Introducing Adaptate Biotherapeutics

LONDON—GammaDelta Therapeutics, a company focused on harnessing the unique properties of gamma delta (γδ) T-cells to develop transformational immunotherapies, has announced the formation of a spin-out company called Adaptate Biotherapeutics.

While GammaDelta Therapeutics’ primary goal is to develop γδ T-cell based cell therapy products, the new Adaptate spin-out will build on GammaDelta’s knowledge to modulate γδ T-cell activity using therapeutic antibodies, with the potential to trigger an immune response against cancer.

γδ T-cells are a distinct T-cell subtype that respond to molecular patterns of distress and have been shown to have tremendous potential in treating cancer and other immunological disorders. GammaDelta Therapeutics was formed in 2016 to harness these properties, and since then has gained extensive knowledge of γδ T-cell biology and developed a portfolio of investigational cell therapies poised to enter clinical development. In addition to gaining insight into cell growth and isolation, GammaDelta’s scientists have also discovered a number of potential drug targets and antibodies that have potential to modulate the activity of γδ T-cells in situ.

Adaptate Biotherapeutics has been formed to further develop these targets and antibodies for therapeutic purposes and advance them into clinical studies. Dr. Natalie Mount, currently chief scientific officer of GammaDelta, is moving to Adaptate Biotherapeutics as chief executive officer. The two companies will continue sharing their insights into γδ T-cell biology as they work towards developing different therapeutic modalities.

“γδ T-cells have tremendous therapeutic potential that is yet to be fully realized, and our fascinating journey has afforded additional opportunities beyond our main focus on cell therapy,” said Dr. Paolo Paoletti, CEO of GammaDelta Therapeutics. “Spinning out these activities to create Adaptate Biotherapeutics now enables the deployment of a focused effort on non-cell therapy. Natalie has managed this effort as part of her role at GammaDelta Therapeutics, and she is the natural CEO to lead the efforts of Adaptate. I’m extremely pleased for this opportunity for Natalie and want to thank Raj Mehta, Director of BD, IP and Alliance Management at GammaDelta Therapeutics, for his work on the spin-out and Abingworth and Takeda for their continued support.”

The founding of Adaptate Biotherapeutics has been made possible by investment from Abingworth and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Takeda has a time-limited option to acquire Adaptate Biotherapeutics in the future. Both Adaptate Biotherapeutics and GammaDelta Therapeutics have also benefited from the support of King’s College London, the Francis Crick Institute and Cancer Research Technology.

“I’m proud to be leading this new company, and excited by the potential we have to expand the therapeutic opportunities of γδ T-cells. Both companies continue to share the same ultimate goal of harnessing the power of these cells to improve the lives of patients and I look forward to driving Adaptate Biotherapeutics to achieve this goal,” added Mount, now CEO of Adaptate Biotherapeutics.