Pfizer Enters Into Agreement With Ergonex Pharma to Acquire Investigational Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pfizer Enters Into Agreement With Ergonex Pharma to Acquire Investigational Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
NEW YORK, May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pfizer Inc.
(NYSE:PFE)
and Ergonex Pharma GmbH announced today that they have entered into
an agreement under which Pfizer will acquire terguride, which is in
development as a potential treatment for Pulmonary Arterial
Hypertension (PAH). Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer will
support the completion of the ongoing Phase 2 trial for terguride
and will have exclusive worldwide rights excluding Japan to
commercialize terguride for the treatment of PAH. Ergonex will be
eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties on the sales
of terguride for PAH.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100416/PFIZERLOGO ) (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100512/NY03566LOGO )
Terguride is an oral, potent antagonist of 5-HT2B and 5-HT2A
(serotonin) receptors. Serotonin stimulates the proliferation of
pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, and induces fibrosis in the
wall of pulmonary arteries. Together, this causes vascular
remodeling and narrowing of the pulmonary arteries. These changes
result in increased vascular resistance and PAH. Due to the
potential anti-proliferative and anti-fibrotic activity of
terguride, this potential medicine could offer the hope of
achieving reversal of pulmonary artery vascular remodeling and
attenuation of disease progression.
Terguride has received orphan drug designation in both the
United States and in the European Union for the treatment of PAH, a
progressive, incurable disease that is estimated to affect 100,000
to 200,000 people in these regions. Terguride is also currently
approved in Japan for the treatment of Hyperprolactinemia.
"Pfizer's unique business unit structure positions us to advance
a broad portfolio of innovative research programs designed to lead
to a diversity of products, including highly specialized ones in
disease areas like PAH," said Geno Germano, president, Pfizer
Specialty Care Business Unit. "In the case of terguride, we are
pleased that we can support its continued development given our
commitment to advancing the science in PAH and to bringing new,
potentially disease modifying treatments to patients."
Rudolf Reiter, Chief Executive Officer of Ergonex Pharma, said:
"The serotonin hypothesis of PAH has been around for a long time.
The clinical study of terguride in PAH is a challenging and
demanding endeavor for us and we are excited about this agreement
with Pfizer as it ensures continuity of development and advances
our understanding of this pathway."
About Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
PAH is characterized by high blood pressure and structural
changes in the walls of the pulmonary arteries, the blood vessels
that connect the right side of the heart to the lungs. In PAH, the
pulmonary arteries become thickened and constricted, forcing the
heart to work harder to pump blood through the lungs. Over time,
the heart is unable to keep up, and blood flow and oxygenation
become inadequate to meet the body's demands. This can lead to
breathlessness, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, edema, chest pain and
the development of heart failure.
Pfizer Inc: Working together for a healthier world(TM)
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve
health and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the
standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery,
development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals.
Our diversified global health care portfolio includes human and
animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well
as nutritional products and many of the world's best-known consumer
products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and
emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and
cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time.
Consistent with our responsibility as the world's leading
biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with health care
providers, governments and local communities to support and expand
access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For
more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all
who rely on us. To learn more about our commitments, please visit
us at www.pfizer.com.
About Ergonex
ERGONEX Pharma is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing
and commercializing well-tolerated and effective products for novel
and typically underserved indications. This is being achieved by
forging collaborations with commercial and academic partners with
expertise in the field of interest and through outsourcing
activities to service providers. Ergonex Pharma has received
venture capital funding by High Tech Beteiligungen GmbH & Co.
KG, Dusseldorf.
PFIZER DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this
release is as of May 12, 2010. Pfizer assumes no obligation to
update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the
result of new information or future events or developments.
This release contains forward-looking information that involves
substantial risks and uncertainties about an agreement between
Pfizer and Ergonex Pharma and about a product candidate, terguride
for the potential treatment of PAH, including its potential
benefits. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things,
the uncertainties inherent in research and development; decisions
by regulatory authorities regarding whether and when to approve any
drug applications that may be filed for such product candidate, as
well as their decisions regarding labeling and other matters that
could affect the availability or commercial potential of such
product candidate; and competitive developments.
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in
Pfizer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2009 and in its reports on Form 10-Q and Form
8-K.
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100416/PFIZERLOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100512/NY03566LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Pfizer Inc.
CONTACT: Pfizer Contacts: Samantha Cummis (media),
+1-212-733-6924,
Samantha.Cummis@Pfizer.com,
or Suzanne Harnett (investors), +1-212-733-8009,
Suzanne.Harnett@Pfizer.com;
or Ergonex Contact: Yvonne Voit, +41-71-788-4065,
Yvoit@ergonex.com
Web Site: http://www.pfizer.com/
Posted: May 2010
