Biotech firm Kite Pharma Inc. announced Monday that it will partner with leading immunotherapy developer Bluebird Bio Inc. of Cambridge, Mass. to develop and commercialize drugs directed against a cancer-causing strain of the human papillomavirus, or HPV.

The deal will combine some of the Santa Monica biopharmaceutical firm’s drug candidates and Bluebird’s gene therapy technology to develop the immunotherapies.

Kite will lead the program in the U.S. and Bluebird, which has operations in Paris, has the option to take the reins in Europe. Both firms will share overall costs and split profits equally.

“This partnership is a natural fit with our mission to develop and deliver novel immunotherapies for cancer patients, and collaborating globally with Bluebird Bio will allow us to benefit from the strengths and capabilities of both companies in immuno-oncology,” said Arie Belldegrun, Kite’s chief executive, in a statement.

Kite noted it will continue to develop its existing and wholly-owned immunotherapy programs directed against high-risk HPV, which are unaffected by this collaboration.

Earlier this year, Kite announced another strategic drug development collaboration with pharmaceutical heavyweight Amgen Inc. of Thousand Oaks. Bluebird is another notable partner, as it is one of a small cadre of biotech firms, including Kite, that have been making significant progress in the burgeoning field of immuno-oncology, a kind of therapy that programs white blood cells to find and attack cancer.

Kite will share further details of the Bluebird deal at an investor event Tuesday. Kite shares rose 2 percent Monday, closing at $63.84. Bluebird shares climbed 4 percent to $177.75.