Pfizer to create rare disease research unit
Research unit will lead to new medicines for illnesses for which there is no cure
Pfizer is to create a new research unit focused on rare diseases. This new unit will significantly expand Pfizer’s presence in rare disease research with the goal of discovering novel, life-saving medicines for diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 patients.
The Rare Diseases Research Unit will be located near Boston, Massachusetts, and will be led by Dr Edward Mascioli. Dr Mascioli was most recently the founder and ceo of Dapis Capital, a private equity firm focused on healthcare and the life sciences. He has extensive experience in clinical development from his time as vice president of clinical affairs at Peptimmune and senior medical director at Paraxel.
‘We are very excited about our new Rare Diseases Research Unit,’ said Dr Jose Carlos Gutierrez-Ramos, senior vice president, BioTherapeutics Research and Development.
‘We are coupling Pfizer’s existing experience in rare diseases, such as hemophilia, with our advanced protein technologies, resources and world-class scientific team to focus on becoming a driving force in rare disease research. Pfizer has a long history in discovering, developing and commercialising medicines that treat rare diseases and we are hopeful that this research unit will lead to additional new medicines for patients suffering from devastating illnesses for which there is no cure.’
Pfizer’s Rare Disease Research Unit will pursue treatments across all therapeutic areas and modalities and will serve as the focal point for the company’s existing research on rare diseases. The company intends to work closely with patient advocacy groups as it develops and advances the unit’s research strategy.