Kite Pharma
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAmerican biotechnology company known for developing engineered T-cell immunotherapies, especially autologous CAR-T treatments for blood cancers.
Last updated August 25, 2026
Overview
Kite Pharma is an American biotechnology company focused on cancer immunotherapy, particularly genetically engineered autologous chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, or CAR-T, treatments. The company was established in 2009 by oncologist Arie Belldegrun, with Joshua Kazam also involved as a co-founder and director. Its central technological approach takes a patient's own T cells, modifies them outside the body so that they express a chimeric antigen receptor directed at a cancer-associated antigen, and then returns the engineered cells to the patient. Kite concentrated much of its early development work on CD19-directed therapies for B-cell leukemias and lymphomas, while also pursuing T-cell receptor, or TCR, programs aimed at solid tumors. Kite's development platform grew through collaborations with the U.S. National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, academic medical centers, technology companies and pharmaceutical partners. A 2012 cooperative research agreement with the National Cancer Institute helped support development and commercialization of engineered-cell products. Subsequent work generated encouraging early clinical results in aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma and helped establish the company's lead program, initially known as KTE-C19 and later named axicabtagene ciloleucel. The treatment was studied in patients whose disease had returned or failed to respond after multiple prior therapies. Its development included a U.S. Food and Drug Administration Breakthrough Therapy designation in 2015 for several aggressive B-cell lymphoma indications. The company's principal commercial milestone came in October 2017, when axicabtagene ciloleucel was approved in the United States under the brand name Yescarta. It became the first FDA-approved CAR-T therapy for adults with certain relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas after at least two previous systemic treatment regimens. The product made Kite one of the most visible pioneers in commercial cell therapy, although CAR-T treatment also required specialized manufacturing, logistics, treatment-center infrastructure and management of potentially serious immune-related adverse effects. Kite expanded its research and manufacturing capabilities through transactions and partnerships. In 2015 it acquired the Dutch biotechnology company T-Cell Factory, creating Kite Pharma EU and obtaining access to European research and manufacturing resources. It also entered agreements involving Amgen, bluebird bio, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Genentech, Cell Design Labs, UCLA, Leiden University Medical Center and other organizations. These efforts covered next-generation CAR designs, controllable receptors, TCR therapies against viral and cancer antigens, allogeneic or off-the-shelf cell therapy, automated manufacturing and treatment logistics. Gilead Sciences announced an all-cash acquisition of Kite in August 2017. The transaction valued Kite at approximately $11.9 billion and was completed on October 3, 2017. Gilead sought to diversify beyond its maturing hepatitis C business, while Kite gained the resources of a large global pharmaceutical company. Following the acquisition, Kite continued as a Gilead cell-therapy business and its products and pipeline became part of Gilead's oncology and cell-therapy operations. Yescarta remains the company's best-known offering, and Tecartus represents another Gilead-associated CAR-T product developed through the Kite platform. Kite's historical identity is therefore that of a biotechnology innovator whose independent public-company period culminated in a major acquisition and whose technology became an important component of Gilead's oncology strategy.
History
Kite Pharma was founded in 2009 in the United States by oncologist Arie Belldegrun, with Joshua Kazam as a co-founder and director. From the beginning, the company concentrated on cancer immunotherapy rather than conventional small-molecule medicines. Its principal platform involved collecting a patient's T cells, genetically engineering them to recognize malignant cells, expanding them and returning them as a personalized treatment. The early emphasis was CD19-directed CAR-T therapy for B-cell malignancies, complemented by TCR programs directed at antigens associated with solid tumors. The company established a significant research relationship with the National Cancer Institute in 2012. Data presented in 2013 from work involving KTE-C19 showed substantial responses in patients with aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In 2014, Kite obtained orphan-drug designation for its proposed DLBCL treatment and licensed NIH intellectual property relating to TCR candidates directed against NY-ESO-1. These activities broadened the company beyond a single product and helped build a portfolio around engineered immune-cell recognition. Kite's clinical and partnering activity accelerated in 2015. It began a Phase 1/2 study of KTE-C19 in refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma, received FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for several lymphoma indications, and initiated a separate development program for relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Partnerships with Amgen and bluebird bio addressed next-generation CAR and TCR technologies. Agreements with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, NIH and Alpine Immune Sciences added clinical, intellectual-property and discovery resources. Kite also partnered with GE Global Research to explore automated manufacturing systems intended to improve the speed, consistency and scalability of personalized cell therapy. In March 2015, Kite acquired Dutch biotechnology company T-Cell Factory. The business was renamed Kite Pharma EU and provided access to European research, licensing and manufacturing infrastructure. Kite later expanded its European capabilities through additional agreements with academic and research organizations. In 2016, the company pursued technologies for molecularly controlled CAR-T cells, HPV-directed TCRs and allogeneic cell products derived from renewable stem-cell sources. A partnership with Vitruvian Networks focused on software for ordering, logistics, monitoring and delivery of commercial autologous cell therapies. KTE-C19, subsequently named axicabtagene ciloleucel, became Kite's defining achievement. In 2017, clinical results in advanced non-Hodgkin lymphoma helped support regulatory filings in the United States and Europe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the therapy in October 2017 under the brand name Yescarta. The approval covered adults with certain relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas after at least two systemic treatment regimens and made Yescarta the first FDA-approved CAR-T treatment for that setting. Kite's independent corporate history ended with its acquisition by Gilead Sciences. Gilead announced the proposed $11.9 billion all-cash transaction on August 28, 2017, and completed it on October 3. The deal supplied Gilead with a commercially advanced cell-therapy platform at a time when its hepatitis C franchise was facing declining demand. After the acquisition, Kite continued within Gilead as a cell-therapy business. Its technology, manufacturing network and product portfolio became part of Gilead's broader oncology strategy, with Yescarta as the principal product associated with the Kite name and Tecartus as another major product in the associated CAR-T portfolio.
- 2017
Yescarta approval
[1]Axicabtagene ciloleucel received FDA approval as Yescarta for certain relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas.
- 2017
Acquisition by Gilead Sciences
[1]Gilead completed its approximately $11.9 billion acquisition of Kite Pharma on October 3.
- 2015
Breakthrough Therapy designation
[1]The FDA designated KTE-C19 a Breakthrough Therapy for specified aggressive B-cell lymphomas.
- 2015
T-Cell Factory acquisition
[1]Kite acquired T-Cell Factory in the Netherlands and created Kite Pharma EU.
- 2014
KTE-C19 receives orphan-drug designation
[1]The FDA granted orphan-drug designation for Kite's proposed DLBCL therapy.
- 2012
National Cancer Institute research agreement
[1]Kite entered a cooperative research and development agreement with the NCI covering engineered-cell products for cancer.
- 2009
Kite Pharma is founded
[1]Arie Belldegrun founded Kite Pharma, with Joshua Kazam involved as a co-founder and director.
Products and positioning
Cancer immunotherapy and engineered-cell-therapy innovator
Autologous CAR-T cell therapy · 2017
Yescarta
Yescarta is the commercial name for axicabtagene ciloleucel, an autologous CAR-T therapy directed against CD19. A patient's T cells are collected and genetically modified to recognize CD19-expressing malignant B cells. The product became the first CAR-T therapy approved by the FDA for adults with certain relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas after multiple prior systemic treatments. It is the product most closely associated with Kite's independent development history.
Autologous CAR-T cell therapy
Tecartus
Tecartus is an autologous CD19-directed CAR-T therapy in the Kite and Gilead cell-therapy portfolio. It is associated with treatment of selected B-cell malignancies and reflects the expansion of the platform beyond Kite's original Yescarta lymphoma program. The product is commercially managed within Gilead's cell-therapy business.
CAR-T development program · 2017
KTE-C19 / axicabtagene ciloleucel
KTE-C19 was the development code for axicabtagene ciloleucel, a CD19-directed autologous CAR-T product. Kite studied it in aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, generating the clinical evidence that led to the Yescarta approval. The program was developed through a combination of Kite research and collaboration with the National Cancer Institute.
T-cell receptor immunotherapy
TCR oncology programs
Kite developed and licensed TCR-based candidates directed at targets including NY-ESO-1, MAGE antigens and HPV-16 oncoproteins. These programs were intended to extend engineered-cell therapy into solid tumors and other cancers where intracellular or viral antigens may be relevant. The portfolio was assembled through agreements with NIH, academic institutions and biotechnology partners.
Brand decisions
2017
Accept Gilead Sciences acquisitionM&ABackground
Kite had a late-stage CAR-T platform and a lead product approaching commercialization, while Gilead sought growth beyond hepatitis C.
Action taken
Gilead agreed to acquire Kite in an all-cash transaction, which closed on October 3, 2017.
Aftermath
Kite became Gilead's cell-therapy business and Yescarta became a core product in Gilead's oncology portfolio.
Transaction value. Approximately US$11.9 billion (Announced August 2017; completed October 2017)
2015
Expand beyond first-generation CAR-T therapyStrategyBackground
Kite sought to build a broader engineered-cell platform rather than rely solely on its lead CD19 program.
Action taken
It added collaborations and licenses covering TCRs, controllable CARs, solid-tumor targets and manufacturing technologies.
Aftermath
The expanded platform supported a wider pipeline and increased Kite's strategic value to potential commercial partners and acquirers.
2015
Acquire T-Cell FactoryM&ABackground
Kite needed European research, licensing and manufacturing capabilities to support regional development of engineered-cell therapies.
Action taken
The company acquired Dutch biotechnology business T-Cell Factory and renamed it Kite Pharma EU.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded Kite's European presence and supplied access to additional facilities and intellectual-property relationships.
Recent events
- 2017
Kite submits axicabtagene ciloleucel for European review[1]
Regulation
Kite filed its lead CAR-T candidate in Europe for treatment of certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- 2017
Gilead announces acquisition of Kite Pharma[1]
M&A
Gilead announced an all-cash transaction valuing Kite at approximately $11.9 billion, seeking to strengthen its oncology and cell-therapy position.
- 2017
Yescarta receives FDA approval[1]
Product launch · Regulation
Axicabtagene ciloleucel was approved as Yescarta for certain adults with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after multiple prior treatments.
- 2016
Kite expands collaborations in TCR and controlled CAR-T technologies[1]
Other
Kite announced agreements involving the National Cancer Institute, Genentech, Cell Design Labs, UCLA and Leiden University Medical Center to broaden its engineered-cell pipeline.
- 2015
Kite and Amgen establish CAR-T research collaboration[1]
Other
The companies agreed to pursue next-generation CAR-T immunotherapies using Kite's engineered-cell platform and Amgen's oncology targets.
- 2015
FDA grants Breakthrough Therapy designation to KTE-C19[1]
Regulation
KTE-C19 received Breakthrough Therapy designation for certain aggressive B-cell lymphomas, accelerating regulatory interaction around the program.
- 2015
Kite acquires T-Cell Factory[1]
M&A
The acquisition gave Kite European research, licensing and manufacturing capabilities and led to the creation of Kite Pharma EU.
- 2014
Kite receives orphan-drug designation for its lymphoma therapy[1]
Regulation
The FDA's Office of Orphan Products Development granted orphan-drug designation to Kite's proposed DLBCL treatment.
- 2013
Kite reports strong early clinical responses for KTE-C19[1]
Other
The company presented early data indicating substantial tumor shrinkage in patients with aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
- 2012
Kite Pharma enters cooperative research agreement with the National Cancer Institute[1]
Other
Kite and the National Cancer Institute began a research and development relationship covering engineered T-cell products for multiple cancer indications.
Sources1 sources
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