Gilead Sciences' Kite gets European Commission nod for CAR T-cell therapy Tecartus

"This approval makes Tecartus the first and only CAR T-cell therapy indicated for this population of patients, addressing a significant unmet medical need," said Christi Shaw, CEO, Kite. "This is also the fourth indication in Europe for which a Kite cell therapy is approved, clearly demonstrating the benefits they offer to patients, especially those with limited treatment options."

ALL is an aggressive type of blood cancer; the most common form is B-cell precursor ALL. Globally, approximately 64,000 people are diagnosed with ALL each year. Half of adults living with ALL will relapse, and median overall survival (OS) with current standard-of-care treatments is approximately just eight months.

"Adults with relapsed or refractory ALL often undergo multiple treatments including chemotherapy, targeted therapy and stem cell transplant, creating a significant burden on a patient's quality of life," said Max S. Topp, MD, professor and head of Hematology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Germany. "Patients in Europe now have a meaningful advancement in treatment. Tecartus has demonstrated durable responses, suggesting the potential for long-term remission and a new approach to care."