AstraZeneca has entered the “off-the-shelf” cell therapy space, penning a $1 billion deal to acquire EsoBiotec and its lentiviral vector platform. The deal will see AstraZeneca scoop up all outstanding equity of the Belgian biotech for a total consideration of $1 billion—split between an upfront payment of $425 million and up to $575 million in developmental and regulatory milestones. Source: Fierce Biotech 17/3/2025