Gilead Sciences has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Interius BioTherapeutics in a deal valued at $350 million. The transaction, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals, will be executed through Kite Pharma, Gilead’s cell therapy subsidiary. By completing this acquisition, Kite intends to integrate Interius’ in vivo CAR-T platform into its existing research and development structure, thereby expanding its range of cell therapy approaches.
Kite explained that Interius’ platform is designed to generate CAR T cells inside a patient’s body, offering a different approach compared to Gilead’s current portfolio of approved therapies, Yescarta and Tecartus.
Both of those treatments rely on the traditional ex vivo process, which involves collecting a patient’s cells, engineering them in a laboratory, and reinfusing them after processing. In contrast, Interius’ in vivo method uses a single intravenous infusion that can deliver DNA directly into the patient’s cells. According to Kite, this design may enable “a more durable and long-lasting therapeutic effect by inserting DNA into the patient’s genome.”
The in vivo approach also removes the need for preconditioning chemotherapy and bypasses the complex cell processing required in ex vivo treatments. Manufacturing and scalability have historically been challenges in cell therapy, while lymphodepleting chemotherapy has posed additional hurdles for patients. By shifting to in vivo platforms, companies are seeking to broaden access to these therapies and make them more widely available.
Interest across the pharmaceutical industry in in vivo CAR-T technologies has increased significantly this year. AbbVie completed a $2.1 billion acquisition of Capstan Therapeutics, while AstraZeneca entered the space with a $425 million upfront payment for EsoBiotec. Kite itself has previously shown interest through collaborations, including a 2023 partnership with Epic Bio focused on developing CAR-T therapies for blood cancers.
Interius has advanced its own programs in this field. Its lead candidate, INT2104, which includes both in vivo CAR-T and CAR-NK therapies, entered a phase 1 clinical trial for B-cell malignancies in October 2024. As part of the acquisition, Interius’ team and operations will be integrated into Kite’s organization, with plans to establish a center of excellence in Philadelphia to accelerate the development of next-generation in vivo therapies.
Cindy Perettie, executive vice president of Kite, emphasized the potential of the technology, stating, “In vivo therapy is a promising frontier with the potential to transform how we approach treating patients, shifting to more accessible and scalable solutions.” She added that combining Interius’ platform with Kite’s existing expertise in research, development, and manufacturing is expected to support the advancement of new cell therapy options.
Phil Johnson, M.D., president and CEO of Interius, described the acquisition as an important milestone for both the company and the broader field of in vivo therapies. He said this approach could shorten treatment timelines, expand patient access, and improve outcomes for individuals with advanced disease. Johnson also noted that Interius, with support from Kite’s global resources, would be positioned to advance into multiple therapeutic areas and deliver meaningful innovations to patients.
Under the terms of the deal, Kite will acquire all outstanding share capital of Interius for $350 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments. The company stated that the transaction is expected to reduce Gilead’s 2025 earnings per share by approximately $0.23 to $0.25.
TD Cowen served as exclusive financial advisor to Kite, while Evercore acted in the same role for Interius. Closing will follow expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, as well as other standard conditions.
