In December 2002. Triangle Pharmaceuticals (NADAQ:VIRS) was acquired by Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) - itself an SBIR involved firm. Triangle Pharmaceuticals had been a biopharmaceutical developing solutions for serious viral diseases, with a particular focus on therapies for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the hepatitis B virus. The company had developed a portfolio of antiviral drug candidates in advanced stages of development including Coviracil (emtricitabine) for HIV and HBV, amdoxovir for HIV and clevudine for HBV. Triangle also developed immunotherapies for HIV. A leading antiviral biotechnology company. Gilead was itself a research-based biopharmaceutical company with primary areas of focus including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, serious respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic conditions, cancer and inflammation. Gilead's portfolio of fourteen marketed products includes five targeting HIV/AIDS, including Atripla, the first single-tablet daily regimen for HIV infection which was initially approved in the US in 2006 and which includes emtricitabine as a key ingredient.
