Gilead's experimental HIV treatment shows low discontinuation rates in studies

Feb 25 (Reuters) - Gilead Sciences GILD.O on Wednesday said its experimental single-tablet HIV treatment was generally well tolerated with low discontinuation rates, positioning the single-tablet regimen as a potential option for patients to switch to after the virus is already suppressed.

Detailed results from another late-stage trial were presented on Wednesday at a conference in Denver, as Gilead prepares regulatory filings for the experimental combination.

In one trial, discontinuation rates due to adverse events were 1.6% and 0.5% in the two treatment arms respectively. Both data were considered low.

In the same trial, 0.8% of patients taking the combination pill had detectable virus in their blood after 48 weeks, compared with 1.1% of those who remained on multi-tablet regimens.

The company studied the pill in HIV patients whose virus was already suppressed, including those switching from complex multi-tablet regimens or from a guideline-recommended single-tablet treatment.

Participants also reported higher treatment satisfaction after switching to the experimental regimen, according to a paper published in The Lancet.

Gilead said it plans to submit data from both trials to regulators. The combination has not been approved by any regulatory authority.