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SANTA MONICA/PHILADELPHIA - Kite, a Gilead Company (NASDAQ:GILD), a prominent player in the biotechnology industry with a market capitalization of $147.8 billion, announced Wednesday it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Interius BioTherapeutics for $350 million in cash. According to InvestingPro data, Gilead maintains a strong financial health score of "GREAT" and operates with moderate debt levels.
The acquisition will bring Interius’s in vivo CAR therapeutic platform under Kite’s cell therapy portfolio. Unlike traditional CAR T therapies that require cell harvesting and reinfusion, Interius’s technology is designed to generate CAR T-cells directly within patients through a single intravenous infusion, eliminating the need for preconditioning chemotherapy. The deal comes as Gilead’s stock trades near its 52-week high of $121.83, reflecting strong market confidence in the company’s strategic decisions.
"In vivo therapy is a promising frontier with the potential to transform how we approach treating patients, shifting to more accessible and scalable solutions," said Cindy Perettie, Executive Vice President of Kite, in the press release statement.
Interius’s team and operations will integrate into Kite’s research team, establishing a center of excellence in Philadelphia focused on developing next-generation in vivo therapies.
The transaction is expected to reduce Gilead’s 2025 earnings per share by approximately $0.23-$0.25 for both GAAP and non-GAAP results. Closing is subject to regulatory approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary conditions.
TD Cowen is serving as financial advisor to Kite while Evercore is advising Interius on the transaction.
Kite, acquired by Gilead in 2017, has treated more patients with CAR T-cell therapy than any other company and maintains the largest in-house cell therapy manufacturing network globally, according to the company’s statement. For detailed analysis of Gilead’s acquisition strategy and comprehensive financial metrics, access the full Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro, which offers expert insights on 1,400+ top stocks through intuitive visuals and actionable intelligence.
In other recent news, Gilead Sciences has reported significant developments. The company announced total sales of $7.1 billion for the second quarter, with earnings per share reaching $1.97. Following these results, Gilead raised its full-year revenue guidance by $500 million, excluding its COVID-19 treatment Veklury. Despite these positive financial updates, CVS Health has decided not to include Gilead’s new HIV prevention drug, Yeztugo, in its commercial plans due to clinical, financial, and regulatory considerations. Analysts have responded positively to Gilead’s performance, with BofA Securities raising its price target to $140, citing the company’s strong second-quarter results. Mizuho also increased its price target to $131, driven by higher sales estimates for Gilead’s treatment for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated its Overweight rating, emphasizing the company’s solid earnings and improved guidance. Meanwhile, RBC Capital adjusted its price target to $98, noting strong performance in key HIV and PrEP franchises. These developments reflect a period of active financial and strategic adjustments for Gilead Sciences.
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