** The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approves Gilead Sciences GILD.O lenacapavir branded as Yeztugo, a twice-yearly injection, for preventing HIV infection in adults and adolescents at high risk of contracting the deadly virus.
** Median PT of brokerages covering GILD is $118.50 - data compiled by LSEG
EXPECTING STRONG UPTAKE IN 2026
** J.P.Morgan ("overweight") continues to see room for further upside for shares with Yeztugo well positioned for a strong launch in PrEP and numerous HIV treatment combos advancing
** Mizuho ("outperform", PT:$117) says Yeztugo could potentially open the market, over time, to additional populations beyond the currently estimated 1.2 million to 2.25 million eligible consumers
** Oppenheimer ("outperform", PT:$125) thinks that adoption into more commercially mainstream markets will be needed to realize Yeztugo's full potential
** TD Cowen ("buy", PT:$110) sees multi-billion dollar peak sales potential for Yeztugo and says patient adherence to GILD's drug will be around 80% compared to 50% to 55% adherence rate seen with daily oral therapies
(Reporting by Christy Santhosh)
((Christy.Santhosh@thomsonreuters.com))