Business Of Biotech T-Cells For The Win With Adaptimmune's Adrian Rawcliffe
Nov 18, 2024
Adrian Rawcliffe, CEO of Adaptimmune and former finance executive, shares his insights on the groundbreaking FDA approval of the first TCR cell therapy for synovial sarcoma. He discusses the dynamic shift from traditional therapies to innovative cell-based treatments and the unique challenges this poses in manufacturing and logistics. Rawcliffe emphasizes the importance of blending financial expertise with scientific innovation. He also highlights the future of T-cell therapies and the industry's push towards generics and biosimilars, paving the way for enhanced patient access.
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Non-Linear Career Path
- Adrian Rawcliffe's career journey wasn't linear; it began in science, transitioned to accounting at PwC, and then landed in biotech.
- He joined GSK, where he held diverse roles, including business development and running their venture fund, SR1.
Joining Adaptimmune
- Rawcliffe joined Adaptimmune due to boredom, GSK's strategic exit from oncology, and the potential of cell therapy.
- He saw cell therapy as a paradigm shift similar to protein therapeutics, offering a huge opportunity in solid tumors.
Paradigm Shifts and Resistance
- Paradigms often hinder the acceptance of new modalities, as seen with the initial resistance to biologics.
- Practitioners focused on small molecules struggled to embrace the distinct benefits and complexities of protein therapeutics.