Adaptimmune Sells Cell Therapies to US WorldMeds for $55 Million
Breakthrough Clinical Results
Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc announced the sale of its TECELRA, lete-cel, afami-cel, and uza-cel cell therapies to US WorldMeds for $55 million in cash, with potential for up to $30 million more in milestone payments. This decision follows a strategic review and aims to maximize value for stakeholders while ensuring continued patient access to TECELRA. US WorldMeds plans to commercialize TECELRA, bring lete-cel to market, and continue development of uza-cel. Adaptimmune will retain its preclinical assets and restructure to focus on these remaining programs. The transaction is expected to close before the end of the week and is being financed by Oaktree Capital Management and Athyrium Capital Management.
Key Highlights
- Adaptimmune sold its TECELRA, lete-cel, afami-cel, and uza-cel cell therapies to US WorldMeds.
- The sale price is $55 million upfront, with potential for up to $30 million more in milestone payments.
- US WorldMeds will commercialize TECELRA and continue development of lete-cel and uza-cel.
- Adaptimmune will retain preclinical assets and restructure.
Economic Burden
Economic Burden of Treating Solid Tumor Cancers in Europe
Italy
In Italy, the economic analysis of breast cancer (2021) revealed significant financial impact:
- More than 75,000 women are hospitalized for breast cancer yearly
- The overall cost for hospitalization reaches approximately €300 million per year
- Social Security analysis identified 29,000 beneficiaries annually for breast cancer patients
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Per patient social costs vary by stage:
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Primary stage: €8,828 per year
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Secondary neoplasms: €9,780 per year
- The average total economic burden amounts to €257 million per year
- Advanced stage disease is associated with higher costs
Portugal
Recent data from Portugal (2023) shows:
- Annual cost of cancer treatment reached 867 million euros
- This represents 5.5% of total health expenditure and 84 euros per capita
- Antineoplastic drugs constitute the main cost component at 31.5% of total expenses
- Costs increased by approximately 300 million euros compared to 2009
- This increase is attributed to rising incidence and drug costs
France
The MOSCATO trial in France (2018) examined costs of precision medicine:
- Complete molecular diagnosis for advanced solid tumors costs €2,396
- Molecular-guided therapy per patient costs €31,269
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Main cost drivers were:
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Anticancer drugs (54%)
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Hospitalizations (35%)
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Molecular diagnosis (only 6% of total costs)
China
For metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment in China (2024):
- Combination therapy of nivolumab + ipilimumab yielded an incremental gain of 0.04 QALYs at an additional cost of 356,723 ¥
- The ICER reached 8,918,075 ¥/QALYs, exceeding three times the per capita GDP
- Pembrolizumab alone was most cost-effective for non-resectable or metastatic MSI-H/dMMR advanced solid tumors
- The willingness-to-pay threshold was 242,928 ¥/QALY
Singapore
A 2015 study on febrile neutropenia in cancer patients in Singapore found:
- Mean total hospital cost: US$4,193 per episode
- Mean out-of-pocket patient payment: US$2,230 per episode
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Factors associated with higher total hospital costs included:
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Longer length of stay
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Severe sepsis
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Lymphoma as underlying cancer
Overall, these findings highlight the substantial and increasing economic burden of solid tumor treatment across different healthcare systems, with variations based on cancer type, treatment approach, and disease stage.
Drug used in other indications
TECELRA Clinical Trials Beyond Solid Tumor Cancers
Based on a comprehensive review of available information, there is no data available regarding TECELRA being trialed for indications other than solid tumor cancers. The current clinical development program for TECELRA appears to be focused exclusively on solid tumor malignancies.
Without specific trial information, it is not possible to detail the intervention models, dosing regimens, or administration protocols that might be employed in trials for non-solid tumor indications.
The pharmaceutical development of TECELRA seems to be in its early stages or narrowly focused on solid tumors, as there is no evidence of:
- Hematological malignancy trials (such as leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma)
- Non-oncological condition studies
- Expanded access programs for other disease states
- Investigator-initiated trials in alternative indications
For patients or healthcare professionals interested in TECELRA's development beyond solid tumors, it would be advisable to:
- Monitor clinical trial registries for updates
- Contact the developing pharmaceutical company directly
- Consult with oncology specialists familiar with emerging therapies
The clinical trial landscape for novel therapeutics is constantly evolving, and future development plans for TECELRA may expand to include additional indications based on mechanism of action, safety profile, and preliminary efficacy data from current solid tumor trials.
