Gilead Sciences, Inc. and LG Life Sciences, Ltd. announced that the companies have entered into an exclusive license agreement focused on the development of caspase inhibitors for the treatment of fibrotic diseases. The agreement grants Gilead commercialization rights to LGLS’ caspase inhibitors, including LB84451, LGLS’ lead compound.

Caspases are cellular proteases involved in processes such as apoptosis (cell death) and inflammation. By inhibiting various caspases, it may be possible to slow or stop the progression of fibrosis in the liver for patients with chronic viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), as well as potentially in other fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

“We look forward to working closely with the LG Life Sciences team to advance their clinical program for patients with hepatic fibrosis and to explore other potential indications,” said John C. Martin, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gilead Sciences. “Treatment of fibrosis represents an area of significant unmet medical need and one that we believe aligns well with our interest and experience in both liver and pulmonary diseases.”

About LB84451

LB84451 is an oral, once-daily pan-caspase inhibitor that demonstrated safety and tolerability in healthy volunteers in a 14-day Phase I study. A Phase IIa study designed to assess the safety, tolerability, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of the compound among hepatitis C infected individuals is currently ongoing in Europe.

For further information, please visit www.gilead.com

Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc. Press Release 11/06/07; content edited for space