Pharma BD Deal Intelligence

AstraZeneca PLC / Gracell Biotechnologies

2023 · Acquisition/Merger · $1.2B · Complete

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The coverage arc

Jan 25, 2004 Wikipedia Neutral

AstraZeneca acquired Gracell Biotechnologies for $1.2B for cell therapy.

Feb 22, 2024 AstraZeneca Bullish

AstraZeneca completes acquisition of Gracell Biotechnologies: $2.00/share cash (~$1.0bn upfront) plus a $0.30/share CVR on a regulatory milestone…

Apr 24, 2026 PharmExec Bullish

AstraZeneca bolsters cellular therapy pipeline with acquisition of Gracell Biotechnologies and its FasTCAR-enabled technology platform.

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AstraZeneca acquired Nasdaq-listed, China-headquartered clinical-stage cell-therapy company Gracell Biotechnologies in a merger announced 26 December 2023 and completed 22 February 2024. Shareholders received $2.00 per ordinary share (or per ADS) in cash at closing -- an upfront transaction value of approximately $1.0 billion -- plus a non-tradable contingent value right (CVR) of $0.30 per share payable on achievement of a specified regulatory milestone, taking the total potential consideration to approximately $1.2 billion. The acquisition centred on GC012F (now AZD0120), a FasTCAR-enabled, dual-targeting (BCMA and CD19) autologous CAR-T therapy with next-day manufacturing, in development for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and B-cell-driven autoimmune disease including systemic lupus erythematosus. The deal expanded AstraZeneca's cell-therapy footprint and added China-based manufacturing and clinical capabilities.

Key facts

Related deals — scored

DealYearValueOutcome
AstraZeneca PLC / Gracell Biotechnologies (this deal)2023$1.2B65
AstraZeneca PLC / Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited2019$6.9B100
AstraZeneca PLC / KuDOS Pharmaceuticals Limited2005$210M98
AstraZeneca PLC / Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.2020$39.0B86
AstraZeneca PLC / Acerta Pharma2015$4.0B86
AstraZeneca PLC / Amgen Inc.2020$2.3B84
AstraZeneca PLC / MedImmune Inc.2007$15.6B82

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