<<PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL - News) and
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE - News) today announced that the two companies have entered
into a collaborative research and license agreement for the development of
inhaled products for the treatment of allergic asthma and other respiratory
diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The
collaboration is focused on Rigel's preclinical small molecule compounds,
which inhibit IgE receptor signaling in respiratory tract mast cells by
blocking the signaling enzyme Syk kinase.
Under the terms of the agreement, Rigel will receive an upfront cash payment, as well as milestone payments and royalties on any future product sales. Pfizer will make an equity investment in Rigel and will be responsible for the worldwide development and commercialization of any resulting products. Financial terms of the agreement were not announced.
"Inhibition of Syk kinase is a novel approach to reduce the chronic inflammation in patients with allergic diseases of the respiratory tract such as allergic asthma," said Martin Mackay, Senior Vice President Worldwide Research & Technology for Pfizer Inc. "We believe that the combination of Rigel's novel small molecule approach and Pfizer's drug development capabilities will allow us to progress new and important treatments for respiratory diseases."
"Pfizer's commitment to targeting the unmet medical needs of asthma and respiratory patients makes them an ideal partner with the requisite capabilities and global reach to succeed in this collaboration," said James M. Gower, chief executive officer of Rigel. "This is our second research collaboration with Pfizer in this field and it confirms the quality of our company's programs in the respiratory field."
Rigel has pioneered the discovery of treatments for allergic diseases by blocking Syk kinase. The Company was the first to discover and develop potent and selective Syk inhibitors and introduce these into the clinic.
The Syk kinase intrapulmonary collaboration with Pfizer does not include R112, Rigel's lead Syk kinase inhibitor that is being developed for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Rigel recently completed a successful Phase II clinical study with R112 and is proceeding with the further clinical development of R112 for allergic rhinitis. After further Phase II clinical trials are completed, Pfizer will have a limited option to license R112 and Rigel's Syk inhibitors in the allergic rhinitis field under different financial and other obligations.
Syk Inhibition in Respiratory Diseases
Rigel's small molecule compounds bind to and inhibit Syk kinase, an intracellular target that regulates IgE receptor signaling in mast cells and thus prevent cellular activation and subsequent release of multiple chemical mediators. However, unlike common allergy and asthma drugs that block only a single chemical mediator, Syk inhibitors block the major IgE dependent pathways in mast cells that trigger an allergic attack, potentially making Syk inhibitors more effective and comprehensive drugs. Currently, steroids are the only other non-injectable class of agents that block multiple chemical mediators in the allergic response, but these have a slow onset of action.
About Asthma and Chronic Airway Inflammatory Disease
There are nearly 15 million Americans with asthma, the chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that is characterized by episodic flare-ups or attacks that can be life-threatening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that direct costs to the United States for asthma management and treatment is nearly $15 billion on an annual basis, with more than 11 million physician office visits, 1.8 million emergency room visits, and 500,000 hospitalizations. COPD, a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems, is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Lung Association.<<
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Cheers, Tuck |
