Press release
Gilead Announces $8 Million in Grant Funding for Viral Hepatitis Relink Program in the U.S.
– Funding Will Support the Re-Engagement of Diagnosed but Untreated People Living with HCV and HBV in the United States into Care – FOSTER CITY,
About this update from Gilead Sciences, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n– Funding Will Support the Re-Engagement of Diagnosed but Untreated People Living with HCV and HBV in the United States into Care –\n\n\n FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nGilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced it is providing a total of $8 million in funding through a new grant program in the United States called Gilead Relink, which is focused on bringing diagnosed but untreated people living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) back into care. The CDA Foundation (CDAF), based in Lafayette, Colorado, will act as the lead organization for the program and be responsible for implementing and overseeing Gilead Relink, including distributing funds to grantees identified by CDAF that meet certain criteria, integral strategic planning and technical assistance.\n\n\nDespite the availability of existing treatments and HBV vaccination options, in the United States an estimated 2.4 million people are living with HCV, and 850,000 are estimated to be living with HBV according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Both HCV and HBV are responsible for increasing rates of cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and premature deaths. Recognizing the growing risk of viral hepatitis, the World Health Organization (WHO) has set a global target to eliminate it as a public health threat by 2030. Despite the availability of oral drugs with high cure rates for HCV and effective therapies for HBV, this goal has been impeded because many people diagnosed with viral hepatitis are unaware of their infection, do not seek follow-up care, or delay treatment.\n\n\nThe Gilead Relink grant program aims to identify and bridge the gaps that remain in linking people living with HCV and HBV back to necessary care and treatment by prioritizing three programmatic areas – utilizing evidence-based solutions, leveraging successful intervention and data collection models, and emphasizing knowledge sharing and convening.\n\n\n“Gilead has been committed to improving the lives of people living with liver disease for more than two decades, and we are thrilled to expand our support to healthcare organizations through the new Gilead Relink grant program,” said Macky Natha, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Gilead Sciences. “As we work toward eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, we must address bar...