THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:ATRA), a pioneer in T-cell immunotherapy, has shared promising preclinical data on ATA3219, its allogeneic anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy candidate. Designed for the treatment of B-cell driven autoimmune diseases, ATA3219 has shown potent B-cell depletion with a reduced inflammatory profile compared to autologous CD19 CAR T cells. The data, which bolsters the case for clinical trials, was presented at the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) 2024 Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Canada.
ATA3219 is comprised of allogeneic CD19-directed CAR EBV T cells, optimized for robust expansion and persistence without the need for gene editing. Its modified signaling domain (1XX) maintains potent effector function while modulating activation and inflammation. Atara's Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific & Technical Officer, Cokey Nguyen, Ph.D., emphasized the therapy's potential for improved long-term efficacy and tolerability.
The preclinical results revealed that ATA3219 could achieve complete B-cell depletion in peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, with comparable potency to an autologous benchmark. Notably, it induced lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a favorable safety profile.
Currently, ATA3219 is being investigated in a Phase 1 trial for relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), with initial clinical data expected in the fourth quarter of 2024. The therapy is also slated for Phase 1 studies in lupus nephritis (LN) and severe SLE without lymphodepletion, with initial data anticipated in the first and second halves of 2025, respectively.
Atara Biotherapeutics is focused on leveraging its EBV T-cell platform to develop transformative therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company's approach to allogeneic CAR T therapy seeks to overcome the limitations of current autologous and allogeneic therapies by maintaining the expression of the native EBV T-cell receptor, which is thought to aid in vivo persistence and reduce alloreactivity.
InvestingPro Insights
As Atara Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: ATRA) continues to make strides in the field of T-cell immunotherapy with its ATA3219 candidate, the company's financial health and stock performance are critical factors for investors to consider. According to InvestingPro data, Atara Biotherapeutics has a market capitalization of $67.43 million, reflecting the company's current valuation in the market.
An important metric for investors is the company's revenue, which stands at $34.7 million for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024. This figure is particularly significant given the company's focus on advancing its clinical trials, which can be capital-intensive. Moreover, the company has seen a dramatic quarterly revenue growth of 2131.4% in Q1 2024, a signal of potential scaling in its operations or a milestone achievement.
Despite these promising signs, InvestingPro Tips highlight several challenges facing Atara. Analysts do not anticipate the company will be profitable this year, and the stock has taken a significant hit over the last week, with a price total return of -12.62%. Additionally, the company's short-term obligations exceed its liquid assets, which may raise concerns about its financial resilience in the near term.
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