The California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr), a nonprofit translational research institute, has entered into a global strategic collaboration with Pfizer for the development of new antibody-based therapeutic agents to treat heart failure.
Calibr’s antibody fusion technology provides a modular approach to develop long-acting biotherapeutics based on peptide and protein agonists and antagonists.
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As part of the deal, Pfizer has the option to secure an exclusive license to certain antibody-based therapeutic agents following Phase 1 clinical trials to be carried out by Calibr on one such agent.
The trials are designed to evaluate the safety and pharmacodynamics in healthy volunteers and patients with heart failure.
Calibr chairman and president Peter Schultz said: "This collaboration leverages Calibr’s ability to progress the programme rapidly through first-in-human studies and provides access to Pfizer’s state-of-the-art therapeutic development capabilities.
"We look forward to working with the team at Pfizer to potentially bring forward a best-in-class molecule to address the unmet medical needs of patients with heart failure."
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By GlobalDataIf Pfizer exercises the option, it would be responsible for further development and commercialisation of such potential products and Calibr will receive an option exercise fee and be eligible for development and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalties on net sales of any potential products.
Additionally, the agreement grants Pfizer a right of first negotiation for additional therapeutic agents in development, based on new platform technologies from Calibr.
In return, Calibr will receive an upfront payment and be eligible for additional pre-exercise milestone payments leading up to the completion of Phase I clinical trials.
Pfizer PharmaTherapeutics research and development senior vice-president Rod MacKenzie said: "Heart disease continues to present a major medical burden on our society as the development of new therapies has been challenging.
"We look forward to working with our new collaborators at Calibr to help address this need, and believe that our combined expertise and experience can help us get closer to the goal of applying recent advances in biology toward reducing the suffering of patients with heart failure."
