Gilead struck a front‑loaded acquisition to secure OM336, a BCMAxCD3 T‑cell engager being developed for autoimmune blood disorders. The deal pays $1.675 billion up front with up to $500 million in milestones and positions Galapagos to take on most of Ouro Medicines’ operating assets and staff under an arrangement Gilead described as advanced discussions. Gilead will keep global commercial rights (excluding China), while Galapagos would fund development and retain royalties if OM336 advances. The buyout follows Gilead’s recent cell‑therapy consolidation, and it accelerates access to a candidate already in phase 1/2 studies that the company says has shown early transformative efficacy and a differentiated safety profile.