Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) was founded a short 20 years ago in the Bay Area-near San Francisco. I say short 20 years, because this company has accomplished so much in this time period. GILD is a $3.9 billion revenue company this year and is expected to put up $4.7-4.8 billion in 2008. By any measure, excellent growth on the top line. The bottom line calls for $$2.90 per share this year, growing to $3.30 per share for 2008. Many will argue this 2008 number is very, very conservative.

What makes Gilead so special? They have the right drug therapies for some nasty afflictions. Gilead offers three major drugs for the treatment of HIV. The most recent FDA approved drug is Atripla, which is a once a day pill for HIV patients. GILD also owns the major part of the Hepatitis B market with Hepsera. Gilead is the maker of Tamiflu which treats influenza. Tamiflu is being stock piled by the US government in the event of a bird-flu pandemic. But general practitioners may also prescribes Tamiflu.

GILD is also deeply involved in age-related macular degeneration, which is a horrible eyesight affliction. The drug Macugen is another blockbuster treating this wicked disease. The company has many other potential drugs in various stages of clinical trials, the lifeline of future growth.

GILD will be a leader in the bio tech field for many years to come. The first 20 years as one major portfolio manager told me "was nothing compared to their future". On this name, Jim Cramer is spot on!!

Georges Yared is the author of "Stop Losing Money Today" and "Baby Boomer Investing...Where do we go from here?"