Pharma giant Gilead Sciences announced the release of its first-ever Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Impact Report, highlighting some of what it sees as its notable accomplishments in 2022.
This includes the Patent for Humanity Award for the company’s global commitment to reaching as many patients as possible at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2020, just months after the onset of the COVID-19, Gilead’s Veklury became the first and only FDA-approved treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the U.S., and, in 2022, this drug was approved for patients under the age of 12 and as young as 28 days old.
The report (PDF) focused on three primary areas: environmental sustainability, diversity in human resources and public health equality. After a strong showing in healthcare contributions plus financial gain, Gilead’s other accolades for 2022 include a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for the fifth year in a row; LEED Platinum certification for the Foster City Wellbeing Center and LEED Silver at two additional U.S. sites; No. 1 most sustainable biotech worldwide; and a place on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index.
Gilead’s impact report touched upon some of the life science company’s drug development accomplishments of 2022. For example, Gilead released a new long-acting HIV therapy called Sunlenca. Specifically related to the worldwide epidemic, Gilead made 20 million HIV treatments available to those with the disease. Plus, the company pledged an increased commitment to tearing down financial barriers for patients receiving treatment for HIV.
To help in the fight against cancer, the company received approval of a cell therapy for certain types of late-stage breast cancer.
“We work to provide patients with world-class science, including new antiviral therapies, next-generation cancer treatments and medicines for inflammatory diseases,” the Gilead report states. “Our work in cell therapy has led to transformational outcomes for patients with lymphomas and other B-cell malignancies. Innovative science, however, is just the start. Gilead has long been committed to addressing the social determinants of health and overcoming barriers to care.”
In addition, Gilead took steps toward improving equity and inclusion within its own walls and communities. As of 2022, more than 60% of Gilead’s U.S. employees identify as non-white and more than 50% identify as female. Plus, the company invested $445 million in minority supplies last year.
Accordingly, Gilead has committed $14 million, over four years, to the Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials Award program to help to transform the clinical trial landscape.