Pfizer in $58 million drug discovery accord on cystic fibrosis

The USA-based Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics (CFFT), the non-profit drug discovery and development affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, has announced a major expansion of its research collaboration with pharma behemoth Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) designed to discover new drugs to treat people with the most common mutation of CF, Delta F508.

Under the new six-year preclinical research program with Pfizer, CFFT will invest up to $58 million to speed the discovery and development of potential therapies that target the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis. The program's goal is to advance one or more drug candidates into the clinic by the end of the multiyear collaboration.

"We are excited to expand our efforts with Pfizer to accelerate the development of more therapies that treat the root cause of CF and benefit the greatest number of people with the disease," said Robert Beall, president and chief executive of the CF Foundation, adding: "Pfizer brings impressive technical and scientific expertise, along with its commitment to improving the lives of people with cystic fibrosis."