Although great focus at the just-completed American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases conference was placed on treatment of genotype 3 infections in hepatitis C, the most difficult HCV subpopulation to cure is patients in any genotype who have decompensated cirrhosis. A recent labeling change for AbbVie Inc.'s HCV combination therapies may make this one more treatment niche where Gilead Sciences Inc. will enjoy a competitive edge.
Following an FDA safety alert Oct. 22 about liver failure and deaths in patients taking AbbVie's two HCV drugs – Viekira Pak (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir tablets; dasabuvir tablets) and Technivie (ombitasvir, paritaprevir...