Gilead buys USD 1.275 billion PepStar program. Gilead Sciences stock is valued at USD 193.5 billion
Published on 10/26/2026 at 11:57 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSPipeline and earnings markers
- Gilead agreed to acquire PepStar's HCXT-2001 program for USD 1.275 billion on October 22, 2026.
- Second-quarter 2026 revenue reached USD 7.80 billion, up 10.00 percent year over year.
- Gilead Sciences stock trades at EUR 140.27 at 11:51 a.m. CET at Lang & Schwarz on October 26, 2026, 0.18 percent above the Xetra close of October 23, 2026.
Gilead Sciences (ISIN US3755581036) agreed to acquire PepStar Therapeutics' oral IL-23R inhibitor program for USD 1.275 billion upfront on October 22, 2026. The transaction adds the Phase 1 candidate HCXT-2001 to Gilead's inflammation pipeline, while the company said the deal could reduce fourth-quarter 2026 GAAP and non-GAAP earnings per share by USD 0.79 to USD 0.83, according to Gilead Sciences.
Deal expands inflammation pipeline
Gilead will receive worldwide rights to HCXT-2001, an investigational oral macrocyclic peptide designed to inhibit the IL-23 receptor. The program is still in Phase 1, so the transaction brings development potential rather than an approved product. Reuters reported on October 22, 2026 that Citi analyst Geoffrey Meacham viewed the USD 1.275 billion upfront payment as notable because the candidate had no published clinical data.
Three dated stock markers
On June 30, 2026, Gilead reported second-quarter revenue of USD 7.80 billion and a consolidated net loss of USD 10.50 billion, compared with revenue of USD 7.08 billion and net income of USD 1.96 billion a year earlier, according to Markets Insider. On October 20, 2026, Scotiabank maintained a Buy rating and a USD 177.00 price target, while the PepStar agreement followed on October 22, 2026 with its USD 1.275 billion upfront payment.
What comes next for earnings?
Gilead's latest quarter shows the tension between operating growth and acquisition accounting. Product sales excluding Veklury rose 10.00 percent year over year to USD 7.60 billion in the second quarter of 2026, while management guided to base-business sales growth of 6.00 percent to 7.00 percent for full-year 2026, according to the company's earnings-call transcript carried by Yahoo Finance.
Next reporting date is October 29
Gilead is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 financial results on October 29, 2026 after the market closes and to host its earnings webcast at 4:30 p.m. ET, according to Gilead Sciences.
Stock holds near its yearly high
For investors, the October 29 report will test whether HIV and newer products can offset acquisition-related charges and continued pipeline spending. Gilead Sciences stock was trading at EUR 140.27 at Lang & Schwarz on October 26, 2026 at 11:51 a.m. CET, up 0.18 percent versus the Xetra close of October 23, 2026 at EUR 140.02. The primary listing is Nasdaq, where the stock closed at USD 156.04 on October 23, 2026.
The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Gilead Sciences stock.
Gilead Sciences stock facts
- Company: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
- ISIN: US3755581036
- Ticker: GILD
- Primary exchange: Nasdaq
- Price Lang & Schwarz (as of October 26, 2026, 11:51 a.m. CET): EUR 140.27
- Change versus Xetra close: plus 0.18 percent
- Xetra close (October 23, 2026): EUR 140.02
- Market capitalization: USD 193.5 billion (as of October 23, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Healthcare / Drug Manufacturers - General
- Index membership: S&P 500
Market context: Market report S&P 500.
