ImmunityBio, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of novel immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases. The company’s research platform centers on harnessing the power of the human immune system—through engineered T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, cytokine superagonists and viral-vectored vaccines—to target and eliminate diseased cells across a range of indications.
Among its lead assets is Anktiva (formerly known as N-803), an interleukin-15 superagonist designed to stimulate NK and T cell activity. Anktiva is being evaluated in combination with tumor-targeting monoclonal antibodies and immune checkpoint inhibitors for treatment of non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer as well as other solid tumors. In parallel, ImmunityBio is advancing novel T cell receptor (TCR) therapies and off-the-shelf NK cell products aimed at solid and hematologic malignancies.
Beyond oncology, the company has pursued viral-vectored vaccine candidates for infectious diseases, including a Phase 1 program for COVID-19. These efforts leverage a proprietary human adenovirus (hAd5) backbone intended to elicit robust cellular and humoral immune responses. ImmunityBio’s integrated approach combines cell engineering, cytokine biology and vaccine technology to build a diversified pipeline across multiple therapeutic areas.
Founded as NantKwest and rebranded to ImmunityBio in 2020, the company operates under the leadership of CEO Tarek Tantawi and was co-founded by biotech entrepreneur Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong. Headquartered in Culver City, California, ImmunityBio conducts preclinical research and clinical trials in North America, Europe and Australia. The company maintains collaborations with academic institutions, government agencies and industry partners to accelerate development and regulatory filings for its immunotherapy candidates.