A twice-yearly injection described as the most promising HIV prevention tool in decades is poised to reach millions more people, with new generic versions priced at about $40 per patient per year. The Gates Foundation and Indian drugmaker Hetero Labs Ltd. are among the groups moving to produce the medication, lenacapavir, which Gilead Sciences Inc. sells in the US for a list price of more than $28,000 annually under the brand name Yeztugo.Another Indian manufacturer, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., is also s ...

In this article, we will be taking a look at the Top 10 AI-Powered Biotech Stocks to Buy Now. Gilead Sciences, Inc. is one of them. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD), headquartered in Foster City, California, continues to lead in antiviral and oncology therapies while advancing next-generation biologics through AI integration. Under CEO Daniel O’Day, the company is focusing on precision medicine and translational science to accelerate development and global patient access. In September 2025, Gilead Sci ...

Core Insights - Gilead Sciences, Inc. has received marketing authorization from the European Commission for its HIV prevention drug lenacapavir, branded as Yeytuo, which is administered twice a year [1][8] - The approval follows an accelerated review process by the European Medicines Agency, highlighting the drug's significance for public health [3][8] - Lenacapavir has shown superior efficacy in preventing HIV infections compared to daily oral Truvada, with clinical trial data supporting its effectiveness [5][10] Regulatory Approvals - Lenacapavir was also approved by the FDA in June 2025 for the same indication, branded as Yeztugo [2] - The European Commission's approval was based on positive recommendations from the CHMP and data from late-stage trials [3][4] Clinical Efficacy - In the phase III PURPOSE 1 study, lenacapavir demonstrated a 100% reduction in HIV infections among 2,134 participants [5] - The phase III PURPOSE 2 study reported only two HIV infections among 2,179 participants, indicating a 99.9% prevention rate [6] Market Position - The approval of lenacapavir strengthens Gilead's HIV portfolio, especially as its other prevention drug, Truvada, faces generic competition [10] - Gilead holds a leading market share in HIV treatments, with its flagship drug Biktarvy accounting for over 51% of the U.S. treatment market [12] Competitive Landscape - Lenacapavir is positioned as a long-acting injectable PrEP, addressing barriers associated with daily oral medications [11] - The competitive landscape includes ViiV Healthcare's Apretude, which is also a long-acting injectable approved for PrEP [13][14] Pricing and Coverage Issues - Gilead's Yeztugo has a U.S. list price exceeding $28,000 per year, and negotiations with CVS Health regarding coverage are ongoing [15]

Group 1 - The medical sector is active, with the largest medical ETF in A-shares (512170) seeing a price increase of over 1% and a trading volume of 322 million yuan, ranking first among similar ETFs [1] - The latest fund size of the medical ETF is 27.36 billion yuan, with significant gains in constituent stocks such as Meihao Medical, Kaili Medical, and Huaxi Biological, where Meihao Medical hit a 20% limit up [1] - Major weighted stocks like Mindray Medical and United Imaging also experienced gains exceeding 3% [1] Group 2 - Gilead Sciences announced a 100% prevention efficacy of its HIV-1 capsid inhibitor lenacapavir in phase 3 clinical trials [3] - Major companies like Midea and Haier are accelerating their investments in the healthcare sector, focusing on medical imaging and low-temperature storage [3] - The medical device sector is benefiting from policy support and innovation, with a focus on high-certainty performance in specific sub-sectors during the mid-year reporting period [3] Group 3 - The National Healthcare Security Administration has published an initial review list for innovative drugs, indicating a significant increase in the number of drug generic names passing initial review compared to 2024 [3] - The "anti-involution" principle in centralized procurement is established, leading to a gradual easing of policy impacts, which may improve profitability in the medical device industry [3] - The domestic leading companies in the in-vitro diagnostics field are rapidly increasing their market share, and high-value consumables are expected to see a recovery in performance and valuation due to the easing of centralized procurement policies [3]

Core Viewpoint - Gilead Sciences, Inc. is set to report its Q2 2025 results on August 7, with consensus estimates for sales at $6.95 billion and earnings per share (EPS) at $1.95, reflecting a positive trend in earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 [1][4][6]. Financial Performance - The earnings estimate for 2025 has risen to $8.02 from $7.91 per share over the past 60 days, while the estimate for 2026 has increased to $8.53 from $8.39 [1]. - Gilead's earnings surprise history shows that the company has beaten estimates in three of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 16.48% [2][3]. Sales Drivers - Strong sales from Gilead's HIV drugs, particularly Biktarvy and Descovy, are expected to support top-line growth in Q2, with estimates for Biktarvy at $3.4 billion and Descovy at $577 million [4][8]. - The company has recently received FDA approval for lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable HIV-1 capsid inhibitor, which is anticipated to enhance its HIV portfolio [8][16]. Market Dynamics - The introduction of a new Medicare Part D model may have impacted HIV sales due to increased cost-sharing obligations for low-income patients, which could affect overall sales [7][6]. - Gilead's liver disease portfolio is expected to benefit from higher demand for viral hepatitis medicines, with incremental sales from the newly approved drug Livdelzi [9][10]. Competitive Landscape - Gilead's cell therapy sales, particularly for Yescarta and Tecartus, are likely to have declined due to competitive pressures in both the U.S. and global markets [11][17]. - The oncology portfolio, including Trodelvy, is showing strong demand, although the cell therapy segment faces ongoing challenges [13][17]. Stock Performance and Valuation - Gilead's shares have increased by 22.5% year-to-date, outperforming the industry and the S&P 500 [14]. - The stock currently trades at a price/earnings ratio of 13.60x forward earnings, which is higher than its historical mean but lower than the large-cap pharma industry average [15]. Strategic Outlook - Gilead's strategic deals and acquisitions are seen as positive for diversifying its business, with ongoing collaborations to enhance its HIV treatment offerings [18][22]. - The company is viewed as a safe haven for investors in the biotech sector, with a strong dividend yield adding to its attractiveness [19][23].

Core Viewpoint - The FDA has approved Gilead's lenacapavir, a twice-yearly antiviral injection for HIV prevention, which could significantly impact global public health and help in the fight against the HIV epidemic [2][5]. Product Efficacy and Impact - Lenacapavir has shown the ability to virtually eliminate new HIV infections when administered every six months, outperforming existing daily pills and monthly injections [3][12]. - In clinical trials, the injection demonstrated a 99.9% efficacy rate, with only two infections among over 2,000 patients, proving to be 89% more effective than Gilead's daily pill Truvada [12][13]. Market Potential and Pricing - Analysts estimate lenacapavir could achieve peak sales of around $4 billion globally for both prevention and treatment [7]. - The current price for lenacapavir, under its treatment brand Sunlenca, exceeds $42,200 per year, but it could potentially be produced for as low as $26 to $40 annually [6]. Access and Distribution - Gilead plans to align the pricing of lenacapavir for HIV prevention with existing branded PrEP options, which are around $2,000 per month for daily pills [8]. - The company has licensed six generic manufacturers to produce lower-cost versions of the injection for 120 low- and lower-middle-income countries, and will supply doses for up to 2 million people at no profit before generics are available [9]. Challenges to Implementation - Proposed cuts to federal funding for HIV prevention, particularly affecting Medicaid, pose a significant threat to access for underserved populations [14][15]. - The potential reduction in funding could destabilize HIV prevention efforts and make it harder to distribute Gilead's injection effectively [16][17].

Core Insights - Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) has announced that the FDA has placed a clinical hold on studies for pipeline candidates GS-1720 and GS-4182 for HIV treatment due to safety concerns regarding CD4+ T-cell and lymphocyte counts [1][3][4] - Following the announcement, GILD shares fell by 2.6%, although the stock has gained 20% year-to-date, contrasting with a 0.5% decline in the industry [1] Gilead's HIV Treatment Pipeline - The clinical hold affects two phase II/III studies comparing the combination of GS-1720 and GS-4182 with Biktarvy in both virologically suppressed and treatment-naive HIV-1 patients, as well as three additional phase I studies [4][7] - Despite the setback, Gilead remains a market leader in HIV treatments, with Biktarvy accounting for over 51% of the U.S. treatment market [5][6] Market Performance and Future Prospects - Biktarvy continues to be the leading prescribed regimen for HIV-1 infection, while Descovy maintains over 40% market share in the PrEP market [6][7] - Gilead's late-stage studies for lenacapavir, which is under priority review for HIV prevention, could further solidify its position in the market [8] - However, Biktarvy sales may face pressure due to changes in Medicare Part D, impacting overall HIV growth [9] Competitive Landscape - Gilead faces competition from GSK plc, which is seeing strong demand for its HIV portfolio, including Cabenuva and Apretude [9][10]

Summary of Gilead's Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Gilead Sciences - **Industry**: Biotechnology Key Points and Arguments Growth Strategy - Gilead is focusing on three core franchises: virology (HIV), oncology, and inflammation, with a strong emphasis on diversifying beyond virology [3][4] - The company has a robust balance sheet and cash flows, allowing for effective management of operating expenses and investment in growth opportunities [4][5] HIV and Lenacapavir Launch - The launch of lenacapavir for HIV PrEP is imminent, with a PDUFA date set for June 19 [7] - Gilead has been advocating for funding core HIV services, and discussions with the government have been positive regarding support for these programs [8] - Lenacapavir is reported to be 100% effective in preventing HIV, with high community awareness expected to drive uptake [9][10] - The target population for PrEP in the U.S. is approximately 1.2 million, with current users around 400,000, primarily men who have sex with men [13][14] - Gilead aims to improve compliance among current users and expand access to underserved communities [15][16] Reimbursement and Coverage - Gilead expects high insurance coverage for lenacapavir, similar to existing PrEP medications, with an anticipated 70-75% coverage within six months post-launch [22][23] - The company has various support systems in place for individuals with HIV, ensuring access to treatment [24][25] Pipeline and Innovation - Gilead has multiple long-acting HIV programs in development, including a once-a-year injection expected to be available by 2028 [27][28] - The company is also working on alternatives to its leading HIV treatment, Biktarvy, with several programs in various stages of development [32][34] Oncology Developments - Gilead presented significant data at ASCO for Trodelvy in treating triple-negative breast cancer, which could become the new standard of care [36][40] - The oncology business is currently generating over $3 billion annually, with Trodelvy contributing over $1 billion [44] - Gilead is expanding its oncology pipeline with ongoing trials in various cancer types, including lung cancer and multiple myeloma [45][46] Business Development and Future Outlook - Gilead plans to continue investing in late-stage research and development, with a focus on mid-stage acquisitions to complement its portfolio [55][57] - The company is committed to returning value to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks [58] Regulatory Environment - Gilead is actively engaging with the administration regarding potential policy changes, including the MFN executive order, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to drug pricing [59][60] - The company believes it is less vulnerable to tariffs due to its significant U.S. presence and IP holdings [64][66] Additional Important Content - Gilead's long-term strategy includes exploring novel inflammation targets to complement its existing therapeutic areas [53] - The company is focused on maintaining a competitive edge in the biotechnology sector through innovation and strategic partnerships [54][66]

Core Insights - The FDA has accepted Gilead Sciences' New Drug Application for lenacapavir, an injectable HIV-1 capsid inhibitor for pre-exposure prophylaxis, with a target action date of June 19, 2025 [1] - Gilead's lenacapavir showed 100% efficacy in preventing HIV in cisgender women during the Phase 3 PURPOSE 1 trial, leading to a recommendation to offer the drug to all trial participants [2] - Gilead's stock has increased by approximately 74% since June of the previous year and around 21% year-to-date [3] Company Performance - Gilead is experiencing a turnaround in its stock performance, currently trading at 13.3 times forward earnings, which is below the pharmaceutical industry average of 14 [4] - Concerns exist regarding Gilead's past performance, where a previous stock surge due to hepatitis C treatment success was followed by a decline as demand waned [5] - The company aims to increase U.S. PrEP users to over one million by 2030 to achieve $4 billion in annual sales, with over 400,000 Americans currently using PrEP [6] Market Position - Gilead's HIV drug Biktarvy is protected from generic competition until 2033, positioning the company favorably compared to others facing patent expirations [6] - HIV product sales increased by 6% year-over-year to $4.59 billion in Q1 2025, indicating strong market performance [7] - Potential reductions in federal funding for HIV prevention programs could impact market dynamics, as noted by industry experts [8]

Core Viewpoint - Gilead Sciences, Inc. has demonstrated strong performance in a volatile market, with shares up 21.1% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the industry and the S&P 500 Index, which declined by 4.7% [1][8]. Group 1: HIV Market Leadership - Gilead is a dominant player in the HIV market, with its flagship drug Biktarvy accounting for over 51% of the treatment market share in the U.S. [4] - The company’s Descovy for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) maintains over 40% market share in the U.S. [5] - The FDA has accepted new drug applications for lenacapavir for HIV prevention, with a target action date of June 19, 2025, which could enhance Gilead's HIV franchise [5][6]. Group 2: Liver Disease Portfolio - The FDA approval of seladelpar (Livdelzi) for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) strengthens Gilead's liver disease portfolio and validates its CymaBay acquisition [7][9]. Group 3: Oncology Business Challenges - Gilead's oncology portfolio, including the Cell Therapy franchise and Trodelvy, faces competitive pressures, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, which are expected to continue into 2025 [10]. - Despite challenges, positive results from the phase III ASCENT-03 study on Trodelvy indicate potential for improvement in the oncology business [11]. Group 4: Financial Performance and Estimates - Gilead's shares trade at a price/earnings ratio of 13.70x forward earnings, lower than the large-cap pharma industry's average of 14.62x but higher than its historical mean of 10.53x [12]. - Earnings estimates for Gilead have increased, with the 2025 bottom-line estimate rising to $7.91 from $7.87, and the 2026 estimate improving to $8.39 from $8.31 [14]. Group 5: Strategic Positioning and Dividends - Gilead's strategic deals and acquisitions are aimed at diversifying its business, although Biktarvy sales may face pressure due to Medicare Part D redesign [17]. - The company has a strong cash position of $7.9 billion as of March 31, 2025, and has consistently increased dividends, declaring a quarterly dividend of $0.79 per share for Q2 2025, indicating a sustainable yield of 2.91% [18].