On May 7, 2026 Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) reported its results of operations for the first quarter 2026.
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"Gilead teams have delivered another strong quarter with 8% year-over-year growth in our base business and 10% growth in HIV, supported by the successful launch of Yeztugo. We have raised our full year revenue guidance as a reflection of our performance," said Daniel O’Day, Gilead’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Building on the strongest pipeline in Gilead’s history, we are adding potentially best-in-disease assets and platforms in oncology and inflammation from our acquisitions of Arcellx, Ouro Medicines and Tubulis. With up to four potential launches and five Phase 3 updates anticipated in 2026, Gilead is well-positioned for sustained growth in the near and long term."
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Total first quarter 2026 revenues increased 4% to $7.0 billion compared to the same period in 2025, primarily driven by higher sales of HIV products, Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy), and Livdelzi (seladelpar), partially offset by lower sales of Veklury (remdesivir), as well as chronic hepatitis C virus ("HCV") and Cell Therapy products.
Diluted earnings per share ("EPS") was $1.61 in the first quarter 2026 compared to $1.04 in the same period in 2025. The increase was primarily driven by net unrealized gains from equity securities compared to net unrealized losses in 2025 and higher product sales, as well as lower acquired in-process research and development ("IPR&D") expenses. The increase was partially offset by higher income tax and selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses.
Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $2.03 in the first quarter 2026 compared to $1.81 in the same period in 2025. The increase was primarily driven by higher product sales and lower acquired IPR&D expenses, partially offset by higher income tax and SG&A expenses.
As of March 31, 2026, Gilead had $8.6 billion of cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities compared to $10.6 billion as of December 31, 2025. The decrease was primarily driven by $2.8 billion of debt repayments, $1.0 billion of dividend payments and $419 million of common stock repurchases, partially offset by $2.5 billion of operating cash flow.
First Quarter 2026 Product Sales
Total first quarter 2026 product sales increased 5% to $6.9 billion compared to the same period in 2025. Total first quarter 2026 product sales excluding Veklury increased 8% to $6.8 billion compared to the same period in 2025, primarily due to higher sales of HIV products, Trodelvy and Livdelzi, partially offset by lower sales of HCV and Cell Therapy products.
HIV product sales increased 10% to $5.0 billion in the first quarter 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, primarily driven by higher demand and average realized price, partially offset by unfavorable inventory dynamics.
Biktarvy(bictegravir 50mg/emtricitabine ("FTC") 200mg/tenofovir alafenamide ("TAF") 25mg) sales increased 7% to $3.4 billion in the first quarter 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, primarily driven by higher demand and average realized price, partially offset by unfavorable inventory dynamics.
Descovy(FTC 200mg/TAF 25mg) sales increased 38% to $807 million in the first quarter 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, primarily driven by higher average realized price and demand.
The Liver Disease portfolio sales increased 1% to $767 million in the first quarter 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, primarily reflecting higher demand for Livdelzi, partially offset by unfavorable inventory dynamics and lower sales for HCV products.
Veklury sales decreased 52% to $144 million in the first quarter 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, primarily driven by lower rates of COVID-19-related hospitalizations.
Cell Therapy product sales decreased 12% to $407 million in the first quarter 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, reflecting ongoing competitive headwinds.
Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) sales decreased 14% to $332 million in the first quarter 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, primarily driven by in- and out-of-class competition.
Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel) sales decreased 4% to $75 million in the first quarter 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, primarily driven by in-class competition.
Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) sales increased 37% to $402 million in the first quarter 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, primarily driven by higher demand, favorable inventory dynamics and higher average realized price.
First Quarter 2026 Product Gross Margin, Operating Expenses and Effective Tax Rate
Product gross margin was 79.2% in the first quarter 2026 compared to 76.7% in the same period in 2025. Non-GAAP product gross margin was 87.5% in the first quarter 2026 compared to 85.5% in the same period in 2025. These increases are primarily due to the expiration of a royalty-related obligation and product mix.
Research and development ("R&D") expenses remained relatively flat at $1.4 billion in the first quarter 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, primarily due to lower oncology clinical study activity and lower restructuring costs being fully offset by higher investment in virology clinical manufacturing. Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $1.4 billion in the first quarter 2026 compared to $1.3 billion in the same period in 2025, primarily driven by higher investment in virology clinical manufacturing, partially offset by lower oncology clinical study activity.
Acquired IPR&D expenses were $107 million in the first quarter 2026, primarily related to an $80 million upfront payment related to our collaboration with Suzhou Genhouse Bio Co., Ltd. ("Genhouse").
SG&A expenses were $1.5 billion in the first quarter 2026 compared to $1.3 billion in the same period in 2025, primarily driven by higher HIV promotional expenses and donations of equity securities made to the Gilead Foundation. Non-GAAP SG&A expenses were $1.4 billion in the first quarter 2026 compared to $1.2 billion in the same period in 2025, primarily due to higher HIV promotional expenses.
The effective tax rate ("ETR") was 21.7% in the first quarter 2026 compared to 20.2% in the same period in 2025. The non-GAAP ETR was 18.3% in the first quarter 2026 compared to 16.3% in the same period in 2025. These increases are primarily driven by a prior year state tax benefit that did not recur.
Guidance and Outlook
For the full year 2026, Gilead now expects:
(in millions, except per share amounts)
May 7, 2026 Guidance
Comparison to February 10, 2026 Guidance
Low End
High End
Product sales
$
30,000
$
30,400
Previously $29,600 to $30,000
Product sales excluding Veklury
$
29,400
$
29,800
Previously $29,000 to $29,400
Veklury
$
600
$
600
Unchanged
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
$
(3.25
)
$
(2.85
)
Previously $6.75 to $7.15
Non-GAAP diluted (loss) earnings per share
$
(1.05
)
$
(0.65
)
Previously $8.45 to $8.85
As compared to our February guidance, our updated full year 2026 GAAP and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share guidance was reduced by approximately $9.50 due to the anticipated acquired IPR&D charges of $11.5 billion as well as financing costs related to the Arcellx, Inc. ("Arcellx"), Ouro Medicines, LLC ("Ouro"), and Tubulis GmbH ("Tubulis") transactions discussed further below.
Additional information and a reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for the 2026 guidance is provided in the accompanying tables. The financial guidance is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. See the Forward-Looking Statements section below.
Key Updates Since Our Last Quarterly Release
Virology
Announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") accepted New Drug Application for bictegravir and lenacapavir ("BIC/LEN") for virologically suppressed people with HIV under priority review, with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act ("PDUFA") target action date of August 27, 2026.
Presented late-breaking Phase 3 results from the ARTISTRY-1 and ARTISTRY-2 trials at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), evaluating the investigational daily oral single-tablet regimen of BIC/LEN for virologically suppressed people with HIV. BIC/LEN maintained high levels of virologic suppression, demonstrating comparable efficacy to complex regimens and to Biktarvy at Week 48 in people with HIV who switched antiretroviral therapy. These data support global regulatory filings.
Announced a $12 million investment to the Community Health Worker Comprehensive HIV Prevention Initiative program to expand HIV prevention initiatives across 14 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Announced a new investment from the U.S. State Department, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief ("PEPFAR") and The Global Fund to deliver lenacapavir for HIV prevention to an additional 1 million people, bringing the total commitment up to 3 million people in countries supported by both PEPFAR and the Global Fund.
Oncology
Completed the acquisition of Arcellx for $115 per share, or an implied equity value of $7.8 billion, and one contingent value right of $5 per share. This acquisition builds on an existing collaboration agreement with Arcellx for the development of anitocabtagene autoleucel ("anito-cel") in relapsed or refractory ("R/R") multiple myeloma ("MM"), and also adds Arcellx’s D-Domain BCMA binder that has the potential to strengthen Gilead’s portfolio in oncology and inflammation.
Announced that the Biologics License Application for anito-cel in 4L+ R/R MM has been accepted by FDA, with a PDUFA target action date of December 23, 2026.
Announced a definitive agreement to acquire Tubulis, a private clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation antibody-drug conjugates ("ADC"), including lead asset TUB-040, a NaPi2b-directed topoisomerase-I inhibitor ADC currently in Phase 1b/2 development for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Closing of the transaction is subject to expiration or termination of certain regulatory filings and other customary conditions.
Received FDA full approval for Tecartus in adult patients with R/R mantle cell lymphoma, following an accelerated approval in this setting in July 2020. Tecartus’ label now includes efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic data from Cohort 3 of the ZUMA-2 study in patients who are R/R after one or more lines of therapy and who are Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor-naïve.
Inflammation
Announced a definitive agreement to acquire Ouro, a private clinical-stage biotechnology company developing T cell engager ("TCE") therapies for autoimmune diseases. This acquisition adds Ouro’s lead asset, OM336 (gamgertamig), a BCMAxCD3 TCE, to Gilead’s portfolio. Closing of the transaction is subject to expiration or termination of certain regulatory filings and other customary conditions. Gilead has entered into a framework agreement with Galapagos NV ("Galapagos") in relation to this acquisition, which includes equally splitting the $1.675 billion upfront payment and up to $500 million in milestone payments, among other terms.
Corporate
The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.82 per share of common stock for the second quarter of 2026. The dividend is payable on June 29, 2026, to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 15, 2026. Future dividends will be subject to Board approval.
Certain amounts and percentages in this press release may not sum or recalculate due to rounding.
Conference Call
At 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time today, Gilead will host a conference call to discuss Gilead’s results. A live webcast will be available on View Source and will be archived on www.gilead.com for one year.
(Press release, Gilead Sciences, MAY 7, 2026, View Source [SID1234665389])