Today, we offer up our first take on Adaptimmune Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ADAP), a name that comes up from time to time in comments from followers. Despite a string of bullish articles over the years here on Seeking Alpha, this small biotech concern remains deep in 'Busted IPO' territory. What are the current prospects for the company and its shareholders? We try to address that question in the paragraphs below.
Company Overview
Adaptimmune Therapeutics is based in the U.K. and debuted on the public markets in mid-2015. This 'Tier 4' oncology concern is focused on developing novel cell therapies primarily for patients with solid tumors. The stock currently trades for just north of $6.00 a share and has an approximate market capitalization of $925 million.
The company's goal in development is to harness the immune system and use engineered T-cell receptors to treat various forms of cancer. This is from the company's website and best sums up its approach in developing its technology platform focus.
Naturally occurring T-cell receptors struggle to recognize cancer proteins. This is because the cancer proteins appear very similar to other proteins within the body, "self-proteins". At Adaptimmune, we have a unique ability to engineer the affinity of the T-cell receptors so that they can recognize cancer proteins and as a result can detect and fight cancer within patients.'
To do this, Adaptimmune develops TCR T-cell therapies also known as SPEAR T-cells with the potential to treat a wide range of cancer types. The company has several efforts developed on this platform in its pipeline. The most advanced of which is a therapy called ADP-A2M4. This therapy is directed to a member of the MAGE family of cancer testis antigen (MAGE - A4) expressed in a number of solid tumor cell types.
