Who Owns Arcus Biosciences Company?

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Who Owns Arcus Biosciences?

Understanding Arcus Biosciences' ownership is key to grasping its strategic direction and accountability. Its 2018 IPO on the NYSE marked a significant shift, moving it from a private, venture-backed firm to a public entity.

Founded in 2015 by Terry Rosen and Juan Jaen, Arcus Biosciences aims to create best-in-class cancer therapies. Their focus on differentiated immunotherapies is evident in their pipeline, which includes programs utilizing both small molecule and biologic approaches, such as their work on potential treatments that could be explored in an Arcus Biosciences PESTEL Analysis.

As of July 2025, Arcus Biosciences holds a market capitalization between $0.97 billion and $1.02 billion USD. This valuation reflects its public trading status and the influence of its stakeholders, including founders, institutional investors, and the general public.

Arcus Biosciences was co-founded in 2015 by Terry Rosen, Ph.D., and Juan Jaen, Ph.D. Both founders brought significant experience from previous ventures in the biotechnology sector, including the successful immuno-oncology company Flexus Biosciences, which was acquired in 2015. This prior success laid a strong groundwork for establishing Arcus Biosciences with a focus on innovative cancer therapies.

Founding Team Arcus Biosciences was co-founded by Terry Rosen, Ph.D., serving as CEO, and Juan Jaen, Ph.D., as President and Head of R&D. Prior Success The founders previously co-founded Flexus Biosciences, an immuno-oncology company acquired for up to $1.25 billion in 2015. Early Funding Arcus Biosciences secured $53.5 million in Series A funding in 2015 and $107 million in Series B funding in 2016. Key Investors Initial investors included GV (formerly Google Ventures), Celgene Corp., and Stanford University. Founder Equity Specific initial equity splits for founders are not publicly detailed, but early agreements typically include vesting schedules. Company Vision The founding vision centered on developing highly combinable cancer immunotherapies, attracting significant early investment.

While the precise initial equity distribution among the founders of Arcus Biosciences is not publicly disclosed, the company's inception was marked by substantial venture capital backing. The initial financing rounds, totaling approximately $160.5 million, were critical for establishing the company's discovery platform and advancing its early-stage pipeline. These early investments from prominent firms and institutions played a significant role in shaping the company's initial ownership structure, with venture capitalists acquiring substantial stakes in exchange for essential capital. Understanding these early dynamics is key to grasping the overall Arcus Biosciences ownership landscape, especially when considering its later developments and partnerships, such as those detailed in the Competitors Landscape of Arcus Biosciences.

Early Ownership Factors

The early ownership of Arcus Biosciences was significantly influenced by the need for substantial capital to fuel its innovative research and development efforts.

• Founders' prior success provided credibility and attracted initial investment.
• Venture capital firms and institutional investors received significant equity stakes for their financial contributions.
• Founder equity typically includes vesting schedules to ensure long-term commitment.
• The company's strategic focus on combinable cancer immunotherapies was a key factor in attracting early funding.

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Arcus Biosciences' ownership journey significantly transformed with its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on March 14, 2018, marking its debut on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker 'RCUS'. This event provided substantial capital, enabling further pipeline development and operational expansion, thereby altering its financial structure and market access.

The strategic alliance with Gilead Sciences, initiated in 2020, represents a pivotal moment in Arcus Biosciences' ownership evolution. Gilead Sciences is now a substantial stakeholder, holding approximately 29.68% of Arcus Biosciences' equity as of recent data. This partnership has been bolstered by significant equity infusions, including a $320 million investment in January 2024 and a $100 million option continuation payment in July 2024. As of July 15, 2025, institutional investors collectively own about 83.49% of Arcus Biosciences, while insider ownership accounts for roughly 5.52%. This high level of institutional backing underscores confidence in the company's trajectory, particularly its advancements in research and development, which often surpass $100 million quarterly, and its progress within its clinical pipeline. Understanding the Target Market of Arcus Biosciences is crucial to appreciating the strategic rationale behind these ownership shifts.

Key Stakeholders and Ownership Breakdown

Gilead Sciences is a dominant force in Arcus Biosciences' ownership structure, reflecting a deep strategic partnership.

• Gilead Sciences holds approximately 29.68% of Arcus Biosciences' equity.
• Institutional investors collectively own around 83.49% of the company's shares as of July 15, 2025.
• Insider ownership stands at approximately 5.52%.
• The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker 'RCUS'.

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The Board of Directors at Arcus Biosciences is instrumental in guiding the company’s strategic direction and governance. As of February 2025, the board composition saw changes, with Dr. Merdad Parsey’s resignation and the addition of Dr. Berger, who also assumed the role of Chief Medical Officer at Gilead Sciences in January 2025, underscoring a significant connection.

Arcus Biosciences employs a staggered board structure, with directors serving three-year terms and elected by a plurality of voting power. The company adheres to corporate governance guidelines that prioritize a majority of independent directors, as defined by NYSE rules, while also valuing the insights of non-independent directors, including key management. Gilead Sciences, holding approximately 29.68% of Arcus Biosciences stock, exerts considerable influence and maintains board representation, reflecting its position as the Arcus Biosciences majority shareholder. The board’s oversight extends through specialized committees, including Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance, with independent directors convening quarterly in executive sessions to manage compliance and risk.

Understanding Arcus Biosciences Ownership and Governance

The structure of Arcus Biosciences ownership and its board composition are key to understanding its strategic trajectory. The significant stake held by Gilead Sciences directly impacts Arcus Biosciences stock ownership and investor relations.

• Gilead Sciences is the Arcus Biosciences majority shareholder.
• The board structure aims for a majority of independent directors.
• Directors are elected for three-year terms in a staggered system.
• Key board members represent major shareholders and company leadership.
• Understanding Mission, Vision & Core Values of Arcus Biosciences provides context for board decisions.

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Over the past few years, Arcus Biosciences has seen significant shifts in its ownership, largely influenced by its strategic alliance with Gilead Sciences. These developments highlight a growing institutional interest and a strengthening partnership.

The ownership landscape of Arcus Biosciences is predominantly shaped by institutional investors, who held approximately 83.49% as of July 15, 2025. This high level of institutional backing is a common characteristic in the biopharmaceutical sector, reflecting confidence in the company's research and development pipeline. Insider ownership stands at a more modest 5.52%. The company's capital management strategy, including a public offering in February 2025 that generated about $150 million, aims to support critical R&D activities, including the advancement of key molecules like domvanalimab, quemliclustat, and casdatifan. These funds are expected to sustain operations through initial pivotal readouts, projected into 2027. While the company regularly issues employee stock options and restricted stock units, there have been no major disclosures regarding share buybacks or significant leadership changes that would alter the overall ownership structure.

Gilead Sciences' Growing Stake

Gilead Sciences has significantly increased its investment in Arcus Biosciences, demonstrating a strong commitment to their collaborative efforts. This strategic partnership is crucial for funding Arcus's pipeline advancements.

Institutional Investor Dominance

Institutional investors represent the largest segment of Arcus Biosciences' ownership. This trend underscores the significant role large financial entities play in the biopharmaceutical industry's investment ecosystem.

Public Offering for R&D Funding

A recent public offering in February 2025 successfully raised substantial capital. These funds are earmarked for crucial research and development initiatives, including clinical trials for promising drug candidates.

Operational Runway Extension

The company's financial strategy, bolstered by recent investments and equity financing, is designed to support operations through key clinical milestones. This provides a clear path for the advancement of its core therapeutic programs.

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