-- Clinical Program Adds a Potentially Differentiated Oral Peptide IL-23 Receptor Inhibitor to Gilead’s Inflammation Portfolio
-- HCXT-2001 Has Potential as a Monotherapy or in Combination with Other Gilead Programs to Address Unmet Needs in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases
October 22, 2026--FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire an oral IL-23R inhibitor program, including lead asset HCXT-2001, from PepStar Therapeutics Limited, a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company.
Key Highlights
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HCXT-2001 is an investigational, clinical-stage, oral, macrocyclic peptide inhibitor of IL-23R with an extended half-life, offering a potentially differentiated approach to oral IL-23 pathway inhibition. IL-23R is a clinically validated target in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), with potential applications in psoriasis.
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The transaction provides Gilead with worldwide rights to the IL-23R inhibitor program, including HCXT-2001, and further strengthens Gilead’s growing inflammation and immunology portfolio, where the company is building depth and optionality in selected immune-mediated diseases through multiple complementary mechanisms and modalities.
“HCXT-2001 adds a potentially differentiated oral approach to our growing inflammation pipeline, reflecting our commitment to addressing significant unmet patient needs,” said Dietmar Berger, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of Gilead. “We see potential for HCXT-2001 alone or in combination, including with emvistegrast, as a daily oral treatment for people living with IBD.”
“We are excited for Gilead to take HCXT-2001 forward and believe their scientific expertise and global development capabilities can help realize the full potential of this novel oral IL-23R inhibitor,” said Haibing Guo, Founder and CEO of PepStar. “This transaction marks a major milestone for our company and underscores the strength of our proprietary oral peptide platform. I feel incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished in just three years and excited about what lies ahead as we continue bringing innovative medicines to patients around the world.”
Transaction Details
Under the terms of the agreement, Gilead will acquire an oral IL-23R inhibitor program, including lead asset HCXT-2001, from PepStar for $1.275 billion in upfront cash consideration, subject to customary adjustments, which is payable at closing. Closing of the transaction is subject to certain customary conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.
This transaction is expected to reduce Gilead's GAAP and non-GAAP EPS by approximately $0.79 to $0.83 in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Lazard is acting as the exclusive financial advisor for Gilead. Centerview Partners LLC is acting as the exclusive financial advisor for PepStar. Covington & Burling LLP and Mayer Brown LLP are serving as legal counsel to Gilead. Sidley Austin LLP is representing PepStar and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati LLP are serving as patent counsel to PepStar.
Advancing Gilead's Commitment to Inflammation
Gilead is committed to advancing innovative treatments with the potential to transform care for people living with chronic inflammatory conditions.
The company is building a disciplined, differentiated inflammation portfolio focused on significant unmet needs across immune-mediated diseases. By combining immunology expertise, precision oral medicines and a deep internal pipeline spanning complementary scientific approaches, Gilead has the optionality to advance both monotherapies and future combinations that address underlying drivers of disease and improve outcomes that matter most to patients.
Our areas of focus include inflammatory bowel disease, type 2 inflammatory diseases, lupus and B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
About HCXT-2001
HCXT-2001 is an investigational oral macrocyclic peptide inhibitor of IL-23R with an extended half-life currently in Phase 1 clinical trials, originally developed by PepStar Therapeutics Limited. Its safety and efficacy have not been established, and it has not been approved by any regulatory authority.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, cancer, and inflammation. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, Calif.