( the company announced that the firsts...)Second Phase III Study Evaluating Gilead's Viread for the Treatment,of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Meets Primary Endpoint,Health

"The preliminary data observed in both Phase III trials evaluating Viread as a potential treatment option for chronic hepatitis B are very encouraging," said Franck Rousseau, MD, Vice President, Clinical Research, Gilead Sciences. "We look forward to reviewing these data with regulatory authorities and are working quickly to file a New Drug Application in the United States and Marketing Authorisation Application in Europe in the fourth quarter of this year."

The active ingredient in Viread, tenofovir DF, is currently the most prescribed molecule in the United States for combination HIV therapy. Viread received approval as an anti-HIV medication from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2001 and from the European Commission in February 2002. Viread is not approved as a treatment for chronic hepatitis B, and data from this analysis have not been reviewed by the FDA.

Study Design

Study 103 is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind Phase III clinical trial that compares the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Viread and Hepsera over 48 weeks among patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B. Two hundred and sixty-six patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either Viread (300 mg once daily; n=176) or Hepsera (10 mg once daily; n=90).

About Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)

In the United States, Viread is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Viread should not be used in combination with the fixed-dose combination products Truvada(R) or Atripla(TM) because they already contain Viread.

Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported wit
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