Kite Pharma Leads Cell Therapy Push with $1.6B Pregene Deal Amid Industry Shifts

Gilead Sciences' subsidiary Kite Pharma has inked a global licensing agreement worth up to $1.64 billion with Chinese biotech Pregene Biopharma, signaling a continued commitment to cell therapy development even as other pharmaceutical giants retreat from the field. The deal, which includes a $120 million upfront payment and up to $1.52 billion in milestone payments, focuses on advancing next-generation in vivo CAR-T therapies.

Strategic Moves in Cell Therapy Landscape

The collaboration between Kite and Pregene comes at a time of significant movement in the cell therapy space. Bristol Myers Squibb recently made a similar investment, acquiring Orbital Therapeutics for $1.5 billion to bolster its CAR-T portfolio with in vivo RNA therapies. These deals contrast sharply with the actions of other major players; Takeda announced its withdrawal from cell therapy development, resulting in 137 job losses, while Novo Nordisk also revealed plans to exit the field as part of a broader restructuring initiative.

Kite's partnership with Pregene builds on its August acquisition of Interius BioTherapeutics for $350 million, which provided the company with a platform for developing in vivo CAR-T therapies. This latest agreement aims to accelerate clinical proof-of-concept studies by combining complementary technologies and expertise.

In Vivo CAR-T: The Next Frontier

The focus on in vivo CAR-T technology represents a potential paradigm shift in cell therapy. Traditional CAR-T treatments, such as Kite's approved products Yescarta and Tecartus, require complex manufacturing processes involving cell harvesting, engineering, and reinfusion. In vivo approaches aim to generate CAR-T cells directly within the patient's body, potentially addressing manufacturing challenges and improving accessibility.

Dr. Zhang Jishuai, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Pregene, emphasized the collaboration's goal of bringing transformative medicines to patients, "especially in oncology, autoimmune diseases, and other areas where innovation is urgently needed."

Industry Trends and Chinese Collaborations

Kite's deal with Pregene aligns with a broader industry trend of increased collaboration with Chinese biotechnology firms. An IQVIA analysis revealed that biopharma companies invested $48.5 billion in Chinese partnerships during the first half of 2025, surpassing the total investment of $44.8 billion made in the previous year. Notable examples include Pfizer's $1.25 billion upfront agreement with 3SBio and AstraZeneca's $5.3 billion partnership with CSPC.

As the cell therapy landscape continues to evolve, with some companies doubling down on their investments while others withdraw, the industry watches closely to see how these strategic moves will shape the future of cancer treatment and beyond.