Kite Pharma and Leiden University Medical Center sign research and license agreement for T Cell Receptors
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Kite Pharma, Inc. 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.
Under the terms of the agreement, Kite Pharma EU will partner with the LUMC Department of Clinical Oncology and Professor Dr. Sjoerd van der Burg, a leader in the research of HPV-associated cancers. Kite will also receive an exclusive option to license multiple TCR gene sequences for the development and commercialization of product candidates.
"This collaboration expands our existing TCR franchise targeting HPV-associated cancers and creates an opportunity to broaden the coverage of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types across different patient populations," said David Chang, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Research and Development of Kite. "LUMC is an ideal partner, given its deep experience with the immune response to solid tumors, and complements our existing research and development capabilities in Europe."
Kite Pharma EU, based in Amsterdam, is focused on the discovery and development of tumor-specific TCRs for broad use in cancer treatment based on its TCR-GENErator™ platform. Kite Pharma EU is comprised of a leading team of immuno-oncology researchers and collaborators, including Professor Dr. Ton N. M. Schumacher, who serves as Chief Scientific Officer.
ir.kitepharma.com
