Gilead Sciences Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical company, announced that the China Drug Administration (CDA) has approved Epclusa (sofosbuvir 400 mg/velpatasvir 100 mg) for the treatment of adults with genotype 1-6 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The CDA also approved Epclusa in combination with ribavirin (RBV) for adults with HCV and decompensated cirrhosis. Epclusa is the first pan-genotypic HCV single tablet regimen (STR) approved in China.

The approval of Epclusa in China is supported by five international phase 3 studies, ASTRAL-1, ASTRAL-2, ASTRAL-3, ASTRAL-4 and ASTRAL-5. High overall rates of SVR12 (defined as undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks after completing therapy), ranging from 92-100 per cent, were achieved across difficult-to-cure patient populations including treatment-experienced patients and those with compensated or decompensated cirrhosis.

"The safety and efficacy profile of Epclusa are supported by large clinical and real-world global datasets," said Professor Lai Wei, Peking University People's Hospital and Institute of Hepatology, Peking University. "With high cure rates across all HCV genotypes, Epclusa could increase HCV treatment in China by potentially eliminating the need for genotype testing, which can be a barrier to treatment in many settings."

HCV is the fourth-most commonly reported infectious disease in China, with approximately 10 million people infected. HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 6 account for more than 96 per cent of all cases.

In the ASTRAL-1, ASTRAL-2 and ASTRAL-3 studies, 1,035 treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients with genotype 1-6 HCV infection, without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis, received 12 weeks of Epclusa. Ninety-eight per cent (1,015/1,035) of patients achieved SVR12. In the ASTRAL-5 study, 106 treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients with genotype 1-6 HCV infection, without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis, who were coinfected with HIV and on a stable antiretroviral therapy, received 12 weeks of Epclusa. Ninety-five per cent (101/106) of patients achieved SVR12.

The ASTRAL-4 study assessed the safety and efficacy of 12 weeks of Epclusa with or without RBV or 24 weeks of Epclusa in 267 HCV-infected patients with genotypes 1-4 and 6 decompensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B). Patients with decompensated cirrhosis receiving Epclusa with RBV for 12 weeks achieved 94 per cent (82/87) SVR12.

The most common adverse reactions (10 per cent) experienced by patients treated with Epclusa in ASTRAL-1, ASTRAL-2, ASTRAL-3 and ASTRAL-5 were headache and fatigue. The placebo-treated patients in the ASTRAL-1 experienced headache and fatigue at a similar frequency. The most common adverse reactions (10 per cent) experienced by HCV-infected patients with decompensated cirrhosis treated with Epclusa and RBV in ASTRAL-4 were fatigue, anemia, nausea, headache, diarrhea and insomnia. Four patients treated with Epclusa with RBV, discontinued treatment due to adverse events.

"As the first once-daily, interferon-free single tablet regimen for HCV patients regardless of genotype, Epclusa offers physicians in China an important new option for effectively treating their patients while potentially helping to reduce the significant burden of HCV at a population level," said John F. Milligan, PhD, Gilead's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Gilead has now launched two direct-acting antiviral treatments in China, and we are committed to supporting efforts to screen and link patients to treatment, to help address the country's HCV epidemic."

Epclusa received marketing approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission in 2016 as the first pan-genotypic STR for HCV infection. It is also approved for use in 54 countries.

Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) as a single agent received marketing approval from the China Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for the treatment of adults infected with HCV genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 and for adolescents (aged 12 to 18 years) with HCV genotype 2 or 3, as a component of a combination antiviral treatment regimen.