Gilead Sciences’ Kevin Young appointed a Commander of The British Empire

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:GILD) is pleased to announce that Kevin Young, Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations, has been appointed a Commander of The British Empire, one of Great Britain’s highest civilian honors, in recognition of his “services to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, particularly to the development and marketing of life-changing medicines.”

Mr. Young is a 28-year veteran of both the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, with a distinguished career that spans a variety of therapeutic categories including cardiology, oncology, rheumatology, hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. He joined Gilead in 2004 after having worked for Amgen, Inc. and AstraZeneca (formerly ICI Pharmaceuticals).

“It is a wonderful and surprising honor to receive this appointment,” said Mr. Young. “I have been lucky to work in such a superb industry and be involved in medicines that make a difference in peoples’ lives. I am indebted to the colleagues I have worked with in my career, none more so than my brilliant co-workers and friends at Gilead Sciences, a company that has done so much to change the face of HIV around the world.”

The Order of the British Empire recognizes distinguished service to the arts and science, public services outside the Civil Service and work with charitable and welfare organizations of all kinds. It was created in the First World War in 1917 by George V. Today, the Order of the British Empire is the order of chivalry of British democracy. Valuable service is the only criterion for the award, and the Order is now used to reward service in a wide range of useful activities. An individual who is appointed “CBE” receives their award from The Queen or The Prince of Wales at an investiture at Buckingham Palace.

“This award is a unique privilege and a tremendous honor that is bestowed on a very select group of individuals,” said John C. Martin, PhD, Chairman and CEO, Gilead Sciences. “We are pleased to congratulate Kevin on this prestigious accomplishment, which is an acknowledgment of his numerous contributions to the field of medicine.”

Mr. Young has undergraduate and graduate degrees in Sports Science and Exercise from Liverpool John Moores University and Nottingham University in England and has completed the Executive Program at the University of Michigan. He is a member of the board of ReSurge, the first international humanitarian organization to provide free reconstructive plastic surgery in developing countries.