Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre. “With EPCLUSA, physicians have an important new treatment option for their HCV/HIV co-infected patients.”
The supplemental new drug submission was supported by data from the open-label, Phase 3 ASTRAL-5 study, which evaluated 12 weeks of treatment with EPCLUSA in 106 subjects with genotype 1-4 HCV infection who were co-infected with HIV and on stable antiretroviral therapy. In the study, 95 per cent (101/106) of patients achieved the primary endpoint of SVR12, defined as an undetectable viral load 12 weeks after completing therapy. The study also included patients with compensated cirrhosis.
The safety profile of EPCLUSA in HCV/HIV co-infected patients was similar to that observed in HCV mono-infected patients. The most common adverse events (in at least 10 per cent of subjects) were fatigue (22 per cent) and headache (10 per cent).
“Canada has committed to eliminating hepatitis C by 2030. To accomplish this goal, it is imperative that steps be taken to increase treatment rates in Canada, including treatment for people who are co-infected with hepatitis C and HIV,” said Dr. Morris Sherman, Chairperson, Canadian Liver Foundation and Hepatologist at Toronto General Hospital. “Hepatitis C progresses faster in individuals who are co-infected with HIV, often increasing and speeding up the onset of liver damage. Today, with pan-genotypic curative hepatitis C therapies approved for treatment in hepatitis C and HIV co-infected patients, it is an important time for patients to discuss treatment options with their health care providers.”
“EPCLUSA has already helped further simplify HCV treatment among mono-infected patients, and we are pleased that HCV/HIV co-infected patients can benefit from this pan-genotypic single tablet regimen,” said Kennet Brysting, General Manager, Gilead Canada. “This approval advances the commitment we’ve made to the HCV and HIV communities to deliver innovative new treatments that address their unmet medical needs.”
Patient Support Program
To assist eligible HCV patients in Canada with access to EPCLUSA, Gilead Canada operates the Gilead Momentum Support Program®, which provides information to patients and healthcare providers to help ensure patient access to medication. For more information regarding the Gilead Momentum Support Program in Canada, please call 1-855-447-7977.
Important Safety Information
The EPCLUSA Product Monograph has a SERIOUS WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS BOX REGARDING THE RISKS OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS (HBV) REACTIVATION IN HCV/HBV CO-INFECTED PATIENTS. For further details, please see the Canadian Product Monograph at www.gilead.ca.
Contraindications
When used in combination with ribavirin (RBV), the contraindications to RBV are applicable to the combination regimen. Refer to the Product Monograph containing information on RBV.
Warnings and Precautions
Serious Symptomatic Bradycardia When Coadministered with Amiodarone: Amiodarone is not recommended for use with EPCLUSA due to the risk of symptomatic bradycardia, particularly in patients also taking beta blockers or with underlying cardiac comorbidities and/or with advanced liver disease. A fatal cardiac arrest was reported in a patient taking amiodarone who was coadministered a sofosbuvir-containing regimen. In patients without alternative, viable treatment options, cardiac monitoring is recommended. Patients should seek immediate medical evaluation if they develop signs or symptoms of bradycardia.
Risk of Reduced Therapeutic Effect Due to Concomitant Use of EPCLUSA with P-gp Inducers and/or Moderate to Potent Inducers of CYP2B6, CYP2C8 or CYP3A4: Rifampin, St. John’s wort, and carbamazepine should not be used with EPCLUSA as they may significantly decrease sofosbuvir and/or velpatasvir plasma concentrations.
Patients with Decompensated Cirrhosis and HCV Genotype 2, 4, 5 or 6: Data to support the treatment of patients with decompensated cirrhosis who are infected with HCV genotype 2 or genotype 4 are limited, and there are no data for genotype 5 and genotype 6 HCV-infected patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The indication for treatment of these patients is based on extrapolation of relevant clinical and in vitro data.
EPCLUSA should not be administered concurrently with other medicinal products containing sofosbuvir.
Drug Interactions
Coadministration of EPCLUSA is not recommended with oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifabutin, rifapentine and efavirenz due to changes (decreased or increased) in concentrations of sofosbuvir and/or velpatasvir, and/or the other agent.
For additional important safety information for EPCLUSA, including the complete warnings and precautions, adverse reactions and drug-drug interactions, please see the Canadian Product Monograph at www.gilead.ca.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative therapeutics in areas of unmet medical need. The company’s mission is to advance the care of patients suffering from life-threatening diseases. Gilead has operations in more than 30 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California. Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc. is the Canadian affiliate of Gilead Sciences, Inc. and was established in Mississauga, Ontario, in 2006.
Forward-Looking Statement
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 the risk that physicians may not see the benefits of prescribing EPCLUSA for the treatment of chronic HCV infection in patients co-infected with HIV. These risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks are described in detail in Gilead’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Gilead, and Gilead assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.
Canadian Product Monograph for EPCLUSA, including the SERIOUS WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS, is available at www.Gilead.ca.
EPCLUSA and Gilead Momentum Support Program are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information on Gilead Sciences, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com, follow Gilead on Twitter (@GileadSciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
SOURCE Gilead Sciences, Inc.
For further information: IN CANADA, CONTACT: Karen M. Chow, National Stakeholder Relations and Communications, Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc., (905) 363-8083