Gilead’s Kite Unit Exits China CAR-T Joint Venture with Fosun

Joint Venture Establishment:
Kite Pharma and Fosun Pharma established a joint venture in 2017 to develop and commercialize autologous T-cell therapies in China, focusing on axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta) for treating B-cell lymphomas and leukemias.

Approval in China:
In 2021, the joint venture, Fosun Kite Biotechnology Co., Ltd., received approval from the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for axicabtagene ciloleucel to treat adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL).

Commercial Success:
The approval and subsequent commercialization of Yescarta contributed to a significant increase in Fosun Pharma's profits, with a 45% jump in first-half profits in 2021, partly due to strong sales of cancer drugs including Yescarta.

Exit from Joint Venture:
Gilead's Kite unit has decided to exit the joint venture with Fosun Pharma, marking a significant change in their partnership for CAR-T cell therapy in China.

Impact:
The exit could have implications for the future development and commercialization of CAR-T therapies in China, given the strategic importance of this partnership in advancing cell therapy in the region.

Note:
The specific reasons for Gilead's Kite unit exiting the joint venture are not detailed in the provided sources. Further information would be needed to understand the motivations behind this decision.