Antiviral franchise boosts Gilead's 4th-qtr income 43% to $802.2 million

US biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences pleased investors yesterday, reporting a massive 43% rise in fourth-quarter 2009 net income to $802.2 million, fueled by its antiviral franchise and the continued roll out of its combination HIV drug Atripla (efavirenz/emtricitabine/ tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), as total revenues (which includes product sales and royalties) leapt 42% to $1.43 billion for the period.

Non-GAAP net income for the quarter, which excludes after-tax acquisition-related expenses, restructuring expenses and stock-based compensation expenses, was $864.4 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, compared with $590.3 million, or $0.63 per diluted share for the like, 2008 quarter.

According to a Thomson Reuters estimate, analysts expected a profit of $0.85 per share and $1.93 billion in revenue. In aftermarket trading yesterday, Gilead stock rose 6.7% to $47.89.