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Atara (NASDAQ: ATRA) turns 2025 profit and targets cash runway into 2026

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(Moderate)
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(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Atara Biotherapeutics reported a sharp turnaround in 2025, posting net income of $32.7 million or $2.61 per share, compared with a net loss of $85.4 million in 2024. Commercialization revenue was $120.8 million, slightly below $128.9 million a year earlier, but total costs and operating expenses fell to $84.9 million from $212.4 million as research and development and general and administrative spending were significantly reduced.

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $8.5 million as of December 31, 2025, down from $42.5 million a year earlier, yet the company expects this balance, together with $3.0 million of recent at-the-market proceeds and 2025 efficiencies, to fund operations through year-end 2026. Atara also amended its agreement with HealthCare Royalty, pushing a $9.0 million milestone payment from June 30, 2026 to January 1, 2028 in exchange for a warrant to purchase up to 400,000 shares. A Type A meeting has been scheduled for partner Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals and the FDA to discuss the Complete Response Letter for tabelecleucel, with a regulatory update anticipated in the second quarter.

Positive

  • Return to profitability: 2025 net income was $32.7 million versus a $85.4 million net loss in 2024, reflecting a major improvement in the company’s income statement.
  • Substantial cost reductions: Total costs and operating expenses dropped to $84.9 million from $212.4 million, with large declines in research and development and general and administrative spending.
  • Extended cash runway: The company expects year-end 2025 liquidity plus $3.0 million of ATM proceeds and efficiencies to fund operations through year-end 2026.
  • Deferred milestone payment: A $9.0 million payment to HealthCare Royalty was pushed from June 30, 2026 to January 1, 2028, reducing medium-term cash pressure.

Negative

  • Very low cash balance: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments declined to $8.5 million as of December 31, 2025, from $42.5 million a year earlier, leaving limited liquidity.
  • Revenue declined: Commercialization revenue slipped to $120.8 million in 2025 from $128.9 million in 2024, indicating modest top-line pressure while the company restructures.
  • High leverage to royalty obligation: The liability related to the sale of future revenues totaled $42.4 million (current and long-term) at year-end 2025, a significant obligation relative to total assets of $20.2 million.

Insights

Atara swings to profit, cuts costs sharply but runs lean on cash.

Atara Biotherapeutics moved from a $85.4 million net loss in 2024 to net income of $32.7 million in 2025, driven mainly by a steep drop in operating expenses to $84.9 million from $212.4 million. Research and development and general and administrative lines were aggressively reduced.

The balance sheet, however, is tight: cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments fell to $8.5 million as of December 31, 2025. Management expects this, plus $3.0 million of ATM proceeds and lower spending, to fund operations through year-end 2026, which leaves little room for setbacks.

The amendment with HealthCare Royalty defers a $9.0 million milestone to January 1, 2028 in exchange for a warrant on 400,000 shares, easing nearer-term cash demands. A scheduled Type A FDA meeting for tabelecleucel and the anticipated regulatory update in Q2 2026 will be key for understanding potential future revenue and milestone flows.

false000160446400016044642026-03-162026-03-16

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 16, 2026

 

 

Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Delaware

001-36548

46-0920988

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

1280 Rancho Conejo Blvd

 

Thousand Oaks, California

 

91320

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (805) 623-4211

 

 

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 


Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

 

ATRA

 

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On March 16, 2026, the Company announced certain financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. A copy of the Company’s press release, titled “Atara Biotherapeutics Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results and Operational Progress” is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

 

The information set forth in this Item 2.02 and in the press release included as Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of Section 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, whether made before or after the date hereof, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

Description

99.1

Press Release, dated March 16, 2026

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

ATARA BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

Date:

March 16, 2026

By:

/s/ Yanina Grant-Huerta

 

 

 

Yanina Grant-Huerta
Chief Accounting Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 


Exhibit 99.1

Atara Biotherapeutics Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results and Operational Progress

Atara delivers significant operational efficiencies and extends cash runway through year-end 2026

A Type A meeting has been scheduled between Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals and the FDA

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATRA), a leader in T-cell immunotherapy, leveraging its novel allogeneic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) T-cell platform to develop transformative therapies for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025 and business updates.

“We continue to focus on streamlining our costs and liabilities, allowing us to be a nimbler, fit for purpose organization,” said Cokey Nguyen Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Atara. “With the adjustments we have made we are able to focus on supporting our partner, Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals, as they work towards addressing the concerns in the latest Complete Response Letter with the agency. We strongly believe that tabelecleucel can bring substantial benefit to post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease patients and we are committed to supporting Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals as they get this life-saving drug to the finish line in the U.S.”

Tabelecleucel (tab-cel® or Ebvallo™) for Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease (PTLD)

A Type A meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been scheduled for our partner Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals to discuss the issues raised by the FDA in the Complete Response Letter received in January 2026. We anticipate providing a regulatory update in the second quarter.

Corporate Updates

As previously communicated, Atara entered into an amendment (Amendment) to the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of December 20, 2022 with a fund managed by HealthCare Royalty (“HCRx”). Under the terms of the Amendment, HCRx agreed to amend the due date of the one-time $9.0 million cash payment associated with the achievement of a certain milestone from June 30, 2026 to January 1, 2028 in exchange for the issuance of a warrant to purchase up to 400,000 shares of Atara common stock.

 

 

 


Exhibit 99.1

Financial Update:

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results:

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of December 31, 2025 totaled $8.5 million, as compared to $42.5 million as of December 31, 2024.
Net cash used in operating activities was $5.7 million and $50.9 million for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025, as compared to $24.5 million and $68.7 million for the same periods in 2024.
Atara reported a net loss of ($3.4) million, or ($0.25) per share, and a net income of $32.7 million, or $2.61 per share, for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025, respectively, as compared to a net loss of ($12.7) million, or ($1.19) per share, and ($85.4) million, or ($11.41) per share, for the same periods in 2024.
Commercialization revenues were $120.8 million in 2025 as compared to $128.9 million in 2024.
Total costs and operating expenses include non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization expenses of $1.6 million and $11.9 million for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025, respectively, as compared to $6.9 million and $32.1 million for the same periods in 2024.
Research and development expenses were ($0.2) million and $37.4 million for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025, respectively, compared to $28.7 million and $151.5 million for the same periods in 2024. The 2025 results include a $2.6 million non-cash gain from an ARC facility lease amendment, resulting in a fourth-quarter credit rather than an expense.
Research and development expenses include $0.4 million and $2.9 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expenses for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025, respectively, compared to $2.6 million and $13.5 million for the same periods in 2024.
General and administrative expenses were $4.3 million and $26.3 million for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025, respectively, as compared to $9.4 million and $39.9 million for the same periods in 2024.
General and administrative expenses include $1.1 million and $6.9 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expenses for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025, respectively, compared to $3.3 million and $13.5 million for the same periods in 2024.


2026 Outlook and Cash Runway:

Operating expenses are expected to continue to decline significantly year-over-year as a result of the comprehensive cost-reduction initiatives completed in 2025.

Exhibit 99.1

Atara expects that cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of December 31, 2025, combined with recent ATM proceeds of $3.0 million and the operating efficiencies realized in 2025, will be sufficient to fund planned operations through year-end 2026.

 

About Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Atara is harnessing the natural power of the immune system to develop off-the-shelf cell therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers and autoimmune conditions that can be rapidly delivered to patients from inventory. With cutting-edge science and differentiated approach, Atara is the first company in the world to receive regulatory approval of an allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy. Our advanced and versatile T-cell platform does not require T-cell receptor or HLA gene editing and forms the basis of a diverse portfolio of investigational therapies that target EBV, the root cause of certain diseases. Atara is headquartered in Southern California. For more information, visit atarabio.com and follow @Atarabio on X and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains or may imply "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For example, forward-looking statements include statements regarding: (1) the development, timing and progress of tab-cel, including the timing and results of the Type A meeting and the potential path forward for the timely accelerated approval of EBVALLO™, the potential characteristics and benefits of tab-cel, and the results of, and prospects for bringing tab-cel to U.S. patients with EBV+ PTLD, the global partnership with Pierre Fabre Medicament involving tab-cel, and the potential financial benefits to Atara as a result of the global partnership with Pierre Fabre Medicament, including the receipt, timing and amount of any payments to be received by Atara thereunder; (2) the timing of the $9.0 million cash payment to HCRx; (3) Atara’s cash runway, receipt of potential milestone payments, and estimated reduction in operating expenses, including Atara’s ability to fund its planned operations to year-end 2026; and (4) Atara’s evaluation of strategic alternatives and ability to consummate one or more strategic transactions. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Atara’s current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of Atara could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with the costly and time-consuming pharmaceutical product development process and the uncertainty of clinical success; risks related to FDA’s review of the resubmitted BLA for tab-cel; our ability to access


Exhibit 99.1

capital, and the sufficiency of Atara’s cash resources and access to additional capital on favorable terms or at all; the timing of the strategic review process; whether Atara will pursue any strategic alternatives; in the event Atara pursues a strategic alternative, that the strategic alternative may not be attractive or ultimately consummated; whether any strategic alternative will result in additional value for Atara and its stockholders; whether the process will have an adverse impact on Atara and other risks and uncertainties affecting Atara, including those discussed in Atara’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the Company’s most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and subsequent filings and in the documents incorporated by reference therein. Except as otherwise required by law, Atara disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.


Exhibit 99.1

Financials

Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

8,482

 

 

$

25,030

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

17,466

 

Restricted cash

 

 

 

 

 

146

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

1,253

 

 

 

1,482

 

Inventories

 

 

 

 

 

10,655

 

Other current assets

 

 

2,477

 

 

 

10,115

 

Total current assets

 

 

12,212

 

 

 

64,894

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

73

 

 

 

1,294

 

Operating lease assets

 

 

7,064

 

 

 

39,807

 

Other assets

 

 

886

 

 

 

3,103

 

Total assets

 

$

20,235

 

 

$

109,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

127

 

 

$

4,367

 

Accrued compensation

 

 

1,271

 

 

 

6,589

 

Accrued research and development expenses

 

 

82

 

 

 

7,984

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

716

 

 

 

95,092

 

Liability related to the sale of future revenues – current portion

 

 

9,750

 

 

 

382

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

2,976

 

 

 

20,160

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

14,922

 

 

 

134,574

 

Operating lease liabilities – long-term

 

 

9,347

 

 

 

29,914

 

Liability related to the sale of future revenues – long-term

 

 

32,673

 

 

 

38,624

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

1,795

 

 

 

3,269

 

Total liabilities

 

 

58,737

 

 

 

206,381

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity (deficit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock—$0.0001 par value, 500,000 shares authorized as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively; 7,324 and 5,859 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

1,983,361

 

 

 

1,957,261

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

1

 

 

 

8

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(2,021,865

)

 

 

(2,054,553

)

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

 

(38,502

)

 

 

(97,283

)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

$

20,235

 

 

$

109,098

 


Exhibit 99.1

Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

Commercialization revenue

 

$

120,772

 

 

$

128,940

 

Total revenue

 

 

120,772

 

 

 

128,940

 

Costs and operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of commercialization revenue

 

 

21,212

 

 

 

21,009

 

Research and development expenses

 

 

37,445

 

 

 

151,483

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

26,253

 

 

 

39,886

 

Total costs and operating expenses

 

 

84,910

 

 

 

212,378

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

35,862

 

 

 

(83,438

)

Other income (expense), net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

683

 

 

 

2,110

 

Interest expense

 

 

(3,792

)

 

 

(4,615

)

Other income (expense), net:

 

 

(34

)

 

 

528

 

Total other income (expense), net

 

 

(3,143

)

 

 

(1,977

)

Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

 

32,719

 

 

 

(85,415

)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

 

31

 

 

 

(12

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

32,688

 

 

$

(85,403

)

Other comprehensive gain (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities

 

 

(7

)

 

 

212

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

32,681

 

 

$

(85,191

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basis earnings (loss) per common share

 

$

2.61

 

 

$

(11.41

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

 

$

2.57

 

 

$

(11.41

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

 

 

12,544

 

 

 

7,488

 

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

 

 

12,718

 

 

 

7,488

 

 

 

 

 

Investor and Media Relations
Amber Daugherty
Sr. Director, Strategy and Operations
adaugherty@atarabio.com 

 


FAQ

How did Atara Biotherapeutics (ATRA) perform financially in 2025?

Atara reported 2025 net income of $32.7 million, a sharp turnaround from a $85.4 million net loss in 2024. Commercialization revenue reached $120.8 million, slightly below 2024, while major cuts in operating expenses drove the return to profitability.

What is Atara Biotherapeutics’ cash position and runway as of year-end 2025?

Atara ended 2025 with $8.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. The company expects this balance, plus $3.0 million of recent ATM proceeds and cost efficiencies, to be sufficient to fund planned operations through year-end 2026.

How much did Atara Biotherapeutics reduce its operating expenses in 2025?

Total 2025 costs and operating expenses fell to $84.9 million from $212.4 million in 2024. Research and development dropped to $37.4 million, while general and administrative expenses declined to $26.3 million, reflecting significant restructuring and cost control.

What change did Atara Biotherapeutics make to its agreement with HealthCare Royalty?

Atara amended its agreement so a $9.0 million milestone payment to HealthCare Royalty is now due on January 1, 2028 instead of June 30, 2026. In exchange, Atara issued a warrant to purchase up to 400,000 shares of its common stock.

What are the key regulatory developments for Atara’s tabelecleucel (tab-cel)?

A Type A FDA meeting has been scheduled for partner Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals to discuss issues from the January 2026 Complete Response Letter. Atara expects to provide a regulatory update in the second quarter regarding the U.S. path forward for tabelecleucel.

How did Atara Biotherapeutics’ revenue change between 2024 and 2025?

Commercialization revenue was $120.8 million in 2025, down from $128.9 million in 2024. Despite this modest decline, Atara’s extensive cost reductions allowed the company to generate positive net income for the full year 2025.

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Biotechnology
Biological Products, (no Diagnostic Substances)
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