Key points from article :
AstraZeneca has acquired the Belgian biotech company EsoBiotec in a deal worth up to $1 billion, aiming to revolutionize cell therapy for cancer and autoimmune diseases. EsoBiotec, founded by Jean-Pierre Latere, specializes in in-vivo CAR-T cell therapies, which modify immune cells directly within the patient’s body, enabling faster and more accessible treatments. Unlike traditional cell therapies that require weeks of processing outside the body, EsoBiotec’s approach allows for simple injections, potentially reducing costs and expanding patient access.
Susan Galbraith, AstraZeneca’s executive vice-president of oncology R&D, highlighted the transformative potential of this technology, which could significantly ease healthcare burdens. AstraZeneca was drawn to EsoBiotec after seeing promising early data at the JP Morgan healthcare conference in January. The acquisition aligns with AstraZeneca’s broader expansion in cell therapy, following its $1.2 billion purchase of Gracell Biotechnologies in 2023.
In addition to the acquisition, AstraZeneca announced regulatory progress for other therapies, including EU approval of its lung cancer drug Imfinzi and positive trial results for a hypoparathyroidism treatment. These moves reflect AstraZeneca’s aggressive strategy to expand its oncology and rare disease portfolio while making cutting-edge treatments more widely accessible.
