Gilead starts late stage tests of 4-in-1- HIV drug

Gilead starts late stage tests of 4-in-1- HIV drug

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Gilead Sciences Inc. said Monday it started late stage clinical testing of its four-in-one “Quad” HIV tablet.

Gilead said it has dosed the first patient in a clinical trial. It is planned to run two studies. One will compare the “Quad” drug to its three-in-one HIV drug Atripla, and the other will compare to a combination of Norvir, Reyataz and Truvada, an older two-in-one drug. Each study is expected to include about 700 patients and last for 96 weeks with the goal of comparing the drugs’ ability to reduce HIV levels, along with safety.

The “Quad” pill is made up of the drugs elvitegravir, cobicistat, and the two components of Truvada, emtricitabine and tenofovir. Cobicistat is the newest component, and it is designed to raise the blood levels of anti-retrovirus drugs like elvitegravir.

Gilead is planning an additional trial of cobicistat that will compare the drug to Abbott Laboratories’ drug Norvir. In the study, patients will receive a combination of cobicistat, Truvada, and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s drug Reyataz, or Norvir, Truvada, and Reyataz. The study will start later this quarter, the company said.

Gilead shares were up 10 cents to $45.97 in aftermarket trading after closing at $45.87 in the regular session.