Jonathan Tsang is Focused on Optimizing CAR T-Cell Therapy Manufacturing to Help More Cancer Patients Around the World

Q: What drew you to your field and how did you come to work at Kite?

I’m an engineer by training and I’ve been in biopharma for the past 17 years, at both large companies and small startups. I began my career at a small company, working to develop processes and performing technology transfers, including internationally in India. After that I joined a larger biotech company and was focused on helping provide treatments for hemophilia, a serious bleeding disorder. I fell in love with the idea of using my skills to help improve the lives of those facing serious diseases. I’m here at Kite now because I believe that biotechnology modalities like cell therapy will play an important role in how we will ultimately one day find a cure for cancer.

Q: What are you and your team working on?

We’re the process scientists who support the manufacturing of Kite’s CAR T-cell therapies, which train a patient’s immune system to recognize, attack and destroy certain types of cancer. Our team helps continuously improve the company’s manufacturing processes, solve any issues that arise and understand how new technology works. What excites us is helping to enhance a sustainable manufacturing operations model that is efficient and scalable so we can help as many patients around the world as possible.

Q: Tell us about a time you really felt the impact of your work.

With autologous CAR T-cell therapy, every single manufacturing batch represents an individual patient. We have a piece of that individual in our hands, and the gravity of that is not lost on any of us. This really hits home when we have meetings to discuss the challenging manufacturing batches and how to make them successful. The decisions we make in those moments can help ensure people are able to receive treatment and have a meaningful impact on someone’s life.

Q: How would you describe the company’s culture?

The culture at Kite, as well as at Gilead, is fast-paced, collaborative, innovative and patient-focused. In all my years in this industry, I’ve never seen an organization that is this dedicated to helping patients. I attribute this to the very personal nature of our work and how intently we focus on each individual’s cells. It’s hard not to feel a deep connection to these people.

Q: What is your impression of the opportunities for career growth at Kite?

Having worked at both small and large companies, I see this as the best of both worlds. Kite still has many elements of a startup in that we’re agile and fast-paced, and in Gilead, we also have the support of a more established company with a long track record of success. For me, this presents many opportunities to learn new technologies and processes and participate in interdisciplinary projects, which opens doors for personal and professional growth.

Visit www.kitemanufacturingcareers.com to learn more about additional manufacturing roles at Kite.