Drugmaker AstraZeneca has agreed to buy Belgium-based biotechnology firm EsoBiotec for up to $1 billion, it said on Monday, seeking to accelerate the development of its cell therapy capabilities, particularly for cancer.

The deal includes the Belgian biotech’s vivo cell-therapy platform, which modifies immune cells within the patient’s body, potentially increasing access to treatment and reducing costs.

From STAT’s Andrew Joseph: AstraZeneca said this morning it was buying the Belgian cell therapy company EsoBiotec for $425 million upfront, building out another cancer-targeting approach.