Kite Pharma Inc (NASDAQ:KITE) reported that they have appointed Tim Moore as Executive VP of Technical Operations, for the company. With over three decades of experience, Moore will look after product development, supply chain, quality assurance, process optimization and manufacturing for all aspects of company’s engineered T cell lead products. Mr. Moore will directly report to Kite’s CEO, Chairman and President, Arie Belldegrun, M.D.
The expert view
Kite’s CEO Dr. Belldegrun said that they are delighted to welcome Mr. Moore and the extensive experience he brings in biopharmaceutical production to Kite. He has contributed considerably to the management and design of one of the most skilled, reliable and efficient biopharmaceutical manufacture to Kite. His depth of commitment to quality and innovation and operational expertise will serve company well as it prepares for the launch of KTE-C19 in coming year.
Expressing his views on the new role, Moore said that Kite is well positioned with cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities, industry-leading methodology to process innovation and, tested cell production processes. He is thrilled to be part of the leading team that is working to launch potentially advanced engineered cell treatments to patients in need of treatment options.
The experience
Moore joins Kite from Genentech, where he served recently as Global Head and Senior VP of Pharmaceutical Technical Operations Biologics. Also, he served as a key member of the company’s Executive Committee. At Genentech he looked after global manufacturing and quality supply performance of over 20 biological product families amounting to more than $28 billion in revenue, across 150 nations, ten internal manufacturing sites, and 7,500 professionals.
Mr. Moore’s previous positions at Genentech include Senior VP, Global Supply Chain, VP, South San Francisco Manufacturing, and VP, Corporate Engineering. Before Genentech, Moore was associated with ZLB Behring as Vice President, Operations. He has also served on engineering profiles at Merck & Co.
The developments
In other news, Kite Pharma reported that it will deliver two poster presentations and two oral presentations at the upcoming AACR Annual Meeting in Louisiana. The oral demonstrations will address KTE-C19, the company’s lead CAR product candidate, and, distinctly, an engineered TCR product candidate.
