Kite Pharma Continues Advanced Cell Therapy Manufacturing in the Netherlands
The biotech innovation in Hoofddorp reinforces the Netherlands’ Life Sciences and Health hub
Kite Pharma, the American biotechnology company owned by Gilead Sciences, continues to innovate its advanced cell therapy in the Netherlands, reinforcing the country’s position as a leading hub for life sciences and health.
The company recently marked its ten year presence in the Netherlands, of which the past five years at the current Hoofddorp location. Building on its initial investment of 185 million Euros and strategically located near Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Kite’s state-of-the-art facility enables sustainable, large-scale cell therapy production in Europe.
Kite began end-to-end manufacturing in the Netherlands in 2020 when large-scale cell therapy production was in its early stages. Since then, more than 13,000 individual cell therapies have been manufactured here.
European Hub
Built with sustainability and precision in mind, Kite currently manufactures over 4,000 cell therapies annually, serving more than 300 qualified treatment centers across Europe, Middle East, and South America. The Dutch operations play a crucial role in providing CAR T-cell therapies that are being used in clinical trials across Europe.
In addition to its biotech innovation, Kite’s facility delivers on the company’s focus to provide scale, quality and sustainability in the Netherlands. The 19,000 m² facility is designed to operate at net-zero carbon, featuring more than 1,900 rooftop solar panels, underground thermal energy storage, and energy-efficient lighting systems.
Rapid, reliable cell therapy manufacturing at scale
Antoine Maupu, V.P. of Manufacturing at Kite, said: “When our facility opened in the Netherlands five years ago, we set out to prove that cell therapy manufacturing could be done in Europe, rapidly, reliably, and at scale, and I’m pleased to say today that we have – together. I’m looking forward to continuing our partnership to shape the future together, alongside government representatives who continue to support innovation and advanced manufacturing in the Netherlands.”
Kite is a valuable partner in the thriving Life Sciences & Health ecosystem in the Netherlands which comprises approximately 3,000 R&D companies. Situated at the heart of Europe, with world class physical and digital infrastructure and a robust services sector, the Netherlands is the ideal location for establishing global or European operations.
Source: Kite
2 December 2025