GSK's Epzicom comparable to Truvada

GlaxoSmithKline says that 96-week data from the HEAT study show that once-daily Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine) provides comparable efficacy to once-daily Truvada (tenofovir plus emtricitabine) as a first-line option for the treatment of HIV, according to data presented at the 2008 International AIDS Conference, in Mexico City.

In the trial, 96-week efficacy endpoints for the UK drug major's product were comparable to Truvada, regardless of baseline viral load. 60% of subjects versus 58% of those on Truvada achieved a viral load of less than 50 c/mL and also experienced similar median CD4+ cell increases to those patients receiving Truvada, 250 vs 247. Overall, both regimens were generally well-tolerated with comparable safety profiles and few study discontinuations due to adverse events (6% for both treatment arms). Virologic failure occurred in 14% of patients for both groups, noted the London-headquartered drugmaker.

"The result of the HEAT trial further demonstrates that Epzicom is an effective first-line option for treatment-naive HIV patients with a well-established safety profile," said John Pottage, vice president of global clinical development at GSK. "This study provides the first, head-to-head, completed study comparing these two HIV treatments and demonstrates comparable results between the two," he added.