California biopharmaceutical maker Gilead Sciences Inc., with operations in Branford, is teaming with Johnson & Johnson to devise a once-a-day pill for treating patients infected with the virus that triggers AIDS.
Gilead, of Foster City, Calif., and J&J’s Tibotec Pharmaceuticals unit, with operations in New Jersey, announced Tuesday they will partner in the commercial development of a pill combining Gilead’s cobicistat antiretrovirus treatment with Tibotec’s protease inhibitor darunavir, branded as Prezista.
Cobicistat is undergoing late-stage clinical trials for its ability to boost blood levels of certain HIV medicines that would allow once-daily dosing, Gilead said.
Prezista is indicated in the U.S. to treat persons infected with HIV-infected and is co-administered in combination with ritonavir and other antiretroviral agents.
The pair says the deal, whose financial terms weren’t disclosed, also provides a platform for them to collaborate in the commercial development of other HIV treatments.
“This agreement represents another important step forward in our commitment to developing simplified treatment regimens that can help address the individual needs of people living with HIV,” said Norbert W. Bischofberger, Gilead’s chief scientific officer.
If regulators approve, Tibotec will handle the formulation, manufacturing, registration, distribution and commercialization of the cobicistat and Prezista fixed-dose combination worldwide, the companies said.
Gilead retains sole rights for the manufacture, development and commercialization of cobicistat as a stand-alone product and for use in combination with other agents. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
