Gilead Sciences acquires Sprint Bioscience’s oncology program for up to $400m, boosting Sprint’s stock by over 110%. The deal includes an upfront payment of $14m for the TREX1 blocker, a novel immunotherapy approach. Sprint could earn up to $386m in additional payments, shifting towards more flexible exit strategies.

The TREX1 protein inhibitor acquired by Gilead works by enhancing the immune response and inhibiting tumor cell growth. Sprint’s preclinical data shows that blocking TREX1 boosts interferon signaling and reduces tumor growth. Investors took notice, with Sprint’s share value rising by 118% after the deal.

Gilead’s move into oncology continues with multiple acquisitions this year. The pharmaceutical company signed six deals in 2025, including a $750m agreement with Kymera Therapeutics for a cancer drug. Oncology remains a hot sector, with over 2,700 deals in 2025, including GSK’s $12bn collaboration with Hengrui Pharma.

Bristol Myers Squibb joins BioNTech in developing a cancer bispecific antibody, committing up to $11bn. GlobalData predicts immuno-oncology drugs, like the TREX1 program, will drive innovation in the next five years. Advancements in cancer vaccines, CAR-Ts, and checkpoint inhibitors are expected to lead the way.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Gilead snaps up Sprint’s TREX1 immunotherapy programme for $400m