How Gilead's coronavirus drug breakthrough is setting the tone for other potential treatments

Gilead Sciences (GILD)’s clinical trial results for a potential coronavirus treatment is being heralded as a breakthrough, largely by helping to blaze a trail for other drugs in the pipeline, while illuminating a path forward in the fight against a “scary” pandemic that’s infected over 3 million around the world.

Three separate studies of Gilead’s remdesivir — including a placebo trial by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, which carries far more influence — have helped backstop markets, and sparked hopes that the COVID-19 crisis can be managed.