Atreca, Inc. was a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel immunotherapies for cancer. It aimed to create new treatments by understanding and replicating effective immune responses observed in patients.
Atreca’s Discovery Platform
Atreca’s approach centered on its proprietary Immune Repertoire Capture (IRC) technology. This platform analyzed antibodies and T-cell receptors produced by the immune system in response to diseases like cancer. It identified specific “winning” immune components from patients who successfully fought off their tumors.
The IRC platform integrated high-throughput genomics, advanced bioinformatics, and machine learning to pinpoint rare but potent antibodies and T-cell receptors. This process was akin to reverse-engineering the body’s own successful immune defenses. Atreca sought to use these findings as blueprints for developing new antibody-based therapies.
Pipeline and Lead Candidates
From its innovative platform, Atreca developed several therapeutic candidates, with ATRC-101 being its lead asset. ATRC-101 was an engineered antibody intended for the treatment of various solid tumors, including ovarian, non-small cell lung, colorectal, and breast cancers. This antibody was identified from a patient with non-small cell lung cancer who showed a beneficial anti-tumor immune response during checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
The proposed mechanism of action for ATRC-101 involved targeting a tumor-specific ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. Preclinical studies indicated that ATRC-101 could activate myeloid cells of the innate immune system. This activation was thought to lead to a broader adaptive immune response against the tumor, potentially resulting in tumor destruction.
Recent Corporate Developments
ATRC-101 advanced into a Phase 1b clinical trial, investigating its safety and preliminary activity as both a monotherapy and in combination with other agents. Initial findings suggested that ATRC-101 was well-tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed. Some patients experienced disease control, which correlated with the expression of the ATRC-101 target in their tumors.
Despite these early clinical observations, Atreca announced the suspension of ATRC-101’s development as part of broader cost-saving measures. This decision included a significant reduction of the company’s workforce by approximately 40%. The company also faced financial challenges, receiving notification from Nasdaq on September 7, 2023, that its stock price had fallen below the required minimum of $1.00 for 30 consecutive trading days.
Atreca was unable to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s listing rules, leading to the delisting of its Class A common stock. Trading of Atreca’s shares was suspended on Nasdaq as of March 19, 2024. The company’s stock subsequently became eligible for quotation on the over-the-counter (OTC) market under the symbol BCEL.