ACLX Stock Surges Nearly 80% To Record High - What Triggered The Rally?

• Gilead to pay $115 per share in cash and a $5 CVR tied to future sales milestones.
• The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026.
• The acquisition is expected to boost Gilead’s earnings per share from 2028.

Shares of Arcellx Inc (ACLX) surged nearly 80% on Monday after Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) announced an agreement to acquire Arcellx in a deal worth around $7.8 billion.

ACLX shares hit an all-time high while GILD shares traded 1.2% lower.

Gilead Sciences To Acquire Arcellx

Under the agreement, Gilead will pay $115 per share in cash plus a $5 contingent value right (CVR) tied to future sales milestones. The offer is a 68% premium to Arcellx’s 30-day average share price as of Feb. 20, 2026.

Gilead, which already owns roughly 11.5% of Arcellx, will launch a tender offer for the remaining shares. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026.

The acquisition is projected to boost Gilead’s earnings per share starting in 2028, following potential U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of anitocabtagene autoleucel (anito-cel), a treatment for multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.

Partnership To Develop CAR T-Cell Therapy For Multiple Myeloma

Gilead's unit Kite, and Arcellx are working together to develop and sell anito-cel, an experimental CAR T-cell therapy for multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that frequently returns even after treatment. 

In clinical studies so far, anito-cel has shown strong and lasting responses with manageable side effects. The companies have filed a Biologics License Application (BLA) seeking approval for anito-cel as a fourth-line treatment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted the application and set a decision date of December 23, 2026.

How Did Stocktwits Users React?

Retail sentiment for ACLX on Stocktwits turned 'extremely bullish' from 'bullish' a day earlier, amid 'extremely high' message volumes.

Year-to-date, ACLX stock has gained 76% while GILD has added 23%.

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

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