Kite Pharma
| File:NEW KITE COLOR LOGO.jpg | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Nasdaq: KITE | |
| Industry | Biopharmaceutical |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Arie Belldegrun and Joshua Kazam |
| Fate | Acquired by Gilead Sciences |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people |
|
| Products | Cancer immunotherapy |
Number of employees | 2,000 |
| Parent | Gilead Sciences |
| Website | www.kitepharma.com |
Kite Pharma, Inc. is a U.S.-based biotechnology firm that develops genetically modified autologous CAR T cell therapies for cancer treatment. Established in 2009 and located in Santa Monica, California, the company became a subsidiary of Gilead Sciences following its acquisition in 2017.
History
Kite Pharma was founded by Israeli-American oncologist Arie Belldegrun, who held the roles of chairman, president, and CEO, alongside co-founder Joshua Kazam serving as Director. The company concentrated on pioneering cancer treatment solutions.[1][2]
On August 28, 2017, Gilead Sciences revealed its plan to acquire Kite Pharma in an $11.9 billion cash transaction, representing a 29% premium over Kite’s stock price at the time. This move aimed to expand Gilead’s portfolio beyond its declining hepatitis C segment. At the time, Kite's annual sales were forecasted to reach $2 billion.[3][4] The deal was finalized in October 2017.[5]
Post-acquisition, Kite’s flagship product Yescarta became the inaugural FDA-approved CAR-T therapy for adults with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma who had undergone two or more prior systemic treatments.[6] This therapeutic platform originated from research conducted at the U.S. National Cancer Institute, with Kite maintaining active collaborations and licensing agreements stemming from this foundation.[7]
In 2017, MIT Technology Review ranked Kite Pharma seventh among the top 50 Smartest Companies of the previous year, recognizing its advancements in cancer immunotherapy.[8]
Lead product
Axicabtagene ciloleucel (also known as KTE-C19, ZUMA-3, YESCARTA) is a genetically engineered T-cell therapy designed to target the CD19 antigen present on B-cell lymphomas and leukemias. In December 2015, it was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the US FDA for treating refractory cases of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma (PMBCL), and transformed follicular lymphoma (TFL). The therapy received FDA approval under the brand name YESCARTA in October 2017.
2012
In October of this year, Kite Pharma entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to advance and commercialize cellular immunotherapy treatments targeting various cancers.
2013
December marked the announcement of encouraging clinical trial results from Kite’s lead program in partnership with NCI. The data demonstrated that KTE-C19 CAR therapy induced substantial tumor reduction in patients diagnosed with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, particularly diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). These findings were showcased at the 55th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, underscoring the therapy’s potential impact within oncology immunotherapy markets.
2014
In March, Kite Pharma's treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) received orphan drug status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), emphasizing the company's commitment to pioneering cancer therapies. By June, Kite obtained an exclusive global license from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for T cell receptor (TCR)-based candidates targeting the NY-ESO-1 antigen, broadening its cancer immunotherapy pipeline.
Clinical trial data released in August revealed a 92% objective response rate among patients with advanced B-cell malignancies, reinforcing Kite's intention to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for its leading CAR-based therapy, KTE-C19, designed specifically for DLBCL.
2015
In January, Kite Pharma forged a strategic alliance with Amgen to co-develop next-generation Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell treatments, combining Kite’s engineered autologous platform with Amgen’s expertise in cancer targets. By May, Kite launched a Phase 1/2 clinical trial assessing KTE-C19 in patients with refractory aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
June marked a collaboration with bluebird bio aimed at co-developing second-generation TCR therapies directed at the HPV type 16 E6 oncoprotein, utilizing gene editing and lentiviral vector technologies. In July, Kite partnered with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to accelerate development of KTE-C19 for refractory aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
In September, Kite extended its partnership with the Netherlands Cancer Institute by securing exclusive options to license multiple TCR gene sequences for immunotherapies targeting solid tumors and gaining access to additional research assets.
October saw Kite obtain an exclusive worldwide license from NIH for TCR candidates targeting MAGE antigens found in various cancers such as lung and breast tumors. Simultaneously, Kite entered into a research and licensing agreement with Alpine Immune Sciences to develop protein-based immunotherapies aimed at modulating the immune synapse. This collaboration included an investment of up to $530 million to advance CAR and TCR therapies engineered to overcome tumor microenvironment resistance.
In December, Kite commenced a Phase 1/2 clinical study (ZUMA-3) of KTE-C19 targeting relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), focusing on genetically modified T cells directed against CD19. Additionally, a collaboration with GE Global Research was announced to develop automated manufacturing solutions intended to reduce costs and speed up production of engineered T-cell therapies. The FDA awarded Breakthrough Therapy Designation to KTE-C19 for refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), and transformed follicular lymphoma (TFL), highlighting Kite’s leadership in oncology drug development.
2016
January saw Kite Pharma enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to advance a fully human anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) candidate targeting B-cell lymphomas and leukemia. Concurrently, its European subsidiary signed a research and license deal with Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) to develop TCR candidates focused on HPV type 16-related solid tumors.
In March, Kite collaborated with Genentech to assess the safety and effectiveness of combining KTE-C19 with atezolizumab in patients suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
June involved a research partnership and licensing agreement with Cell Design Labs to create next-generation CAR candidates featuring molecular “on/off switch” technology. Additionally, Kite expanded its CRADA with the NCI’s Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch to develop TCR therapies targeting HPV-16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins associated with HPV-related cancers.
In July, Kite secured an exclusive global license from UCLA for developing off-the-shelf allogeneic T-cell therapies derived from pluripotent stem cells.
By December, Kite established a strategic collaboration with Vitruvian Networks—a cell and gene therapy software company co-founded by GE Ventures and Mayo Clinic—to build a commercial-scale platform designed to support ordering, logistics, monitoring, and delivery of autologous cell therapies. This infrastructure is intended to facilitate commercialization of Kite’s lead engineered T-cell product, axicabtagene ciloleucel (previously known as KTE-C19), targeting aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
2017
In March, Kite revealed clinical trial data for its CAR-T therapy involving nearly 100 patients with advanced Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, demonstrating notable advancements within its development pipeline. The following month, Kite received the ‘Clinical Trial Result of the Year’ award for Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (KTE-C19), acknowledging its significant contribution to treating aggressive forms of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. By August, the company submitted an application for European regulatory approval of KTE-C19 targeting two subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, marking a key move to broaden its international market presence.
Business history
Kite Pharma initially secured $15 million in Series A financing in March 2011 and subsequently completed a $35 million preferred stock Series A round by May 2013, providing capital for early development phases. In April 2014, the firm raised $50 million via mezzanine convertible notes to support expansion efforts. The company filed for an initial public offering (IPO) with the SEC in May 2014 and successfully launched on NASDAQ in June 2014, raising $146.6 million at $17 per share under the ticker “KITE.” A secondary offering in December 2014 brought in $216.4 million at $54 per share.
In March 2015, Kite enhanced its global footprint by acquiring T-Cell Factory, a Netherlands-based firm, for €20 million, securing European manufacturing capabilities and intellectual property associated with T-cell receptors. This acquisition strengthened Kite’s strategic position within the European Union market. Another public offering occurred in December 2015, generating $287.6 million at $69 per share to fund ongoing research and expansion plans.
January 2017 marked the establishment of strategic alliances including a partnership with Daiichi Sankyo to jointly develop and commercialize Kite’s oncology therapies in Japan, with potential total payments up to $250 million, including a $50 million upfront fee. Simultaneously, Kite entered a joint venture with Fosun Pharmaceutical to access the Chinese market, receiving an initial payment of $40 million plus milestone payments totaling $35 million.
On August 28, 2017, Gilead Sciences announced an agreement to acquire Kite Pharma for $11.9 billion in cash ($180 per share), a transaction finalized on October 3, 2017, significantly enhancing Gilead’s cell therapy portfolio.
Kite maintains principal manufacturing sites in El Segundo, California, and Amsterdam to serve markets across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe. In 2023, it expanded production capacity by opening a new facility in Urbana, Maryland designed to enable same-day coordination between its California and Netherlands plants as part of its growth strategy.
In February 2023, Kite acquired Tmunity Therapeutics to strengthen its cell therapy product lineup and competitive positioning. However, in September 2024, Kite divested its 50% ownership stake in the China joint venture to Fosun Pharmaceutical for $27 million, reflecting a strategic reorientation toward other international markets.
Allogene Therapeutics
After Kite’s acquisition by Gilead, several of Kite’s founders along with its Chief Medical Officer collaborated with Pfizer in February 2018 to establish Allogene Therapeutics, focusing on allogeneic CAR-T therapies. This initiative aimed to develop off-the-shelf CAR-T treatments applicable across multiple patients rather than personalized therapies like YESCARTA. Pfizer secured a 25% equity interest and two seats on Allogene’s board while Allogene obtained rights to sixteen preclinical CAR-T candidates and one Phase 1 clinical asset. The company raised $300 million in Series A funding from investors including Texas Pacific Group, University of California, Two River Partners, and Gilead. Allogene’s IPO in October 2019 generated $324 million and valued the company at approximately $3 billion.
See also
External links
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