On November 6, 2018 Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATRA), a leading off-the-shelf, allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy company developing novel treatments for patients with cancer, autoimmune and viral diseases, reported financial results for the third quarter of 2018 and recent operational progress (Press release, Atara Biotherapeutics, NOV 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234530798]).

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"We made important progress in the third quarter advancing our off-the-shelf, allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy pipeline," said Isaac Ciechanover, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Atara Biotherapeutics. "We recently announced a strategic collaboration with Moffitt Cancer Center to expand our next-generation CAR T immunotherapy pipeline and initiated a Phase 1/2 clinical study of tab-cel in combination with Merck’s KEYTRUDA for patients with EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This is an exciting period for Atara and we look forward to updating you on additional pipeline results at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) and ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) IO scientific congresses in December."

Atara continues to advance its tab-cel (tabelecleucel) Phase 3 studies for patients with Epstein-Barr virus associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (EBV+ PTLD) and anticipates initial tab‑cel Phase 3 results in the first half of 2019. The Company is in ongoing discussions with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the development and regulatory paths for tab‑cel based on its experience conducting the Phase 3 studies in patients with this life-threatening condition. The Company plans to share initial Phase 3 clinical results as well as observed EBV+ PTLD incidence with these agencies. The outcomes of both regulatory discussions are expected in the first half of 2019, and Atara now plans to submit a tab‑cel EU conditional marketing authorization (CMA) application in the second half of 2019.

Atara continues to build its pipeline and operational capabilities as well as prepare for the launch of its first commercial product. Initial results from the off-the-shelf, allogeneic ATA188 multiple sclerosis program are anticipated in the first half of 2019. In addition, the Company is rapidly advancing its next-generation chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) pipeline across multiple therapeutic areas and expects to highlight results at upcoming events.

Recent Highlights and Anticipated Upcoming Milestones

Tab-cel (tabelecleucel)

Two Phase 3 clinical studies are ongoing (MATCH and ALLELE) to evaluate tab-cel (tabelecleucel) for patients with EBV+ PTLD who have failed rituximab following hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) or solid organ transplant (SOT).
– Expanded MATCH and ALLELE study sites with 26 locations available for enrollment in the United States and Australia with additional sites expected to open in the United States and other geographies.

Initiated a Phase 1/2 clinical study of tab-cel in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1) therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), in patients with platinum-resistant or recurrent EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Scheduled to present new tab-cel efficacy and safety results in patients with EBV-associated leiomyosarcoma (EBV+ LMS) solid tumors at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Immuno-Oncology Congress in December 2018.
60th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting

Announced eight abstracts highlighting robust off-the-shelf, allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy pipeline and next-generation CAR T technologies to be presented at the 60th ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in December 2018.
– Moffitt Cancer Center collaborators to present next-generation CAR T technology that increases T cell persistence and decreases exhaustion.
– Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) collaborators to present tab‑cel Phase 2 clinical results for patients with EBV+ PTLD involving the central nervous system (CNS).
– Current PTLD patient health outcomes and treatment patterns are described in additional ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) abstracts.
Next-Generation CAR T Development Pipeline

Announced a strategic collaboration with Moffitt Cancer Center to develop multi-targeted CAR T immunotherapies for patients with AML and B cell malignancies.
– Along with prior CAR T collaboration with MSK, furthers Atara’s strategy to develop next‑generation CAR T immunotherapies across multiple therapeutic areas and leverage the Company’s off-the-shelf, allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy platform.
– Research supporting the novel CAR T co-stimulatory domain findings were recently published in the September 2018 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
– CAR T preclinical activities ongoing, with initial IND expected Q4 2019 to Q1 2020.

Hosting CAR T Breakfast Teach-In on November 29, 2018 in New York, NY focused on Atara’s next-generation CAR T immunotherapy pipeline for patients with hematologic and solid tumors, autoimmune and infectious diseases as well as off-the-shelf, allogeneic CAR T development using EBV-specific T cell platform.
– Featured experts: Michel Sadelain, M.D., Ph.D., MSK and Marco Davila, M.D., Ph.D., Moffitt Cancer Center.
ATA188 & ATA190 for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

A Phase 1 clinical study to evaluate off-the-shelf, allogeneic ATA188 in patients with progressive MS is underway across clinical sites in the United States and Australia.
– Initial results from the ongoing study are expected in the first half of 2019.

Plan to initiate a randomized autologous ATA190 study in progressive MS patients in 2019.
Other Pipeline

Recent positive published results support Atara’s continued development of ATA621, targeting both JC and BK viruses for patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The Company is currently conducting IND enabling manufacturing process development for this program.
Corporate

Strengthened the Company’s Board of Directors with the appointment of Roy Baynes, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Baynes currently serves as Senior Vice President Global Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer at Merck Research Laboratories.

Additional appointments include the promotion of Manher (AJ) Joshi, M.D., to Chief Medical Officer, the appointment of Renu Vaish as Atara’s Senior Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs, as well as Jose Vidal’s appointment as Atara’s Senior Vice President, Head of GMP Quality and Process Sciences.

Continued to increase manufacturing activities at Atara T Cell Operations & Manufacturing (ATOM) facility with completion of licensure to support clinical production expected in 2019.
Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2018 totaled $364.5 million, which the Company believes will fund planned operations to mid-2020.
The Company reported net losses of $58.4 million, or $1.29 per share, for the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $31.1 million, or $1.02 per share, for the same period in 2017.
In the third quarters of 2018 and 2017, total operating expenses of $60.2 million and $31.7 million included non-cash expenses of $10.4 million and $6.3 million, respectively.
Research and development expenses were $43.4 million for the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $20.6 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in the third quarter of 2018 was due to costs associated with the Company’s continuing expansion of research and development activities, including:
– clinical trial, manufacturing and outside service costs related to the two Phase 3 clinical trials of tab-cel in patients with EBV+ PTLD and the Phase 1 clinical trial of allogeneic ATA188 in patients with MS, and
– higher employee-related and overhead costs from increased headcount and operations.
Research and development expenses include $4.7 million and $2.1 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expenses in the third quarters of 2018 and 2017, respectively.
General and administrative expenses were $16.9 million for the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $11.1 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in the third quarter of 2018 was primarily due to increases in professional services costs and employee-related costs from increased headcount to support the Company’s expanding operations. General and administrative expenses include $4.6 million and $3.9 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expenses in the third quarters of 2018 and 2017, respectively.