aTyr Pharma Announces Third Quarter 2026 Results and Provides Corporate Update

Lower research spending accompanied a narrower quarterly loss, while advancing the next Phase 3 study depends on partnerships or licensing arrangements.

Rhea-AI Summary

aTyr Pharma (Nasdaq: ATYR) reported third-quarter results and reached FDA alignment on a proposed Phase 3 efzofitimod study in pulmonary sarcoidosis. The study targets patients with restrictive lung disease and uses forced vital capacity, a lung-function measure, as its primary endpoint. Initial study-related activities have begun; advancing beyond them depends on prioritized partnerships or licensing arrangements.

Third-quarter net loss attributable to aTyr narrowed to $18.261 million from $25.744 million a year earlier, while general and administrative expenses increased. Cash, restricted cash and investments totaled $50.3 million at September 30, 2026; the company expects funding for current operations into late 2028 under current plans. Enrollment is complete in the Phase 2 EFZO-CONNECT study in systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease, with full results expected in the second quarter of 2027.

12 points · 1 major

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0 major · 7 points

Hollow bars mark forward-looking points. How the balance works

Positive

• Major pointQuarterly net loss attributable to aTyr narrowed to $18.261 million from $25.744 million a year earlier.
• Moderate pointFDA protocol alignment reached for the proposed Phase 3 efzofitimod study; initial study-related activities began.
• Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.EFZO-CONNECT enrollment completed; full Phase 2 results are expected in the second quarter of 2027.
• Moderate pointThird-quarter research and development expenses fell to $10.445 million from $22.130 million in 2025.
• Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Current operations funded into late 2028, the company expects, based on current cash and operating plans.

7 minor points

• Minor pointQuarterly loss per share narrowed to $7.43 from $10.60 a year earlier.
• Minor pointNine-month net loss attributable to aTyr narrowed to $39.361 million from $60.155 million a year earlier.
• Minor pointNine-month loss per share narrowed to $16.04 from $26.36 a year earlier.
• Minor pointNine-month research and development expenses fell to $24.510 million from $49.328 million in 2025.
• Minor pointPhase 3 EFZO-FIT results published in the peer-reviewed journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
• Minor pointATYR0101 research published on its mechanism and anti-fibrotic effects in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Montefiore Einstein research collaboration announced for preclinical development and testing of ATYR2810 in pediatric osteosarcoma.

Negative

• Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Phase 3 advancement beyond initial activities depends on prioritized strategic partnerships and/or licensing arrangements.
• Moderate pointCash, restricted cash and investments declined to $50.253 million from $80.922 million at December 31, 2025.
• Moderate pointThird-quarter general and administrative expenses rose to $8.347 million from $4.805 million in 2025.
• Minor pointRevenue was zero in both third-quarter and nine-month 2026 periods, versus $190,000 in each corresponding 2025 period.
• Minor pointNine-month general and administrative expenses rose to $16.599 million from $13.693 million in 2025.

2 minor points

• Minor pointThird-quarter total other income, net, fell to $535,000 from $999,000 in 2025.
• Minor pointNine-month total other income, net, fell to $1.750 million from $2.672 million in 2025.

Key Figures

Cash and investments: $50.3 million Cash runway: Into late 2028 Consolidated net loss: $18,257 thousand loss +3 more

Cash and investments

$50.3 million

As of September 30, 2026

Cash runway

Into late 2028

Based on current operational plans

Consolidated net loss

$18,257 thousand loss

Third quarter 2026

R&D expenses

$10.4 million

Third quarter 2026

G&A expenses

$8.3 million

Third quarter 2026

EFZO-CONNECT results expected

Second quarter of 2027

Phase 2 study in SSc-ILD

Previous Earnings Reports

1 past event · Latest: Aug 07

Same Type 1 event

1. Aug 07

   Q2 earnings

   24h Move

   +3.4%

   Q2 report disclosed $58.9 million in cash and a runway into late 2028.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

forced vital capacity, interstitial lung disease, monoclonal antibody, gene expression profiling

4 terms

forced vital capacity medical

"including the modified Rodnan Skin Score, skin histopathology, gene expression profiling, immune biomarkers, forced vital capacity"

The amount of air a person can forcefully breathe out after taking the deepest breath possible; think of it as how much air you can squeeze out of a balloon in one hard blow. It matters to investors because it’s a common, objective measure used in clinical trials and patient monitoring for respiratory drugs, devices and treatments—changes in this number can signal whether a therapy works, affecting regulatory approval, sales and company value.

interstitial lung disease medical

"a major form of interstitial lung disease (ILD) with a high unmet medical need"

A group of lung conditions that cause inflammation and scarring of the thin tissue between the air sacs, which makes it harder for oxygen to pass into the blood; imagine the lungs’ fine filters becoming stiff and less effective. Investors care because reports of interstitial lung disease can affect a drug’s safety profile, trigger regulatory warnings or label changes, and shift demand for treatments or create liability risks that influence a company’s valuation.

monoclonal antibody medical

"the Company’s monoclonal antibody that targets the neuropilin-2 (NRP2) receptor"

A monoclonal antibody is a laboratory-made protein designed to recognize and attach to a specific target in the body, such as a disease-causing substance or cell. It functions like a highly precise lock-and-key tool, helping to treat or detect illnesses. For investors, companies developing monoclonal antibodies can represent promising opportunities in the healthcare sector, especially as these treatments often address unmet medical needs.

gene expression profiling technical

"skin histopathology, gene expression profiling, immune biomarkers"

Gene expression profiling measures which genes are active and how much they are turned on in a tissue or cell sample, like reading a team’s playbook to see which players are on the field and how often they act. For investors, it matters because these patterns can reveal disease mechanisms, predict which patients will respond to a treatment, and guide drug development and trial decisions—information that affects clinical success, regulatory risk, and potential market value.

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Reached alignment with FDA on proposed Phase 3 study of efzofitimod in pulmonary sarcoidosis with restrictive lung disease utilizing FVC as primary endpoint; study-related activities initiated.

Company to prioritize strategic partnerships to advance Phase 3 study of efzofitimod in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Ended the third quarter 2026 with $50.3 million in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments; cash runway into late 2028 based on current operational plans.

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- aTyr Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATYR) (“aTyr” or the “Company”), a clinical stage biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of first-in-class medicines from its proprietary tRNA synthetase platform, today announced third quarter 2026 results and provided a corporate update.

“During the last quarter we reached alignment with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the protocol for a Phase 3 study of our lead therapeutic candidate, efzofitimod, in pulmonary sarcoidosis patients with restrictive lung disease, a major form of interstitial lung disease (ILD) with a high unmet medical need,” said Sanjay S. Shukla, M.D., M.S., President and Chief Executive Officer of aTyr. “We believe the efzofitimod program is well-positioned, considering the late-stage development status in an indication with a multi-billion-dollar global market opportunity, and have determined that at this time the best way for us to advance efzofitimod is to prioritize strategic partnerships.”

Third Quarter 2026 and Subsequent Period Highlights

• Reached alignment with the FDA on the protocol for a global Phase 3 study of efzofitimod in patients with chronic, symptomatic pulmonary sarcoidosis with restrictive lung disease. The Company recently initiated study-related activities for the trial and is prioritizing strategic partnerships and/or licensing arrangements in order to advance the Phase 3 study beyond the completion of the initial study-related activities.
• Completed enrollment in the Phase 2 EFZO-CONNECT™ study of efzofitimod in patients with limited or diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related ILD (SSc-ILD). Full study results are expected in the second quarter of 2027. These will include data for multiple study endpoints, including the modified Rodnan Skin Score, skin histopathology, gene expression profiling, immune biomarkers, forced vital capacity, and an exposure response analysis.
• Published the results of the Phase 3 EFZO-FIT™ study of efzofitimod in pulmonary sarcoidosis in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. The peer-reviewed publication reinforces efzofitimod’s differentiated profile and potential to advance pulmonary sarcoidosis care. The publication is available on the Company’s website.
• Published a manuscript demonstrating the mechanism of action and anti-fibrotic effects of ATYR0101 in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. ATYR0101 is a fusion protein that interacts with latent transforming growth factor beta binding protein 1 (LTBP-1) through a unique way that presents a differentiated approach to targeting fibrosis. The publication is available on the Company’s website.
• Announced a research collaboration for pediatric osteosarcoma with Montefiore Einstein involving preclinical studies of ATYR2810, the Company’s monoclonal antibody that targets the neuropilin-2 (NRP2) receptor. The collaboration is to further the development and testing of ATYR2810 in an aggressive cancer where NRP2 is implicated.

Third Quarter 2026 Financial Highlights and Cash Position

• Cash & Investment Position: Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and available-for-sale investments as of September 30, 2026, were $50.3 million. Based on its current cash and operating expense forecast and plans, the Company anticipates that this cash position will be sufficient to fund the Company’s current operations into late 2028.
• R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $10.4 million for the third quarter 2026, which consisted primarily of costs for the Phase 2 EFZO-CONNECT™ study and research and development costs for the Company’s preclinical product candidates.
• G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $8.3 million for the third quarter 2026.

About Efzofitimod

Efzofitimod is a novel biologic immunomodulator in clinical development for the treatment of interstitial lung disease (ILD), a group of immune-mediated disorders that can cause inflammation and fibrosis, or scarring, of the lungs. Efzofitimod is a tRNA synthetase derived therapy that selectively modulates activated myeloid cells through neuropilin-2 to resolve inflammation without immune suppression and potentially prevent the progression of fibrosis. Efzofitimod is currently being investigated in the Phase 2 EFZO-CONNECT™ study in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc, or scleroderma)-related ILD, and aTyr recently initiated study-related activities for a global Phase 3 study of efzofitimod in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, a major form of ILD. These forms of ILD have limited therapeutic options and there is a need for safer and more effective, disease-modifying treatments that improve outcomes.

About aTyr

aTyr is a clinical stage biotechnology company leveraging evolutionary intelligence to translate tRNA synthetase biology into new therapies for fibrosis and inflammation. tRNA synthetases are ancient, essential proteins that have evolved novel domains that regulate diverse pathways extracellularly in humans. aTyr’s discovery platform is focused on unlocking hidden therapeutic intervention points by uncovering signaling pathways driven by its proprietary library of domains derived from all 20 tRNA synthetases. aTyr’s lead therapeutic candidate is efzofitimod, a novel biologic immunomodulator in clinical development for the treatment of interstitial lung disease, a group of immune-mediated disorders that can cause inflammation and progressive fibrosis, or scarring, of the lungs. For more information, please visit www.atyrpharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are usually identified by the use of words such as “advance,” “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “designed,” “expects,” “hopes,” “intends,” “look toward,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “project,” “suggest,” “will,” and variations of such words or similar expressions. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by such safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements and are making this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding our operating expense forecast and plans and the resulting cash runway sufficiency into late 2028 based on current operations; expected cash needs to develop efzofitimod in our proposed Phase 3 study in pulmonary sarcoidosis and our prioritization of strategic partnerships and/or licensing arrangements in order to advance the proposed Phase 3 study beyond the completion of the initial study-related activities; our assessment of efzofitimod’s development and commercial prospects, including the market opportunity in pulmonary sarcoidosis; the potential therapeutic benefits and applications of our product candidates; timelines and plans with respect to certain development activities and development goals; the proposed design of our proposed Phase 3 study of efzofitimod in pulmonary sarcoidosis, including the targeted endpoints and strategy to focus on a more limited patient population; our interpretation of the results of the Phase 3 EFZO-FIT™ study and the meaning of those interpretations for continued development and potential clinical utility of efzofitimod, including our proposed Phase 3 study; our expectation that we will report full study results from the Phase 2 EFZO-CONNECT™ study in the second quarter of 2027, including the anticipated scope of data analyses to be reported; the potential for ATYR0101 to provide a differentiated approach to targeting fibrosis; the objectives and anticipated development and testing activities under our research collaboration with Montefiore Einstein for ATYR2810 in pediatric osteosarcoma; and the therapeutic potential and development objectives of our tRNA synthetase discovery platform and other product candidates. These forward-looking statements also reflect our current views about our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to us and on assumptions we have made. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, as reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements, are reasonable, we can give no assurance that the plans, intentions, expectations, strategies or prospects will be attained or achieved. All forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions by our management that, although we believe to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors that are beyond our control including, without limitation, uncertainty related to interactions with the FDA in general, including the risk that alignment on the proposed Phase 3 study protocol may not result in a successful study or regulatory approval, the risk that we may be unable to enter into strategic partnerships and/or licensing arrangements for efzofitimod on acceptable terms, within anticipated timeframes or at all, risks related to our reliance on third-party partners and the potential that such partners may not perform as anticipated, risks inherent in partnering with third parties for development and testing of our product candidates, the fact that NRP2 and tRNA synthetase biology is not fully understood, uncertainty regarding the ultimate long-term impact of evolving macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions, the risks associated with targeting a more limited patient population in our proposed Phase 3 study of efzofitimod in pulmonary sarcoidosis, the risk of delays in our clinical trials, risks associated with the discovery, development and regulation of our existing or future product candidates, including the uncertainty of related costs and regulatory filings and the risk that results from clinical trials or other studies may not support further development, the risk that we may cease or delay preclinical or clinical development activities for any of our existing or future product candidates for a variety of reasons (including difficulties or delays in patient enrollment in future clinical trials), the fact that our collaboration agreements are subject to early termination, the risk that our assumptions and forecasts with respect to our workforce reduction and program prioritization may be materially inaccurate, the risk that our existing cash resources may be insufficient to fund our current operations for as long as anticipated due to changes in our operating plans, unanticipated expenses or other factors, and the risk that we may not be able to raise the additional funding required for our business and product development plans, as well as those risks set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other SEC filings. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ATYR PHARMA INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2026				2025				2026				2025
		(unaudited)
Revenues:
License and collaboration agreement revenues		$	—			$	190			$	—			$	190
Total revenues			—				190				—				190
Operating expenses:
Research and development			10,445				22,130				24,510				49,328
General and administrative			8,347				4,805				16,599				13,693
Total operating expenses			18,792				26,935				41,109				63,021
Loss from operations			(18,792	)			(26,745	)			(41,109	)			(62,831	)
Total other income (expense), net			535				999				1,750				2,672
Consolidated net loss			(18,257	)			(25,746	)			(39,359	)			(60,159	)
Net (gain) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in Pangu BioPharma Limited			(4	)			2				(2	)			4
Net loss attributable to aTyr Pharma, Inc.		$	(18,261	)		$	(25,744	)		$	(39,361	)		$	(60,155	)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted		$	(7.43	)		$	(10.60	)		$	(16.04	)		$	(26.36	)
Shares used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted			2,456,680				2,428,822				2,453,176				2,282,284

ATYR PHARMA INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
		September 30,				December 31,
		2026				2025
		(unaudited)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and available-for-sale investments		$	50,253			$	80,922
Other receivables			580				873
Property and equipment, net			3,380				4,263
Operating lease, right-of-use assets			4,349				5,524
Financing lease, right-of-use assets			181				596
Prepaid expenses and other assets			1,063				825
Total assets		$	59,806			$	93,003
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	15,095			$	13,682
Current portion of operating lease liability			1,003				836
Current portion of financing lease liability			365				630
Long-term operating lease liability, net of current portion			9,529				10,308
Long-term financing lease liability, net of current portion			22				259
Total stockholders’ equity			33,792				67,288
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	59,806			$	93,003

Contact:
Ashlee Dunston
Investor Relations and Public Affairs
adunston@atyrpharma.com

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What is the primary endpoint for aTyr's proposed Phase 3 efzofitimod study?

The proposed Phase 3 study uses forced vital capacity, a measure of lung function, as its primary endpoint. FDA protocol alignment covers a global study in patients with chronic, symptomatic pulmonary sarcoidosis with restrictive lung disease.

When does aTyr expect full EFZO-CONNECT Phase 2 results?

aTyr expects full results from EFZO-CONNECT in the second quarter of 2027. Enrollment is complete in the study of efzofitimod in patients with limited or diffuse systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease.

What data will aTyr's full EFZO-CONNECT results include?

The full EFZO-CONNECT results are expected to include skin, lung-function and biological measures. These include modified Rodnan Skin Score, skin histopathology, gene expression profiling, immune biomarkers, forced vital capacity and an analysis of the relationship between drug exposure and response.