MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 24, 2015 /CNW/ - Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc. (Gilead Canada) commends the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services on today's news that Harvoni™ (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir), the only once-daily, single tablet regimen for the treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults, will be accessible to many patients seeking treatment.
"Quebec has taken a significant step forward in managing this disease by recognizing the clinical value of Harvoni as a simple, well tolerated and curative therapy for patients," said Edward Gudaitis, General Manager, Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc. "This announcement reinforces the significant health-system and societal benefits associated with curing this disease and preventing its complications. We commend the province of Quebec for its very progressive approach to managing HCV and enabling patients with advanced disease to receive the treatment they need, while a comprehensive plan is put in place to prepare for all patients to be treated."
Current treatments for genotype 1 include interferon and ribavirin that often exclude patients from treatment or lead to early discontinuation of treatment due to associated side effects. Harvoni represents a significant advance in the treatment of genotype 1 HCV infection as it offers cure rates of between 94 and 99 per cent, eliminates the need for interferon and ribavirin, and shortens the duration of treatment to as little as eight weeks for many patients.
It is estimated that there are 50,000 patients living with HCV in Quebec.
Consult the full Harvoni Canadian Product Monograph for more information at www.Gilead.ca.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences 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 2005.
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 and patients may not see advantages of Harvoni over other therapies and physicians may therefore be reluctant to prescribe the product. Further, additional studies of Harvoni may produce unfavorable results. 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, 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.
Harvoni is a trademark 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.
Image with caption: ""A Significant Step Forward" for Hepatitis C Patients Seeking a Cure, after Quebec Announces Public Funding of Harvoni™ (CNW Group/Gilead Sciences, Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150724_C5907_PHOTO_EN_454426.jpg
Patrick O'Brien, Investors, 650) 522-1936; Michele Rest, Media, (650) 577-6935
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