What's Happening?
Kite Pharma, a subsidiary of Gilead, has entered a global licensing agreement with Chinese biotech Pregene, involving over $1.5 billion in potential payments. The deal includes a $120 million upfront payment and
up to $1.52 billion in milestones, with Pregene entitled to royalties on product sales. This partnership aims to advance clinical proof-of-concept studies for in vivo therapy by integrating complementary technologies and expertise. The collaboration follows similar investments by other pharma companies in cell therapy.
Why It's Important?
This agreement highlights the ongoing interest and investment in cell therapy, despite some companies withdrawing from the field. Kite Pharma's partnership with Pregene reflects a strategic move to enhance its CAR T portfolio and advance in vivo therapy development. The collaboration underscores the importance of international partnerships in the biotech industry, particularly with Chinese companies, which have seen significant investment in recent years. This trend may influence the direction of cell therapy research and development globally.
