BioCentury
ARTICLE | Clinical News

Atara looks to pipeline after Phase II failure

December 15, 2015 8:00 AM UTC

Atara Biotherapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:ATRA) plans to focus its efforts on a pipeline of four clinical oncology and immunotherapy candidates after PINTA 745 missed the primary endpoint of a Phase II trial to treat protein energy wasting in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). The company said it will discontinue development of PINTA 745.

On a conference call Monday, CEO Isaac Ciechanover said the company plans to start two pivotal trials in 2H16 of lead candidate EBV-CTL to treat post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders refractory to Rituxan rituximab. EBV-CTL is in two Phase II studies to treat Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related malignancies, and has breakthrough therapy designation from FDA to treat EBV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. ...