Gilead asks FDA to approve new HIV drug combo

FOSTER CITY, Calif.

Drugmaker Gilead Sciences Inc. said Tuesday it asked the Food and Drug Administration to approve a single pill combination of its HIV treatment Truvada and Tibotec Pharmaceuticals' rilpivirine.

The companies have been working together to develop the combination since July of 2009.

Gilead already sells Atripla, which combines three HIV drugs, including the components of Truvada. Atripla and Truvada make up the bulk of Gilead's revenue.

Tibotec, a unit of Johnson & Johnson, is responsible for developing rilpivirine as a standalone drug.