Biotech Pick: Gilead Sciences

NYSE: GILD
Gilead Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutics for the treatment of life-threatening infectious diseases. Its products include Truvada, Viread, Atripla, and Emtriva for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection in adults; Hepsera, an oral formulation for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B; AmBisome, amphotericin B liposome injection to treat serious invasive fungal infections; Flolan, an injected medication for the long-term intravenous treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary hypertension; and Vistide, an antiviral medication for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The company also offers Tamiflu, an oral antiviral for the treatment and prevention of influenza A and B; Macugen, an intravitreal injection for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration; Letairis, an endothelin receptor antagonist for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with WHO Class II or III symptoms; and Cicletanine, which is being evaluated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

My attention was drawn to this company after its acquisition of CV Therapeutics, Inc. for the rights to the Ranexa (ranolazine). With the positive prospects for this drug and Gilead's line of antiviral treatments, Gilead should be a stable, if not profitable investment for the medium term. Of current interest is Tamiflu for which it receives 20% royalties from Roche. With the outbreak of "swine flu," flu vaccine sales are poise to rise as is Gilead's bottom-line.