Bayer Backs Out of Atara CAR-T Partnership

Following a pause in a CAR-T cell mesothelioma therapy caused by a patient death, Bayer has pulled out of a $670 million partnership with Atara. The two partnered to advance two therapeutic candidates through clinical and pre-clinical development, with Bayer paying Atara $60 million upfront. The CAR-T candidate trial is on hold while an investigation into the patient’s death is ongoing.

According to Phil Taylor of PharmaPhorum, ” The South San Francisco-based biotech said that Bayer’s decision followed a ‘strategic review and asset-level prioritisation of its pipeline, including cell and gene therapy,’ although when the German group first licensed the two CAR-Ts it hailed the deal as a centrepiece of its recently-unveiled plans in this area. “

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(Source: PharmaPhorum, May 20^th 2022)