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About Atara Biotherapeutics (ATRA)
Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a pioneering biotechnology company dedicated to developing transformative therapies for patients suffering from serious diseases, including solid tumors, hematologic cancers, and autoimmune conditions. Founded in 2012, the company is named after Atara Ciechanover, whose battle with cancer inspired its mission to empower patients with innovative treatment options. Atara operates in the United States healthcare sector and focuses on advancing cellular immunotherapy platforms to address significant unmet medical needs.
Core Business Areas
Atara specializes in the development of allogeneic T-cell immunotherapies, leveraging groundbreaking research into the role of T-cells and growth factors such as activin and myostatin in disease progression. The company’s product pipeline is centered on addressing the underlying mechanisms of diseases, offering novel solutions for patients with limited or no effective treatment options. Atara’s key areas of focus include:
- Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Targeted Therapies: Leveraging EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to treat diseases associated with EBV, including post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD).
- CAR-T Cell Therapy: Developing next-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, such as ATA3219, to target hematologic malignancies.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Autoimmune Diseases: Investigating innovative therapies like ATA188 to address progressive forms of MS by targeting EBV-infected B-cells implicated in autoimmune pathogenesis.
Product Pipeline
Atara’s robust pipeline includes several promising product candidates designed to address critical gaps in current medical treatments:
- Tab-cel®: An allogeneic EBV-specific T-cell immunotherapy targeting EBV-associated cancers, currently in advanced clinical trials.
- ATA188: A groundbreaking therapy aimed at treating progressive multiple sclerosis by modulating immune responses to EBV-infected cells.
- ATA3219: A CAR-T platform designed to enhance the efficacy and safety of T-cell therapies for hematologic cancers.
These therapies reflect Atara’s commitment to addressing both rare and prevalent diseases through innovative approaches rooted in cellular biology and immunotherapy.
Collaborations and Research Partnerships
Atara’s strategic collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) underscores its commitment to advancing T-cell immunotherapy research. This partnership focuses on the development of three T-cell product candidates targeting EBV, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1). By combining Atara’s expertise in immunotherapy with MSK’s research capabilities, the company aims to accelerate the development of groundbreaking treatments for cancer and other diseases.
Competitive Landscape
Atara operates in a highly competitive biotechnology landscape, with key competitors including companies specializing in CAR-T therapies, allogeneic cell therapies, and advanced biologics. However, Atara differentiates itself through its focus on allogeneic T-cell platforms, which offer potential advantages in scalability, manufacturing, and cost-effectiveness compared to autologous therapies. Additionally, its emphasis on EBV-targeted therapies positions it uniquely within the immunotherapy space, addressing both oncology and autoimmune indications.
Challenges and Opportunities
While Atara faces challenges such as navigating complex regulatory pathways, achieving clinical trial success, and competing in a crowded biotech market, it also has significant opportunities to establish itself as a leader in allogeneic immunotherapy. By addressing high unmet medical needs and leveraging its innovative pipeline, Atara has the potential to transform treatment paradigms for a range of serious diseases.
Conclusion
Atara Biotherapeutics is at the forefront of cellular immunotherapy, driven by a mission to empower patients with better treatment options. Through its innovative product pipeline, strategic collaborations, and focus on addressing unmet medical needs, Atara is poised to make a meaningful impact in the biotechnology industry. Its commitment to advancing science and improving patient outcomes underscores its significance as a key player in the healthcare sector.
Atara Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: ATRA) announced the grant of 57,164 restricted stock units and options to purchase 64,925 shares of common stock to newly hired employees. These awards, approved by the Compensation Committee, are part of Atara’s 2018 Inducement Plan, intended as an incentive for new staff. The restricted stock units vest over four years, while stock options vest in a similar timeframe with a ten-year term. The exercise price for stock options is set at $16.89, equal to the stock's closing price on January 3, 2022.
Atara Biotherapeutics and Be The Match BioTherapies have extended their collaboration to supply healthy donor cells for Atara's off-the-shelf T-cell immunotherapy platform. This partnership aims to support patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases by utilizing Be The Match's extensive registry of over 22 million diverse HLA immune profiles. Atara's lead therapy, tab-cel, is currently under Phase 3 study and has recently submitted a marketing authorization application in the EU, marking a significant step towards availability for patients.
Atara Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: ATRA) announced that its President and CEO, Pascal Touchon, will present at the 40th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on January 12, 2022, at 2:15 PM PST / 5:15 PM EST. The presentation will highlight Atara's advancements in T-cell immunotherapy, focusing on their allogeneic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) T-cell platform aimed at treating cancer and autoimmune diseases. A live audio webcast will be available on their website, with a replay accessible for 30 days.
Atara Biotherapeutics has announced promising results from its Phase 3 ALLELE study of tabelecleucel (tab-cel) for treating EBV+ PTLD, showing a 50% objective response rate. Among responders, 11 of 19 had a response lasting over six months, with a median time to response of 1.1 months. The one-year survival rate for responders was 89.2%, compared to 32.4% for non-responders. Tab-cel has been well-tolerated, with no new safety concerns, and is under review by the EMA for potential approval.
Atara Biotherapeutics announced promising results for ATA2271, a CAR T-cell therapy targeting mesothelioma, at the ESMO I-O Congress. Early data show that ATA2271 demonstrates good safety and significant persistence in patients after four weeks, with no severe adverse events reported. The therapy aims to improve outcomes in advanced mesothelioma, where median survival is only 9-17 months despite standard treatments. In vivo studies indicate that ATA2271 can eradicate tumors in mice, highlighting its potential in treating challenging solid tumors.
Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATRA) announced the grant of 21,438 restricted stock units and stock options to newly hired employees, as part of the 2018 Inducement Plan, with the grants dated December 1, 2021. The restricted stock units vest over four years, while the stock options, priced at $17.36 each, also follow a four-year vesting period. This grant is in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and aims to attract talent critical for the company's mission in T-cell immunotherapy.
Atara Biotherapeutics has announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has fully validated the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for its investigational treatment tabelecleucel (tab-cel). This therapy targets Epstein-Barr virus-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD), a rare and aggressive cancer with no approved options. The MAA will be evaluated by the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), with a decision expected in the second half of 2022. Tab-cel has shown a 50% objective response rate in clinical trials, demonstrating significant potential for this patient population.
Atara Biotherapeutics (Nasdaq: ATRA), a leader in T-cell immunotherapy, announced that CEO Pascal Touchon will participate in three virtual conferences. These include the Cowen 5th Annual IO Next Summit on November 15, 2021, at 9:45 a.m. EST, the Stifel 2021 Virtual Healthcare Conference, also on November 15, 2021, at 4:40 p.m. EST, and the Evercore ISI 4th Annual HealthCONx Virtual Conference on November 30, 2021, at 10:05 a.m. EST. Live webcasts will be available on their website, with archived replays accessible for 30 days.
Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATRA) has granted 52,474 restricted stock units and 5,618 stock options to newly hired employees as part of its employee inducement plan. The stock units will vest over four years, while the stock options have a ten-year term with an exercise price of $16.51, aligned with the closing price on the grant date of November 1, 2021. This initiative aims to attract talent under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
Atara Biotherapeutics announced significant results from its Phase 3 ALLELE study of tabelecleucel (tab-cel), showing a 50% objective response rate (ORR) in patients with Epstein-Barr virus-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD). The one-year survival rate for responders reached 89.2%, indicating a substantial survival advantage. Safety data remained consistent, with no new concerns. The findings will be presented at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in December 2021, highlighting tab-cel’s transformative potential in treating EBV-driven diseases.
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