The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is currently carrying out two Phase 1-2a clinical trials of TCR-based product candidates targeting the MAGE antigens under a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with Kite Pharma.
The deal requires Kite to make an upfront payment and certain clinical, regulatory, and sales milestone payments to NIH. It also includes royalties on net sales of products covered by the license.
Kite Pharma president and CEO Arie Belldegrun said: "We are pleased to announce this license with NIH, which further expands our therapeutic pipeline programs to treat diverse solid tumors.
"We believe that our broad portfolio of TCR product candidates, including those targeting MAGE antigens, holds great promise in addressing the significant unmet needs of patients."
Last month, Kite Pharma expanded its collaboration with the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI).
The parties have signed an agreement under which Kite will receive from the NKI the exclusive option to license multiple T cell receptor (TCR) gene sequences to develop and commercialize cancer immunotherapy candidates targeting solid tumors.
Kite has also expanded its access to additional resources and research facilities via a master services agreement with the NKI.