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Adaptimmune's Tecelra: First-of-its-Kind Cancer Therapy for Synovial Sarcoma

• Adaptimmune's Tecelra, a novel therapy for synovial sarcoma, has received FDA approval and is poised to deliver its first patient orders, marking a significant advancement in cancer treatment. • Tecelra is the first therapy that modifies a patient’s own immune cells to target a solid tumor, offering new hope for treating this rare cancer. • Gemma Biotherapeutics is set to receive up to $100 million from Brazil’s health ministry to develop gene therapies for rare central nervous system disorders. • Pennsylvania is experiencing a surge in whooping cough cases, leading to increased masking requirements in some healthcare facilities like CHOP.

Adaptimmune, a biotech company located in Philadelphia's Navy Yard, is preparing to deliver the first doses of its groundbreaking cancer therapy, Tecelra, for a rare type of cancer called synovial sarcoma. This FDA-approved treatment represents a significant milestone as the first therapy to harness a patient's own immune system to combat a solid tumor.

A New Chapter in Cancer Treatment

Tecelra is the first new therapy in years specifically for synovial sarcoma and distinguishes itself by modifying a patient's immune cells to target the tumor directly. Dennis Williams, Senior Vice President for Late-Stage Development at Adaptimmune, described bringing Tecelra to market as reaching the "highest peak".

Addressing Unmet Needs in Solid Tumors

While CAR-T therapy has revolutionized the treatment of blood cancers, these cancers only account for approximately 10% of all cancers. Tecelra offers the potential to extend the benefits of immunotherapy to solid tumors, which have historically been more challenging to treat.

Pennsylvania Faces Whooping Cough Outbreak

In other health news, Pennsylvania is grappling with the nation's largest outbreak of whooping cough, with 2,165 cases reported by late September. This has prompted Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to reinstate masking requirements for some staff members.

Gemma Biotherapeutics Receives Funding for Gene Therapy Development

Gemma Biotherapeutics, a new gene therapy venture founded by research scientist Jim Wilson, is receiving up to $100 million from Brazil’s health ministry. This funding will support the development of treatments for six genetic disorders affecting the central nervous system.

Overdose Deaths Show Racial Disparities

Philadelphia saw a 7% decrease in overdose deaths in 2023, with 1,122 residents dying from overdoses. However, overdose death rates are increasing among Black and Hispanic Philadelphians, highlighting the need for targeted support in these communities. The overdose death rate for Black Philadelphians was twice as high as the city’s overall rate last year.
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Reference News

[1]
Philly biotech to deliver first-of-its-kind cancer therapy - The Philadelphia Inquirer
inquirer.com · Oct 9, 2024

Philly biotech Adaptimmune prepares to produce its first doses of a novel cancer treatment, Tecelra, for synovial sarcom...

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