Pfizer establishes new gene therapy platform

Pfizer is expanding its capabilities in the field of rare disease research with a number of new strategic initiatives, including the launch of a gene therapy platform.

The new unit will be headed by Dr Michael Linden, a leading King's College London researcher, who has joined Pfizer for a two-year secondment to lead gene therapy research within the company's rare disease research area.

Meanwhile, a collaboration agreement has been signed with Spark Therapeutics, focusing on progressing the development of SPK-FIX, a programme incorporating a bio-engineered AAV vector for the potential treatment of haemophilia B.

This new compound is expected to enter phase I/II clinical trials in the first half of 2015.

Dr Mikael Dolsten, president of worldwide research and development at Pfizer, said: "We hope to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that could potentially bring true disease modification for those suffering from devastating haematologic and neuromuscular diseases."

Earlier this month, the company expanded its capabilities further with the completion of its acquisition of Baxter's portfolio of marketed vaccines.