** Gilead Sciences GILD.O reported third-quarter financial results that handily beat Wall Street expectations on Wednesday as sales climbed 7%, leading the drugmaker to raise its outlook for full-year earnings

** Gilead plans to file for U.S. regulatory approval of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection to prevent HIV infection, before the end of this year

** Shares rise 1.61% to $93.17 premarket

SETS SAIL FOR GROWTH

** Oppenheimer ("Outperform", PT $105) says change is in the air, with the company finally freeing itself from the shackles of some questionable business development and getting back to its roots as the innovator in antivirals

** Says Gilead 'sets sail for growth', adds lenacapavir has potential to transform prevention, improve adherence, and expand the PrEP market to new populations

** J.P.Morgan ("Overweight", PT $105) says Gilead remains on track for a launch for lenacapavir in PrEP in 2025, where brokerage expects relatively quick uptake

** BMO Capital Markets ("Outperform", PT $102) says the launch of liver disease treatment Livdelzi was another bright spot, co highlights early days outpacing internal expectations for patient demand

** RBC Capital Markets ("Sector Perform", PT $81) says data for cancer therapy anito-cel and HIV analyst day are key upcoming events, expectations likely high for both

(Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru)

((Sriparna.Roy@thomsonreuters.com;))