- In its Investor Day yesterday, Kite Pharma (NASDAQ:KITE -4%) provided an update on its preparedness for the U.S. launch of KTE-C19 and its development activities.
- It says it can produce KTE-C19, a CAR-T therapy for the treatment of certain blood cancers, in commercial quantities. Its manufacturing process is very efficient, with yields as high as 99%, and will be able to supply treatments for more than 4,000 patients a year with the ability to quickly expand. Next-generation automation will enter feasibility testing in 2017.
- Clinical trials are planned or are in process for six new blood cancer indications for KTE-C19.
- Four new Investigational New Drug (IND) applications are planned in the next two years: KITE-718 in non-small cell lung cancer and bladder cancer (2016); KITE-585 in multiple myeloma (2017) and KITE-796 in myeloid leukemia and KITE-439 in cervical cancer and head and neck cancer, both in 2018.