Icagen Re-launched Through XRpro Sciences Acquisition of Pfizer Team and Technology for Ion Channel and Transporter Drug R&D

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XRpro Sciences, Inc. today announced its acquisition of assets related to the ion channel biology platform from Pfizer Inc.
PFE
that had previously been obtained as part of Pfizer's 2011 acquisition of Icagen, Inc. XRPro Sciences also acquired all of Pfizer's rights to the "Icagen" name and trademark. XRPro Sciences is re-launching the Icagen brand and will provide comprehensive services for ion channel and transporter drug discovery, combining Icagen's industry-leading scientific expertise and extensive portfolio of assays and cell lines with XRpro Sciences' proprietary, label-free X-ray fluorescence technology. The new Icagen will continue to operate out of the existing facility in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina in addition to the current XRpro Sciences Inc. site in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Pfizer scientists associated with the ion channel biology platform will transition to the new Icagen, ensuring continuity of their extensive scientific expertise. "Pharmaceutical and biotech companies are looking for efficiency improvements and expertise in the drug development process and are increasingly relying on outsource providers," said Richie Cunningham, Chief Executive Officer of the new Icagen. "Icagen is being re-launched to enable such companies to advance their ion channel and transporter drug discovery by bringing together the outstanding expertise of Icagen scientists with an unmatched portfolio of ion channel cell lines and assay technologies." "The Pfizer team transitioning to the new Icagen has more than two decades of leadership in the ion channel field and a long track record of success in moving compounds from discovery into clinical development across a variety of therapeutic areas, both alone and in partnership with leading pharmaceutical developers including Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Johnson & Johnson," Mr. Cunningham continued. "This expertise, combined with a continually expanding collection of ion channel tools and technologies and the enabling capabilities of XRpro's high throughput technology, positions us to provide services in the ion channel and transporter research fields that are second to none." "We look forward to once again operating as an independent company and collaborating with pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry researchers on their discovery and preclinical development problems, without limitations on the therapeutic areas or ion channels of interest," said Douglas Krafte, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of the new Icagen. He noted that the company's research efforts to date had covered multiple ion channel classes and a broad range of therapeutic indications including cardiac arrhythmias, sickle cell anemia, asthma, epilepsy and pain. "We also look forward to having a positive impact within the area of transporter research by harnessing the unique capabilities of the XRpro® platform for evaluating previously challenging targets, like nonelectrogenic transporters." Dr. Krafte continued, "At the same time, working since 2011 as part of Pfizer has enabled us to significantly grow our technological resources and gain unique insights into large company perspectives about drug R&D that will serve our clients well as we go forward." "We are pleased to enter into this agreement with XRpro Sciences that will provide flexibility and ensure technical excellence in the pursuit of ion channel therapeutics," said Michael Ehlers, MD, PhD, Pfizer Senior Vice President of Biotherapeutics R&D. "We look forward to working with the new Icagen to discover new drug candidates targeting ion channels and transporters that impact major neurological and cardiovascular diseases."
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