By Deena Beasley

(Reuters) -Gilead Sciences said on Thursday its HIV drug sales rose 4% to $5.3 billion in the third quarter including $39 million for its new prevention drug Yeztugo, helping to boost its profit above Wall Street estimates.

Wall Street expected sales of Yeztugo, which has an annual U.S. list price of about $28,000, at $37.5 million, according to LSEG. The drug is a twice-yearly injection approved by U.S. regulators in June to prevent HIV in adults and adolescents at high risk of contracting the deadly infection.

“We are really pleased with the progress of the Yeztugo launch,” Gilead CEO Daniel O’Day said in an interview, noting that 75% of U.S. payers have agreed to cover the drug, and the company expects that to increase to 90% by mid-2026.

CVS Health, which runs the

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