#Japan #Tokyo #Gilead Sciences #Kite Pharma #CAR T Cells

Gilead's New Donation Program Targets CAR T Therapy Access Disparities

Gilead Sciences, located in the heart of Tokyo and led by President Andrew Hexter, is once again taking significant steps to address the pressing issue of regional disparities in access to CAR T cell therapy. Since the approval of CAR T cell therapy in Japan in 2019, the number of hospitals offering this treatment has steadily increased. However, many facilities are concentrated in metropolitan areas, such as the Kanto and Kansai regions, making it difficult for patients in more rural areas to access this potentially life-saving therapy.

In response to these ongoing challenges, Gilead launched a donation program to gather innovative ideas aimed at bridging the gaps in therapy access. This year, they opened a call for proposals from March to May 2026, and after a rigorous selection process by their review committee, three promising proposals were selected:

1. NPO HemoInfo Plaza – Tsubasa: A project titled "May CAR T therapy reach everyone who needs it – What Tsubasa can do and wants to do".
2. Wakayama Medical University: Focused on developing and showcasing a medical collaboration app to aim for the resolution of regional disparities with CAR T cell therapy.
3. Kyoto University Hospital: Presenting an initiative called "Delivering CAR T, Continuing CAR T – A Patient-Centered Wide-Area Collaboration Model".

During the announcement, Andrew Hexter emphasized the importance of equitable access to CAR T therapy for patients living with relapsed or refractory blood cancers. He stated, "Access to a potentially life-altering treatment should not depend on a person's place of residence. CAR T cell therapy represents a crucial treatment option for applicable patients; however, regional disparities persist in Japan. Through this donation program, we aim to support innovative initiatives in collaboration with healthcare professionals, patient groups, and communities to combat this issue. Our commitment as a global leader in CAR T therapy is to ensure that all patients requiring this treatment can consider it as an available option." This initiative embodies Gilead's goal of delivering innovation to those patients who need it the most.

Program Details

• - Program Name: Donation Program for Addressing Regional Disparities in CAR T Cell Therapy
• - Application Period: March 9, 2026, to May 11, 2026
• - Eligibility: Non-profit organizations only (private companies are excluded).
• - Requirements: Organizations must possess governance documents, annual activity reports, financial statements, and board member lists. Their activities should not confer personal benefits to healthcare professionals. The expected outcomes must be achievable by July 31, 2027. Selected activities must participate in promotional activities throughout the project duration.
• - Target Activities: Initiatives that contribute to solving regional disparities in CAR T cell therapy.

About Kite Pharma

Gilead’s subsidiary, Kite, is a biopharmaceutical company based in Santa Monica, California. It focuses on cell therapy for cancer treatment and has established itself as a global leader in providing CAR-T cell therapy to numerous patients. Kite boasts the world’s largest proprietary network for cell therapy manufacturing that spans from process development to vector manufacturing, and both clinical and commercial manufacturing.

For further information, visit www.kitepharma.com.

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences has pursued innovative healthcare solutions for over 30 years aiming for a healthier world for all. The company is active in developing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, hepatitis viruses, COVID-19, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. Gilead is also committed to reinforcing its U.S. operations with a $32 billion investment by 2025 to ensure global patients benefit from scientific innovations while supporting future scientific discoveries, job creation, and public health preparedness. Gilead is headquartered in Foster City, California, and operates across more than 35 countries and regions worldwide.