Gilead to Present Key Liver Disease Research at EASL Congress 2024

Gilead Sciences, Inc., a major player in the biopharmaceutical industry, has announced its upcoming research presentations at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress, which will take place in Milan, Italy, from June 5-8, 2024. More than 25 abstracts will be showcased, highlighting key findings across various liver diseases, including Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Metabolic Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH).

One of the significant focuses will be the interim results from the two-year ASSURE study. This study evaluates the long-term efficacy and safety of the investigational drug seladelpar for treating PBC. The results will cover patients who received a second year of seladelpar treatment after participating in the Phase 3 RESPONSE study. This includes those who had an inadequate response to the first-line PBC treatment, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). The data will examine several metrics, such as composite biochemical responses and ALP normalization, which are vital for evaluating the treatment's effectiveness in combating PBC—a chronic liver disease predominantly affecting women.

In addition to PBC research, the event will also present findings related to HDV. Thirteen abstracts will focus on this severe form of viral hepatitis. Key presentations will include the final results from the Phase 2b MYR204 study and the pivotal Phase 3 MYR301 study. These studies assess the efficacy and safety of Hepcludex® (bulevirtide), both in combination with pegylated interferon alfa-2a and as a monotherapy. Gilead will also share data from a sub-analysis of the MYR204 study, evaluating intrahepatic virological outcomes after 24 weeks off treatment, and a pooled analysis of the MYR203, MYR204, and MYR301 studies, which discuss the impact of nucleos(t)ide analogues alongside bulevirtide.

Moreover, Gilead aims to support the World Health Organization’s objective to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. To this end, the company will present real-world data on hepatitis C and launch a national HCV awareness program in Italy. In collaboration with EASL, Gilead will initiate the "Epatite C Mettiamoci un Punto" campaign in Milan, part of EASL's "Love Your Liver" initiative, to raise awareness about HCV and encourage testing.

The EASL Congress will also feature several notable abstracts by Gilead. These include research on the efficacy and safety of seladelpar in PBC patients with compensated liver cirrhosis, the long-term efficacy of open-label seladelpar treatment, and studies on the impact of bulevirtide on chronic HDV. Additional research will cover the reduction of long-term incidence of primary liver cancer in people living with chronic HBV through tenofovir-based antiviral therapy, and off-treatment outcomes after discontinuing tenofovir-based treatment.

Gilead’s commitment to advancing liver disease treatments is evident through its extensive research and innovative therapies. The company has pioneered treatments for hepatitis C, transforming it from a chronic illness into a curable condition. Their focus on hepatitis B and D aims to turn today's research into tomorrow's cures. Beyond viral hepatitis, Gilead is also dedicated to improving treatments for PBC and other liver conditions, striving to create healthier futures for all affected individuals.

Gilead Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company with a history of over three decades of medical breakthroughs. It specializes in developing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, cancer, and inflammation. Operating in more than 35 countries, Gilead is headquartered in Foster City, California.