Gilead cuts cardiopulmonary sales reps

Gilead said it will lay off about 150 cardiopulmonary sales representatives due to the anticipated market entry of generic versions of Letairis ambrisentan and Ranexa ranolazine. The decision was put into motion almost two years ago, a Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) spokesperson told BioCentury (see "O'Day's Expansive Task at Gilead").

Letairis, a selective endothelin A receptor antagonist, is marketed to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Ranexa, a selective late sodium current blocker, is marketed to treat chronic angina...