Gilead Sciences, Johnson & Johnson Plan HIV Collaboration

A Johnson & Johnson unit, Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, is partnering with Gilead Sciences Inc. to develop a pair of HIV combination treatments. The companies said they have agreed to collaborate on a pill that combines J & J's Prezista with cobicistat, a Gilead drug candidate that is designed to boost the effectiveness of other antiretroviral medicines. In addition, the firms are negotiating on combining Prezista with Gilead's HIV drug Emtriva, along with another Gilead candidate called GS 7340. GS 7340 is a version of Viread, an older Gilead drug. Tibotec would be responsible for formulating the first treatment as well as for manufacturing, regulatory matters and sales. Gilead would lead development and sales of the second product. The deal will not be considered complete until the companies come to an agreement on the second combination pill.

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