[10] Axicabtagene ciloleucel (KTE-C19, ZUMA-3, YESCARTA) was an investigational therapy (for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)) in which a patient's T cells were genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor designed to target the antigen CD19, a protein expressed on the cell surface of B-cell lymphomas and leukemias.

[16] In June, Kite Pharma entered into an exclusive, worldwide license with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to certain intellectual property related to TCR-based product candidates that target the NY-ESO-1 antigen for the treatment of cancers expressing NY-ESO-1.

[21] In June, Kite Pharma and bluebird bio, Inc. announced they have entered into a collaboration agreement to co-develop and co-commercialize second generation T cell receptor product candidates directed against the human papillomavirus type 16 E6 onco protein incorporating gene editing and lentiviral technologies.

This collaboration will accelerate Kite's efforts to establish the next generation of engineered T cell therapies specifically designed to overcome the inhibitory mechanisms present in the tumor micro-environment.

[26][27] In December, Kite Pharma announced that it has initiated a phase 1/2 clinical study of KTE-C19 (ZUMA-3) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

[11] In the same month, Kite Pharma and GE Global Research announced they will partner to develop a next-generation, functionally integrated and automated manufacturing system for engineered T-cell therapy.

Kite and GE Global Research—GE's centralized R&D hub—said they aim to increase the availability of engineered T-cell therapies by speeding up development of automation technologies that have the potential to lower costs, operate faster, and minimize variability.

[29] Moreover, Kite Pharma announced that its European subsidiary has entered into a research and license agreement with Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) to identify and develop T cell receptor (TCR) product candidates targeting solid tumors that are associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 infection.

[32] Also in June, Kite Pharma announced that it has entered into a new Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch (ETIB) of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for the research and clinical development of T-cell receptor (TCR) product candidates directed against human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 E6 and E7 onco-proteins for the treatment of HPV-associated cancers.

[37] In August, Kite has filed the first CAR-T candidate in Europe, seeking approval of its axicabtagene ciloleucel (KTE-C19) for two types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

Additionally, the TCF acquisition will allow Kite Pharma to access the European manufacturing facilities, paving way for the company to initiate development programs in the EU and build its presence in the region.

[53] Also in January, Kite Pharma announced that it had formed a joint venture with Fosun Pharmaceutical to develop and commercialize its cancer treatment in China.

[3][56] The company has primary leading manufacturing facilities in El Segundo, CA next to Los Angeles International airport and Amsterdam, Netherlands to support US, Canada, Australia and European markets.

[57] In February 2023, the business completed its acquisition of Tmunity Therapeutics[58] In September 2024, Kite Pharma announced it would sell its 50% stake in the joint venture to Fosun Pharmaceutical for $27 million.