Adaptimmune Sells Cell Therapy Assets to US WorldMeds for $55M, Plans Significant Restructuring

In a major industry shake-up, Adaptimmune Therapeutics has agreed to sell its cell therapy portfolio to USWM CT, a subsidiary of US WorldMeds Partners, for $55 million in cash. The deal, announced on July 28, 2025, includes the transfer of Adaptimmune's FDA-approved solid tumor therapy Tecelra and three pipeline candidates, marking a significant shift in the company's strategy amid financial challenges.

Deal Structure and Asset Transfer

The agreement encompasses the rights to Tecelra, the first engineered cell therapy for a solid tumor to gain FDA approval, along with three pipeline candidates: lete-cel, afami-cel, and uza-cel. In addition to the upfront payment, USWM is offering up to $30 million in potential milestone payments tied to regulatory and commercial achievements.

US WorldMeds will acquire Adaptimmune's intellectual property, product rights, regulatory authorizations, contracts, equipment, and inventory related to these assets. The deal also includes a provision for USWM to offer employment to approximately half of Adaptimmune's current workforce.

Breck Jones, CEO of US WorldMeds, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition, stating, "Anchored by a first-in-class commercial therapy and a promising pipeline, this acquisition is a meaningful step forward in our mission to bring hope and innovation to patients who need it most."

Adaptimmune's Restructuring and Financial Implications

Following the closure of the deal, Adaptimmune plans to implement a significant restructuring, including a 62% reduction of its remaining workforce. The company expects to complete most of the layoffs during the third quarter of 2025.

As part of the reorganization, several key executives will be departing the company:

• Chief Medical Officer Elliot Norry, M.D., and Chief Commercial Officer Cintia Piccina will exit on August 8, 2025.
• Chief Scientific Officer Joanna Brewer, Ph.D., and Chief Financial Officer Gavin Wood will step down from their roles on August 31, 2025.

Adrian Rawcliffe, CEO of Adaptimmune, explained the rationale behind the decision: "Given the financial situation of the company, it is clear that securing the right strategic option was critical to maximize value for all of our stakeholders and importantly ensure our patients continue to receive Tecelra."

A portion of the $55 million from the sale will be used to repay Adaptimmune's debt to Hercules Capital. The company will retain rights to its preclinical assets not included in the deal with US WorldMeds.

Industry Context and Recent Developments

This latest move comes after a series of challenges for Adaptimmune. In March 2025, the company had voiced concerns about its longevity and cut funding for two preclinical programs. Despite receiving historic FDA approval for Tecelra in the summer of 2024, Adaptimmune struggled to prioritize the therapy's launch amid financial constraints.

The cell therapy developer had previously announced a 29% workforce reduction in November 2024 as part of a broader cost-saving initiative aimed at reducing expenses by approximately $300 million over four years.

In the broader context of industry partnerships, Adaptimmune faced setbacks and opportunities in recent months. In April 2024, Roche's Genentech terminated a $3 billion biobucks partnership with the company. However, Adaptimmune subsequently secured a $665 million deal with Galapagos for uza-cel, a MAGE-4A TCR T-cell therapy.

As the pharmaceutical landscape continues to evolve, this transaction underscores the ongoing challenges and strategic shifts within the cell therapy sector, highlighting the importance of financial sustainability and strategic partnerships in bringing innovative treatments to market.