Bristol Myers Squibb Enters In Vivo CAR-T Field with $1.5B Acquisition of Orbital Therapeutics
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) has agreed to acquire Orbital Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company, for $1.5 billion in cash124.
This acquisition marks BMS’s expansion into in vivo CAR T-cell therapies, a novel approach that enables the patient’s own body to generate CAR T-cells, potentially making treatment more accessible and less burdensome than traditional ex vivo CAR T therapies4.
Orbital Therapeutics’ lead candidate, OTX-201, is an investigational next-generation CAR T therapy designed to reprogram cells in vivo and deplete autoreactive B cells, targeting autoimmune diseases24.
OTX-201 utilizes an optimized circular RNA encoding a CD19-targeted CAR, delivered by targeted lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), representing a new method for immune system reprogramming4.
The deal also gives BMS access to Orbital's proprietary RNA platform, which combines circular and linear RNA engineering, advanced LNP delivery, and AI-driven design for programmable RNA therapies34.
BMS expects the acquisition to strengthen its industry-leading cell therapy portfolio and expand CAR T access to more patients, especially those with autoimmune diseases24.
The $1.5 billion transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearance4.
Sources:
1. https://firstwordpharma.com/story/6317272
2. https://www.aol.com/articles/bristol-myers-buys-orbital-therapeutics-111651114.html
3. https://news.bms.com/news/details/2025/Bristol-Myers-Squibb-Strengthens-and-Diversifies-Cell-Therapy-Portfolio-with-Acquisition-of-Orbital-Therapeutics/default.aspx
4. https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20251009968216/bristol-myers-squibb-strengthens-and-diversifies-cell-therapy-portfolio-with-acquisition-of-orbital-therapeutics