BioCentury
ARTICLE | Deals

Gilead seeks to put Galapagos’ cash to work as it buys bispecifics developer Ouro

Deal in the works to add BCMA-targeting T cell engager to Belgian biotech’s thin pipeline, as its partner commits nearly $1.7B up front to buy NewCo

March 24, 2026 9:26 PM UTC

Gilead’s purchase of Ouro, the latest sign of enthusiasm for T cell engagers in autoimmunity, sets up its long-troubled partner Galapagos to share in the economics of a high-potential program for B cell-related disorders.

Late Monday, Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) said it would acquire Ouro Medicines LLC, a start-up created in 2024 to house most global rights to gamgertamig (OM336/CM336), for nearly $1.7 billion up front, plus $500 million in potential milestones. The bispecific T cell engager targets CD3 and BCMA, and has reached Phase Ib/IIa testing to treat autoimmune cytopenias, seropositive autoimmune diseases and autoimmune bullous diseases...