Kite Pharma Expands Company's Board of Directors with the Appointment of Jonathan M. Peacock

SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Kite Pharma, Inc. (Kite), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing engineered autologous T cell therapy (eACT™) products for the treatment of cancer, today announced the appointment of Jonathan M. Peacock, former Chief Financial Officer of Amgen, to the Company's Board of Directors.  Mr. Peacock's appointment is effective immediately, bringing the number of Kite's directors to eight.

Arie Belldegrun, M.D., Kite's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Jon is a great addition to the Board as he brings to Kite extensive experience and expertise in financial planning, investor relations and strategic transactions.  I expect he will have invaluable insights as Kite further advances its development programs and expands its profile among multiple audiences in the life sciences."

As Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Amgen, Mr. Peacock was responsible for finance, investor relations, strategy, corporate development and procurement.  Previously, he served as Chief Financial and Administration Officer at Novartis Pharmaceutical AG, and prior to that, he was a partner at McKinsey and Company, working for the consulting firm's Amsterdam, Zurich and London offices.  Mr. Peacock also was a partner at Price Waterhouse (now PwC) in New York and London.  He has an MA degree in Economics from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and is a chartered accountant.

About Kite Pharma
Kite Pharma, Inc. (Kite) is a privately held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of novel cancer immunotherapy products, with a primary focus on eACT™ designed to restore the immune system's ability to recognize and eradicate tumors.  In partnership with the NCI Surgery Branch through a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA), Kite is advancing a pipeline of proprietary eACT™ product candidates, both CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) and TCR (T cell receptor) products, directed to a wide range of cancer indications.  Kite's management team has a proven track record of building successful biotechnology companies and successfully developing cutting-edge immunotherapies and oncology treatments.  Kite is based in Santa Monica, CA.

Kite Contact:
Cynthia M. Butitta
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
310-824-9999

For Media: Justin Jackson
For Investor Inquiries: Kimberly Minarovich
Burns McClellan
(212) 213-0006
[email protected]
[email protected]

SOURCE Kite Pharma, Inc.