#12 – Pascal Touchon, President and CEO at Atara Biotherapeutics

Introduction

In our latest BioBreakthroughs podcast, host Jared S. Taylor sat down with Pascal Touchon, the President and CEO of Atara Biotherapeutics, to discuss the groundbreaking work they have been doing over the past four years. This blog post dives into their unique approach, major breakthroughs, and what’s next in their journey to transform the cell therapy landscape.

A Glance at Atara Biotherapeutics

Atara Biotherapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company that has been on the forefront of innovation in the cell therapy space, especially in the area of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) T cell therapy and CAR-T.

Pascal Touchon’s Background

Touchon’s impressive background includes leading CAR-T activities at Novartis and being instrumental in the approval of Kymriah, the first-ever CAR-T treatment globally. Now at Atara, he leads a talented team to achieve pioneering success in allogeneic cell therapy.

Atara’s Unique EBV T Cell Platform

Atara’s platform utilizes allogeneic cell therapy and focuses on EBV T cells that can be manufactured from healthy donors. These T cells have the potential to treat both cancers related to Epstein-Barr virus and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.

Allogeneic Cell Therapy: A Revolution

Being the first allogeneic T cell therapy approved in the world, Atara’s product represents a significant breakthrough in the treatment of rare lymphoma affecting post-transplant patients.

The Big Three Around Ebvallo

Ebvallo, approved in December 2022, is a monumental product for Atara. It represents:

1. First product from Atara.
2. First therapy for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
3. First-ever allogeneic T-cell therapy.

The product now launched in Europe is expected to be filed in the U.S., bringing hope to patients in dire need.

Impact on the Cell Therapy Landscape

Atara’s work, particularly with Ebvallo, creates a precedent in the field. It has validated the allogeneic therapy platform and allowed the company to develop a robust pipeline of products in development. The platform’s validation will accelerate further innovations in treating various diseases.

Atara’s MS Program

Atara is also working on a product called ATA-188, targeting multiple sclerosis. Recent studies have shown that multiple sclerosis is caused by EBV infection, and Atara’s innovative therapy aims to address the root cause of the disease. Initial studies are promising, with significant improvement in disability seen in patients treated with ATA-188.

What’s Next for Atara?

The near future holds exciting opportunities for Atara:

• Alignment with the FDA for the U.S. filing for Tab-cel BLA.
• Commercial partnerships to accelerate  commercialization.
• Disclosure of data from the EMBOLD study in November, addressing the unmet need in progressive MS.
• Bringing the first allogeneic CAR-T to the clinic from Atara

Conclusion

Atara Biotherapeutics, guided by Pascal Touchon’s visionary leadership, is forging a new path in the field of cell therapy. Their unique platform, groundbreaking product approvals, and a strong pipeline promise to bring unprecedented benefits to patients in need. The medical world eagerly awaits their continued innovations in treating cancer, autoimmune diseases, and beyond.