(Yicai) March 28 -- Gilead Sciences is expanding its research and development presence in China, aiming to synchronize the global launch of innovative drugs to provide Chinese patients with faster access to treatments, according to the general manager of the American company’s local arm.

Gilead is accelerating R&D efforts to bring groundbreaking therapies to Chinese patients as early as possible, Jim Jin, GM of Gilead China, said to Yicai during the latest annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver. Currently, Gilead is involved in or preparing for about 20 global clinical trials in China, several of which are in Phase II or Phase III.

The California-based pharmaceutical firm is actively developing and fast-tracking new medicines for liver diseases. Its Epclusa oral pellets have been introduced in a pilot program in Boao, Hainan province, offering a new treatment option for children patients with chronic hepatitis C. Additionally, Gilead is working to provide early access to Seladelpar, a therapy for primary biliary cholangitis, a chronic and progressive liver disease that can lead to cirrhosis.

China has approved five of Gilead’s innovative viral hepatitis treatments, four of which are covered by national medical insurance. The company has also made significant contributions to disease prevention, working with over 100 pharmacy chains, major online hospitals, and e-commerce platforms to expand its distribution channels. Through collaborations with hospitals, Gilead has helped screen over 480,000 individuals for hepatitis C and conducted more than 180,000 hepatitis B-related tests.

Beyond treatment, the company is promoting standardized care by partnering with hospitals to implement hepatitis B guidelines, referral systems, and clinician training programs. It is also driving public awareness campaigns to educate people and reduce disease stigma.

Looking ahead, Gilead plans to deepen its focus on liver diseases and other core therapeutic areas, leveraging advanced R&D and strategic collaborations to offer new hope to patients in China and worldwide, Jin said.

At APASL 2025, held in Beijing from March 26 to 30, Gilead presented 31 research findings on liver diseases. These included data from the Chinese cohort of its Phase III trial for Tenofovir alafenamide, a drug used to treat chronic hepatitis B, as well as results from studies on Seladelpar in Asian patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

Editor: Emmi Laine