NEW YORK (AP) – Gilead Sciences Inc. and Johnson & Johnson’s Tibotec unit said they will collaborate to develop a new HIV pill that combines Tibotec’s Prezista with Gilead’s drug Emtriva and two experimental drugs.

The tablet would also include Gilead’s drug candidates cobicistat and GS 7340, which have not yet been approved. The companies said Gilead will be responsible for manufacturing the drug, and for handling the regulatory process and sales if it is approved. Tibotec will have the right to co-market the drug in some countries.

The agreement completes a deal the companies announced in June: Gilead and Tibotec said they would collaborate on a pill that combines Prezista with cobicistat.

Gilead and Tibotec also developed the two-in-one HIV drug Complera, which was approved in August. Complera combines Gilead’s drug Truvada with Johnson & Johnson’s Edurant.

Date: November 15, 2011
Source: Associated Press