A Day in the Life of a Cell Therapy Specialist at Kite, a Gilead Company

Imagine yourself immersed in the heart of an industry on the rise, taking a pivotal role in the ambitious mission to cure cancer. Welcome to the world of a Cell Therapy Specialist (CTS) at Kite. Being a CTS is no ordinary job; it’s an engaging journey into the rapidly expanding frontier of cell therapy, a dynamic field that is increasingly reshaping the landscape of healthcare and spearheading future innovations in individualized medicine.

Kite is the global leader in cell therapy, and it’s the only company dedicated exclusively to the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of cell therapy on a global scale. It manufactures CAR T-cell therapy, a custom-made, one-time cancer treatment that engineers a patient’s own white blood cells and harnesses their immune system to treat certain kinds of blood cancer. Cell therapy is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year business where time is a critical factor that can make the difference between a patient being able to receive CAR T or their cancer progressing to the point where they are no longer strong enough for treatment. The role of a CTS in manufacturing this treatment is critical. 

The CTS’ job is to perform and/or verify all of the tasks associated with the manufacturing of commercial cell therapy products. They are responsible for ensuring safe and compliant operations as well as working as part of a team to execute commercial production runs in close collaboration with other functions including Materials Management, Quality Control, and Quality Assurance.

A CTS begins each day with a comprehensive review of electronic batch records (digital records that track and monitor production batches throughout the manufacturing process) and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs). A CTS navigates the complex world of compliance with accuracy and diligence, ensuring that safety and precision form the cornerstone of their operations.

CTS’ are agile problem solvers, adept at swiftly identifying and rectifying any issues that may arise with processing and equipment. Possessing excellent communication skills is key to help rapidly inform management of concerns, thereby ensuring a consistently safe, efficient, and smooth operational environment. In this rapidly evolving field, continual learning and refinement are the essence of their work. Through regular training, they enhance their technical skills and grow their knowledge.

EXPLORE CAREER AT KITE

Within the stringent environment of clean rooms, they meticulously operate, monitor, clean, and prepare advanced automated cell processing, cell expansion, and filling equipment. Their expertise in handling this complex machinery aids the production of CAR T. 

CTS’ harness all of their skills and passion to the critical mission of curing cancer at Kite’s vibrant, state-of-the-art commercial manufacturing facility in Frederick, Maryland where every task, irrespective of the complexity, becomes a fundamental piece in achieving this once-unthinkable goal. 

“It’s really rewarding to know that the work that we’re doing here is going to help change people’s lives,” said a CTS at Kite’s Frederick, MD facility. 

Every day concludes with a profound sense of fulfillment, knowing that their meticulous work directly influences the lives of cancer patients worldwide. At Kite, the mission to cure cancer is not just a corporate objective; it is the driving force that fuels the dedication, passion, and relentless efforts of every CTS.

“Working in cell and gene therapy is really different than working in traditional pharma because we literally hold the patient’s blood in our hands,” said another CTS at Kite’s Frederick facility. “I feel really close to the patient and that has, for me, the highest emotional value.” 

If you’re excited by this convergence of science, technology, and human impact and intrigued by the dynamic challenges a CTS encounters in this fast-growing field, then Kite may just be your next big adventure. 

It’s a journey to establish a direct connection between purpose and day-to-day work, all in the name of pioneering better care. 

9 Things to Know About Being A Cell Therapy Specialist (CTS)

1. A CTS is a manufacturing professional who processes a patient’s cells.
2. The education and career backgrounds of a CTS can be diverse.
3. There is robust training required, which is provided in-house by Kite.
4. It takes approximately 3-6 months to be fully proficient as a CTS.
5. CTS’ achieve career growth with successful performance and on-the-job experience.
6. CTS’ always work in groups of two or three, so collaboration is critical.
7. Regulations require that two CTS’ work on a single step at any given time. One performs the task while the other observes to ensure its being done correctly.
8. CTS’ work a variety of shifts and unconventional hours so that the facility can operate 24/7, 365 days a year for patient benefit.
9. CTS’ play a critical role in getting therapies made without disruption to the patients.