Vendor News

TCG Lifesciences signs deals with Pfizer, Endo Pharma

TCG Lifesciences (TCG) has recently announced two major collaborations with Pfizer and Endo Pharma. With Pfizer Inc TCG have entered into a collaboration to develop a portfolio of preclinical candidate molecules in a series of discovery target programs whereas in the Endo Pharma deal, TCG has a strategic agreement to discover novel small molecule drug candidates for the treatment of pain.

Pfizer will own the compounds and TCGLS will receive research funding and will be eligible to receive research milestone payments as part of the partnership arrangement. Working closely with Endo scientists the collaboration will focus on an integrated approach involving medicinal chemistry, biology and animal pharmacology capabilities of Chembiotek. Endo will have full ownership of the compounds developed under the collaboration with exclusive worldwide rights, and will fund all subsequent drug development and commercialization activities. Endo will provide research funding and pay success based discovery milestones payments to TCG Lifesciences.

"We are very excited about this research collaboration. By combining Pfizer's scientific leadership and drug discovery experience with TCGLS' project management and scientific capabilities, we continue to expand our discovery capabilities and increase the likelihood and speed of developing new medicines for patients in need," said Rod MacKenzie, Senior Vice President, Head of Worldwide Research, Pharma Therapeutics, Pfizer. "This investment further strengthens our R&D partnership network in Asia and its emerging market countries, which is an important component of our R&D strategy."

"We are also excited to partner with Pfizer and assist them in the effort to discover a series of preclinical candidates," said Swapan Bhattacharya, Managing Director, TCGLS. "This agreement serves as a testament to our growing capacity and capabilities to provide high-end integrated discovery services in the global arena and to align our strategic focus with the goals of our partners."

Ivan Gergel, MD, Endo EVP of research and development, stated, "We are excited to be working with TCG Lifesciences in our efforts to discover, develop and deliver the right kinds of treatment solutions to patients and providers. This collaboration is consistent with our strategy of building Endo's pipeline using a virtual discovery approach, in conjunction with our in-licensing efforts."

According to Bhattacharya, "This partnership with Endo is a result of the skills, capabilities and scale of operations we have developed over the past few years at TCGLS and more specifically at Chembiotek. This also highlights TCGLS focus on developing special platform technologies, electrophysiology and specific animal models relevant to preclinical research in the area of pain. Our talented and dedicated team of scientists working in the area of medicinal chemistry, biology and animal pharmacology has made this possible." focus with the goals of our partners."