Gilead completes its acquisition of Arcellx, securing full control of anito-cel, a BCMA-directed CAR T-cell therapy under development for multiple myeloma.
Written By: Samiksha Jadhav, BPharm
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Gilead Sciences has completed its acquisition of Arcellx, bringing full control of anitocabtagene autoleucel (anito-cel) into its cell therapy portfolio and marking a key step in the development of the investigational treatment for multiple myeloma.
The acquisition was initially announced in late February 2026.
Anito-cel is a BCMA-directed CAR T-cell therapy that incorporates a novel D-Domain binder, designed to enable high CAR expression while minimizing tonic signaling. The construct is also intended to allow rapid disengagement from the BCMA target, a feature that may support effective tumor cell killing with a lower risk of severe immunotoxicity.
The therapy has received Fast Track, Orphan Drug, and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, reflecting its potential in a setting with significant unmet need.
With the acquisition now complete, anito-cel will be developed within Kite, Gilead’s cell therapy division. Full ownership is expected to streamline clinical development and regulatory strategy, as well as align manufacturing and commercialization planning under a single organization. The move also builds on the prior collaboration between Kite and Arcellx, which had already been advancing the program.
The transaction closed following the successful completion of Gilead’s tender offer on April 28, 2026, after which Arcellx became a wholly owned subsidiary of Gilead and was delisted from Nasdaq.
Under the terms of the deal, Arcellx shareholders received $115 per share in cash along with a contingent value right (CVR) of $5 per share, tied to future commercial milestones for anito-cel. The CVR is payable if the therapy achieves cumulative global net sales of at least $6 billion by the end of 2029.
Gilead expects the acquisition to be dilutive to earnings in the near term, with a reduction in 2026 earnings per share primarily driven by acquired in-process research and development costs. The company anticipates the impact to moderate over time, with the potential for the transaction to become accretive beginning in 2028, subject to regulatory approval and successful commercialization of anito-cel. The closing follows Gilead’s receipt of all required regulatory approvals for the acquisition on April 17, 2026.
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About the Writer
Samiksha Vikram Jadhav is a B. Pharm graduate with a strong academic foundation in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, and drug development. She specializes in pharma market research, with a focused interest in mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and global pharma and biotech deals. Her work centers on analyzing industry transactions, market positioning, and business strategies, translating complex developments into clear, accurate, and insightful scientific and commercial reporting.