Kite Pharma and Arcellx announced today a collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize Arcellx's product called CART-ddBCMA for relapsed or refractory myeloma patinets. This is a late-stage product is currently in Phase II studies. The product is autologous, or uses a myeloma patient's own T cells. 

Currently approved CAR T products include Abecma (BMS) and Carvykti (Janssen Oncology) and although patients and providers alike are excited about the high response rates, availability has been a challenge. More patients want CAR T than can get the treatment due to the complexities of production and administration. 

Christi Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Kite said:

 “Cell therapy has proven it can change the way cancer is treated by creating a potentially curative therapy for an individual patient, engineered from their own t-cells. To deliver cell therapy globally, and at scale, it requires a highly coordinated, vertically integrated organization from R&D to commercialization to manufacturing, dedicated to the unique needs of this very complex field. The Kite team is excited to engage on this meaningful program in the multiple myeloma field, alongside Arcellx’s talented team.”

Arcellx uses a proprietary technology called a D-Domain binder. Kite Pharma is a cellular therapy company, focusing only on CAR T and has the largest in-house cell therapy manufacturing network in the world. This includes development, vector manufacturing (a sticking point for CAR T manufacturers during COVID), clinical trial production and commercial product manufacturing. Kite has treated more patients with CAR T-cell therapy than any other company.

The two companies will jointly develop, run clinical trials and commercialize the product.  Kite will provide the manufacturing. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023. 

The Phase II study is called iMMagine-1 and the product has been granted Fast Track, Orphan Drug and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy Designations by the FDA. 

Rami Elghandour, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Arcellx said: 

“Combining our potentially best-in-class CART-ddBCMA therapy for multiple myeloma with Kite’s global leadership in cell therapy provides the foundation for us to commercialize our therapy at scale. Most importantly, this collaboration is focused on accelerating access for patients in need. The synergies between the two companies are a natural fit. We both bring complementary expertise to the collaboration allowing each company to contribute to the partnership without duplication or competing interests, which is critical for building long-term value.”

Both companies have CAR T experience in other blood cancers (leukemias and lymphomas) and patients look forward to more companies jumping into the space that can provide greater availability of this promising treatment. 

To learn more about the Phase II clinical trial, click here: 

iMMagine-1 Study