Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced a collaboration with Sail Biomedicines, a biotechnology company developing CAR-T therapies, to accelerate the development of next-generation treatments for immune-mediated diseases. The partnership aims to advance Sail's lead programme and expand the application of its proprietary in vivo CAR-T platform across additional therapeutic targets in the future.

As part of the agreement, Johnson & Johnson will make an equity investment in Sail Biomedicines and collaborate on advancing the company's lead immune-mediated disease programme and broader platform technology. The pharmaceutical major has also secured an exclusive option to acquire Sail Biomedicines for USD 2.58 billion, subject to the terms of the agreement.

The collaboration is intended to address significant unmet medical needs in immune-mediated diseases by advancing differentiated immunology programmes. Sail Biomedicines' in vivo CAR-T platform is designed to generate CAR-T therapies directly within the patient's body, eliminating the need for conventional ex vivo cell manufacturing. The approach aims to offer a scalable treatment strategy with the potential to deliver durable disease control, immune system reset and long-term therapeutic benefits.

In vivo CAR-T therapies are emerging as one of the most promising areas in modern medicine, with applications across both oncology and immune-mediated disorders. By combining Johnson & Johnson's expertise in immunology and CAR-T therapies with Sail Biomedicines' innovative platform, the two companies aim to accelerate the development of transformative therapies capable of improving patient outcomes and potentially delivering curative treatment options.

John Reed, Executive Vice President, Innovative Medicine Research and Development at Johnson & Johnson, said patients living with serious immune-mediated diseases continue to require therapies that provide deeper and more durable disease control. He noted that Sail Biomedicines' platform offers a simpler and more scalable approach to harnessing the potential of CAR-T therapy and could fundamentally transform the treatment of immune-mediated diseases.

The agreement further strengthens Johnson & Johnson's leadership in immunology while expanding its capabilities in in vivo CAR-T technologies and immune system reprogramming. The collaboration also creates opportunities to develop future programmes targeting a broader range of complex diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Johnson & Johnson will make initial payments totaling USD 785 million, including a USD 465 million equity investment. Sail Biomedicines will also be eligible for an additional USD 140 million upon achieving specified development milestones. If Johnson & Johnson exercises its exclusive acquisition option, the company will make an additional payment of USD 2.58 billion.

The company expects the transaction, if completed, to dilute adjusted operational earnings per share and adjusted earnings per share by approximately USD 0.18 in 2026 and USD 1.28 in 2027. The agreement remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.