Print This Story  Email This Story  Save this Link View PR Newswire's RSS Feed  Blogs Discussing this News Release  Search Blogs that Mention this News Release  Click this link to view linked Bookmarking Services Click this link to view linked Blogging Services


Pfizer to Expand Neuroscience Research With Acquisition of Biotech Company Rinat Neuroscience

   Rinat Portfolio Includes Early Research in Alzheimer's disease, Phase II
                     Candidate in Acute and Chronic Pain

    NEW YORK, and SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Pfizer Inc announced today it has entered into an agreement to acquire
Rinat Neuroscience Corp., a privately held biotechnology company that is
developing therapeutic proteins for the treatment of diseases and disorders of
the central nervous system.
    "More than one billion people around the world suffer from neurological
conditions and diseases, and finding new, more effective treatments for
patients is a high priority for Pfizer research and development," said John
LaMattina, president, Global Research & Development for Pfizer.
    "Rinat is a pioneer in developing protein-based therapeutics and we see
tremendous potential in its research to develop new medicines, notably for the
treatment of Alzheimer's disease," he added.  "Combining Rinat's potential
product portfolio with Pfizer's capabilities is a further step in our strategy
to enhance Pfizer's internal research and development efforts with
high-potential, externally sourced product candidates and technologies."
    "We are proud of the drug discovery and development progress we have made
in the last 4 1/2 years," said Ron Eastman, Rinat's CEO.  "Further, we are
very pleased that Pfizer, the largest pharmaceutical company and a leader in
neuroscience, has recognized the potential of our programs to treat
significant unmet medical needs."
    Pfizer has a strong presence in neuroscience through its portfolio of
leading medicines for the treatment of conditions including neuropathic pain,
migraine, depression, anxiety, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. In
recent years, the company has made significant internal and external
investments to build a substantial research presence in biologics through a
focus on key therapeutic areas that complement Pfizer's established excellence
in small molecule research.
    Rinat, which is developing novel approaches to neuroscience-based protein
therapeutics, was founded in 2001 when Genentech, Inc. granted Rinat broad
licenses to its key neuroscience assets. The most advanced new drug candidate
in Rinat's pipeline is RN624, a potential new treatment for acute and chronic
pain that is currently entering Phase II clinical trials.  RN624 inhibits
nerve growth factor (NGF) which may play a role in reducing chronic pain
without side effects common in similar therapies.
    Rinat is also developing RN1219 for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's
disease. RN1219, a humanized monoclonal antibody, has been shown to reduce
amyloid plaque in pre-clinical studies.  The buildup of amyloid deposits in
the brain contributes to the progressive death of nerve cells that occurs in
Alzheimer's patients. Rinat has additional compounds in late pre-clinical
development for migraine prophylaxis and cachexia as well as discovery
programs in obesity, pain, neuropathy and Parkinson's disease.
    The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions (including
approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976), and
is expected to close by mid-year 2006.  Lazard and Covington and Burling
advised Pfizer on this transaction.  Lehman Brothers and Wilson, Sonsini,
Goodrich and Rosati advised Rinat Neuroscience.  The financial terms of the
transaction were not disclosed.

    PFIZER DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release is as
of April 6, 2006. The Company assumes no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new
information or future events or developments.
    This release contains forward-looking information about an agreement by
Pfizer to acquire Rinat Neuroscience and about Rinat's research and
development programs and the potential benefits of product candidates that
might result from those programs. Such information involves substantial risks
and uncertainties including, among other things, the satisfaction of
conditions to closing the agreement; the uncertainties inherent in research
and development activities; decisions by regulatory authorities regarding
whether and when to approve applications for product candidates that may
result from such programs as well as their decisions regarding labeling and
other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of
such product candidates; and competitive developments.
    A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in
Pfizer's Annual Report of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2005 and in its reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.


SOURCE Pfizer Inc




Back to Topback to top

Related links:
  • http://www.pfizer.com
    Company News On-Call:
  • http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/688250.html
    Photo Notes:A free corporate logo to accompany this
    story is available immediately via Wieck Photo Database to any
    media with telephoto receiver or electronic darkroom, PC or
    Macintosh, that can accept overhead transmissions. To retrieve a
    logo, please call 972-392-0888.
    Company News On-Call: Pfizer's press releases are
    available through PR Newswire's Company News On-Call service on
    PRN's Web Site. Visit
  • http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/688250.html
    CONTACT:
    Paul Fitzhenry of Pfizer Inc,
    +1-212-733-4637; or David Pritchard of Rinat Corp.,
    +1-650-615-7303