Robert Hindes, MD, previously served as vice president of clinical development at Pharmasset, where he helped develop sofosbuvir, a hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleotide now owned by Gilead and marketed as Sovaldi. While at Pharmasset, Robert Hindes, MD, led the Phase 2 and 3 programs for sofosbuvir.
In November 2013, Harvoni was approved for the treatment of individuals with HCV genotype 1,2,3, and 4, and in October 2014, the combination of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir was approved, and marketed as Harvoni.
Prior to 2013, the standard treatment for patients infected with HCV included teleprevir or boceprevir combined with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. While this combination benefitted many patients, a large number were unresponsive to these regimens. Patients had to undergo 24 to 48 weeks of treatment, which could include side effects such as depression, fatigue, and cytopenia (a reduction of red blood cells that could result in anemia). The treatment period includes the administration of weekly interferon injections, which were poorly tolerated by some patients.
In November 2013, Harvoni was approved for the treatment of individuals with HCV genotype 1,2,3, and 4, and in October 2014, the combination of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir was approved, and marketed as Harvoni.
Prior to 2013, the standard treatment for patients infected with HCV included teleprevir or boceprevir combined with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. While this combination benefitted many patients, a large number were unresponsive to these regimens. Patients had to undergo 24 to 48 weeks of treatment, which could include side effects such as depression, fatigue, and cytopenia (a reduction of red blood cells that could result in anemia). The treatment period includes the administration of weekly interferon injections, which were poorly tolerated by some patients.