Gilead Sciences to License Four Cancer Drugs From Arcus

Gilead Sciences has exercised an option to license four cancer drugs from Arcus Biosciences that target TIGIT, an immune receptor present on some T-cells and natural killer cells.

Under the deal, Arcus is set to receive $725 million from Gilead for the drugs — domvanalimab, AB308, etrumadenant and quemliclustat — which are in various clinical phases. The companies will co-develop the therapies and will share profits from U.S. sales.

Gilead’s involvement means that Arcus is “well-positioned to accelerate and expand clinical development activities … [for] patients with some of the most difficult to treat cancers, including pancreatic, lung, colon and prostate,” said Arcus CEO Terry Rosen.