KITE , A GILEAD COMPANY
their relevance to the cause – the word ‘ lean ’ perhaps being one of the key terms to describe the approach outlined by McDonald .
“ While we have a complex manufacturing process , we ’ ve simplified that as much as we can . We ’ ve made it repeatable , by removing as much variability as we can ,” he explains . “ Oftentimes , somebody will ask me , ‘ what ’ s the secret sauce of Kite ?’ I want to say ‘ there isn ’ t one ’, but I think the really important component is execution .”
Execution may seem like a simpler idea , but the reality with any business process change is that organisations often spend a lot of time weighing up the minor details of their strategy . In such a fast-paced environment , the team at Kite must consider the variables that impact the end treatment , but generally execute as quickly as possible .
This requires harmonised cross-functional planning to ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page .
Also crucial in Kite ’ s sustainability journey is its sourcing of carbon-free renewable energy , which applies to its manufacturing facilities – showcasing their commitment to improve emissions . This also aligns with the company ’ s strategic approach to conserve natural resources through energy , water , and waste efficiency projects .
“ When you have a large manufacturing network , the sustainability of your facilities is important . We have large facilities and we ’ ve been really focused on driving these to be as efficient as possible from a sustainability perspective ,” says McDonald .
“ To further support Gilead ’ s ambition to reach net zero operational emissions by 2030 , I ’ m really proud of the fact that four out of five of our manufacturing facilities have green building certifications with the fifth one in progress . We ’ ve purchased 100 % of our energy as renewable energy , and we have green teams at each site who are driving continuous improvements from a sustainability perspective .”
Prioritising Patients and the Planet Considering what we ’ ve learned about Kite ’ s treatments and how they reach patients , it seems fitting to say that sustainability and patient care are aligned in the Kite process . Firstly , the organization aspires to provide patients with care that increases chances of surviving this critical illness , and secondly , the team does so with the environmental impact of the organisation in mind .
Not only is its one-and-done approach successful by the patients ’ standards , but also
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