HQ Team
March 17, 2025: AstraZeneca has announced plans to acquire EsoBiotec, a biotechnology company pioneering in vivo cell therapies, for up to $1 billion. The acquisition includes EsoBiotec’s Engineered NanoBody Lentiviral (ENaBL) platform, which has shown early clinical promise in transforming cancer treatment by enabling cell therapies to be delivered directly into the body via a simple IV injection.
This acquisition accelerates AstraZenaca’s ambition to advance its capabilities in cancer and autoimmune cell therapies.
What is the ENaBL platform?
The ENaBL platform uses targeted lentiviruses to deliver genetic instructions to immune cells, such as T cells, programming them to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Unlike traditional cell therapies, which require weeks of complex processes—including removing, modifying, and reinfusing cells—ENaBL allows cell therapies to be administered in minutes without the need for immune cell depletion. This innovative approach could significantly reduce costs, improve patient access, and enhance treatment outcomes.
Traditional cell therapies, such as CAR-T, have shown remarkable success in treating certain cancers but face challenges like high costs, lengthy manufacturing timelines, and limited accessibility. EsoBiotec’s in vivo approach eliminates these barriers, offering a faster, more scalable, and cost-effective solution. The platform also holds potential for treating immune-mediated diseases by reprogramming autoreactive cells.
Susan Galbraith, executive vice president of Oncology R&D at AstraZeneca, said, “This acquisition accelerates our ambition to harness the full potential of cell therapy. EsoBiotec’s platform could transform how we deliver these treatments, making them accessible to more patients worldwide.”
Jean-Pierre Latere, CEO of EsoBiotec, added, “Partnering with AstraZeneca allows us to combine our expertise and resources to bring transformative, cost-effective cell therapies to patients faster.”
Financials
AstraZeneca will pay $425 million upfront, with upto $575 million in additional payments tied to development and regulatory milestones. The deal is expected to close in Q2 2025, pending regulatory approvals. EsoBiotec will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca, based in Belgium.
AstraZeneca’s cell therapy pipeline
This acquisition aligns with AstraZeneca’s broader strategy to revolutionize cancer care and expand its cell therapy capabilities. The company is investing in technologies like CAR-T, TCR-T, and CAR-Tregs to empower the immune system to fight cancer and address immune-mediated diseases.
By integrating EsoBiotec’s ENaBL platform, AstraZeneca aims to redefine cell therapy, making it faster, simpler, and more accessible for patients globally. This move marks a significant step toward realizing the company’s vision of eliminating cancer as a cause of death.
