Kite, bluebird partner on HPV-associated cancers

Kite Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:KITE) and bluebird bio Inc. (NASDAQ:BLUE) partnered to develop and commercialize second-generation T cell receptor ( TCR) candidates against HPV-16 E6 oncoprotein to treat HPV-associated cancers. The deal combines Kite's TCR capabilities with bluebird's lentiviral gene delivery and gene editing platform.

Kite will lead development in the U.S. and bluebird has the option to lead development in the EU. Kite will have the option to co-promote in the EU and bluebird will have the option to co-promote in the U.S. The companies will share expenses and profits 50-50. ...