Biopharmaceutical company NeoStem, Inc. has entered into a new cell therapy manufacturing agreement with Kite Pharma, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is developing engineered autologous T cell therapy (eACT) products for cancer treatment.
Under an earlier agreement, NeoStem's subsidiary PCT and its center of excellence for cell therapy process development, engineering and manufacturing, provided development and manufacturing services for Kite's lead eACT clinical development program. These services included technology transfer, process development, qualification and implementation of the manufacturing process.
Through the expanded services agreement announced on April 20, PCT will dedicate more facilities and personnel to provide these services at its Mountain View, California, site.
"We look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial partnership with Kite and to offering manufacturing service for the important cell therapy that they plan to advance toward the commercial market," commented Dr. Robert A. Preti, chief scientific officer of NeoStem and president of PCT. "The expansion of NeoStem's arrangement with Kite allows us to grow our Mountain View facility and to continue providing innovative, reliable and high quality manufacturing expertise to cell therapy developers who are researching potentially life-changing treatments for patients across many therapeutic areas."
Dr. David J. Mazzo, NeoStem's CEO, also welcomed the new agreement and said that it would serve as a model for future collaborations between PCT and its clients.
