Gilead Sciences’ Epclusa Scores Pediatric Hep C Win
Supplemental application to treat hepatitis C approved by FDA
Epclusa (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir), in combination with ribavirin, has been issued a supplemental approval to be used in children ages 6 years and older or weighing at least 37 pounds (17 kilograms) diagnosed with any of the six Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes — or strains — without cirrhosis (liver disease) or with mild cirrhosis. Up to now, Epclusa was approved to treat HCV in adults only. Gilead Sciences was granted a Priority Review of Epclusa by the FDA for this application. Pediatric HCV patients and their parents and healthcare professionals will immediately benefit from this new supplement to Sepclusa’s original indication.
What is Epclusa?
Epclusa is a tablet administered orally. Sofosbuvir is a nucleotide analog inhibitor of hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase which is the primary enzyme mediating HCV RNA replication. Velpatasvir is an NS5A inhibitor (also produced by Gilead) that is used in conjunction with Sofosbuvir. Epclusa was launched in 2016.
Important details about Hepatitis C
HCV is a viral disease characterized by a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus and for some people, hepatitis C is a short-term illness but for 70%–85% of people who become infected with the hepatitis C virus, it becomes a long-term, chronic infection. About 3 million people are diagnosed annually with HCV.
Epclusa’s new indication is a significant benefit for pediatric HCV patients. Not only is it an effective agent but its new indication enables physicians to prescribe the product more easily based on its FDA approval and be within the guidelines of pharmacy or medical insurance plans and formulary rules.
Pediatric HCV cases are usually vertically transmitted
In pediatric cases of HCV, children are born to HCV-positive mothers. There is no vaccine available to prevent HCV and it may result in long-term health issues and some cases it is fatal. Before 1992, HCV was sometimes spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. Routine testing of the U.S. blood supply for HCV helped resolve this issue, it is now uncommon for infection to occur this way.
Gilead specializes in advanced medicine and the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies
Based in Foster City, California (south of San Francisco), Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) was founded in 1987 and generates over $22 billion in sales annually. As a global leader in biopharmaceuticals, it employs about 11,000 workers.
Gilead is no slouch when it comes to developing and commercializing products used to help patients and clinicians overcome the odds. It currently markets products used in the treatment of cardiovascular, cell therapy, HIV/AIDS, inflammation, liver disease, oncology, respiratory and other challenging healthcare issues. The additional FDA endorsement of Epclusa for pediatric HCV patients is a great example of maximizing the use of existing advanced therapies to care for more patients.
Thank you for reading this story
Read my other articles about medical and healthcare business trends, content marketing and digital strategy, brand and product management, consumer wellness, managed care and market access strategy. Contact me today for your healthcare content writing and content strategy needs.
I have over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry producing valuable healthcare content for audiences and customers spanning physicians, nurses, pharmacists plus pharmaceutical companies, medical technology manufacturers, healthcare provider organizations, managed care, investors, consumers and other stakeholders.
Visit and connect…
As a healthcare content writer, my work aligns with an organization’s voice, brand, SEO elements, marketplace and objectives. It establishes trust in their company and recognized value in its products and services that generates revenue.
This experience was earned through working at Walgreens, Pfizer, AbelsonTaylor, TAP (Takeda Abbott Partnership), Hospira Worldwide and Boston Software Systems.
To a large degree, my professional interests emulate my family which includes doctors, nurses, physician assistants and other clinicians plus those that are working in healthcare administration and commercial enterprises.
