Gilead Sciences made an announcement today pertinent to the promotion of William Lee, PhD to Executive Vice-President, Research, and Brett Pletcher to Executive Vice-President and General Counsel. Gilead's senior leadership committee now welcomes Dr. Lee and Mr. Pletcher.

Dr. Lee started working for Gilead in 1991; the company was pleased with his services and decided to promote him as Senior Vice President, Research in 2000. Under his expertise, the company expanded its research activities across a range of therapeutic areas, including HIV, liver diseases, hematology/oncology, inflammation and respiratory diseases and cardiovascular conditions.

Dr. Lee worked at California Biotechnology, Inc. and Syntex prior to joining Gilead. He went to the University of Massachusetts for his BS in Chemistry and got a doctorate degree in Chemistry from the University of California at San Diego. He also did postdoctoral work at the Ecole Polytech Federal Lausanne and

"His contributions to the discovery and advancement of internal drug candidates and evaluation of external candidates for potential partnership have allowed Gilead to bring important new medicines to patients around the world", said Norbert Bischofberger, PhD, Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer.

Mr. Pletcher joined Gilead in 2005. Mr. Pletcher has also become corporate Secretary for the company with this promotion.

Mr. Pletcher was a partner in the law firm of Gunderson Dettmer, LLP, prior to joining Gilead. He studied in the University of California to earn his bachelor's degree in economics and political science.