Amgen and Kite Pharma have entered into research collaboration to develop and commercialise the next generation novel Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapies based on Kite's engineered autologous cell therapy (eACT) platform and Amgen's extensive array of cancer targets.

The collaboration brings together Amgen's commitment and capabilities in advancing new approaches in immuno-oncology and Kite's industry-leading presence in CAR T cell therapy.

Under the terms of the agreement, Amgen will contribute cancer targets, and Kite will leverage its proprietary CAR platform, R&D and manufacturing capabilities, and expertise.

Kite will be responsible for conducting all preclinical research and cell manufacturing and processing through Investigational New Drug (IND).

Kite will receive from Amgen an upfront payment of $60 million, as well as funding for R&D costs through IND filing. Kite will be eligible to receive up to $525 million in milestone payments per Amgen program based on the successful completion of regulatory and commercialization milestones, plus tiered high single- to double-digit royalties for sales and the license of Kite's intellectual property for CAR T cell products. Further terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

"The intersection of immunology and oncology represents one of the most promising approaches to delivering significant impact for patients with cancer. With our existing immuno-oncology portfolio, we believe joining forces with Kite Pharma will leverage our targets and their leading CAR T cell platform to advance another new promising therapeutic approach to fight cancer," said Dr Sean E Harper, executive vice president of R&D, Amgen.