Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has announced that it will be partnering Coley Pharmaceuticals in promoting ProMune, an anti-cancer drug with exciting possibilities. ProMune is a TLR (toll like receptor) class drug that has shown immense promise in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. The TLR-class of drugs apparently direct the human immune system against cancer cells.
According to the agreement, which is as yet uncertified by the government, Pfizer will pay $50 million upfront to Coley, plus $455 million if the drug lives upto expectations.
ProMune has already cleared the Phase II trial after it was evaluated in about 900 subjects in clinical trials. Pfizer will put up the cost for the Phase III trials. The drug has shown tumoricidal activity without significant side affects and is used as a subcutaneous injection.
Reacting to the tie-up, Pfizer's vice chairman and president of its human health group, Karen Katen said that the move was a step forward as Pfizer seeks to enter into collaborations in key therapeutic areas including oncology. "Results of clinical studies conducted to date suggest that ProMune has promising anti-cancer activity and may represent an important advance in treating a range of cancer indications," she added.
Coley Chief Executive Bob Bratzler commented, "I think you can tell from Pfizer's reaction they think we have something," Coley reportedly has four other TLR-class drugs in various phases of clinical trials and has already teamed up with Sanofi Aventis and GlaxoSmithKline. ProMune is expected to hit the markets in early 2009.
