Gilead’s Kite to Acquire Interius BioTherapeutics in $350 Million In Vivo Play

Kite Pharma, a Gilead Sciences subsidiary, has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Interius BioTherapeutics—a privately held biotechnology firm—for $350 million in cash. The strategic acquisition brings to Kite an innovative in vivo CAR‑T platform capable of creating CAR T‑cells directly within patients via a single intravenous infusion. This eliminates the need for the complicated and costly process of harvesting and engineering cells outside the body and may enhance treatment durability by integrating DNA into the patient’s genome.

The deal is anticipated to lower Gilead’s GAAP and non‑GAAP earnings per share for 2025 by about $0.23 to $0.25. Upon closing - subject to antitrust clearance under the Hart‑Scott‑Rodino Act and other standard conditions—Interius’s operations and personnel will merge with Kite’s research team in Philadelphia, forming a centre of excellence for next‑generation in vivo therapies.

This move places Kite at the forefront of a growing wave of interest in in vivo CAR‑T cell therapy. This field has attracted over $2 billion in investments, with more than five such programs already in clinical trials and over 100 anticipated assets by end‑2025. Experts praise the acquisition as a pivotal step toward faster, more accessible, and potentially more effective cancer immunotherapies.