Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc., is awarded prestigious Prix Galien Canada Innovative Product Award

- HARVONI® for Chronic Hepatitis C Transforms Treatment and Increases Cure Rates for Patients with the Most Common Genotype of the Disease -

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 23, 2016 /CNW/ - Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc. (Gilead Canada) today announced that HARVONI^® (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir), the first once daily single tablet regimen for the treatment of chronic genotype 1 (GT1) hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults, has been awarded the 2016 Prix Galien Canada – Innovative Product Award.  As a prestigious Award in pharmaceutical research and development, the Prix Galien Canada – Innovative Product Award is presented to a company that has developed and launched a drug product in the Canadian market, and has made the most significant overall contribution to patient care in Canada in terms of innovation, efficacy, safety and therapeutic benefits.

"At Gilead, we continue to be inspired and motivated by the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics to improve lives in areas of unmet needs," said Dr. Josée Brisebois, Medical Director, Gilead Canada.  "HARVONI, an example of our ongoing commitment to hepatitis C drug innovation, represents a significant advance in treatment options for patients with GT1 HCV infection.  HARVONI simplifies treatment with high cure rates and limited side effects.  Since its approval in 2014, 13,000 patients in Canada have been treated with HARVONI."

The Public Health Agency of Canada estimates that more than 250,000 people are chronically infected with HCV.  Approximately 44 per cent of these individuals are unaware they are infected and remain undiagnosed.  Left untreated, HCV can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver transplantation, and is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality in Canada.

"Gilead Canada wishes to thank the Prix Galien Canada Jury, comprised of independent and eminent specialists involved in the sphere of Canadian and pharmaceutical research, for its recognition of HARVONI as a treatment that has transformed the way people with chronic GT1 HCV infection in Canada are treated," said Dr. Brisebois.  "Gilead believes that access to innovative therapies, such as HARVONI, is an important step forward to successfully cure even more people.  We continue to work with our partners to find efficient ways to reduce our country's burden of chronic hepatitis C virus infection."

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative therapeutics in areas of unmet medical need.  The company's mission is to advance the care of patients suffering from life-threatening diseases.  Gilead has operations in more than 30 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.  Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc., is the Canadian affiliate of Gilead Sciences, Inc. and was established in Mississauga, Ontario in 2005. 

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors. These risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements.  The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements.  These and other risks are described in detail in Gilead's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Gilead, and Gilead assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

For more information on Gilead Sciences, please visit the company's website at www.Gilead.com, follow Gilead on Twitter (@GileadSciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at
1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.

SOURCE Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Karen M. Chow, Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc., [phone]; Robert Eakins, Eakins Communications, [phone]