22 July 2019 - - US-based biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) has licensed three preclinical antiviral programs from Swiss drugmaker Novartis, including investigational agents with the potential to treat human rhinovirus, influenza and herpes viruses, the company said.
Under the agreement, Gilead will acquire exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize novel small molecules against three undisclosed targets.
Novartis will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive up to an additional USD 291m in potential milestone payments upon achievement of certain development and commercial milestones, as well as royalties on annual net sales.
Gilead's antiviral portfolio includes among the most widely used medicines for the treatment of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as well as influenza infection.
Gilead Sciences is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercialises innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need.
The company strives to transform and simplify care for people with life-threatening illnesses around the world. Gilead has operations in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.