ImmunityBio Achieves 5 Billion Cell Yield in Production Milestone
ImmunityBio has successfully established a scalable and reproducible manufacturing process for its memory cytokine-enhanced natural killer (M-ceNK) cell therapy, a critical step that addresses a primary challenge in the cell therapy sector. The company announced on March 16 that a single apheresis collection can now yield up to 5 billion highly pure M-ceNK cells. This output is sufficient to create 8-10 therapeutic doses per patient, with the finished product available within just 12 days. The process also includes successful cryopreservation, allowing cells to be stored while retaining their tumor-killing capabilities.
The ability to generate up to 5 billion highly pure NK cells from a single apheresis collection... opens the possibility of creating the ‘World Bank of Natural Killer Cells’.
— Patrick Soon-Shiong, MD, Founder and Executive Chairman of ImmunityBio.
Phase 1 Trial Shows 0% Severe Adverse Events
Supporting the manufacturing progress, ImmunityBio also reported positive safety data from its QUILT-3.076 Phase 1 trial. The study evaluated the M-ceNK therapy combined with its IL-15 superagonist, ANKTIVA®, in 10 patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors. The trial results showed zero Grade 4 or 5 treatment-related adverse events and, crucially, no instances of cytokine storm, a significant potential side effect for immunotherapies. This strong safety profile in human subjects significantly de-risks the therapeutic platform and provides a solid foundation for advancing into later-stage clinical trials.
Anktiva Sales Grow 700% as Global Expansion Continues
The manufacturing and clinical milestones coincide with strong commercial momentum for the company. ImmunityBio reported that revenue for its flagship therapy, Anktiva, increased approximately 700% year-over-year in fiscal 2025, reaching $113 million. This operational success is being amplified by global expansion, including a recent conditional marketing authorization for Anktiva in 33 European countries and accelerated approval in Saudi Arabia. The combination of scalable production for its pipeline asset and robust commercial growth for its approved drug fueled investor optimism, driving ImmunityBio (IBRX) shares up by more than 7% in trading on March 16.
Edgen Stock·Mar 16 2026, 18:51
