Biotech Values

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Gilead market position strengthened after Viekira Pak warning, says Leerink

After speaking with two hepatitis C virus specialists, Leerink analyst Seamus Fernandez believes the FDA warning of serious liver injury risk with AbbVie (ABBV) and Enanta's Viekira Pak strengthens Gilead's market position. The specialists believe the FDA warning letter could scare off some physicians from prescribing Viekira Pak in any cirrhotic patients, regardless of Child-Pugh class, Fernandez tells investors in a research note. This should firm up Gilead's position in the market given the "impressive" safety and efficacy seen with Sovaldi-containing regimens across almost all patient subsets, the analyst contends.