In its second gene and cell therapy purchase in less than a month, Astellas Pharma has acquired immuno-oncology specialist Xyphos Biosciences in a deal worth up to US$665 M. With the deal, Astellas gains access to Xyphos’ technology platform  ACCEL™ (Advanced Cellular Control through Engineered Ligands) as well as five preclinical assets. The deal comes just weeks after Astellas pledged US$3 B to acquire gene therapy company Audentes Therapeutics.