UMC Utrecht spinout Gadeta has partnered cancer drug developer Kite to drive development of its T-cell therapy, allowing Kite to purchase equity from Gadeta's existing shareholders.

Kite, a cancer drug subsidiary of biopharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences, has made a secondary investment in Gadeta, a Netherlands-based immuno-oncology spinout from University Medical Center Utrecht.

The deal forms part of a strategic partnership to harness the gamma delta T-cell receptor for treatments targeting various cancers. Kite will provide Gadeta with funding for R&D and may make additional payments should the spinout attain certain regulatory milestones.

Financial terms were not disclosed. Kite has gained an exclusive option to acquire Gadeta.