European CHMP Adopts Positive Opinion for Gilead’s Zydelig® (idelalisib) for the Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Follicular Lymphoma

FOSTER CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jul. 25, 2014– Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), has adopted a positive opinion on the company’s Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Zydelig® (idelalisib 150 mg film-coated tablets), a first-in-class treatment for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and follicular lymphoma (FL), the most common subtype of indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL). The CHMP opinion supports the use of Zydelig in combination with rituximab for the treatment of adult patients with CLL who have received at least one prior therapy or, as first-line treatment in CLL patients in the presence of 17p deletion or TP53 mutation in patients unsuitable for chemo-immunotherapy and also as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with FL that is refractory to two prior lines of treatment. The CHMP’s recommendation will now be reviewed by the European Commission, which has the authority to approve medicines for use in the 28 countries of the European Union (EU).

CLL and FL are slow-growing incurable blood cancers that can lead to life-threatening complications such as anemia, serious infection and bone marrow failure requiring treatment. Relapse commonly occurs after initial chemo-immunotherapy and many patients with relapsed CLL or FL are unable to tolerate chemotherapy, which may limit their treatment options.

The CHMP positive opinion for Zydelig is based on data from two clinical trials – Study 116 and Study 101-09. Study 116, a pivotal Phase 3 trial, investigated the efficacy and safety of Zydelig in combination with rituximab in patients with previously treated CLL. The Phase 2 101-09 study assessed the efficacy and safety of Zydelig in patients with iNHL who are refractory to rituximab and alkylating agents. Results of Study 116 and Study 101-09 were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in March 2014.

The most commonly reported adverse reactions (incidence ≥20 percent) were diarrhea, pyrexia, fatigue, nausea, cough, abdominal pain and chills. Additionally, grade 3 or 4 elevations in ALT and AST (indicators of liver function) have been observed in clinical trials of Zydelig. Grade 3 or 4 pneumonitis and Grade 3 or 4 diarrhea/colitis were also observed in some patients in the clinical trials.

Zydelig is an investigational product and its safety and efficacy have not been established in the European Union.

About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences 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 worldwide. Headquartered in Foster City, California, Gilead has operations in North and South America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

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, including the risk that physicians and patients may not see advantages of Zydelig over other therapies and may therefore be reluctant to prescribe the product. In addition, European and other regulatory agencies may not approve Zydelig in the currently anticipated timelines or at all, and any marketing approvals, if granted, may have significant limitations on its use. Further, additional studies of Zydelig may produce unfavorable results. 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 March 31, 2014, 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.

Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.