Atara Biotherapeutics Announces Abstract Publication for Two MSParis2017 Congress Presentations, Including Updated Interim Re...
October 16 2017 - 8:00AM
Five of eight progressive MS patients who
received the full course of autologous ATA190 experienced clinical
improvements
Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATRA), a leading T-cell
immunotherapy company developing novel treatments for patients with
cancer and autoimmune diseases, announced today that two abstracts
by the Company’s collaborating investigators were published and
will be presented at the upcoming MSParis 2017 Congress, the 7th
Joint Meeting of the European Committee for Treatment and Research
in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) and the Americas Committee for
Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS). The
Congress will be held October 25-28, 2017, at the Palais des
Congrès de Paris, in Paris, France.
In August, Atara announced that the Company’s collaborating
investigators at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and
The University of Queensland completed enrollment of 10 progressive
MS patients in a Phase 1 study of autologous ATA190 (formerly known
as autologous ATA188), an Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) specific T-cell
immunotherapy.
Updated, interim results from the Phase 1 study at the time of
abstract submission in May 2017 showed that five of eight
progressive MS patients who received the full course of autologous
ATA190 experienced clinical improvements. Clinical improvements
correlated with autologous ATA190’s reactivity against target EBV
antigens (EBV reactivity) attained through the manufacturing
process. No significant adverse events have been observed in the
study. Further results for all 10 patients in the ongoing Phase 1
study following the May abstract submission will be presented at
the MSParis 2017 Congress.
Atara and its collaborating investigators at Stanford Medicine
will also present new data that demonstrate the presence of
increased numbers of EBV-infected antigen presenting B-cells and
antibody producing plasma cells in the brains of MS patients and
suggest that EBV plays an important role in MS disease
pathogenesis.
The abstracts are available in the Scientific Programme section
of the MSParis 2017 Congress website and details for the poster
presentations are as follows:
Abstract Title: Safety and clinical improvement
in a phase 1 trial of autologous Epstein-Barr virus-specific T cell
therapy in patients with progressive multiple
sclerosisSession Title: Poster Session
1Presentation Date & Time: Thursday, October
26, 2017; 15:30 CESTLead Authors: Michael Pender,
M.D., and Professor Rajiv Khanna
Abstract Title: Molecular signature of
Epstein-Barr virus infection in multiple sclerosis brain
lesionsSession Title: Poster Session
2Presentation Date & Time: Friday, October 27,
2017; 15:30 CESTLead Authors: May Han, M.D., and
Lawrence Steinman, M.D.
About Progressive Multiple SclerosisMS is a
chronic neurological autoimmune disease that affects an estimated
2.3 million people around the world. Progressive MS (PMS) is a
severe form of the disease with few therapeutic options. PMS
comprises two conditions, both characterized by persistent
progression and worsening of MS symptoms and physical disability
over time. Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) occurs when continuous
progressive disease is present at diagnosis and occurs in
approximately 15% of newly diagnosed cases. Secondary
Progressive MS (SPMS) initially begins as RRMS and develops into a
progressive form. Up to 80% of people with RRMS will eventually
develop SPMS. There is substantial unmet medical need for new and
effective therapies for patients with PPMS and SPMS. Most treatment
options that work well in reducing flares in RRMS have not been
shown to be effective in slowing or reversing disability in
PMS.
About allogeneic ATA188 and autologous
ATA190Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is associated with a wide
range of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, as well as
certain autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
T-cells are a critical component of the body's immune system and
can selectively target specific EBV antigens believed to be
important for the potential treatment of MS. Allogeneic ATA188 and
autologous ATA190, the Company’s next generation T-cell
immunotherapies developed by Professor Rajiv Khanna at QIMR
Berghofer, have the potential to precisely recognize and eliminate
EBV-infected B-cells and plasma cells in the central nervous system
that may catalyze autoimmune responses and MS pathophysiology.
Professor Michael Pender from The University of Queensland
presented the results of the first autologous ATA190 study, which
was partially funded by MS Australia, MS Queensland and Perpetual
Foundation, at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) meeting in
April 2017. This study tested adoptive immunotherapy in patients
with MS and showed that autologous ATA190, led to encouraging
clinical improvements in MS symptoms that correlated with
autologous ATA190’s reactivity against target EBV antigens (EBV
reactivity). In addition to the ongoing Phase 1 clinical study of
autologous ATA190 in progressive forms of MS, a Phase 1 allogeneic
ATA188 clinical study is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of
2017.
About Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. Atara
Biotherapeutics, Inc. (@Atarabio) is a leading T-cell immunotherapy
company developing novel treatments for patients with cancer and
autoimmune diseases. The Company’s “off-the-shelf”, or allogeneic,
T-cells are engineered from donors with healthy immune function and
allow for rapid delivery from inventory to patients without a
requirement for pretreatment. Atara’s T-cell immunotherapies are
designed to precisely recognize and eliminate cancerous or diseased
cells without affecting normal, healthy cells. Atara’s most
advanced T-cell immunotherapy in development, ATA129, is being
developed for the treatment of cancer patients with
rituximab-refractory Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated
post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (EBV-PTLD), as well as
other EBV positive hematologic and solid tumors including
nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Phase 3 studies of ATA129 in
EBV-PTLD following a hematopoietic cell transplant (MATCH study) or
solid organ transplant (ALLELE study) are expected to start in
2017, and a Phase 1/2 study of ATA129 in combination with Merck's
anti-PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1) therapy, KEYTRUDA®
(pembrolizumab), in patients with platinum-resistant or recurrent
EBV-associated NPC is planned for 2018. ATA129 is also available to
eligible patients with EBV-positive tumors through an ongoing
multicenter expanded access protocol (EAP) clinical study. Atara
expects to submit ATA129 for conditional marketing authorization in
EBV-PTLD following HCT in the EU in 2018. Allogeneic ATA188 and
autologous ATA190, the Company’s next generation T-cell
immunotherapies, selectively target specific EBV antigens believed
to be important for the potential treatment of multiple sclerosis
(MS). A Phase 1 clinical study of autologous ATA190 in progressive
forms of MS is ongoing, and a Phase 1 allogeneic ATA188 study is
expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2017. Atara’s clinical
pipeline also includes ATA520 targeting Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1) and
ATA230 directed against cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Forward-Looking StatementsThis 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: the
Company’s belief that ATA188 and ATA190 have the potential to
precisely recognize and eliminate EBV-infected B-cells and plasma
cells in the central nervous system that may catalyze autoimmune
responses and MS pathophysiology; the Company’s expected initiation
of Phase 3 studies of ATA129 in EBV-PTLD following a hematopoietic
cell transplant or solid organ transplant in 2017, a Phase 1/2
study of ATA129 in combination with Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy,
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), in patients with platinum-resistant or
recurrent EBV-associated NPC in 2018 and a Phase 1 allogeneic
ATA188 study in the fourth quarter of 2017; and the Company’s
expected submission of a conditional marketing authorization
application in EBV-PTLD following HCT in the EU in 2018.
Because such statements deal with future events and are based on
Atara Biotherapeutics’ current expectations, they are subject to
various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or
achievements of Atara Biotherapeutics 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 those discussed under the heading "Risk
Factors" in Atara Biotherapeutics’ quarterly report on Form 10-Q
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August
7, 2017, including the documents incorporated by reference therein,
and subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required
by law, Atara Biotherapeutics disclaims any intention or obligation
to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information,
future events or circumstances or otherwise.
INVESTOR & MEDIA CONTACTS:
Investors:John Craighead, Atara
Biotherapeutics650-410-3012jcraighead@atarabio.com
Steve Klass, Burns McClellan212-213-0006
x331sklass@burnsmc.com
Media:Justin Jackson, Burns
McClellan212-213-0006 x327jjackson@burnsmc.com
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