Pfizer returns worldwide rights to rapamycin analogue program to Biotica

Privately-held UK biotech firm Biotica Technology says that it has regained full rights from global drugs behemoth Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) to its rapamycin analogue program, including transfer of data and materials.

Biotica’s rapamycin analogue program, partnered in 2006 with Wyeth, which was acquired by Pfizer in October 2009), includes clinical candidates for the treatment of neuro-inflammatory and other diseases. The deal with Wyeth allowed for payments of up to $195 million to Biotica (The Pharma Letter October 16, 2006.

“Our compounds are supported by a strong data package generated by Pfizer, and show evidence of meaningful differentiation in diseases with significant unmet need,” commented Edward Hodgkin, chief executive of Biotica, which is a spin-out of the UK’s Cambridge University.