Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD Quick QuoteGILD - Free Report) presented encouraging preliminary data from four pre-clinical and phase I studies evaluating its experimental once-daily integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), bictegravir (GS-9883), for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Data were presented at the American Society of Microbiology Conference.

Results showed that bictegravir demonstrated a favorable pharmacokinetics and resistance profile when compared to currently available INSTIs – Tivicay (dolutegravir), Vitekta (elvitegravir) and Isentress (raltegravir).  While bictegravir alone was highly effective against HIV-1 infected target cells, in combination with tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), Emtriva (emtricitabine) and Prezista (darunavir), it was highly synergistic against HIV-1. On the safety front, it was found to be well tolerated with no serious adverse events (AEs) and no discontinuations due to AEs.

We note that a single tablet regimen of bictegravir is currently being evaluated in phase III studies in combination with TAF and Emtriva for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.

HIV is Gilead’s one of the primary areas of focus. The company has three other TAF-based regimens that recently gained FDA approval for the treatment of HIV-1 infection – Descovy, Odefsey and Genvoya. While Genvoya and Descovy are already approved in the EU, Odefsey is under review in the same.

Gilead is a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) stock. Some better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ANIP Quick QuoteANIP - Free Report) , Retrophin, Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY Quick QuoteBMY - Free Report) . All three stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

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