Pfizer Inc. PFE announced today two strategic decisions to expand the
company's rare disease research and development activities through the
establishment of a gene therapy platform to investigate potential treatments
for patients. First is an agreement with Spark Therapeutics to develop
SPK-FIX, a program incorporating a bio-engineered AAV vector for the potential
treatment of Hemophilia B expected to enter Phase 1/2 clinical trials in the
first half of 2015. Additionally, Pfizer has appointed Michael Linden, Ph.D.,
Professor at King's College London and Director of the University College
London Gene Therapy Consortium, who will be with the company for a two-year
secondment to lead gene therapy research in the rare disease area.
“The fundamental understanding of the biology of hereditary rare diseases,
coupled with advances in the technology to harness disarmed viruses as gene
delivery vehicles, provide a ripe opportunity to investigate the next wave of
potential life-changing therapies for patients,” said Mikael Dolsten, M.D.,
Ph.D., president of Worldwide Research and Development at Pfizer. “By
establishing our gene therapy capabilities, we hope to gain a deeper
understanding of the mechanisms that could potentially bring true disease
modification for those suffering from devastating hematologic and
neuromuscular diseases.”
Agreement with Spark Therapeutics for Hemophilia Research
Philadelphia-based Spark Therapeutics and Pfizer will collaborate to progress
the clinical program for SPK-FIX, a program incorporating a bio-engineered AAV
vector for the potential treatment of hemophilia B. Pfizer has a long-standing
commitment to the hemophilia community and has been providing hemophilia
products to patients for more than 17 years.
“Pfizer strives to provide meaningful enhancements to the lives of patients
with hemophilia, and the agreement with Spark Therapeutics offers an important
expansion of Pfizer's commitment to the bleeding disorder community and builds
on our leading hemophilia portfolio,” said Geno Germano, group president,
Global Innovative Pharma Business at Pfizer. “We believe the SPK-FIX program
could add to our existing portfolio of hemophilia products and could pioneer a
potential new treatment technology for patients with bleeding disorders.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Spark will maintain responsibility for
clinical development through Phase 1/2 studies. Pfizer will assume
responsibility for pivotal studies, any regulatory approvals and potential
global commercialization of the product.
Establishment of Gene Therapy Research in Pfizer Rare Disease
Effective December 1, 2014, Professor Michael Linden has joined Pfizer from
his current position at King's College London, for a two-year secondment to
lead gene therapy research within the company's rare disease research area.
“The establishment of a gene therapy group under the leadership of Professor
Linden will help Pfizer explore the potential of this important technology
that could possibly benefit patients living with serious diseases,” said Kevin
Lee, Ph.D., senior vice president and chief scientific officer of Pfizer's
Rare Disease Research Unit. “Professor Linden brings to Pfizer his extensive
expertise in AAV technology obtained from over 20 years working in the field.”
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Comments
Loading...
Posted In: NewsPress Releases
Benzinga simplifies the market for smarter investing
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.
Join Now: Free!
Already a member?Sign in