Carrie Frenette, a veteran liver specialist, reflects on her patients with hepatitis C (HCV) before 2013, the watershed year when the FDA approved Gilead's groundbreaking medicine, marking the advent of curative therapy for HCV. Recalling the limitations and harsh side effects of earlier treatments, Carrie, now serving as Gilead's Executive Director, Global Medical Affairs, Liver Diseases, emphasizes the profound impact of witnessing her patients transition from enduring the virus to being cured. One poignant anecdote she shares is of a man who, after treatment, felt empowered to pursue relationships, marriage, and starting a family, symbolizing the transformative potential of these therapies.
Since 2013, the landscape of HCV care has been revolutionized with the introduction of additional curative therapies, resulting in cure rates of 95% or higher, a stark improvement over previous treatments. Behind this medical breakthrough lies Gilead's relentless pursuit of innovation in antiviral development. Over more than a decade of research, Gilead scientists tested numerous compounds, eventually identifying one that synergized effectively with others, laying the groundwork for transformative treatments.
Bruce Kreter, Gilead's Executive Director, Global Medical Affairs, HCV, underscores the underestimated transformative power of these antivirals, emphasizing their impact on global health. With the subsequent development of three additional curative therapies, Gilead's commitment to eradicating HCV has been resolute. In the decade since the initial FDA approval, over 4 million individuals worldwide have benefited from Gilead's HCV medicines, contributing to the WHO's estimate of over 10 million people cured of HCV globally.
Carrie emphasizes the monumental shift from HCV being considered a death sentence to a condition that can now be effectively managed and cured by primary care providers. This progress not only offers hope to patients but also profoundly impacts clinicians who finally have highly effective treatment options at their disposal.
Moving towards the goal of global elimination by 2030
Presently, the antiviral therapy has gained approval in nearly 100 countries and is recognized as an Essential Medicine by the WHO. However, despite the availability of a cure, approximately 55 million individuals worldwide continue to live with HCV. In the United States alone, an estimated 2 to 4 million people are infected but remain undiagnosed or untreated.
Gilead has been collaborating with governments in regions of high prevalence to offer affordable treatment to vulnerable populations and countries disproportionately affected by the disease. For instance, in Egypt, where millions were affected by HCV, Gilead contributed to a successful initiative that screened 50 million individuals and treated 4 million, leading Egypt to become the first country on the path to complete HCV elimination.
Researchers are now directing their efforts towards the once unimaginable goal of eradicating the disease globally. Bruce reflects on the remarkable progress since the launch of the antiviral in 2013, highlighting that elimination seemed far-fetched back then but is now a tangible objective, with Gilead actively supporting the WHO's elimination plan for 2030. The rapid evolution of the field underscores the pace of advancement.
Although the elimination targets may appear ambitious, Gilead's endeavors serve as a testament to the significant strides made in a decade. Bruce emphasizes the rarity of developing a cure in one's lifetime, acknowledging Gilead's commitment to further research, particularly into a potential functional cure for hepatitis B. With the achievement of a cure for HCV in under three decades, Gilead remains dedicated to pursuing elimination until it is realized.
Since 2013, the landscape of HCV care has been revolutionized with the introduction of additional curative therapies, resulting in cure rates of 95% or higher, a stark improvement over previous treatments. Behind this medical breakthrough lies Gilead's relentless pursuit of innovation in antiviral development. Over more than a decade of research, Gilead scientists tested numerous compounds, eventually identifying one that synergized effectively with others, laying the groundwork for transformative treatments.
Bruce Kreter, Gilead's Executive Director, Global Medical Affairs, HCV, underscores the underestimated transformative power of these antivirals, emphasizing their impact on global health. With the subsequent development of three additional curative therapies, Gilead's commitment to eradicating HCV has been resolute. In the decade since the initial FDA approval, over 4 million individuals worldwide have benefited from Gilead's HCV medicines, contributing to the WHO's estimate of over 10 million people cured of HCV globally.
Carrie emphasizes the monumental shift from HCV being considered a death sentence to a condition that can now be effectively managed and cured by primary care providers. This progress not only offers hope to patients but also profoundly impacts clinicians who finally have highly effective treatment options at their disposal.
Moving towards the goal of global elimination by 2030
Presently, the antiviral therapy has gained approval in nearly 100 countries and is recognized as an Essential Medicine by the WHO. However, despite the availability of a cure, approximately 55 million individuals worldwide continue to live with HCV. In the United States alone, an estimated 2 to 4 million people are infected but remain undiagnosed or untreated.
Gilead has been collaborating with governments in regions of high prevalence to offer affordable treatment to vulnerable populations and countries disproportionately affected by the disease. For instance, in Egypt, where millions were affected by HCV, Gilead contributed to a successful initiative that screened 50 million individuals and treated 4 million, leading Egypt to become the first country on the path to complete HCV elimination.
Researchers are now directing their efforts towards the once unimaginable goal of eradicating the disease globally. Bruce reflects on the remarkable progress since the launch of the antiviral in 2013, highlighting that elimination seemed far-fetched back then but is now a tangible objective, with Gilead actively supporting the WHO's elimination plan for 2030. The rapid evolution of the field underscores the pace of advancement.
Although the elimination targets may appear ambitious, Gilead's endeavors serve as a testament to the significant strides made in a decade. Bruce emphasizes the rarity of developing a cure in one's lifetime, acknowledging Gilead's commitment to further research, particularly into a potential functional cure for hepatitis B. With the achievement of a cure for HCV in under three decades, Gilead remains dedicated to pursuing elimination until it is realized.