Pfizer has agreed to acquire FoldRx Pharmaceuticals to further its interest in rare and orphan diseases, including CNS diseases.

FoldRx develop drugs to treat diseases caused by protein misfolding with its lead candidate tafamidis melgumine used to stabilise the protein transthyretin and prevent dissociation of the tetramer.

The company has completed am international 128-patient Phase II/III study, with liver transplant the only treatment option currently available for the genetic neurodegenerative disease.

Pfizer president and GM Geno Germano said that the acquisition, adding to Pfizer’s specialty care business, will complement the current and planned future research and clinical development undertaken by the company.