Gilead Sciences’ Kite Pharma has announced the acquisition of Interius BioTherapeutics for $350 million in cash, aiming to accelerate development of in-vivo CAR T-cell therapies that could simplify and lower the cost of cancer treatment.
According to The Economic Times, the deal underscores growing momentum around in-vivo approaches, where therapeutic DNA is infused directly into patients’ cells rather than relying on the conventional process of extracting, engineering, and reinfusing immune cells in a laboratory. Traditional CAR T-cell treatments, such as Kite’s approved therapies Yescarta and Tecartus for blood cancers, are both resource-intensive and expensive, limiting broader adoption. The in-vivo platform being developed by Interius is designed to streamline this model by enabling direct modification of immune cells within the body.
Kite said the transaction, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close this year. Financially, the company projected that the acquisition will reduce Gilead’s 2025 profit per share by approximately 23 to 25 cents. Following completion, Interius’ operations will be integrated into Kite’s research team in Philadelphia.
The acquisition comes at a time of heightened industry focus on in-vivo CAR T-cell therapies. According to data from clinical research firm Novotech, more than $2 billion has been invested in this field in recent years, with over five programs already in clinical trials. The number of disclosed assets in development is expected to exceed 100 by the end of 2025.
For healthcare investors and policymakers, the deal highlights a strategic shift in the cell therapy market. If successful, in-vivo CAR T therapies could ease manufacturing bottlenecks, lower costs, and improve patient access factors critical to scaling advanced oncology treatments in both developed and emerging markets. For the broader healthcare industry, the acquisition signals growing confidence that direct delivery platforms may define the next phase of cell therapy innovation.
