Catalyst Biosciences, Inc., recently announced that Pfizer Inc. has initiated a Phase I clinical trial for PF-05280602, an investigational recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) therapy, for acute and prophylactic treatment of patients with hemophilia A and B with inhibitors. In June 2009 Catalyst and Wyeth LLC, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer Inc., formed an exclusive, worldwide collaboration for the discovery, development and commercialization of improved, second-generation rFVIIa products.
Catalyst, which is based in San Francisco, develops therapies using engineered proteases, enzymes that increase the rate of chemical reactions within cells. These proteases can target the proteins associated with certain underlying diseases and conditions.
“We are very excited to see the lead candidate from Catalyst’s hemostasis franchise advance into human clinical trials,” said Nassim Usman, PhD, Catalyst’s CEO. “In parallel, Catalyst is independently achieving significant progress in engineering next-generation recombinant human Factor IX and Xa variants with highly differentiated advantages for the treatment of acute and prophylactic bleeding disorders, including hemophilia and non-hemophilia indications. We are diligently executing on our goal of expanding Catalyst's high-value pipeline of novel engineered proteases.”
Source: Catalyst Biosciences, January 5, 2012
