BMS to Acquire Orbital and Strengthen Cell Therapy Portfolio
The companies have entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition, which includes an investigational immunotherapy preclinical candidate and a proprietary RNA modular platform.
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is set to acquire privately held biotechnology company, Orbital Therapeutics (Orbital), further strengthening its cell therapy portfolio. A definitive agreement for the purchase was announced by the companies in an Oct. 10, 2025 press release (1).
Orbital’s lead RNA immunotherapy preclinical candidate, OTX-201, which is currently in investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies, is included in the acquisition. OTX-201 consists of an optimized circular RNA that encodes a CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and is delivered by targeted lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Administration of the therapy is performed in vivo, which has the potential to reduce treatment burden and improve accessibility when compared with ex vivo CAR-T therapies (2).
“In vivo CAR T represents a novel treatment approach that could redefine how we treat autoimmune diseases,” said Robert Plenge, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President, Chief Research Officer, BMS, in a company press release (1). “This acquisition enhances our robust cell therapy research platform and provides an opportunity to advance a potential best-in-class therapy designed to deplete autoreactive B cells and reset the immune system. We are excited by the promise this holds for patients with autoimmune diseases who are waiting for better options.”
In addition to acquiring OTX-201, BMS will also gain Orbital’s proprietary RNA modular platform, which is able to fine-tune expression, duration, and delivery of therapies to meet specific demands of each condition (3).
“With the acquisition of Orbital Therapeutics and its next-generation RNA platform, we have an incredible opportunity to make CAR T-cell therapy more efficient and accessible to more patients,” added Lynelle B. Hoch, president, Cell Therapy Organization, BMS, in a press release (1). “As a leader in cell therapy, we are uniquely positioned to evaluate multiple different platform approaches to induce immune reset in autoimmune diseases and continue to optimize in vivo technology in clinical development.”
“This agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb, a recognized leader in global medicine, marks a transformational moment for Orbital and the advancement of RNA medicine,” commented Ron Philip, Chief Executive Officer, Orbital Therapeutics, in the press release (1). “Since inception, Orbital has made significant strides developing a differentiated RNA platform designed to enable a new generation of RNA medicines that reach more tissues, address more diseases, and benefit more patients. The promising early data from our lead program, OTX-201, underscore the strength of this approach and the potential of our integrated RNA technologies. Together, we aim to deliver RNA medicines that provide patients with treatments that are simpler, safer, and more accessible compared to today’s complex therapies.”
Under the terms of the agreement, BMS will pay USD 1.5 billion in cash to acquire Orbital, subject to the customary closing conditions.
References
BMS. Bristol Myers Squibb Strengthens and Diversifies Cell Therapy Portfolio with Acquisition of Orbital Therapeutics. Press Release, Oct. 10, 2025.
Orbital Therapeutics. Creating a New Class of Precision RNA Immunotherapies. OrbitalTX.com/pipeline, accessed Oct. 10, 2025.
Orbital Therapeutics. Resetting the Immune System with Programmable RNA. OrbitalTX.com/platform, accessed Oct. 10, 2025.