Gilead broke ground this morning on its new Technical Development Center Gilead at the company’s Foster City headquarters. Once complete in 18 months, the five-story, 180,000-square-foot hub will serve as the engine for advancing biologics and the next generation of revolutionary medicines. The building is a cornerstone of Gilead’s $32 billion commitment to U.S. biopharma leadership through 2030. With state-of-the-art labs, AI-enabled infrastructure, and space for 300 chemists, engineers and scientists of many other specialties, the facility is designed to support collaboration, growth, and learning while accelerating drug development, strengthening supply chains, and helping deliver on Gilead’s promise of more than 10 transformational medicines by the end of the decade.

We spoke with Jamie Moore, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Technical Development, and Stacey Ma, Executive Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing (PDM), about what the new Technical Development Center means for patients, employees and the Gilead of the future.

1. What does this groundbreaking mean for you personally, for Gilead and for patients?

Stacey: For me, the new center is personal. When I joined Gilead three years ago, I was excited about helping to grow the company from a global leader in virology into one with an even broader footprint across oncology, inflammation and beyond. This new facility is about making that transformation real. It connects Research to Clinical Development to Commercialization. This is the future spot where our PDM colleagues will turn concepts into reality, molecules into products that can ultimately benefit patients worldwide.

Jamie: This is a great moment for both Gilead and patients. Having already moved into protein therapeutics and advanced cell and gene therapy, the new Technical Development Center will allow us to make further advancements in these areas and strengthen our ability to select the right modality from a broader menu for a given disease state. The diversity of approaches strengthens our ability to meet patients’ needs.

2. What opportunities inspired the creation of the New Technical Development Center, and how will it help realize them?

Jamie: For more than 35 years, Gilead has thrived because of close collaboration between Research and Process Development. That co-location model helped us move quickly and deliver cutting-edge innovation in virology. With the new center, we will have the opportunity to replicate that success in biologics and build on it in an even more ambitious way. Starting with a blank slate means we can hand pick the technology we want, which allows us to leapfrog, creating truly world-class capabilities that accelerate the path from research to patients.

Stacey: Innovation needs integration. It needs different ideas sparking off each other. This center will enable Gilead to expand into new areas. And because we’re located in the Bay Area, we can tap into some of the most advanced technology ecosystems in the world to create a hub for collaboration and cutting-edge science. It’s also a statement of commitment: we’re continuing to invest in U.S.-based manufacturing and R&D to fuel future growth.

3. How will the new facility change the way your teams work and innovate?

Jamie: It gives us the ability to go deeper into biologics while continuing to lead the industry in small molecules. I’m excited about the synergies we’ll uncover across modalities and the new innovations that can emerge at those intersections. Beyond the science, the design of the building fosters an atmosphere of openness and collaboration. When you walk into the building, you’ll feel the energy and momentum, which help inspire our teams and spark new ideas.

Stacey: For our colleagues, it’s about growth. Teams that have traditionally worked on one modality now have the chance to learn from each other. That cross-pollination will make our science stronger and open new opportunities for our people. The building itself was designed to encourage these interactions and create an environment where innovation can thrive.

4. What message do you hope the New Technical Development Center sends to employees and the broader community?

Stacey: First, it shows that we mean it when we say Gilead is committed to innovation and to preserving what makes us unique – our collaborative culture. Second, it opens the door for our colleagues to engage with new modalities and expand their expertise. Most importantly, it reflects our ambition to be industry leaders in biologics, building on our proven strength in small molecules and extending that same excellence into new areas. It’s an exciting moment of possibility.

Jamie: Even before the doors open, there is already a strong sense of teamwork and momentum as we prepare to build this future. That atmosphere not only inspires our current colleagues, but helps us attract new ones across operations, labs and manufacturing. By bringing in diverse expertise, we can continue to grow our capabilities and strengthen our culture. Ultimately, it’s about shaping the future together.