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Kite Pharma, bluebird bio to jointly advance second generation TCR cell therapy products

US-based biopharmaceutical firm Kite Pharma has entered into a collaboration agreement with bluebird bio to jointly develop and commercialize second generation T cell receptor (TCR) product candidates to treat human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers.

The new TCR candidates are directed against the HPV type 16 E6 oncoprotein incorporating gene editing and lentiviral technologies to efficiently modify certain genes to improve T cell function.

Kite will continue to develop its existing and wholly-owned TCR programs directed against high-risk HPV, which are unaffected by this collaboration, including HPV-16 E6 TCR, which is currently in a Phase I trial, and HPV-16 E7 TCR.

bluebird bio chief Nick Leschly said: "As we continue to build a differentiated immuno-oncology portfolio, we are delighted to partner with Kite in a collaboration that combines their leadership in T cell-based immunotherapies with our expertise in gene editing and industry-leading lentiviral vector platform.

"We believe partnering with Kite will allow us to deliver game-changing T cell therapies to patients through great science and great capabilities."

As part of the deal, the companies will also explore using lentiviral vectors to optimize delivery of HPV-16 E6 TCRs into patient T cells.

The deal will see Kite lead the program in the US, while bluebird will have the option to lead the program in the European Union (EU).

The two companies will share overall costs, including research and development and sales and marketing expenses, while profits will be equally split between the firms.

In addition, Kite will have a co-promotion option in the EU, while bluebird will have a co-promotion option in the US.

Kite chairman, president and chief executive officer Arie Belldegrun said: "This partnership is a natural fit with our mission to develop and deliver novel immunotherapies for cancer patients, and collaborating globally with bluebird bio will allow us to benefit from the strengths and capabilities of both companies in immuno-oncology.

"Through this collaboration, we will have access to our partner’s strong science expertise and enabling technologies to further enhance one of our key TCR programs and to evaluate gene editing technology in the context of T cell therapy."