UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):   January 25, 2011

Gilead Sciences, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Delaware 0-19731 94-3047598
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(State or other jurisdiction
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(Commission
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(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
      
333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, California   94404
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(Address of principal executive offices)
  ___________
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   650-574-3000

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 8.01 Other Events.


On January 25, 2011, Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead) announced that Gilead’s Board of Directors (the Board) has authorized the repurchase of up to $5.0 billion of Gilead’s common stock through open market and private block transactions pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 plans or privately negotiated purchases or other means, including accelerated stock repurchase transactions or similar arrangements. This repurchase plan will commence on the date that the $5.0 billion stock repurchase program authorized by the Board in May 2010 is completed and end on the third anniversary thereafter.






SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

         
    Gilead Sciences, Inc.
          
January 25, 2011   By:   /s/ Robin L. Washington
       
        Name: Robin L. Washington
        Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer