American biotechnology company, Gilead Sciences Inc (NASDAQ: GILD), yesterday announced HepConnect, a five-year, multi-million dollar initiative aimed at addressing the sharp increase in chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infections fuelled by the nation's opioid crisis.

In partnership with the Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC) and local organisations, the initiative is intended to support evidence-based solutions to meet the needs of people most affected by the opioid crisis in Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the increase in injection drug use has led to a more than tripling of new HCV infections in greater Appalachia. The CDC reports that in central Appalachia, HCV infections rose 364% between 2006 and 2012. Currently, 2.4 million people are living with HCV in the United States and an estimated 50% of those infected are not aware they have the virus.

HepConnect intends to prioritise three programmatic areas. These are to Expand Screening and Linkage to Care, Support Harm Reduction and Community Education and Activate Healthcare Infrastructure.

Gregg Alton, chief patient officer at Gilead, said, 'The statistics on HCV are alarming, and not enough people are paying attention. There is an urgent need to address the intersecting epidemics of HCV and the country's opioid crisis. Gilead's mission is to address unmet medical needs and public health challenges, including hepatitis C, HIV and other diseases. HepConnect offers an opportunity for us to use our expertise and resources to support communities in need.'