Gilead's Kite Pharma Acquires Interius for $350M, Boosts Cancer Therapy Capabilities

Gilead Sciences agreed to acquire Interius BioTherapeutics, a biotech company developing in vivo CAR therapeutics, for $350 million. The acquisition complements Kite Pharma's expertise in cell therapy and expands Gilead's capabilities in cancer treatment. The transaction is expected to reduce Gilead's GAAP and non-GAAP 2025 earnings per share by 23-25 cents.

Title: Gilead Sciences Acquires Interius BioTherapeutics for $350 Million to Advance In Vivo Cell Therapy

Gilead Sciences has announced the acquisition of Interius BioTherapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company specializing in in vivo CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) therapeutics. The acquisition, valued at $350 million, will complement Kite Pharma's existing cell therapy expertise and expand Gilead's capabilities in cancer treatment.

Interius BioTherapeutics' innovative platform enables the generation of CAR T-cells directly within the patient’s body, potentially offering a more durable and long-lasting therapeutic effect by inserting DNA into the patient’s genome. This approach differs from traditional CAR T therapies, which require cell harvesting, engineering, and reinfusion, often necessitating preconditioning chemotherapy and complex cell processing.

Cindy Perettie, Executive Vice President of Kite, commented on the acquisition, 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." The modular architecture of Interius' platform allows for rapid adaptation across disease states and scale of manufacturing, potentially expanding access to cell therapies for patients with rapidly progressing diseases.

Phil Johnson, President and CEO of Interius BioTherapeutics, highlighted the significance of the acquisition, noting that it marks a pivotal step for the company and the future of in vivo therapy. He added, "With the addition of Kite’s deep expertise and global infrastructure, we’re well-positioned to move quickly into multiple therapeutic areas, expand access to cell therapies, and deliver meaningful innovation to patients."

The transaction is expected to reduce Gilead's GAAP and non-GAAP 2025 earnings per share by approximately $0.23-$0.25 [1]. The acquisition will integrate Interius' team and operations into Kite's established research team, creating a center of excellence in Philadelphia to accelerate the development of next-generation in vivo therapies.

Gilead Sciences, Inc., is a biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases. The company operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California. Gilead acquired Kite in 2017 and continues to build upon its expertise in cell therapy.

References:
[1] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250820272168/en/Kite-to-Acquire-Interius-BioTherapeutics-to-Advance-In-Vivo-Platform
[2] https://www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/202508216434/gilead-sciences-to-buy-interius-biotherapeutics-for-350-million
[3] https://www.statnews.com/2025/08/21/gilead-kite-pharma-acquires-interius-biotherapeutics/