CONSHOHOCKEN, PA — Cencora has entered an agreement with Kite, a unit of Gilead Sciences, to distribute two FDA-approved CAR T-cell cancer therapies across a growing network of treatment centers, a move aimed at expanding access to one of oncology’s most complex and resource-intensive treatment categories.
The agreement covers Yescarta and Tecartus, Kite’s approved CAR T-cell therapies, and comes as the company broadens the number of authorized treatment sites across the United States, including health systems and community oncology practices.
CAR T-cell therapies are personalized treatments manufactured from a patient’s own immune cells and require specialized logistics, handling and coordination that can limit availability outside major medical centers.
Under the agreement, Cencora will provide specialty distribution services intended to support treatment centers as they administer the therapies and manage related operational requirements.
The collaboration reflects a broader industry push to expand access to cell and gene therapies beyond large academic hospitals and into community-based care settings, where patients may face fewer travel and treatment barriers.
“Our focus is on ensuring every appropriate patient who needs our CAR T-cell therapies can access and benefit from these treatments,” said Christophe Griolet, U.S. vice president and general manager at Kite. He said Cencora’s distribution infrastructure would help support new and existing treatment sites as the network expands.
Kite’s therapies are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for certain blood cancers and are part of a rapidly growing market for personalized cell therapies, which have become an increasingly important area of investment for drugmakers and healthcare providers.
Cencora said it will leverage its cell and gene therapy services platform to help coordinate distribution and reduce administrative burdens for providers, including order management and site support functions.
“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,” said Melissa Lattanzi, vice president of emerging therapies at Cencora.
The agreement also strengthens Cencora’s position in the cell and gene therapy supply chain, an area that has drawn increasing attention as more advanced therapies reach commercial markets and require specialized distribution capabilities.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
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