Gilead to buy Arcellx for up to $7.8 billion
Original story from Gilead Sciences (CA, USA).
Gilead Sciences, Inc. announced on February 23, 2026, that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Arcellx (CA, USA) for US $115 per share in cash at closing and one contingent value right of US $5 per share, which represents an implied equity value of US $7.8 billion payable at closing. Arcellx is a biotechnology company focused on delivering a new class of innovative immunotherapies for patients with cancer and other incurable diseases.
Kite (CA, USA), a Gilead company, and Arcellx have an existing collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize Arcellx’s lead pipeline candidate, anitocabtagene autoleucel (anito-cel), an investigational B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed CAR T-cell therapy for patients with multiple myeloma. Despite advancements in treatment, many patients with multiple myeloma eventually relapse and require additional lines of therapy. As disease progresses, patients often experience diminishing responses, increasing toxicity and fewer viable options, especially those who are heavily pretreated or unable to tolerate existing therapies.
In clinical studies to date, anito-cel has demonstrated deep and durable responses with a predictable and manageable safety profile, addressing key challenges associated with current CAR T-cell therapies in multiple myeloma.
The BLA for anito-cel as a fourth-line treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma is supported by results from the Phase 1 study (NCT04155749) and the pivotal Phase 2 iMMagine1 study (NCT05396885), and has been accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (MD, USA) with an anticipated Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of December 23, 2026.
“This agreement reflects our conviction in the potential of anito-cel and our intention to move with speed so we can make the most of that potential for patients with multiple myeloma,” said Daniel O’Day, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gilead Sciences. “Beyond the potential launch this year, anito-cel could become a foundational treatment for multiple myeloma over time, including earlier lines of therapy. In addition, the anito-cel D-domain BCMA binder could be important to our work in in vivo cell therapy, further strengthening our potential in oncology and inflammation.”
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In addition to anito-cel, Arcellx’s D-Domain CAR technology platform has generated proprietary, target-binding domains with improved specificity and enhanced binding affinity that could potentially be used for next-generation CAR T-cell and bispecific therapies. There is potential to leverage the D‑domain BCMA binder in vivo cell therapy efforts.
“The story of Arcellx is one of innovation, passion, resilience and teamwork. I could not be prouder of our team, our contribution to the myeloma field, and the impact anito-cel and our D-Domain platform are poised to have for patients and clinicians,” said Rami Elghandour, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Arcellx. “We are fortunate to have found a world-class partner in Gilead, which has the expertise to carry forward Arcellx’s legacy. Kite is well-positioned to maximize access to anito-cel, benefiting more patients, and the company’s commitment to be the leader in cell therapy is one I admire. I’m grateful to our Board of Directors for this opportunity, our shareholders who supported our journey, our partners who believed in us, the patients and physicians who participated in our studies, and most of all, our team members who did the impossible and left an indelible mark on the future of medicine.”
About Arcellx
Arcellx, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on delivering a new class of innovative immunotherapies for patients with cancer and other incurable diseases. Arcellx believes that cell therapies are one of the forward pillars of medicine, and its mission is to advance humanity by developing novel therapies that are safer, more effective, and more broadly accessible.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer. In 2025, Gilead announced a planned US $32 billion investment to further strengthen its US footprint to power the next era of discovery, job creation and public health preparedness – while continuing to invest globally to ensure patients everywhere benefit from its scientific innovation. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
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