Gilead to acquire PepStar’s oral IL‑23R inhibitor program

Gilead Sciences entered a definitive agreement to buy the worldwide rights to PepStar Therapeutics’ oral IL‑23R inhibitor program, led by the Phase 1 candidate HCXT‑2001. The cash deal is valued at about $1.275 billion. Gilead said the transaction will lower its GAAP and non‑GAAP earnings per share by roughly $0.79‑$0.83 when it closes in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The acquisition expands Gilead’s inflammation pipeline with a differentiated oral peptide approach, but the cash outlay will dilute earnings per share by $0.79‑$0.83 in Q4 2026, according to the company’s statement.

  • 1Gilead agreed to acquire PepStar’s oral IL‑23R inhibitor program for $1.275 billion in cash.
  • 2The deal includes the investigational Phase 1 candidate HCXT‑2001, an oral macrocyclic peptide IL‑23R inhibitor.
  • 3The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.
  • 4Gilead expects the acquisition to reduce its GAAP and non‑GAAP EPS by approximately $0.79 to $0.83 in Q4 2026.
  • 5Lazard is acting as the exclusive financial advisor to Gilead, and Centerview Partners LLC is advising PepStar.

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