Six weeks of Gilead Sciences’ Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir) can cure acute, or very recent, infections with hepatitis C virus (HCV). German researchers conducted a pilot study of 20 acutely infected individuals, giving them six weeks of Harvoni. Findings were presented at the 51st International Liver Congress in Barcelona.

The participants’ known risk factors for acquiring hep C were sexual exposure (11 people), medical procedures or needle-stick injuries (5 people), drug use (1 person) and nail treatment complications (1 person).

All 20 of the participants achieved a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after completing therapy (SVR12, considered a cure).

Fatigue was the most common side effect, reported by 30 percent of the participants.

A study presented at a February medical conference found that six weeks of Harvoni cured 77 percent of those with acute hep C.

To read a press release about the study, click here.