AstraZeneca acquires Belgian firm EsoBiotec for $1 billion

AstraZeneca has agreed to buy Belgian biotech firm EsoBiotec for up to $1 billion. EsoBiotec specializes in cancer immunotherapies that allow for quicker cell therapy treatments, potentially benefiting more patients than traditional methods. The deal includes an initial payment of $425 million, with up to $575 million based on future milestones. This acquisition is part of AstraZeneca's strategy to expand its drug portfolio, following other recent purchases. Additionally, AstraZeneca announced that its Imfinzi lung cancer drug has been approved in the EU. The company also reported positive results for a drug treating hypoparathyroidism, which normalizes calcium levels in patients.