Gilead Sciences Announces Phase III Clinical Program Evaluating Tenofovir

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Gilead Sciences Announces Initiation of Phase III Clinical Program

Evaluating Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate for the Treatment of Chronic

Hepatitis B Virus

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FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 2005--Gilead Sciences, Inc.

(Nasdaq: GILD - News) today announced that it has begun enrolling patients

in its Phase III clinical program evaluating the oral antiviral drug

tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (tenofovir DF) for the treatment of chronic

hepatitis B. Two Phase III clinical trials (Studies 102 and 103) will

evaluate tenofovir DF among patients with either hepatitis B " e " antigen

(HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B or HBeAg-negative/anti-hepatitis B " e "

positive (anti-HBe positive) chronic hepatitis B.

" Gilead has already brought to market Hepsera, an important antiviral for

the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, " said Norbert Bischofberger, PhD,

Executive Vice President, Research and Development, Gilead Sciences. " We are

pleased to now initiate our second clinical program in this therapeutic

area, underscoring our dedication to and investment in exploring new

treatment options for hepatitis B. "