Gilead Sciences is acquiring Arcellx in a deal valued at $7.8 billion, the companies announced Monday, bolstering Gilead’s position in the rapidly evolving field of CAR-T cancer therapies. The acquisition brings together two biotech firms already collaborating on anito-cel, an experimental CAR-T cell therapy for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
The transaction values Arcellx at $115 per share, a 79% premium over the company’s closing stock price on Friday, with the potential for an additional $5 per share contingent on achieving future sales targets. The deal has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both Gilead and Arcellx and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, pending standard regulatory approvals and closing conditions, according to a press release from Business Wire.
Arcellx initially developed anito-cel, a CAR-T therapy designed to target B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) in multiple myeloma patients. In 2023, Gilead’s cell therapy division, Kite Pharma, entered into a collaboration and co-marketing agreement with Arcellx to further develop and commercialize the therapy. The acquisition effectively brings full control of the program under Gilead’s umbrella.
The move reflects a broader trend of pharmaceutical companies acquiring smaller biotech firms with promising drug pipelines, particularly in the area of oncology. According to reporting from the Financial Times, pharmaceutical groups are increasingly focused on acquiring innovative therapies to drive future growth.
