AstraZeneca to Acquire EsoBiotec for £750m: A Game-Changer in Cell Therapy
Deal News | May 20, 2025 | Business Cloud
AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical giant based in Cambridge, has announced its agreement to acquire Belgian firm EsoBiotec for a potential sum of £750 million. The acquisition will include EsoBiotec's innovative in vivo delivery and Engineered NanoBody Lentiviral (ENaBL) platforms, which represent a significant advancement in cell therapy. These platforms promise to empower the immune system to more effectively attack cancer cells, potentially offering patients faster treatment times compared to current methods. The transaction, set to close in the second quarter of 2025, includes an upfront payment of approximately £318 million and up to £430 million contingent on certain development and regulatory milestones. The acquisition aims to accelerate AstraZeneca's cell therapy developments, positioning it to deliver new, cost-effective treatments worldwide, and will not impact its financial guidance for 2025. Through this acquisition, EsoBiotec will become a wholly owned subsidiary, and AstraZeneca will continue its operations in Belgium.
Sectors
- Pharmaceutical
- Biotechnology
- Healthcare
Geography
- United Kingdom – AstraZeneca is a leading pharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, UK, driving innovations globally.
- Belgium – EsoBiotec is a biotechnology company based in Belgium, whose acquisition by AstraZeneca is significant for the regional and international biotechnology landscape.
Industry
- Pharmaceutical – AstraZeneca operates within the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on the development of a cell therapy platform, which is critical to drug development and delivery.
- Biotechnology – EsoBiotec is positioned within the biotechnology sector, specifically working on innovative platforms for cancer treatment, bringing new biotech solutions to cell therapy.
- Healthcare – The transaction between AstraZeneca and EsoBiotec underscores trends in healthcare innovation, particularly in cellular therapies for cancer treatment.
Financials
- £750 million – Total valuation of the acquisition deal between AstraZeneca and EsoBiotec.
- £318 million – Initial payment upon closing the deal.
- Up to £430 million – Contingent consideration based on development and regulatory milestones.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AstraZeneca | Bidding Company | Company | A leading pharmaceutical company in the UK, acquiring EsoBiotec to enhance its cell therapy capabilities. |
| EsoBiotec | Target Company | Company | A Belgian biotech company known for its in vivo cell therapy delivery platform, being acquired by AstraZeneca. |
| Susan Galbraith | Executive VP, Oncology Haematology R&D | Person | An AstraZeneca executive overseeing oncology research and development. |
| Jean-Pierre Latere | CEO | Person | CEO of EsoBiotec, involved in the company's strategic development. |