Press release
Gilead Sciences Exercises Option to License Assembly Biosciences’ Helicase-Primase Inhibitor Programs for Recurrent Genital Herpes
– Weekly Oral Helicase-Primase Inhibitor Programs' Early Data Potentially Supportive of First New Treatment for Recurrent Genital Herpes in 25 Years – FOSTER
About this update from Gilead Sciences, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n– Weekly Oral Helicase-Primase Inhibitor Programs' Early Data Potentially Supportive of First New Treatment for Recurrent Genital Herpes in 25 Years –\n\n\n FOSTER CITY, Calif. & SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nGilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) and Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASMB), today announced Gilead has exercised its combined option to exclusively license Assembly Bio’s herpes simplex virus (HSV) helicase-primase inhibitor programs, including long-acting investigational candidates ABI-1179 and ABI-5366 for recurrent genital herpes. These represent the first programs Gilead will advance under the ongoing Assembly Bio R&D collaboration, reinforcing the companies’ commitment to building a novel antiviral pipeline and driving long-term growth through innovative therapies addressing significant unmet needs.\n\nThis press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251222410533/en/\nGenital herpes, caused by HSV, is a chronic infection that leads to painful lesions, psychological and social stigma, and an increased risk of HIV acquisition. Over four million people in the U.S. and major European countries experience recurrent genital herpes, with HSV type 2 (HSV-2) infections typically associated with multiple recurrences each year. No new therapies have been approved for HSV in the U.S. or Europe for more than 25 years.\n\n\n“At Gilead, we develop novel antiviral therapeutics that aim to deliver meaningful solutions that improve the lives of people affected by serious viral infections. Our research partnership with Assembly Bio has been highly fruitful, and we are excited to continue the clinical development of our herpes simplex virus candidates,“ said Jared Baeten, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Virology Therapeutic Area Head, Gilead Sciences. “Collaborations and partnerships are key in the pursuit of life-changing innovations.”\n\n\nABI-1179 and ABI-5366 are novel long-acting inhibitors of viral helicase-primase, an enzyme essential for herpes virus replication with the potential to improve chronic suppressive therapy for recurrent genital herpes. Positive interim Phase 1b data for ABI-5366 and ABI-1179 demonstrated strong antiviral activity and improvements in clinical outcomes, including significant reduction in virus-p...