Gilead to Acquire Arcellx, Inc. (ACLX) for Up to $7.8 billion

Group 1 - Gilead Sciences announced the acquisition of Arcellx, Inc. for up to $7.8 billion, paying $115 per share, which represents a 79% premium over Arcellx's last closing price [2] - Following the announcement, Arcellx's stock price surged by 77.9% to $114.06 in morning trading [2] - This acquisition is Gilead's largest since its $21 billion purchase of Immunomedics in 2020, as the company seeks to diversify beyond its traditional HIV and liver disease therapies [2][3] Group 2 - The acquisition enhances Gilead's position in cell therapy, particularly with an investigational CAR-T treatment for multiple myeloma, which is under FDA consideration as a fourth-line treatment [3] - Gilead expects the transaction to be finalized in the second quarter of 2026 [3] - Analysts suggest that the new treatment may have a better safety profile compared to existing therapies, indicating potential competitive advantages in the market [3]