Protara Therapeutics Releases Early Cut Data From Investigational Cell-Based Therapy For Bladder Cancer

Protara Therapeutics Inc TARA announced preliminary results from the Phase 1a dose-escalation component of its ongoing ADVANCED-1 clinical trial of TARA-002 for high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).
TARA-002 is the company's investigational cell-based therapy.
The clinical data indicate that TARA-002, a novel intravesical monotherapy, was generally well tolerated and showed anti-tumor activity.
TARA-002 was generally well tolerated at all three dose levels evaluated in the trial, and no dose-limiting toxicities were observed.
A maximum tolerated dose was not determined, and dose escalation remains ongoing in exploratory cohorts.
The company has selected the 40KE1 dose for use in subsequent clinical trials.
Most reported adverse events were mild or moderate.
Patient enrollment is ongoing in the open-label expansion trial (ADVANCED-1EXP).
Protara plans to initiate ADVANCED-2 Phase 1b/2 open-label trial evaluating intravesical TARA-002 in up to 102 patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS). The study is expected to initiate in 2H of 2023.
In its Q4 earnings release, the company said a cash balance of $102.3 million as of December 31, 2022, will be sufficient to fund its planned operations and data milestones into 2025.
Price Action: TARA shares are up 2.48% at $3.31 on the last check Friday.