LaunchTrends: Sovaldi and Olysio (US) (Wave 4) | 2015

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infections are a leading cause of advanced liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. The first-generation protease inhibitors were a major advancement in the standard of care for HCV patients, despite requiring use in prolonged combination regimens with pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin, as well as being associated with suboptimal tolerability and efficacy. The launches of Gilead’s polymerase inhibitor Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and Janssen’s protease inhibitor Olysio (simeprevir) greatly improved the treatment options, allowing for shorter treatment durations and higher cure rates, in addition to improved safety and tolerability profiles. Sovaldi is also the first product approved for use in peg-IFN-free regimens with ribavirin in certain HCV patients. HCV therapies have continued to evolve rapidly with the October 2014 launch of Gilead’s Harvoni (sofosbuvir/ledipasvir), which represents the first single-tablet HCV regimen approved. Competition for Harvoni quickly followed with approval of AbbVie’s Viekira Pak (ombitasvir/ritonavir/paritaprevir + dasabuvir) in December 2015. This report will track the trial, adoption, and use of Sovaldi and Olysio at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following launch—a period that captures the launches of Harvoni and Viekira Pak. The report series will provide information on how these products fit into the treatment algorithm, the impact of current therapies, and changes in market dynamics. The report also provides information on physician awareness of, and familiarity with, these products, their perceived clinical advantages and disadvantages, and physicians’ perspectives on the effectiveness of promotional messages and activities pertaining to Sovaldi and Olysio.