Kite Pharma
Kite Pharma, a Gilead Company, is a public biotechnology firm founded in 2009, specializing in cell therapy for cancer treatment. With a team of over 4,000 employees, the company operates globally and is recognized for its innovative CAR T-cell therapies and commitment to advancing diversity in clinical trials.
Company Overview
Kite Pharma is a public biotechnology research company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Santa Monica, California. The company specializes in cell therapy, particularly in the treatment of cancer. With a team size of 4,036, Kite Pharma is classified as a very large enterprise. It operates dedicated cell therapy manufacturing facilities in California, Maryland, and the Netherlands, and has a global presence with additional locations in the UK and the Netherlands.
Specialties
Kite Pharma focuses on several key specialties within the biotechnology sector, including cancer treatment, engineered autologous cell therapy (eACT), immunotherapy, and T-cell therapy. The company is known for its development of CAR T-cell therapies, which reengineer a patient’s immune cells to target and combat cancer cells. Kite Pharma has treated more patients with CAR T-cell therapy than any other company, emphasizing its leadership in this innovative treatment area.
Products
Kite Pharma develops CAR T-cell therapies, notably Yescarta and Tecartus, which are designed for various types of blood cancer. The company is also engaged in the development of 'off-the-shelf' allogeneic CAR T cell products using gene editing technology. Its broad and diversified pipeline includes research aimed at improving patient responses to cell therapy, addressing both hematological malignancies and solid tumors.
Research and Development
Kite Pharma participates in collaborative research and development agreements, including partnerships with the National Cancer Institute. The company supports investigator-sponsored research through its External Research Program. Kite Pharma is committed to advancing technologies that enhance treatment options for patients, focusing on innovative approaches to cancer therapy.
Community Engagement
Kite Pharma emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical trials and engages in partnerships to foster trust among diverse communities. The company offers early talent programs, including internships and apprenticeships, to nurture the next generation of innovators in the biotechnology field. Additionally, Kite Pharma provides expanded access programs for investigational therapies in specific cases.