AstraZeneca has announced its acquisition of EsoBiotec, a Belgian biotechnology company specializing in in vivo cell therapies, in a deal worth up to 1 billion dollars. The move aims to accelerate AstraZeneca’s ambitions in the cell therapy space and expand access to innovative cancer treatments.
EsoBiotec’s proprietary Engineered NanoBody Lentiviral (ENaBL) platform enables a groundbreaking approach to cell therapy by engineering immune cells directly within a patient’s body.
Unlike traditional cell therapies, which require weeks of complex processing outside the body, the ENaBL platform allows for rapid treatment via a simple IV injection. This could significantly enhance the accessibility and scalability of cell therapy treatments for cancer and immune-mediated diseases.
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President of Oncology Haematology R&D at AstraZeneca, highlights the potential of the acquisition, stating: “We believe EsoBiotec’s in vivo platform has the capability to transform cell therapy and extend access to more patients worldwide.”
EsoBiotec CEO Jean-Pierre Latere expresses enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing that combining expertise with AstraZeneca will accelerate the development of their novel technology.
Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will pay 425 million dollarsupfront, with an additional 575 million dollars contingent on development and regulatory milestones. The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in Q2 2025. EsoBiotec will continue operations as a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca.
