The company will use technology developed by QIMR Berghofer. It complements Atara’s ongoing CTL development by selectively targeting certain epitopes and antigens.
The first applications where the technology may be beneficial include several cancers like gastric cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and glioblastoma multiforme and autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
Under the deal, QIMR Berghofer will receive an upfront payment, as well as receive payments if the drug reaches milestones and royalties on commercial sales.
Atara has the option to exclusively license certain clinical stage autologous CTL therapy programs.
Atara Biotherapeutics chief medical officer Christopher Haqq said: "We are encouraged by the clinical safety and initial efficacy generated by QIMR Berghofer’s autologous CTL therapy programs. We are excited to partner with QIMR Berghofer to develop the technology into off-the-shelf therapies."
"Our partnership with QIMR Berghofer enables Atara to potentially target broader indications with the EBVpoly-CTL and CMVpoly-CTL programs."
The company’s programs include molecularly targeted product candidates and T-cell product candidates.
Molecularly targeted product candidates include PINTA 745, STM 434 and ATA 842.