Gilead Sciences (Foster City, CA) Release: Data Show Efficacy Of Standard Dosing Regimen Of AmBisome(R) Is Similar To High Loading Dose For Patients With Invasive Fungal Infections

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2005-- AmBiLoad Study Evaluated Optimum Use of AmBisome for Patients With Life-Threatening Infections Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:GILD) today announced results from its clinical trial known as AmBiLoad, which compared a 3 mg/kg/day treatment course of AmBisome(R) (amphotericin B) liposome for injection versus a 10 mg/kg/day loading regimen for the initial two weeks of treatment in immunocompromised patients with invasive aspergillosis and other life-threatening fungal infections. In this study the overall rate of response for the two dosing regimens at end of treatment were associated with similar efficacy and survival (50 percent in the standard dosing group versus 46 percent in the high loading-dose group). The 3 mg/kg/day dose was better tolerated in this study. Results of the AmBiLoad clinical trial were presented today by Oliver A. Cornely, MD, Clinic of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany (Poster #3222) at the American Society of Hematology 47th Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.