Kite Highlights Publication from the National Cancer Institute Demonstrating Responses in Patients with Metastatic Solid Tumors Treated with T Cell Receptor (TCR) Therapy Targeting MAGE A3

     
•         Study Demonstrates the Potential of TCR Engineered T-Cell Therapy to        Induce Remissions in Solid Tumors     
     
•         KITE-718, Utilizing Same TCR Construct and Next-Generation T-Cell        Manufacturing Technology, Currently Enrolling   

    SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--      Kite Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:KITE),      a leading cell therapy company, today highlighted the publication of      results in the Journal      of Clinical Oncology from a National Cancer Institute (NCI) study      evaluating the safety and efficacy of a MAGE A3 T cell receptor (TCR)      engineered T-cell therapy. The cancer testis antigen MAGE A3 is      frequently found in many cancers including bladder, esophageal,      cervical, head and neck, lung, and ovarian cancers, among others. The      research, led by Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Surgery      Branch at NCI's Center for Cancer Research, was performed, in part,      pursuant to a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)      between NCI and Kite.   

      In this dose-escalation study, 17 patients with a variety of metastatic      solid tumors were treated with a single dose of a MHC class II      (HLA-DPB*0401)-restricted MAGE A3 TCR engineered T-cell therapy after a      chemotherapy conditioning regimen. Responses were observed in 4      patients, including a complete remission (CR) in a patient with      metastatic cervical cancer that is ongoing at 29 months. Among the 9      patients treated at the target dose level, evidence of tumor regression      was seen in 3 patients with esophageal cancer, urothelial cancer, and      osteosarcoma. All three responders had significant levels of the TCR      engineered T cells in blood, at 1 month post-treatment. The patient with      urothelial cancer remains in partial remission at 19 months. No      unexpected off-target toxicity was seen, and there were no      treatment-related deaths.   

      "We are very excited by the results of this study conducted by our      collaborators at the NCI, demonstrating the potential of TCR engineered      T-cell therapy in common solid tumors," said David Chang, M.D., Ph.D.,      Executive Vice President of Research and Development and Chief Medical      Officer of Kite. "The KITE-718 program is built upon this proof of      concept study and incorporates Kite's next generation T-cell      manufacturing technology that is designed to enhance cell expansion and      persistence. The findings from the NCI study will help inform us as we      advance KITE-718 for the treatment of metastatic solid cancers, for      which there is a great unmet medical need."   

      KITE-718 is a single-arm, dose escalation study evaluating the safety      and efficacy of T cells engineered with the same TCR used in the NCI      study in patients with advanced cancers. KITE-718 is currently enrolling      patients. For more information on KITE-718, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov      (NCT03139370).   

      About Kite   

      Kite is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of      innovative cancer immunotherapies with a goal of providing rapid,      long-term durable response and eliminating the burden of chronic care.      The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell      receptor (TCR) engineered cell therapies designed to empower the immune      system's ability to recognize and kill tumors. Kite is based in Santa      Monica, CA. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com.      Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kitepharma.   

      Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements   

      This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of      the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform      Act of 1995. The press release may, in some cases, use terms such as      "predicts," "believes," "potential," "proposed," "continue,"      "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "may,"      "could," "might," "will," "should" or other words that convey      uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these      forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include      statements regarding intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses      or current expectations concerning, among other things: the ability of      Kite's next generation T-cell manufacturing technology to enhance cell      expansion and persistence and the ability to advance the clinical trial      of KITE-718 for the treatment of metastatic solid cancers. Various      factors may cause differences between Kite's expectations and actual      results as discussed in greater detail in Kite's filings with      the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation in      its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. Any forward-looking      statements that are made in this press release speak only as of the date      of this press release. Kite assumes no obligation to update the      forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,      future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release.   

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KiteChristine CassianoSVP, Corporate Communications & Investor Relationsccassiano@kitepharma.comorGreg MannVP, Investor Relationsgmann@kitepharma.com

Source: Kite Pharma, Inc.

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