Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: What do you think of Gilead Sciences, a maker of a new antiviral drug that’s very effective against hepatitis C? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Gilead Sciences Inc., $82.20, symbol GILD on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 1.5 billion; Market cap: $123.3 billion; www.gilead.com), discovers, develops and markets treatments for viruses. The company has a number of drugs on the market, including AmBisome (an antifungal agent), Emtriva (for HIV), Tamiflu (influenza), Vistide (for cytomegalovirus retinitis—or an inflammation of the retina—in AIDS patients) and Hepsera (for hepatitis B). Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, as well as a group of viral infections that also affect the liver. The most common types are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason why patients need liver transplants. Gilead has developed a range of treatments to counteract hepatitis C, including its Sovaldi drug, which it started selling in December 2013. Sovaldi is more expensive than its main competitor, but it’s also more effective. This is one of the major reasons why Gilead shares have gained nearly 50% in the past…