Gilead Sciences and its cell therapy subsidiary Kite are set to purchase all outstanding shares of US-based biotherapeutics firm Cell Design Labs for approximately $567m.
The deal includes around 12.2% shares of Cell Design Labs currently held by Kite and will see an upfront payment of about $175m, subject to adjustments.
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Gilead intends to make the remaining payments of up to $322m according to the development and approval milestones.
The acquisition, which is based on Gilead’s recent purchase of Kite Pharma, will provide access to two new technology platforms expected to boost their research and development efforts in cellular therapy.
Cell Design Labs’ Throttle is developed to use small molecules to modulate CAR T activity, while its other technology platform synNotch is designed to respond to external signals and can be used to develop CAR T cells requiring dual antigen recognition for activation.
It is expected that these technologies could support current Kite research and development programmes for the treatment of haematological and solid tumours.
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By GlobalDataIn addition, Cell Design Labs is working towards the development of various pre-clinical product candidates for different cancer indications.
Gilead Sciences president and CEO John Milligan said: “We are excited about the potential of the synNotch and Throttle technology platforms and the application of these technologies to complement ongoing Kite research and development efforts.
“Cell Design Labs’ talented team of cell biology experts will augment and accelerate our work to bring forward new generations of CAR T and TCR therapies, building on our acquisition of Kite earlier this year and our efforts to improve care for people with advanced cancers.”
