Harvoni added benefit for patients with HCV/HIV coinfection

In a manufacturer dossier assessment conducted by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care in Germany, Harvoni was deemed to have an added benefit for patients with hepatitis C genotype 1a virus infection and HIV without cirrhosis, according to a press release.

The dossier assessment is a procedural part of the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products Act, overseen by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA). The G-BA conducts a commenting procedure once the dossier assessment is complete and then determines the extent of the added benefit determined by the Institute for Quality and Efficacy in Health Care (IQWiG).

The assessment was based on additional data from five clinical studies submitted by Gilead Sciences. The information led the IQWiG to conclude that SVR achieved by patients without HIV coinfection was “transferable” to patients with HIV coinfection without cirrhosis. However, the extent of the added benefit in this population of patients is “non-quantifiable” due to the fact it is unclear in how many patients with undetectable viral load prevention of late complications and liver cancer can be achieved, according to the release.

The European Commission granted marketing authorization to Gilead Sciences for Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, Gilead) for the treatment of adults with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection and those with genotype 4 infection in November 2014.

Harvoni was approved by the FDA in October 2014 as the first combination pill for treatment of chronic HCV genotype 1 that does not require interferon or ribavirin for administration. – by Melinda Stevens