Empresas y finanzas

Pfizer and TransTech Pharma Enter Into Agreement for the Development and Commercialization of RAGE Modulators; Agreement Strengthens Pfizer's Neuroscience Research Commitment with Focus on Potential Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease



    Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and TransTech Pharma, Inc.
    announced today that they have entered into a license agreement for
    the development and commercialization of small and large molecule
    compounds under development by TransTech. These compounds target the
    receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) and have potential
    use in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, a progressive illness
    that kills nerve cells in the brain afflicting some 18 million people
    worldwide.
    Through the collaboration, Pfizer gains exclusive worldwide rights
    to develop and commercialize TransTech's portfolio of RAGE modulators.
    The most advanced molecules are: TTP488, an orally available
    small-molecule compound that has completed a Phase 2a study in
    Alzheimer's patients and is currently in a Phase 2 study in patients
    with diabetic nephropathy; and TTP4000, a large-molecule compound that
    is expected to enter Phase 1 clinical trials before the end of 2006.
    Under the agreement, TransTech will receive upfront and near-term
    milestone payments of $155 million and the potential for significant
    additional milestone payments for the successful development and
    commercialization of multiple RAGE antagonists in several indications.
    TransTech will also receive royalties on worldwide sales of products.
    In addition, Pfizer will provide TransTech up to $18 million during
    the research term to support continued expansion of the RAGE
    portfolio. The agreement is subject to clearance by U.S. Federal Trade
    Commission.
    "This agreement is an important step in Pfizer's commitment to
    neurosciences research and the development of new medicines for
    patients whose lives are impacted by Alzheimer's disease (AD) and
    other disorders," said Martin Mackay, Ph.D., Pfizer Senior Vice
    President Worldwide Research and Technology. "As a world leader in
    Alzheimer's disease therapy, we understand the need for new treatment
    options for this debilitating disease which takes an enormous toll on
    our aging and elderly population."
    "Our collaboration with TransTech advances our strategy to build
    upon Pfizer's broad internal research programs with high-potential,
    externally sourced product candidates and technologies. With this
    agreement, we have now signed 10 major deals for new products and
    technologies in a number of therapeutic areas in the last year and our
    goal is to accelerate this activity by quickly seizing on new
    opportunities," added Mackay.
    "We are extremely pleased and excited to be partnering our RAGE
    platform with Pfizer," said Adnan M. M. Mjalli, Ph.D., Founder,
    President and Chief Executive Officer of TransTech Pharma. "We believe
    this transaction has the potential to be among the largest of its kind
    in recent years. Pfizer's deep commitment in multiple therapeutic
    areas coupled with their broad expertise and experience in the
    development and commercialization of new medicines, especially for the
    treatment of central nervous system diseases, were significant factors
    in our decision to go with Pfizer as the partner of choice to advance
    our current portfolio of RAGE inhibitors in a variety of potential
    indications."
    TransTech Pharma, Inc. is a majority-owned affiliate of MacAndrews
    & Forbes Holdings Inc., whose sole shareholder is Ronald O. Perelman.

    About RAGE

    The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a
    member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell surface molecules
    with a variety of ligands that are associated with different diseases.
    Ligands of RAGE and their associated diseases include:

    -- amyloid fibrils - Alzheimer's disease

    -- advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) - diabetes and renal
    insufficiency

    -- amphoterin - tumors

    -- S100/calgranulins - inflammation.

    Pfizer Inc: Working for a healthier world(TM)

    Founded in 1849, Pfizer is the world's largest research-based
    pharmaceutical company taking new approaches to better health. We
    discover and develop innovative medicines to treat and help prevent
    disease for both people and animals. Through consistent, high-quality
    manufacturing and distribution operations, our medicines reach
    patients in 180 nations. We also partner with healthcare providers,
    governments and local communities around the world to expand access to
    our medicines and to provide better quality healthcare and health
    system support. At Pfizer, our colleagues work every day to help
    people stay happier and healthier longer and to reduce the human and
    economic burden of disease worldwide.

    About TransTech Pharma

    TransTech Pharma is a privately held clinical-stage pharmaceutical
    company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization
    of human therapeutics to fill unmet medical needs. The Company's
    high-throughput drug discovery platform, Translational Technology(R),
    translates the functional modulation of human proteins into safe and
    effective medicines. TransTech has a pipeline of small molecule
    clinical and pre-clinical drug candidates for the treatment of a wide
    range of human diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, central
    nervous system disorders, type I/II diabetes, obesity and cancer. For
    further company information, visit http://www.ttpharma.com.

    PFIZER DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this
    release is as of September 18, 2006. Pfizer assumes no obligation to
    update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as the
    result of new information or future events or developments.
    This release contains forward-looking information about a license
    agreement between Pfizer Inc. and TransTech Pharma, Inc. and about
    possible product candidates that may be developed from TransTech's
    portfolio of RAGE modulators and the potential benefits of such
    product candidates. This information involves substantial risks and
    uncertainties including, among other things, the satisfaction of
    conditions to closing the agreement; the uncertainties inherent in
    research and development activities; decisions by regulatory
    authorities regarding whether and when to approve any drug
    applications for product candidates that may be developed from
    TransTech's portfolio of RAGE modulators as well as their decisions
    regarding labeling and other matters that could affect the
    availability or commercial potential of any such product candidates;
    and competitive developments.
    A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be
    found in Pfizer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
    December 31, 2005 and in its reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.