Pfizer to expand vaccine capability with acquisition of Coley Pharmaceutical Group

Pfizer has entered into an agreement to acquire US-based Coley Pharmaceutical Group, a biopharmaceutical company specialising in vaccine adjuvant technology and a new class of immunomodulatory drug candidates designed to fight cancers, allergy and asthma disorders, and autoimmune diseases.

Coley is a pioneer in a new class of drug candidates called TLR therapeutics that work by stimulating or blocking important immune system receptors, called Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which in turn direct the immune system to fight disease. Coley has discovered proprietary clinical stage drug candidates targeting TLRs 7, 8 and 9.

"This acquisition is an important component of Pfizer's vaccine strategy and reflects our commitment to research new and more effective vaccines to prevent infectious diseases and to treat cancers and other debilitating conditions," said Jeffrey B. Kindler, Pfizer chairman and ceo.

"Coley's innovative product candidate portfolio and technology have the potential to significantly enhance future vaccine and immunotherapeutic approaches to a broad range of diseases including Alzheimer's, asthma, infectious disease and oncology, where we already have strong collaborative research in place."

"We believe this transaction is a strong testament to the therapeutic potential of targeting TLR pathways and reflects Pfizer's commitment to discovering and advancing TLR Therapeutic candidates that may be capable of directing the immune system to treat a wide range of diseases," added Robert L. Bratzler, president and ceo, Coley Pharmaceutical Group.

The acquisition is expected to close early in 2008.