EU Approves Potential Blockbuster HIV Drug From Gilead Sciences, Inc

American biopharmaceutical company, Gilead Sciences, Inc., has won an approval from the European Commission (EC) for its fixed dose combination HIV drug, according to a new press release published by the company. Called as "Descovy", they say the drug is a safer replacement for Truvada, which is the current bestselling product from the company.

Truvada, which provides a combination treatment of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine, earns around $3.5 billion yearly for the biotech company. The drug is scheduled to lose its patent protection in 2021; in fact TDF itself will lose its exclusivity by the end of 2017.  Therefore, the pharmaceutical giant has been working continuously to introduce a superior alternative in the market. Descovy is technically the same as Truvada; however, it replaces TDF with a new salt known as tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) that is 10 times more potent. This new ingredient will make the drug less toxic to patients' kidneys and bones.

According to the company's press release, three TAF-based HIV drugs from Gilead have recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The repertoire of these three drugs includes Descovy, Odefsey (created with a combination of TAF, rilpivirine and emtricitabine) and Genvoya (a combination of TAF, rilpivirine, emtricitabineand elvitegravir). Incidentally, Genvoya will replace the $1.8 billion Stribild brand from Gilead. Out of the three, Descovy is slated to be the best selling drug from the biotech giant as it is the most widely used among HIV patients. The other two drugs are usually taken by individuals who are newly embarking on therapy and have no drug resistance.

"TAF represents the latest development in Gilead's more than 25 year history of innovation in the field of HIV, and we are pleased to offer patients and physicians another TAF based therapy that expands their treatment options" said Norbert Bischofberger, PhD, Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer of Gilead Sciences. The pharmaceutical company is also looking forward to making Descovy accessible throughout the European Union (EU) as soon as possible, even as it continues to work on developing further HIV regimens that include TAF as an ingredient.