Ensemble to work with Pfizer to develop drugs against protein-protein interaction targets
Ensemble Discovery of Cambridge, MA, US is to work with Pfizer on the development of novel drug candidates against a number of high-value pharmaceutical targets.
Ensemble Discovery of Cambridge, MA, US is to work with Pfizer on the development of novel drug candidates against a number of high-value pharmaceutical targets.
The collaboration will use Ensemble's proprietary drug discovery platforms and Ensemblin compound libraries to discover and advance drug candidates. Pfizer will make undisclosed payments to Ensemble and will have the right to develop and market any products arising from the collaboration. Pfizer will also pay milestone payments plus royalties on worldwide sales.
The aim is to develop its Ensemblins against therapeutic targets involving protein-protein interactions. Ensemblins are oral drugs to address disease targets that cannot be modulated effectively by traditional small molecule pharmaceuticals, the company says.
"Our Ensemblin platform advanced massively during 2009 and our capabilities will increase further in 2010," said Nick Terrett, cso of Ensemble Discovery.
"The Ensemble technology platform will give us access to an area of chemical space not currently well represented in our file that holds the potential to be of utility in addressing novel target types," added Tony Wood, Pfizer's global head of chemistry.