The California-based company is investing $19.6m into the UK, expanding its operations in Uxbridge (about 20km Northwest of London) and R&D site in Cambridge, while setting up a commercial HQ in the centre of London.
The plan was announced by London mayor Boris Johnson this week during a trade delegation visit to the US East Coast, where he described the investment as underlining “the growing importance of the life sciences industry in the UK as we look to ensure that this crucial sector becomes a key contributor to the capital's growth and health.”
Gilead's total workforce in the UK is set to be around 600, with two thirds being based in London.
The manufactures the hepatitis C drugs Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and Harvoni (sofosbuvir/ledipasvir). Since the US launch of Sovaldi in December 2013, sales of the nucleotide analog have hit over the $10bn mark, while Harvoni – approved only in October – has brought in revenues of $2.1bn.