Pfizer has a long history of successfully partnering with external organizations that share in our purpose to deliver Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Turning great science into new medicines is an outcome that we work toward every day, and it is not always best achieved in isolation.

Each year, we engage in dozens of research partnerships with innovators who are actively researching bold scientific ideas, capabilities and technologies – all in the service of sourcing the best science in the world. This year was no exception.

Several transactions in 2019 included programs that represent potential future breakthroughs.

“To be clear, this isn’t just about creating breakthrough medicines,” says John Young, Chief Business Officer, Pfizer. “It’s also about putting those medicines into the hands of patients as quickly as we can. That aspiration is bold, but achievable.”

• Vivet: In March, Pfizer acquired a 15% equity interest and exclusive option to acquire all outstanding shares of Vivet Therapeutics, a privately held gene therapy biotechnology company. The companies are collaborating on the development of a potential breakthrough therapy for Wilson disease.
• Array: In July, Pfizer completed the acquisition of Array BioPharma, a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted small molecule medicines to treat cancer and other diseases of high unmet need.
• Therachon: In July, Pfizer completed the acquisition of Therachon Holding AG, a privately held clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on rare diseases.
• Akcea: In October, Pfizer entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Akcea Therapeutics for an investigational antisense therapy being developed to treat patients with certain cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.