A biotech firm is set to more than double in size by the end of the year after seeing its key cancer therapy adopted by an industry giant.

Adaptimmune will see its Milton Park-based workforce increase from 30 currently to 70 in the next six months thanks to GlaxoSmithKline signed a deal to develop and commercialise its T-cell receptor (TCR) engineering technology which focuses on encouraging the body’s immune system to battle cancer.

TCR is in trials for multiple cancers in the United States with European trials set to start shortly.

The move will enable the firm to accelerate its development programmes and bring potentially breakthrough cancer therapies to patients as well as generating revenues of more than £200m over the next seven years. Adaptimmune will also immediately start work on further TCR programmes with GSK.

James Noble, chief executive of Adaptimmune, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with GSK. Its substantial development and manufacturing expertise in key areas will be invaluable as we work together to accelerate the development of our programmes and bring potentially breakthrough cancer therapies to patients.”

Axel Hoos, head of Immuno-Oncology at GSK, said: “This combination of capabilities offers an opportunity for significant progress in the use of the body’s immune system to fight cancer.”