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AstraZeneca Acquires Belgian Biotech EsoBiotec in $1 Billion Deal

The acquisition aims to advance in vivo cell therapies, promising faster and more accessible cancer treatments through innovative technology.

AstraZeneca has become one of the world’s biggest pharma companies propelled by the successful development and launch of a series of new medicines, particularly cancer drugs

Overview

  • AstraZeneca will pay $425 million upfront and up to $575 million in milestone-based payments for EsoBiotec, a Belgian biotech firm specializing in in vivo cell therapies.
  • EsoBiotec's ENaBL platform uses lentiviral technology to genetically program immune cells directly within the body, significantly reducing treatment times compared to traditional cell therapies.
  • The acquisition aligns with AstraZeneca's strategy to expand its cell therapy pipeline, building on previous deals such as its 2023 acquisition of Gracell Biotechnologies.
  • EsoBiotec's treatments aim to make cell therapies more cost-effective and accessible, with potential applications in cancer and autoimmune diseases.
  • The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, with EsoBiotec becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca while retaining its operations in Belgium.