Gilead(US:GILD)2025-11-19 15:02Summary of Gilead Sciences Conference Call Company Overview - Company: Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS:GILD) - Event: Jefferies Healthcare London Conference - Date: November 19, 2025 Key Points Industry and Company Performance - Gilead has experienced significant growth in its base business over the past three years, with base revenues (excluding COVID antiviral) growing 7% in 2023 and 5% in the current year despite a $1.1 billion headwind from Medicare Part D reform, indicating a potential 9%-10% growth in the base business [3][4] - The company has diversified its portfolio into virology, HIV, oncology, and inflammation, with a notable increase in R&D spending, which has more than doubled since 2016 [2][3] Capital Allocation and M&A Strategy - Gilead is focused on building a commercial infrastructure around assets rather than pursuing bolt-on acquisitions, with an annual business development budget of over $1 billion for partnerships and small acquisitions [5][6] - Recent acquisitions include a STAT6 degrader for inflammation and an in vivo cell therapy company, Interius, for a couple hundred million dollars [6] - The company is prioritizing late-stage, de-risked assets that synergize with its existing commercial infrastructure, with no major patent cliffs until 2036 [7][8] Market Dynamics and Opportunities - Gilead is increasingly looking to China for partnerships and acquisitions, with over half of its business development priorities for 2025 coming from Chinese companies, a significant increase from 5% five years ago [9][10] - The launch of Yeztugo, a long-acting HIV prevention drug, is underway, with $54 million in sales reported and guidance of nearly $100 million for the fourth quarter [11][14] - The HIV prevention market is transitioning from daily oral medications to long-acting injectables, with over 75% of covered lives having unrestricted access to Yeztugo [15][16] Product Launch and Market Potential - Yeztugo is positioned to open a new chapter in HIV prevention, with groundbreaking studies showing 100% and 99.9% prevention rates in different populations [12][13] - The CDC has recently doubled its estimates for the addressable PrEP market from 1.2 million to 2.2 million, indicating significant growth potential [33] - Gilead expects the market to be split 50% oral and 50% injectables by 2030, with ongoing development of a once-yearly injectable version of Yeztugo [32][35] Future Pipeline and Innovations - Gilead is advancing multiple late-stage trials in its HIV treatment portfolio, including a new daily combination regimen and a six-month infusion treatment for patients not controlled on existing therapies [38][41] - The company is also developing anito-cel, a BCMA cell therapy for multiple myeloma, with plans to file for approval by the end of 2025 and launch by late 2026 [44][46] Manufacturing and Competitive Advantage - Gilead has built a robust manufacturing infrastructure for cell therapies, with the capacity to treat up to 24,000 patients by 2026, providing a competitive edge in reliability and speed compared to competitors [46][47] Additional Insights - The company emphasizes the importance of adherence in HIV prevention, noting that long-acting injectables guarantee adherence, which is a significant advantage over daily oral medications [36] - Gilead's approach to market growth is characterized by steady, durable, and consistent growth rather than rapid spikes, reflecting a long-term strategy for its product launches [27][28]