Cencora and Kite Partner to Expand Access to CAR T-Cell Therapies Across the United States
Cencora, a leading global pharmaceutical solutions organization, has announced a strategic agreement with Kite, a Gilead company, to support the distribution of Kite’s U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved CAR T-cell therapies, Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) and Tecartus® (brexucabtagene autoleucel). The collaboration is designed to strengthen access to these advanced cell therapies as Kite continues expanding its network of authorized treatment centers throughout the United States.
The partnership marks an important step forward in addressing the growing demand for innovative cancer treatments. By leveraging Cencora’s extensive specialty distribution capabilities and expertise in cell and gene therapy logistics, Kite aims to ensure that patients across diverse care settings can access potentially life-changing therapies more efficiently and conveniently.
Supporting the Expansion of CAR T-Cell Therapy Access
CAR T-cell therapies represent one of the most significant advancements in cancer treatment over the past decade. Unlike traditional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, CAR T-cell therapy uses a patient’s own immune cells, which are collected, genetically modified, and reintroduced into the body to target and destroy cancer cells.
As the use of CAR T-cell therapies continues to expand, the number of healthcare facilities authorized to administer these treatments has increased significantly. This includes large academic medical centers, integrated health systems, and an increasing number of community oncology practices.
The agreement between Cencora and Kite is designed to support this expansion by ensuring reliable and efficient distribution of Yescarta and Tecartus to treatment centers nationwide. Through its specialized infrastructure, Cencora will help facilitate the movement of these highly personalized therapies while supporting healthcare providers with services that simplify the treatment process.
Meeting the Needs of Patients Closer to Home
One of the key objectives of the collaboration is to bring advanced cancer therapies closer to patients. Historically, many patients seeking CAR T-cell treatment have needed to travel long distances to specialized academic centers. As Kite expands its treatment center network, more patients may have opportunities to receive treatment within their local communities.
Christophe Griolet, U.S. Vice President and General Manager at Kite, emphasized the importance of improving accessibility for eligible patients.
Our focus is on ensuring every appropriate patient who needs our CAR T-cell therapies can access and benefit from these treatments,” Griolet said. “Cencora has a proven track record of supporting complex therapies. As we expand our treatment center network, Cencora’s specialty distribution infrastructure and expertise will support a seamless experience across new and existing sites, reducing provider barriers and enabling us to meet patients where they are.”
This patient-centered approach reflects a broader industry effort to improve access to cutting-edge therapies while minimizing logistical challenges for both providers and patients.
Addressing the Complexities of Cell Therapy Distribution
Unlike conventional pharmaceutical products, CAR T-cell therapies involve a highly individualized treatment process. Each therapy is manufactured using a patient’s own cells, requiring precise coordination among treatment centers, manufacturing facilities, logistics providers, and healthcare teams.
Because these therapies are personalized, maintaining chain-of-identity and chain-of-custody throughout the treatment journey is essential. Any delays or disruptions can significantly impact treatment timelines and patient outcomes.
Cencora’s specialized distribution network is designed to address these unique requirements. Through advanced logistics capabilities, order management services, and dedicated support teams, the company helps ensure that therapies reach treatment centers safely, efficiently, and in accordance with strict regulatory and quality standards.
Mark Kelley, Senior Director of Enterprise Cell and Gene Therapy Business Development and Account Management at Cencora, highlighted the importance of collaboration in delivering advanced therapies.
“Delivering on the promise of CAR T requires a connected ecosystem,” Kelley said. “We share Kite’s commitment to expanding patient access and will deliver the services needed to help these therapies reach the patients who need them.”
The partnership underscores the growing importance of integrated healthcare ecosystems in supporting the successful commercialization and delivery of advanced therapeutic products.
Reducing Administrative Burdens for Healthcare Providers
As CAR T-cell therapies become more widely available, healthcare providers must manage increasingly complex operational requirements. These may include treatment scheduling, product ordering, inventory management, reimbursement coordination, and compliance monitoring.
For many community oncology practices and health systems, navigating these processes can present significant challenges.
Melissa Lattanzi, Vice President of Emerging Therapies at Cencora, explained how the company plans to support providers through the collaboration.
“Cell therapies are individualized treatments made from a patient’s own cells and pose unique challenges to healthcare providers, including health systems and community practices,” Lattanzi said. “As Kite expands its treatment center network, we will leverage our distribution infrastructure and services to support efficient access and reduce administrative burdens—including order management—across sites of care, advancing Kite’s goal to bring therapies closer to patients’ homes.”
By helping streamline administrative processes, Cencora aims to allow healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care while improving operational efficiency across treatment centers.
Leveraging Cencora’s Cell and Gene Therapy Expertise
The agreement builds upon Cencora’s growing leadership in the cell and gene therapy sector. Through its dedicated Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) service line, the company provides comprehensive support solutions that span the entire product lifecycle.
These services include market access support, commercialization strategies, specialty distribution, patient services, reimbursement assistance, data and analytics solutions, and provider engagement programs. By offering integrated capabilities under a single platform, Cencora helps therapy developers navigate the complexities associated with bringing advanced treatments to market.
As more gene therapies and cell-based treatments receive regulatory approval, demand for specialized commercialization and distribution services is expected to grow substantially. Cencora’s investment in this area positions the company as a critical partner for biopharmaceutical innovators seeking to expand patient access to transformative therapies.
Advancing Innovation in Cancer Care
Yescarta and Tecartus have played an important role in advancing treatment options for patients with certain blood cancers. Both therapies have demonstrated significant clinical benefits in eligible patient populations and have become important components of modern hematologic oncology care.
As scientific innovation continues to drive the development of next-generation cellular therapies, ensuring efficient and equitable access remains a top priority for healthcare stakeholders.
The collaboration between Cencora and Kite reflects a shared commitment to overcoming barriers that may limit access to these advanced treatments. By combining Kite’s expertise in CAR T-cell therapy development with Cencora’s extensive distribution and support infrastructure, the organizations aim to improve the treatment experience for patients, providers, and healthcare systems alike.
The agreement comes at a time when demand for personalized medicine and advanced cancer therapies continues to accelerate. Industry analysts expect the global cell and gene therapy market to experience substantial growth over the coming years, driven by ongoing scientific breakthroughs and expanding clinical applications.
As Kite broadens its authorized treatment center network and more patients become eligible for CAR T-cell therapies, partnerships like this one will play a crucial role in ensuring treatments reach patients efficiently and safely.
Through this collaboration, Cencora and Kite are taking meaningful steps toward expanding access to innovative cancer therapies, reducing healthcare delivery challenges, and supporting better outcomes for patients across the United States.
Together, the companies aim to strengthen the infrastructure needed to support the future of personalized medicine, helping ensure that groundbreaking therapies are available to the patients who need them most, regardless of where they receive care.
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About Cencora
Cencora is a leading global pharmaceutical solutions organization centered on improving the lives of people and animals around the world. We partner with pharmaceutical innovators across the value chain to facilitate and optimize market access to therapies. Care providers depend on us for the secure, reliable delivery of pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, and solutions. Our worldwide team members contribute to positive health outcomes through the power of our purpose: We are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures. Cencora is ranked #10 on the Fortune 500 and #18 on the Global Fortune 500 with more than $300 billion in annual revenue.
