Thoughts on Bayer’s and Atara’s Collaboration to Develop Solid Tumor CAR-T Therapies
On Sunday, December 6, Bayer and Atara Biotherapeutics announced (Bayer press release / Atara press release) a collaboration and worldwide license agreement. The collaboration covers research, development, and manufacturing milestones for mesothelin-targeting CAR-T therapies in high mesothelin-expressing solid tumors. Of note, the agreement includes the development of ATA2271 (an autologous mesothelin-targeting CAR-T) and its allogeneic version ATA3271 to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma and non-small-cell lung cancer. Below, Celltelligence provides thoughts on Bayer’s growing cell therapy portfolio, a possible strategy for advancing cell therapies, and if they will license Atara’s allogeneic CD19 CAR-T.