THOUSAND OAKS - 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 reported recent business highlights including an expanded global partnership with Pierre Fabre Laboratories for tabelecleucel (tab-cel), financial results for the third quarter 2023, and key upcoming catalysts.
'We are proud to expand our global tab-cel partnership with Pierre Fabre Laboratories, who is committed to delivering this first-of-its-kind treatment to patients in need across the globe,' said Pascal Touchon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atara. 'In light of our expanded tab-cel partnership and to strategically position the company going forward, we are also restructuring our operations to significantly reduce expenses, meaningfully extend our cash runway to nearly two years, and enable organizational focus on generating the greatest value from our transformative pipeline: ATA188 and our differentiated allogeneic CAR-T assets. I wish to personally thank the talented colleagues who will be departing Atara for their essential contributions in getting us to this critical point in our journey.'
Expanded Global Partnership for Tabelecleucel (tab-cel or EBVALLO)
Atara has entered into an expanded partnership with Pierre Fabre Laboratories for the U.S. and remaining global commercial markets for tab-cel for up to USD 640 million and significant double-digit tiered royalties on net sales. In addition, Pierre Fabre Laboratories has agreed to reimburse Atara for expected tab-cel global development costs through Biologics License Application (BLA) transfer, and purchase current and future tab-cel inventory through the BLA transfer date. Near-term payments to Atara include: Approximately USD 30 million in cash upfront and initial inventory purchase at closing
USD 100 million in potential regulatory milestones through BLA approval
Substantially all tab-cel manufacturing, clinical, and regulatory activities are planned to transition from Atara to Pierre Fabre Laboratories at the time of BLA transfer
Atara expects to submit the tab-cel post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) BLA in Q2 2024
'We are eager to progress tabelecleucel toward approval in the U.S. so that American patients can access this innovative treatment already approved and commercialized in Europe,' said Eric Ducournau, CEO of Pierre Fabre Laboratories.
The closing of the transaction, subject to expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary closing conditions, is expected to occur in December 2023. PJT Partners served as the exclusive financial advisor to Atara and Fenwick & West LLP served as legal counsel to Atara.
Strategic Restructure and Financial Impacts
Concurrent with the execution of the global tab-cel partnership, Atara is undertaking a strategic restructuring and is reducing its current workforce by approximately 30 percent. This will enable Atara to execute its remaining responsibilities under the tab-cel collaboration with Pierre Fabre Laboratories, while focusing on the advancement of ATA188 and its differentiated allogeneic CAR T (AlloCAR-T) programs
The strategic restructuring, combined with certain anticipated payments from the expanded global partnership and the Company's existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2023, is expected to fund the Company's planned operations into Q3 2025
Pipeline Focus Moving Forward
The ATA188 Phase 2 EMBOLD study primary analysis and communication remains on track for early November with more than 90 patients to be included
To create the greatest value from its potentially transformative pipeline, Atara will focus capital resources on ATA188 development and to unlock the full promise of its growing and potential best-in-class oncology and autoimmune targeted AlloCAR-T portfolio
Atara will leverage its EBV T-cell biology expertise and novel CAR-T technologies for areas of significant unmet medical need by overcoming limitations of current or investigational autologous or allogeneic CAR-T approaches: Initiation of Phase 1 study in relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) for ATA3219-an allogeneic CD19-1XX CAR+ EBV T cell immunotherapy-expected in the coming months with preliminary clinical data anticipated H2 2024
Progressing efforts toward a potential clinical study evaluating ATA3219 in autoimmune disease in parallel with NHL development
Continued advancement of promising early AlloCAR-T development programs including ATA3431, an allogeneic, bispecific tandem CAR directed against both CD19 and CD20 built on the EBV T-cell platform with a 1XX costimulatory signaling domain. ATA3431 preclinical data has been accepted for poster presentation at the upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting in December 2023
Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2023, totaled $102.4 million, as compared to $153.6 million as of June 30, 2023
Net cash used in operating activities was $51.3 million for the third quarter 2023, as compared to $65.1 million in the same period in 2022
Atara reported a net loss of $69.8 million, or $0.66 per share for the third quarter 2023, as compared to a net loss of $84.1 million, or $0.82 per share for the same period in 2022.
Total costs and operating expenses include non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization expenses of $12.4 million for the third quarter 2023, as compared to $15.4 million for the same period in 2022
Research and development expenses were $56.9 million for the third quarter 2023, as compared to $70.2 million for the same period in 2022
Research and development expenses include $6.8 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expenses for the third quarter 2023 as compared to $8.0 million for the same period in 2022
General and administrative expenses were $12.2 million for the third quarter 2023, as compared to $18.9 million for the same period in 2022
General and administrative expenses include $4.4 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expenses for the third quarter 2023, as compared to $6.0 million for the same period in 2022
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, including multiple sclerosis, that can be rapidly delivered to patients within days. 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 Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) 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 non-EBV-associated liquid and solid tumors. Atara is headquartered in Southern California.
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: (1) the development, timing and progress of tab-cel, including a potential BLA, the potential characteristics and benefits of tab-cel, and the progress and results of, and prospects for, the expanded global partnership with Pierre Fabre Laboratories involving tab-cel, and the potential financial benefits to Atara as a result of the expanded global partnership with Pierre Fabre Laboratories; (2) the Company's strategic restructure, including the staff reduction; (3) the development, timing and progress of ATA188, including data and analyses from the EMBOLD study and the timing of when such data will be received and communicated; (4) the development, timing and progress of Atara's AlloCAR-T programs, including the timing of the start of any clinical trials, and the safety and efficacy of product candidates emerging from such programs, including ATA3219 and ATA3431; (5) Atara's cash runway and (6) Pierre Fabre Laboratories' activities relating to tab-cel 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's 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.
Contact:
Alex Chapman
Tel: (805) 456-4772
Email: achapman@atarabio.com
Jason Awe
Tel: (805) 217-2287
Email: jawe@atarabio.com
ATARA BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. 
