CellCentric wins $25m from Pfizer for cancer collaboration
Cambridge biotech game-changer CellCentric has secured a strategic investment of $25 million from global biopharma company Pfizer to support the further development of inobrodib, a groundbreaking oral p300/CBP inhibitor for specific types of cancer.
The collaboration aims to propel the development of inobrodib, the first-in-class p300/CBP inhibitor, which has shown promising potential in treating relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) and other haematological malignancies.
CellCentric, which originated within the University of Cambridge, has cultivated a strong network of research collaborations with over 25 leading academic research groups worldwide.
Pfizer will support CellCentric with its own clinical development program in multiple myeloma (MM) for 2024, alongside ongoing trials in specific haematological malignancies, through its Pfizer Ignite offering.
As part of the deal, Astrid Ruefli-Brasse, Vice-President, Tumour Biology, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, will join CellCentric’s Scientific advisory board; Sriram Krishnaswami, VP and Development Head, Multiple Myeloma, Pfizer Global Product Development, will serve as an adviser to CellCentric.
The new agreement follows the US Food and Drug Administration’s recent granting of a Fast Track designation for inobrodib to treat patients with late-stage RRMM and orphan drug designation in MM.
CellCentric’s ongoing blood cancer trial (NCT04068597) involves patients with a range of haematological malignancies including multiple myeloma, but also non-Hodgkin lymphoma, acute myeloid leukaemia and higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome.
CellCentric plans to announce its expansion cohort data at the 65th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition which will take place from December 9-12 in San Diego.
This will include data from a trial of inobrodib both as a monotherapy and in combination with pomalidomide and plus dexamethasone.
Will West, CEO and co-founder, CellCentric, said: “We are delighted to partner with Pfizer to facilitate planning an optimal route to market for inobrodib.
“This agreement will enable us to build on the strong early clinical data observed to date in RRMM patients.
“We look forward to making inobrodib available to a broader population of patients, particularly those who are underserved by existing therapies.”
Astrid Ruefli-Brasse, Vice-President, Tumour Biology, Pfizer, added: “This agreement with CellCentric will help deliver the next phase of clinical trials for inobrodib and we look forward to sharing our capabilities and deep understanding of the science behind blood cancers to support the development of this programme.
“We believe CellCentric’s pioneering work to develop a therapeutic that targets p300/CBP represents a potentially significant new treatment option for patients living with multiple myeloma.”
• Pfizer Ignite is a new end-to-end service for biotech companies with high potential early science that leverages Pfizer’s significant R & D capabilities, scale and expertise to accelerate the development of breakthrough therapies.
