Gilead Sciences

Founder: Michael L. Riordan
CEO: Daniel O'Day 
CFO: Andrew Dickinson

Gilead Sciences, Inc., based in Foster City, California, is a leading American biopharmaceutical company specializing in antiviral medications. Founded in 1987 by Michael L. Riordan, Gilead has played a pivotal role in developing treatments for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, influenza, and COVID-19, with well-known drugs like Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir and Sofosbuvir.

The company, listed on the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index and S&P 500, has grown significantly since its IPO in 1992. Initially known as Oligogen, a reference to oligonucleotides, Gilead developed key drugs such as Tamiflu and Vistide in the 1990s, and later expanded its portfolio with Viread and Hepsera in the 2000s. While it transitioned from a biotech to a pharmaceutical giant through acquisitions, Gilead faced criticism for the high pricing of its groundbreaking drugs like Sovaldi and Truvada, especially in the U.S. relative to production costs and prices in developing countries. Despite the controversies, Gilead remains a key player in global healthcare, particularly in the fight against viral diseases.