Kite to Present Two Plenary Presentations from the ZUMA-1 Pivotal Trial of Axicabtagene Ciloleucel at the 2017 American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting

Plenary Presentation on Positive Primary Analysis of the ZUMA-1 Pivotal CAR-T Trial in Patients with Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Plenary and Oral Presentations Highlighting Biomarkers and Product Characteristics Associated with Adverse Events and Objective Response in Patients with Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Oral and Poster Presentations on Preclinical Development of KITE-585, an anti-BCMA CAR T-cell Therapy Candidate, for Multiple Myeloma

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kite Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:KITE) today announced new data presentations from multiple studies related to its lead investigational candidate, axicabtagene ciloleucel, at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Washington D.C., April 1-5, 2017. Kite will also present pre-clinical data relating to KITE-585, the company's fully human anti-B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell product candidate. The full text for clinical trial abstracts will be available online March 31, 2017, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, through the AACR website at www.aacr.org.

"We are excited to present the primary analysis of ZUMA-1. The results demonstrate the promise of anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy to transform treatment of B-cell malignancies," said David Chang, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Research and Development, and Chief Medical Officer. "We intend to apply the learnings from ZUMA-1, as well as our internal clinical development and manufacturing expertise, to accelerate the development of some of our most promising pipeline candidates such as KITE-585 into the clinic later this year."

Oral Presentations

Primary results from ZUMA-1:a pivotal trial of axicabtagene ciloleucel (axicel; KTE-C19) in patients with refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Abstract # CT019
Presenter: Frederick L. Locke, M.D., Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
Session: Immuno-oncology Biomarkers in Clinical Trials Plenary Session
Sunday, April 2, 2017: 4:05-4:14 PM EDT; Hall D-E, Level 2

Immune signatures of cytokine release syndrome and neurologic events in a multicenter registrational trial (ZUMA-1) in subjects with refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel (KTE-C19)

Abstract # CT020
Presenter: Frederick L. Locke, M.D., Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
Session: Immuno-oncology Biomarkers in Clinical Trials Plenary Session
Sunday, April 2, 2017: 4:14-4:24 PM EDT; Hall D-E, Level 2

Polyfunctional anti-CD19 CAR T cells determined by single-cell multiplex proteomics associated with clinical activity in patients with advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Abstract # 2990
Presenter: John M. Rossi, M.S., Kite Pharma
Session: Clinical Research, Clinical Biomarkers
Monday, April 3, 2017: 4:05-4:20 PM EDT; Room 151, Level 1

Development of KITE-585:A fully human BCMA CAR T-cell therapy for the treatment of multiple myeloma

Abstract # 4979
Presenter: Gregor B. Adams, Ph.D., Kite Pharma
Session: Immunology: Adoptive Cellular Therapy for Cancer
Tuesday, April 4, 2017: 3:35-3:50 PM EDT; Ballroom A-B, Level 3

Poster Presentations

Selectivity and specificity of engineered T cells expressing KITE-585, a chimeric antigen receptor targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)

Abstract # 2135
Presenter: Tassja Spindler, Kite Pharma
Session: Experimental and Molecular therapeutics: New Targets 2
Monday, April 3, 2017: 1:00-5:00 PM EDT; Halls A-C, Poster Section 6

About axicabtagene ciloleucel

Kite's lead product candidate, axicabtagene ciloleucel, is an investigational therapy in which a patient's T cells are engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to target the antigen CD19, a protein expressed on the cell surface of B-cell lymphomas and leukemias, and redirect the T cells to kill cancer cells. Axicabtagene ciloleucel has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation status for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), transformed follicular lymphoma (TFL), and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Priority Medicines (PRIME) regulatory support for DLBCL in the EU.

About KITE-585

KITE-585 is an investigational therapy in which a patient's T cells are engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to target the B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), a protein expressed on the cell surface of multiple myelomas (MM), and redirect the T cells to kill cancer cells. In 2016, there were an estimated 30,330 new cases of MM and 12,650 disease related deaths in the US¹. Current treatments, including multi-therapy combinations, require chronic care and most patients will eventually relapse². Kite expects to file an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for KITE-585 in 2017.

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 promise of anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy to transform treatment of B-cell malignancies and the ability to accelerate the development of Kite's pipeline candidates such as KITE-585 into the clinic later this year. 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-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. 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.

¹ SEER

² NCCN and Rajkumar and Kumar, Mayo Clin Proc, 2016

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Kite Pharma, Inc.Christine CassianoSVP, Corporate Communications & Investor Relationsccassiano@kitepharma.comorGreg MannVP, Investor Relationsgmann@kitepharma.com

Source: Kite Pharma, Inc.

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