Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) continues to expect full-year 2009 sales of $5.9 billion to $6 billion, reiterating a projection first provided in January.

Many analysts have viewed that guidance as conservative and the mean Wall Street estimate is currently $6.27 billion, according to Thomson Reuters.

The Foster City, Calif., drug maker's chief executive, John Martin, speaking at a Cowen & Co. health care conference in Boston, noted that the company will adjust its guidance after completing its planned $1.4 billion acquisition of CV Therapeutics Inc. (CVTX).

Gilead projects the deal to be dilutive to earnings in 2009, neutral to accretive in 2010 and accretive in 2011 and beyond.

The company, primarily known for its presence in selling HIV treatments, reported 2008 sales of $5.08 billion, a rise of 36% from a year earlier.

Shares of Gilead recently traded down 84 cents, or 1.9%, to $44.58.

-By Thomas Gryta, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-2053; thomas.gryta@dowjones.com