January 29, 1998

Gilead Announces Fourth Quarter and 1997 Year-end Financial Results

Foster City, CA -- January 29, 1998

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) announced today its results of operations for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1997. For this quarter, the Company reported revenues from net product sales of $2.4 million, revenues from collaborative agreements of $7.0 million and revenues from product royalties of $0.5 million, for total revenues of $9.9 million and net interest income of $4.8 million. This compares to revenues from net product sales of $3.7 million, revenues from collaborative agreements of $2.0 million and revenues from product royalties of $12,000, for total revenues of $5.8 million and net interest income of $4.1 million for the same quarter in 1996. The net loss for the three months ended December 31, 1997 was $12.4 million or $0.42 per share, compared to a net loss of $8.1 million or $0.28 per share for the same quarter in 1996.

The net revenues from product sales were derived from the sale of VISTIDE® (cidofovir injection), which Gilead markets independently in the United States for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in patients with AIDS. The other revenues were received as a result of collaborations with corporate partners, including milestone payments, contract revenues for research and development projects and royalties on product sales of VISTIDE in the European Union, sold by Gilead's partner Pharmacia & Upjohn. Gilead also received royalties from Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. for co-promoting Roferon¨-A (Interferon alfa-2a, recombinant) in the United States for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection.

The Company also announced its results of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997. For the full year, the Company reported revenues from net product sales of $11.7 million, revenues from collaborative agreements of $27.4 million and revenues from product royalties of $0.9 million, for total revenues of $40.0 million and net interest income of $17.8 million. For the year ended December 31, 1996, Gilead reported revenues from net product sales of $8.5 million (derived from the sale of VISTIDE launched in June 1996), revenues from collaborative agreements of $24.9 million and revenues from product royalties of $33,000, for total revenues of $33.4 million and net interest income of $14.3 million. The net loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997 was $28.0 million or $0.95 per share, compared to a net loss of $21.7 million or $0.78 per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 1996.

During 1997, revenues from collaborative agreements included a one-time $10.0 million milestone payment from Pharmacia & Upjohn following the marketing authorization of VISTIDE in the European Union in April. In addition, Gilead received $6.0 million in milestone payments, plus reimbursement of research and development expenses, from its partner F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. These payments are associated with the collaboration between Gilead and Roche to develop orally administered compounds for the treatment and prevention of viral influenza. Gilead and Roche are now testing the lead compound from this class, GS 4104, in Phase II/III human studies in the United States, Europe, Canada and Hong Kong.

As of December 31, 1997, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $322.3 million compared to $296.0 million at December 31, 1996. This increase is primarily the result of cash received from corporate partners, including the $10.0 million cash milestone payment and a $40.0 million equity investment by Pharmacia & Upjohn upon the European approval of VISTIDE.

Gilead Sciences is an independent biopharmaceutical company that seeks to provide accelerated treatment solutions for patients and the people who care for them. The Company discovers, develops and commercializes proprietary therapeutics for important viral diseases, including a currently marketed product, VISTIDE (cidofovir injection), for the treatment of CMV retinitis, a sight-threatening viral infection in patients with AIDS. In addition, the Company is developing products to treat diseases caused by HIV, hepatitis B virus and influenza virus. Gilead common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol GILD.

GILEAD SCIENCES, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three months ended December 31,Year ended December 31,
1997199619971996
(unaudited)(note 1)
Revenues
     Product sales, net$ 2,419$ 3,722$ 11,735$ 8,477
     Contract revenues6,9752,04727,41324,910
     Royalty revenues5151288933
Total revenues9,9095,78140,03733,420
Costs and expenses
     Cost of sales1723621,167910
     Research and development20,03610,87359,16241,881
     Selling, general and administrative6,9476,74525,47226,692
Total costs and expenses27,15517,98085,80169,483
Loss from operations(17,246)(12,199)(45,764)(36,063)
Interest income, net4,8224,11717,77114,331
Net loss$ (12,424)$ (8,082)$ (27,993)$ (21,732)
Basic and diluted loss per share $ (0.42)$ (0.28)$ (0.95)$ (0.78)
Common shares used in the      calculation of basic and diluted     loss per share29,86028,64529,32627,786

Note 1: Derived from audited financial statements at that date.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(in thousands)

December 31, 1997
December 31, 1996
(note 1)
(note 1)
Assets
     Cash, cash equivalents and           short-term investments$ 322,298$ $295,963
     Other current assets17,9604,290
          Total Current Assets340,258300,253
     Property and equipment, net10,3139,172
     Other assets 1,4981,248
$ 352,069$ 310,673
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
     Current liabilities$ 33,391$ 16,099
     Long-term obligations 1,3312,914
     Stockholders' equity317,347291,660
$ 352,069$ 310,673

Investors

Jacquie Ross
investors_relations@gilead.com

Media Contact

Meaghan Smith
public_affairs@gilead.com

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