Gilead Sciences' Kite Pharma subsidiary has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Arcellx in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately USD 7.8 billion. The deal, priced at USD 115 per share, is expected to close in Q2 2026. The acquisition builds upon an existing collaboration between Kite and Arcellx to co-develop and co-commercialise the BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapy anitocabtagene autoleucel for multiple myeloma (MM).

Gilead has submitted a biologics licence application (BLA) to US regulators for anitocabtagene autoleucel for the treatment of relapsed or refractory MM, with a target action date of 23 December 2026. The deal also includes a contingent value right (CVR) that could provide an additional USD 5 per share to Arcellx shareholders if global cumulative net sales of the candidate reach at least USD 6 billion by the end of 2029. The acquisition also provides Gilead with access to Arcellx's proprietary D-Domain CAR technology platform, which is designed to generate next-generation cell therapies with enhanced specificity and binding affinity.

According to PharmCube's NextBiopharm® database, this acquisition leads the second wave of CAR-T M&A deals in terms of value. Click here to request a free trial for NextBiopharm®.