BRIEF—Gilead to end HIV deal with Japan Tabacco/Torii

Torii Pharmaceutical and Japan Tobacco have agreed to terminate the license agreements by which JT grants Torii the exclusive rights to market the six anti-HIV drugs on behalf of US firm Gilead Sciences in Japan and at yesterday’s Torii board of directors meeting the resolution on the termination of the license agreements was adopted.

Gilead notified JT that it has decided to manage the regulatory approval process and market a novel anti-HIV drug Biktarvy (bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide tablets)., developed by Gilead in Japan, through Gilead Sciences KK.

Torii's sales of the drugs totaled 19.7 billion yen ($177 million) last year.