Atara Biotherapeutics has announced the submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for tabelecleucel (tab-cel®). The therapy is intended as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients, two years of age and older, with Epstein-Barr virus positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD) who have received at least one prior therapy. For solid organ transplant recipients, prior therapy includes chemotherapy unless it is deemed inappropriate. Currently, there are no FDA-approved therapies for this indication.
The BLA submission is supported by data from over 430 patients treated with tab-cel across multiple life-threatening diseases, including data from the pivotal ALLELE study. The ALLELE study demonstrated a statistically significant 48.8% Objective Response Rate (ORR) (p<0.0001) and a favorable safety profile consistent with previous analyses.
Mechanism of Action
Tab-cel is an allogeneic, EBV-specific T-cell immunotherapy. It is designed to target and eliminate EBV-infected cells, offering a novel approach to treating EBV+ PTLD.
Regulatory Status and Partnerships
Tab-cel has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of rituximab-refractory EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disease by the U.S. FDA, as well as orphan drug designation. In December 2023, Atara expanded its global partnership with Pierre Fabre Laboratories for the U.S. and remaining global commercial markets for tab-cel. This builds upon an initial partnership covering Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and other select emerging markets. The expanded partnership includes potential milestone payments to Atara, contingent upon the successful FDA acceptance and approval of the tab-cel BLA.
Prior Approvals
Tab-cel was granted marketing authorization under the brand name Ebvallo™ in December 2022 by the European Commission. Marketing authorization was also granted by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in the United Kingdom in May 2023 and by Swissmedic in Switzerland in May 2024. In these territories, Ebvallo is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients two years of age and older with relapsed or refractory EBV+ PTLD who have received at least one prior therapy. For solid organ transplant patients, prior therapy includes chemotherapy unless chemotherapy is inappropriate.
About EBV+ PTLD
Epstein-Barr virus positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD) is a serious complication that can occur after solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It arises when the recipient's immune system, weakened by immunosuppressive therapy, fails to control EBV-infected B cells, leading to uncontrolled proliferation and lymphoma development. The prognosis for patients with EBV+ PTLD can be poor, especially in those who are refractory to initial treatments.
Future Outlook
With the BLA submission, Atara is poised to potentially deliver the first FDA-approved therapy for EBV+ PTLD. The company looks forward to continued collaboration with the FDA on its review and with Pierre Fabre as they actively prepare for the potential launch of this innovative therapy in the U.S.
