Atara Biotherapeutics Announces U.S. FDA Acceptance and Priority Review of the Biologics License Application for Tabelecleucel (Tab-cel®) for the Treatment of Epstein-Barr Virus Positive Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease

Rhea-AI Summary

Atara Biotherapeutics (Nasdaq: ATRA) announced that the U.S. FDA has accepted and granted Priority Review for the Biologics License Application (BLA) of tabelecleucel (tab-cel®) for treating Epstein-Barr virus positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD). The PDUFA target action date is set for January 15, 2025. If approved, tab-cel would be the first therapy in the U.S. for this indication.

The BLA acceptance triggers a $20 million milestone payment from Pierre Fabre Laboratories, with an additional $60 million milestone if approved by the FDA. The application is supported by data from over 430 patients, including the pivotal ALLELE study, which showed a statistically significant 48.8% Objective Response Rate. Tab-cel has already received marketing authorization in Europe, the UK, and Switzerland under the brand name Ebvallo™.

Positive

• FDA acceptance of BLA with Priority Review for tab-cel
• $20 million milestone payment from Pierre Fabre Laboratories
• Potential $60 million milestone payment upon FDA approval
• 48.8% Objective Response Rate in pivotal ALLELE study
• Marketing authorization already granted in Europe, UK, and Switzerland
• Ebvallo awarded 2024 Prix Galien International Award for Best Product for Orphan/Rare Diseases

Negative

• No FDA approved therapies currently available for EBV+ PTLD
• Potential launch not until early 2025

Insights

Financial Analyst

Atara Biotherapeutics' recent announcement regarding the FDA acceptance of its Biologics License Application (BLA) for tabelecleucel (tab-cel) and the priority review granted is noteworthy for investors. The acceptance of the BLA triggers a $20 million milestone payment from Pierre Fabre Laboratories, with an additional $60 million upon FDA approval. These financial milestones are substantial and could significantly bolster Atara's cash flow, enhancing its ability to fund further research and development activities.

The PDUFA target action date of January 15, 2025, means investors should monitor developments as this date approaches. If approved, tab-cel would be the first therapy available in the U.S. for Epstein-Barr virus positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD), opening a new revenue stream for Atara. Given the favorable safety profile and statistically significant Objective Response Rate (ORR) of 48.8% from the pivotal ALLELE study, the likelihood of approval might be considered higher than usual, thereby presenting a potentially lucrative opportunity.

However, it's essential to remain cautious. The biotech sector is known for volatility, particularly surrounding regulatory approvals. Should the FDA request more data or reject the BLA, the stock could face significant downside pressure. Consequently, the short-term stock movement could be quite reactive to any updates on the approval process.

In the long-term, successful approval and commercialization could position Atara as a key player in the niche market of cell-based therapies targeting viral-associated cancers, potentially driving substantial sustained growth.

Oncology Doctor

The acceptance and priority review of tab-cel by the FDA marks a significant advancement in the treatment landscape for patients with EBV+ PTLD. This disease typically occurs in immunocompromised individuals, such as those who have undergone organ transplants and has limited therapeutic options coupled with poor survival rates. The use of an allogeneic EBV-specific T-cell immunotherapy like tab-cel represents a novel and promising approach. It's designed to specifically target and eliminate EBV-infected cells, offering a potentially life-saving option for these patients.

The data supporting the BLA, particularly the 48.8% Objective Response Rate (ORR) in the ALLELE study, suggests a meaningful clinical benefit. The favorable safety profile is also encouraging, especially in a patient population that is often already managing multiple health issues. As the first potential approved therapy in the U.S. for EBV+ PTLD, tab-cel could fill a critical therapeutic gap, providing oncologists with a new tool to improve patient outcomes.

From a clinical perspective, the success of tab-cel could also spur further research into T-cell immunotherapies for other viral-associated malignancies, opening new avenues for treatment in oncology.

Market Research Analyst

The potential FDA approval of tab-cel represents a significant market entry opportunity for Atara. The priority review status underscores the high unmet need in the EBV+ PTLD market, which currently lacks FDA-approved treatments. This niche but severe disease market presents a strategic growth area with limited competition, potentially allowing Atara to capture significant market share upon approval.

Additionally, the strategic alliance with Pierre Fabre Laboratories is worth emphasizing. The milestone payments and reimbursement agreements help mitigate financial risks and provide cash inflows, important for a biotech firm. The double-digit tiered royalties on net sales and sales milestones further enhance the long-term revenue potential.

The international marketing authorizations in Europe, the UK and Switzerland, under the brand name Ebvallo™, demonstrate the drug's established credibility and regulatory acceptance, which could positively influence the FDA’s decision. For retail investors, these developments indicate a well-supported commercial strategy and a potentially lucrative market presence for Atara in the U.S. and beyond.

However, investors should remain aware of the typical risks associated with biotech investments, such as regulatory hurdles and market adoption rates. Monitoring ongoing developments in the FDA approval process will be crucial.

Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) Target Action Date of January 15, 2025

If Approved, Tab-cel Would Be First Approved Therapy in U.S. for EBV+ PTLD

BLA Acceptance Triggers $20 Million Milestone Payment from Pierre Fabre Laboratories, with Additional $60 Million Milestone if Approved by FDA

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATRA), a leader in T-cell immunotherapy, leveraging its novel allogeneic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) T-cell platform to develop transformative therapies for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the filing of its Biologics License Application (BLA) for tabelecleucel (tab-cel^®) indicated as monotherapy for treatment of adult and pediatric patients two years of age and older with Epstein-Barr virus positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD) who have received at least one prior therapy. For solid organ transplant patients, prior therapy includes chemotherapy unless chemotherapy is inappropriate. There are no FDA approved therapies in this treatment setting.

The BLA has been granted Priority Review with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of January 15, 2025.

“The acceptance of the tab-cel BLA is a significant milestone towards making this first-of-its-kind treatment available to patients in the U.S.,” said Pascal Touchon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atara. “The FDA’s granting of priority review highlights the high unmet need in EBV+ PTLD, which is a devastating disease with limited treatment options and a poor overall survival rate. We continue to work closely with the Pierre Fabre Laboratories team to help prepare for the potential launch in the U.S. in early 2025, along with the potential label expansion multicohort Phase 2 EBVision trial.”

Tab-cel is an allogeneic, EBV-specific T-cell immunotherapy designed to target and eliminate EBV-infected cells. The BLA is supported by pivotal and supportive data covering more than 430 patients treated with tab-cel across multiple life-threatening diseases including the latest pivotal ALLELE study data that demonstrated a statistically significant 48.8% Objective Response Rate (ORR) (p<0.0001) and favorable safety profile consistent with previous analyses.

Tab-cel has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of rituximab-refractory EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disease by the U.S. FDA and has orphan drug designation.

In December 2023, Atara announced the closing of the expanded global partnership with Pierre Fabre Laboratories for the U.S. and remaining global commercial markets for tab-cel, building on an initial partnership covering Europe, Middle East, Africa, and other select emerging markets. With the acceptance of the tab-cel BLA, Atara will receive a $20 million milestone payment from Pierre Fabre, with the potential to receive a $60 million milestone payment from Pierre Fabre contingent upon FDA approval of the tab-cel BLA. In addition, Pierre Fabre is reimbursing Atara for expected tab-cel global development costs through the BLA transfer and purchasing tab-cel inventory through the manufacturing transfer date. Atara is also eligible to receive sales milestones and double-digit tiered royalties on net sales of tab-cel in the U.S. and remaining global commercial markets referenced above.

Tab-cel was granted marketing authorization under the brand name Ebvallo™ in December 2022 by the European Commission. Marketing authorization was also granted by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in the United Kingdom in May 2023 and by Swissmedic in Switzerland in May 2024. In all three territories, Ebvallo is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients two years of age and older with relapsed or refractory EBV+ PTLD who have received at least one prior therapy. For solid organ transplant patients, prior therapy includes chemotherapy unless chemotherapy is inappropriate. Ebvallo was awarded the 2024 Prix Galien International Award for “Best Product for Orphan/Rare Diseases.”

About Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Atara is harnessing the natural power of the immune system to develop off-the-shelf cell therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers and autoimmune conditions that can be rapidly delivered to patients from inventory. With cutting-edge science and differentiated approach, Atara is the first company in the world to receive regulatory approval of an allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy. Our advanced and versatile T-cell platform does not require T-cell receptor or HLA gene editing and forms the basis of a diverse portfolio of investigational therapies that target EBV, the root cause of certain diseases, in addition to next-generation AlloCAR-Ts designed for best-in-class opportunities across a broad range of hematological malignancies and B-cell driven autoimmune diseases. Atara is headquartered in Southern California. For more information, visit atarabio.com and follow @Atarabio on X and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains or may imply "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For example, forward-looking statements include statements regarding: (i) the development, timing and progress of tab-cel®, including the BLA filed for tab-cel®; (ii) the potential characteristics and benefits of tab-cel®, the indication(s) for which tab-cel could potentially obtain FDA approval for; (iii) the global partnership with Pierre Fabre Laboratories involving tab-cel®; and (iv) Atara’s planned transition of substantially all activities relating to tab-cel at the time of the BLA transfer to Pierre Fabre and the timing thereof. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Atara’s current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of Atara could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with the costly and time-consuming pharmaceutical product development process and the uncertainty of clinical success; the COVID-19 pandemic and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, which may significantly impact (i) our business, research, clinical development plans and operations, including our operations in Southern California and Denver and at our clinical trial sites, as well as the business or operations of our third-party manufacturer, contract research organizations or other third parties with whom we conduct business, (ii) our ability to access capital, and (iii) the value of our common stock; the sufficiency of Atara’s cash resources and need for additional capital; and other risks and uncertainties affecting Atara and its development programs, including those discussed in Atara’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the Company’s most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and subsequent filings and in the documents incorporated by reference therein. Except as otherwise required by law, Atara disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

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Investor and Media Relations

Jason Awe, Ph.D.

Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

(805) 217-2287

jawe@atarabio.com

Source: Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.

FAQ

What is the PDUFA target action date for Atara's tabelecleucel (ATRA) BLA?

The PDUFA target action date for Atara Biotherapeutics' tabelecleucel (tab-cel®) BLA is January 15, 2025.

What milestone payments will Atara (ATRA) receive for tabelecleucel's BLA acceptance and potential approval?

Atara will receive a $20 million milestone payment from Pierre Fabre Laboratories for BLA acceptance and potentially $60 million more if the FDA approves tabelecleucel.

What was the Objective Response Rate for tabelecleucel in Atara's (ATRA) ALLELE study?

The pivotal ALLELE study for Atara's tabelecleucel demonstrated a statistically significant 48.8% Objective Response Rate (p<0.0001).

In which regions has Atara's (ATRA) tabelecleucel already received marketing authorization?

Atara's tabelecleucel, under the brand name Ebvallo™, has received marketing authorization in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.