Kite Pharma

OUR STORY

A Singular Focus on Cell Therapy

Founded in 2009 as a pioneer in cell therapy research, Kite’s leadership position in the immuno-oncology space was solidified with our research and development agreement with the National Cancer Institute in 2012 and when our commercial manufacturing site opened in El Segundo in 2016. Since our acquisition by biopharma leader Gilead Sciences in October 2017, our combined strength has accelerated the advancement of our pipeline, including the launch of YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) and TECARTUS® (brexucabtagene autoleucel), and has expanded the impact of our strategic partnerships.

As an independent operating company since 2019, we prioritize innovative R&D with the full resources, capabilities, and trust of Gilead. As a vital part of Gilead — a founding member of the Foundation for the NIH’s Partnership for Accelerating Cancer Therapies — we are devoted to advancing the understanding of cell therapy as a transformational treatment option for cancer. The combined strength of Kite and Gilead allows us to remain innovative, agile, and ambitious in our mission to keep improving the lives of people with all types of cancer.

OUR MISSION 

Transformational Cancer Treatment

At Kite, our singular focus is cell therapy to treat and cure cancer. Our goal is to bring the promise of cell therapy to as many eligible patients as possible who may benefit. 

We believe cell therapy has the ability to change the way cancer is treated. Our cell therapy technology uses the power of a patient's own immune system (their white blood cells) to target and attack their cancer cells. 

Shon’s Story

After learning that two lines of chemotherapy to treat his diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) had failed, Shon and his wife, Lisa, were devastated. In that moment, they felt defeated, like they had exhausted all of their options in their battle against cancer.

But Shon didn’t give up hope. "What’s my weapon? What’s in my toolbox?" he remembers asking. When he heard about CAR T-cell therapy from his oncologist, he was intrigued and wanted to learn more. With CAR T, he was excited to discover an option that takes his own T cells and engineers them to fight the cancer cells in his body.

After talking to his doctor, Shon and his wife made the decision to try CAR T. Throughout their journey with cancer, hope remained the common theme that helped Shon and Lisa maintain a positive attitude and stay optimistic about life. "When you have cancer, it's a game of percentages," said Shon. "It's not so much the odds you're looking for, it's the hope."

Not all patients will experience the same results.