May 27 Quick Takes: Atara raises $176M on back of MS data; plus Exscientia’s $60M C round, Geron, Silence, Arvelle, ViaCyte, Poxel, Accure, Tollys

Atara follows Phase I MS data with $178M offering
Atara Biotherapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:ATRA) raised $175.5 million in a follow-on a day after reporting Phase I data ATA188 reduced disability in multiple sclerosis patients. The company’s ATA188, an allogeneic EBV-specific T cell therapy, led to dose-dependent sustained disability improvement (SDI) at six months in patients with progressing forms of MS. Data were presented at the virtual European Academy of Neurology meeting.
Novo Holdings leads Exscientia’s series C
AI drug discovery company Exscientia Ltd. raised $60 million in series C led by new investor Novo Holdings A/S, with participation from existing investors Evotec AG (Xetra:EVT), Bristol Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY) and GT Healthcare Capital.

Geron raises $150M follow-on
Geron Corp. (NASDAQ:GERN) raised $150 million through the sale of 107 million shares and 8.3 million prefunded warrants at $1.30 each, a 29% discount to Friday’s close of $1.84. The cancer company lost $0.25 (14%) to $1.59 on Tuesday...