Skip to content

We want to clarify that IG International does not have an official Line account at this time. We have not established any official presence on Line messaging platform. Therefore, any accounts claiming to represent IG International on Line are unauthorized and should be considered as fake.
CFDs are complex instruments. 72% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.
CFDs are complex instruments. 72% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.

Gilead Sciences shares set to trade higher after remdesivir to become first European Covid-19 therapy

Shares in the US-based biotech company are likely to trend higher after its Covid-19 therapy remdesivir gets the go-ahead in Europe.

Gilead Sciences Source: Bloomberg

Gilead Sciences shares are likely to trend higher in the near-term after its antiviral drug remdesivir is set to become Europe’s first Covid-19 therapy.

Gilead Sciences is trading at $74.70 per share at the time of publication.

Healthcare regulators from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the antiviral drug on Thursday by its Human Medicines Committee (CHMP), who recommended that the drug be used to treat adults and adolescents from 12 years old who are suffering severe coronavirus symptoms.

The EMA endorsement of Gilead Sciences antiviral drug allows remdesivir to be prescribed by European doctors, subject to the EU Commission giving the go ahead, which is expected to happen in a matter of days.

Can Gilead Sciences meet demand for remdesivir?

As of yet, the price point for remdesivir in Europe is unknown. However, in the US, where it is already being used as a treatment for the coronavirus pandemic it costs $5080 per round.

Appetite for the antiviral drug remains high around the world, but investors have expressed concern about whether Gilead Sciences will be able to manufacture enough of it to adequately meet demand.

As it stands, the US-based biotech company said that it will be able to provide more than two million courses of its antiviral drug, which will be branded under the name Veklury, by the end of 2020 – representing a two-fold increase on its previous supply target.

Analysts optimistic about Gilead Sciences share price

Since remdesivir’s drug trials on humans showed promise of treating Covid-19 patients the company’s stock has outperformed the broader market, with its share price up 14% year-to-date compared with the S&P 500 which, despite a valiant recovery of late, is 6% down over the same period.

The 23 analysts offering 12-month price forecasts for Gilead Sciences have a median target of $81 per share, with a high estimate of $97 and a low estimate of $58.

The median estimate represents a 8.4% increase from its current level. Meanwhile, the high estimate implies a potential upside of up 29.8% and the low estimate suggests the stock could fall by as much as 22.3%.

How to trade stocks with IG

Looking to trade the Gilead Sciences and other stocks? Open a live or demo account with IG and buy (long) or sell (short) shares using derivatives like CFDs in a few easy steps:

  1. Create an IG trading account or log in to your existing account
  2. Enter ‘Gilead Sciences’ in the search bar and select it
  3. Choose your position size
  4. Click on ‘buy’ or ‘sell’ in the deal ticket
  5. Confirm the trade

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.

Seize a share opportunity today

Go long or short on thousands of international stocks.

  • Increase your market exposure with leverage
  • Get spreads from just 0.1% on major global shares
  • Trade CFDs straight into order books with direct market access
Learn more

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

You might be interested in…

<h3>How much does trading cost?</h3>
<h3>Find out about IG</h3>
<h3>Plan your trading</h3>

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.