Gilead Sciences To Acquire Arcellx for $7.8 Billion to Strengthen CAR T-Cell Portfolio

Kite (Gilead) Enters Strategic Collaboration and Equity Investment in Arcellx to Co-develop and Co-commercialise CART-ddBCMA

December 14, 2022

Biotechnology

Kite, a Gilead company, will make a $225 million upfront cash payment plus a $100 million equity investment in Arcellx to co-develop and co-commercialise Arcellx's lead CAR-T candidate, CART-ddBCMA, for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The companies will share development and U.S. commercial economics (50/50 U.S. profits for co-commercialised products), with Kite responsible for manufacturing after technical transfer; ex-U.S. commercialization will be led by Kite with royalties to Arcellx.

AstraZeneca to Acquire Gracell Biotechnologies (FasTCAR CAR-T) for Up to $1.2 Billion

December 27, 2023

Healthcare Services

AstraZeneca entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Gracell Biotechnologies, a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on autologous cell therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024 and includes Gracell’s FasTCAR-enabled dual-targeting CAR-T therapy GC012F, with an upfront value of about $1.0 billion and total transaction value of up to about $1.2 billion including a contingent value right tied to a regulatory milestone.

Gilead Sciences Acquires CymaBay Therapeutics for $4.3 Billion

February 12, 2024

Pharmaceuticals

Gilead Sciences, Inc. agreed to acquire CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. for an equity value of approximately $4.3 billion, or $32.50 per share in cash. The acquisition adds CymaBay’s investigational lead asset seladelpar for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), complementing Gilead’s existing liver portfolio.

Merck to Acquire Acceleron Pharma Inc for $11.5B

September 30, 2021

Biotechnology

Merck (through a subsidiary) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Acceleron Pharma Inc for $180 per share in cash, for an approximate total equity value of $11.5 billion. The transaction will be completed via a tender offer followed by a merger, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to conditions including regulatory approvals and tender of at least a majority of outstanding shares.

Pharmacosmos Acquires G1 Therapeutics

August 7, 2024

Biotechnology

Pharmacosmos A/S, through its U.S. affiliate Pharmacosmos Therapeutics Inc., agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of G1 Therapeutics, Inc. for $7.15 per share in cash, implying an approximate equity value of $405 million. The deal brings G1's FDA-approved oncology product COSELA into Pharmacosmos' commercial portfolio to accelerate patient access and expand Pharmacosmos' presence in oncology and supportive care.

Gilead Sciences Acquires XinThera

May 9, 2023

Biotechnology

Gilead Sciences has acquired all outstanding shares of XinThera, a San Diego–based private biotechnology company, adding small-molecule oncology and inflammation programs (including PARP1-selective and MK2-targeting assets) to its early pipeline. Financial terms were not disclosed; XinThera was backed by investors including Foresite Capital, OrbiMed and TTM Capital.