SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 17, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATRA ), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing meaningful therapies for patients with unmet medical needs in diseases that have seen limited therapeutic innovation, today announced that interim Phase 1 trial results from autologous, targeted Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTL), or the autologous version of ATA188, will be presented by its collaborating investigators at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and The University of Queensland during the 69 th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting. The meeting will take place in Boston, Massachusetts from April 22-28, 2017.
Abstract Title: Symptomatic and objective clinical improvement in progressive multiple sclerosis patients treated with autologous Epstein–Barr virus-specific T cell therapy: Interim results of a phase I trial
The emerging science program emphasizes ongoing neurosciences research of an extraordinary nature, which warrants expedited presentation. Emerging science abstracts have key aspects of the research conducted after the original abstract submission deadline.
About ATA188
EBV is associated with a wide range of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, as well as certain autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis. T-cells are a critical component of the body's immune system and can be harnessed to counteract viral infections, cancers, and certain autoimmune disorders. By focusing the T-cells on specific proteins involved in the disease, the power of the immune system can be employed to combat the condition. ATA188 utilizes a technology in which T-cells are educated to recognize specific antigens of EBV that are implicated in MS. In the context of MS, ATA188 finds the EBV-infected B cells in the central nervous system that may catalyze autoimmune response and MS pathophysiology. The autologous version of ATA188 is currently being studied in an ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with primary and secondary progressive MS. Atara Bio plans to initiate a Phase 1 trial of allogeneic ATA188 in patients with MS in the second half of 2017.
About Atara Biotherapeutics’ Allogeneic Cellular Therapy Platform
Atara Bio's cellular therapy platform provides healthy immune capability to a patient and arms the immune system to precisely target and combat disease. Cells derived from healthy donors are manufactured in advance and stored as inventory so that a customized unit of cells can be chosen for each patient. The cells are ready to infuse in approximately 3 to 5 days. Once administered, the cells home to their target, expand in-vivo to eliminate diseased cells, and eventually recede. This versatile platform can be directed towards a broad array of disease causing targets and has demonstrated clinical proof of concept across both viral and non-viral targets in conditions ranging from liquid and solid tumors to infectious and autoimmune diseases. The Company has pursued prospective feedback from health authorities on both manufacturing and clinical trial design. Atara Bio’s lead product candidate has the potential to be the first commercial allogeneic T-cell therapy for a viral target implicated in cancer.
About Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing meaningful therapies for patients with severe and life-threatening diseases that have been underserved by scientific innovation, with an initial focus on allogeneic T-cell therapies for cancer, autoimmune, and infectious disease. Atara Bio's T-cell product candidates harness the power of the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells and cells infected with certain viruses. The Company's initial clinical stage T-cell product candidates include Epstein-Barr virus targeted Cytotoxic T-cells (EBV-CTL), or ATA129, Cytomegalovirus targeted Cytotoxic T-cells (CMV-CTL), or ATA230, and Wilms Tumor 1 targeted Cytotoxic T-cells (WT1-CTL), or ATA520. These product candidates have demonstrated the potential to have therapeutic benefit in a number of clinical indications including hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and refractory viral infections. The Company is also developing a next generation of allogeneic T-cell product candidates utilizing a technology to selectively enhance a T-cell's ability to target specific viral proteins implicated in disease. Initial clinical investigations employing this approach will focus on multiple sclerosis and other virally mediated cancers and infections.
INVESTOR & MEDIA CONTACTS: Investors: Steve Klass, Burns McClellan on behalf of Atara Bio 212-213-0006 x331 sklass@burnsmc.com Media: Justin Jackson, Burns McClellan 212-213-0006 x327 jjackson@burnsmc.com
