(Reuters) -Gilead Sciences’ unit Kite Pharma said on Thursday it will acquire privately-held biotech firm Interius BioTherapeutics for $350 million in cash to advance CAR T-cell cancer therapies that are delivered directly into patients.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

The acquisition will enable Kite to use Interius’ platform to deliver cell therapy directly into patients, simplifying treatment processes and reducing costs, the company said.

BY THE NUMBERS

Kite said the deal, expected to close pending regulatory approvals, will reduce Gilead’s 2025 profit per share by about 23 cents to 25 cents.

CONTEXT

In CAR T-cell therapy, a patient’s T-cells, a key part of the immune system, are modified to better recognize and attack cancer cells.

Traditional CAR T-cell therapies, including Kite’s approved

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