Dive Brief:
- Pfizer on Wednesday inked a collaboration agreement with the California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr) for the development of antibody-based heart failure treatments.
- The agreement gives Pfizer an option for exclusive licensing rights following Phase 1 clinical studies on one of Calibr's agents. If Pfizer exercises its option, the pharma giant would take over subsequent development and commercialization.
- Pfizer also gains the right of first negotiation for other therapeutic agents Calibr is developing based on its antibody fusion technology.
Dive Insight:
Pfizer paid Calibr an undisclosed upfront fee for the option and rights, and the deal includes other milestone payments and option-exercise fees.
This builds on a previous announcement by Pfizer of $46 million in R&D investments to early-stage companies. Pfizer is providing financing to BioAtla, NextCure, Cortexyme, and 4D Molecular Therapeutics for early drug development.
At the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference this week, Pfizer has talked up its pipeline, particularly its (separate) CAR-T development with its French partner Cellectis