Pfizer to buy Idun

Idun is focused on the discovery and development of therapies to control apoptosis, a process of cell death that occurs in a broad range of diseases. The company has an extensive patent portfolio consisting of more than 150 issued patents covering drug targets, new chemical entities (NCEs), drug-screening assays, diagnostics and antibodies.

Idun’s technology is focused on the control of caspase activity. Caspases are a group of cellular proteases involved in the pathway of apoptosis and inflammation. The company has developed therapeutic applications focused on inhibiting caspase activity as potential treatments for liver disease and inflammation. Idun also has programs targeting the activation of caspases as potential treatments for cancer.

“The acquisition of Idun is a further step in our strategy to augment Pfizer’s internal R&D efforts with high-potential, externally sourced product candidates and technologies,” said Martin Mackay, senior vice president of worldwide research & technology for Pfizer.

Idun’s lead compound, IDN-6556, a first-in-class pan caspase inhibitor, is in phase II clinical trials in liver transplantation and in patients infected with hepatitis C virus. This compound may represent a new class of drugs that protect the liver from inflammation and cellular damage induced by viral infections and other causes.

In addition to IDN-6556, Idun has a robust preclinical pipeline including a number of programs in inflammation and oncology.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed but the acquisition is expected to close during the second quarter of the year.